May 22, 2008 John Yembrick Headquarters, Washington 202-358-0602 john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov Candrea Thomas Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-105 NASA ANNOUNCES SHUTTLE PRELAUNCH EVENTS AND COUNTDOWN DETAILS CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- News conferences, events and operating hours for the news center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are set for the upcoming launch of space shuttle Discovery. Shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to lift off at 5:02 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 31. On Wednesday, May 28, Discovery's seven crew members are scheduled to arrive at Kennedy at 11:30 a.m. NASA Television will provide live coverage as Commander Mark Kelly makes a brief statement to media. Badged journalists planning to cover the event must be at Kennedy's news center by 10 a.m. for transportation to the Shuttle Landing Facility. NASA will provide continuous online updates, including a webcast and a blog on the STS-124 mission at: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle A live webcast featuring NASA astronaut Michael Foale will begin at noon on May 30. Foale's six space flights include long-duration missions aboard the Russian Space Station Mir and the International Space Station. He has logged more than 374 days in space. The webcast also will air live on NASA TV. On launch day, a blog will update the countdown beginning at noon. Originating from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the blog is the definitive Internet source for information leading up to launch. During the mission, visitors to NASA's shuttle Web site can read about the crew's progress and watch the spacewalks live. As Discovery's flight wraps up, NASA will offer a blog detailing the spacecraft's return to Earth. Detailed lists of countdown milestones, news briefing times and participants, and hours of operation for Kennedy's news center and media credentialing office are available at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv -end-

DISCOVERY SET FOR SATURDAY LAUNCH TO SPACE STATION, May 27 Space shuttle Discovery is in place at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A and remaining work is on schedule for liftoff May 31 at 5:02 p.m. EDT. Full story at http://www.physorg.com/news131126283.html SPACE STATION CREW TO NASA: SEND PLUMBER SOON, May 28 (AP) -- The international space station's lone toilet is broken, leaving the crew with almost nowhere to go. So NASA may order an in-orbit plumbing service call when space shuttle Discovery visits next week. Full story at http://www.physorg.com/news131172489.html Yikes. :lol: ASTRONAUTS TO DELIVER PUMP FOR BALKY SPACE TOILET, May 28 (AP) -- NASA rushed Wednesday to get a special pump on board shuttle Discovery to fix a balky toilet at the international space station. Full story at http://www.physorg.com/news131201770.html

May 31, 2008 Mike Curie Headquarters, Washington 202-358-4715 michael.curie@nasa.gov Candrea Thomas Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov RELEASE: 08-136 NASA'S SHUTTLE DISCOVERY LAUNCHES WITH JAPANESE LABORATORY CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery and its seven-member crew lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 5:02 p.m. EDT Saturday to deliver and install a Japanese laboratory on the International Space Station. The mission, designated STS-124, is the second of three flights to launch components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. Discovery is carrying Kibo's tour bus-sized Japanese Pressurized Module, or JPM, which will be the station's largest module. The shuttle astronauts will work with the three-member station crew and ground teams around the world to install the JPM and Kibo's robotic arm system. Shortly before launch, Commander Mark Kelly thanked the teams that helped make the launch possible. "We're going to deliver Kibo, or hope, to the space station," Kelly said. "And while we tend to live for today, the discoveries from Kibo will certainly offer hope for tomorrow." Joining Kelly on Discovery's 14-day flight are Pilot Ken Ham and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. Garan and Fossum will conduct three spacewalks during the mission. Chamitoff will replace current station crew member Garrett Reisman, who has lived on the outpost since mid-March. Chamitoff will return to Earth on Endeavour's STS-126 mission, targeted for Nov. 10. NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of Discovery's mission, which is the 123rd shuttle flight, the 35th for Discovery and the 26th shuttle mission to the station. NASA Television features live mission events, daily mission status news conferences and 24-hour commentary. NASA TV is webcast at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv NASA's Web coverage of STS-124 includes current mission information, interactive features, and news conference images, graphics and videos. Mission coverage, including the la-*test*-('") NASA TV schedule, also is available on the main space shuttle Web site at: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle Daily news conferences with STS-124 mission managers take place at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. During normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday, reporters may ask questions from participating NASA locations. Please contact your preferred NASA facility by its daily close of business to confirm its availability before each event. Johnson will operate a phone bridge for media briefings that occur outside of the normal business hours. To be eligible to use this service, reporters must possess a valid media credential issued by a NASA center or for the STS-124 mission. Media planning to use the service must contact the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of a briefing in which they wish to participate. Newsroom personnel will verify their credentials and transfer them to the phone bridge. The capacity of the phone bridge is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For information about other NASA missions and activities, visit: http://www.nasa.gov -end- :badger: :badger: :badger: <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zbEB0j5MqT8&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zbEB0j5MqT8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Gyros...
Hate to bring this up when it seems like the best news on Earth is off the Earth at the ISS but we can't hide our heads in the sand.Those huge CMGs (gyroscopes) that have failed so often in the past are bound to have another failure before too long, and if they retire the Shuttles there won't be any big enough heavy lift vehicles able to get another CMG up there. Would be an idea worth having to suggest that a spare gyro be sent up there while the Shuttle is still able to make house calls.Hate to lose the ISS because a repetitive failure is ignored. We are adding more and more mass to that station and that is bound to have additional stress upon the CMGs. Aside from that , have enjoyed the good work being done, looking nice for now. Mystery :gloweyes:

Agreed, Mystery. The plans up there are far too maligned and skimpy. We need to bolster things to have more success with what goes on, and propel far more operations beyond what is, now. It's hazardous and neglectful, as it is, now, too. A human problem I see it as, and their faulty socio-economic systems. Space development is not feasible? That's like saying we don't need trees, they don't really clean the air. Oh wait... LOL. Can't wait to see Canada's next arm... This 1 is the bomb, though. :grin2: <img src="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0806/dextre_iss017.jpg" width="800"> http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080611.html Dextre Robot at Work on the Space Station Credit: STS-124 Crew, Expedition 17 Crew, NASA Explanation: What's the world's most complex space robot doing up there? Last week, Dextre was imaged moving atop the Destiny Laboratory Module of the International Space Station (ISS), completing tasks prior to the deployment of Japan's Kibo pressurized science laboratory. Dextre, short for the Canadian-built Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator, has arms three meters in length and can attach power tools as fingers. Behind Dextre is the blackness of space, while Earth looms over Dextre's head. The Kibo laboratory segment being deployed during space shuttle Discovery's trip to the ISS can be pressurized and contains racks of scientific experiment that will be used to explore many things, including how plants brace themselves against gravity, and how water might be inhibited from freezing in cells under microgravity.

June 12, 2008 Michael Curie Headquarters, Washington 202-358-4715 michael.curie@nasa.gov Candrea Thomas Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-118 SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY SET TO LAND SATURDAY CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The space shuttle Discovery crew is expected to complete its 14-day flight to the International Space Station with a landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:15 a.m. EDT on Saturday, June 14. The STS-124 mission began May 31 and delivered two new sections of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory to the station. During three spacewalks, the crew installed the Japanese Pressurized Module, or JPM, and Kibo's robotic arm system. Kibo's logistics module, which had been attached temporarily to the Harmony node during the STS-123 mission in March, was attached to the JPM. The flight also delivered station resident Greg Chamitoff to the outpost. Discovery will return with Garrett Reisman, who spent three months aboard the complex. NASA managers will evaluate weather conditions at Kennedy before permitting Discovery to return to Earth. Saturday landing opportunities at Kennedy are at 11:15 a.m. and 12:50 p.m. Two hours after landing, NASA officials will hold a media briefing to discuss the mission. The participants will be: - Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for Space Operations - Kaoru Mamiya, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Vice President - Mike Leinbach, NASA Space Shuttle Launch Director After touchdown, the astronauts will undergo physical examinations and meet with their families. The STS-124 crew is expected to hold a news conference at 4:15 p.m. Saturday. Both news events will be broadcast live on NASA Television. Media interested in participating must pick-up their accreditation badges on Saturday. The Kennedy News Center will open for landing activities at 7 a.m. Saturday and close at 6 p.m. The STS-124 media badges are in effect through landing. The media accreditation building on State Road 3 will be open on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The last bus will depart from the news center for the Shuttle Landing Facility one hour before landing. For updated information about the landing, call 321-867-2525. If landing is diverted to one of the shuttle's backup runways after Saturday, media should call the Dryden public affairs office at 661-276-3449 or the White Sands Missile Range public affairs office at 505-678-1134. Dryden has limited facilities available to previously accredited journalists for landings at Edwards Air Force Base. Journalists with STS-124 mission badges from NASA will be issued credentials at White Sands Missile Range. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For the la-*test*-('") information about the STS-124 mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle For more on the International Space Station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station -end-

