International Space Station - Latest News

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January 16, 2007. Baikonur Cosmodrome.

At 4:00 Moscow time Soyuz launch vehicle was rolled out from the integration building to the launch pad. Soyuz-U launch vehicle with Progress M-59 transport vehicle is installed on the launch pad. L-2 days activities have been started.

Click images for larger version

Source: S.P.Korolev RSC Energia - Press Release

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ISS Progress 22 Undocks, New Cargo Craft Awaits Launch

Image above: The ISS Progress 24 cargo craft rolls out to the launch pad.

Photo credit: NASA

The ISS Progress 22 cargo craft undocked from the International Space Station Tuesday at 6:29 p.m. EST. The Russian-built cargo carriers, which carry discarded items after leaving the station, enter the Earth's atmosphere three hours later and burn up safely.

The undocking clears the station’s Pirs Docking Compartment for the arrival of the ISS Progress 24 on Friday, Jan. 19 at 10 p.m. The new Progress will launch Wednesday, Jan. 17 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 9:12 p.m. The cargo craft is delivering 2 1/2 tons of propellant, oxygen, spacewalk gear and clothing.

The Progress launch is commemorating the 100th birthday of Sergei Korolev who was born Jan. 12, 1907. Korolev is recognized as the "Great Designer" of Soviet spacecraft. His picture is featured on the payload fairing of the rocket that will launch the Progress into orbit.

Source: NASA - Space Station

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Resupply Ship Heads to Station, Commemorates “Great Designer”

Image above: The ISS Progress 24 cargo craft rolls out to the launch pad.

Photo credit: NASA

A new delivery of propellant, oxygen, experiment hardware and other gear is headed for the International Space Station. The ISS Progress 24, a Russian resupply ship, lifted off Wednesday at 9:12 p.m. EST from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The new cargo craft is due to link up with the station’s Pirs Docking Compartment Friday at 10 p.m.

An older cargo craft, the ISS Progress 22, left the station Tuesday at 6:29 p.m. About three hours later the Progress 22, loaded with discarded items from the station, entered Earth’s atmosphere and safely burned up.

The launch of the new resupply ship honors the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sergei Korolev – Russia’s “Great Designer” of Soviet spacecraft. The new Progress bears the portrait of Korolev on the external payload fairing. The spacecraft designer was born on Jan. 12, 1907.

Source: NASA - Space Station

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Progress Launches to Space Station

A new Progress launched to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 9:12 p.m. EST Wednesday with more than 2.5 tons of fuel, oxygen, other supplies and equipment aboard.

The station's 24th Progress unpiloted cargo carrier will bring to the orbiting laboratory more than 1,720 pounds of propellant, about 110 pounds of oxygen, and 3,285 pounds of dry cargo – a total of 5,115 pounds

Image above: Artist's rendering of the International

Space Station following scheduled activities of Jan. 16,

2007. Progress 22 resupply vehicle undocks from the

Pirs Docking Compartment. Progress 23 remains

connected to the Zvezda Service Module aft port.

Image credit: NASA.

P24 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It is scheduled to reach the station after a flight of just over two days. Docking is set for a little after 10 p.m. Friday.

The spacecraft will use the automated Kurs system to dock at the Pirs docking compartment. Expedition 14 flight engineer Mikhail Tyurin will stand by at the manual Toru docking system controls, should his intervention become necessary.

Expedition 14 crew members, Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria, Tyurin and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams, finished filling P24's sister cargo carrier and predecessor, ISS Progress 22, with trash and other discards for its Tuesday undocking from Pirs and subsequent destruction on re-entry

Image above: Artist's rendering of the International

Space Station following scheduled activities of Jan. 19,

2007. Progress 24 resupply vehicle docks to the Pirs

Docking Compartment (lower left). Progress 23 remains

connected to the Zvezda Service Module aft port.

Image credit: NASA.

After its unloading P22 was used as a storage area for a while. Many items brought to the station aboard the space shuttle Discovery on STS-121 in July eventually found a temporary home there until crew members could put them in more permanent places.

ISS Progress 23 remains at the aft compartment of the Zvezda Service Module. It is scheduled to undock in April.

The Progress is similar in appearance and some design elements to the Soyuz spacecraft, which brings crew members to the station, serves as a lifeboat while they are there and returns them to Earth. The aft module, the instrumentation and propulsion module, is nearly identical.

But the second of the three Progress sections is a refueling module, and the third, uppermost as the Progress sits on the launch pad, is a cargo module. On the Soyuz, the descent module, where the crew is seated on launch and which returns them to Earth, is the middle module and the third is called the orbital module.

Source: NASA - Station - Expeditions

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January 18, 2007. Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Progress M-59 transport cargo vehicle was launched to the International Space Station from the launch pad #1 of Baikonur launch site at 05:12 am Moscow time.

The launch is aimed at delivering cargo to the ISS, which is required to continue the station manned operation, support crew living and working conditions, and re-supply the engine tanks with propellant.

Source: S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

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The Starsem press release is reproduced below:

Success of the 1718th launch of Soyuz

Evry, January 18, 2006

The 1718th flight of a Soyuz launch vehicle was performed Thursday, January 18, 2007 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:12 a.m. Baikonur time (3:12 a.m., in Paris).

Starsem, Arianespace and their Russian partners report that the Progress cargo spacecraft was accurately placed on the target orbit for another mission to the International Space Station.

This was the first Soyuz family mission in 2007. It came after the successful Starsem's launch of the Corot, the astrophysics pioneer mission in the discovery of telluric extrasolar planets, using the next generation evolved Soyuz 2-1b launch vehicle.

With the introduction of the Soyuz at the Guiana Space Center (CSG), this famed Russian launch vehicle becomes an integral part of the European launcher fleet, together with the heavy-lift Ariane 5 and the lightweight Vega. To be offered exclusively by Arianespace to the commercial market, the Soyuz at CSG is Europe's reference medium-class launch vehicle for governmental and commercial missions.

