[sarex] .Expedition 9 Has Busy, Fun Week in Space

[Arthur Z Rowe <n1orc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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

* Expedition 9 Has Busy, Fun Week in Space 
<http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/spacenews/reports/issreports/2004/iss04-44.html>*
The Expedition 9 crewmembers spent their 16th week in space working on 
science, performing their third spacewalk, maintaining the Station and 
playing with the Wiggles. They also are preparing for the launch of a 
Russian Progress cargo ship on Wednesday, August 11 at 12:03 a.m. CDT 
(0503 GMT).

NASA ISS Science Officer Mike Fincke prepared for upcoming experiments. 
For the Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity (ADUM) experiment 
Fincke participated in a computer-based training session. Payload 
controllers on the ground uplinked video from a previous expedition to 
familiarize Fincke with another experiment. In that video, Fincke 
watched Expedition 8 Commander and Science Officer Michael Foale working 
with the Miscible Fluids in Microgravity experiment. Commander Gennady 
Padalka observed a Russian experiment studying plant growth in 
microgravity. Padalka also photographed several features on Earth as 
part of a Russian Earth-imaging program.

Expedition 9 also completed the third spacewalk of its mission. The 
excursion from the Pirs Docking Compartment to the aft end of the Zvezda 
Service Module lasted 4-1/2 hours. The spacewalkers prepared the Station 
for the arrival of a new cargo ship -- the European Space Agency's 
Automated Transfer Vehicle -- set to arrive in late 2005. They also took 
down experiments meant to study the effects of exposure on various 
materials in outer space. A fourth and final spacewalk is planned before 
the end of their mission on October 19.

As part of their routine maintenance, the crewmembers installed new 
software on various systems throughout the International Space Station. 
They also inspected environmental life support equipment onboard the ISS.

Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston hosted the Australian music group 
the Wiggles -- an internationally renowned group that entertains 
children. JSC's Mission Control Center set up a videoconference with the 
group and the orbiting Mike Fincke. During that time, they sang and 
danced. Fincke's wife Renita, their newborn daughter and 4-year-old son 
were nearby.
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