Station Nitrogen Tank Replaced


Image above: Astronaut Rex Walheim participates in the second spacewalk of the STS-122
mission.
Image credit: NASA TV

STS-122 Astronauts Rex Walheim and Hans Schlegel completed the removal of an expended Nitrogen Tank Assembly (NTA) and the installation of a new one on the International Space Station’s P1 truss during the second spacewalk of the mission Wednesday. The tank is part of the orbital outpost’s cooling system.

The station grew Monday when STS-122 and Expedition 16 crew members used the station’s robotic arm to attach the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus laboratory to the Harmony module. Robot arm operators completed the installation Monday at 4:44 p.m. EST.

Source: NASA - Space Station

13 February 2008

ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang during the second spacewalk of the STS-116 mission to the International Space Station. Fuglesang stands on a platform at the end of the Station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, during operations to relocate two CETA carts.

Credits: NASA

European scientists have developed the most accurate method yet for predicting the doses of radiation that astronauts will receive aboard the orbiting European laboratory module, Columbus, attached to the ISS this week.

The new software package accurately simulates the physics of radiation particles passing through spacecraft walls and human bodies. Such techniques will be essential to use for calculating the radiation doses received by astronauts on future voyages to the Moon and Mars.

To predict accurately the radiation risk faced by astronauts, scientists and engineers must tackle three separate problems: How much radiation is hitting the space vehicle? How much of that radiation is blocked by the available shielding? What are the biological effects of the radiation on the astronauts?

ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang during the second spacewalk of Space Shuttle mission STS-116. Fuglesang stands on a platform on the end of the Station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, during operations to move two CETA carts on the truss - the Station's girder-like backbone structure.

Credits: NASA

This project, funded by ESA’s General Studies Programme and the Swedish National Space Board, mostly concentrates on the second of those questions. It was initiated by Christer Fuglesang of ESA's European Astronaut Corps.
During a stay onboard the ISS in December 2006, he experienced firsthand the effects of space radiation. "You see flashes when you close your eyes as a result of interactions with your eye," he says.

The frequency of these flashes depends on where the ISS is in its orbit and the level of solar activity. There was a solar storm whilst Fuglesang was in space. "That night we were told to sleep in the more shielded sections of the station," he says.

The ESA simulation is called Dose Estimation by Simulation of the International Space Station (ISS) Radiation Environment (DESIRE). "The project was designed to provide a European capability in accurately predicting radiation doses onboard Columbus," says Petteri Nieminen, ESA’s Technical Officer on the study.

The first step was to build a programme that would accurately simulate the physics of radiation passing into a spacecraft and then through a human body. To do this, Tore Ersmark of the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden worked with several existing software packages. These included a software toolkit known as Geant4, which simulates the propagation of radiation particles. Geant4 has been successfully used in disciplines such as space physics, medical physics and high-energy physics, and is developed by a large international collaboration involving ESA, CERN, and many other institutes and universities.

One of the lengthiest aspects of the work was that Ersmark had to build from scratch a computer model of the International Space Station itself. The configuration and orientation of the ISS are crucial parameters in defining the amount of matter that radiation passes through.

The Columbus module, launched into space by NASA's Space Shuttle on 7 February, is the most ambitious and sophisticated contribution to human spaceflight that Europe has yet made. It is equipped with radiation monitors to test the DESIRE predictions. "We are really pleased with the results from DESIRE and look forward to comparing them to the actual measurements," says Petteri.

Inside Columbus, during quiet solar times, the radiation levels are expected to be low. "Although they are several hundred times greater than the background radiation level here in Sweden, that is still not dangerous," says Ersmark.

Beyond Columbus, the DESIRE tool can be developed into a European software package that can be used to predict the radiation risks for other manned space flight missions, both close to Earth and beyond the protection of our planet’s magnetic field.

A significant geomagnetic storm impacted the Earth beginning early Thursday afternoon around 1:00 p.m. Eastern time, 14 December 2006, according to forecasters at the NOAA Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo. Impacts from events like this can cause problems with High Frequency communications, satellite operations and induce currents in power grids.

Credits: SOHO/EIT (ESA & NASA)

The radiation environment close to Earth consists of three main components: Particles trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field; particles that arrive from deep space called Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) and particles expelled from the Sun during solar eruptions. These components all vary with time, mainly due to the unpredictable activity of the Sun, which influences the Earth’s magnetic field. In turn, the Earth’s field determines the extent of the trapped particles and how well Earth is shielded from incoming GCRs.

Beyond Earth’s magnetic field, spacecraft and their occupants will be exposed to the full force of the GCRs and the solar eruptions. Missions to the Moon and Mars will venture into this harsher and unpredictable radiation environment for periods of many month or even years.

During the Apollo missions of the 1960s–70s, the astronauts were simply lucky not to have been in space during a major solar eruption that would have flooded their spacecraft with deadly radiation. Essentially, they took risks and got away with it. For the kind of long-duration journeys being talked about today, a far more robust system of predicting radiation doses is required.


"The main uncertainties in these calculations are our knowledge of the space radiation environment beyond the Earth’s magnetic field, and the biological response to radiation," says Ersmark.

To provide the environmental information ESA is flying a standard radiation monitor on a number of its spacecraft, including Proba-1, Integral, Rosetta, GIOVE-B, Herschel and Planck. Known as the Standard Radiation Environment Monitor (SREM), it measures high-energy radiation particles. It was developed and manufactured by Oerlikon Space in cooperation with Paul Scherrer Institute, under a development contract from ESA.

Developing the appropriate strategies and countermeasures to deal with the interplanetary radiation hazard is essential. At present it is one of the most difficult challenges to our exploration the wider solar system. Thanks to DESIRE, Europeans have taken a step towards being able to test future space vehicle designs to find those that offer the most protection.

Source: ESA - News

fting Columbus out of Atlantis' payload bay

13 February 2008


The European Columbus laboratory was installed during the first spacewalk of the STS-122 mission


The European Columbus laboratory closes in on new home on the starboard port of the Harmony module


The European Columbus laboratory is moved into position for installation


A view of Columbus in Atlantis' payload bay during the two day journey to the International Space Station


ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel and NASA astronaut Rex Walheim prepare an EVA spacesuit


Hans Schlegel and Rex Walheim shortly after arrival at the International Space Station


Leopold Eyharts enjoys a meal with the rest of the STS-122 crew


Leopold Eyharts and Leland Melvin in the Shuttle middeck

Source: ESA - News

Spacewalkers to Install Columbus Experiments


Image above: A spacewalker attached to the station's robotic arm works outside the Columbus
module on the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

STS-122 Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Stanley Love exited the International Space Station’s Quest airlock and began the third spacewalk of the mission at 8:07 a.m. EST Friday.