News update from my end be en route! For now... Let's quote the Wiki page. There are many more pics and eventual updates at the Wiki page, but we bring things in here faster, actually, through official sources and underground scientists as they are released, etc.! Cutting edge! :megaman: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iss International Space Station From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Iss) Jump to: navigation, search This article or section documents a current or recent spaceflight. Details may change as the mission progresses. "ISS" redirects here. For other uses, see ISS (disambiguation). International Space Station The International Space Station as seen from the departing Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-124. ISS Insignia Station statistics Call sign: Alpha (only by NASA) Crew: 3 Launch: 1998-Present Launch pad: KSC LC-39, Baikonur LC-1/5 & 81/23 Mass: 277,598 kg (612,000 lb) (2008-06-14) 419,600 kg (925,000 lb) upon completion <1> Length: 58.2 m (191 ft) along truss (2007-02-22) Width: 44.5 m (146 ft) from Destiny to Zvezda 73.15 m (240 ft) span of solar arrays (2007-02-22) Height: 27.4 m (90 ft) (2007-02-22) Living volume: 424.75 m³ (15,000 ft³) Atmospheric pressure: 1013 hPa (29.91 inHg) Perigee: 331.0 km (183.2 nmi) (2008-02-15) Apogee: 341.9 km (184.6 nmi) (2008-02-15) Orbit inclination: 51.6410 degrees (2008-02-15) Typical orbit altitude: 340.5 km (183.86 nmi) Average speed: 27,743.8 km/h (17,239.2 mi/h, 7706.6 m/s) Orbital period: 91.34 minutes Orbits per day: 15.78224218 (2008-02-15) Days in orbit: 3499 (19 June 2008) Days occupied: 2788 (19 June 2008) Number of orbits: 55222 (19 June 2008) Distance travelled: 2,000,000,000 km (1,100,000,000 nmi) Statistics as of November 20, 2007 (unless noted otherwise). References: <2> <3> Configuration International Space Station current elements International Space Station The International Space Station (ISS) is a research facility currently being assembled in space. The on-orbit assembly of ISS began in 1998. The space station is in a low Earth orbit and can be seen from Earth with the naked eye: it has an altitude of approximately 350 km (217 mi)<1> above the surface of the Earth, and travels at an average speed of 27,700 km (17,210 statute miles) per hour, completing 15.77 orbits per day. The ISS is a joint project among the space agencies of the United States (NASA), Russia (RKA), Japan (JAXA), Canada (CSA) and eleven European countries (ESA).<4> The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB, Brazil) participates through a separate contract with NASA. The Italian Space Agency similarly has separate contracts for various activities not done in the framework of ESA's ISS works (where Italy also fully participates). China has reportedly expressed interest in the project,<5> especially if it is able to work with the RKA,<6> though it is not currently involved.<5> The ISS is a continuation of several other previously planned space stations: Russia's Mir 2, the U.S. Space Station Freedom, the European Columbus, and Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module. The projected completion date is 2010, with the station remaining in operation until around 2016. As of 2008, the ISS is larger than any previous space station. The ISS has been continuously staffed since the first resident crew entered the station on November 2, 2000, thereby providing a permanent human presence in space. The crew of Expedition 17 are currently aboard. At present the station has a capacity for a crew of three. In order to fulfill an active research program it will eventually hold 6 crew members.<7> Early crew members all came from the Russian and U.S. space programs. German ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter joined the Expedition 13 crew in July 2006, becoming the first crew member from another space agency. The station has, however, been visited by astronauts from 16 countries. The ISS was also the destination of the first five space tourists. The station is serviced primarily by Russian Soyuz and Progress spacecraft and by U.S. Space Shuttle orbiters. On March 9, 2008, the European Space Agency ESA launched an Ariane 5 with the first Automated Transfer Vehicle, Jules Verne, toward the ISS carrying over 8,000 kilograms of cargo. Successful docking took place at 1440 GMT on 3 April 2008. Contents * 1 Origins * 2 Assembly * 3 Pressurized modules * 4 Major ISS systems o 4.1 Power supply o 4.2 Life support o 4.3 Attitude control o 4.4 Altitude control * 5 Scientific research o 5.1 Scientific ISS modules o 5.2 Areas of research * 6 Future of the ISS * 7 Major incidents o 7.1 2003 – Columbia disaster o 7.2 2006 – Smoke problem o 7.3 2007 – Computer failure o 7.4 2007 – Torn solar panel o 7.5 2007 – Damaged starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint * 8 Visiting spacecraft o 8.1 Currently docked o 8.2 Planned o 8.3 Proposed * 9 Expeditions * 10 Legal aspects o 10.1 Agreement o 10.2 Utilization * 11 Costs o 11.1 NASA + 11.1.1 Overview + 11.1.2 2005 ISS budget allocation + 11.1.3 Shuttle costs as part of ISS costs + 11.1.4 Overall ISS costs for NASA o 11.2 ESA o 11.3 JAXA o 11.4 Roskosmos o 11.5 CSA * 12 Criticism * 13 Sightings * 14 Miscellany o 14.1 Space tourism and a wedding o 14.2 ISS golf event o 14.3 Microgravity o 14.4 Time zone o 14.5 Atmosphere * 15 See also * 16 References * 17 External links * 18 Interactive/Multimedia Origins ISS configuration in 2000: from top to bottom, the Unity, Zarya, and Zvezda modules. ISS configuration in 2000: from top to bottom, the Unity, Zarya, and Zvezda modules. In the early 1980s, NASA planned Space Station Freedom as a counterpart to the Soviet Salyut and Mir space stations. It never left the drawing board and, with the end of the Soviet Union and the Cold War, it was cancelled. The end of the space race prompted the U.S. administration officials to start negotiations with international partners Europe, Russia, Japan and Canada in the early 1990s in order to build a truly international space station. This project was first announced in 1993 and was called Space Station Alpha.<8> It was planned to combine the proposed space stations of all participating space agencies: NASA's Space Station Freedom, Russia's Mir-2 (the successor to the Mir Space Station, the core of which is now Zvezda) and ESA's Columbus that was planned to be a stand-alone spacelab. The first section, the Zarya Functional Cargo Block, was put in orbit in November 1998 on a Russian Proton rocket. Two further pieces (the Unity Module and Zvezda service module) were added before the first crew, Expedition 1, was sent. Expedition 1 docked to the ISS on November 2, 2000, and consisted of two Russian cosmonauts, Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev, and U.S. astronaut William Shepherd. Assembly Main article: Assembly of the International Space Station See also: ISS assembly sequence The assembly of the International Space Station is a major aerospace engineering endeavor. When assembly is complete the ISS will have a pressurized volume of approximately 1,000 cubic meters. Assembly began in November 1998 with the launch of Zarya -- the first ISS module -- on a Proton rocket, and as of June 2008 assembly is about 75% complete. Two weeks after Zarya was launched, the STS-88 shuttle mission followed, bringing Unity, the first of three node modules, and connecting it to Zarya. This bare 2-module core of the ISS remained unmanned for the next one and a half years, until in July 2000 the Russian module Zvezda was added, allowing a maximum crew of three astronauts or cosmonauts to be on the ISS permanently. Pressurized modules The ISS is currently under construction, and will eventually consist of fourteen pressurized modules with a combined volume of around 1,000 cubic metres. These modules include laboratories, docking compartments, airlocks, nodes and living quarters, nine of which are already in orbit, with the remaining five awaiting launch on the ground. Each module is launched either by Space Shuttle, Proton rocket or Soyuz rocket, and is listed below along with its purpose, launch date and mass. For more information about the modules, visit the module pages linked on the table below. Module Launch date Launch vehicle Docking date Mass Assembly flight Purpose Isolated View Station View Zarya (FGB) 1998-11-20 Proton-K N/A 19,323 kg (42,600 lb) 1A/R Provided electrical power, storage, propulsion, and guidance during initial assembly, now serves as a storage module (both inside the pressurized section and in the externally mounted fuel tanks). Unity (Node 1) 1998-12-04 Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-88 1998-12-07 11,612 kg (25,600 lb) 2A First American node, connecting the American section of the station to the Russian section (via PMA-1). Provides berthing locations for the Z0 truss, Quest airlock, Destiny laboratory and Node 3. Zvezda (Service Module) 2000-07-12 Proton-K 2000-07-26 19,051 kg (42,000 lb) 1R Station service module, providing main living quarters for resident crews, environmental systems and attitude & orbit control, in addition to docking locations for Soyuz spacecraft, Progress spacecraft and the Automated Transfer Vehicle. The addition of the module rendered the ISS permanently habitable for the first time. Destiny (US Laboratory) 2001-02-07 Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-98 2001-02-10 14,515 kg (32,000 lb) 5A Primary research facility for American payloads aboard the ISS, also providing environmental systems and living quarters to the station. Quest (Joint Airlock) 2001-07-12 Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-104 2001-07-14 6,064 kg (13,370 lb) 7A Primary airlock for the ISS, hosting spacewalks with both American EMU and Russian Orlan spacesuits. Pirs (Docking Compartment) 2001-09-14 Soyuz-U 2001-09-16 3,580 kg (7,900 lb) 4R Provides the ISS with additional docking ports for Soyuz & Progress spacecraft, and allows egress and ingress for spacewalks by cosmonauts using Russian Orlan spacesuits, in addition to providing storage space for these spacesuits. Harmony (Node 2) 2007-10-23 Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-120 2007-11-14 14,288 kg (31,500 lb) 10A The "utility hub" of the ISS. Node 2 contains four racks that provide electrical power, bus electronic data, and act as a central connecting point for several other components via its six Common Berthing Mechanisms (CBMs). The European Columbus and Japanese Kibō laboratories are currently berthed to Harmony. In addition, the Harmony module serves as a berthing port for the Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules during space shuttle logistics flights. Columbus (European Laboratory) 2008-02-07<9> Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-122 2008-02-11 12,800 kg (28,000 lb) 1E Primary research facility for European payloads aboard the ISS, providing ten International Standard Payload Racks and mounting locations for external experiments. Experiment Logistics Module (JEM-ELM) 2008-03-11 Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-123 2008-03-12 8,386 kg (18,490 lb)<10> 1J/A Part of the Kibō Japanese Experiment Module laboratory, the ELM provides storage and transportation facilities to the laboratory, with a pressurized section to serve internal payloads and an unpressurized section to serve external payloads. Japanese Pressurized Module (JEM-PM) 2008-05-31 Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-124 2008-06-03 14,800 kg (33,000 lb)<11> 1J Part of the Kibō Japanese Experiment Module laboratory, the PM is the core module of Kibō to which the ELM & Exposed Facility are berthed. The laboratory is the largest single ISS module, and contains ten International Standard Payload Racks. Multipurpose Laboratory Module 2008-12-09 <12> Proton-K TBD 21,300 kg (47,000 lb) 3R Not yet launched. The MLM will be Russia's primary research module as part of the ISS, and will be used for experiments, docking and cargo logistics. It will also serve as a crew work and rest area, and will also be equipped with a backup attitude control system that can be used to control the station's