Starsem is the Soyuz Company, bringing together all key players involved in the production, operation and international commercial marketing of the world's most versatile launch vehicle. Shareholders in Starsem are Arianespace, Astrium, the Russian Federal Space Agency and the Samara Space Center.

The Starsem manifest for Soyuz missions currently includes contracted launches for the European Space Agency, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd and Globalstar LLC.

Source: Starsem Press Release

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"You see all of Europe in one glance" - Thomas Reiter reports on his ISS mission

German ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter floats on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery. This was among the first group of digital still images showing the crewmembers onboard during their first full day in space after launching from Cape Canaveral on 4 July 2006.

Credits: NASA

18 January 2007
The ISS, symbol of international cooperation, became a bit more international with ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter's long-duration mission. Today, Reiter met the press for the first time since returning from the International Space Station, at ESA's European Astronaut Centre (EAC), in Cologne, Germany.

In front of some 80 extremely attentive media members, Reiter presented a 45-minute report on the successful scientific results of his Astrolab Mission, as well as on his experiences of daily work and life on board the ISS. His mission ended on 22 December 2006.

The ESA astronaut began his journey on 4 July 2006 on board the US Space Shuttle Discovery. Two days later, he formally joined the Expedition 13 crew on the ISS as Flight Engineer. This marked the first time since the tragic February 2003 Columbia accident, and subsequent suspension of Shuttle flights, that a full, three-member crew was on board the ISS.

"It was an uplifting moment when the mission finally started. The launch, one of the high points after many months of preparation and training, marks a tremendous transition, since you reach orbit and start to experience weightlessness just nine minutes later," said Reiter.

Following the two-day journey to the ISS on board the crowded Shuttle, Reiter said the Space Station - with its 60-metre long axis - was "positively roomy."

Living and working on the ISS

Space Shuttle Discovery lands on Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at the end of the STS-116 mission to the International Space Station. Amongst the crew are ESA astronauts Christer Fuglesang and Thomas Reiter.

Credits: ESA - S.Corvaja

Working in both the US and Russian sections of the Station, Reiter carried out a wide range of daily maintenance and operations tasks. He also managed a full slate of 19 experiments on behalf of a number of European institutions and research centres, focussing on areas such as human physiology and psychology, microbiology, plasma physics and radiation dosimetry as well as technology demonstrations.

In addition, the tightly organised science programme included experiments for industry and educational purposes, both for universities and primary and secondary schools.

Reiter was particularly pleased with the widespread enthusiasm shown by pupils who took part in actual experiments, as this is likely to help inspire their curiosity and inspire them towards future studies; he said human curiosity is one of the prime motivations for space exploration.

Apart from eating, sleeping and the intensive scientific programme, daily work life included physical exercise for two hours per day, plus regular, ongoing station maintenance.

ESA's ATV to Supply Station starting in mid-2007

ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter, after returning from a 6-month stay on the International Space Station, relaxes in the crew quarters at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Reiter returned to Earth with the STS-116 crew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. Landing took place on Runway 15 at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility as the sun set on the shortest day of the year.

Credits: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Furthermore, crew must unload and transfer supplies from the Russian Progress unmanned supply vehicles that arrive every three to four months.

With a two-tonne capacity, the Progress flights also deliver water, food, clothing, and technical and medical supplies, as well as letters and gifts from home. Beginning from mid-2007, ESA's new Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), known as Jules Verne, will boost the resupply capacity to 7.5 tonnes.

As part of his mission, he also helped deliver and install important ESA-developed equipment, including the MELFI (Minus 80C Laboratory Freezer for the ISS) experiment and the EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System).

A unique perspective

Despite having completed a previous long-duration mission, Euromir 95, Reiter - an experienced astronaut - reported being still enthralled by the view of the Earth from space, as well as seeing the sunrise and sunset multiple times per day. "We can see parts of continents and are amazed by the variety of colours and forms created by the combination of land, sea and clouds. It's something that leaves you breathless."

One of the high points of his almost six months in space was an EVA (extravehicular activity), carried out on 3 August 2006 together with US astronaut Jeffery Williams. The EVA lasted for 5 hours 54 minutes, and was completed ahead of schedule. The astronauts installed hardware on the ISS exterior to support future assembly work as well as a number of instruments and experiments that must be mounted externally.

ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter, Expedition 13 Flight Engineer 2, is seen with the reinforced carbon carbon (RCC) sample case which was one of the final major planned tasks for a 5-hour, 54-minute spacewalk that he shared with astronaut Jeff Williams (out of frame), Flight Engineer and NASA ISS Science Officer.

Credits: NASA

"Working outside the Station means clambering around the exterior at an altitude of 400 kilometres and a speed of 27 000 kilometres per hour - this is an amazing and indescribable feeling," reports Reiter.

Even if the space suits are technically sophisticated, Reiter said that each movement was difficult in weightlessness, making space walking like playing sports. That Reiter and his colleague Williams could finish the EVA ahead of schedule and so complete several additional tasks speaks well of European astronauts' physical conditioning and preparation.

Further, on the morning of 4 August 2006, just over 30 days after arriving at the ISS, Reiter broke the previous European space duration record of 209 days, 12 hours, 25 minutes and 11 seconds in space, which was held by his ESA colleague Jean-Pierre Haigneré.

To the question: Can one really feel at home on board the ISS? Reiter said, "Yes, my parting from my two fellow crew colleagues was rather difficult, so we did in fact feel quite at home. There are good days and bad days, and we went through them together."

Back to Earth

ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter uses experiment equipment inside the US Destiny laboratory. Reiter has been a member of the Station's Expedition crew since his arrival with Space Shuttle mission STS-121 in July 2006.