During the spacewalk, Walheim and Love are installing two payloads on Columbus’ exterior: SOLAR, an observatory to monitor the sun; and the European Technology Exposure Facility that will carry nine experiments requiring exposure to the space environment.

The STS-122 and Expedition 16 crews also are spending time outfitting racks and systems inside the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory, preparing the module for the scientific work ahead of it.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Spacewalkers Install Columbus Experiments


Image above: A spacewalker attached to the station's robotic arm works outside the Columbus
module on the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

STS-122 Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Stanley Love completed the third STS-122 spacewalk at 3:32 p.m. EST today. The excursion lasted seven hours and 25 minutes.

During the spacewalk, Walheim and Love installed two payloads on Columbus’ exterior: SOLAR, an observatory to monitor the sun; and the European Technology Exposure Facility that will carry nine experiments requiring exposure to the space environment.

The STS-122 and Expedition 16 crews also are spending time outfitting racks and systems inside the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory, preparing the module for the scientific work ahead of it.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crews Continue Outfitting Columbus


Image above: View of the International Space Station from the space shuttle Atlantis.
Image credit: NASA

The STS-122 and Expedition 16 crews spent time Saturday transferring supplies and equipment into the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory.

Saturday morning, the International Space Station got a reboost, a routine procedure to adjust its orbit. The purpose of the reboost was to place the orbital outpost in better position to receive future visitors, including the Expedition 17 crew, who are slated to arrive in April.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Bids Atlantis Crew Farewell


Image above: View of the International Space Station from the space shuttle Atlantis.
Image credit: NASA

After the Expedition 16 and STS-122 crews bid one another farewell, the hatches closed at 1:03 p.m. EST between the International Space Station and space shuttle Atlantis.

Atlantis is slated to undock from the orbital outpost Monday at 4:27 a.m.

STS-122 delivered the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus laboratory to the station. The crew members conducted three spacewalks to prepare Columbus for its scientific work, and they replaced an expended nitrogen tank on the station’s P1 truss.

In addition, Atlantis delivered a new station crew member, Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts, an ESA astronaut. He replaced astronaut Daniel Tani, who is returning to Earth aboard Atlantis.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Bids Atlantis Crew Farewell


Image above: View of the International Space Station from the space shuttle Atlantis.
Image credit: NASA TV

Space Shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station at 4:24 a.m. EST Monday, ending its almost-nine-day stay at the orbital outpost.

STS-122 delivered the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus laboratory to the station. The crew members conducted three spacewalks to prepare Columbus for its scientific work, and they replaced an expended nitrogen tank on the station’s P1 truss.

In addition, Atlantis delivered a new station crew member, Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts, an ESA astronaut. He replaced astronaut Daniel Tani, who is returning to Earth aboard Atlantis.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Bids Atlantis Crew Farewell


Image above: View of the International Space Station from the space shuttle Atlantis.
Image credit: NASA TV

Space Shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station at 4:24 a.m. EST Monday, ending its almost-nine-day stay at the orbital outpost.

STS-122 delivered the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus laboratory to the station. The crew members conducted three spacewalks to prepare Columbus for its scientific work, and they replaced an expended nitrogen tank on the station’s P1 truss.

In addition, Atlantis delivered a new station crew member, Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts, an ESA astronaut. He replaced astronaut Daniel Tani, who is returning to Earth aboard Atlantis.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Watches Atlantis Landing


Image above: View of the International Space Station from the space shuttle Atlantis.
Image credit: NASA TV

The Expedition 16 crew enjoyed a light-duty day aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday.

After daily space station inspections and crew meetings, Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Leopold Eyharts continued to unpack supplies and equipment delivered by the STS-122 crew aboard space shuttle Atlantis.

The crew took a break from their activities to watch the landing of space shuttle Atlantis and the STS-122 crew via a live video uplink. Atlantis and it’s crew landed at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. on Wednesday at 9:07 am EST.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Science Takes Root Aboard Station


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson works inside the Destiny Laboratory.
Image credit: NASA TV

Soaring high above the Earth, the Expedition 16 crew was busy with science and maintenance aboard the International Space Station Thursday.

In addition to regular station upkeep, the crew worked to set up a variety of experiments focusing on the effects on plant growth of the zero gravity environment of space. These included an experiment studying the formation of roots in weightlessness.

Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts, the crew’s newest member, spent time familiarizing himself with his new home aboard the orbital outpost. He took a break from his work to talk via ham radio with students at the Robespierre School in Rueil-Malmaison, France.

The crew members completed their daily physical exercise routines to counteract the effects of long-term exposure to weightlessness in space.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Science and Maintenance Continues Aboard Station


Image above: Backdropped by the blackness of space, the International Space Station is seen
from space shuttle Atlantis.
Image credit: NASA

After a busy week that consisted of the outfitting of the Columbus module and the departure of space shuttle Atlantis, the Expedition 16 crew carried on with science and maintenance aboard the International Space Station on Friday.

Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts continued initial scientific investigations with the Biolab facility in the Columbus module.

Maintenance on the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly in the Destiny Laboratory was performed by Commander Peggy Whitson.

The crew also upgraded the navigational software in Russian laptop computers in advance of the launch of the "Jules Verne" Automated Transfer Vehicle scheduled for March 7.

Additionally, routine body mass measurements were taken by the crew members after completing their daily physical exercise routines to counteract the effects of long-term exposure to weightlessness in space.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Crew Begins New Week of Science


Image above: Paris, France is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 16 crew
member on the International Space Station. Prominent is the characteristic "A" profile of
the Eiffel Tower highlighted by morning sunlight.
Image credit: NASA

Systems aboard the International Space Station continue to perform well as the Expedition 16 crew kicked off a new week of science research and station maintenance.

The crew began Monday collecting blood samples for an ongoing study of human physiological changes during long-duration spaceflight. The results of this experiment will aid in the definition of nutritional requirements and development of food systems for future space exploration missions to the moon and Mars.

