Sun, May 14, 2006
Report #24, 2 p.m. CDT, Friday, May 12, 2006
Expedition 13 Commander Pavel
Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Jeff Williams focused this week on
science experiments, maintenance tasks and unpacking cargo on the
International Space Station.
Using the microgravity science glovebox, Williams began the
second of three sessions Wednesday of the Pore Formation and
Mobility Investigation experiment. This experiment studies bubbling
that occurs in weightlessness as liquids cool and solidify.
Williams will begin his first Saturday Science activity this
weekend with the Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support Systems
Fluid Dynamics Investigation. This is a series of experiments to
improve fluid mixing techniques and to control bubble distribution
for cell culture in orbit.
On May 4, ISS Progress 21 engines were used to reboost the
station. Afterward, an error message indicated the Zvezda Service
Module computers couldn't command the Progress engines to
reconfigure for normal operations. The reboost was not affected.
Engineers have determined the most likely cause of the message was
a software error, which will be corrected. Meanwhile, a procedural
change will allow the Progress thrusters to be used. Vinogradov and
Williams continued to unpack supplies from that cargo vehicle..
Last week, engineers detected a small reduction of nitrogen
pressure in the liquids unit of the oxygen-generating Elektron. To
isolate the source of the leak, Russian flight controllers asked
Vinogradov to turn off the machine. They have identified the small
leak and plan to operate the Elektron as needed. A spare liquids
unit is onboard.
The Elektron will remain deactivated until after a June 1
spacewalk. Engineers originally had planned to turn it off next
week to reconfigure ventilation lines and to install a new hydrogen
vent before the extravehicular activity. Meanwhile, oxygen from
tanks in the ISS Progress 20 cargo vehicle is being added to the
station's cabin.
On Thursday, Williams practiced using the station's robotic arm.
He and Vinogradov spoke Wednesday with reporters from the StarDate
syndicated Radio Network and WISN-TV of Milwaukee.
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