attitude. Mini-Research Module 2 2009-08-15 Soyuz-U TBD 5R Not yet launched. The newest Russian component of the ISS, MRM2 will likely be used for docking and cargo storage aboard the station. Node 3 2010-03-18 Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-132 TBD 14,311 kg (31,550 lb) 20A Not yet launched. The last of the station's US nodes, Node 3 will contain an advanced life support system to recycle waste water for crew use and generate oxygen for the crew to breathe. The node also provides four berthing locations for more attached pressurized modules or crew transportation vehicles, in addition to the permanent berthing location for the station's Cupola. Cupola 18 March 2010 Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-132 TBD 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) 20A Not yet launched. The Cupola is an observatory module that will provide ISS crew members with a direct view of robotic operations and docked spacecraft, as well as an observation point for watching the Earth. The module will come equipped with robotic workstations for operating the SSRMS and shutters to prevent its windows from being damaged by micrometeorites. Mini-Research Module 1 2010-03-18 Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-131 TBD 4,700 kg (10,000 lb) ULF4 Not yet launched. MRM1 will be used for docking and cargo storage aboard the station. Major ISS systems The ISS in 2001, showing solar panels. The ISS in 2001, showing solar panels. Power supply Main article: Electrical system of the International Space Station The source of electrical power for the ISS is the sun: light is converted into electricity through the use of solar panels. Before assembly flight 4A (shuttle mission STS-97, November 30, 2000) the only power source was the Russian solar panels attached to the Zarya and Zvezda modules: the Russian segment of the station uses 28 volts dc (as does the Shuttle). In the remainder of the station, electricity is provided by the solar cells attached to the truss at a voltage ranging from 130 to 180 volts dc. The power is then stabilized and distributed at 160 volts dc and then converted to the user-required 124 volts dc. Power can be shared between the two segments of the station using converters, and this feature is essential since the cancellation of the Russian Science Power Platform. The Russian segment will depend on the U.S. built solar arrays for power.<13> Using a high-voltage (130 to 160 volts) distribution line in the U.S. part of the station allows smaller power lines and less weight. The solar array normally tracks the sun to maximize the amount of solar power. The array is about 375 m² in area and 58 metres (190 ft) long. In the fully-complete configuration, the solar arrays track the sun in each orbit by rotating the alpha gimbal; while the beta gimbal adjusts for the angle of the sun from the orbital plane. (until the main truss structure arrived, the arrays were in a temporary position perpendicular to the final orientation, and in this configuration, as shown in the image to the right, the beta gimbal was used for the main solar tracking.) Another slightly different tracking option, Night Glider mode, can be used to reduce the drag slightly by orienting the solar arrays edgewise to the velocity vector. Life support Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). The ISS Environmental Control and Life Support System provides or controls elements such as atmospheric pressure, oxygen levels, water, and fire extinguishing, among other things. The Elektron system generates oxygen aboard the station. The highest priority for the life support system is the ISS atmosphere, but the system also collects, processes, and stores waste and water produced and used by the crew. For example, the system recycles fluid from the sink, shower, urine, and condensation. Activated charcoal filters are the primary method for removing byproducts of human metabolism from the air.<14> Attitude control The attitude (orientation) of the station is maintained by either of two mechanisms. Normally, a system using several control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) keeps the station oriented, i.e. with Destiny forward of Unity, the P truss on the port side and Pirs on the earth-facing (nadir) side. When the CMG system becomes saturated, it can lose its ability to control station attitude. In this event, the Russian Attitude Control System is designed to take over automatically, using thrusters to maintain station attitude and allowing the CMG system to desaturate. This happened during Expedition 10.<15> When a shuttle orbiter is docked to the station, it can also be used to maintain station attitude. This procedure was used during STS-117 as the S3/S4 truss was being installed. Altitude control The ISS is maintained at an orbit from a minimum altitude limit of 278 km to a maximum limit of 460 km. The normal maximum limit is 425 km to allow Soyuz rendezvous missions. Because ISS is constantly falling due to minute atmospheric drag and gravity gradient effects, it needs to be boosted to a higher altitude several times each year.<16> A graph of altitude over time shows that it drifts down almost 2.5 km per month.<17> The boosting can be performed by two boosters on the Zvezda module, a docked Space Shuttle, a Progress resupply vessel or by ESA's ATV and takes approximately two orbits (three hours) in which it is boosted several kilometers higher.<16> While it is being built the altitude is relatively low so that it is easier to fly the Space Shuttle with its big payloads to the space station. Scientific research Columbus at Kennedy Space Center Columbus at Kennedy Space Center One of the main goals of the ISS is to provide a place to conduct experiments that require one or more of the unusual conditions present on the station. The main fields of research include biology (including biomedical research and biotechnology), physics (including fluid physics, materials science, and quantum physics), astronomy (including cosmology), and meteorology.<18><19> The 2005 NASA Authorization Act designated the U.S segment of the International Space Station as a national laboratory with a goal to increase the utilization of the ISS by other Federal entities and the private sector. As of 2007, little experimentation other than the study of the long-term effects of microgravity on humans has taken place. With four new research modules set to arrive at the ISS by 2010, however, more specialized research is expected to begin. Scientific ISS modules Susan J. Helms, Expedition Two flight engineer, looks through the nadir window in the Destiny lab. Susan J. Helms, Expedition Two flight engineer, looks through the nadir window in the Destiny lab. The Destiny Laboratory Module is the main research facility currently aboard the ISS. Produced by NASA and launched in February 2001, it is a research facility for general experiments.<20> The Columbus module is another research facility, designed by the ESA for the ISS. Its purpose is to facilitate scientific experiments and was launched on February 2008. It should provide a generic laboratory as well as ones specifically designed for biology, biomedical research and fluid physics. There are also a number of planned expansions that will be implemented to study quantum physics and cosmology. The Japanese Experiment Module, also known as Kibō, was put in service during STS-124 on June 3, 2008. It was developed by JAXA in order to function as an observatory and to measure various astronomical data. The ExPRESS Logistics Carrier, developed by NASA, is set to be launched for the ISS with the STS-129 mission, which is expected to take place no earlier than September 11, 2009.<21> It will allow experiments to be deployed and conducted in the vacuum of space and will provide the necessary electricity and computing to locally process data from experiments. The Multipurpose Laboratory Module, created by the RKA, is expected to launch for the ISS in late 2009. It will supply the proper resources for general microgravity experiments.<22> A couple of planned research modules have been cancelled, including the Centrifuge Accommodations Module (used to produce varying levels of artificial gravity) and the Russian Research Module (used for general experimentation). Several planned experiments, such as the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, have been cancelled as well. Areas of research There are a number of plans to study biology on the ISS. One goal is to improve understanding of the effect of long-term space exposure on the human body. Subjects such as muscle atrophy, bone loss, and fluid shifts are studied with the intention to utilize this data so space colonization and lengthy space travel can become feasible. The effect of near-weightlessness on evolution, development and growth, and the internal processes of plants and animals are also studied. In response to recent data suggesting that microgravity enables the growth of three-dimensional human body-like tissues and that unusual protein crystals can be formed in space, NASA has indicated a desire to investigate these phenomena.<18> NASA would also like to study prominent problems in physics. The physics of fluids in microgravity are not completely understood, and researchers would like to be able to accurately model fluids in the future. Additionally, since fluids in space can be combined nearly completely regardless of their relative weights, there is some interest in investigating the combination of fluids that would not mix well on Earth. By examining reactions that are slowed down by low gravity and temperatures, scientists also hope to gain new insight concerning states of matter (specifically in regards to superconductivity).<18> Additionally, researchers hope to examine combustion in the presence of less gravity than on Earth. Any findings involving the efficiency of the burning or the creation of byproducts could improve the process of energy production, which would be of economic and environmental interest. Scientists plan to use the ISS to examine aerosols, ozone, water vapor, and oxides in Earth's atmosphere as well as cosmic rays, cosmic dust, anti-matter, and dark matter in the Universe.<18> The long-term goals of this research are to develop the technology necessary for human-based space and planetary exploration and colonization (including life support systems, safety precautions, environmental monitoring in space, etc.), new ways to treat diseases, more efficient methods of producing materials, more accurate measurements that would be impossible to achieve on Earth, and a more complete understanding of the Universe.<18><19> Future of the ISS NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin says the International Space Station has a role to play as NASA moves forward with a new focus for the manned space program, which is to go out beyond Earth orbit for purposes of human exploration and scientific discovery. "The International Space Station is now a stepping stone on the way," says Griffin, "rather than being the end of the line". He says ISS crews will not only continue to learn how to live and work in space but also will learn how to build hardware that can survive and function for the years required to make the round-trip voyage from Earth to Mars. Major incidents 2003 – Columbia disaster The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003, the following two-and-a-half-year suspension of the U.S. Space Shuttle program, followed in turn by another one-year suspension following STS-114, all resulted in some uncertainty about the future of the International Space Station. All crew exchanges between Feb. 2003 and July 2006 were carried out solely using the Russian Soyuz spacecraft (STS-114 in July 2005 was a logistics-only visit). Starting with Expedition 7, two-astronaut caretaker crews were launched in contrast to the previously launched crews of three. Because the ISS had not been visited by a shuttle for an extended period, a larger than planned amount of waste accumulated, temporarily hindering station operations in 2004. However, Progress transports and the STS-114 shuttle flight took care of this problem. 