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko continued unloading and inventorying supplies that arrived aboard the ISS Progress 28 spacecraft on Feb. 7. Progress 28 delivered nearly 5,200 pounds of cargo to the orbital outpost.

Commander Peggy Whitson worked with the Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2 (InSPACE-2) experiment. InSPACE looks at fluids that change properties in response to magnetic fields and collects data that can be used to develop or improve brake systems and robotics.

The newest Expedition crew member, Flight Engineer Léopold Eyharts, took a break from working with the station's Biological Experiment Laboratory to talk with students at Collège Reydellet in Saint-Denis, Ile de la Réunion.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Stays on Track with Science, Station Maintenance


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson checks the progress of plants
growing in the Russian Lada greenhouse in the Zvezda Service Module of the International
Space Station.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew aboard the International Space Station worked Tuesday on science experiments and station maintenance.

Commander Peggy Whitson performed monthly maintenance on the station’s treadmill with vibration isolation system. This treadmill is one of several devices available to the expedition crew for daily exercise to counteract the effects of long-duration spaceflight.

After performing routine maintenance on the Elektron oxygen generator, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko relocated the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) control panel. The first ATV, named Jules Verne, is set to launch to the station from French Guiana on an Ariane 5 in early March. The ATV docks automatically with the station, though station crew members can take charge of the process if difficulties arise.

Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts continued collecting samples for an ongoing study of human physiological changes during long-duration spaceflight. He also participated in interviews with three French television networks.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Reboost Early Thursday


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson talks to reporters in her home
state of Iowa on Wednesda.
Image credit: NASA TV

As ground support personnel prepared to boost the International Space Station to a higher altitude, the crew aboard the orbital outpost worked with science experiments and reviewed emergency procedures Wednesday.

After completing the morning’s activities and taking a lunch break, the Expedition 16 crew reviewed emergency procedures for the station’s newest addition, the Columbus module. This is a standard procedure for any new module.

Later, Commander Peggy Whitson spoke with reporters in her home state of Iowa.

Engines on the station’s Zvezda service module will fire Thursday at 12:16 a.m. EST for about two minutes, providing a further refinement to the 36-minute burn conducted during docked operations with space shuttle Atlantis on the recent STS-122 mission. This will complete the altitude adjustment needed to optimize rendezvous opportunities with space shuttle Endeavour, scheduled to launch March 11 for STS-123.

The reboost also places the station in the correct phasing for the launch of the Expedition 17 crew on the Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft on April 8 and the landing of the Expedition 16 crew on the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft on April 19.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Reboost Successful


Image above: Perth, Australia is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 16
crew member on the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA

After an early morning station reboost, science and maintenance occupied the Expedition 16 crew’s time Thursday aboard the International Space Station.

Engines on the station’s Zvezda service module fired at 12:16 a.m. EST for about two minutes, providing a further refinement to the 36-minute burn conducted during docked operations with space shuttle Atlantis on the recent STS-122 mission. This completes the altitude adjustment needed to optimize rendezvous opportunities with space shuttle Endeavour, scheduled to launch March 11 for STS-123.

The reboost also places the station in the correct phasing for the launch of the Expedition 17 crew on the Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft on April 8 and the landing of the Expedition 16 crew on the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft on April 19.

Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko conducted a test of TORU, the Russian telerobotically operated approach and docking system. The crew can use TORU to monitor the docking of a Progress spacecraft with the station or take control of the process if difficulties arise.

Malenchenko later set up the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) control panel. The first ATV, named Jules Verne, is set to launch to the station from French Guiana on an Ariane 5 rocket on March 7.

After a break for lunch, Whitson assisted the newest expedition crew member, Flight Engineer Léopold Eyharts, with a review of emergency equipment aboard the station.

Whitson also worked with the Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2 (InSPACE-2) experiment. InSPACE looks at fluids that change properties in response to magnetic fields and collects data that can be used to develop or improve brake systems and robotics.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Preps for New Arrivals


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson works with spacesuits in the Quest
airlock of the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

Orbiting the Earth aboard the International Space Station, the Expedition 16 crew spent Friday wrapping up a busy week with preparations for an upcoming visit from space shuttle Endeavour carrying the station’s new Japanese module.

After a weekly conference between the station crew and the Russian flight control team, Commander Peggy Whitson installed the Centerline Berthing Camera System (CBCS) in the Harmony module. The CBCS will provide visual cues to the astronauts as they install the Japanese Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section (JLP), which is being delivered by Endeavour on the STS-123 mission in March. JLP is the first component of Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module, to be launched to the station.

Whitson later moved to the Quest airlock to perform maintenance on the cooling loops of the U.S. spacesuits. Five spacewalks are planned while Endeavour is at the station.

Whitson also worked with the Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2 (InSPACE-2) experiment. InSPACE looks at fluids that change properties in response to magnetic fields and collects data that can be used to develop or improve brake systems and robotics.

Earlier in the week, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko set up the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) control panel. The first ATV, named Jules Verne, is set to launch to the station from French Guiana on an Ariane 5 rocket on March 8. The ATV will dock automatically with the station after the departure of STS-123, though station crew members can take charge of the process if difficulties arise.

The station’s newest crew member, Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts, spent some time this week with orientation activities, familiarizing himself with procedures and onboard equipment. He also collected a number of blood and urine samples for an ongoing study of human physiological changes during long-duration spaceflight.

Source: NASA - Space Station

29 February 2008

Arabidopsis seedlings tilted at 45 degrees on hard agar surface. (Top) Wild type seedlings showing more root waving. (Bottom) Mutant strain showing more root coiling.

Credits: G. Scherer

ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts has activated the first experiment inside the European Columbus laboratory. The WAICO experiment, which investigates the effect of gravity on plant root growth, has started inside the module's Biolab facility.

WAICO, short for Waving and Coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels, looks at the growth of two types of Arabidopsis seed. In all, two different sets of seeds – wild type and genetically modified type - will be allowed to grow under varying levels of gravity, 0g and 1g, where g is the equivalent of gravity on Earth.

The tiny Arabidopsis seeds will be left to grow for 10 to 15 days, under controlled temperature, humidity and illumination conditions. Daily video images document how the roots grow in space. Using Biolab's telemetry capabilities, the video images are also made available on the ground for real-time observations.

Biolab (artist's impression). Biolab is a facility designed to support biological experiments on micro-organisms, cells, tissue cultures, small plants and small invertebrates. The major objective of performing Life Sciences experiments in space is to identify the role that weightlessness plays at all levels of an organism, from the effects on a single cell up to a complex organism including humans. The Biolab facility will be launched inside the European Columbus laboratory.

