Problematic O2 Generator Telemetry "Normal"
The latest crew to live and work aboard the International Space
Station took a brief break early this week following handover from
its their departing colleagues, then began in earnest to acclimate
themselves to their new home and orbiting laboratory.
Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan
Sharipov activated one experiment, the Earth Knowledge Acquired by
Middle Schools (EarthKAM), participated in several ongoing medical
studies related to lengthy stays in microgravity and performed
routine maintenance tasks. Their six-month mission will include two
spacewalks and preparations for the resumption of Space Shuttle
flights, and end with a scheduled return to Earth on April 25,
2005.
Early in the week, the pair received word from Mission Control
that the Elektron oxygen generation system’s telemetry
readings were normal and that the device had been approved for
around-the-clock operation. Elektron had been used only when the
crew was awake until Sharipov and departing Expedition 9 Commander
Gennady Padalka were able to install several replacement parts
during joint crew operations.
The return to normal operations came after engineers in Russia
used the new hardware to verify that the Elekton was successfully
separating oxygen and hydrogen atoms from recycled water after the
repairs, and Mission Management Team members reviewed and validated
the recommendation on Monday. A software adjustment was uplinked by
Russian flight controllers on Tuesday to implement the
decision.
Later in the week, Chiao and Sharipov received on-board training
in emergency departure procedures and equipment, as well as window
inspection techniques. These training sessions were in addition to
an hour a day reserved for general familiarization with Space
Station systems and procedures; something afforded each new crew as
it settles in.
Chiao took time Wednesday for his first solo interviews aboard
the Station, answering questions about his plans to vote by secure
electronic mail in upcoming local, state and national elections. He
spoke with reporters from ABC and CNN.
Meanwhile, Expedition 9 Science Officer and Flight Engineer Mike
Fincke, Padalka and Russian Space Forces Test Cosmonaut Yuri
Shargin returned to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star
City, Russia, where they began rehabilitation and debriefings.
Padalka and Fincke will remain in Star City for several weeks of
post-flight debriefings and medical exams before returning to
Houston in mid-November.