Credits: NASA

On 22 December 2006, Reiter returned to Earth together with ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang, from Sweden, who had travelled into orbit on 10 December on board the Shuttle Discovery to undertake the Celsius Mission, aimed at helping extend and enlarge the ISS. Overall, Reiter spent 171 days in space, a new European record.

After a three-day return trip, Reiter said that he felt "relatively good" upon landing at Cape Canaveral, Florida, adding that the Shuttle provided a much more comfortable landing than the Soyuz capsule did on his last return.

"I wouldn't say 'No' if asked to go again," said Reiter with a smile when asked if he would like to return to space.

Michel Tognini, Head of the European Astronaut Centre, and an astronaut himself, stated that Reiter is now the European astronaut with the most experience.

As Chairman of the ESA Council and CEO of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Professor Dr Sigmar Wittig underlined the strong cooperation of all partners involved in Reiter's Astrolab Mission, which is enabling Europe to play a fundamental role in the completion and operation of the ISS. For Germany, one of the key contributions has been the establishment and operation of the Columbus Control Centre, located at DLR's Oberpfaffenhofen facility.

Europe on the ISS to stay

A view of the International Space Station following the STS-116 Shuttle mission during which the P5 truss section was added, the Station's electrical supply was rewired and the P6 solar array was retracted. This image was taken shortly after Space Shuttle Discovery undocked at 23:10 CET (22:10 UT) on 19 December 2006.

Credits: NASA

Astrolab and Celsius were the first in a series of ESA missions to the International Space Station, as Europe fulfils its duty as a fully-fledged ISS partner, contributing to maintenance and assembly tasks, with European modules set to be delivered.

In 2007, ESA plans to fly at least two more astronauts to the Station on assembly missions. It is also negotiating a flight opportunity for a third with a view to a second European astronaut being assigned a permanent crew member slot.

Already-approved contributions include the flights of Paolo Nespoli, of Italy, on the STS-120 mission to deliver the Node 2 module during the summer and Hans Schlegel, of Germany, on STS-122 to accompany ESA’s Columbus laboratory in the autumn. The long-duration flight of Leopold Eyharts, of France, is under discussion with NASA.

Source: ESA - News

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Progress 24 Nears Station, Ready for Docking Tonight

Image above: The ISS Progress 24 cargo craft rolls out to the launch pad.

Photo credit: NASA

After launching Wednesday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the ISS Progress 24 is approaching the International Space Station. At 10 p.m. EST the new cargo carrier will link up with the station’s Pirs docking compartment.

The Russian resupply ship is loaded with propellant, oxygen, experiment hardware and other gear replenishing supplies for Expedition 14 and the upcoming Expedition 15 mission.

An older cargo craft, the ISS Progress 22, left the station with discarded items Tuesday evening. About three hours later the Progress 22 entered Earth’s atmosphere and safely burned up.

Wednesday’s launch of the new resupply ship honored the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sergei Korolev – Russia’s “Great Designer” of Soviet spacecraft. The spacecraft designer was born on Jan. 12, 1907.

Source: NASA - Space Station

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New Resupply Ship Arrives at Station

Image above: The ISS Progress 24 cargo craft rolls out to the launch pad.

Photo credit: NASA

A Russian resupply ship loaded with propellant, oxygen, experiment hardware and other gear arrived at the International Space Station Friday at 9:59 p.m. EST. The ISS Progress 24 docked to the station’s Pirs docking compartment. The Progress is carrying supplies for Expedition 14 and the upcoming Expedition 15 mission.

Two days earlier on Wednesday Jan, 17 the cargo spacecraft launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan achieving Earth orbit about 10 minutes later. A series of pre-programmed engine firings fine tuned the Progress’ arrival at the station which finally led to its automated docking.

Pirs was home to the ISS Progress 22 which undocked Tuesday, Jan. 16 making way for the newly docked Progress 24. After undocking, the Progress 22 -- loaded with trash and other discarded items -- entered Earth’s atmosphere and burned up safely.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Edited January 20, 2007 by Waspie_Dwarf

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Significant milestone for Columbus flight readiness

An artist's impression of Columbus - cutaway view - the European laboratory on the
International Space Station.

Credits: ESA / D.Ducros

22 January 2006
In December 2006, experts from ESA and partner organisations met to review Columbus launch preparations. The successful review was a significant milestone for the launch of the Agency's science module, planned for later this year.

The review meeting, known formally as the Flight Operations Readiness Review, included experts from ESA, NASA, the German Aerospace Agency (DLR), the Japanese space agency (JAXA) and industry, and concluded that ESA and its partners are on track for the launch of the Columbus scientific laboratory.

Columbus is Europe's cornerstone contribution to the International Space Station (ISS), and is scheduled for launch on shuttle mission STS-122 in October/November 2007.

The Flight Operations Readiness Review was held 4-5 December 2006 at the Columbus Control Centre at Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich, to review the state of preparation of the mission teams and ground infrastructure; it is a formal step required by NASA to check the state of readiness of its international partners in joint missions.

Ground facilities established for Columbus were recently used during the 171-day Astrolab mission, completed by ESA Astronaut Thomas Reiter, of Germany, in December.


Europe's ground preparations on track

The review showed that ESA and partner preparations are on track and that the engineering, infrastructure and training tasks remaining to be done can be completed as planned prior to launch.


On 4-5 December 2006, specialists from ESA, NASA, industry and the German Aerospace
Center (DLR) met at DLR Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, for the Columbus Flight Operations
Readiness Review (FORR).

Credits: ESA

The two-day review was a thorough and comprehensive review of readiness and looked at all areas related to the launch and start of operations for Columbus. The Columbus Control Centre is operated by DLR under contract from ESA.