Credits: ESA - D. Ducros

As the seeds grow, the experiment's lead scientist, Professor Guenther Scherer from the Leibniz Universitat Hannover, Germany, will observe how the level of gravity affects the characteristic spiralling and coiling root growth seen on Earth.

The results of the WAICO experiment will contribute to a better understanding of plant growth processes and could help to increase the efficiency of agricultural processes on Earth.

Installation of the European Columbus laboratory on the starboard port of the Harmony module. Columbus was launched into orbit with Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission. Columbus was installed during the mission's first spacewalk on 11 February 2008.

Credits: ESA/NASA

With an eye on future plans for long-term human exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, WAICO could also contribute to our knowledge of growing crops in the space environment – providing astronauts with nutritional fresh produce during a voyage that could last as long as two years.

At the end of the experiment run, Biolab will automatically flush the cultivation box with a fixative, preserving the seeds in their final state of growth, ready for later analysis back on Earth. The astronaut will also document the plants' appearance at this time using high-resolution photography .

The seedlings are set to return to Earth with the next Shuttle mission, STS-123, targeted for launch on 11 March 2008 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Source: ESA - News

Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle Delayed


Image above: Perth Amboy, New Jersey is featured in this image photographed by an
Expedition 16 crew member on the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA

On Saturday, Arianespace and the European Space Agency delayed for one day the maiden launch of the Jules Verne cargo craft from Kourou, French Guiana. The 24 hour delay is due to a technical concern about the Automated Transfer Vehicle and the Ariane 5 launcher separation system. Launch of the Jules Verne is now scheduled for Saturday at 11:03 p.m. EST.

The Expedition 16 crew was busy with maintenance duties aboard the International Space Station Monday.

Expedition Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts performed a bi-annual maintenance check of the TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation System). Crew members exercise using the TVIS to counteract the effects of long-term exposure to weightlessness in space.

Whitson also conducted a routine checkout of the space station’s emergency portable breathing apparatus and fire extinguishers.

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko took air measurements with the AU-1 ultrasound analyzer. The data collected will be used to detect air-leakage aboard the International Space Station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Awaits Japanese Module and Canadian Robotic Hand


Image above: Workers from Kennedy Space Center prepare a pressurized logistics module
from Japan for installation into space shuttle Endeavour’s payload bay.
Image credit: NASA/George Shelton, Troy Cryder

The International Space Station and the Expedition 16 crew are about to receive an international array of space hardware.

On March 11, space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-123 mission will deliver to the station a pressurized logistics module from Japan. This is the first part of a laboratory from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). JAXA’s new laboratory, called “Kibo,” will be installed over three shuttle missions.

Endeavour will also deliver Canada’s latest contribution with a new addition to the already attached Canadarm2. “Dextre,” which is the nickname for the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, will allow astronauts to replace hardware outside the orbiting complex without performing a spacewalk.

Europe’s new cargo ship, the Automated Transfer Vehicle, or “Jules Verne,” is now set for launch to the space station Saturday night at 11:03 EST. “Jules Verne” will dock to the Zvezda service module about a week after Endeavour undocks from the Harmony module.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Business as Usual on the International Space Station


Image above: Europe’s Automated Transfer Vehicle, “Jules Verne,” undergoes pre-flight
processing before being integrated into the Ariane 5 rocket in Kourou, French Guiana.
Image credit: ESA

It’s business as usual aboard the International Space Station while the Expedition 16 crew awaits hardware from Japan, Canada and Europe.

A multitude of ongoing activities is keeping the station crew busy. Science inside the Destiny lab, HAM radio sessions with ground participants, Russian maintenance and upcoming mission preps occupy the crew’s timeline.

Commander Peggy Whitson has been activating the Microgravity Science Glovebox to study how special fluids behave when exposed to a magnetic field. French astronaut and flight engineer Léopold Eyharts held a HAM radio session with students in Toulouse, France. Cosmonaut and flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko continues maintenance and oxygen repress activities from the Russian side of the space station.

Meanwhile, Europe’s new station resupply ship, the Automated Transfer Vehicle, is scheduled for launch Saturday at 11:03 p.m. EST. Space shuttle Endeavour is set for launch on Tuesday, March 11 at 2:28 a.m. Endeavour will deliver the first part of Japan’s new laboratory and Canada’s new robotic arm extension called Dextre.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Activities Ramp-up as East Prepares to Meet West


Image above: This illustration depicts the International Space Station’s configuration after
the STS-123 crew delivers and installs new hardware.
Credit: NASA

Station crew members and personnel from around the world are preparing for an international array of hardware to reach orbit over the next few days.

Japan’s new laboratory “Kibo” will have its first section, the pressurized logistics module, installed after space shuttle Endeavour launches on March 11. Canada’s new two-armed robotic manipulator also will be in Endeavour's cargo bay.

Europe’s new station resupply ship, the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), is scheduled for launch Saturday at 11:03 p.m. EST. The ATV will launch on an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana.

Meanwhile, the Expedition 16 crew is preparing for the arrival of Endeavour on the STS-123 mission. They are reviewing robotics procedures and tagging up with specialists on the ground.

Europe’s new Columbus laboratory is operational with the crew performing experiments and the control center in Germany is monitoring operations.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Jules Verne, Shuttle Crew Prepare for Station Visits


Image above: The first segment of Japan’s “Kibo” laboratory will be temporarily installed
on top of the station’s Harmony Node 2.
Credit: NASA

Jules Verne, Europe’s new station resupply ship, began its rollout to the launch pad Friday morning for a Saturday night launch at 11:03 EST. The first of the Automated Transfer Vehicles, Jules Verne will be launched from Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane 5 rocket.

The STS-123 crew will be in Florida this weekend as the launch countdown starts Saturday morning. Launch is planned for Tuesday at 2:28 a.m. EDT. Space shuttle Endeavour is delivering the first segment of the Japanese “Kibo” laboratory and Dextre, the Canadian two-armed robotic manipulator, to the International Space Station.

The Expedition 16 crew continues preparing for the arrival of STS-123. They are reviewing photography techniques for the shuttle’s Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver just before it docks to the station. With five spacewalks planned while Endeavour is at the station, the crew is also configuring spacewalk hardware.

