[sarex] ISS STATUS REPORT #04-64

[Arthur Z Rowe <n1orc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Submitted by Arthur N1ORC - Amsat A/C #31468

*International Space Station Status Report #04-64*
*4:30 a.m. CST, Monday, Nov. 29, 2004*
*Expedition 10 Crew*

The International Space Station crewmembers took a short ride this 
morning as they flew their Soyuz TMA-5 spacecraft from one docking port 
to another to pave the way for two spacewalks next year.

Having configured Station systems for autonomous operation, Expedition 
10 Flight Engineer and Soyuz Commander Salizhan Sharipov and Expedition 
Commander Leroy Chiao sent the command to undock the craft from the 
Station's Pirs Docking Compartment at 3:29 a.m. Central time (929 GMT) 
as they flew 225 miles over the southern Atlantic Ocean. Physical 
separation of the two craft occurred three minutes later.

Sharipov, seated in the center seat of the Soyuz’ descent module 
compartment, and Chiao seated to his left, backed the capsule away from 
the Station to a distance of about 30 meters (98 feet). They then 
commanded the Soyuz to fly laterally along the Station about 14 meters 
(45 feet) before rotating the Soyuz 135 degrees to align it with the 
earthward-facing docking port on the adjacent Zarya module. The vehicle 
was held in position for eight minutes of stationkeeping, ensuring 
correct alignment of the docking mechanisms before the crew began the 
final approach toward the Station.

Docking occurred at 3:53 a.m. Central time (0953 GMT) as the Soyuz and 
the Station passed over western Asia. Within minutes, hooks and latches 
engaged between the Soyuz and Zarya to link the return vehicle and the 
Station firmly together. After a series of leak checks, the crew planned 
to reenter the Station to begin reconfiguring Station operating systems 
for normal operations.

The repositioning of the Soyuz cleared Pirs, which also serves as an 
airlock, for a pair of spacewalks by Chiao and Sharipov early next year.
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