Review topics included NASA Shuttle flight planning status, payload operations, Columbus generic flight rules, shared documentation, Columbus Control Centre status, ground controller training and certification, flight crew training and the status of the USOCs, Europe's User Support and Operation Centres. These are located at the institutes and universities that will receive and analyse data returned from experiments onboard Columbus.

Columbus Control Centre ready to control

ESA's readiness to support the Columbus delivery mission 24 hours per day via the Columbus Control Centre was one of the key points examined during the review.


Columbus Control Centre, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. Under the call sign 'Munich',
the Columbus Control Centre will, from 2007, be responsible for systems on board the
orbiting Columbus laboratory and for European science activities on board the ISS. The
centre is already building operational expertise during ESA's Astrolab Mission.

Credits: DLR

Bob Chesson, Head of ESA's Human Spaceflight and Exploration Operations department and a review participant, said that formal qualification and acceptance of the Columbus Control Centre are complete, confirming that the ground infrastructure is in good shape.

"We have completed a full programme of system validation tests with the Columbus module demonstrating that the mission control systems can talk to the spacecraft; at this time we have not identified any issues that could change this encouraging status," he added.

Chesson also said that, as a result of this review, "We have shown that the operations facilities and teams are on schedule to achieve operational readiness in time for launch."

His colleague, Roland Luettgens, Operations Manager for Columbus, added that the Columbus flight control team is currently undergoing their certification for the Columbus flight. "They are a highly motivated team of engineers and experts who will conduct the 13-day mission together with their counterparts at NASA."


ESA astronauts ready for demanding Columbus delivery mission


German ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel

ESA astronauts Hans Schlegel, from Germany, and Leopold Eyharts, from France, are two of the key participants in the Columbus delivery mission, coded as "ISS Assembly Flight 1E."

ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel will be trained on all aspects of the 1E mission, and will serve as an EVA (spacewalk) crew member, while Leopold Eyharts will receive all of the Columbus training in anticipation of a possible assignment.


Columbus activity ramps up


Having arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Florida, the United States, the
container containing Columbus laboratory is removed from the Beluga aircraft.

The Columbus laboratory is ESA's biggest contribution to the International Space Station.
This laboratory will provide internal payload accommodation for various scientific
experiments. The Columbus laboratory will be flown on a Space Shuttle to the ISS in the
second half of 2007.

Credits: ESA

In upcoming months, activity related to the launch of Columbus will intensify.

The module itself has already been shipped to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, arriving in Florida on 30 May 2006 via an Airbus A300-600 'Beluga' heavy lift aircraft.

In March and April 2007, ESA and NASA technicians aided by contractor personnel will begin removing Columbus from temporary storage.


ESA's single biggest ISS contribution

The Columbus laboratory is ESA's biggest single contribution to the International Space Station. The 4.5-metre diameter cylindrical module is equipped with flexible research facilities that offer extensive science capabilities.

During its 10-year projected life span, Earth-based researchers - with expert assistance from the ISS crew - will be able to conduct thousands of experiments in life sciences, materials science, fluid physics and a host of other disciplines, all in the weightlessness of orbit.

Source: ESA - News

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Expedition 14 Talks to Martha Stewart

Image above: Expedition 14 crew chats with Martha Stewart.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Martha Stewart, homemaking expert and popular television personality, chatted with the crew of Expedition 14 Monday morning. The event started at 11:40 a.m. EST and was shown on NASA TV.

Stewart asked the Expedition crew members about their experiments on station, the view of Earth from their vantage point, and life in their orbital home away from home.

Expedition 14 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams showed off her green thumb with a sample of bean sprouts she had been growing as part of a horticulture experiment for long-term living in space. Pickles and shrimp cocktail were the crew member’s top choices when asked of their favorite foods in space.

After giving a glimpse of their personalized sleeping areas, Williams and Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria told Stewart they were open to any home decorating or cooking tips for their home in space.

“You are helping us learn so much about space travel,” Stewart said. “Just seeing you enjoying yourselves while you’re doing such fantastic research is really wonderful.”

A Russian resupply ship loaded with propellant, oxygen, experiment hardware and other gear arrived at the International Space Station Friday at 9:59 p.m. EST. The ISS Progress 24 docked to the station’s Pirs docking compartment. The Progress is carrying supplies for Expedition 14 and the upcoming Expedition 15 mission.

Two days earlier on Wednesday Jan. 17 the cargo spacecraft launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan achieving Earth orbit about 10 minutes later. A series of pre-programmed engine firings fine tuned the Progress’ arrival at the station which finally led to its automated docking.

Source: NASA - Space Station

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Crew Preps for Spacewalk

Image above: New Orleans, Louisiana is featured in this image photographed

by an Expedition 14 crew member on the International Space Station.

Photo credit: NASA

The Expedition 14 crew members are accelerating their preparations for three U.S. spacewalks with the first starting next week. They readied safety items and reviewed safety procedures such as aiding a crewmate incapacitated by decompression sickness. Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams also reviewed updated spacewalk timelines and tagged up with ground specialists to address certain questions.

Williams also set aside some time to conduct a ham radio session with students at the École élémentaire publique Le Prélude in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Source: NASA - Space Station

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Crew Unloads Supplies, Preps for Spacewalk

Image above: Expedition 14 Flight Engineer Mikhail Tyurin holds camera

equipment as he floats in the Zvezda Service Module of the International

Space Station.

Photo credit: NASA

The Expedition 14 crew members began the week unloading more than 2.5 tons of supplies that were delivered to the station by the ISS Progress 24 cargo craft. Supplies included food, gifts from home, clothing, spare parts, oxygen and water.

The crew members also started preparations for the upcoming spacewalks, with the first spacewalk scheduled for January 31. They readied the spacesuits to be worn by Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams. Lopez-Alegria and Williams also used computer-based training to refresh their skills with the Simplified Aid For Extravehicular Activity Rescue (SAFER) jetpack. The SAFER backpack allows spacewalkers to fly themselves back to the station in the event they become untethered and separated from the complex.