Source: NASA - Space Station

As of 04:20 GMT, we are in coast mode after a perfect launch!

And as of 05:10 GMT, ATV Jules Verne is separated and fully on-orbit...


A wonderful job, and congratulations by our friends at ESA and Ariane on putting 40,000 pounds into orbit, en route to the ISS!

ATV Jules Verne Launches to Station


Image above: An Ariane 5 rocket lifts off carrying the first Automated Transfer Vehicle,
named Jules Verne.
Credit: NASA TV

The first European Automated Transfer Vehicle launched to the International Space Station from Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane 5 rocket at 11:03 p.m. EST Saturday.

Solar arrays deployed as planned after two engine firings more than an hour and a half after launch. That placed the ATV in a parking orbit about 1,200 miles from the station.

The high-capacity unpiloted cargo carrier is, at almost 22 tons, the largest cargo ever launched by the Ariane 5.

This vehicle is named Jules Verne after the acclaimed French science-fiction author. It is the first of at least seven such spacecraft to be built.

The ATV can carry more than 7.5 tons of cargo. That is about three times the cargo weight carried by the Progress, the reliable Russian unpiloted cargo carrier.

The spacecraft can carry dry cargo – food and other supplies and equipment—as well as water, propellant for the station, and gases, including air and oxygen.

The Jules Verne initially was placed in an orbit a safe distance from the station, where a series of tests will be performed. Subsequent tests scheduled include two approaches to the station.

Those approaches will end in "escape" maneuvers, in part to verify the collision avoidance system. It would be used if the ATV automated docking system should fail.

The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the station in early April. It will remain there, for unloading and subsequent filling with station garbage and discards, until August. Then it will be deorbited for destruction on re-entry over the Pacific.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Awaits Arrival of Shuttle, New Crew Member


Image above: A graphic depicting Dextre, the final element of the International Space
Station’s Mobile Servicing System, attached to the station’s robot arm. Dextre will be carried
into orbit aboard space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-123 mission.
Credit: NASA

Space shuttle Endeavour lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.’s Launch Pad 39A at 2:28 a.m. EDT, beginning STS-123, the 25th shuttle flight to the International Space Station.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Léopold Eyharts are getting ready for STS-123’s arrival, set for 11:20 p.m. Wednesday.

Endeavour is carrying the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section (JLP), the first pressurized component of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory. The JLP will be attached temporarily to a docking port on the space-facing side of the Harmony node.

In addition, the orbiter is bringing the Canadian Space Agency’s two-armed robotic system known as Dextre to the station. Designed for station maintenance and service, Dextre is capable of sensing forces and movement of objects it is manipulating. It can automatically compensate for those forces and movements to ensure an object is moved smoothly. Dextre is the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System.

Also traveling with STS-123 is a new Expedition 16 crew member, astronaut Garrett Reisman, who will replace Eyharts.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Awaits Arrival of Shuttle, New Crew Member


Image above: Space shuttle Endeavour launches from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Credit: NASA TV

Space shuttle Endeavour lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.’s Launch Pad 39A at 2:28 a.m. EDT Tuesday, beginning STS-123, the 25th shuttle flight to the International Space Station.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Léopold Eyharts are getting ready for STS-123’s arrival, set for 11:25 p.m. Wednesday.

Endeavour is carrying the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section (JLP), the first pressurized component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory. The JLP will be attached temporarily to a docking port on the space-facing side of the Harmony node.

In addition, the orbiter is bringing the Canadian Space Agency’s two-armed robotic system known as Dextre to the station. Designed for station maintenance and service, Dextre is capable of sensing forces and movement of objects it is manipulating. It can automatically compensate for those forces and movements to ensure an object is moved smoothly. Dextre is the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System.

Also traveling with STS-123 is a new Expedition 16 crew member, astronaut Garrett Reisman, who will replace Eyharts.

Source: NASA - Space Station

11 March 2008

Image from Columbus laboratory's Earth Viewing Camera (EVC) - the first to be produced on command from the ground. The image was taken soon after dawn on 7 March 2008 and shows a scattering of white and pink clouds close to the Aleutian Islands in the north Pacific.

Credits: ESA/CGS

One of the experiments housed on the European Columbus laboratory’s external platform is an automated eye in the sky known as the Earth Viewing Camera (EVC). Now, after several weeks of troubleshooting by the EVC team in the Netherlands, the first pictures from the orbiting camera have arrived safely back on Earth.

The initial image, showing a dimly illuminated cloud-covered region was successfully downloaded on 6 March. A second picture – the first to be produced on command from the ground – was taken soon after dawn on 7 March and shows a scattering of white and pink clouds close to the Aleutian Islands in the north Pacific.

“It was really exciting to see the first image arriving from space after the long period of developing the camera and testing it in orbit,” said Massimo Sabbatini, ESA Principal Investigator for the EVC. “This success would not have been possible without the major contribution of Carlo Gavazzi Space and the hard work of the integration and operations teams at the European Space Technology and Research Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands.”

First image captured by the European Columbus laboratory's Earth Viewing Camera (EVC). The image was captured at 16:11 on 6 March 2008. EVC is part of the European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF) which was installed on the earth-facing side Columbus' external platform during the STS-122 mission.

Credits: ESA/CGS

“We are just starting to experiment with the various camera parameters to adjust for the vast range of lighting conditions we encounter. That’s why the second picture is slightly blurred,” explains Sabbatini. “The ISS is travelling at about 7 km per second, so we have to adjust the exposure time to compensate for this rapid motion. At that speed the camera moves over hundreds of metres on the ground in a matter of milliseconds.”

The camera is intended to be a valuable resource for public outreach and education. Sabbatini says, "We hope to encourage teachers and students to use the EVC as a tool for studying all aspects of Earth observation from space – imaging, telemetry, telecommunications links and orbit predictions. We are also hoping to receive requests for images of particular regions over which the ISS is passing.”

The story of the EVC began in 2003, when the company Carlo Gavazzi Space of Milan, Italy, approached ESA with a proposal to fly a digital camera as a low cost payload on one of the external platforms on Columbus. ESA and Carlo Gavazzi Space signed an agreement in March 2004 whereby each partner would provide half of the required funding for the development of the camera.


Massimo Sabbatini (ESA Principal Investigator) with the Earth Viewing Camera (EVC). EVC was installed on the earth-facing external platform on the European Columbus laboratory during the STS-122 Space Shuttle mission.

