Expedition 14 Press Kit 

National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Section Page

MISSION OVERVIEW............................................................................................................... 1

EXPEDITION 14 CREW ............................................................................................................ 8

MISSION MILESTONES ........................................................................................................... 15

EXPEDITION 14 SPACEWALKS................................................................................................ 17

RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA ............................................................................................................. 21

SOYUZ BOOSTER ROCKET CHARACTERISTICS .................................................................................... 27

PRELAUNCH COUNTDOWN TIMELINE ................................................................................................... 28

ASCENT/INSERTION TIMELINE ............................................................................................................ 29

ORBITAL INSERTION TO DOCKING TIMELINE ...................................................................................... 30

EXPEDITION 13/ISS SOYUZ 12 (TMA-8) LANDING ............................................................................... 35

KEY TIMES FOR EXPEDITION 14/13 INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION EVENTS ................................... 38

SOYUZ ENTRY TIMELINE ...................................................................................................................... 39

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION: EXPEDITION 14 SCIENCE OVERVIEW ............................. 41

THE PAYLOAD OPERATIONS CENTER ...................................................................................... 49

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY EXPERIMENT PROGRAM ............................................................. 52

ISS-14 RUSSIAN RESEARCH OBJECTIVES ............................................................................. 60

ANOMALOUS LONG-TERM EFFECTS IN ASTRONAUTS' CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (ALTEA)................ 67

CREW EARTH OBSERVATIONS (CEO) ................................................................................................... 68

COMMERCIAL GENERIC BIOPROCESSING APPARATUS (CGBA) SCIENCE INSERT - 01 (CSI-01) ......... 69

EARTH KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED BY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS (EARTHKAM) .................................... 70

EDUCATIONAL PAYLOAD OPERATIONS (EPO)....................................................................................... 72

ELASTIC MEMORY COMPOSITE HINGE (EMCH).................................................................................... 73

EPSTEIN-BARR: SPACE FLIGHT INDUCED REACTIVATION OF LATENT EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS .............. 74

THRESHOLD ACCELERATION FOR GRAVISENSING ............................................................................... 75

BEHAVIORAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH ISOLATION AND CONFINEMENT: REVIEW AND 

ANALYSIS OF ISS CREW JOURNALS (JOURNALS) ................................................................................ 76

LAB-ON-A-CHIP APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT-PORTABLE TEST SYSTEM (LOCAD-PTS) ...................... 78

LATENT VIRUS: INCIDENCE OF LATENT VIRUS SHEDDING DURING SPACE FLIGHT .............................. 79

EFFECT OF SPACEFLIGHT ON MICROBIAL GENE EXPRESSION AND VIRULENCE (MICROBE) ................. 80
Expedition 14 Press Kit 

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Section Page

TEST OF MIDODRINE AS A COUNTERMEASURE AGAINST POST-FLIGHT ORTHOSTATIC 

HYPOTENSION (MIDODRINE)............................................................................................................... 81

MATERIALS ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION EXPERIMENT 3 AND 4 (MISSE-3 AND 4) ......... 82

NUTRITIONAL STATUS ASSESSMENT (NUTRITION)............................................................................. 84

PERCEPTUAL MOTOR DEFICITS IN SPACE (PMDIS)............................................................................. 85

PASSIVE OBSERVATORIES FOR EXPERIMENTAL MICROBIAL SYSTEMS IN MICROGRAVITY (POEMS).. 86

RENAL STONE RISK DURING SPACEFLIGHT: ASSESSMENT AND COUNTERMEASURE VALIDATION 

(RENAL STONE) ................................................................................................................................... 87

ACQUISITION & ANALYSIS OF MEDICAL & ENVIRONMENT DATA ABOARD THE INTERNATIONAL 

SPACE STATION .................................................................................................................................. 89

SPACE ACCELERATION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM II (SAMS-II)............................................................. 90

MICROGRAVITY ACCELERATION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM (MAMS) ..................................................... 91

SPACE EXPERIMENT MODULE (SEM) ................................................................................................... 92

SLEEP-WAKE ACTIGRAPHY AND LIGHT EXPOSURE DURING SPACEFLIGHT-LONG (SLEEP-LONG) ......... 93

SLEEP-WAKE ACTIGRAPHY AND LIGHT EXPOSURE DURING SPACEFLIGHT-SHORT (SLEEP-SHORT) .... 94

SPACE TEST PROGRAM-H2-ATMOSPHERIC NEUTRAL DENSITY EXPERIMENT (STP-H2-ANDE)............. 95

SPACE TEST PROGRAM-H2-MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM-BASED (MEMS) PICOSAT 

INSPECTOR (STP-H2-MEPSI) .............................................................................................................. 96

SPACE TEST PROGRAM-H2-RADAR FENCE TRANSPONDER (STP-H2-RAFT) ......................................... 97

SYNCHRONIZED POSITION HOLD, ENGAGE, REORIENT, EXPERIMENTAL SATELLITES (SPHERES) ......... 98

STABILITY OF PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOUNDS (STABILITY) .................... 99

SURFACE, WATER AND AIR BIOCHARACTERIZATION (SWAB) ............................................................. 100

TEST OF REACTION AND ADAPTATION CAPABILITIES (TRAC) ............................................................. 101

ANALYSIS OF A NOVEL SENSORY MECHANISM IN ROOT PHOTOTROPISM (TROPI).............................. 102

THE DIGITAL NASA TELEVISION ............................................................................................. 103

EXPEDITION 14 PAO CONTACTS ............................................................................................. 104 
Expedition 14 Press Kit 

National Aeronautics and 

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Mission Overview 

Expedition 14: The Station Grows 

Cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin (left), Expedition 14 flight engineer representing 

Russia's Federal Space Agency, and astronaut Michael E. Lopez-Alegria, 

commander and NASA space station science officer 

A veteran crew will fly aboard the 

International Space Station this fall and 

winter into 2007. They will work to expand 

the complex now that three crew members 

are aboard once again. 

Making his fourth flight into space, NASA 

astronaut and Navy Capt. Michael 

Lopez-Alegria (Lopez-Ahl-uh-gree'-uh), 45, 

will command Expedition 14, the 14th longduration mission to the station, and serve 

as the NASA science officer. Lopez-Alegria 

previously flew on three space shuttle 

missions. Russian Cosmonaut Mikhail 

Tyurin (T-yoo'-rihn), 46, will serve as Flight 

Engineer and Soyuz Commander for 

launch, landing and on-orbit operations. 

This is Tyurin’s second spaceflight. Both of 

his flights have been as an expedition crew 

member on the International Space Station. 

He was a member of the Expedition 3 crew 

for six months in 2001, launching and 

landing on the shuttle. The two astronauts' 

mission to the station is planned for six 

months.
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Astronaut Sunita L. Williams will join Expedition 14 

in progress and serve as a flight engineer after 

traveling to the station on space shuttle 

mission STS-116 in December

Lopez-Alegria and Tyurin will be joined late 

this year by NASA astronaut and Navy 

Cmdr. Sunita (Suni) Williams, 41, who will 

make her first flight into space aboard the 

Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-116 

mission to join Expedition 14 in progress. 

She will replace European Space Agency 

astronaut Thomas Reiter (Toe'-mahs

Rye'-turr) as the third expedition crew 

member on the station for her six-month 

mission. Williams will remain in orbit with 

the Expedition 15 crew that will arrive in 

March 2007. Reiter, who arrived on the 

outpost on July 6 to join the Expedition 13 

crew, will transition to the Expedition 14 

crew for a few months, then return to Earth 

aboard Atlantis as part of the STS-116 

crew, swapping places with Williams. 

Williams will return to Earth on the shuttle 

Endeavour on the STS-118 mission in 

spring 2007.
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Spaceflight participant Anousheh Ansari

American businesswoman Anousheh 

Ansari (Ah-NOO'-shay Ahn-SAHR'-ee) will 

fly with the Expedition 14 crew to the 

International Space Station as a spaceflight 

participant. She will spend nine days on 

the station under a commercial agreement 

with the Russian Federal Space Agency 

(Roscosmos) and will return to Earth with 

the Expedition 13 crew. 

Ansari was co-founder and CEO of 

Telecom Technologies, Inc. (TTI), a 

company she helped establish in 1993. 

The company was acquired by Sonus 

Networks, Inc., in 2000. Ansari was listed 

in Fortune magazine's "40 under 40" list in 

2001 and honored by Working Woman 

magazine as the winner of the 2000 

National Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. 

She is also co-founder of Prodea, which 

formed a partnership with Space 

Adventures, Ltd. and the Russian Federal 

Space Agency to create a fleet of suborbital 

spaceflight vehicles (the Space Adventures 

Explorer) for global commercial use. 

Ansari and her brother-in-law set up the 

X-Prize through their contribution to the 

X-Prize Foundation on May 5, 2004. The 

X-Prize was renamed the Ansari X-Prize in 

honor of their donation. 

Ansari was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1967. 

She emigrated to the United States in 1984 

and became a naturalized citizen. Ansari 

holds a bachelor's degree in electrical 

engineering and computer science from 

George Mason University and a master's 

degree from George Washington 

University. She will be the first female 

spaceflight participant. 
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Astronaut Michael E. Lopez-Alegria (top), Expedition 14 commander 

and NASA space station science officer, and cosmonaut Mikhail 

Tyurin, flight engineer representing Russia's Federal Space Agency, 

participate in a training session in a Soyuz spacecraft mockup/trainer 

at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia 
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A Soyuz spacecraft, docked to the International Space Station, and the 

Canadarm2 are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 13 

crew member from a station window 

Once on board, Lopez-Alegria and Tyurin 

will conduct more than a week of handover 

activities with Expedition 13 Commander 

and Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov 

(PAH'-vuhl Vee-nah-GRAH'-dawf)and 

Flight Engineer and NASA Science Officer 

Jeff Williams, familiarizing themselves with 

station systems and procedures. They also 

will receive proficiency training on the 

Canadarm2 robotic arm and will be briefed 

on safety procedures, payloads and 

scientific equipment. 

Lopez-Alegria and Tyurin will assume 

control of the station when the hatches 

close for the Expedition 13 crew members' 

departure. Vinogradov will undock the 

Soyuz TMA-8 craft from its location at a 

docking port on the station's Zarya module. 

Vinogradov, Jeff Williams and Ansari will 

end their mission with landing in 

Kazakhstan. Ansari’s mission will span 11 

days. 

After landing, the trio will be flown from 

Kazakhstan to the Gagarin Cosmonaut 

Training Center in Star City, Russia, for 

about two weeks of initial physical 

rehabilitation. Ansari will spend a much 

shorter time acclimating herself to Earth’s 

gravity due to the brevity of her flight. 

The crew will work with experiments across 

a wide variety of fields including human life 

sciences, physical sciences and Earth 

observation as well as education and 

technology demonstrations. Many 

experiments are designed to gather 

information about the effects of 

long-duration spaceflight on the human 

body to help with planning future 

exploration missions to the Moon or Mars. 
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Backdropped by Earth’s horizon and airglow, an unpiloted Progress 

supply vehicle approaches the International Space Station

The science team at the Payload 

Operations Integration Center at the 

Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, 

Ala., will operate some experiments without 

requiring crew input. Other experiments 

are designed to function autonomously. 

During their mission, Lopez-Alegria, Tyurin 

and Suni Williams expect to greet three 

Russian Progress cargo ships filled with 

food, fuel, water and supplies. The cargo 

ships will augment supplies delivered by 

visiting space shuttles. 

The first shuttle mission planned during 

Expedition 14 is STS-116 aboard 

Discovery. The mission will bring the P5 

(Port 5) truss segment to the station and 

Suni Williams to replace Reiter. During 

STS-116, the shuttle and station crews will 

conduct a major reconfiguration of the 

station's electrical system. The work will 

activate a new set of solar arrays that are 

planned for installation on the previous 

shuttle mission, STS-115, and bring their 

power online. 

Shuttle mission STS-117 on Atlantis, which 

may arrive late in Expedition 14, will install 

the S3/S4 (Starboard 3 and 4) truss 

components, a segment of the girder-like 

truss that will include a third set of large 

solar arrays, batteries and electrical 

equipment. The growing power capability 

on the station will set the stage for the 

future addition of new science laboratories 

from Europe and Japan. 
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Early in their stay on the complex, 

Lopez-Alegria, Tyurin and Reiter will don 

their spacesuits and relocate their Soyuz 

spacecraft from a docking port on the 

Zvezda module to the Zarya docking port. 

The relocation will free the Zvezda port for 

the docking of future cargo ships. 

The ISS Progress 23 cargo ship is 

scheduled to reach the station in 

mid-October, and ISS Progress 24 is 

earmarked to fly to the complex in early 

February. The first Progress craft will link 

up to the aft port of Zvezda, and the second 

will join the Pirs Docking Compartment. 

U.S. and Russian specialists are reviewing 

tasks planned for inclusion in as many as 

four spacewalks during Expedition 14. The 

first will be conducted by Lopez-Alegria and 

Tyurin out of the Russian Pirs airlock 

wearing Russian Orlan space suits. They 

will retrieve and install science and 

engineering experiments. During that 

spacewalk, Tyurin is expected to conduct a 

Russian commercial activity for a Canadian 

golf equipment manufacturer, hitting a golf 

ball from a “tee” mounted outside Pirs. 

The other three spacewalks will be 

conducted in U.S. space suits out of the 

U.S. Quest airlock within a two-week period 

in January by Lopez-Alegria and Suni 

Williams. The trio of U.S. spacewalks will 

accomplish multiple station assembly tasks. 

They will prepare for deployment of cooling 

radiators from new segments of the station 

truss, prepare the External Ammonia 

System for activation in support of cooling, 

and install cables for a new system that will 

allow shuttles to use station power. 

Lopez-Alegria is a veteran of five previous 

spacewalks performed during two previous 

shuttle assembly missions to the 

International Space Station. Tyurin 

conducted three spacewalks on the station 

as a member of the Expedition 3 crew, 

including the first spacewalk conducted out 

of what was then the newly-installed Pirs 

airlock. Williams is scheduled to conduct 

one spacewalk during the STS-116 mission 

shortly after becoming a member of the 

Expedition 14 crew. 

Also on the crew’s agenda are tasks with 

the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm. 

Robotics work will support the spacewalks, 

help astronauts observe the station’s 

exterior and help the crew maintain 

proficiency with the remote manipulation 

equipment. 

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Expedition 14 Crew 

Michael Lopez-Alegria

A veteran of three spaceflights, Michael 

Lopez-Alegria will serve as the Expedition 

14 commander and NASA station science 

officer. Previously, he flew on STS-73 in 

1995, the second United States 

Microgravity Laboratory mission focused on 

materials science, biotechnology, 

combustion science and the physics of 

fluids. His next two shuttle missions visited 

the International Space Station. He flew 

aboard Discovery's STS-92 mission in 

2000. The crew attached the Z1 truss and 

the Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 to the 

orbiting laboratory and performed four 

spacewalks to configure these elements. 

STS-113 was the 16th mission to visit the 

station. Mission accomplishments included 

delivery of the Expedition 6 crew; delivery, 

installation and activation of the P1 truss; 

and the transfer of cargo from Endeavour to 

the station. Lopez-Alegria conducted five 

spacewalks during these last two missions 

totaling about 34 hours.
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Mikhail Tyurin 

Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin will 

serve as Soyuz commander and flight 

engineer of Expedition 14. Tyurin lived and 

worked aboard the International Space 

Station for 125 days as a member of the 

Expedition 3 crew. That crew launched on 

Aug. 10, 2001, aboard Discovery on the 

STS-105 mission and docked with the 

International Space Station on Aug. 12, 

2001. The crew left the station on Dec. 15 

aboard Endeavour on the STS-108 mission, 

landing at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on 

Dec. 17, 2001. Tyurin also served as a 

backup crew member for the first space 

station mission.
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Thomas Reiter

The first European Space Agency astronaut 

to conduct a long-duration mission on the 

International Space Station, Thomas Reiter 

joined the Expedition 13 crew in progress in 

July, arriving aboard Discovery on the 

STS-121 mission. He will join the 

Expedition 14 crew in September during the 

official change of command ceremony on 

board the International Space Station. 

Flying under a commercial agreement 

between ESA and Roscosmos, Reiter will 

remain on the station and return to Earth 

aboard shuttle mission STS-116 scheduled 

for mid-December or aboard a Russian 

Soyuz. 

This is Reiter’s second long-duration 

spaceflight, having served as an engineer 

on the record-breaking 179-day 

ESA-Russian Euromir 95 mission in 1995. 

During that mission, he performed 40 

European scientific experiments and 

participated in the maintenance of the Mir 

Space Station. He also performed two 

spacewalks to install and later retrieve 

cassettes of the European Space Exposure 

Facility experiments.
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Sunita Williams 

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams will join 

Expedition 14 in progress and serve as a 

flight engineer, after flying to the station on 

space shuttle mission STS-116 scheduled 

for mid-December. This will be her first 

spaceflight. Selected as an astronaut in 

1998, she has served as a liaison in 

Moscow supporting Expedition 1 and 

supported station robotics work. As a 

NEEMO 2 crew member, she lived 

underwater in the Aquarius habitat for nine 

days in May 2002.
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Peggy Whitson 

NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, a veteran 

space station expeditionary crewmember, is 

the backup commander for Expedition 14. 

