[sarex] ISS STATUS REPORT #SS04-14

[Arthur Z Rowe <n1orc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Submitted by Arthur - N1ORC - Amsat #31468

Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington                      June 10, 2004
(Phone: 202/358-4769)

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION STATUS REPORT: SS04-014

     The International Space Station (ISS) crew is spending 
its seventh week onboard the orbiting laboratory continuing 
to prepare for a spacewalk. ISS managers decided today to 
reschedule the planning date for the spacewalk from June 15 
to June 24. Formal management approval is expected next 
week.

The rescheduling will move the activity into a better period 
for communications coverage and for the crew's workday. It 
also allows additional time for ground teams to continue to 
develop spacewalk procedures. Managers plan to review all 
preparations for the spacewalk at a normal Stage Operations 
Readiness Review scheduled on June 21.

Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA ISS Science 
Officer Mike Fincke gathered tools and began work with their 
spacesuits this week to prepare for the spacewalk. The 
spacewalk plan is to restore power to one of the complex's 
Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs), devices that help maintain 
the Station's orientation as it orbits Earth.

During the walk, the crew is expected to replace a Remote 
Power Control Module, or circuit breaker, that failed April 
21, removing power from the one CMG. However, two CMGs are 
still operating well, safely controlling the orientation of 
the Station.
 
The crew began its work this week by charging batteries of 
the Pistol Grip Tool, a type of spacewalking power wrench, 
and familiarizing themselves with the tool's operation. 
Other activities included replacing batteries, filters, 
helmet lights and other routine parts in the Russian Orlan 
spacesuits that will be used for the spacewalk.

The crew also unpacked personal garments such as socks, 
gloves, and cooling garments; sized the spacesuits; and 
performed procedures to ensure no excess gas is present in 
the spacesuits' water and gas separation systems.

The crew participated in cardiovascular evaluation sessions 
on the Russian stationary bicycle. The checks are part of 
standard spacewalk preparations.

For information about NASA and agency missions on the 
Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

Information about crew activities on the Space Station, 
future launch dates, and Station sighting opportunities from 
Earth, is available on the Internet at:

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/

Details about Station science operations are available on an 
Internet site administered by the Payload Operations Center 
at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., 
at:

http://scipoc.msfc.nasa.gov/



-end-






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