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.

FMI: www.nasa.gov