She previously served as the Expedition 5 

flight engineer. The Expedition 5 crew 

launched on June 5, 2002, on the STS-111 

mission and docked with the station on 

June 7. During her six-month stay aboard 

the station, she performed a 4-hour, 

25-minute spacewalk to install 

micrometeoroid shielding on the Zvezda 

Service Module. Named the first NASA 

science officer during her stay, she 

conducted 21 investigations in human life 

sciences and microgravity sciences, as well 

as commercial payloads. The Expedition 5 

crew returned to Earth on the STS-113 

mission on Dec. 7, 2002. Completing her 

first flight, Whitson logged 184 days, 22 

hours and 14 minutes in space.
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Clay Anderson 

Astronaut Clayton Anderson serves as the 

backup flight engineer. Selected by NASA 

in June 1998, Anderson has served as 

Crew Support Astronaut for ISS Expedition 

4, an ISS Capsule Communicator 

(CAPCOM) and the Astronaut Office crew 

representative for the station's electrical 

power system. Most recently, he trained as 

backup flight engineer for Expeditions 12 

and 13. In addition, he spent 14 days 

underwater with the NASA Extreme 

Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) 

5 crew. The NEEMO 5 crew's mission 

began with splashdown on June 16 and 

ended with decompression and splash-up 

on Sunday, June 29, 2003.
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Yuri Malenchenko 

Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, a 

veteran of three spaceflights including longduration missions on Mir and the 

International Space Station, serves as the 

backup Expedition 14 Soyuz commander 

and flight engineer. In 1994, he served as 

commander of Mir. In 2000, he flew on the 

STS-106 shuttle mission preparing the 

station for the arrival of the first permanent 

crew. In 2003, Malenchenko served as 

commander of the Expedition 7 crew on a 

six-month tour of duty aboard the space 

station. In completing his third spaceflight, 

Malenchenko has logged more than 321 

days in space, including three spacewalks. 

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Mission Milestones 

2006: 

September 18 Expedition 14 launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan with 

spaceflight participant 

September 20 Expedition 14 docks to the International Space Station’s Zvezda living 

quarters module aft port with spaceflight participant 

September 27 Change of Command Ceremony with departing Expedition 13 crew 

September 29 Undocking and landing of Expedition 13 crew with spaceflight participant 

October 10 Relocate Soyuz TMA-9 from aft port of the Zvezda module to nadir port of 

Zarya module 

October 18 Launch of ISS Progress 23 resupply ship from Baikonur 

October 20 Docking of ISS Progress 23 resupply ship to aft port of Zvezda 

November 22 Russian spacewalk out of Pirs airlock in Orlan suits 

(Tyurin and Lopez-Alegria) 

December 14 Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-116 

December 16 Docking of Discovery to ISS on STS-116 

December 20 Launch of ISS Progress 24 resupply ship from 

December 23 Undocking of Discovery from ISS Baikonur 

(under review) 

December 25 Landing of Discovery to complete STS-116 

2007: 

January 9 Undocking of ISS Progress 22 from Pirs Docking Compartment 

January 19 U.S. spacewalk in U.S. suits out of Quest airlock 

(Lopez-Alegria and S. Williams) 

January 23 U.S. spacewalk in U.S. suits out of Quest airlock 

(Lopez-Alegria and S. Williams) 
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January 27 U.S. spacewalk in U.S. suits out of Quest airlock 

(Lopez-Alegria and S. Williams) 

February 7 Launch of ISS Progress 24 resupply ship from Baikonur 

February 9 Docking of ISS Progress 24 to Pirs 

February 22 Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-117 

(under review) 

February 24 Docking of Atlantis to ISS on STS-117 

(under review) 

March 3 Undocking of Atlantis from ISS 

March 5 Landing of Atlantis to complete STS-117 

(under review) 

March 8 Undocking of ISS Progress 23 from aft port of Zvezda 

March 9 Expedition 15 launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan with 

spaceflight participant 

March 11 Expedition 15 docks to the International Space Station’s Zvezda module 

aft port 

March 19 Undocking and landing of Expedition 14 crew 
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Expedition 14 Spacewalks 

Astronaut Michael E. Lopez-Alegria (right), Expedition 14 commander and NASA 

space station science officer, and cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, flight engineer 

representing Russia's Federal Space Agency, prepare to don their training versions 

of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit prior to being submerged in the 

waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center

The first, a Russian spacewalk, will be 

conducted by Mikhail Tyurin and Michael 

Lopez-Alegria from the Pirs airlock using 

Russian Orlan spacesuits in November. It 

is designated Russian station EVA 17. 

Three spacewalks will be conducted from 

the station’s Quest airlock using U.S. 

spacesuits in late January 2007. Each of 

these spacewalks by Lopez-Alegria and 

Sunita Williams will last about six hours. 

Lopez-Alegria will be designated 

extravehicular crew member 1 (EV1) and 

Williams will be designated EV2. 

These spacewalks are designated U.S. 

station EVAs 6, 7 and 8. Many of the tasks 

will reconfigure the station’s thermal control, 

or cooling, system. As the station's 

electrical power generation capability 

grows, the thermal control system also 

expands to provide cooling for the power 

system components. The cooling and 

power systems both will expand during 

shuttle mission STS-116 as the additional 

power generated by a new set of solar 

arrays delivered on STS-115 is brought on 

line. The cooling system will be switched 

from a configuration intended only for use 

during the early phases of station 

construction to a permanent arrangement. 

The spacewalks done by Lopez-Alegria and 

Williams will complete some of those tasks. 
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Astronaut Sunita L. Williams, Expedition 14 flight engineer, participates in a training 

session at a console in the simulation control area in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory 

(NBL) at the Sonny Carter Training Facility (SCTF) near Johnson Space Center 

Before each spacewalk from Quest, 

Lopez-Alegria and Williams will stay inside 

the airlock overnight in a procedure called a 

"campout" to purge nitrogen from the body. 

The "campout" procedure will be used for 

the first time on STS-115 to prepare for 

spacewalks. The procedure keeps the 

spacewalkers in the airlock overnight at an 

air pressure of about 10.2 psi, roughly 

equal to the atmospheric pressure on Earth 

at about 10,000 feet elevation. The 

process greatly reduces the time 

spacewalkers must breathe pure oxygen 

before a spacewalk to avoid decompression 

sickness, commonly called "the bends." 

During the "campout," the two 

spacewalkers breathe pure oxygen for an 

hour in the airlock before it is closed and 

the air pressure inside is lowered. Once 

the pressure has been lowered, the 

astronauts remain in the airlock, unsuited, 

for eight hours sleeping. Before breakfast, 

the airlock pressure is raised back to the 

same as the rest of the station cabin, 14.2 

psi, equal to sea level on Earth. Before the 

airlock pressure is increased, the 

astronauts put on oxygen masks and begin 

breathing pure oxygen. Once the airlock 

and station cabins are equal in pressure, 

the astronauts can briefly enter the main 

station cabin, wearing the oxygen masks at 

all times. After 70 minutes, the astronauts 

will return to the airlock. The airlock will 

again be depressurized to 10.2 psi and the 
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astronauts can take off the oxygen masks 

at that point and don their spacesuits. 

Williams will be making his first spacewalk. 

Lopez-Alegria has conducted five 

spacewalks, totaling more than 34 hours. 

He performed two spacewalks during 

shuttle mission STS-92 to install the 

station's Z1 truss and Pressurized Mating 

Adapter 3. He performed three spacewalks 

during mission STS-113 to install the P1 

truss section. Tyurin conducted three 

Russian spacewalks in Orlan spacesuits 

during Expedition 3, totaling more than 13 

hours. 

An outline of spacewalk tasks includes: 

Russian EVA 17 

• Golf project: Tyurin will conduct a 

Russian commercial activity for a 

Canadian golf equipment manufacturer, 

hitting a golf ball from a “tee” mounted 

outside the Pirs airlock. 

• Install Vsplesk on the large diameter 

part of the Zvezda Service Module (SM). 

VSPLESK is a science experiment in 

earthquake forecasting, observing the 

Earth both before and after an event. 

• Install BTN-Neutron on the small 

diameter part of Zvezda. BTN-Neutron 

is a science experiment to develop a 

model of the radiation background of the 

ISS space environment during different 

flight conditions. 

• Changeout experiment CKK #5 with 

CKK #9 on the Zvezda large diameter 

aft end. CKKs are detachable 

cassette-containers that measure the 

level and composition of contamination, 

and monitor the change in operating 

characteristics for samples of materials 

from the outside surfaces of the ISS 

Russian segment. The CKK is a 

two-flap structure, and consists of a 

casing and spool holders with samples. 

Samples of materials for the outside 

surfaces of the ISS Russian segment 

modules are exposed within the 

cassettes. 

• Install bracket on Zvezda aft end and 

relocate WAL antenna #2 to it. The 

WAL #2 is a low gain antenna used for 

space-to-space communication with the 

European Automated Transfer Vehicle. 

• Inspect mechanisms on the Strela-2 

crane system. During Russian EVA 16, 

the EVA crew reported that the stopper 

arms designed to prevent the Strela 

translation ring from coming off the end 

of the Strela boom were not fully 

deployed. 

U.S. EVA 6 

• The Destiny Lab’s interface heat 

exchangers on Loop A are swapped 

from early external thermal control 

system (EETCS) to the permanent 

external thermal control system (ETCS) 

plumbing. The EETCS is a temporary 

cooling system that is being replaced. 

As the ISS increases in size, additional 

power and heat will be generated. The 

ETCS is the permanent thermal control 

system that will accommodate the new 

requirements. The heat exchangers 

transfer the heat from internal water 

loops to the external ammonia cooling 

loops to be dispelled. 

• Station/Shuttle Power Transfer System 

(SSPTS) cable is routed on Z1 to 
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prepare for its use on later shuttle 

missions to allow longer docked 

missions at the station. The system will 

supplement the orbiter with electrical 

power generated from the station’s solar 

arrays, resulting in lower consumption of 

liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen used 

for making electricity by the orbiter’s fuel 

cells. The consumables savings on the 

shuttle will thereby increase the docked 

duration up to approximately 12 days, 

depending on mission requirements. 

• The P6 EETCS starboard radiator is 

retracted and stowed in preparation for 

the P6 truss’ relocation outboard on 

shuttle mission STS-120. 

• Two early ammonia servicer (EAS) 

jumpers are relocated to P6 in 

preparation for the possible EAS jettison 

on STS-118. The EAS jumpers were 

part of the EETCS and are no longer 

required. They must be relocated 

before the P6 can be relocated. 

U.S. EVA 7 

• The Destiny Lab’s interface heat 

exchangers on Loop B are swapped 

from EETCS to the permanent ETCS 

plumbing. 

• The P6 EETCS aft, or trailing, radiator is 

retracted and stowed in preparation for 

the truss’ relocation outboard on shuttle 

mission STS-120. 

• Station/Shuttle Power Transfer System 

cable is routed on the Destiny Lab and 

Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA 2), 

where the shuttle docking port is 

located, to facilitate its use on later 

missions and allow for longer docked 

missions at the station 

• Retrieve and jettison a sunshade from a 

computer. Following STS-116, the 

station will fly in a new orientation that 

will change the heating experienced by 

that computer, and the sunshade will not 

be needed. 

U.S. EVA 8 

• Thermal shrouds that shaded the P3 

truss segment are removed and 

jettisoned. The shrouds are no longer 

needed after the station's orientation 

changes following STS-116. 

• P4 zenith UCCAS is deployed in 

preparation for the External Stowage 

Platform-3 (ESP-3) installation on 

STS-118. 

• Prepare the P5 truss section's interface 

for P6 installation on STS-120. 

• P4 truss segment to P5 truss segment 

umbilicals are connected in preparation 

for P6 truss segment relocation and 

installation on STS-120. 
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Russian Soyuz TMA 

The Soyuz TMA spacecraft is designed to 

serve as the International Space Station's 

crew return vehicle, acting as a lifeboat in 

the unlikely event an emergency would 

require the crew to leave the station. A new 

Soyuz capsule is normally delivered to the 

station by a Soyuz crew every six months, 

replacing an older Soyuz capsule at the 

ISS. 

The Soyuz spacecraft is launched to the 

space station from the Baikonur 

Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard a 

Soyuz rocket. It consists of an orbital 

module, a descent module and an 

instrumentation/propulsion module. 

Orbital Module 

This portion of the Soyuz spacecraft is used 

by the crew while on orbit during free-flight. 

It has a volume of 6.5 cubic meters 

(230 cubic feet), with a docking mechanism, 

hatch and rendezvous antennas located at 

the front end. The docking mechanism is 

used to dock with the space station and the 

hatch allows entry into the station. The 

rendezvous antennas are used by the 

automated docking system—a radar-based 

system—to maneuver towards the station 

for docking. There is also a window in the 

module. 

The opposite end of the orbital module 

connects to the descent module via a 

pressurized hatch. Before returning to 

Earth, the orbital module separates from 

the descent module—after the deorbit 

maneuver—and burns up upon re-entry into 

the atmosphere. 

Descent Module 

The descent module is where the 

cosmonauts and astronauts sit for launch, 

re-entry and landing. All the necessary 

controls and displays of the Soyuz are here. 

The module also contains life support 

supplies and batteries used during descent, 

as well as the primary and backup 

parachutes and landing rockets. It also 

contains custom-fitted seat liners for each 

crewmember, individually molded to fit each 

person's body—this ensures a tight, 

comfortable fit when the module lands on 

the Earth. When crewmembers are brought 

to the station aboard the space shuttle, their 

seat liners are brought with them and 

transferred to the existing Soyuz spacecraft 

as part of crew handover activities. 
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The module has a periscope, which allows 

the crew to view the docking target on the 

station or the Earth below. The eight 

hydrogen peroxide thrusters located on the 

module are used to control the spacecraft's 

orientation, or attitude, during the descent 

until parachute deployment. It also has a 

guidance, navigation and control system to 

maneuver the vehicle during the descent 

phase of the mission. 

This module weighs 2,900 kilograms 

(6,393 pounds), with a habitable volume of 

4 cubic meters (141 cubic feet). 

Approximately 50 kilograms (110 pounds) 

of payload can be returned to Earth in this 

module and up to 150 kilograms 

(331 pounds) if only two crewmembers are 

present. The Descent Module is the only 

portion of the Soyuz that survives the return 

to Earth. 

Instrumentation/Propulsion Module 

This module contains three compartments: 

intermediate, instrumentation and 

propulsion. 

The intermediate compartment is where the 

module connects to the descent module. It 

also contains oxygen storage tanks and the 

attitude control thrusters, as well as 

electronics, communications and control 

equipment. The primary guidance, 

navigation, control and computer systems 

of the Soyuz are in the instrumentation 

compartment, which is a sealed container 

filled with circulating nitrogen gas to cool 

the avionics equipment. The propulsion 

compartment contains the primary thermal 

control system and the Soyuz radiator, with 

a cooling area of 8 square meters (86 

square feet). The propulsion system, 

batteries, solar arrays, radiator and 

structural connection to the Soyuz launch 

rocket are located in this compartment. 

The propulsion compartment contains the 

system that is used to perform any 

maneuvers while in orbit, including 

rendezvous and docking with the space 

station and the deorbit burns necessary to 

return to Earth. The propellants are 

nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetricdimethylhydrazine. The main propulsion 

system and the smaller reaction control 

system, used for attitude changes while in 

space, share the same propellant tanks. 

The two Soyuz solar arrays are attached to 

either side of the rear section of the 

instrumentation/propulsion module and are 

linked to rechargeable batteries. Like the 

orbital module, the intermediate section of 

the instrumentation/propulsion module 

separates from the descent module after 

the final deorbit maneuver and burns up in 

atmosphere upon re-entry. 

TMA Improvements and Testing 

The Soyuz TMA spacecraft is a 

replacement for the Soyuz TM, which was 

used from 1986 to 2002 to take astronauts 

and cosmonauts to Mir and then to the 

International Space Station. 

The TMA increases safety, especially in 

descent and landing. It has smaller and 

more efficient computers and improved 

displays. In addition, the Soyuz TMA 

accommodates individuals as large as 

1.9 meters (6 feet, 3 inches tall) and 

95 kilograms (209 pounds), compared to 

1.8 meters (6 feet) and 85 kilograms 

(187 pounds) in the earlier TM. Minimum 

crewmember size for the TMA is 1.5 meters 

(4 feet, 11 inches) and 50 kilograms 

(110 pounds), compared to 1.6 meters 
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(5 feet, 4 inches) and 56 kilograms 

(123 pounds) for the TM. 