The crew took time out from their work on Monday to speak with television host Martha Stewart. They also took time to field questions from schools in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and another in Winnebago, Neb. by amateur radio.

Source: NASA - Space Station

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Space Station Astronauts "Swear In" Navy Sailors

Image above: Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria with Flight Engineer Suni

Williams addresses the sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for

a special re-enlistment ceremony.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Expedition 14 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, assisted by Flight Engineer Suni Williams, swore in 16 sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during a special live link-up from the space station on Monday. Lopez-Alegria and Williams, both U.S. Naval Academy graduates, conducted the long-distance re-enlistment ceremony as the station orbited 220 miles above the Earth.

Meanwhile, the Expedition 14 crew continued preparations for the first of three spacewalks beginning Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST. On Monday, the crew completed checking out the spacesuits and associated tools and conducted a review of spacewalk procedures with specialists in Mission Control, Houston.

The focus of the first two spacewalks is continuing the transition from temporary station power and cooling systems to permanent ones, a process begun during Space Shuttle Discovery’s STS-116 mission in December.

Source: NASA - Space Station

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Three Back-to-Back Spacewalks Coming Up on Station

The first of three spacewalks in nine days by International Space Station Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams is scheduled to begin Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST.

The three spacewalks, from the Quest airlock in U.S. spacesuits, and a Russian spacewalk scheduled for Feb. 22 will be the most ever done by station crew members during an increment, said Mike Suffredini, station program manager.

They also will bring to 10 the total number of spacewalks by Lopez-Alegria, an astronaut record. Williams will have a total of four, a women’s record.

Doing the spacewalks close together can save considerable crew time. Preparation of the airlock and the suits for a spacewalk normally requires about 100 crew-member-hours.

Image above: Expedition 14 Flight Engineer Mikhail Tyurin works

with an Extravehicular Mobility Unit spacesuit in the Quest Airlock

of the International Space Station.

Image credit: NASA.

By doing the spacewalks close together, some of the preparations will not have to be repeated for the second and third spacewalks. Program officials believe four days between spacewalks should provide adequate crew rest. The four-day gap could be increased to provide additional rest, or to deal with any issues that arise.

"In the future," said Kirk Shireman, ISS deputy program manager, "we will try to group EVAs together when we have to do more than one U.S. stage EVA."

Derek Hassmann, spacewalk flight director, noted that there have been five “stage” spacewalks, those without a shuttle present, over the past four years. These three, designated EVAs 6, 7, and 8, will be done in nine days. EVA 7 is set for Feb. 4, EVA 8 for Feb. 8.

Chris Looper, a space station trainer working from the station flight control room in Houston’s Mission Control Center, will serve as ground intravehicular officer (ground IV). He will work with the spacewalkers, offering advice and guidance to help them through their tasks. Flight Engineer Mikhail Tyurin will help with pre-and post-spacewalk activities.

The focus of the first two spacewalks is continuing the transition from temporary station power and cooling systems to permanent ones, a process begun during Discovery’s STS-116 mission in December.

Since that flight four cooling loops have been active on the U.S. segment, two in the temporary system which continued to cool the U.S. laboratory Destiny and two in the permanent system.

Because of an ammonia leak during the installation of Destiny during STS-98 in February 2001, new crew and ground responses have been developed should a similar leak occur during these spacewalks.

EVA 6

Lopez-Alegria, the lead spacewalker wearing the suit with red stripes, and Williams, in the all-white suit, begin the tasks of the first spacewalk by reconfiguring one of the two cooling loops serving Destiny from the temporary to the permanent system.

Working at the “rats’ nest,” an area near the base of the Z1 Truss with numerous fluid and electrical connections, Lopez-Alegria will reconfigure the fluid loop connections, moving two of the fluid lines from the early system from the lab and connecting them back up to the Z1 panel. That will help enable reactivation of the early cooling system if it should be required. He also will connect a cable for the Space Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS).

It will allow power from the station’s solar arrays to be transferred to the docked space shuttle, beginning with STS-118 in June.

Williams will reconfigure electrical connections. Those jobs are expected to take about 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Next the spacewalkers will stand by as the ground retracts the starboard radiator of the P6 Truss. After retraction they will install six cable cinches and two winch bars to secure it and then install a shroud over it. Those tasks should take about 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Lopez-Alegria and Williams then move to the Early Ammonia Servicer on P6. It provided a contingency supply of ammonia for the Early Ammonia System. With the permanent cooling system working, it is no longer needed.

The spacewalkers will remove two fluid lines from the servicer, which will be jettisoned this summer.

Get-ahead tasks, if time is available, include photographing the unretracted P6 starboard solar wing and installing the Node Local Area Network cable. The cable will help provide the capability to command Russian segment systems from the U.S. segment.

EVA 7

The first parts of the Feb. 4 spacewalk are similar to the previous one. Lopez-Alegria and Williams begin the tasks of the second spacewalk by reconfiguring the second of the two cooling loops serving Destiny from the temporary to the permanent system.

At the rats’ nest, Lopez-Alegria will reconfigure the fluid loop connections, moving the second pair of the fluid lines of the early system from the lab and connecting them back up to the Z1 panel. That will help enable reactivation of the early cooling system if it should be required.

Williams will reconfigure electrical connections. The job, like the similar activity on the first spacewalk, is expected to take about 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Next they will watch as the ground retracts the aft radiator of the P6. After retraction they will install another set of six cable cinches and two winch bars to secure the radiator and then install the shroud. Again, those tasks should take about 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Lopez-Alegria will then move to the end of PMA-1 to remove a sunshade from the Node Multiplexer-Demultiplexer (MDM), a data relay system. The area was in the sun during the time the station flew in a previous orientation. Now, with the station's orientation putting the lab in the direction of travel and its 18-inch window always facing the Earth, the sunshade is being removed to keep the MDM from getting too cold.

