Mon, Mar 10, 2003
Week's Focus: Maintenance
The
crew of the International Space Station's sixth expedition passed
the benchmark of 100 days in space last week while focusing on
routine maintenance of station systems and a survey of the station
using the Canadarm2 robotic arm.
On Tuesday, Commander Ken Bowersox and NASA ISS Science Officer
Don Pettit used cameras on the Canadarm2 to conduct a survey of the
Starboard 1 (S1) truss, inspecting the thermal covers on the
radiator beam valve module's quick disconnects and the interface
between the S0 and S1 trusses.
On Thursday the two crewmembers conducted a similar survey of
the Port 1 (P1) truss.
The S1 and P1 trusses are attached to the S0 truss and each
provides structural support for the station's Active Thermal
Control System, with three radiators on each truss containing eight
panels each.
Measuring Arm/Leg Movements In Zero G
Crew science activities last week focused on the
Foot/Ground Reaction Forces During Spaceflight (FOOT) experiment by
Bowersox (right) and a Russian plant growth experiment managed
by Flight Engineer Nikolai Budarin. The FOOT experiment measures
the electrical activity of muscles; the angular motions of the hip,
knee, and ankle joints; and the force under both feet using an
instrumented pair of Lycra cycling tights with 20 carefully placed
sensors that can be used to record 14 hours of data. The data will
help researchers determine more precisely how Bowersox used his
arms and legs differently in space than on the Earth.
Pettit, working with specialists at the Payload Operations
Center at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.,
continued troubleshooting the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox in the
station's Destiny laboratory. The MSG, developed by the European
Space Agency along with scientists at MSFC, provides an enclosed
space for experiments involving fluids or flames.
"Hello Glenwood? Outer Space Is Calling. Please Hold..."
Thursday all three crewmembers spoke with students at Glenwood
Elementary School in Perrysburg, Ohio and on Friday Bowersox and
Pettit talked with reporters from the Indianapolis Star and KPAM
Radio in Portland, Ore. Bedford, Ind. is Bowersox's hometown, while
Pettit grew up in Silverton, Ore.
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