Two new engines reduce landing speed 

and forces felt by crewmembers by 15 to 

30 percent and a new entry control system 

and three-axis accelerometer increase 

landing accuracy. Instrumentation 

improvements include a color "glass 

cockpit," which is easier to use and gives 

the crew more information, with hand 

controllers that can be secured under an 

instrument panel. All the new components 

in the Soyuz TMA can spend up to one year 

in space. 

New components and the entire TMA were 

rigorously tested on the ground, in 

hangar-drop tests, in airdrop tests and in 

space before the spacecraft was declared 

flight-ready. For example, the 

accelerometer and associated software, as 

well as modified boosters (incorporated to 

cope with the TMA's additional mass), were 

tested on flights of Progress unpiloted 

supply spacecraft, while the new cooling 

system was tested on two Soyuz TM flights. 

Descent module structural modifications, 

seats and seat shock absorbers were 

tested in hangar drop tests. Landing 

system modifications, including associated 

software upgrades, were tested in a series 

of airdrop tests. Additionally, extensive 

tests of systems and components were 

conducted on the ground. 

Soyuz Launcher 

Throughout history, more than 

1,500 launches have been made with 

Soyuz launchers to orbit satellites for 

telecommunications, Earth observation, 

weather, and scientific missions, as well as 

for human flights. 
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A Soyuz launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. 
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The basic Soyuz vehicle is considered a 

three-stage launcher in Russian terms and 

is composed of: 

• A lower portion consisting of four 

boosters (first stage) and a central core 

(second stage). 

• An upper portion, consisting of the third 

stage, payload adapter and payload 

fairing. 

• Liquid oxygen and kerosene are used 

as propellants in all three Soyuz stages. 

First Stage Boosters 

The first stage’s four boosters are 

assembled around the second stage central 

core. The boosters are identical and 

cylindrical-conic in shape with the oxygen 

tank in the cone-shaped portion and the 

kerosene tank in the cylindrical portion. 

An NPO Energomash RD 107 engine with 

four main chambers and two gimbaled 

vernier thrusters is used in each booster. 

The vernier thrusters provide three-axis 

flight control. 

Ignition of the first stage boosters and the 

second stage central core occur 

simultaneously on the ground. When the 

boosters have completed their powered 

flight during ascent, they are separated and 

the core second stage continues to 

function. 

First stage separation occurs when the 

pre-defined velocity is reached, which is 

about 118 seconds after liftoff. 

Second Stage 

An NPO Energomash RD 108 engine 

powers the Soyuz second stage. This 

engine has four vernier thrusters, 

necessary for three-axis flight control after 

the first stage boosters have separated. 

An equipment bay located atop the second 

stage operates during the entire flight of the 

first and second stages. 

Third Stage 

The third stage is linked to the Soyuz 

second stage by a latticework structure. 

When the second stage’s powered flight is 

complete, the third stage engine is ignited. 

Separation occurs by the direct ignition 

forces of the third stage engine. 

A single-turbopump RD 0110 engine from 

KB KhA powers the Soyuz third stage. 

The third stage engine is fired for about 

240 seconds. Cutoff occurs at a calculated 

velocity. After cutoff and separation, the 

third stage performs an avoidance 

maneuver by opening an outgassing valve 

in the liquid oxygen tank. 

Launcher Telemetry Tracking & Flight 

Safety Systems 

Soyuz launcher tracking and telemetry is 

provided through systems in the second 

and third stages. These two stages have 

their own radar transponders for ground 

tracking. Individual telemetry transmitters 

are in each stage. Launcher health status 

is downlinked to ground stations along the 

flight path. Telemetry and tracking data are 

transmitted to the mission control center, 

where the incoming data flow is recorded. 

Partial real-time data processing and 
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plotting is performed for flight following and 

initial performance assessment. All flight 

data is analyzed and documented within a 

few hours after launch. 

Baikonur Cosmodrome Launch 

Operations 

Soyuz missions use the Baikonur 

Cosmodrome’s proven infrastructure, and 

launches are performed by trained 

personnel with extensive operational 

experience. 

Baikonur Cosmodrome is in the Republic of 

Kazakhstan in Central Asia between 45 

degrees and 46 degrees north latitude and 

63 degrees east longitude. Two launch 

pads are dedicated to Soyuz missions. 

Final Launch Preparations 

The assembled launch vehicle is moved to 

the launch pad on a railcar. Transfer to the 

launch zone occurs two days before launch. 

The vehicle is erected and a launch 

rehearsal is performed that includes 

activation of all electrical and mechanical 

equipment. 

On launch day, the vehicle is loaded with 

propellant and the final countdown 

sequence is started at three hours before 

the liftoff time. 

Rendezvous to Docking 

A Soyuz spacecraft generally takes two 

days to reach the space station. The 

rendezvous and docking are both 

automated, though once the spacecraft is 

within 150 meters (492 feet) of the station, 

the Russian Mission Control Center just 

outside Moscow monitors the approach and 

docking. The Soyuz crew has the capability 

to manually intervene or execute these 

operations. 
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Soyuz Booster Rocket Characteristics 

First Stage Data - Blocks B, V, G, D 

Engine RD-107 

Propellants LOX/Kerosene 

Thrust (tons) 102 

Burn time (sec) 122 

Specific impulse 314 

Length (meters) 19.8 

Diameter (meters) 2.68 

Dry mass (tons) 3.45 

Propellant mass (tons) 39.63 

Second Stage Data, Block A 

Engine RD-108 

Propellants LOX/Kerosene 

Thrust (tons) 96 

Burn time (sec) 314 

Specific impulse 315 

Length (meters) 28.75 

Diameter (meters) 2.95 

Dry mass (tons) 6.51 

Propellant mass (tons) 95.7 

Third Stage Data, Block I 

Engine RD-461 

Propellants LOX/Kerosene 

Thrust (tons) 30 

Burn time (sec) 240 

Specific impulse 330 

Length (meters) 8.1 

Diameter (meters) 2.66 

Dry mass (tons) 2.4 

Propellant mass (tons) 21.3 

PAYLOAD MASS (tons) 6.8 

SHROUD MASS (tons) 4.5 

LAUNCH MASS (tons) 309.53 

TOTAL LENGTH (meters) 49.3 
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Prelaunch Countdown Timeline 

T- 34 Hours Booster is prepared for fuel loading 

T- 6:00:00 Batteries are installed in booster 

T- 5:30:00 State commission gives go to take launch vehicle 

T- 5:15:00 Crew arrives at site 254 

T- 5:00:00 Tanking begins 

T- 4:20:00 Spacesuit donning 

T- 4:00:00 Booster is loaded with liquid oxygen 

T- 3:40:00 Crew meets delegations 

T- 3:10:00 Reports to the State commission 

T- 3:05:00 Transfer to the launch pad 

T- 3:00:00 Vehicle 1st and 2nd stage oxidizer fueling complete 

T- 2:35:00 Crew arrives at launch vehicle 

T- 2:30:00 Crew ingress through orbital module side hatch 

T- 2:00:00 Crew in re-entry vehicle 

T- 1:45:00 Re-entry vehicle hardware tested; suits are ventilated 

T- 1:30:00 Launch command monitoring and supply unit prepared 

Orbital compartment hatch tested for sealing 

T- 1:00:00 Launch vehicle control system prepared for use; gyro instruments 

activated 

T - :45:00 Launch pad service structure halves are lowered 

T- :40:00 Re-entry vehicle hardware testing complete; leak checks 

performed on suits 

T- :30:00 Emergency escape system armed; launch command supply unit 

activated 

T- :25:00 Service towers withdrawn 

T- :15:00 Suit leak tests complete; crew engages personal escape 

hardware auto mode 

T- :10:00 Launch gyro instruments uncaged; crew activates on-board 

recorders 

T- 7:00 All prelaunch operations are complete 

T- 6:15 Key to launch command given at the launch site 

Automatic program of final launch operations is activated 

T- 6:00 All launch complex and vehicle systems ready for launch 

T- 5:00 Onboard systems switched to onboard control 

 Ground measurement system activated by RUN 1 command 

Commander's controls activated 

Crew switches to suit air by closing helmets 

Launch key inserted in launch bunker 

T- 3:15 Combustion chambers of side and central engine pods purged 

with nitrogen 
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T- 2:30 Booster propellant tank pressurization starts 

Onboard measurement system activated by RUN 2 command 

Prelaunch pressurization of all tanks with nitrogen begins 

T- 2:15 Oxidizer and fuel drain and safety valves of launch vehicle are 

closed 

Ground filling of oxidizer and nitrogen to the launch vehicle is 

terminated 

T- 1:00 Vehicle on internal power 

 Automatic sequencer on 

First umbilical tower separates from booster 

T- :40 Ground power supply umbilical to third stage is disconnected 

T- :20 Launch command given at the launch position 

Central and side pod engines are turned on 

T- :15 Second umbilical tower separates from booster 

T- :10 Engine turbopumps at flight speed 

T- :05 First stage engines at maximum thrust 

T- :00 Fueling tower separates 

 Lift off 

Ascent/Insertion Timeline 

T- :00 Lift off 

T+ 1:10 Booster velocity is 1,640 ft/sec 

T+ 1:58 Stage 1 (strap-on boosters) separation 

T+ 2:00 Booster velocity is 4,921 ft/sec 

T+ 2:40 Escape tower and launch shroud jettison 

T+ 4:58 Core booster separates at 105.65 statute miles 

Third stage ignites 

T+ 7:30 Velocity is 19,685 ft/sec 

T+ 9:00 Third stage cut-off 

 Soyuz separates 

Antennas and solar panels deploy

Flight control switches to Mission Control, Korolev 
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Orbital Insertion to Docking Timeline 

FLIGHT DAY 1 OVERVIEW 

Orbit 1 Post insertion: Deployment of solar panels, antennas and 

docking probe 

- Crew monitors all deployments 

- Crew reports on pressurization of OMS/RCS and ECLSS 

systems and crew health. Entry thermal sensors are manually 

deactivated 

- Ground provides initial orbital insertion data from tracking 

Orbit 2 Systems Checkout: IR Att Sensors, Kurs, Angular Accels, 

"Display" TV Downlink System, OMS engine control system, 

Manual Attitude Control Test 

- Crew monitors all systems tests and confirms onboard 

indications

- Crew performs manual RHC stick inputs for attitude control test

- Ingress into HM, activate HM CO2 scrubber and doff Sokols 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Manual maneuver to +Y to Sun and initiate a 2 deg/sec yaw

rotation. MCS is deactivated after rate is established. 

Orbit 3 Terminate +Y solar rotation, reactivate MCS and establish 

LVLH attitude reference (auto maneuver sequence) 

- Crew monitors LVLH attitude reference build up 

- Burn data command upload for DV1 and DV2 (attitude, TIG 

Delta V's) 

- Form 14 preburn emergency deorbit pad read up 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Auto maneuver to DV1 burn attitude (TIG - 8 minutes) while 

LOS 

- Crew monitor only, no manual action nominally required 

DV1 phasing burn while LOS 

- Crew monitor only, no manual action nominally required 

Orbit 4 Auto maneuver to DV2 burn attitude (TIG - 8 minutes) while 

LOS 

- Crew monitor only, no manual action nominally required 

DV2 phasing burn while LOS 

- Crew monitor only, no manual action nominally required 
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FLIGHT DAY 1 OVERVIEW (CONTINUED) 

Orbit 4 Crew report on burn performance upon AOS 

(continued) - HM and DM pressure checks read down 

- Post burn Form 23 (AOS/LOS pad), Form 14 and "Globe" 

corrections voiced up 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Manual maneuver to +Y to Sun and initiate a 2 deg/sec yaw

rotation. MCS is deactivated after rate is established. 

External boresight TV camera ops check (while LOS) 

 Meal 

Orbit 5 Last pass on Russian tracking range for Flight Day 1 

Report on TV camera test and crew health 

Sokol suit clean up 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 6-12 Crew Sleep, off of Russian tracking range 

- Emergency VHF2 comm available through NASA VHF Network

FLIGHT DAY 2 OVERVIEW 

Orbit 13 Post sleep activity, report on HM/DM Pressures 

Form 14 revisions voiced up 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 14 Configuration of RHC-2/THC-2 work station in the HM 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 15 THC-2 (HM) manual control test 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 16 Lunch 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 17 (1) Terminate +Y solar rotation, reactivate MCS and establish 

LVLH attitude reference (auto maneuver sequence) 

RHC-2 (HM) Test 

- Burn data uplink (TIG, attitude, delta V) 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Auto maneuver to burn attitude (TIG - 8 min) while LOS 

Rendezvous burn while LOS 

Manual maneuver to +Y to Sun and initiate a 2 deg/sec yaw

rotation. MCS is deactivated after rate is established. 
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FLIGHT DAY 2 OVERVIEW (CONTINUED) 

Orbit 18 (2) Post burn and manual maneuver to +Y Sun report when AOS

- HM/DM pressures read down 

- Post burn Form 23, Form 14 and Form 2 (Globe correction) 

voiced up 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 19 (3) CO2 scrubber cartridge change out 

 Free time 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 20 (4) Free time 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 21 (5) Last pass on Russian tracking range for Flight Day 2 

 Free time 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 22 (6) - 27 

(11) 

Crew sleep, off of Russian tracking range 

- Emergency VHF2 comm available through NASA VHF Network

FLIGHT DAY 3 OVERVIEW 

Orbit 28 (12) Post sleep activity

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 29 (13) Free time, report on HM/DM pressures 

- Read up of predicted post burn Form 23 and Form 14 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 30 (14) Free time, read up of Form 2 "Globe Correction," lunch 

- Uplink of auto rendezvous command timeline 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radar and radio transponder tracking 

FLIGHT DAY 3 AUTO RENDEZVOUS SEQUENCE 

Orbit 31 (15) Don Sokol spacesuits, ingress DM, close DM/HM hatch 

- Active and passive vehicle state vector uplinks 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radio transponder tracking 
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FLIGHT DAY 3 AUTO RENDEZVOUS SEQUENCE (CONTINUED) 

Orbit 32 (16) Terminate +Y solar rotation, reactivate MCS and establish 

LVLH attitude reference (auto maneuver sequence) 

Begin auto rendezvous sequence 

- Crew monitoring of LVLH reference build and auto rendezvous 

timeline execution 

- A/G, R/T and Recorded TLM and Display TV downlink 

- Radio transponder tracking 

FLIGHT DAY 3 FINAL APPROACH AND DOCKING 

Orbit 33 (1) Auto Rendezvous sequence continues, flyaround and station 

keeping 

 - Crew monitor 

- Comm relays via SM through Altair established 

- Form 23 and Form 14 updates 

- Fly around and station keeping initiated near end of orbit 

- A/G (gnd stations and Altair), R/T TLM (gnd stations), Display 

TV downlink (gnd stations and Altair) 

- Radio transponder tracking 

Orbit 34 (2) Final Approach and docking 

- Capture to "docking sequence complete" 20 minutes, typically 

- Monitor docking interface pressure seal 

- Transfer to HM, doff Sokol suits 

- A/G (gnd stations and Altair), R/T TLM (gnd stations), Display 

TV downlink (gnd stations and Altair) 

- Radio transponder tracking 

FLIGHT DAY 3 STATION INGRESS 

Orbit 35 (3) Station/Soyuz pressure equalization 

- Report all pressures 

- Open transfer hatch, ingress station 

- A/G, R/T and playback telemetry

- Radio transponder tracking 
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Typical Soyuz Ground Track 
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Expedition 13/ISS Soyuz 12 (TMA-8) Landing 

For the eighth time in history, an American 

astronaut will return to Earth from orbit in a 

Russian Soyuz capsule. Expedition 13 

Flight Engineer and NASA Science Officer 

Jeff Williams will be aboard the 

International Space Station Soyuz 12 

(TMA-8) capsule as he, Soyuz Commander 

Pavel Vinogradov and American 

Spaceflight Participant Anousheh Ansari 

touch down on the steppes of Kazakhstan 

to complete their mission. Vinogradov and 

Williams will be wrapping up six months in 

orbit, while Ansari will return after a 11-day 

commercial flight. 

The grounding of the space shuttle fleet 

following the Columbia accident on Feb.1, 

2003, necessitated the landing of 

Expedition crews in Soyuz capsules. The 

Expedition 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 crews 

rode the Soyuz home in May and October 

2003, April and October 2004, April and 

October 2005 and April 2006. The Soyuz 

always provides an assured crew return 

capability for residents aboard the ISS. 

While the Expedition 7, 8, 9,10, 11 and 12 

crews landed on target, the Expedition 6 

crew did not. As a precaution, Vinogradov, 

Williams and Ansari will be equipped with a 

satellite phone and Global Positioning 

System locator hardware for instant 

communications with Russian recovery 

teams. 

About three hours before undocking, 

Vinogradov, Williams and Ansari will bid 

farewell to the new Expedition 14 crew, 

NASA Commander and Science Officer 

Mike Lopez-Alegria, Russian Flight 

Engineer Mikhail Tyurin and European 

Space Agency Flight Engineer Thomas 

Reiter, who arrived at the station in July on 

the shuttle Discovery. The departing crew 

will climb into the Soyuz vehicle, closing the 

hatch between Soyuz and Zarya. Williams 

will be seated in the Soyuz’ left seat for 

entry and landing as onboard engineer. 