Credits: ESA

The EVC points continuously at a fixed angle toward the Earth. The camera weighs 7.8 kg and measures 0.4 x 0.28 x 0.16 m. It uses a commercial, off the shelf, sensor provided by Kodak, with a 2k x 2k detector. It is able to capture colour images of the Earth’s surface that cover an area of 200 x 200 km.

The images are received in Europe by the Columbus Control Centre at Oberpfaffenhofen in Germany and then forwarded to the ESA User Support Operation Centre in the Erasmus Centre at ESTEC. In the future, the EVC image acquisition process and exploitation will be coordinated from the EVC User Home Base, also located at the Erasmus Centre.

EVC is part of the European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF) installed on the European Columbus laboratory’s external platform during a spacewalk on 15 February 2008 by NASA astronauts Rex Walheim and Stanley Love.

Located on the starboard side of the International Space Station, Columbus sweeps around the Earth once every 90 minutes. Since the Station’s orbital path is inclined at about 52 degrees to the equator, the Earth Viewing Camera has the potential to take pictures of anywhere on the Earth’s surface from England to the southern tip of South America. This includes almost all of the densely populated parts of the world.

Source: ESA - News

Endeavour and Station Crews Open Hatches


Image above: Space shuttle Endeavour launches from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Credit: NASA TV

The STS-123 and Expedition 16 crews opened the hatches between space shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station at 1:28 a.m. EDT Thursday, beginning 12 days of joint operations.

One of the first joint tasks is for Garrett Reisman to join the Expedition 16 crew by trading places with Flight Engineer Léopold Eyharts, a European Space Agency astronaut.

The crews are preparing for the first of five scheduled STS-123 spacewalks, which Mission Specialist Rick Linnehan and Reisman will begin at 8:23 p.m. Thursday.

In addition, the STS-123 crew will install the Canadian-built Dextre – the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System – and the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section, which is the first component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory.

Source: NASA - Space Station

First STS-123 Spacewalk Begins


Image above: Space shuttle Endeavour launches from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Credit: NASA TV

STS-123 Mission Specialist Rick Linnehan and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman began working outside the International Space Station at 9:18 p.m. EDT, kicking off the shuttle mission’s first spacewalk.

Their primary task is to prepare the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section (JLP), the first component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory, to be installed on the station.

Mission Specialists Robert Behnken and Léopold Eyharts will use the station’s robotic arm to begin moving the JLP into place.

Source: NASA - Space Station

STS-123 Installs JLP, Completes First Spacewalk


Image above: This view shows the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory
(bottom center) attached to the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA TV

With the installation of the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section (JLP), the first component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory, the International Space Station has grown yet again. Japan joined the station community when the JLP was connected to the orbital outpost at 4:06 a.m. EDT.

STS-123 Mission Specialist Rick Linnehan and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman completed the shuttle mission’s first spacewalk at 4:19 a.m. Friday. Their primary task was to prepare the JLP for its installation. The excursion lasted seven hours, one minute.

STS-123 Commander Dom Gorie and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi used the shuttle’s robotic arm to move the JLP to its place on the orbital outpost.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crews Enter JLP, Canadarm2 Powers Up Dextre


Image above: Crew members enter the Japanese Logistics Module.
Credit: NASA TV

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi became the first crew members to enter the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section (JLP) at 9:23 p.m. EDT. The JLP is the first component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory and the newest element of the International Space Station.

The STS-123 and Expedition 16 crews activated the JLP and spent their day outfitting the new module, transferring supplies and equipment into it from space shuttle Endeavour.

The station’s arm operators grappled the Canadian-built Dextre at 9:59 p.m. Friday. Canadarm2 successfully powered up Dextre 11 minutes later.

STS-123 Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan and Mike Foreman are spending the night in the station’s Quest Airlock in preparation for the second spacewalk of the STS-123 mission, which begins Saturday. The purpose of this “camp out” is to purge the nitrogen from their bodies before their planned exit at 8:23 p.m Saturday.

STS-123 Commander Dominic Gorie and Mission Specialist Takao Doi used the shuttle’s robotic arm to connect the JLP to the space station early Friday morning.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Second STS-123 Spacewalk Proceeding


Image above: STS-123 astronauts begin the second spacewalk at the spacelab pallet where
Dextre is attached.
Credit: NASA TV

STS-123 Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan and Mike Foreman began the second spacewalk of their mission at 7:49 p.m. EDT. The two spacewalkers are assembling Dextre, the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System, a task that includes attaching its two arms.

Throughout the day, the station and shuttle crew members continue outfitting the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section (JLP).

Source: NASA - Space Station

Second STS-123 Spacewalk Complete


Image above: Astronauts Rick Linnehan and Mike Foreman conduct the second spacewalk
of the STS-123 mission.
Credit: NASA TV

At 2:57 a.m. EDT Sunday, STS-123 Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan and Mike Foreman completed a seven-hour, eight-minute spacewalk, the second of their mission. The two spacewalkers assembled Dextre, the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System.

Throughout the day, the station and shuttle crew members continued outfitting the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section (JLP).

Source: NASA - Space Station

Work Inside JLP Continues Ahead of Schedule


Image above: Astronauts Rick Linnehan and Mike Foreman, both STS-123 mission specialists,
participate in the mission's second scheduled spacewalk as construction and maintenance
continue on the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA

The space shuttle Endeavour and International Space Station crews continued outfitting the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section, transferring supplies and equipment into it from Endeavour, as well as configuring racks inside the module.

The STS-123 and Expedition 16 crews also tested the joints and brakes on Dextre, the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Astronauts Conduct Third Spacewalk


Image above: Astronauts Rick Linnehan and Mike Foreman, both STS-123 mission specialists,
participate in the mission's second scheduled spacewalk as construction and maintenance
continue on the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA

STS-123 Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan and Robert L. Behnken continue their work outside the International Space Station. They began the spacewalk at 6:51 p.m. EDT, beginning the third spacewalk of the STS-123 mission. The primary goal of this excursion is the outfitting of Dextre, the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System.

Linnehan and Behnken are installing a spare parts platform and tool handling assembly for Dextre. Among other tasks, they also are checking out and calibrating Dextre’s end effector and moving some spare parts.