Lopez-Alegria will remove a single bolt to free the sunshade, then move with it a short distance on the PMA-1 and jettison it aft and a little to starboard.

Meanwhile, Williams will bring tools and cables to the forward end of the lab, where Lopez-Alegria will join her. Together they will finish routing and installation of the SSPTS cables.

Get-ahead tasks include photographing a connector on the end of PMA-2. Shuttle-station audio communication difficulties have been reported during recent shuttle missions. Engineers believe the connector might be affected by debris or corrosion.

EVA 8

On Feb. 8 Lopez-Alegria and Williams will move from the airlock out to Crew Equipment Transfer Aid carts on the rails of the main truss. Pushing the cart with their equipment, including a foot restraint, they move to the P3 Truss. Their first job is to remove two large thermal shrouds on a Rotary Joint Motor Controller (RJMC), from Bays 18 and 20. Each spacewalker does one.

The shrouds, larger than king-size bed sheets, provide thermal shading. With the station in the LVLH attitude, they are no longer needed. They are being removed to avoid trapping heat.

Spacewalkers will work together to fold each into a package a bit smaller than an outdoor garbage can and jettison them, aft and slightly downward.

The 2-hour, 40-minute shroud task will be followed by deployment of two Unpressurized Cargo Carrier Assembly Attachment Systems (UCCAS), one on the upper face of the P3 truss and the other on the lower face. The hour-long job is in preparation for attachment of a cargo carrier during a subsequent shuttle mission.

While Lopez-Alegria works on the second UCCAS, Williams will move out to the end of the P5 truss to remove two launch locks to prepare for the relocation of the P6 Truss.

Get-ahead tasks include removing a final camera stanchion from External Stowage Platform 3 and moving an auxiliary bag containing contingency items – among them tie-down tethers, cabling and connector caps. The bag will be placed near the airlock before the P6 is moved to the end of the port truss.

Russian Spacewalk

On Feb. 22, Lopez-Alegria and Tyurin are scheduled to do a spacewalk in Russian Orlan suits from the Pirs airlock. They will work on an antenna of the Progress 23 unpiloted cargo carrier, docked at the aft port of the Zvezda service module.

The antenna did not properly retract when that spacecraft docked in October. The spacewalkers will try to secure or remove the antenna to avoid its interfering with the undocking of P23 in April.

Source: NASA - Station - Expeditions

Edited January 31, 2007 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Station Crew Preps for Wednesday's Spacewalk

Image above: Expedition 14 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria holds

a pistol grip tool as he floats in the Destiny laboratory of the International

Space Station.

Photo credit: NASA

The first of three spacewalks in nine days by Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams is scheduled to begin Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST. Tasks scheduled for the first six-hour, 30-minute excursion include reconfiguring one of two cooling loops for the Destiny module, rearranging electrical connections and securing and covering the starboard radiator of the P6 truss after retraction.

Lopez-Alegria and Williams completed preparations for the spacewalk on Tuesday, checking out the tools they will use during the spacewalk and conducting a final review of procedures with specialists in Mission Control, Houston.

The pair are "camping out" in the Quest airlock overnight to minimize preparation time Wednesday. The reduced air pressure in the airlock protects against decompression sickness as spacewalkers go to the even lower pressure in the spacesuits for the spacewalk.

On Monday, Expedition 14 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, assisted by Flight Engineer Suni Williams, swore in 16 sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during a special live link-up from the space station. Lopez-Alegria and Williams, both U.S. Naval Academy graduates, conducted the long-distance re-enlistment ceremony as the station orbited 220 miles above the Earth.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Edited January 31, 2007 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Orbiting Astronauts Swear in Navy Sailors

A special re-enlistment ceremony was held on Jan. 29 for 16 Navy sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The reenlistment oath was read by a fellow sailor, but one on a very different ship: the International Space Station.

Image above: Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria with Flight Engineer Suni

Williams addresses the sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for

a special re-enlistment ceremony.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Expedition 14 Commander and Navy Capt. Michael Lopez-Alegria, assisted by Flight Engineer and Navy Cmdr. Suni Williams, conducted the long-distance ceremony from the space station, which was flying about 220 miles above the southern Indian Ocean at the time.

“Your devotion to your shipmates, to the Navy and to our country is deeply appreciated,” said Lopez-Alegria just before beginning the oath. Afterwards, he and Williams could be seen clapping and smiling.

In another NASA connection, one of the re-enlisting servicemen, Chief Petty Officer Thomas C. Peck, has two brothers who work at Johnson Space Center: Boeing’s Donald Peck and Mission Operations’ Gregory Peck. The brothers watched the event when it was rebroadcast on NASA TV later in the day.

Image above: Gregory (left) and Donald Peck, both working

at Johnson Space Center, watch the NASA TV broadcast of

the event -- their brother, Chief Petty Officer Thomas Peck,

was one of the re-enlistees.

Photo credit: NASA

Though far away from the re-enlistees, Williams said that she was pleased to take part in the ceremony.

“It’s truly an honor and a pleasure to be serving alongside you guys,” she said. “The Navy is one big family and we’re just happy to be a part of it.”

“We’re sorry that you can’t float with us up here,” added Lopez-Alegria, “but you’re with us in spirit.”

Lopez-Alegria has been aboard the station since September and will return to Earth in April, while Williams arrived in December and will return to Earth in July. Both are graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy and Navy pilots.

The Eisenhower is the Navy's flagship for the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.

Source: NASA - Station - Expeditions

Edited January 31, 2007 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Astronauts to Go Spacewalking Today

Image above: Flight Engineer Mikhail Tyurin (center) assists Commander

Michael Lopez-Alegria (left) and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams with

donning their spacesuits.