Vinogradov will be in the center 

commander’s seat and Ansari will occupy 

the right seat. 

After activating Soyuz systems and getting 

approval from Russian flight controllers at 

the Russian Mission Control Center outside 

Moscow, Vinogradov will send commands 

to open hooks and latches between Soyuz 

and Zarya. The Soyuz has been docked to 

that port since April 1, 2006. 

Vinogradov will fire the Soyuz thrusters to 

back away from Zarya. Six minutes after 

undocking, with the Soyuz about 20 meters 

away from the station, he will conduct a 

separation maneuver. He will fire the 

Soyuz jets for about 15 seconds to begin 

departure from the station’s vicinity. 

Less than 2.5 hours later, at a distance of 

about 19 kilometers from the station, Soyuz 

computers will initiate a deorbit burn 

braking maneuver. The 4.5-minute engine 

firing will slow the spacecraft and enable it 

to drop out of orbit to begin its reentry to 

Earth. 

Less than a half hour later, just above the 

first traces of the Earth’s atmosphere, 

computers will command the separation of 

the three modules of the Soyuz vehicle. 

With the crew strapped in to the descent 

module, the forward orbital module 

containing the docking mechanism, 

rendezvous antennas, and the rear 
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instrumentation and propulsion module that 

houses the engines and avionics will 

pyrotechnically separate and burn up in the 

atmosphere. 

The descent module’s computers will orient 

the capsule with its ablative heat shield 

pointing forward to repel heat buildup as the 

craft plunges into the atmosphere. The 

crew will feel the effects of gravity for the 

first time in almost six months at entry 

interface, about three minutes after module 

separation when the craft is about 400,000 

feet above the Earth. 

About eight minutes later when the Soyuz is 

at an altitude of about 10 kilometers and 

traveling about 220 meters per second, the 

ship's computers will begin a commanded 

sequence to deploy the capsule’s 

parachutes. First, two “pilot” parachutes 

will be deployed, extracting a larger drogue 

parachute, which stretches out over an area 

of 24 square meters. Within 16 seconds, 

the Soyuz’s descent will slow to about 80 

meters per second. 

Deployment of the parachute will create a 

gentle spin as the Soyuz dangles 

underneath the drogue chute, increasing 

the capsule’s stability in the final minutes 

prior to touchdown. 

At this point, the drogue chute is jettisoned 

and the main parachute is deployed. 

Connected to the descent module by two 

harnesses, the main parachute covers an 

area of about 1,000 meters. Initially, the 

descent module will hang underneath the 

parachute at a 30-degree angle with 

respect to the horizon for aerodynamic 

stability. The bottom harness will be 

severed a few minutes before landing, 

allowing the descent module to hang 

vertically through touchdown. The 

deployment of the main parachute slows 

the descent module to a velocity of about 

seven meters per second. 

Within minutes, at an altitude of a little more 

than five kilometers, the crew will monitor 

the jettison of the descent module’s heat 

shield. That will be followed by termination 

of the aerodynamic spin cycle and dumping 

of any residual propellant. Computers also 

will arm the module’s seat shock absorbers 

in preparation for landing. 

When the capsule's heat shield is 

jettisoned, the Soyuz altimeter is exposed 

to the surface of the Earth. Using a 

reflector system, signals are bounced to the 

ground from the Soyuz and reflected back, 

providing the capsule’s computers updated 

information on altitude and rate of descent. 

At an altitude of about 12 meters, cockpit 

displays will tell Vinogradov to prepare for 

the Soft Landing Engine (SLE) firing. Just 

one meter above the surface and seconds 

before touchdown, the six solid propellant 

engines of the SLE are fired in a final 

braking maneuver. The Soyuz touches 

down at a velocity of about 1.5 meters per 

second. 

A recovery team, including a U.S. flight 

surgeon and astronaut support personnel, 

will be in the landing area in a convoy of 

Russian military helicopters. Once the 

capsule touches down, the helicopters will 

land nearby to begin removing the crew. 

Within minutes of landing, a portable 

medical tent will be set up near the capsule 

in which the crew can change out of its 

launch and entry suits. Russian technicians 

will open the module’s hatch and begin to 

remove the crew one at a time. They will 
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be seated in special reclining chairs near 

the capsule for initial medical tests and to 

provide an opportunity to begin readapting 

to Earth’s gravity. 

About two hours after landing, the crew will 

be assisted to the helicopters for a flight 

back to a staging site in Kustanai, 

Kazakhstan, near the Russian-Kazakh 

border, where local officials will welcome 

them. The crew will then board a Russian 

military transport plane to be flown back to 

the Chkalovsky Airfield adjacent to the 

Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star 

City, Russia, where their families will meet 

them. In all, it will take around eight hours 

between landing and the return to Star City. 

Assisted by a team of flight surgeons, 

Williams and Vinogradov will undergo 

several weeks of medical tests and physical 

rehabilitation before returning to the U.S. for 

additional debriefings and follow-up exams. 

Ansari’s acclimation to Earth’s gravity will 

take a much shorter period of time due to 

the brevity of her flight. 
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Key Times for Expedition 14/13 International Space Station Events

Expedition 14 / Ansari Launch: 

11:08:32 p.m. CT on Sept. 17 

4:08:32 GMT on Sept. 18 

8:08:32 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 18 

10:08:32 a.m. Baikonur time on Sept. 18. 

Expedition 14 / Ansari Docking to the ISS: 

12:28 a.m. CT on Sept. 20 

528 GMT on Sept. 20 

9:28 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 20. 

Expedition 14 / Ansari Hatch Opening to the ISS: 

3:20 a.m. CT on Sept. 20 

820 GMT on Sept. 20 

12:20 p.m. Moscow time on Sept. 20. 

Expedition 13 / Ansari Hatch Closure to the ISS: 

1:45 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

1845 GMT on Sept. 28 

22:45 p.m. Moscow time on Sept. 28 

00:45 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29. 

Expedition 13 / Ansari Undocking from the ISS: 

4:51 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

2151 GMT on Sept. 28 

1:51 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

3:51 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29. 
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Expedition 13 / Ansari Deorbit Burn: 

7:20 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

0020 GMT on Sept. 29 

4:20 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

6:20 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29. 

Expedition 13 / Ansari Landing: 

8:10 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

110 GMT on Sept. 29, 

5:10 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

7:10 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29 (about 17 minutes before sunrise) 
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Soyuz Entry Timeline

Separation Command to Begin to Open Hooks and Latches (Undocking Command + 

0 mins.) 

4:48 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

2148 GMT on Sept. 28 

1:48 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

3:48 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29. 

4:51 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

2151 GMT on Sept. 28 

1:51 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

3:51 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29. 

Hooks Opened / Physical Separation of Soyuz from Zarya Module nadir port at .12 

meter/sec. (Undocking Command + 3 mins.) 
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Separation Burn from ISS (8 second burn of the Soyuz engines, .29 meters/sec; Soyuz 

distance from the ISS is ~20 meters): 

4:57 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

2157 GMT on Sept. 28 

1:57 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

3:57 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29. 

7:20 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

0020 GMT on Sept. 29 

4:20 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

6:20 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29. 

Deorbit Burn (appx 4:19 in duration, 115.2 m/sec; Soyuz distance from the ISS is ~12 

kilometers; Undocking Command appx + ~2 hours, 30 mins.) 
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Separation of Modules (~28 mins. after Deorbit Burn; Undocking Command + ~2 hours, 

57 mins.) 

7:48 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

0048 GMT on Sept. 29 

4:48 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

6:48 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29. 

Entry Interface (400,000 feet in altitude; 3 mins. after Module Separation; 31 mins. after 

Deorbit Burn; Undocking Command + ~3 hours) 

7:51 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

0051 GMT on Sept. 29 

4:51 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

6:51 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29. 
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Command to Open Chutes (8 mins. after Entry Interface; 39 mins. after Deorbit Burn; 

Undocking Command + ~3 hours, 8 mins.)

7:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

0059 GMT on Sept. 29 

4:59 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

6:59 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29. 

Two pilot parachutes are first deployed, the 

second of which extracts the drogue chute. 

The drogue chute is then released, 

measuring 24 square meters, slowing the 

Soyuz down from a descent rate of 230 

meters/second to 80 meters/second. 

The main parachute is then released, 

covering an area of 1,000 meters; it slows 

the Soyuz to a descent rate of 7.2 

meters/second; its harnesses first allow the 

Soyuz to descend at an angle of 30 

degrees to expel heat, then shifts the Soyuz 

to a straight vertical descent. 
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Soft Landing Engine Firing (6 engines fire to slow the Soyuz descent rate to 1.5 

meters/second just .8 meter above the ground)

Landing - appx. 2 seconds 

Landing (~50 mins. after Deorbit Burn; Undocking Command + ~3 hours, 24 mins.)

8:10 p.m. CT on Sept. 28 

110 GMT on Sept. 29 

5:10 a.m. Moscow time on Sept. 29 

7:10 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Sept. 29 

(17 minutes before sunrise at the landing 

site). 
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International Space Station: Expedition 14 Science Overview 

Mikhail Tyurin (left), Expedition 14 flight engineer representing Russia's Federal Space 

Agency, and astronaut Michael E. Lopez-Alegria, commander and NASA space station 

science officer, show media representatives a photo of European Space Agency (ESA) 

astronaut Thomas Reiter during a pre-flight press conference. Reiter, who is already on 

the International Space Station as an Expedition 13 flight engineer, will become an 

Expedition 14 crew member upon their arrival to the station this fall 

Expedition 14—the 14th science research 

mission on the International Space 

Station—is scheduled to begin in 

September 2006, when its crew launches to 

the station aboard a Russian Soyuz 

spacecraft to the space station. 

NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria will 

command the 13S mission, named for the 

13th Soyuz to visit the station. Russian 

cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin will serve as flight 

engineer. The crew will join European 

Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter of 

Germany. Reiter has been living and 

working at the station since his arrival in 

July on board the STS-121 mission of the 

Space Shuttle Discovery. The three-person 

station crew will work with teams on the 
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ground to operate experiments, collect data 

and maintain the space station. NASA 

astronaut Sunita Williams will join 

Expedition 14 in progress and serve as a 

flight engineer after traveling to the station 

on space shuttle mission STS-116, 

scheduled for launch in December 2006. 

The current Expedition 13 crew, Jeffrey 

Williams and Pavel Vinogradov, is 

scheduled to return home in September on 

another Soyuz spacecraft—12S—which is 

now docked at the station. 

During Expedition 14, one Russian 

Progress cargo flight is scheduled to dock 

with the space station in October. The resupply ship will transport scientific 

equipment and supplies 

Many Expedition 14 research activities will 

be carried out using scientific facilities and 

samples already on board the space 

station. The astronauts will also take 

advantage of new research facilities 

transported during the STS-121 mission. 

The Expedition 14 crew has scheduled 

about 114 hours for U.S. payload activities. 

Space station science also will be 

conducted remotely by the team of 

controllers and scientists on the ground, 

who will continue to plan, monitor and 

operate experiments from control centers 

across the United States. 

Cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, Expedition 14 flight engineer representing Russia's 

Federal Space Agency, and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Reiter 

(background) participate in a training session in the International Space Station Destiny 

laboratory mockup/trainer at Johnson Space Center's Space Vehicle Mockup Facility 
Expedition 14 Press Kit 

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Many Expedition 14 research activities will 

be carried out using scientific facilities and 

samples already on board the space 

station. The astronauts will also take 

advantage of new research facilities 

transported during the STS-121 mission. 

The Expedition 14 crew has scheduled 

about 114 hours for U.S. payload activities. 

Space station science also will be 

conducted remotely by the team of 

controllers and scientists on the ground, 

who will continue to plan, monitor and 

operate experiments from control centers 

across the United States. 

A team of controllers for Expedition 14 will 

staff the Payload Operations Center—the 

science command post for the space 

station—at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight 

Center in Huntsville, Ala. Controllers work 

in three shifts around the clock, seven days 

a week, in the Payload Operations Center, 

which links researchers around the world 

with their experiments and the station crew. 

Experiments Related to Spacecraft 

Systems

Many experiments are designed to help 

develop technologies, designs and 

materials for future spacecraft and 

exploration missions. Experiments for 

Expedition 14 will use equipment already 

on board the station, resources delivered 

during STS-121 and payloads planned for 

future shuttle missions. These experiments 

include: 

Elastic Memory Composite Hinge

(EMCH) will study the performance of a 

new type of hinge to determine if it is 

suitable for use in space. The experiment 

will use elastic memory hinges to move an 

attached mass at one end. Materials tested 

in this experiment are stronger and lighter 

than current material used in space hinges 

and could be used in the design of future 

spacecraft. The experiment is planned for 

launch to the station in December 2006 on 

STS-116. 

Lab-on-a-Chip Application DevelopmentPortable Test System (LOCAD-PTS) is a 

handheld device for rapid detection of 

biological and chemical substances on 

board the space station. Astronauts will 

swab surfaces within the cabin, add swab 

material to the LOCAD-PTS, and within 15 

minutes obtain results on a display screen. 

The experiment's purpose is to provide an 

early warning system for crew members to 

take remedial measures if necessary to 

protect the health and safety of those on 

board the station. 

This experiment will be launched to the 

station on STS-116, planned for launch in 

December 2006. 

Materials on the International Space 

Station Experiment 3 and 4 (MISSE – 3 

and 4) are the third and fourth in a series of 

five suitcase-sized test beds attached to the 

outside of the space station. The beds 

were deployed during a spacewalk by the 

station crew in August 2006. They will 

expose hundreds of potential space 

construction materials and different types of 

solar cells to the harsh environment of 

space. After being mounted to the space 

station about a year, the equipment will be 

returned to Earth for study. Investigators 

will use the resulting data to design 

stronger, more durable spacecraft. MISSE 

1, 2 and 5 have already been returned to 

Earth for analysis. 
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Microgravity Acceleration Measurement 

System (MAMS) and Space Acceleration 

Measurement System (SAMS-II) measure 

vibration and quasi-steady accelerations 

that result from vehicle control burns, 

docking and undocking activities. Each 

equipment package measures vibrations at 

different frequencies.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, 

Reorient, Experimental Satellites 

(SPHERES) are bowling-ball sized spherical 

satellites. The first SPHERE satellite 

arrived on the station in April 2006 tucked 

inside a Russian Progress supply ship. 

Another arrived on STS-121 in July 2006 

and a third will be carried to orbit by a future 

shuttle mission. They will be used inside 

the space station to test a set of 

well-defined instructions for spacecraft to 

perform autonomous rendezvous and 

docking maneuvers. Three free-flying 

spheres will fly within the station's cabin 

performing flight formations. Each satellite 

is self-contained with power, propulsion, 

computers and navigation equipment. The 

results are important for satellite servicing, 

vehicle assembly and learning more about 

formation flying spacecraft configurations. 

Human Life Science Investigations

Physical measurements of Expedition 14 

crew members will be used to study 

changes in the body caused by exposure to 

the microgravity environment. Continuing 

and new experiments include: 

Anomalous Long Term Effects in 

Astronauts' Central Nervous System 

(ALTEA) integrates several diagnostic 

technologies to measure the exposure of 

crew members to cosmic radiation. It will 

further our understanding of radiation’s 

impact on the human central nervous and 

visual systems, and provide an assessment 

of the radiation environment in the station. 

This experiment is a cooperative effort with 

the Italian Space Agency, ASI. 

Behavioral Issues Associated with 

Isolation and Confinement: Review and 

Analysis of Astronaut Journals uses 

journals kept by the crew and surveys to 

study the effect of isolation to obtain 

quantitative data on different behavioral 

issues in long-duration crews. Results will 

help NASA design equipment and 

procedures to allow astronauts to best cope 

with isolation and long-duration spaceflight. 

Space Flight-Induced Reactivation of 

Latent Epstein-Barr Virus (Epstein-Barr)

performs tests to study changes in the 

human immune function. Using blood and 

urine samples collected from crew 

members before and after spaceflight, the 

study will provide insight for possible 

countermeasures to prevent the potential 

development of infectious illness in crew 

members during flight. 

Test of Midodrine as a Countermeasure 

Against Post-Flight Orthostatic 

Hypotension (Midodrine) measures the 

ability of the drug midodrine as a 

countermeasure to reduce the incidence or 

severity of orthostatic hypotension—

dizziness caused by the blood-pressure 

decrease that many astronauts experience 

upon returning to the Earth's gravity. 

Nutritional Status Assessment 

(Nutrition) will help lead to a better 

understanding of the types of foods and 

nutrients needed by crew members and 

whether station menus need to change over 

time during a long-duration mission. 
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Ensuring the right nutrient balance is critical 

for crew health and the success of future 

missions to the moon and Mars. 