In addition, the spacewalkers are tasked with installing the MISSE-6 materials experiment on the outside of the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Spacewalkers Complete Third Excursion


Image above: STS-123 Mission Specialist Rick Linnehan transfers spare parts for the
International Space Station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, during the mission's third spacewalk.
Credit: NASA TV

STS-123 Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan and Robert L. Behnken completed the third spacewalk of the STS-123 mission at 1:44 a.m. EDT. The primary goal of this excursion, which lasted 6 hours and 53 minutes, was the completion of the outfitting of Dextre, the final element of the International Space Station’s Mobile Servicing System.

Linnehan and Behnken installed a spare parts platform and tool handling assembly for Dextre. Among other tasks, they also checked out and calibrated Dextre’s end effector and attached critical spare parts to an external stowage platform.

They were unable to attach a material sciences experiment to the Columbus module, but may have another opportunity later in the mission.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Dextre Moved to Destiny Lab


Image above: Space Shuttle Endeavour, docked to the Pressurized Mating Adapter on the
International Space Station, is featured in this image photographed by a crewmember during
the STS-123 mission’s third spacewalk. The newly installed Japanese Logistics Module -
Pressurized Section is visible at top right.
Credit: NASA TV

Canadarm 2, the International Space Station’s robot arm, grabbed the pallet that secured Dextre during its journey to the orbital outpost and returned the pallet to space shuttle Endeavour’s payload bay for the trip back to Earth.

The Canadian-built Dextre was attached to a power and data grapple fixture located on the U.S. laboratory Destiny and activated early Wednesday. The new robotic system is the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System.

STS-123 Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken and Mike Foreman are slated to begin the mission’s fourth spacewalk at 6:28 p.m. Thursday. The two will perform tasks that include the shuttle tile repair test and change out of a circuit breaker on the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Dextre Moved to Destiny Lab


Image above: Attached to its end effector, Canadarm2 moves Dextre, Canada's Special Purpose
Dexterous Manipulator.
Credit: NASA

Canadarm2, the International Space Station’s robot arm, grabbed the pallet that secured Dextre during its journey to the orbital outpost and returned the pallet to space shuttle Endeavour’s payload bay for the trip back to Earth.

The Canadian-built Dextre was attached to a power and data grapple fixture located on the U.S. laboratory Destiny and activated early Wednesday. The new robotic system is the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System.

STS-123 Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken and Mike Foreman are slated to begin the mission’s fourth spacewalk at 6:28 p.m. Thursday. The two will perform tasks that include the shuttle tile repair test and change out of a circuit breaker on the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Astronauts Prepare for Fourth Spacewalk


Image above: Attached to its end effector, Canadarm2 moves Dextre, Canada's Special Purpose
Dexterous Manipulator.
Credit: NASA

Flight day 10 was a light duty day for the crews of space shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station as they prepared for the last two spacewalks of STS-123.

The astronauts spent time configuring tools for the fourth STS-123 spacewalk, preparing to test a repair method for the shuttle’s heat tiles – the primary task of that spacewalk – and reviewing spacewalk procedures.

STS-123 Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken and Mike Foreman “camped out” in the station’s Quest airlock to purge the nitrogen from their bodies in preparation for the mission’s fourth spacewalk, slated to begin at 6:28 p.m. EDT Thursday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Shuttle Astronauts Conduct Fourth Spacewalk


Image above: Attached to its end effector, Canadarm2 moves Dextre, Canada's Special Purpose
Dexterous Manipulator.
Credit: NASA

STS-123 Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken and Mike Foreman began the fourth spacewalk of the STS-123 mission at 6:04 p.m. EDT.

Behnken and Foreman successfully replaced a failed Remote Power Control Module – essentially a circuit breaker – on the International Space Station’s truss. However, there were difficulties removing a power connecter from the Z1 truss. If time permits, the astronauts may go back at the end of the spacewalk and make another try.

With Mission Specialist Rick Linnehan working inside the orbiting complex to coordinate their activities, the two spacewalkers are now working to test a repair method for damaged heat resistant tiles on the space shuttle.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Shuttle Astronauts Complete Fourth Spacewalk


Image above: A spacewalker works outside the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA

Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken and Mike Foreman completed the fourth STS-123 spacewalk at 12:28 a.m. EDT Friday, spending six hours and 24 minutes on the excursion.

As the docked International Space Station and space shuttle Endeavour orbited high above the Earth, the two shuttle crew members replaced a failed Remote Power Control Module – essentially a circuit breaker – on the station’s truss. However, there were difficulties removing a power connecter from the Z1 truss.

The spacewalkers also performed the primary task of the spacewalk, which was the test of a heat shield repair method. This technique used a caulk-gun-like tool named the Tile Repair Ablator Dispenser to dispense a material called Shuttle Tile Ablator-54 into purposely damaged heat shield tiles. The sample tiles will be returned to Earth to undergo extensive testing on the ground.

The spacewalkers then removed a sock covering the left hand of Dextre and launch locks on the port side of the Harmony node.

Mission Specialist Rick Linnehan coordinated their activities from inside the orbiting complex.

Source: NASA - Space Station

STS-123 Crew Completes Inspection


Image above: While docked and onboard the International Space Station, a STS-123 Endeavour
crew member captured the glowing green beauty of the Aurora Borealis.
Credit: NASA

The STS-123 crew has completed the final inspection of space shuttle Endeavour’s heat shield using the shuttle’s robot arm and the Orbiter Boom Sensor System. Shuttle crew members surveyed the orbiter’s wings and nose cap to ensure that no damage had occurred to the tiles that protect Endeavour from the heat of reentry. The information they gleaned is being reviewed by engineers and flight controllers on Earth.

The Expedition 16 and STS-123 crews spent the remainder of their day configuring tools and reviewing procedures for the shuttle flight’s final spacewalk, which is slated to begin at 5:23 p.m. EDT Saturday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

STS-123 Astronauts Stow OBSS, Continue Spacewalk


Image above: While docked and onboard the International Space Station, a STS-123 Endeavour
crew member captured the glowing green beauty of the Aurora Borealis.
Credit: NASA

STS-123 Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken and Mike Foreman continue work during the fifth spacewalk of their mission.

The two spacewalkers have stowed the Orbiter Boom Sensor System on the International Space Station’s S1 Truss, where it will be picked up by the crew of space shuttle Discovery during the STS-124 mission, which is set to launch in May.

In addition, the spacewalkers are tasked with installing the Materials International Space Station Experiment 6 on the outside of the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory, an activity the astronauts were unable to complete during the mission’s third spacewalk.