Photo credit: NASA TV

The first of three spacewalks in nine days by Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams is scheduled to begin today at 10 a.m. EST. Tasks scheduled for the first six-hour, 30-minute excursion include reconfiguring one of two cooling loops for the Destiny module, rearranging electrical connections and securing and covering the starboard radiator of the P6 truss after retraction.

+ Watch spacewalk live on NASA TV

Lopez-Alegria and Williams completed preparations for the spacewalk on Tuesday, checking out the tools they will use during the spacewalk and conducting a final review of procedures with specialists in Mission Control, Houston.

The pair "camped out" in the Quest airlock overnight to minimize preparation time this morning. The reduced air pressure in the airlock protects against decompression sickness as spacewalkers go to the even lower pressure in the spacesuits for the spacewalk.

On Monday, Expedition 14 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, assisted by Flight Engineer Suni Williams, swore in 16 sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during a special live link-up from the space station. Lopez-Alegria and Williams, both U.S. Naval Academy graduates, conducted the long-distance re-enlistment ceremony as the station orbited 220 miles above the Earth..

Source: NASA - Space Station

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Station Crew Conducting Spacewalk

Image above: Flight Engineer Mikhail Tyurin (center) assists Commander

Michael Lopez-Alegria (left) and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams with

donning their spacesuits.

Photo credit: NASA TV

The first of three spacewalks in nine days by Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams began today at 10:14 a.m. EST. Tasks scheduled for today's six-hour, 30-minute excursion include reconfiguring one of two cooling loops for the Destiny module, rearranging electrical connections and securing and covering the starboard radiator of the P6 truss after retraction.

+ Watch spacewalk live on NASA TV

Lopez-Alegria and Williams completed preparations for the spacewalk on Tuesday, checking out the tools they will use during the spacewalk and conducting a final review of procedures with specialists in Mission Control, Houston.

The pair "camped out" in the Quest airlock overnight to minimize preparation time this morning. The reduced air pressure in the airlock protects against decompression sickness as spacewalkers go to the even lower pressure in the spacesuits for the spacewalk.

On Monday, Expedition 14 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, assisted by Flight Engineer Suni Williams, swore in 16 sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during a special live link-up from the space station. Lopez-Alegria and Williams, both U.S. Naval Academy graduates, conducted the long-distance re-enlistment ceremony as the station orbited 220 miles above the Earth.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Edited January 31, 2007 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Station Crew Conducting Spacewalk

Image above: Flight Engineer Sunita Williams (left) and Commander

Michael Lopez-Alegria work with the Early Ammonia Servicer on the

P6 Truss.

Photo credit: NASA TV

The first of three spacewalks in nine days by Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams began today at 10:14 a.m. EST. Tasks scheduled for today's six-hour, 30-minute excursion include reconfiguring one of two cooling loops for the Destiny module, rearranging electrical connections and securing and covering the starboard radiator of the P6 truss after retraction.

+ Watch spacewalk live on NASA TV

Lopez-Alegria and Williams completed preparations for the spacewalk on Tuesday, checking out the tools they will use during the spacewalk and conducting a final review of procedures with specialists in Mission Control, Houston.

The pair "camped out" in the Quest airlock overnight to minimize preparation time this morning. The reduced air pressure in the airlock protects against decompression sickness as spacewalkers go to the even lower pressure in the spacesuits for the spacewalk.

On Monday, Expedition 14 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, assisted by Flight Engineer Suni Williams, swore in 16 sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during a special live link-up from the space station. Lopez-Alegria and Williams, both U.S. Naval Academy graduates, conducted the long-distance re-enlistment ceremony as the station orbited 220 miles above the Earth.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Edited January 31, 2007 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Space Station To Grow Faster, Mark Firsts Throughout Year

The press release is reproduced below:

Jan. 31, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749

James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

RELEASE: 07-019

Space Station To Grow Faster, Mark Firsts Throughout Year

HOUSTON - Already spanning an acre in orbit, the International Space Station this year will grow faster in size, power, volume and mass than ever before, significantly expanding its capabilities and setting new records for humans in orbit.

"This will be a challenging but rewarding year for the station program," said Kirk Shireman, deputy program manager for the International Space Station. "The station's operations will grow both in orbit and on Earth. As we launch new international components this year, we also will begin new flight control operations from facilities around the world."

In addition to control centers in the United States, Russia and Canada, control centers for the station also will be activated in France, Germany and Japan, allowing NASA's partners to oversee their contributions to the station.

In 2007, NASA and Russia plan to conduct as many as 24 spacewalks, more than has ever been done in a single year. The first spacewalk began at 9:14 a.m. CST Wednesday, Jan. 31 on NASA TV and features Mike Lopez-Alegria, the commander of the current space station mission, known as Expedition 14.

By the end of Expedition 14 in April, Lopez-Alegria should lead all astronauts in the number of spacewalks and the amount of time spent spacewalking. After returning to Earth in July, Expedition 14 and Expedition 15 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams will hold the NASA astronaut record for longest time in space. Lopez-Alegria will have set that record just months earlier. Williams also will have completed the most spacewalks by a woman by the end of February.

Also this year, the electricity generated and used on the station will more than double. By the end of 2007, the station's solar panels will extend to almost three-quarters of an acre of surface area. The extra power and cooling will allow the station's living and working space to expand by more than one-third. The complex will grow from its current size of a two-bedroom apartment to the size of a four-bedroom house by year's end.

The laboratories aboard will triple, with the addition of the European Space Agency's Columbus lab and the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo. A shuttle mission targeted for October will deliver Columbus, while another mission targeted for December will carry Kibo. The additions will mark the first time the station's interior space has grown in more than six years.

The station's supply lines also will grow. A new European cargo vehicle, called the Automated Transfer Vehicle, is set to make its first trip to the station in July. Currently, only the space shuttle and Russian Progress cargo craft deliver supplies to the orbiting laboratory.