The Renal Stone experiment tests the 

effectiveness of potassium citrate in 

preventing renal stone formation during 

long-duration spaceflight. Kidney stone 

formation, a significant risk during long 

missions, could impair astronaut 

effectiveness. 

Sleep-Wake Actigraphy and Light 

Exposure During Spaceflight-Long 

(Sleep-Long) will examine the effects of 

spaceflight on the sleep-wake cycles of the 

crew members during long-duration stays 

on the space station. 

Stability of Pharmacotherapeutic and 

Nutritional Compounds (Stability) will 

study the effects of radiation in space on 

complex organic molecules, such as 

vitamins and other compounds in food and 

medicine. This could help in developing 

more stable and reliable pharmaceutical 

and nutritional countermeasures suitable for 

future long-duration missions to the moon 

and Mars. 

Test of Reaction and Adaptation 

Capabilities (TRAC) will test the theory of 

brain adaptation during spaceflight by 

testing hand-eye coordination before, 

during and after the mission. This 

experiment is a collaborative effort between 

NASA and the Canadian Space Agency. 

Other Biological Experiments

Studies of the responses of microbes in the 

space environment will help to evaluate 

risks to human health. Plant growth 

experiments give insight into the effects of 

the space environment on living organisms. 

These experiments include: 

Threshold Acceleration for Gravisensing 

(Gravi) will determine the minimum amount 

of artificial gravity needed to cause lentil 

seedling roots to start growing in a new 

direction. This work supports future efforts 

to grow sufficient edible crops on longduration space missions. This experiment 

is conducted in collaboration with the 

European Space Agency, ESA. 

Passive Observatories for Experimental 

Microbial Systems (POEMS) will evaluate 

the effect of stress in the space 

environment on the development of genetic 

variation in model microbial cells. POEMS 

will provide important information that will 

help us evaluate risks to humans flying in 

space and further understand bacterial 

infections that may occur during long 

duration space missions. 

A Comprehensive Characterization of 

Microorganisms and Allergens in 

Spacecraft (SWAB) will use advanced 

molecular techniques to comprehensively 

evaluate microbes on board the space 

station, including pathogens—organisms 

that may cause disease. It will also track 

changes in the microbial community as 

spacecraft visit the station and new station 

modules are added. This study will allow 

an assessment of the risks microbes pose 

to the crew and the spacecraft. 

Analysis of a Novel Sensory Mechanism 

in Root Phototropism (Tropi) will observe 

growth and collect samples from plants 

sprouted from seeds. By analyzing the 

samples at a molecular level, researchers 

expect to gain insight on what genes are 
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50

responsible for successful plant growth in 

microgravity. 

Education and Earth Observation

Many experiments from earlier expeditions 

remain on board the space station and will 

continue to benefit from the long-term 

research platform the orbiting laboratory 

provides. These experiments include: 

Crew Earth Observations (CEO) takes 

advantage of the crew's location to observe 

and photograph natural and human-made 

changes on Earth. The photographs record 

the Earth’s surface changes over time, 

along with more fleeting events such as 

storms, floods, fires and volcanic eruptions. 

Together, these images provide 

researchers on Earth with vital, continuous 

images to better understand the planet. 

Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle 

School Students (EarthKAM), an 

education experiment, allows middle school 

students to program a digital camera on 

board the station to photograph a variety of 

geographical targets for study in the 

classroom. 

Education Payload Operations (EPO)

includes educational activities that will 

demonstrate science, mathematics, 

technology, engineering and geography 

principles. EPO is designed to support the 

NASA mission to inspire the next 

generation of explorers. 

Space Experiment Module (SEM) allows 

students to research the effects of 

microgravity, radiation and spaceflight on 

various materials. Students select passive 

test articles that technicians at Johnson 

Space Center place in space capsules, or 

vials, that are flown to the space station. 

These are passive experiment modules, 

meaning no power is needed and no crew 

interaction is required. Selected study 

items include seeds, such as corn, 

watermelon, cucumber, beans and peas. 

Materials such as wool, silk, chicken bones 

and human hair also are studied. During a 

flight, a crew member takes videos of the 

experiment capsules and describes their 

contents. The videos are down-linked to 

the ground for students to use in their 

analysis of the experiment. Some students 

will test for seed growth after microgravity 

exposure, while others will test how their 

materials protect against radiation 

exposure. The sample vials will be 

returned to Earth on STS-116 for students 

to analyze further. 

Commercial Generic Bioprocessing 

Apparatus Science Insert – 01 (CSI-01) is 

an educational payload designed to interest 

middle school students in science, 

technology, engineering and math by 

engaging them in near-real-time research 

conducted on board the station. Students 

will observe two separate experiments 

through data and imagery downlinked and 

distributed directly into the classroom via 

the Internet. During the seed germination 

experiment, students will begin to 

understand how gravity affects germination 

and plant development. Small seeds will be 

germinated on orbit in a garden habitat. 

The students will examine both root and 

stem growth. The other experiment will 

examine multi-generational, long-term 

growth of a small worm. The studies are 

expected provide a greater understanding 

of the effects of spaceflight on biological 

organisms.
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51

Space Shuttle Experiments

Many other experiments are scheduled for 

upcoming space shuttle missions. These 

experiments include: 

Incidence of Latent Virus Shielding 

During Spaceflight (Latent Virus) will 

determine the reactivation frequency of 

latent viruses—inactive viruses in the body 

that can be awakened, such as cold 

sores—and clinical diseases after exposure 

to the physical, physiological, and 

psychological stressors associated with 

spaceflight. Understanding latent virus 

reactivation may be critical to crew health 

during extended space missions as crew 

members live and work in a closed 

environment. 

Perceptual Motor Deficits in Space

(PMDIS) will investigate why shuttle 

astronauts experience difficulty with 

hand-eye coordination while on orbit. This 

experiment will measure the decline of 

astronauts’ hand-eye coordination during 

space shuttle missions. These 

measurements will be used to distinguish 

between three possible explanations: the 

brain not adapting to the near 

weightlessness of space; the difficulty of 

performing fine movements when floating in 

space; and stress due to factors such as 

space sickness and sleep deprivation. This 

experiment is a cooperative effort with the 

Canadian Space Agency. 

Ram Burn Observations (RAMBO) is an 

experiment in which the Department of 

Defense uses a satellite to observe space 

shuttle orbital maneuvering system engine 

burns. Its purpose is to improve plume 

models, which predict the direction the 

plume, or rising column of exhaust, will 

move as the shuttle maneuvers on orbit. 

Understanding the direction in which the 

spacecraft engine plume, or exhaust, flows 

could be significant to the safe arrival and 

departure of spacecraft on current and 

future exploration missions.

Sleep-Wake Actigraphy and Light 

Exposure During Spaceflight - Short 

(Sleep-Short) will examine the effects of 

spaceflight on the sleep-wake cycles of the 

astronauts during space shuttle missions. 

Advancing state-of-the-art technology for 

monitoring, diagnosing and assessing 

treatment of sleep patterns is vital to 

treating insomnia on Earth and in space. 

Maui Analysis of Upper Atmospheric 

Injections (MAUI) will observe the space 

shuttle engine exhaust plumes from the 

Maui Space Surveillance Site in Hawaii. 

Observations will occur when the shuttle 

fires its engines at night or twilight. A 

telescope and all-sky imagers will take 

images and data while the shuttle flies over 

the Maui site. The images will be analyzed 

to better understand the interaction 

between the spacecraft plume and the 

upper atmosphere. 

Space Test Program-H2-Atmospheric 

Neutral Density Experiment (STP-H2-

ANDE) will measure the density and 

composition of the low Earth orbit 

atmosphere while ground tracking follows 

two microsatellites launched from the 

shuttle payload bay. The data will be used 

to better predict the movement of objects in 

orbit.
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Space Test Program-H2-

Microelectromechanical System-Based 

(MEMS) PICOSAT Inspector (STP-H2-

MEPSI) will demonstrate the use of 

coffee-cup-size, low-power inspection 

satellites that can be sent out to observe 

larger spacecraft. The satellites will test the 

functioning of small camera systems and 

gyros. MEPSI technology will lead to an 

image inspection capability for a low-cost 

survey of spacecraft while on orbit. 

Space Test Program-H2-Radar Fence 

Transponder (STP-H2-RAFT) will

determine the limits of the U.S. Navy Space 

Surveillance radar surveillance fence in 

detecting small satellites and test 

experimental communications 

transponders. RAFT will lead to a better 

system of tracking an increasing population 

of small satellites.

Destiny Laboratory Facilities

Several research facilities are in place on 

board the station to support Expedition 14 

science investigations: 

The Human Research Facility is designed 

to house and support life sciences 

experiments. It includes equipment for lung 

function tests, ultrasound to image the heart 

and many other types of computers and 

medical equipment. 

Human Research Facility-2 provides an 

on-orbit laboratory that enables human life 

science researchers to study and evaluate 

the physiological, behavioral and chemical 

changes induced by spaceflight. 

European Modular Cultivation System 

(EMCS) is a large incubator that provides 

control over the atmosphere, lighting and 

humidity of growth chambers used to study 

plant growth. The facility was developed by 

the European Space Agency. 

Minus Eighty-degree Laboratory Freezer 

for ISS (MELFI) is a cold storage unit that 

maintains experiment samples at 

temperatures of -80 C, -26 C, or 4 C 

throughout a mission. 

The Microgravity Science Glovebox has 

a large front window and built-in gloves to 

provide a sealed environment for 

conducting science and technology 

experiments. The glovebox is particularly 

suited for handling hazardous materials 

when a crew member is present. 

The Destiny lab also is outfitted with five 

EXPRESS Racks. EXPRESS, or Expedite 

the Processing of Experiments to the Space 

Station, racks are standard payload racks 

designed to provide experiments with 

utilities such as power, data, cooling, fluids 

and gases. The racks support payloads in 

disciplines including biology, chemistry, 

physics, ecology and medicines. The racks 

stay in orbit, while experiments are 

changed as needed. EXPRESS Racks 2 

and 3 are equipped with the Active Rack 

Isolation System (ARIS) for countering 

minute vibrations from crew movement or 

operating equipment that could disturb 

delicate experiments. 

On the Internet:

For fact sheets, imagery and more on 

Expedition 14 experiments and payload 

operations, click on: 

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/

station/science/index.html
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Space Administration 

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The Payload Operations Center 

The Payload Operations Center at Marshall 

Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., is 

NASA’s primary science command post for 

the International Space Station. Space 

Station scientific research plays a vital role 

in implementing the Vision for Space 

Exploration, to return to the moon and 

explore our solar system. 

The International Space Station will 

accommodate dozens of experiments in 

fields as diverse as medicine, human life 

sciences, biotechnology, agriculture, 

manufacturing, Earth observation, and 

more. Managing these science assets—as 

well as the time and space required to 

accommodate experiments and programs 

from a host of private, commercial, industry 

and government agencies nationwide—

makes the job of coordinating space station 

research a critical one. 

The Payload Operations Center continues 

the role Marshall has played in 

management and operation of NASA’s 

on-orbit science research. In the 1970s, 

Marshall managed the science program for 

Skylab, the first American space station. 

Spacelab—the international science 

laboratory carried to orbit in the '80s and 
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Space Administration 

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‘90s by the space shuttle for more than a 

dozen missions—was the prototype for 

Marshall’s space station science 

operations. 

Today, the team at the POC is responsible 

for managing all U.S. science research 

experiments aboard the station. The center 

also is home for coordination of the 

mission-planning work of a variety of 

sources, all U.S. science payload deliveries 

and retrieval, and payload training and 

payload safety programs for the Station 

crew and all ground personnel. 

State-of-the-art computers and 

communications equipment deliver 

round-the-clock reports from science 

outposts around the United States to 

systems controllers and science experts 

staffing numerous consoles beneath the 

glow of wall-sized video screens. Other 

computers stream information to and from 

the space station itself, linking the orbiting 

research facility with the science command 

post on Earth. 

Once launch schedules are finalized, the 

POC oversees delivery of experiments to 

the space station. These will be constantly 

in cycle: new payloads will be delivered by 

the space shuttle, or aboard launch 

vehicles provided by international partners; 

completed experiments and samples will be 

returned to Earth via the shuttle. 
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The POC works with support centers 

around country to develop an integrated 

U.S. payload mission plan. Each support 

center is responsible for integrating specific 

disciplines of study with commercial 

payload operations: 

• Marshall Space Flight Center, managing 

microgravity (materials sciences, 

microgravity research experiments, 

space partnership development program 

research) 

• John Glenn Research Center in 

Cleveland, managing microgravity 

(fluids and combustion research) 

• Johnson Space Center in Houston, 

managing human life sciences 

(physiological and behavioral studies, 

crew health and performance) 

The POC combines inputs from all these 

centers into a U.S. payload operations 

master plan, delivered to the Space Station 

Control Center at Johnson Space Center to 

be integrated into a weekly work schedule. 

All necessary resources are then allocated, 

available time and rack space are 

determined, and key personnel are 

assigned to oversee the execution of 

science experiments and operations in 

orbit. 

Housed in a two-story complex at Marshall, 

the POC is staffed around the clock by 

three shifts of systems controllers. During 

space station operations, center personnel 

routinely manage three to four times the 

number of experiments as were conducted 

aboard Spacelab. 

The POC’s main flight control team, or the 

"cadre," is headed by the payload 

operations director, who approves all 

science plans in coordination with Mission 

Control at Johnson, the Station crew and 

the payload support centers. The payload 

communications manager, the voice of the 

POC, coordinates and manages real-time 

voice responses between the ISS crew 

conducting payload operations and the 

researchers whose science is being 

conducted. The operations controller 

oversees Station science operations 

resources such as tools and supplies, and 

assures support systems and procedures 

are ready to support planned activities. The 

photo and TV operations manager and data 

management coordinator are responsible 

for station video systems and high-rate data 

links to the POC. 

The timeline coordination officer maintains 

the daily calendar of station work 

assignments based on the plan generated 

at Johnson Space Center, as well as daily 

status reports from the station crew. The 

payload rack officer monitors rack integrity, 

power and temperature control, and the 

proper working conditions of station 

experiments. 

Additional support controllers routinely 

coordinate anomaly resolution, procedure 

changes, and maintain configuration 

management of on-board stowed payload 

hardware. 

For updates to this fact sheet, visit the 

Marshall News Center at: 

http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/news

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European Space Agency Experiment Program 

During the Expedition 14 duty on the 

International Space Station, the European 

experiment program will be carried out 

principally by European Space Agency 

astronaut Thomas Reiter, the initial Flight 

Engineer 2 of Expedition 14. Additional 

experiments will be carried out by Russian 

cosmonaut and Expedition 14 Flight 

Engineer 1, Mikhail Tyurin, and one of the 

NASA astronauts on Expedition 14, either 

Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria or 

future Flight Engineer 2 Sunita Williams. 

Spaceflight participant Daisuke Enomoto 

will also be the subject of a number of ESA 

experiments.

Human Physiology 

CARD 

It has been demonstrated that salt intake 

can increase certain cardiovascular 

measurements such as cardiac output, i.e., 

the total volume of blood pumped from the 

heart over a given time period. This 

experiment aims at assessing the effects of 

increased blood volume, induced by 

increased salt intake, on blood pressure, 

heart rate, cardiac output and the 

neuroendocrine system. 

This experiment is planned to be carried out 

over multiple Expedition crews requiring six 

subjects and use of the 

ESA/NASA-developed Pulmonary Function 

System and the European-developed 

Minus-Eighty (Degree) Laboratory Freezer 

for ISS (MELFI) freezer. This experiment 

can also help provide insight into the 

mechanisms behind certain cardiovascular 

problems on Earth, such as heart failure. 

Cardiocog-2

The Cardiocog-2 experiment studies the 

consequences of weightlessness on the 

cardiovascular system, as well as stress, 

cognitive and physiological reactions of an 

astronaut during their space mission. 

On four occasions over the course of the 

mission, the astronaut will undertake a 

30-minute protocol of normal and controlled 

breathing together with a stress test. 

Cardiac activity, respiration and blood 

pressure will be measured continuously 

during this activity using the Cardioscience 

equipment already on the ISS. This will be 

compared against additional data 

generated during similar and additional 

ground tests where ECG, blood pressure, 

respiration and ultrasound measurements 

are taken. This is a continuation of the 

previous Cardiocog experiment and is 

proposed to continue with three additional 

long-term subjects. This experiment will 

increase the understanding of orthostatic 

intolerance (proneness for fainting), a 

common clinical problem. 

Chromosome-2 

During spaceflights, crew members are 

exposed to different types of ionizing 

radiation. To assess the genetic impact of 

these radiations, this experiment will study 

chromosome changes and sensitivity to 

radiation in lymphocytes (white blood cells) 

of ISS crew members. The Chromosome-2 

experiment is planned to be carried out 

using eight subjects: four subjects from 

short-duration flights and four Expedition 

crew members. 
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CULT 

This experiment is a study of cultural 

aspects and leadership styles of ISS crews. 

