[sarex] EXP 9 STATUS REPORT JULY 14,2004

[Arthur Z Rowe <n1orc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Submitted by Arthur - N1ORC - Mass A/C #31468

* ISS Crew Conducts Research, Prepares Progress for Undocking*
The Expedition 9 crew had a plethora of midweek activities aboard the 
International Space Station, including preparing for a software upload, 
conducting experiments and preparing for the departure of a cargo ship.

NASA ISS Science Officer Mike Fincke conducted the first session on the 
ISS with the Viscous Liquid Foam - Bulk Metallic Glass 
<http://www1.msfc.nasa.gov/NEWSROOM/background/facts/foam.html> (Foam) 
experiment. This experiment will study viscosity and the foaming of 
material in space. Viscosity is a property of fluids that causes them to 
resist flowing because of the internal friction created as the molecules 
move against each other. Better measurements of viscosity and a better 
understanding of foaming will help investigators improve a variety of 
materials used for everything from medical to industrial processing.

Commander Gennady Padalka performed the third part of a Russian fitness 
assessment that studies changes in the human body during space travel. 
Also on the science front, operations continued with the Earth Knowledge 
Acquired by Middle School Students 
<http://www1.msfc.nasa.gov/NEWSROOM/background/facts/earthkam.html> 
(EarthKAM) experiment. EarthKAM is a NASA education program that enables 
thousands of students to photograph and examine Earth from a space 
crew's perspective by allowing them to control a special digital camera 
mounted on the ISS.

After lunch, Padalka and Fincke worked inside the ISS Progress 14 cargo 
ship in preparation for its departure from the ISS. They removed its 
automated rendezvous and approach radar system. The system will be 
returned to Earth at a later date so it can be recycled and used on a 
future Progress flight. Progress 14, which will be filled with trash, is 
scheduled to undock from the ISS on July 30 to make room for the Aug. 15 
arrival of Progress 15.

Padalka and Fincke also prepared for a major software upgrade for the 
Russian segment. The software is slated to be uploaded Thursday. Other 
crew activities on Wednesday included monitoring ISS systems and the 
daily exercise regimen.

International Space Station Status Report No. 39 
<http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/spacenews/reports/issreports/2004/iss04-39.html>.
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