2006 – Smoke problem On September 18, 2006, the Expedition 13 crew activated a smoke alarm in the Russian segment of the International Space Station when fumes from one of the three oxygen generators triggered momentary fear about a possible fire. Flight engineer Jeffrey Williams reported an unusual smell, but officials said there was no fire and the crew was not in any danger. The crew initially reported smoke in the cabin, as well as a smell. It was later found to be caused by a leak of potassium hydroxide from an oxygen vent. The equipment was turned off. Potassium hydroxide is odorless and the smell reported by Williams more likely was associated with an overheated rubber gasket in the Elektron system. In any case, the station's ventilation system was shut down to prevent the spread of smoke or contaminants through the rest of the lab complex. A charcoal air filter was put in place to help scrub the atmosphere of any lingering potassium hydroxide fumes. The space station's program manager said the crew never donned gas masks, but as a precaution put on surgical gloves and masks to prevent contact with any contaminants.<23> On November 2, 2006 the payload brought by the Russian Progress M-58 allowed the crew to repair the Elektron using spare parts.<24> 2007 – Computer failure On June 14, 2007 during Expedition 15 and flight day 7 of STS-117's visit to ISS, a computer malfunction on the Russian segments at 06:30 UTC left the station without thrusters, oxygen generation, carbon dioxide scrubber, and other environmental control systems, and caused the temperature on the station to rise. A successful restart of the computers resulted in a false fire alarm that woke the crew at 11:43 UTC.<25><26> The two computer systems (command and navigation) are each composed of three computers. Each computer is referred to as a "lane".<26> By June 15, the primary Russian computers were back online, and talking to the US side of the station by bypassing a circuit. Secondary systems were still offline, and further work was needed.<27> NASA reported that without the computer that controls the oxygen levels, the station had 56 days of oxygen available.<28> By the afternoon of June 16, ISS Program Manager Michael Suffredini confirmed that all six computers governing command and navigation systems for Russian segments of the station, including two thought to have failed, were back online, and would be -*test*-('")ed over several days. The cooling system was the first system brought back online. NASA suggested that the overcurrent protection circuits designed to safeguard each computer from power spikes were at fault, and may have been tripped due to increased interference, or "noise," from the station's plasma environment related to the addition of the new starboard trusses and solar arrays.<26> Troubleshooting of the failure by the ISS crew found that the root cause was condensation inside the electrical connectors, leading to a short-circuit that triggered the "power off" command line leading to all three of the redundant processing units.<29> This was initially a concern, because the European Space Agency uses the same computer systems, supplied by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, for the Columbus Laboratory Module and the Automated Transfer Vehicle.<30> Once the root cause was understood, plans were implemented to avoid the problem in the future. 2007 – Torn solar panel On October 30, 2007 during Expedition 16 and flight day 7 of STS-120's visit to ISS, following the reposition of the P6 truss segment, ISS and Space Shuttle Discovery crew members began the deployment of the trusses' two solar arrays. The first array deployed without incident, and the second array deployed approximately 80% before astronauts noticed a 76 centimetres (2.5 ft) tear. The arrays had been deployed in earlier phases of the space station's construction, and the retraction necessary to move the truss to its final position had gone less smoothly than planned. <31> A second, smaller tear was noticed upon further inspection, and the mission's planned spacewalks were completely replanned in mere days to devise a repair. On Saturday November 3, spacewalker Scott Parazynski assisted by Douglas Wheelock fixed the torn panels using makeshift "cufflinks" and riding on the end of the space shuttle's boom inspection arm; the first ever spacewalker to do so. The spacewalk was regarded as significantly more dangerous than most due to the possibility of shock from the electricity generating solar arrays, the unprecedented usage of the shuttle boom arm, and the lack of spacewalk planning and training for the impromptu procedure. Parazynski was, however, able to repair the damage as planned and the repaired array was fully deployed.<32> 2007 – Damaged starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint The starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) malfunctioned during the STS-120 mission. This and the port SARJ rotate the large solar arrays to keep them facing the Sun while the ISS's main body axis remains horizontal, pointing forward in the direction of orbital motion. Excessive vibration and high current spikes in the array drive motor resulted in a decision to substantially curtail motion of the starboard SARJ until the cause is understood. Inspections during EVAs have shown metallic shavings and debris in the large drive gear<33>. More recent inspections have confirmed damage to the large metallic race ring at the heart of the joint. As of the STS-123 mission, the cause is still not fully understood, and therefore no permanent fix has been identified. The station appears to have sufficient operating power to carry out its near-term science program with only modest impact on operations. On 30 January 2008, NASA believes another problem, also on the starboard array side, was rectified with the replacement of the Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module (BMRRM) in the Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) 1A.<34> Visiting spacecraft Computer rendering of Rocketplane-Kistler K-1 approaching the ISS Computer rendering of Rocketplane-Kistler K-1 approaching the ISS * American (NASA) Space Shuttle - resupply vehicle, assembly and logistics flights and crew rotation (to be retired in 2010) * Russian (Roskosmos) Soyuz spacecraft - crew rotation and emergency evacuation, replaced every 6 months * Russian (Roskosmos) Progress spacecraft - resupply vehicle * European (ESA) Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) - resupply vehicle Currently docked As of 2008-06-11: * Soyuz TMA-12 is at the Pirs nadir port * Jules Verne is at the Zvezda aft port<35> * Progress M-64 is at the Zarya nadir port Planned * Japanese (JAXA) H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) resupply vehicle for Kibo module (scheduled for 2009)<36> * American (NASA) Orion for possible crew rotation and as resupply transporter (officially scheduled for 2014) Proposed * SpaceX Dragon for NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (Scheduled for 2009) * Russian (Roskosmos) Space Shuttle Kliper for possible crew rotation and as resupply transporter (cancelled) * European-Russian Crew Space Transportation System (Soyuz-derived) crew rotation and resupply spacecraft (scheduled for 2014) An additional spacecraft, the K-1 Vehicle manufactured by Rocketplane Kistler, was proposed as part of the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program, and was scheduled to fly in 2009. On October 18, 2007, NASA discontinued its agreement with Rocketplane Kistler after the company couldn't secure further financing and didn't meet a critical design review for the pressurized cargo module.<37> NASA then announced that the remaining $175 million commitment to the project would be made available to other companies.<38> On 19 February 2008, NASA awarded Orbital Sciences Corporation with the remaining $170 million to develop its Cygnus spacecraft for the COTS program.<39> Expeditions See also: List of International Space Station Expeditions All permanent station crews are named "Expedition n", where n is sequentially increased after each expedition. Expeditions have an average duration of half a year and are often considered synonymous with "Increments." However, "Increments" are distinguished from Expeditions as the program planning period for activities that are to occur during a particular Expedition's residence on ISS. The start of both an Expedition and an Increment is defined by the departure of the previous Expedition crew on a Soyuz spacecraft. The definition of the Increment is in flux in preparation for 6-person crews that will be broken up into 3-person crews which overlap in their 6-month missions on ISS. The International Space Station is the most-visited spacecraft in the history of space flight. As of April 11, 2008, it has had 213 (non-distinct) visitors. Mir had 137 (non-distinct) visitors (See Space station). The number of distinct visitors of the ISS is 158 (see list of International Space Station visitors). v • d • e Expeditions to the International Space Station Completed: Expedition 1 • Expedition 2 • Expedition 3 • Expedition 4 • Expedition 5 • Expedition 6 • Expedition 7 • Expedition 8 • Expedition 9 • Expedition 10 • Expedition 11 • Expedition 12 • Expedition 13 • Expedition 14 • Expedition 15 • Expedition 16 International Space Station Patch Current: Expedition 17 Planned: Expedition 18 • Expedition 19 • Expedition 20 • Expedition 21 Legal aspects Agreement Cover page of the Space Station Intergovernmental Agreement signed on January 28, 1998. Cover page of the Space Station Intergovernmental Agreement signed on January 28, 1998. The legal structure that regulates the space station is multi-layered. The primary layer establishing obligations and rights between the ISS partners is the Space Station Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), an international treaty signed on January 28, 1998 by fifteen governments involved in the Space Station project. The ISS consists of the United States, Canada, Japan, the Russian Federation, and eleven Member States of the European Space Agency (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom). Article 1 outlines its purpose: This Agreement is a long term international co-operative framework on the basis of genuine partnership, for the detailed design, development, operation, and utilisation of a permanently inhabited civil Space Station for peaceful purposes, in accordance with international law.<40> The IGA sets the stage for a second layer of agreements between the partners referred to as 'Memoranda of Understanding' (MOUs), of which four exist between NASA and each of the four other partners. There are no MOUs between ESA, Roskosmos, CSA and JAXA due to the fact that NASA is the designated manager of the ISS. The MOUs are used to describe the roles and responsibilities of the partners in more detail. A third layer consists of bartered contractual agreements or the trading of the partners' rights and duties, including the 2005 commercial framework agreement between NASA and Roskosmos that sets forth the terms and conditions under which NASA purchases seats on Soyuz crew transporters and cargo capacity on unmanned Progress transporters. A fourth legal layer of agreements implements and supplements the four MOUs further. Notably among them is the ISS code of conduct, setting out criminal jurisdiction, anti-harassment and certain other behavior rules for ISS crewmembers.<41> Utilization The interior of the Zarya module. The interior of the Zarya module. There is no fixed percentage of ownership for the whole space station. Rather, Article 5 of the IGA sets forth that each partner shall retain jurisdiction and control over the elements it registers and over personnel in or on the Space Station who are its nationals.