Data from crew member questionnaires will 

be analyzed to observe the dynamics of the 

response as a function of the duration of 

the flight. 

Research on ground personnel will be 

carried out in parallel. Results may provide 

recommendations on how to interact with 

multinational crews. The in-orbit study 

combined with the ground study on mission 

control personnel may further provide 

recommendations for communication 

between the ground and ISS. This 

experiment is planned to be carried out 

over multiple Expedition crews requiring 

eight subjects. 

ETD 

The working of our balance system and our 

eyes is strongly interconnected. 

Understanding their adaptation to 

weightlessness can help with our 

understanding of the occurrence of space 

sickness during human spaceflight and 

conditions such as vertigo and nausea on 

Earth. Our eyes can rotate around three 

axes whereas normally only two are used. 

The name of the coordinate framework 

which describes the movement of the eyes 

in the head is called Listing’s plane. 

This experiment centers on the evaluation 

of Listing's plane under different gravity 

conditions using the Eye Tracking Device 

(ETD), which is able to record horizontal, 

vertical and rotational eye movements and 

measure head movement. This experiment 

requires eight subjects from long-duration 

missions and eight from short-duration 

missions. The experiment started during 

the European DELTA mission with ESA 

astronaut André Kuipers in April 2004. 

Immuno 

The aim of this experiment is to determine 

changes in stress and immune responses, 

during and after a stay on the ISS. This will 

include the sampling of saliva, blood and 

urine to check for hormones associated 

with stress response and for carrying out 

white blood cell analysis. There will also be 

a focus on the adaptation of energy 

metabolism, which can affect immune 

response. 

An increased understanding of the coupling 

between stress and the functioning of the 

immune system also has relevance for the 

citizens on Earth. This experiment is 

planned to be carried out over multiple ISS 

Increment crews requiring six subjects. 

Neocytolysis 

This experiment covers the effects of 

weightlessness on the hemopoietic system: 

the system of the body responsible for the 

formation of blood cells. The experiment 

will study a process called neocytolysis, the 

selective destruction of young red blood 

cells. The experiment will analyze the 

physical and functional characteristics of 

young red blood cells taken from astronaut 

blood samples before and after spaceflight. 

It will be carried out with three subjects from 

short-term missions. 

Low Back Pain 

Seventy-two percent of shuttle 

crewmembers experience some form of 

lower back pain during flight whereas 28 

percent of astronauts/cosmonauts report 

moderate to severe lower back pain during 
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weightlessness. This experiment is a study 

into the development of lower back pain in 

astronauts during spaceflight. 

On Earth there is a deep muscle corset, 

which plays an important role in posture 

when awake. It is thought that this deep 

muscle corset atrophies during spaceflight, 

leading to strain in certain ligaments, in 

particular in the iliolumbar region in the 

back. The objective of this experiment is to 

assess the level of atrophy in response to 

exposure to weightlessness. The 

participant will fill in a daily questionnaire 

before launch, during the mission and after 

landing. This data will be combined with 

questionnaire and MRI data from the Berlin 

Bed Rest Study to interpret results. This 

experiment started during the DELTA 

mission with ESA astronaut André Kuipers 

in April 2004. 

NOA 1 

Recent research has demonstrated that an 

elevation of expired nitric oxide is an early 

and accurate sign of airway inflammation 

especially in asthma but also after 

occupational dust inhalation. This 

experiment will use improved techniques for 

analysis of nitric oxide in expired air. This 

will be used to study physiological reactions 

in humans in weightlessness. 

Since dust never settles in weightlessness, 

it is likely that there is an increased 

exposure of the human airways to inhaled 

particles in such an environment. The crew 

members will perform a simple inhalationexhalation procedure on a biweekly basis 

during their stay on the ISS. Elevated 

levels of expired nitric oxide compared to 

pre-flight levels would indicate airway 

inflammation. Data will be stored on a 

credit-card size memory unit. This 

experiment, which started during Expedition 

12, is planned to be carried out over 

multiple Expedition crews requiring eight 

subjects. 

The Platon device, developed for 

spaceflight, has a dual use, as it is now also 

used to improve the treatment of asthma by 

allowing monitoring of patients at home. 

NOA 2 

The occurrence of gas emboli (bubbles) in 

divers’ bloodstreams as a result of 

decompression is well known and can be 

prevalent after normal dives with no 

subjective signs of decompression 

sickness. The occurrence of 

decompression sickness in astronauts 

following decompression in connection with 

extravehicular activity (EVA) is not known 

but it has been demonstrated that the 

corresponding decompression techniques 

on the ground give rise to overt symptoms 

of decompression sickness in 

approximately 6 percent of the cases. This 

suggests a much higher frequency of gas 

emboli without overt symptoms of 

decompression sickness. A non-invasive 

and simple technique for assessing 

decompression techniques before and after 

EVA would be beneficial. 

In this experiment astronauts will perform a 

simple inhalation-exhalation procedure (as 

in the NOA 1 protocol) as late as possible 

before standard EVA preparations start, 

and as soon as possible after EVA 

completion. An increased level of expired 

nitric oxide compared to pre-procedure 

levels will indicate the presence of gas 

emboli and, if so, may suggest an 

adaptation of existing EVA procedures. 
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Biology 

BASE 

In the BASE (Bacterial Adaptation to Space 

Environments) experiment, the science 

team will study how bacteria cope with and 

adapt to the different spaceflight 

environmental parameters (e.g., 

weightlessness, cosmic radiation, space 

electromagnetism, space vibrations). 

Based on these results, scientists will try to 

assess how such adaptations might 

influence their potential to contaminate and 

biodeteriorate the space habitat, their 

potential to endanger crew health, or their 

function in waste recycling or food 

production systems. 

In the BASE project, scientists will also 

study the physiology, gene expression, 

gene re-arrangement and gene transfer of 

cultures of several model bacteria grown 

under microgravity and other spaceflight 

conditions. 

LEUKIN 

The aim of this experiment is to study the 

signal transduction pathway of the 

activation of T-lymphocytes. The focus is 

on the role of the IL-2 receptor and on the 

determination of its genetic expression. 

The hypothesis to be tested is that the lack 

of expression of IL-2 R is the major cause 

for the loss of activation in re-suspended 

cells in weightlessness. This experiment 

will help us better understand the 

mechanisms by which spaceflight alters 

immune cell function, which may help 

devise more adequate preventative or 

corrective measures for immune 

suppression during long-term space 

missions. 

The LEUKIN experiment will be carried out 

using two European incubators called Kubik 

that were flown to the station in March, and 

the European-built Portable Glove Box, 

which was launched to the ISS on the 

Progress 22P mission in June. 

YING 

This experiment will study the influence of 

weightlessness on “Flo processes," 

cell-surface interaction on solid and cell-cell 

interaction in liquid media in yeast cells 

(Saccharomyces cerevisiae). 

Weightlessness will have a direct impact on 

the yeast cell physiology due to a changed 

gravitational micro-environment and in the 

case of yeast cell cultivation in liquid media, 

also the changed shear environment in 

microgravity will have an effect. 

The overall goal is to gain a detailed insight 

into the importance of gravity and shear 

stress on the formation of organized cell 

structures, such as yeast flocs, biofilms and 

filaments, which are of considerable interest 

for both fundamental science and industry 

as well as the medical field. 

Gravi-1 

Plant cultivation experiments in space not 

only hold relevance for future longer-term 

human spaceflight missions but also for 

plant cultivation on Earth. The scientific 

objective of the Gravi-1 experiment is to 

subject lentil seedling roots to different levels 

of artificial gravity in weightlessness to 

determine the gravity threshold that the roots 

respond to. 

Artificial gravity will be induced in 

weightlessness by means of a centrifuge at 

levels from 4 X 10-4 g to 10-2 g. The 

seedling roots will be stimulated by the 
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centrifuge for several hours and the 

gravitropic response (root curvature) will be 

followed by time-lapse photography or video 

observation during this process. It will 

therefore be possible to determine precisely 

the gravity threshold at which the root 

responds to the gravity stimulus. 

The Gravi-1 experiment will be the first ESA 

experiment to use the European Modular 

Cultivation System, an ESA experiment 

facility dedicated to biology experiments. 

The Gravi-1 experiment will be followed in 

the future by the Gravi-2 experiment, which 

has a similar procedure to the Gravi-1 

experiment, though the plant samples will 

be chemically fixed and returned to Earth 

for analysis. 

Microbiology 

Sample 

This experiment will investigate what kind of 

microbial species are to be found on board 

the International Space Station and how 

these adapt to conditions of spaceflight. 

The participant will take samples in certain 

areas of the space station and from his own 

body. The samples will be taken at places 

by rubbing swab sticks over surfaces, which 

are susceptible to having bacteria, including 

switches, keyboards and personal hygiene 

equipment. 

To investigate the adaptation that occurs, 

E. coli bacteria will be taken to the 

International Space Station. The cultures 

grown inside a tube will be analyzed back 

on Earth. In general this study is also 

helpful in providing further insight into the 

effect that spaceflight has on genetic 

modification. 

Complex Plasma Physics 

PK-3+ 

Plasma is the most disordered and 

ubiquitous state of matter in our universe, 

being composed of charged electrons and 

ions. An important area of research within 

this field is the study of complex plasmas, 

which are plasmas enriched with 

micro-particles. This component adds 

special properties to the plasma, providing 

the possibility for undertaking fundamental 

investigations under weightless conditions. 

In addition to its benefits of increasing 

understanding of fundamental physics, this 

research has many applications across 

many scientific disciplines such as plasma 

processing and fluid dynamics. 

The PK-3 Plus facility will carry out 

research on complex plasmas under 

weightless conditions over a broad range of 

fundamental parameters. The experiment 

was built under the responsibility of the 

German Aerospace Center, DLR and 

replaced the PK-3 (PKE-Nefedov) facility, 

which was in use on the ISS since March 

2001. 

Radiation Dosimetry 

ALTCRISS 

ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring 

of Cosmic Rays on the International Space 

Station) is an ESA experiment to study the 

effect of shielding on cosmic rays in two 

different and complementary ways. The 

detector of the Alteino device will monitor 

differences in the flow of cosmic rays with 

regard to the position and orientation of the 

Alteino device and also with regard to 

different shielding materials placed over the 
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particle acceptance windows of the Alteino 

instrument. 

The Alteino detector was operational during 

the European Marco Polo and Eneide 

missions with ESA astronaut Roberto 

Vittori. It is composed of a cosmic ray 

detector (AST/Sileye-3) and an 

Electroencephalograph (EEG), though the 

Electroencephalograph will not be used in 

the Altcriss project. The obtained data will 

be used to better understand the radiation 

environment in spacecraft and how to 

provide efficient shielding against it. 

Matroshka 2 

The ESA Matroshka facility was installed on 

the external surface of the ISS on Feb. 27, 

2004, with the aim of studying radiation 

levels experienced by astronauts during 

spacewalk activities. It consists of a human 

shape (head and torso) called the Phantom 

equipped with several active and passive 

radiation dosimeters. This is mounted 

inside an outer container of carbon fibre 

and reinforced plastic to simulate a 

spacesuit. 

The facility was brought back inside the ISS 

on Aug. 18. 2005, as part of Expedition 11 

EVA activities. Passive radiation sensors 

were removed and returned to Earth with 

the Expedition 11 crew. New passive 

sensors were installed and the Matroshka 

facility is currently stored inside the ISS to 

take similar measurements related to the 

radiation environment inside the ISS. In 

December 2006, active sensors will be 

flown to the ISS for installation and 

activation to take time dependent readings. 

Technology Demonstrations 

ERB 

The main objectives of the experiment are 

to test a 3D video camera (the Erasmus 

Recording Binocular) in weightlessness on 

the ISS as well as accurately mapping the 

interior of the ISS in its current 

configuration. To achieve this, images from 

three cameras will be used: the ERB 3D 

video camera, a Sony PD-150 video 

camera and a Nikon 3D still camera. 

These images will be used to improve the 

models available on the ground as well as 

to improve the fidelity of the ISS 3D virtual 

reality simulator at the Erasmus Centre of 

ESA’s Directorate of Human Spaceflight, 

Microgravity and Exploration Programmes 

located at ESA/ESTEC in the Netherlands. 

Of special interest is filming of subjects 

and/or objects moving to and from the 

camera and filming of objects protruding 

from a surface such as cables on 

experimental racks. 

Industrial/Business Development 

Activities 

SkinCare - Physiological Analysis of 

Skin in Space 

SkinCare is a human physiology 

experiment, which aims at characterizing 

different parameters of human skin (i.e., 

hydration grade, transepi-dermal water 

loss, skin surface video imaging) in 

weightlessness and inside the International 

Space Station. With regard to already 

known effects on skin of a long-duration 

stay on the ISS and the physiological 

effects of weightlessness, the investigators 

will test the applicability of the space 
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environment as a model of the aging skin. 

Non-invasive medical equipment will be 

used in flight to support this experiment. 

Education Program (University) 

CASPER 

The objective of the CASPER (Cardiac 

Adapted Sleep Parameter 

Electrocardiogram Recorder) experiment is 

to test and evaluate a method of monitoring 

sleep disturbance and sleep stability in 

weightlessness. CASPER combines 

objective physiological data and subjective 

inputs. Physiological data is gathered 

through a specially adapted vest, worn by 

the astronaut, with embedded sensors and 

cabling that connects ECG electrodes, for 

measuring heart rate, to a PDA for storing 

the heart rate data. Subjective inputs are 

gathered via a questionnaire that runs on 

the same PDA. One questionnaire is 

completed both before and after each sleep 

period, during which the heart rate is 

measured. 

Data collected can help to establish and 

distinguish the reasons and patterns of 

astronaut sleep disruption and facilitate the 

development of relevant countermeasures 

to monitor and ensure astronaut sleep 

stability during long-term spaceflight. 

UTBI 

During the UTBI (Under The Background 

Influence) experiment, the background 

radiation is measured inside Soyuz and 

modules of the International Space Station 

using a new type of radiation sensor. 

Radiation models, that predict these 

radiation levels, will be verified and, if 

necessary, corrected with the experimental 

data. 

The new type of sensor that measures the 

radiation is made of an alloy of cadmium, 

zinc and tellurium. The advantage of this 

specific detector is that it is compact and 

does not require cryogenic cooling. The 

UTBI experiment will demonstrate this 

specific sensor technology for the first time 

in space and possibly act as a precursor for 

an instrument of ESA’s Atmospheric-Space 

Interaction Monitor (ASIM), which is 

planned to be accommodated on an 

external payload adapter on the outside 

surface of the European Columbus 

laboratory once it is launched to the ISS. 

Radiation can have severe health 

consequences for astronauts. 

Understanding radiation, its inter-action with 

the ISS and its impact on the human body 

shall therefore be considered as an 

important factor that has to be taken into 

account for longer duration flights around 

the Earth as well as flights and stays toward 

and on the moon and Mars. 

Education Program 

(Primary/Secondary) 

ARISS 

ARISS is an international association of 

national amateur radio societies of the 

countries participating in the ISS program. 

For this mission, the specific objectives of 

ARISS are to provide real-time radio 

transmissions from the ISS, during which 

pupils in selected German and Swiss 

primary schools will ask the ESA astronaut 

questions, and to build, develop and 

maintain the amateur radio activities on 

board the ISS. Among the children chosen 
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are the winners of national space-oriented 

competitions set up by ESA’s ISS 

Education Office. The ground stations will 

be provided by local amateur radio clubs. 

