[sarex] ISS STATUS REPORT #04-62

[Arthur Z Rowe <n1orc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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

*International Space Station Status Report #04-62*
*4 p.m. CST, Friday, Nov. 19, 2004*
*Expedition 10 Crew*

The Expedition 10 crew eased into the second month of its six-month stay 
onboard the International Space Station by working on science 
experiments and preparing for the arrival of a new cargo ship.

The Station is now orbiting at an altitude of 222 statute miles, nearly 
two miles higher than at the start of the week, following a Russian 
ground-commanded reboost of the complex Wednesday using the engines of 
the Russian Progress resupply ship docked to the Zvezda Service Module. 
While the engine firing to raise the Station’s altitude lasted the 
planned duration of 9 minutes and 9 seconds, the use of fuel from one of 
the Progress’ two fuel tanks rather than the fuel tank on Zvezda 
resulted in a slightly lower performance of the engines, leaving the 
Station slightly below its expected final altitude from the reboost.

While the lower altitude does not impact operation of the Station, a 
team of Russian system experts has been set up to investigate the cause 
and determine if any action will be required to compensate for the lower 
altitude. Options under consideration include a second reboost early in 
December or a possible one-day change in the launch of the next resupply 
ship, ISS Progress 16, scheduled to lift off Dec. 23 from the Baikonur 
Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Also during the week, Expedition Commander and NASA Science Officer 
Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov conducted science 
experiments, checked Russian Orlan spacesuits and performed routine 
Station housekeeping activities.

On Monday, the crew completed ultrasound scans as part of the Advanced 
Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity experiment (ADUM). This 
experiment, first performed during Expedition 5, is designed to 
determine the ability of astronauts in space to conduct exams using this 
onboard medical device. If successful, the experiment may have 
widespread applications in emergency and rural health care on Earth.

A second experiment was conducted this week in the Destiny Laboratory. 
Known as the Serial Network Flow Monitor (SNFM), the experiment uses 
crew-installed software to monitor communications and analyze the amount 
of data flowing between payloads. In other science work, Sharipov 
collected samples for the PLANT experiment and participated in two 
Russian programs: a medical operations test dubbed HEMATOKRIT that 
measures red blood cell count and SPRUT, a study of human body fluids.

Throughout the week, Sharipov also worked on two Russian Orlan 
spacesuits. He removed parts from one suit that has exceeded its 
lifetime on orbit and will be discarded next month when the ISS Progress 
15 cargo ship is undocked for disposal. He also tested a new Orlan suit 
that he will wear during a pair of spacewalks with Chiao in January and 
March.

On Tuesday, the crew talked with students at a middle school in 
Gaithersburg, Md. The event was held with the Department of Education to 
highlight the benefits of international relationships and cooperation 
during the fifth annual International Education Week.

Both crewmembers conducted routine Station maintenance activities 
including a cleaning of an atmosphere scrubbing system electronics box 
and the experiment rack areas of the Destiny Lab. Chiao also installed 
fireport labels and both took part in crew medical officer skills 
training. Chiao spent time Friday taking inventory of U.S. items that 
also will be disposed in the Progress resupply ship next month.

The crew wrapped up the week with a ham radio pass with students in 
Mare, Italy. Over the weekend, the crew will enjoy some off-duty time, 
private family conferences and a few small tasks such as battery 
charging and routine housekeeping.

Next Wednesday, the thrusters on the ISS Soyuz 9 return craft mated to 
the Pirs Docking Compartment will be test-fired in advance of the 
planned undocking of the vehicle by the crew on Nov. 29 for its 
redocking to the Zarya module. The brief relocation flight will free up 
Pirs for sole use as an airlock for the two spacewalks early next year.

Information on the crew's activities aboard the Space Station, future 
launch dates, as well as Station sighting opportunities from anywhere on 
the Earth, is available on the Internet at:

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/

The next ISS status report will be issued on Friday, Nov. 26, or 
earlier, if events warrant.

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