[sarex] Exp 9 Completes First Week

[Arthur Z Rowe <n1orc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Submitted by Arthur - N1ORC - Amsat #31468

*Padalka, Fincke Complete First Full Week Onboard Station
*Science and maintenance filled Expedition 9's agenda onboard the 
International Space Station during its first full week alone in orbit. 
Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA ISS Science Officer Mike Fincke have 
begun their residency inside the orbiting laboratory since Expedition 8 
entered their Soyuz TMA-3 spacecraft, undocked, then landed in 
Kazakhstan on April 29. With their counterparts now rehabilitating on 
Earth after a 6-month stay in orbit, Padalka and Fincke continued 
working with the Station's many experiments, familiarized themselves 
with ISS systems and pursued daily maintenance.

Padalka worked with the European Neurocog experiment delivered to the 
ISS in October 2003. The experiment is meant to provide researchers data 
on how microgravity affects an astronaut's perception of his or her 
orientation and location in a virtual environment. Padalka wore head 
electrodes that took an electroencephalogram that will be sent back to 
Earth for future study.

Fincke checked out the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) in support of 
ground control's efforts to recertify the MSG for operations. The MSG is 
a science rack located inside the Destiny Laboratory Module. One 
experiment taking place inside the MSG will study how metals solidify in 
microgravity providing researchers on Earth insight toward the creation 
of stronger, more useful materials.

In preparation for a spacewalk in early June, Fincke began charging 
Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries unused since April 2003. The batteries 
supply power for pistol grip tools and lights attached to the spacesuit 
helmets. Padalka changed out dust collector filters and cleaned vent 
screens as part of scheduled preventive maintenance on the Russian 
segment air ventilation systems.



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