DVD-4 

To purpose of this activity is to demonstrate 

the use of robotic applications in 

weightlessness by means of filming with 

basic robotic demonstrations using a model 

of the European Robotic Arm (ERA) and 

other equipment on the ISS. This includes 

the robotic workstation of the space 

station’s robotic arm (Canadarm2) in the 

U.S. segment of the ISS and different 

features and functions of the NASA 

SPHERES experiment.
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ISS-14 Russian Research Objectives 

Category Experiment 

Code 

Experiment 

Name 

Hardware Description Research Objective 

Commercial KHT-1 GTS Electronics unit; Global time system test development 

Antenna assembly with attachment mechanism 

Commercial KHT-20 GCF-JAXA GCF-02 kit Protein crystallization Commercial KHT-29 ROKVISS "Rokviss" equipment Hinge joints operation working-off 

Universal Working Place УРМД

Commercial КНТ-34 “Golf” project Golf-clubs (2 items) Imagery activities on ISS RS and in outer space EVA 

Golf-balls (4 items)

Technology ТХН-7 SVS (СВС) "СВС" researching camera Self-propagating high-temperature fusion in space &Material Science "Telescience" hardware 

from "ПК-3" Nominal hardware: “Klest” (“Crossbill”) TV-system Picture monitor (ВКУ)

Technology ТХН-9 Kristallizator “Crystallizer” complex Biological macromolecules crystallization and &Material Science (Crystallizer) obtaining bio-crystal films under microgravity

conditions 

Geophysical ГФИ-1 Relaksatsiya “Fialka-MB-Kosmos” -

Spectrozonal ultraviolet system High sensitive images recorder

Study of chemiluminescent chemical reactions and atmospheric light phenomena that occur during highvelocity interaction between the exhaust products from spacecraft propulsion systems and the Earthatmosphere at orbital altitudes and during the entry of space vehicles into the Earth upper atmosphere 

Using O

Geophysical ГФИ-8 Uragan Nominal hardware: 

Kodak 760 camera; Nikon D1ХLIV video system

Experimental verification of the ground and spacebased system for predicting natural and man-madedisasters, mitigating the damage caused, and facilitating recovery

Using O

Geophysical ГФИ-16 Vsplesk 

(Burst) 

(TBD) 

"Vsplesk" hardware Mechanical adapter Conversion board

Seismic effects monitoring. Researching high-energyparticles streams in near-Earth space environment

EVA (TB

Biomedical МБИ-5 Kardio-ODNT Nominal Hardware: Comprehensive study of the cardiac activity and Will need 

"Gamma-1M" equipment; blood circulation primary parameter dynamics "Chibis" countermeasures vacuum suit 

Received from RSC Energia Payload Division August 11, 2006
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Category Experiment 

Code 

Experiment 

Name 

Hardware Description Research Objective 

Biomedical МБИ-8 Profilaktika "Lactat" kit; 

TEEM-100M gas analyzer; Accusport device;Nominal Hardware:"Reflotron-4" kit;TVIS treadmill; ВБ-3 cycle ergometer; Set of bungee cords; Computer; "Tsentr" equipment power supply

Study of the action mechanism and efficacy of various countermeasures aimed at preventing locomotor system disorders in weightlessness 

Time reqshould bexercise 

Biomedical МБИ-9 Pulse Pulse set, Pulse kit; 

Nominal Hardware:Computer 

Study of the autonomic regulation of the human cardiorespiratory system in weightlessness 

Biomedical МБИ-15 Pilot Right Control Handle 

Left Control Handle Synchronizer Unit (БС) ULTRABUOY-2000 Unit Nominal hardware:Laptop No3 

Researching for individual features of state psychophysiological regulation and crewmembers professional activities during long space flights. 

Biomedical МБИ-21 "Pneumocard" Pneumocard set

Pneumocard-КРМ" kit 

Pneumocard-Data kit Nominal Hardware:Computer 

Study of space flight factors influence on vegetative regulation of blood circulation, breathing and contractile heart function during long-duration space flight 

Biomedical БИО-2 Biorisk "Biorisk-KM" set 

"Biorisk-MSV" containers "Biorisk-MSN" kit 

Study of space flight impact on microorganismssubstrates systems state related to space technique ecological safety and planetary quarantine problem

Biomedical БИО-4 Aquarium “Rasteniya (Plants)” kit (with 

“Aquarium” packs - 2 items) 

Study of stability of model closed ecological system and its parts under microgravity conditions, both as microsystem components and as perspective biological systems of space crews life support 

Crewmeinto acco

Received from RSC Energia Payload Division August 11, 2006
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Category Experiment 

Code 

Experiment 

Name 

Hardware Description Research Objective 

Biomedical БИО-5 Rasteniya "Lada" greenhouse 

Module of substratum research Nominal Hardware:Water container;Sony DVCam; Computer 

Study of the space flight effect on the growth and development of higher plants 

Biomedical БИО-11 Statoconia "Ulitka" (Snail) incubating 

container "ART" (Autonomous Recorder of Temperature) kit 

Statoconia growing potency research in organ of equilibrium of mollusca gasteropods under microgravity conditions 

Biomedical БИО-12 Regeneratciya

(Regeneration) 

"Planariya" incubating container "ART" (Autonomous Recorder of Temperature) kit 

Study of microgravity influence on regeneration processes for biological objects by electrophysiological and morphological indices 

During IS

Biomedical РБО-1 Prognoz Nominal Hardware for the 

radiation monitoring system: P-16 dosimeter; ДБ-8 dosimeters “Pille-ISS” dosimeter“Lyulin-ISS” complex

Development of a method for real-time prediction ofdose loads on the crews of manned spacecraft 

Unattend

Biomedical РБО-3 Matryeshka-R Passive detectors unit 

"Phantom" set "MOSFET-dosimeter” scientific equipment “Bubble-dosimeter” hardware 

Study of radiation environment dynamics along the ISS RS flight path and in ISS compartments, and dose accumulation in antroph-amorphous phantom, located inside and outside ISS 

Study of Earth natural resources and ecological monitoring 

ДЗЗ-2 Diatomea "Diatomea" kit 

Nominal hardware: Nikon F5 camera; DSR-PD1P video camera; Dictaphone; Laptop No. 3; 

Study of the stability of the geographic position and form of the boundaries of the World Ocean biologically active water areas observed by space station crews 

Received from RSC Energia Payload Division August 11, 2006
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Category Experiment 

Code 

Experiment 

Name 

Hardware Description Research Objective 

Biotechnology БТХ-1 Glikoproteid Obtaining and study of E1-E2 surface glycoprotein of 

α-virus

Biotechnology БТХ-2 Mimetik-K Anti-idiotypic antibodies as adjuvant-active 

glycoproteid mimetic 

Biotechnology БТХ-3 KAF Crystallization of Caf1M protein and its complex with 

C-end peptide as a basis for formation of newgeneration of antimicrobial medicines and vaccine ingredients effective against yersiniosis 

Biotechnology БТХ-4 Vaktsina-K 

(Vaccine) 

Structural analysis of proteins-candidates for vaccine effective against AIDS 

Biotechnology БТХ-20 Interleukin-K 

"Luch-2" biocrystallizer"Kriogem-03M" freezer 

Obtaining of high-quality 1α, 1β interleukins crystals 

and interleukin receptor antagonist – 1 

Biotechnology БТХ-8 Biotrek "Bioekologiya" kit Studying influence of flows of heavy charged particles 

of space radiation on genetic properties of cellsproducers of biological active substances 

Biotechnology БТХ-10 Kon’yugatsiya

(Conjugation) 

"Rekomb-K" hardware ТВК "Biocont-Т" Thermovacuum container 

"Kriogem-03M" freezer Nominal hardware: "Kriogem-03" freezer 

Working through the process of genetic material transmission using bacteria conjugation method 

During IS

Biotechnology БТХ-11 Biodegradatsiya "Bioproby" kit Assessment of the initial stages of biodegradation 

and biodeterioration of the surfaces of structural materials 

Biotechnology БТХ-12 Bioekologiya

(Bioecology)

"Bioekologiya " kit "ART" (Autonomous Recorder of Temperature) kit 

Generation of high-efficiency strains of microorganisms to produce petroleum biodegradation compounds, organophosphorus substances, vegetation protection agents, and exopolysaccharides to be used in the petroleum industry

Biotechnology БТХ-14 Bioemulsiya

(Bioemulsion) 

Changeable bioreactor Thermostat with drive control unit with stand and powersupply cable in cover ТВК "Biocont-Т" Thermovacuum container

Study and improvement of closed-type autonomousreactor for obtaining biomass of microorganisms and bioactive substance without additional ingredients input and metabolism products removal 

During IS

Biotechnology БТХ-31 Antigen “Antigen” kit Comparative researching heterologous expression of 

acute viral hepatitis HbsAg in S.cerevisiae yeast under microgravity and Earth conditions and determining synthesis optimization methods 

Received from RSC Energia Payload Division August 11, 2006
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Category Experiment 

Code 

Experiment 

Name 

Hardware Description Research Objective 

Technical Studies ТЕХ-14 

(SDTO 

12002-R)

Vektor-T Nominal Hardware:

ISS RS СУДН sensors; ISS RS orbit radio tracking [PKO] system; Satellite navigation; equipment [ACH] system GPS/GLONASS satellite systems 

Study of a high-precision system for ISS motion prediction 

Unattend

Technical Studies ТЕХ-15 

(SDTO 

13002-R)

Izgib Nominal Hardware:

ISS RS onboard measurement system (СБИ) accelerometers;

ISS RS motion control and navigation system GIVUS (ГИВУС СУДН) 

Nominal temperature-sensing device for measures inside “Progress” vehicle modules 

Study of the relationship between the onboard systems operating modes and ISS flight conditions 

Unattend

Technical Studies ТЕХ-20 Plazmennyi

Kristall (Plasma 

Crystal) 

"PC-3 Plus" experimental unit "PC-3 Plus" telescience Nominal hardware“Klest” (“Crossbill”) TV-system БСПН – Payload Server Block

Study of the plasma-dust crystals and fluids under microgravity

Technical Studies ТЕХ-22 

(SDTO 

13001-R)

Identifikatsiya Nominal Hardware:

ISS RS СБИ accelerometers

Identification of disturbance sources when the microgravity conditions on the ISS are disrupted 

Unattend

Technical Studies ТЕХ-44 Sreda 

(Environment) 

Nominal Hardware:Movement Control System sensors; orientation sensors; magnetometers; Russian and foreign accelerometers

Studying ISS characteristics as researching environment 

Unattend

Complex Analysis. Effectiveness Estimation 

КПТ-3 Econ "Econ" kit 

High Resolution Equipment Set (HRE) Nominal Hardware:Nikon D1 digital camera, Laptop No3 

Experimental researching of ISS RS resources estimating for ecological investigation of areas 

Received from RSC Energia Payload Division August 11, 2006
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Category Experiment 

Code 

Experiment 

Name 

Hardware Description Research Objective 

Complex Analysis. Effectiveness Estimation 

КПТ-6 Plazma-MKS 

(Plasma-ISS) 

“Fialka-MB-Kosmos” - Spectrozonal ultraviolet system 

Study of plasma environment on ISS external surface by optical radiation characteristics 

Study of Cosmic Rays

ИКЛ-2В BTN-Neutron Detection Block 

Electronic Equipment Block Mechanical interface 

Study of fast and thermal neutrons fluxes EVA (TB

Pre/Post Flight Motor control Electromiograph, control unit, 

tensometric pedal, miotometer «Miotonus», «GAZE» equipment 

Study of hypo-gravitational ataxia syndrome; Pre-fligh

L-30 day

Post-flig

Total tim

Pre/Post Flight MION Impact of microgravity on muscular characteristics. Pre-fligh

L-30 dayPost-flig

Pre/Post Flight Izokinez Isocinetic ergometer «LIDO», 

electromiograph, reflotron-4, cardiac reader, scarifier 

Microgravity impact on voluntary muscular contraction; human motor system re-adaptation to gravitation. 

Pre-fligh

Post-fligdays. 1.5 hour

Pre/Post Flight Tendometria Universal electrostimulator 

(ЭСУ-1); bio-potential amplifier (УБП-1-02); tensometric 

amplifier; oscilloscope with memory; oscillograph 

Microgravity impact on induced muscular contraction; long duration space flight impact on muscular and peripheral nervous apparatus 

Pre-fligh

Post-flig1.5 hour

Pre/Post Flight Ravnovesie "Ravnovesie" ("”Equilibrium")

equipment 

Sensory and motor mechanisms in vertical pose control after long duration exposure to microgravity. 

Pre-fligh

Post-flig

necessa

Sessions

2x45 min

Pre/Post Flight Sensory

adaptation 

IBM PC, Pentium 11 with 32-bit s/w for Windows API Microsoft. 

Countermeasures and correction of adaptation to space syndrome and of motion sickness. 

Pre-fligh

Post-flig14 days 45 min fo

Pre/Post Flight Lokomotsii Bi-lateral video filming, 

tensometry, miography, pose metric equipment. 

Kinematic and dynamic locomotion characteristics prior and after space flight. 

Pre-fligh

Post-flig45 min fo

Pre/Post Flight Peregruzki Medical monitoring nominal 

equipment: Alfa-06, Mir 3A7 

used during descent phase. 

G-forces on Soyuz and recommendations for anti-gforce countermeasures development In-flight: 

question

Post-flig

min; debmin for e

Received from RSC Energia Payload Division August 11, 2006
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Category Experiment 

Code 

Experiment 

Name 

Hardware Description Research Objective 

Pre/Post Flight Polymorphism No hardware is used in-flight Genotype parameters related to human individual 

tolerance to space flight conditions. 

Pre-fligh

questionanthropoearly stacould be checkup30 min fo

Received from RSC Energia Payload Division August 11, 2006

Expedition 14 Press Kit 

National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration 

71

Anomalous Long-Term Effects in Astronauts' Central Nervous System 

(ALTEA) 

Principal Investigator: Livio Narici, Ph.D. 

University of Rome 'Tor Vergata' and INFN 

Rome, Italy 

Overview 

Astronauts in orbit are exposed to cosmic 

radiation that is of sufficient frequency and 

intensity to cause effects on the central 

nervous system, such as the perception of 

flashes of light. Anomalous Long-Term 

Effects in Astronauts' Central Nervous 

System (ALTEA) will measure details about 

the cosmic radiation passing through a 

crew member's head, while measuring the 

brain electrophysiological activity and the 

performance of the visual system. 

This data will provide in-depth information 

on the radiation astronauts experience and 

its impact on the nervous system and visual 

perception. ALTEA will also develop new 

risk parameters and possible 

countermeasures aimed at possible 

functional nervous system risks. Such 

information is needed for long-duration 

exploration crews. 

Research Operations 

The crew member will wear an 

instrumented helmet that measures 

radiation exposure and brain electrical 

activity. Each crew member will complete 

built-in visual tests. While not in use, the 

hardware will continue to measure the 

radiation environment of the U.S. lab. 

Flight History/Background 

A predecessor of the ALTEA experiment, 

Alteino, was conducted aboard the space 

station in April 2002 during a Soyuz taxi 

mission. Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori 

donned hardware that measured heavy 

radiation close to his head while 

simultaneously measuring his brain activity. 

An analysis of the results from Alteino is 

providing a baseline for data collected from 

ALTEA. 

Web Site: 

For more information on ALTEA, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Crew Earth Observations (CEO) 

Principal Investigator and Payload Developer: Susan Runco, NASA Johnson Space Center, 

Houston 

Co-Principal Investigator: Kim Willis, ESCG, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston 

Overview 

By allowing photographs to be taken from 

space, the Crew Earth Observations (CEO) 

experiment provides people on Earth with 

image data needed to better understand 

our planet. The photographs—taken by 

crewmembers using handheld cameras—

record observable Earth surface changes 

over a period of time, as well as more 

fleeting events such as storms, floods, fires 

and volcanic eruptions. 

Orbiting 220 miles or more above the Earth, 

the International Space Station offers an 

ideal vantage point for crewmembers to 

continue observational efforts that began in 

the early 1960s when space crews first 

photographed the Earth. This experiment 

on the space station began during 

Expedition 1, STS-97 (ISS Assembly Flight 

4A), and is planned to continue throughout 

the life of the space station. 

History/Background 

This experiment has flown on every crewed 

NASA space mission beginning with Gemini 

in 1961. Since that time, astronauts have 

photographed the Earth, observing the 

world’s geography and documenting events 

such as hurricanes and other natural 

phenomena. This database of 

astronaut-acquired Earth imagery is a 

national treasure for both the science 

community and general public. As a 

precursor to this space station experiment, 

crews conducted Earth observations on 

long-duration NASA-Mir missions and 

gained experience that is useful on board 

the International Space Station.

Over the years, space crews also have 

documented human impacts on Earth—city 

growth, agricultural expansion and reservoir 

construction. The CEO experiment aboard 

the space station will build on that 

knowledge. 

Benefits 

Today, images of the world from 10, 20 or 

30 years ago provide valuable insight into 

Earth processes and the effects of human 

developments. Photographic images taken 

by space crews serve as both primary data 

on the state of the Earth and as secondary 

data to be combined with images from other 

satellites in orbit. Worldwide more than five 

million users log on to the Astronaut Earth 

Photography database each year. Through 

their photography of the Earth, space 

station crewmembers will build on the time 

series of imagery started 35 years ago—

ensuring this record of Earth remains 

unbroken. These images also have 

tremendous educational value. Educators 

use the image database to help make 

future generations of children “Earth-smart.” 

For more information on CEO, visit: 

http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/
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Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA) Science Insert - 01 

(CSI-01) 

Principal Investigator: Louis Stodieck, PhD., BioServe Space Technologies – University of 

Colorado, Boulder, Colo. 

Increment(s) Assigned: 14 

Research Summary 

Commercial Generic Bioprocessing 

Apparatus (CGBI) Science Insert-01 

(CSI-01) is comprised of two educational 

experiments that will be used by middle 

school students. One experiment will 

examine seed germination in microgravity 

including gravitropism and phototropism. 

The second experiment will examine how 

microgravity affects the model organism 

called Caenorhabditis elegans, which is a 

small nematode or worm. 

CSI-01 is an educational payload designed 

to interest middle school students in 

Science, Technology, Engineering and 

Math by providing the opportunity for these 

students to participate in near real-time 

research conducted on board the space 

station. 