This also will be a year of unparalleled robotic operations. For the first time, the station's robotic arm will be used to assemble large, pressurized components without a shuttle present. In the fall, the Canadarm2 will be used to move mating adapters and a large connecting module, called Node 2, into place on the station. Node 2 will provide pathways for crew members, air, electricity and water to the new international laboratories.

As the station breaks new ground in its use of robotics, its robotics system also will grow. On the same mission that delivers the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo lab, the Canadian Space Agency's Dextre robotic system will be delivered. Dextre, an almost human-shaped two-armed robotic system designed to work with Canadarm2, will add to the highly sophisticated robotics aboard the space station. Dextre will enable the robotics to perform even more intricate maintenance and servicing tasks, which previously would have required spacewalks.

For information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

- end -

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA Press Release 07-019

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Station Crew Completes Successful Spacewalk

Image above: Flight Engineer Sunita Williams (left) and Commander

Michael Lopez-Alegria work with the Early Ammonia Servicer on the

P6 Truss.

Photo credit: NASA TV

The first of three spacewalks in nine days by Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams wrapped up Wednesday at 6:09 p.m. EST. During the 7-hour 55-minute excursion, the spacewalkers reconfigured one of two cooling loops for the Destiny module, rearranged electrical connections and secured the starboard radiator of the P6 truss after retraction.

Two other spacewalks from Quest will follow. Lopez-Alegria and Williams are scheduled to make the second spacewalk on Feb. 4 and the third for Feb. 8.

On Monday, Expedition 14 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, assisted by Flight Engineer Suni Williams, swore in 16 sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during a special live link-up from the space station. Lopez-Alegria and Williams, both U.S. Naval Academy graduates, conducted the long-distance re-enlistment ceremony as the station orbited 220 miles above the Earth.

Source: NASA - Space Station

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Station Crew Members Wind Up Successful Spacewalk

International Space Station Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams wound up a 7-hour 55-minute spacewalk at 6:09 p.m. EST Wednesday. It was the first of an unprecedented series from the Quest airlock.

Two other spacewalks from Quest will follow. Lopez-Alegria and Williams are scheduled to make the second spacewalk on Feb. 4 and the third for Feb. 8. The first two focus on the reconfiguration of station power and cooling systems to permanent ones.

Image above: Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria examines a retracted

radiator during the spacewalk.

Image credit: NASA.

Lopez-Alegria, the lead spacewalker wearing the suit with red stripes, and Williams, in the all-white suit, began the tasks of the first spacewalk by reconfiguring one of the two cooling loops serving Destiny from the temporary to the permanent system.

Working at the “rats’ nest,” an area near the base of the Z1 Truss with numerous fluid and electrical connections, Lopez-Alegria reconfigured the fluid loop connections, moving two of the fluid lines from the early system from the lab and connecting them back up to the Z1 panel. That will help enable reactivation of the early cooling system if it should be required.

He also connected a cable for the Space Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS). It will allow power from the station’s solar arrays to be transferred to a docked space shuttle, beginning with STS-118 in June.

Williams reconfigured electrical connections.

Next the spacewalkers stood by as the ground retracted the starboard radiator of the P6 Truss. After retraction they installed six cable cinches and two winch bars to secure the radiator and then installed a shroud over it.

Lopez-Alegria and Williams then moved to the Early Ammonia Servicer on the P6 Truss. It provided a contingency supply of ammonia for the Early Ammonia System. With the permanent cooling system working, it is no longer needed.

The spacewalkers removed one of two fluid lines from the servicer, which will be jettisoned this summer. Because of Wednesday time constraints, the second will be removed on a subsequent spacewalk.

About 25 minutes of the spacewalk was spent in a "bakeout" after crew members had re-entered the airlock. It was done as a precaution to prevent any possibility of ammonia from the fluid lines the spacewalkers had worked with entering the station.

The three spacewalks from the Quest airlock in U.S. spacesuits and a Russian spacewalk scheduled for Feb. 22 are the most ever done by station crew members during a single month. They also will bring to 10 the total number of spacewalks by Lopez-Alegria, an astronaut record. Williams will have a total of four, the most ever by a woman.

Starting from scratch, it takes about 100 crew-member hours to prepare for a spacewalk. By doing spacewalks a few days apart, considerable crew time can be saved by not having to repeat some of those preparatory steps.

Source: NASA - Station - Expeditions

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Launching Progress

Roll-out of the Progress 24 vehicle occurred on schedule at 7:00 a.m., Jan. 16, 2007 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Progress launched on Jan. 18, 2007 for its two-day trip to the International Space Station carrying 2 1/2 tons of food, fuel and supplies for the Expedition 14 crew.

Image credit: NASA

+ Full Resolution


Source: NASA - Multimedia - Image of the Day Gallery

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Station Crew Completes Successful Spacewalk

Image above: Astronaut Sunita L. Williams, Expedition 14 flight engineer,

uses a pistol grip tool as she participates in the first of three spacewalks

in nine days, as construction continues on the International Space Station.

Photo credit: NASA TV

The first of three spacewalks in nine days by Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams wrapped up Wednesday at 6:09 p.m. EST. During the 7-hour 55-minute excursion, the spacewalkers reconfigured one of two cooling loops for the Destiny module, rearranged electrical connections and secured the starboard radiator of the P6 truss after retraction.

Two other spacewalks from Quest will follow. Lopez-Alegria and Williams are scheduled to make the second spacewalk on Feb. 4 and the third for Feb. 8.

On Monday, Expedition 14 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, assisted by Flight Engineer Suni Williams, swore in 16 sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during a special live link-up from the space station. Lopez-Alegria and Williams, both U.S. Naval Academy graduates, conducted the long-distance re-enlistment ceremony as the station orbited 220 miles above the Earth.

Source: NASA - Space Station