[sarex] ISS STATUS REPORT #04-70

[Arthur Z Rowe <n1orc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Suibmitted by Arthur N1ORC - Amsat A/C #31468

*International Space Station Status Report #04-70*
*4 p.m. CST, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004*
*Expedition 10 Crew*

The Expedition 10 crew wrapped up its last week of 2004 unloading 
contents from the newly arrived Russian Progress cargo vehicle and 
making plans to ring in the new year Space Station style.

Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov will count 
down to 2005 on their own as they watch the onboard clock reach midnight 
Greenwich Mean Time -- the official time of the International Space 
Station. As they start their day, they’ll watch for fireworks from orbit 
and try to capture images with onboard cameras. After watching the world 
celebrate, they’ll have New Year’s Day off-duty, with only light routine 
housekeeping tasks planned. The crew spent the last five days hard at 
work unloading the more than two and a half tons of supplies that 
arrived on the unmanned Progress 16 cargo ship Christmas Day. Working 
with the ground team and the Inventory Management System, the crew 
systematically transferred items into long-term stowage locations. On 
the Progress manifest were 560 kilograms (1,235 pounds) of propellant, 
420 kilograms (926 pounds) of water and 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of 
air, plus other hardware and science equipment. The vehicle also brought 
69 food containers, enough to feed two people for about 112 days.

Included in the science materials are student experiments from 11 
schools and organizations. The experiments include a variety of 
materials and seeds packaged in 20 small, clear vials that will be 
returned to Earth on a future Space Shuttle flight. After receiving the 
space-flown samples, the students will compare their development to that 
of ground samples.

Flight controllers and Earth observation specialists in Houston are 
working to identify opportunities for the crew to capture photographs of 
coastal changes caused by recent Indian Ocean earthquakes and tsunami. 
Experts hope to bring down electronic images early next week after the 
Station passes over the affected areas while the crew is awake and the 
affected areas are in daylight.

Other tasks throughout the week included calibration of the onboard gas 
analyzer, a test activation of Atmosphere Purification System Emergency 
Vacuum Valves and cable replacement and calibration for the Resistive 
Exercise Device. Chiao also conducted a routine inspection of the 
portable breathing apparatus, fire extinguisher and emergency lighting 
power supplies on the U.S. modules.

The week also included a number of video and audio conferences for the 
crewmembers including two press conferences, management and planning 
discussions and time with their families.

For information about NASA education flight programs on the Internet 
visit: 
http://education.nasa.gov/divisions/flightprojoffice/overview/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 International Space Station Status report will be issued 
Friday, January 7, 2005, or as events warrant.

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