<40> Therefore, for each ISS module only one partner retains sole ownership. Still, the agreements to use the space station facilities are more complex. The three planned Russian segments Zvezda, the Multipurpose Laboratory Module and the Docking and Cargo Modules are made and owned by Russia, which, as of today, also retains its current and prospective usage (Zarya, although constructed and launched by Russia, has been paid for and is officially owned by NASA). In order to use the Russian parts of the station, the partners use bilateral agreements (third and fourth layer of the above outlined legal structure). The rest of the station, (the U.S., the European and Japanese pressurized modules as well as the truss and solar panel structure and the two robotic arms) has been agreed to be utilized as follows (% refers to time that each structure may be used by each partner): 1. Columbus: 51% for ESA, 49% for NASA and CSA (CSA has agreed with NASA to use 2.3% of all non-Russian ISS structure) 2. Kibo: 51% for JAXA, 49% for NASA and CSA (2.3%) 3. Destiny Lab: 100% for NASA and CSA (2.3%) as well as 100% of the truss payload accommodation 4. Crew time and power from the solar panel structure, as well as rights to purchase supporting services (upload/download and communication services) 76.6% for NASA, 12.8% for JAXA, 8.3% for ESA and 2.3% for CSA Costs This table may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. Giving a precise cost estimate for the ISS is, however, not straightforward; it is, for instance, hard to determine which costs should actually be attributed to the ISS program or how the Russian contribution should be measured, as the Russian space agency runs at considerably lower USD costs than the other partners. NASA Overview NASA's current budget projections see an end to ISS funding in 2017, in order to free funds for the Vision for Space Exploration. NASA's current budget projections see an end to ISS funding in 2017, in order to free funds for the Vision for Space Exploration. The overall majority of costs for NASA are incurred by flight operations and expenses for the overall management of the ISS. Costs for initially building the U.S. portion of the ISS modules and external structure on the ground and construction in space as well as crew and supply flights to the ISS do account for far less than the general operating costs (see annual budget allocation below). NASA does not include the basic Space Shuttle program costs in the expenses incurred for the ISS program, despite the fact that the Space Shuttle has been nearly exclusively used for ISS construction and supply flights since December 1998. NASA's 2007 budget request lists costs for the ISS (without Shuttle costs) as $25.6 billion for the years 1994 to 2005.<42> For each of 2005 and 2006 about $1.7 to 1.8 billion are allocated to the ISS program. The annual expenses will increase until 2010 when they will reach $2.3 billion and should then stay at the same level, however inflation-adjusted, until 2016, the defined end of the program. NASA has allocated between $300 and 500 million for program shutdown costs in 2017. 2005 ISS budget allocation NASA allocates about 125 million US dollars (USD) annually to EVAs. NASA allocates about 125 million US dollars (USD) annually to EVAs. The $1.8 billion expensed in 2005 consisted of:<43> * Development of new hardware: $70 million were allocated to core development, for instance development of systems like navigation, data support or environmental. * Spacecraft Operations: $800 million consisting of $125 million for each of software, extravehicular activity systems, and logistics and maintenance. An additional $150 million is spent on flight, avionics and crew systems. The rest of $250 million goes to overall ISS management. * Launch and Mission operations: Although the Shuttle launch costs are not considered part of the ISS budget, mission and mission integration ($300 million), medical support ($25 million) and Shuttle launch site processing ($125 million) is within the ISS budget. * Operations Program Integration: $350 million was spent on maintaining and sustaining U.S. flight and ground hardware and software to ensure integrity of the ISS design and the continuous, safe operability. * ISS cargo/crew: $140 million was spent for purchase of supplies, cargo and crew capability for Progress and Soyuz flights. Shuttle costs as part of ISS costs The only non-ISS related Shuttle flight between 2005 and 2010 is a Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission on STS-125. The only non-ISS related Shuttle flight between 2005 and 2010 is a Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission on STS-125. Only costs for mission and mission integration and launch site processing for the 33 ISS-related Shuttle flights are included in NASA's ISS program costs. Basic costs of the Shuttle program are, as mentioned above, not considered part of the overall ISS costs by NASA, because the Shuttle program is considered an independent program aside from the ISS. Since December 1998 the Shuttle has, however, been used nearly exclusively for ISS flights (since the first ISS flight in December 1998, until October 2007 only 5 flights out of 28 flights have not been to the ISS, and only the planned Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission in 2008 will not be ISS-related out of 13 planned missions until the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2010). Shuttle program costs during ISS operations from 1999 to 2005 (disregarding the first ISS flight in December 1998) have amounted to approximately $24 billion (1999: $3,028.0 million, 2000: $3,011.2 million, 2001: $3,125.7 million, 2002: $3,278.8 million, 2003: $3,252.8 million, 2004: $3,945.0 million, 2005: $4,319.2 million). In order to derive the ISS-related costs, expenses for non-ISS flights need to be subtracted, which amount to 20% of the total or about $5 billion. For the years 2006-2011 NASA projects another $20.5 billion in Space Shuttle program costs (2006: $4,777.5 million, 2007: $4,056.7 million, 2008: $4,087.3 million, 2009: $3,794.8 million, 2010: $3,651.1 million and 2011: $146.7 million). If the Hubble servicing mission is excluded from those costs, ISS-related costs will be approximately $19 billion for Shuttle flights from 2006 until 2011. In total, ISS-related Space Shuttle program costs will therefore be approximately $38 billion. Overall ISS costs for NASA This table may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. Assuming NASA's projections of average costs of $2.5 billion from 2011 to 2016 and the end of spending money on the ISS in 2017 (about $300-500 million) after shutdown in 2016 are correct, the overall ISS project costs for NASA from the announcement of the program in 1993 to its end will be about $53 billion (25.6 billion for the years 1994-2005 and about 27 to 28 billion for the years 2006-2017). There have also been considerable costs for designing Space Station Freedom in the 1980s and early 1990s, before the ISS program started in 1993. Plans of Space Station Freedom were reused for the International Space Station. To sum up, although the actual costs NASA views as connected to the ISS are only half of the $100 billion figure often cited in the media, if combined with basic program costs for the Shuttle and the design of the ISS' precursor project Space Station Freedom, the costs reach $100 billion for NASA alone. ESA ESA calculates that its contribution over the 15 year lifetime of the project will be €9 billion<44>. Just the costs for the Columbus Laboratory tops more than €1.4 billion (about $2.1 billion), including the money spent on the ground control infrastructure known as Columbus Control Center to operate it. The total development costs for ATV amount to approximately €1.35 billion<45> and considering that each Ariane 5 launch costs around €150 million, each ATV launch will incur considerable costs as well. The ISS has been far more expensive than originally anticipated. The ESA estimates the overall cost from the start of the project in the early 1990s to the prospective end in 2017 to be in the region of €100 billion ($157 billion or £65.3 billion).<46> JAXA The development of the Japanese Experiment Module, JAXA's main contribution to the ISS, has cost about 325 billion yen (about $2.8 billion).<47> In the year 2005, JAXA allocated about 40 billion yen (about 350 million USD) to the ISS program.<48> The annual running costs for Japanese Experiment Module will total around $350 to 400 million. In addition JAXA has committed itself to develop and launch the H-II Transfer Vehicle, for which development costs total nearly $1 billion. In total, over the 24 year lifespan of the ISS program, JAXA will contribute well over $10 billion to the ISS program. Roskosmos A considerable part of the Russian Space Agency's budget is used for the ISS. Since 1998 there have been over two dozen Soyuz and Progress flights, the primary crew and cargo transporters since 2003. The question of how much Russia spends on the station (measured in USD), is, however, not easy to answer. The two modules currently in orbit are derivatives of the Mir program and therefore development costs are much lower than for other modules. In addition, the exchange rate between ruble and USD is not adequately giving a real comparison to what the costs for Russia really are. CSA Canada, whose three main contributions to the ISS are the Canadarm2, the mobile base system, and Dextre (the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, also known as the Canada Hand), estimates that through the last 20 years it has contributed about C$1.4 billion to the ISS. Canada has continued to be a vital member of ISS through the past ten years and continues to play a major role in the ISS.<49> Criticism The (cancelled) ISS Centrifuge Accommodations Module. The (cancelled) ISS Centrifuge Accommodations Module. The ISS and NASA have been the targets of varied criticism over the years. Critics contend that the time and money spent on the ISS could be better spent on other projects—whether they be robotic spacecraft missions, space exploration, investigations of problems here on Earth, or just tax savings.<50> Some critics, like Robert L. Park, argue that very little scientific research was convincingly planned for the ISS in the first place.<51> They also argue that the primary feature of a space-based laboratory is its microgravity environment, which can usually be studied more cheaply with a "vomit comet" (that is, an aircraft which flies in parabolic arcs.)<52> Two of the most ambitious ISS projects to date—the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and the Centrifuge Accommodations Module—have been cancelled or delayed due to the prohibitive costs NASA faces in simply completing the ISS. As a result, the research done on the ISS is generally limited to experiments which do not require any specialized apparatus. For example, in the first half of 2007, ISS research dealt primarily with human biological responses to being in space, covering topics like kidney stones, circadian rhythm, and the effects of cosmic rays on the nervous system.<53><54><55> Critics argue that this research has little practical value, since space exploration is today almost universally done by robots. Other critics have attacked the ISS on some technical design grounds: 1. Jeff Foust argued that the ISS requires too much maintenance, especially by risky, expensive EVAs;<56> 2. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific has mentioned that its orbit is rather highly inclined, which makes Russian launches cheaper, but US launches more expensive.