Crew Returns to Normal Workload; Pressure Decay Investigation
Continues
Expedition 8 Commander
Michael Foale and Flight Engineer Alexander Kaleri returned to
their regular workload aboard the International Space Station on
Wednesday as flight controllers continued the investigation into
the slight decay of Station air pressure. The crew used ultrasound
equipment Tuesday to detect the source of a tiny decay in air
pressure, which was first noted two weeks ago.
Foale reported that he and Kaleri could not locate the origin of
the minute pressure loss. The pressure on the ISS has stabilized
over the last 24 hours with no further decay detected by sensors
and other atmospheric monitoring equipment. The ISS is operating in
excellent shape with the slight pressure decay posing no
concern.
Kaleri will perform a leak check Friday on the Vozdukh carbon
dioxide removal system in the Zvezda Service Module. Russian
officials have identified Vozdukh as a potential candidate for the
tiny pressure loss. The Vozdukh vents carbon dioxide into the
vacuum of space through a series of valves and has a tendency to
develop small leaks over the passage of time. An Elektron
oxygen-generation unit in Zvezda which operates separately from
Vozdukh failed last week and will be replaced by a spare component
next week.
Wednesday's activities included Foale and Kaleri conducting a
simulated fire drill exercise. Foale also performed routine
maintenance on the ISS' Resistive Exercise Device, and Kaleri took
observations for a Russian ocean research program. Kaleri also took
time to observe the Orthodox Christmas, which was celebrated
Wednesday in Russia.
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