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.

FMI: www.spaceflight.nasa.gov