Behnken and Foreman also will perform other tasks including the release of launch locks on two of the Harmony module’s common berthing mechanisms and the installation of trunnion covers on the Japanese Logistics Module – Pressurized Section.

The crew of space shuttle Endeavour will end their visit to the station with undocking Monday and will return to Earth Wednesday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Fifth STS-123 Spacewalk Complete


Image above: Spacewalkers work outside of the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA TV

STS-123 Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken and Mike Foreman completed the fifth spacewalk of their mission at 10:36 p.m. EDT Saturday.

Robot arm operators grappled the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS), and the two spacewalkers assembled an umbilical designed to keep the boom safe during its time in the harsh space environment. Then, the robot arm handed the OBSS off to Behnken and Foreman, who stowed it on the station’s S1 Truss.

The next component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory, which will be delivered on space shuttle Discovery during the STS-124 mission, is too large to accommodate the OBSS in the shuttle’s payload bay. Once the next element of Kibo is installed on the station, Discovery’s astronauts will detach the OBSS left behind by space shuttle Endeavour, use it to perform tile inspections and bring it home.

After the STS-123 spacewalkers attached the boom to the S1 Truss, Behnken installed the Materials International Space Station Experiment 6 on the outside of the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory, and Foreman inspected the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint.

The spacewalkers also completed a few get-ahead tasks, installing trunnion covers on the Japanese Logistics Module – Pressurized Section and stowing tools in a toolbox on the airlock before ingressing the hatch.

The crew of space shuttle Endeavour will end their visit to the station with undocking Monday and will return to Earth Wednesday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Fifth STS-123 Spacewalk Complete


Image above: The International Space Station and its many components such as Dextre, the
Columbus laboratory, the U.S. Quest airlock and docked Russian spacecraft are visible in this
camera view from space shuttle Endeavour.
Credit: NASA TV

STS-123 Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken and Mike Foreman completed the fifth spacewalk of their mission at 10:36 p.m. EDT Saturday.

Robot arm operators grappled the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS), and the two spacewalkers assembled an umbilical designed to keep the boom safe during its time in the harsh space environment. Then, the robot arm handed the OBSS off to Behnken and Foreman, who stowed it on the station’s S1 Truss.

The next component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory, which will be delivered on space shuttle Discovery during the STS-124 mission, is too large to accommodate the OBSS in the shuttle’s payload bay. Once the next element of Kibo is installed on the station, Discovery’s astronauts will detach the OBSS left behind by space shuttle Endeavour, use it to perform tile inspections and bring it home.

After the STS-123 spacewalkers attached the boom to the S1 Truss, Behnken installed the Materials International Space Station Experiment 6 on the outside of the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory, and Foreman inspected the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint.

The spacewalkers also completed a few get-ahead tasks, installing trunnion covers on the Japanese Logistics Module – Pressurized Section and stowing tools in a toolbox on the airlock before ingressing the hatch.

The crew of space shuttle Endeavour will end their visit to the station with undocking Monday and will return to Earth Wednesday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crews End Last Full Day Together


Image above: The STS-123 and Expedition 16 crews pose for a picture after holding a joint
crew news conference aboard the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA TV

The crews of space shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station have completed their last full day together.

Much of the astronauts’ morning was off‐duty time. Afterward, the crews wrapped up transfers of equipment and supplies between Endeavour and the station, and they checked out the tools needed for undocking and subsequent activities.

The STS-123 and Expedition 16 crews also held a joint crew news conference, answering questions from members of the media on Earth.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Endeavour Undocks From Station


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson is pictured with crew members
Léopold Eyharts, Yuri Malenchenko and Garrett Reisman. Eyharts has ended his stay as a
station flight engineer and is going home with the STS-123 crew aboard space shuttle Endeavour.
Credit: NASA TV

Space shuttle Endeavour undocked from the International Space Station at 8:25 p.m. EDT, ending its 12-day stay at the orbital outpost. After the STS-123 and Expedition 16 crews bid one another farewell, the hatches between the two spacecraft closed at 5:49 p.m.

STS-123 arrived at the station March 12, delivering the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section, the first pressurized component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory, to the station. The crew of Endeavour also delivered the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System, the Canadian-built Dextre, also known as the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Endeavour Undocks From Station


Image above: The International Space Station is viewed from space shuttle Endeavour after
undocking. The newly attached Japanese pressurized logistics module rests atop the Harmony
Node.
Credit: NASA TV

Space shuttle Endeavour undocked from the International Space Station at 8:25 p.m. EDT Monday, ending its 12-day stay at the orbital outpost. After the STS-123 and Expedition 16 crews bid one another farewell, the hatches between the two spacecraft closed at 5:49 p.m.

STS-123 arrived at the station March 12, delivering the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section, the first pressurized component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory, to the station. The crew of Endeavour also delivered the final element of the station’s Mobile Servicing System, the Canadian-built Dextre, also known as the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Crew Back to Business as Usual


Image above: The International Space Station is viewed from space shuttle Endeavour after
undocking. The newly attached Japanese pressurized logistics module rests atop the Harmony
Node.
Credit: NASA TV

After space shuttle Endeavour undocked from the International Space Station Monday, ending the STS-123 crew’s 12-day stay at the orbital outpost, the Expedition 16 crew got back to business as usual.

Commander Peggy Whitson depressurized the station’s Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 to prevent condensation and pressure fluctuations, followed by a leak check an hour later. She also powered down the Robotics Workstation laptop.

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko finished reconfiguring the Russian telephone/telegraph subsystem (STTS) to its post-undocking settings. The STTS enables telephone communications between different parts of the station.

The newest Expedition 16 crew member, Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, set up the Elaboratore Immagini Televisive - Space 2 (ELITE-S2) payload. ELITE-S2 is an Italian experiment that records and analyzes the three-dimensional motion of astronauts. This study will help engineers apply ergonomics into future spacecraft designs and determine the effects of weightlessness on breathing mechanisms for long-duration missions.

After working on these and other jobs on undocking day, the crew had some off-duty time Tuesday and performed a number of tasks later in the day. Among other tasks, Whitson worked on an experiment that monitors sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, and Malenchenko did routine maintenance on the station’s Environment Control and Life Support System. All three crew members spent time exercising.

Endeavour is scheduled to end its mission Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. EDT with a landing at Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

Source: NASA - Space Station