[sarex] EXP 9 STATUS 7 OCT 2004

[Arthur Z Rowe <n1orc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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

* ISS Crew Concludes Its Work With Two Science Investigations*
Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA ISS Science Officer Mike 
Fincke are in the final weeks of their stay aboard the International 
Space Station. On Thursday, they wrapped up their scheduled work with 
two U.S. Station science experiments.

They completed their third and final diet logging session with the 
Effect of Prolonged Space Flight on Human Skeletal Muscle (Biopsy) 
experiment 
<http://www1.msfc.nasa.gov/NEWSROOM/background/facts/biopsy.html>. This 
experiment seeks to establish the basis for reductions in limb muscle 
size, force and power at the cellular level that are induced by 
microgravity and determine how long it takes for microgravity to affect 
skeletal muscles. This would allow predictions to be made regarding 
muscle changes that may occur on a roundtrip flight to Mars.

The crewmembers also had a follow-up analysis meeting with scientists on 
the ground for the Advanced Ultrasound in Microgravity (ADUM) 
experiment. They held their final session of ADUM on Tuesday during 
which they conducted successful bone scans. ADUM seeks to better 
understand the ability to quickly and remotely transmit medical data to 
the ground. The application may also find benefits on Earth, allowing 
for much quicker injury diagnosis for patients at remote locations by 
doctors based at hospitals.

Padalka also worked with a Russian biomedical experiment "Pilot." This 
experiment tests the piloting skills in microgravity.

The duo also continued to prepare for their Oct. 23 departure from the 
Station.

Before they return to Earth, Padalka and Fincke will welcome Expedition 
10 <http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/crew/exp10/index.html> Commander 
Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov aboard the ISS. 
Expedition 10 is scheduled to launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in 
Kazakhstan at 10:06 p.m. CDT Oct. 13 (0306 GMT Oct. 14) and arrive at 
the Station at 11:24 p.m. CDT Oct. 15 (0424 GMT Oct. 16) to begin a 
six-month stay at the orbital outpost. Russian Space Forces Test 
Cosmonaut Yuri Shargin will travel to the Station with Expedition 10 and 
return to Earth with Expedition 9.

On the ground Monday, NASA officials held briefings highlighting 
Expedition 9 activities and previewing Expedition 10.

*Briefing materials:*

    * Expedition 9 Science Recap
      <http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/crew/exp9/science_briefing/index.html>
    * Expedition 10 Research Briefing
      <http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/crew/exp10/research_briefing/index.html>

International Space Station Status Report No. 54 
<http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/spacenews/reports/issreports/2004/iss04-54.html>.
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