<57> This was intended as a design point, to encourage Russian involvement with the ISS—and Russian involvement saved the project from abandonment in the wake of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster—but the choice may have increased the costs of completing the ISS substantially. In response to some of these criticisms, advocates of manned space exploration say that criticism of the ISS project is short-sighted, and that manned space research and exploration have produced billions of dollars' worth of tangible benefits to people on Earth. Jerome Schnee estimated that the indirect economic return from spin-offs of human space exploration has been many times the initial public investment.<58> A review of the claims by the Federation of American Scientists argued that NASA's rate of return from spin-offs is actually very low, except for aeronautics work that has led to aircraft sales.<59> Critics also say that NASA is often casually credited with "spin-offs" (such as Velcro and portable computers) that were developed independently for other reasons.<60> NASA maintains a list of spin-offs from the construction of the ISS, as well as from work performed on the ISS.<61><62> However, NASA's official list is much narrower and more arcane than dramatic narratives of billions of dollars of spin-offs. It is therefore debatable whether the ISS, as distinct from the wider space program, will be a major contributor to society. Some advocates argue that apart from its scientific value, it is an important example of international cooperation.<63> Others claim that the ISS is an asset that, if properly leveraged, could allow more economical manned Lunar and Mars missions.<64> Either way, advocates argue that it misses the point to expect a hard financial return from the ISS; rather, it is intended as part of a general expansion of spaceflight capabilities. Sightings Due to the size of the International Space Station, which is the size of an American football field, and particularly due to the large reflective area offered by its solar panels, ground based observation of the station is possible with the naked eye if one is within 63 degrees latitude. In many cases the station is one of the brigh-*test*-('") naked-eye objects in the sky, though it is only visible for brief periods of time. This is because the station is in low earth orbit, and the sun angle and observer locations need to coincide.<65> NASA provides data on forthcoming opportunities for viewing the ISS (and other objects) on the Station Sightings web page, as do the European Space Agency and the independent site Heavens-Above.<65><66> Miscellany Yuri Malenchenko was the first person to be married in space. Yuri Malenchenko was the first person to be married in space. Space tourism and a wedding As of 2007 there have been five space tourists to the ISS, each spending around US $25 million; they all went there aboard Russian supply missions. There has also been a space wedding when cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko on the station married Ekaterina Dmitrieva, who was in Texas. ISS golf event Golf Shot Around The World was an event in which, on an EVA, a special golf ball, equipped with a tracking device, was hit from the station and sent into its own low Earth orbit for a fee paid by a Canadian golf equipment manufacturer to the Russian Space Agency. The task was supposed to be performed on Expedition 13, but the event was postponed, and took place on Expedition 14.<67> Microgravity At the station's orbital altitude, the gravity from the Earth is 88% of that at sea level. The state of weightlessness is due to the constant free fall of the ISS, which according to the equivalence principle, is indiscernible from being in a state of zero gravity. The environment on the station is often described instead as microgravity, due to four effects: * The drag resulting from the residual atmosphere. * Vibratory acceleration due to mechanical systems and the crew on board the ISS. * Orbital corrections by the on-board gyroscopes (or thrusters). * The spatial separation from the real center of mass of the ISS, with a level of gravity on the order of 2 to 1,000 millionths of one g (the value varies with the frequency of the disturbance, with the low value occurring at frequencies below 0.1 Hz, and the higher value at frequencies of 100 Hz or more).<68> Time zone The ISS uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC, sometimes informally called GMT) to regulate its onboard day. This is roughly equidistant between its two control centres in Houston and Moscow. The windows are covered at "night" to give the impression of darkness since it experiences 16 sunrises/sunsets a day. The crew typically wakes up at around 7:00 UTC; they work for about ten hours each weekday and five hours each Saturday.<69> During visiting shuttle missions, the ISS crew will mostly follow the shuttle's Mission Elapsed Time (MET), which is a flexible timezone based solely on the launchtime of the shuttle mission.<70><71> Because the sleeping periods between the UTC timezone and the MET usually differ, the ISS crew often has to adjust their sleeping pattern before the shuttle arrives and after it leaves to shift from one timezone to the other, therefore this is called sleepshifting. Atmosphere The atmosphere on board the ISS is maintained to have a composition similar to that of the Earth's atmosphere.<72> Normal air pressure on the Space Station is 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi), the same as at sea level on Earth. This does not match the atmosphere on the shuttle, so adjustments are performed during visits.<73> See also Wikimedia Commons has media related to: International Space Station Wikinews Wikinews has related news: International Space Station * List of International Space Station visitors * List of ISS spacewalks performed from the ISS or visiting spacecraft * List of manned spaceflights to the ISS for a comprehensive chronological list of all manned spacecraft that have visited the ISS, including the spacecraft's respective crews * List of unmanned spaceflights to the ISS — Progress supply flights and unmanned automatic docking space station modules * South Atlantic Anomaly References 1. ^ a b NASA - Reference Guide to the International Space Station. NASA (Unknown). Retrieved on 2008-06-14. 2. ^ The ISS to Date. NASA.gov (2007-02-22). Retrieved on 2007-06-24. 3. ^ International Space Station Status Report #06-7. NASA.gov (2006-02-17). Retrieved on 2007-06-24. 4. ^ 10 of its member states are currently participating; Austria, Finland, Ireland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom chose not to participate; Greece and Luxembourg joined ESA later. ESA - Human Spaceflight and Exploration - European Participating States (English). ESA. Retrieved on 2005-07-03. 5. ^ a b China wants role in space station. CNN. Retrieved on 2008-03-20. 6. ^ China Eyes Entry to ISS Project. Space Daily (May 1, 2001). Retrieved on 2007-06-26. 7. ^ International Space Station Approaches Key Turning Point. space.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-16. 8. ^ GAO (June 1994). Space Station: Impact of the Expanded Russian Role on Funding and Research (PDF). GAO. Retrieved on 2006-11-03. 9. ^ Chris Bergin (2008-01-10). PRCB plan STS-122 for NET Feb 7 - three launches in 10-11 weeks. NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-12. 10. ^ STS-123 Press Kit. NASA. 11. ^ STS-124 Press Kit. NASA. 12. ^ MLM. skyrocket.de (2008). Retrieved on June 10, 2008. 13. ^ Boeing: Integrated Defense Systems - NASA Systems - International Space Station - Solar Power (English). Boeing. Retrieved on 2006-06-05. 14. ^ Breathing Easy on the Space Station science.nasa.gov, 13 November 2000. Retrieved 3 January 2007. 15. ^ International Space Station Status Report #05-7. NASA (February 11, 2005). 16. ^ a b ISS Environment. Johnson Space Center. Retrieved on 2007-10-15. 17. ^ ISS Height Profile. Heavens-Above.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-15. 18. ^ a b c d e Fields of Research. NASA (June 26, 2007). 19. ^ a b Getting on Board. NASA (June 26, 2007). 20. ^ NASA - U.S. Destiny Laboratory. NASA (March 26, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-26. 21. ^ Unofficial Space Shuttle Manifest. Small World Communications (June 25, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-26. 22. ^ Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Centre. Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center (2006). Retrieved on 2007-06-26. 23. ^ Oxygen Generator Problem Triggers Station Alarm. Spaceflight Now. 24. ^ Oxygen Regeneration Restored At ISS. Space Travel. 25. ^ NASA. STS-117 MCC Status Report #12. NASA. 26. ^ a b c Tariq Malik (2007). More Progress Made to Recover Space Station Computers. Space.com. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 27. ^ NASA. STS-117 MCC Status Report #15. NASA. 28. ^ Juan A. Lozano for the Associated Press (2007). Atlantis' Return May Be Delayed. ABC News. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 29. ^ James Oberg (2007). Space Station: Internal NASA Reports Explain Origins of June Computer Crisis. IEEE Spectrum. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 30. ^ Irene Klotz for Reuters (2007). ISS computer woes concern Europe. BBC. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 31. ^ Liz Austin Peterson for Associated Press (2007). Astronauts notice tear in solar panel. Newsweek. Retrieved on October 30, 2007. 32. ^ Rob Stein for Washington Post (2007). Space Station's Damaged Panel Is Fixed. Washington Post. Retrieved on November 3, 2007. 33. ^ Station chief gives detailed update on joint problem. 34. ^ Spacewalkers Replace Solar Wing Motor. NASA (2008). Retrieved on January 30, 2008. 35. ^ Jonathan's Space Report No. 596 (2008-05-27). 36. ^ Consolidated Launch Manifest: Space Shuttle Flights and ISS Assembly Sequence. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (September 10, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-27. 37. ^ FlightGlobal.com - NASA warns Rocketplane Kistler on COTS cancellation 38. ^ Rocketplane Kistler Appeals NASA Decision to Terminate COTS Agreement. space.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-23. 39. ^ Orbital Sciences Corporation press release - NASA Selects Orbital To Demonstrate New Commercial Cargo Delivery System For The International Space Station 40. ^ a b International Space Station Legal Framework. International Space Station. European Space Agency (20 July 2001). Retrieved on 16 September, 2006. 41. ^ Farand, Andre. Astronauts’ behaviour onboard the International Space Station: regulatory framework (pdf). International Space Station. UNESCO. Retrieved on 16 September, 2006. 42. ^ NASA 2007 Budget and 2006 Strategic Plan. International Space Station. NASA (2006). Retrieved on 16 September, 2006. 43. ^ International Space Station Major Events FY 2005. International Space Station. NASA (2005). Retrieved on 16 September, 2006. 44. ^ European Hopes Ride on New Space Lab, Cargo Ship 45. ^ Europe sets a course for the ISS 46. ^ How Much Does It Cost?. ESA. Retrieved on 2008-03-27. 47. ^ Japan Prepares Space Station's Largest Laboratory for Flight. space.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-28. 48. ^ Japan Seeking 13 Percent Budget Hike for Space Activities. space.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-28. 49. ^ International Space Station facts and figures. Retrieved on 2007-01-28. 50. ^ Mail & Guardian. "A waste of space", Mail & Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-01-28. 51. ^ Park, Bob. Space Station: Maybe They Could Use It to Test Missile Defense. Retrieved on 2007-01-28. 52. ^ Park, Bob. Space: International Space Station Unfurls New Solar Panels. Retrieved on 2007-06-15. 53. ^ NASA (2007). Renal Stone Risk During Spaceflight: Assessment and Countermeasure Validation (Renal Stone). NASA. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 54. ^ NASA (2007). Sleep-Wake Actigraphy and Light Exposure During Spaceflight-Long (Sleep-Long). NASA. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 55. ^ NASA (2007). Anomalous Long Term Effects in Astronauts' Central Nervous System (ALTEA). NASA. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 56. ^ Jeff Foust (2005). The trouble with space stations. The Space Review. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 57. ^ James J. Secosky, George Musser (1996). Up, Up, and Away. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved on September 10, 2006. 58. ^ Ginzburg, E.; Kuhn, J. W.; Schnee, J.; Yavitz, B. (1976). Economic impact of large public programs The NASA experience. NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS). Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 59. ^ Federation of American Scientists. NASA Technological Spinoff Fables. Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved on September 17, 2006. 60. ^ Park, Robert. "The Virtual Astronaut", The New Atlantis. Retrieved on 2007-01-28. 61. ^ NASA (2007). NASA Spinoff. NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI). Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 62. ^ NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI). International Space Station Spinoffs (HTML) (English). NASA. Retrieved on 2006-09-14. 63. ^ Space Today Online (2003). International Space Station: Human Residency Third Anniversary. Space Today Online. Retrieved on September 17, 2006. 64. ^ RSC Energia (2005). Interview with Niolai (sic) Sevostianov, President, RSC Energia: The mission to Mars is to be international. Mars Today.com/SpaceRef Interactive Inc. Retrieved on January 16, 2007. 65. ^ a b NASA (2007). International Space Station Sighting Opportunities. NASA. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 66. ^ European Space Agency (2007). See the ISS from your home town. European Space Agency. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 67. ^ Keith Cowing (2006). Golf or Science: What is NASA's Plan for the Space Station?. Space Ref.com. Retrieved on November 13, 2007. 68. ^ European Users Guide to Low Gravity Platforms (PDF) (English). European Space Agency. Retrieved on 2006-05-16. 69. ^ Ed's Musings from Space Expedition 7 astronaut Ed Lu, Updated: 09/08/2003 Accessed August 2007 70. ^ Mission Elapsed Time explained (1995-09-13). Retrieved on 2007-11-09. 71. ^ Ask the STS-113 crew: Question 14 (2002-12-07). Retrieved on 2007-11-09. 72. ^ How Space Stations Work by Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D. at Howstuffworks. Accessed January 2008 73. ^ The Air Up There NASAexplores: April 29, 2004. Accessed January 2008. :megaman:

And the rest of it: External links Official ISS pages at the participating space agencies' websites Flag of the United States United States * International Space Station — NASA site * International Space Station — NASA History Portal Flag of Russia Russia * International Space Station — Roskosmos (in Russian) * International Space Station — Roskosmos Mission Control Centre (in Russian) * International Space Station — RKK Energia (in English) Flag of Canada Canada * International Space Station — CSA Site Europe * International Space Station — ESA site Flag of Japan Japan * International Space Station — JAXA site Flag of Brazil Brazil * International Space Station — AEB site Flag of Italy Italy * International Space Station — ASI site Interactive/Multimedia * NASA's International Space Station Interactive Reference Guide - Flash Multimedia * NASA's ISS Image gallery Search page ISS pages of major ISS contractors * International Space Station — Energia site * International Space Station — Boeing site Other ISS links * Listen to the ISS - transmission frequencies * CNN page with 3D model * Associated Press International Space Station Timeline - Interactive * Current ISS Vital Statistics * Heavens-Above.com - Real-time ISS and satellite/shuttle sighting opportunities. * ISS Fan Club devoted to ham radio communications with the ISS * Build-up of the ISS (simulation) at tietronix.com * International Space Station Full coverage of all ISS activities, includes all Status Reports issued since January 2003 * International Space Station from Encyclopedia Astronautica (out of date) * Live real time tracking * ISS flybys by SpaceWeather now also times for international locations v • d • e Components of the International Space Station Major components in orbit Zarya (Functional Cargo Block) · Unity (Node 1) · Zvezda (Service Module) · Destiny (Laboratory) · Quest (Airlock) · Pirs (Airlock / Docking Module) · Harmony (Node 2) · Columbus (Laboratory) · Kibō (PM, ELM-PS) ISS insignia Other subsystems in orbit Integrated Truss Structure (ITS) · Canadarm2 (MSS) · Dextre (SPDM) · Kibō Remote Manipulator System · External Stowage Platforms (ESPs) · Pressurized Mating Adapters (PMAs) Launched periodically Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLMs) Scheduled for Shuttle Kibō (EF, ELM-ES) · Node 3 · Cupola · Mini-Research Module 1 · ExPRESS Logistics Carriers (ELCs) · OBSS Scheduled for Proton Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) · European Robotic Arm (ERA) Scheduled for Soyuz Mini-Research Module 2 Canceled or unused Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer · Centrifuge Accommodations Module (CAM) · Interim Control Module (ICM) · Universal Docking Module (UDM) · Docking and Stowage Module (DSM) · Habitation Module · Crew Return Vehicle (CRV/ACRV) · Propulsion Module · Science Power Platform (SPP) · Russian Research Module (RM) Support vehicles Space Shuttle · Soyuz · Progress · Automated Transfer Vehicle · H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) · Dragon · Orion ISS assembly (sequence) v • d • e Space stations Active International Space Station (ISS) · Genesis I and II (private) The International Space Station after STS-124. Spaceflight Portal Defunct Salyut (incorporating Almaz) · Skylab · Mir Cancelled Manned Orbital Laboratory · Skylab B · Almaz · Polyus · Galaxy (private) ISS-incorporated Space Station Freedom · Columbus · Mir-2 Developmental by country Project 921-2 (China) private Sundancer · BA 330 · Galactic Suite Proposed Rotating wheel · Bernal sphere · O'Neill cylinder · Stanford torus · Wet workshop · Space habitat · Industrial Space Facility v • d • e United States government human spaceflight programs Active Space Shuttle · ISS (joint) · Project Constellation (future) Flag of the United States Spaceflight Portal Previous X-15 (suborbital) · Mercury · Gemini · Apollo · Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (with USSR) · Skylab · Shuttle-Mir (with Russia) Canceled MISS · Orion (nuclear) · Dyna-Soar · Manned Orbital Laboratory · Space Station Freedom (now ISS) · Orbital Space Plane v • d • e Soviet (to 1991) and Russian government manned space programs Active Soyuz • ISS (joint) Spaceflight Portal In Development Kliper Past Vostok • Voskhod • Salyut • Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (joint) • Mir • Shuttle-Mir Program (joint) Cancelled Zond (lunar Soyuz 7K-L1) • N1-L3 (Moon landing program) • TMK (Mars flyby program) • Spiral • Almaz (incorporated into Salyut program) / TKS spacecraft • Energia / Buran Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station" Categories: Current spaceflights | Human spaceflight | International Space Station | Space stations | Manned spacecraft | Artificial satellites currently orbiting Earth :badger:

June 14, 2008 Michael Curie Headquarters, Washington 202-358-4715 michael.curie@nasa.gov Candrea Thomas Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov RELEASE: 08-150 NASA'S SHUTTLE DISCOVERY GLIDES HOME AFTER SUCCESSFUL MISSION CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery and its crew landed at 11:15 a.m. EDT Saturday, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., completing a 14-day journey of more than 5.7 million miles in space. The STS-124 mission was the second of three flights to launch components to the International Space Station to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. Discovery delivered Kibo's tour bus-sized Japanese Pressurized Module, or JPM, which is the station's largest module. The mission included three spacewalks to install and outfit the JPM and activate its robotic arm system. The lab's logistics module, which was delivered and installed in a temporary location in March, was attached to its permanent position on top of the JPM. Mark Kelly commanded the flight and was joined by Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Greg Chamitoff, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. Chamitoff remained aboard the space station, replacing Expedition 17 Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who returned to Earth on Discovery after nearly three months on the station. Chamitoff will return on shuttle Endeavour's STS-126 mission, targeted for launch November 10. STS-124 was the 123rd space shuttle flight, the 35th flight for shuttle Discovery and the 26th flight of a shuttle to the station. With Discovery and its crew safely home, the stage is set for the launch of STS-125 on October 8. Atlantis' mission will return the space shuttle to the Hubble Space Telescope for one last visit before the shuttle fleet retires in 2010. Over 12 days and five spacewalks, Atlantis' crew will make repairs and upgrades to the telescope, preparing it for at least another five years of research. For more about the STS-124 mission and the upcoming STS-125 mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle -end- :megaman:

Jules Verne ATV reveals unexpected capabilities Eleven weeks into its integrated service to the International Space Station, Jules Verne ATV has followed up its successful automatic docking on 3 April 2008 by achieving all its scheduled objectives - and much more. ATV is providing capabilities never planned for before its mission. Read more: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ATV/SEM6IZUG3HF_0.html (Article includes video footage of the ISS crew inside Jules Verne ATV) This Press Release is published on behalf of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Paris, 17 June 2008 Celebrating Ten Years of the International Space Station The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is organising, with European Space Agency (ESA) support, a symposium entitled 'Celebrating Ten Years of the International Space Station', to be held at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters (7, place de Fontenoy) on 9/10 July. The symposium will bring together an international panel of industry and agency leaders to focus on the history and development of the International Space Station (ISS), the world's biggest ever cooperative scientific and technological undertaking. The participants will also look at what will be achieved over the coming years as ISS assembly nears completion, examining the legacy with an eye to future exploration of the Moon and Mars. ISS crew members will take part in a special panel discussion, describing from first-hand experience what it is like to live and work onboard this Earth-orbiting outpost. Among those taking part will be Lynn Cline (NASA), Alexey Krasnov, (Roscosmos), Yoshinori Yoshimura (JAXA), William H. Gerstenmaier (NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations) and Jean-Jacques Dordain (ESA Director General). Key figures from the past will include Margaret Finarelli (NASA), Mac Evans (CSA), Frederik Engström (ESA) and Giuseppe Giampalmo (ESA). Media representatives planning to attend this event should notify the IAF Secretariat by sending an e-mail to Rocio Caparros, IAF International Relations & Communication Officer, at rocio.caparros@iafastro.org stating first name, last name, Media affiliation, phone numbers and e-mail address. Those unable to participate will be able to watch video recordings of the presentations on the IAF website http://www.iafastro.org. The Federation will also subsequently publish a report summarising the proceedings. The programme for the event is as follows: First Session: Wednesday 9 July, afternoon (14:30-19:00) Welcoming address Marcio Barbosa, Deputy Director General, UNESCO, and James V. Zimmerman, President, International Astronautical Federation. Keynote address "Celebrating the International Space Station", Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General, European Space Agency. Panel discussions - "How It Started", discussion between negotiators of the first ISS Memorandum of Understanding (1984-1988): Margaret Finarelli (NASA, retired), Mac Evans (CSA, retired) and Fredrik Engström (ESA, retired). - "Expanding the Partnership", discussion between negotiators of the second ISS Memorandum of Understanding (1994-1998): Lynn Cline (NASA), Alexei Krasnov, (Roscosmos), Giuseppe Giampalmo (ESA, retired), Yoshinori Yoshimura (JAXA) and Heinz Gindl (CSA). Keynote address "The Amazing Technical Achievement", William H. Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Space Operations, NASA. Panel discussion "Living and Working Onboard the Space Station", discussion between ISS Expedition crew members: Jean-François Clervoy (ESA), Léopold Eyharts (ESA), Satoshi Furukawa (NASDA) and Michael-Lopez Alegria (NASA). Second Session: Thursday July 10, morning (09:00-12:30) Panel discussions - "Today's View of the Partnership", discussion between members of current ISS Multilateral Coordination Board: William H. Gerstenmaier (NASA), Benoît Marcotte (CSA), Simonetta Di Pippo (ESA), Shin Aoyama (MEXT) and Alexey Krasnov (RSA). - "Industry Delivers on the International Challenge", discussion between leading ISS industrialists: Mike Parfitt (MDA), Brewster Shaw (Boeing), Michael Menking (EADS), Luigi Quaglino (TAS), Nobuhiko Fukuda (MHI). Feature presentations "Medical Challenges for Humans in Space", Dr Ronald J. White (USA), Universities Space Research Association, Board of Trustees/International Academy of Astronautics. "ISS as an Observing Science Platform", Martin Zell, Head of Research Operations Department, ESA Directorate of Human Spaceflight, Microgravity & Exploration. "Commercial Success on the ISS", Eric Anderson, President and CEO, Space Adventures. "The US ISS National Laboratory Initiative", Jeff M. Bingham, Senior Adviser on Space & Aeronautics, Republican Staff Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, US Senate. For further information: Rocio Caparros, IAF International Relations and Communication Officer Phone (+33 1)/01 45 67 42 60 Record boost for ATV to raise ISS orbit For the second time since April, ESA's Jules Verne ATV was used to raise the orbit of the International Space Station yesterday. A record boost from the 20 minute burn of the Automated Transfer Vehicle's main engines successfully lifted the altitude of the 300-tonne Station by around 7 km to an altitude of around 345 km above the Earth's surface. Read more: http://www.esa.int/esaMI/ATV/SEMALNRHKHF_0.html

Ahoy, new awesome ISS shot! :megaman: <img src="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0806/iss_sts124.jpg" width="800"> http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080623.html The International Space Station Expands Again Credit: STS-124 Shuttle Crew, NASA Explanation: The developing International Space Station (ISS) has changed its appearance again. Earlier this month, the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery visited the ISS and added components that included Japan's Kibo Science Laboratory. The entire array of expansive solar panels is visible in this picture taken by the Discovery Crew after leaving the ISS to return to Earth. The world's foremost space outpost can be seen developing over the past several years by comparing the above image to past images. Also visible above are many different types of modules, a robotic arm, another impressive set of solar panels, and a supply ship. Construction began on the ISS in 1998.

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June 23, 2008 John Yembrick Headquarters, Washington 202-358-0602 john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov Kylie Clem Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 kylie.clem@nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-122 HOME FROM SPACE STATION, NEW JERSEY ASTRONAUT SET FOR INTERVIEWS HOUSTON -- NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman of New Jersey, who returned to Earth June 14 after three months on the International Space Station, will be available for satellite interviews from 6 to 8 a.m. CDT on Friday, June 27. Reisman arrived at the complex with the STS-123 shuttle crew in March, which installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo logistics module and the Canadian Space Agency's Dextre robot. During his mission he conducted a spacewalk, totaling 7 hours and one-minute. Reisman remained onboard the station complex, working as a NASA science officer in the U.S. Destiny lab and assisted with the activation of experiment facilities in the European Columbus lab. Reisman continued station assembly work for the STS-124 mission, during which space shuttle Discovery delivered the Japanese Kibo laboratory module and then served as his ride home. To participate in the interviews, reporters should contact Stephanie Stoll at 281-483-9071 or 281-798-6335 by 3 p.m. Thursday, June 26. B-roll featuring highlights of Reisman's mission will air at 5:30 a.m., before the start of the interviews. Reisman was born in Morristown, New Jersey, but considers Parsippany his hometown. He has a bachelor's degree in economics and in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania. He also has a master's and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology. He was selected as an astronaut in 1998. Reisman's biography is available at: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/reisman.html NASA's live interview media outlet channel will be used to conduct the interviews. The channel is located on satellite AMC 6, transponder 5C, which is located at 72 degrees west, downlink frequency 3785.5 MHz, vertical polarity, FEC of 3/4th, symbol rate 4.3404 Mbaud. For information about the space station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station -end-

June 23, 2008 Sonja Alexander Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1761 sonja.r.alexander@nasa.gov Jenna Mills Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-244-0185 jenna.c.mills@nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-157 STUDENTS AT SCIENCE CAMP GEAR UP TO CALL THE SPACE STATION HOUSTON -- "Mission BISD: All Systems Go" technology and science camp students are gearing up to chat and ask questions during a call to the International Space Station crew on Thursday, June 26, from 10:50 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. CDT. Students from the camp and local school district in Burleson, Texas, will have the opportunity talk with the crew about math, science and mission activities occurring on the station. NASA's education downlinks support the agency's efforts to encourage students to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These events, facilitated by the Teaching From Space Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, use the unique experience of human space flight to promote and enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. The downlink will air live on NASA Television and be streamed on the NASA Web site at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For information about NASA's education programs on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education -end-

July 1, 2008 Michael Curie Headquarters, Washington 202-358-4715 michael.curie@nasa.gov Kyle Herring Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 kyle.j.herring@nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-129 NASA SETS BRIEFING WITH NEXT STATION CREW, SPACEFLIGHT PARTICIPANT HOUSTON -- NASA will hold a media briefing Wednesday, July 30, at 1 p.m. CDT, with the next resident crew of the International Space Station and an American spaceflight participant. The briefing will originate from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, and will be broadcast live on NASA Television. Questions will be taken from news media at participating NASA sites. The briefing participants include: - Expedition 18 Commander and NASA astronaut Michael Fincke - Expedition 18 Flight Engineer and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov - Expedition 18 Flight Engineer and NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus - Expedition 18 Flight Engineer and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata - Spaceflight participant Richard Garriott, who will fly to the station under a commercial agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency Following the briefing, Fincke, Lonchakov, Magnus and Wakata will be available for individual round-robin interviews, in person or by phone. There also will be a photo opportunity. To participate in the interviews, news media should contact the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111, no later than 4 p.m. July 29. Foreign national media planning to attend the briefing in person must contact the Johnson newsroom by 4 p.m. July 8, to arrange credentials. On Oct. 12, Lonchakov, Fincke and Garriott will launch to the station aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Garriott will return to Earth with Expedition 17 Commander Sergei Volkov and Flight Engineer Oleg Kononenko on Oct. 23 in a Soyuz. Magnus will fly to the station on space shuttle mission STS-126, targeted to launch in November. Wakata will replace Magnus on the station during the STS-119 mission in early 2009. For more information about NASA TV streaming video, downlink and schedule information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For information about the space station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov -end- July 2, 2008 Michael Curie Headquarters, Washington 202-358-4715 michael.curie@nasa.gov Kyle Herring Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 kyle.j.herring@nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-130 SPACE STATION SPACEWALKS, BRIEFING ON TAP FOR NASA TV HOUSTON -- Two International Space Station residents will conduct a pair of spacewalks outside the Russian segment of the complex July 10 and 15, with coverage of both planned for NASA Television. Expedition 17 Commander Sergei Volkov and Flight Engineer Oleg Kononenko will conduct the first spacewalk July 10 out of the Pirs Docking Compartment's airlock. As part of the inquiry into ballistic landings by the last two Soyuz return spacecraft, Volkov and Kononenko will inspect their Soyuz vehicle and remove one of the pyrotechnic bolts used to connect two of the spacecraft's sections. They also will install a docking target for a new Russian module scheduled for launch late next summer. NASA TV coverage of the spacewalk will begin at 12:30 p.m. CDT. The 6-hour excursion will start around 1:18 p.m. During the second spacewalk on July 15, Volkov and Kononenko will attach additional docking equipment and experiments to the hull of the Zvezda service module. NASA TV coverage of the July 15 spacewalk will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the spacewalk due to start at 12:08 p.m. Briefings are not planned after either spacewalk. A mission status briefing to preview both spacewalks will be broadcast on NASA TV beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, with a multi-center question-and-answer opportunity for reporters at other NASA centers. Briefers will include: - Mike Suffredini, International Space Station program manager - Heather Rarick, Expedition 17 lead flight director - Bob Dempsey, International Space Station spacewalk flight director - Kieth Johnson, Expedition 17 spacewalk officer For NASA TV streaming video, schedules, and downlink information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv -end- TOUR OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kw5-n5Js6DM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kw5-n5Js6DM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>