The seed germination experiment will 

provide the opportunity for students to 

begin to understand how gravity affects 

germination and plant development. Seeds 

germinated on orbit will allow students the 

opportunity to examine both root and stem 

growth in microgravity. The Caenorhabditis 

elegans experiment will examine 

multi-generational, long term growth of C. 

elegans, a small nematode worm. 

Each experiment is designed to be easily 

reproducible in the classroom providing 

hands-on experience to the students. The 

students will be able to view the progress of 

the CSI-01 investigation on the space 

station via near real-time downlink and the 

World Wide Web. These experiments have 

the potential to impact between 7,500 – 

11,250 students during the first phase of 

this program which is designed to be 

conducted on an annual basis. 

Research Operations 

This experiment requires the crew to 

monitor the cassette for temperature 

stability. Researchers will analyze changes 

in blood cell, hematopoietic organ (lymph 

gland) and fat body (liver) morphology from 

postflight samples. 

Flight History/Background 

A similar investigation, Space Technology 

and Research Students (STARSTM) flew 

on STS-93 and STS-107. 

Web Site

For more information on CSI-01, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School 

Students (EarthKAM) 

Experiment Location on ISS: The U.S. Laboratory Window 

Principal Investigator: Sally Ride, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego 

Operations Manager: Brion J. Au, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston

Overview 

EarthKAM (Earth Knowledge Acquired by 

Middle school students) is a NASA 

education payload that enables students to 

photograph and examine Earth from a 

space crew’s perspective. 

Using the Internet, working through the 

EarthKAM Mission Operations Center 

located at the University of California at San 

Diego (UCSD), middle school students can 

actually control a camera mounted at the 

science-grade window in the station’s 

Destiny science module to capture 

high-resolution digital images of features 

around the globe. Students use these 

images to enhance their study of 

geography, geology, botany, history, earth 

science, and to identify changes occurring 

on the Earth’s surface, all from the unique 

vantage point of space. Using the 

high-speed digital communications 

capabilities of the ISS, the images are 

downlinked in near real-time and posted on 

the EarthKAM web site for the public and 

participating classrooms around the world 

to view. 

Experiment Operations 

Funded by NASA, EarthKAM is operated by 

the University of California, San Diego, and 

NASA field centers. It is an educational 

payload that allows middle school students 

to conduct research from the International 

Space Station as it orbits 220 miles above 

the Earth. Using the tools of modern 

technology—computers, the Internet and a 

digital camera mounted at the space 

station’s laboratory window—EarthKAM 

students are able to take stunning, 

high-quality digital photographs of our 

planet. 

The EarthKAM camera is periodically setup in the International Space Station, 

typically for a 4-day data gathering session. 

Beginning with the Expedition 2 crew, in 

May 2001, the payload is scheduled for 

operations that coincide with the traditional 

school year. Once the ISS crew mounts 

the camera at the window, the payload 

requires no further crew interaction for 

nominal operations. 

EarthKAM photographs are taken by 

remote operation from the ground. When 

the middle school students target the 

images of terrestrial features they choose to 

acquire, they submit the image request to 

the Mission Operation Center at UCSD. 

Image requests are collected and compiled 

into a “Camera Control File” for each ISS 

orbit that the payload is operational. This 

camera control file is then uplinked to a 

Station Support Computer (laptop) aboard 

the space station that controls when the 

digital camera captures the image. The 

Station Support Computer activates the 
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camera at the specified times and 

immediately transfers these images to a file 

server, storing them until they are 

downlinked to Earth. With all systems 

performing nominally, a picture can be 

requested, captured and posted to the 

EarthKAM website in as little as four hours. 

EarthKAM is monitored from console 

positions in the Tele-Science Support 

Center (Mission Control) at Johnson Space 

Center in Houston. As with all payloads, 

the EarthKAM operations on board the 

space station are coordinated through the 

Payload Operations Integration Center 

(POIC) at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight 

Center in Huntsville, Ala. EarthKAM is a 

long-term payload that will operate on the 

space station for multiple increments. 

Flight History/Background 

In 1994, Sally Ride, a physics professor 

and former NASA astronaut, started what is 

now EarthKAM with the goal of integrating 

education with the space program. 

EarthKAM has flown on five shuttle flights. 

Its first flight was aboard space shuttle 

Atlantis in 1996, with three participating 

schools taking a total of 325 photographs. 

Since 1996, EarthKAM students have taken 

more than 29,305 publicly accessible 

images of the Earth. 

EarthKAM invites schools from all around 

the world to take advantage of this 

educational opportunity. Previous 

participants include schools from the United 

States, Japan, Germany, France, Chile, 

Canada and Mexico. 

Benefits 

EarthKAM brings education out of 

textbooks and into real life. By integrating 

Earth images with inquiry-based learning, 

EarthKAM offers students and educators 

the opportunity to participate in a space 

mission while developing teamwork, 

communication and problem-solving skills. 

No other NASA program gives students 

such direct control of an instrument flying 

on a spacecraft orbiting Earth, and as a 

result of this, students assume an 

unparalleled personal ownership in the 

study and analysis of their Earth 

photographs. 

Long after the photographs are taken, 

students and educators continue to reap 

the benefits of EarthKAM. Educators are 

able to use the images alongside 

suggested curriculum plans for studies in 

physics, computers, geography, math, earth 

science, botany, biology, art, history, 

cultural studies and more. 

Website 

More information on EarthKAM and the 

International Space Station can be found at: 

www.earthkam.ucsd.edu

www.spaceflight.nasa.gov
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Educational Payload Operations 

(EPO) 

Overview 

Education Payload Operations (EPO) is an 

education payload or activity designed to 

support the NASA Mission to inspire the 

next generation of explorers. Generally, 

these payloads and activities focus on 

demonstrating science, mathematics, 

technology, engineering or geography 

principles. Video recording of the 

demonstrations and/or still photographic 

documentation of a crewmember operating 

EPO hardware while on orbit will achieve 

EPO goals and objectives. Overall goal for 

every expedition is to facilitate education 

opportunities that use the unique 

environment of human spaceflight. 

The Expedition 14 crew may complete EPO 

Education Demonstration Activities (EDAs). 

EPO - Education Demonstration 

Activities (EDAs) 

EPO Education Demonstration Activities 

(EDAs) may be scheduled during Increment 

14. An EDA is an educational 

demonstration designed to use only 

hardware already on board the International 

Space Station. No educational payloads 

are associated with these activities. These 

demonstrations may use hardware already 

on board the ISS and can be scheduled 

anytime during the increment via payload 

schedule, task list or Saturday Science as 

crew time becomes available. 

Demonstrations will be videotaped for use 

in educational resources. 

Expedition 14 crewmembers could perform 

the following EDAs. These activities each 

focus on one educational topic. Topics 

include: 

• "EPO Living Area Demo" (Activity) 

• "EPO Newton's Law Demo" (Activity) 

• "EPO Rotation Demo" (Activity) 

• "EPO Sports Demo" (Activity) 

EDAs are planned for K – 12 audiences and 

support national education standards. They are 

designed to enhance existing NASA education 

products.

Website: 

For more information on EPO, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Elastic Memory Composite Hinge 

(EMCH) 

Principal Investigator: Capt. Mark Scherbarth, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air 

Force Base, N.M. 

Payload Developer(s): Composite Technology Development, Inc., Lafayette, Colo., and 

United States Department of Defense Space Test Program, 

Johnson Space Center, Houston 

Increment(s) Assigned: 14, 15 

Brief Research Summary 

The Elastic Memory Composite Hinge 

(EMCH) experiment will study the 

performance of a new type of composite 

hinge and see if it is suitable for use in 

space. 

Research Summary 

• Building new spacecraft structures in 

space necessitates deploying or 

"unfolding" items that have been 

launched from Earth. 

• This experiment will use Elastic Memory 

Composite Hinges (EMCH) to move an 

attached mass at one end. The hinge 

was developed by the Air Force 

Research Laboratory from a resin and 

carbon fiber laminate. 

• The study will measure the force and 

torque on the hinge and the accuracy of 

the deployment. 

New materials that are reliable, light, and 

strong, will be important building blocks of 

future exploration spacecraft. 

Earth Applications 

Since composite materials are valued for 

being lightweight and strong, the hinges 

may have spin-off applications on Earth. 

Flight History/Background 

EMCH is a unique investigation that has 

never been performed in orbit. 

Web Site

For more information on EMCH, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Epstein-Barr: 

Space Flight Induced Reactivation of Latent Epstein-Barr Virus 

Principal Investigator: Raymond Stowe, Ph.D., Microgen Laboratories, La Marque, Texas. 

Payload Developer: Raymond Stowe, Ph.D., Microgen Laboratories, La Marque, Texas. 

Increment(s) Assigned: 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 and 14 

Operations: Pre- and Post-flight 

Previous Missions 

Earlier studies of the Epstein-Barr virus 

(EBV) began on STS-108. These studies 

paved the way for the current experiment. 

Stowe and his team discovered from their 

Shuttle research that stress hormones 

released before and during flight decreased 

the immune system's ability to keep the 

virus deactivated. That discovery was the 

basis for the research. 

Objective 

This experiment is designed to examine the 

mechanisms of space flight induced 

alterations in human immune function and 

dormant virus reactivation. Specifically, this 

study will determine the magnitude of 

immunosuppression as a result of space 

flight by analyzing stress hormones, 

measuring the amount of EBV activity, and 

measuring white blood cells' virus-specific 

activity. 

Brief Summary 

Decreased immune system response has 

been observed in space flight. This 

experiment determines how space flight 

reactivates EBV (virus that causes 

Mononucleosis) from latency, which results 

in increased viral replication. This 

investigation provides insight into the 

magnitude of human immunosuppression 

as a result of space flight. The effects of 

stress and other acute or chronic events on 

EBV replication are evaluated. 

Space Applications 

Decreased cellular immune function is 

observed during and after human 

spaceflight. With longer-duration space 

missions, latent viruses are more likely to 

become reactivated, placing the crew at risk 

of developing and spreading infectious 

illness. If this is the case, drug therapies 

must be created to protect crewmembers 

during long-term and interplanetary 

missions (i.e. trips to Mars). This study will 

help provide information related to immune 

function and virus activity in space to 

develop such remedies and ensure future 

exploratory space missions. 

Website 

For more information on Epstein-Barr, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Threshold Acceleration for Gravisensing 

Principal Investigator: Dominique Driss-Ecole, Ph.D., University Pierre-et-Marie Curie, 

Paris, France 

Payload Developer: European Space Agency and EADS Space Transportation, 

Friedrichshafen, Germany 

Sponsoring Agency: European Space Agency (ESA) 

Increment(s) Assigned: 14 

Brief Research Summary 

This experiment will grow lentil seedling 

roots in centrifugal artificial gravity to 

determine the amount of acceleration force 

sufficient to stimulate the direction of root 

growth. This investigation will also study 

the movement of gravisensors and the 

variation of cystolic calcium within 

gravisensing cells. This work is relevant to 

growing sufficient edible crops on future 

long duration space missions. 

Space Applications 

Although this is primarily a basic research 

study, understanding how plants respond to 

partial gravity environments may be useful 

for growing plants on the Moon or Mars. 

Earth Applications 

These goals will provide insight into the 

fundamental organization and operation of 

the gravity response system of plants and 

determine if, other than the root cap, other 

parts of the plant require cues for 

directional growth. 

Flight History/Background 

The Gravi experiment is the last of a long 

series of experiments (all performed with 

the ESA BIORACK facility), from the same 

group and addressing graviperception in 

the lentil root, which started with SpacelabD1 mission (STS -61 A, 1985), then on the 

Spacelab IML-1 (STS-42, 1992) and IML-2 

(STS-65, 1994) missions and finally on 

three Spacehab/Shuttle-to-Mir Missions: 

S/MM-03 (STS-76, 1996) S/MM-05 (STS 

81, 1997) and S/MM-06 (STS 84, 1997). 

Website 

For more information on GRAVI, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Behavioral Issues Associated with Isolation and Confinement: 

Review and Analysis of ISS Crew Journals 

(Journals) 

Principal Investigator: Jack W. Stuster, Ph.D., Anacapa Sciences, Inc., Santa Barbara, Calif. 

Operations: In-flight 

Manifest Status: Ongoing 

Objective 

The purpose of this experiment is to collect 

behavioral and human factors data for 

analysis, with the intention of furthering our 

understanding of life in isolation and 

confinement. The objective of the 

experiment is to identify equipment, habitat 

and procedural features that help humans 

adjust to isolation and confinement and 

remain effective and productive during 

future long-duration space expeditions. 

The method used in the experiment is 

analyzing the content of journals 

maintained by International Space Station 

crews for this purpose. 

Brief Summary 

In-flight journals maintained by 

crewmembers are studied to gain an 

understanding of factors that may play a 

role in the stress felt by crews during 

long-duration spaceflight. Conclusions will 

be used for interplanetary mission planning 

(e.g., Mars missions) and selection and 

training of astronaut crews for these 

missions. 

Description 

A previous content analysis of journals 

maintained during expeditions on Earth 

provided quantitative data on which to base 

a rank-ordering of behavioral issues in 

terms of importance. This experiment will 

test the hypothesis that the analogous 

conditions provide an acceptable model for 

spacecraft (i.e., to validate or refute the 

results of the previous study). The 

objective of the study is to obtain behavioral 

and human factors data relevant to the 

design of equipment and procedures to 

support adjustment and sustained human 

performance during long-duration space 

expeditions. 

Space Applications 

Studies conducted on Earth have shown 

that analyzing the content of journals and 

diaries is an effective method for identifying 

the issues that are most important to a 

person. The method is based on the 

reasonable assumption that the frequency 

that an issue or category of issues is 

mentioned in a journal reflects the 

importance of that issue or category to the 

writer. The tone of each entry (positive, 

negative or neutral) and phase of the 

expedition also are variables of interest. 

Study results will lead to recommendations 

for the design of equipment, facilities, 

procedures and training to help sustain 

behavioral adjustment and performance 

during long-duration space expeditions to 

the ISS, moon, Mars and beyond. 

Website 

For more information on Journals, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System 

(LOCAD-PTS) 

Principal Investigator: Norman Wainwright Ph. D., Charles River Endosafe, Charleston, 

S.C.

Co-Investigator: Jake Maule, Ph.D., LOCAD-PTS Project Scientist, Carnegie 

Institution of Washington: NASA Astrobiology Institute, 

Washington, D.C. 

Increments Assigned: 14, 15 

Earth Applications 

The technology is being used to assess 

fluids used in pharmaceutical processing. 

The technology has been used to swab the 

Mars Exploration Rovers (MER), for 

planetary protection, and to assess 

microbial contamination in the NEEMO 

(NASA Extreme Environment Mission 

Operations) project. This technology will 

provide quick medical diagnostics in clinical 

applications. It will also provide 

environmental testing capabilities that may 

serve homeland security. 

Flight History/Background 

LOCAD-PTS is a new investigation for 

space research. 

Website 

For more information on LOCAD-PTS, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html

Brief Research Summary 

LOCAD-PTS is a handheld device for rapid 

detection of biological and chemical 

substances onboard the International 

Space Station. Astronauts will swab 

surfaces within the cabin, add swab 

material to the LOCAD-PTS and obtain 

results on a display screen within 15 

minutes. 

Space Applications 

This commercial, off-the-shelf technology 

will help assess the applicability of this 

technology in many areas relative to 

microbial detection, crew health 

diagnostics, and environmental monitoring. 

The drastic reduction in time for detection 

(minutes versus days) will provide a 

capability on the space station that does not 

now exist and may help risk mitigation in 

the event that some type of microbial 

build-up is observed. Eventually, it is 

planned that LOCAD-PTS be used to 

assess water, air, and food supplies in 

addition to surfaces. 
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Latent Virus: 

Incidence of Latent Virus Shedding During Space Flight 

Principal Investigator: Duane L. Pierson, Ph.D., Johnson Space Center, 

Houston, and Satish K. Mehta, Ph.D., Enterprise 

Advisory Services, Inc., Houston 

Payload Developer: Johnson Space Center, Flight Research Management Office, 

Houston 

Increment(s) Assigned: 11, 13, 14, 15 

Overview 

The objective of this experiment is to 

determine the frequencies of reactivation of 

latent viruses and clinical diseases after 

exposure to the physical, physiological, and 

psychological stressors associated with 

space flight. 

Risks associated with most bacterial, 

fungal, viral, and parasitic pathogens can 

be reduced by a suitable quarantine period 

before the flight and by appropriate medical 

care. However, latent viruses (viruses that 

lie dormant in cells, such as herpes viruses 

that cause cold sores) already inside the 

cells of crewmembers are unaffected by 

such actions and pose an important 

infectious disease risk to crewmembers 

involved in space flight and space 

habitation. 

Weakening of the immune system of 

astronauts that may occur in the space 

environment could allow increased 

reactivation of the latent viruses and 

increase the incidence and duration of viral 

shedding. Such a result may increase the 

concentration of herpes and other viruses in 

the spacecraft. 

Benefits 

Latent virus reactivation may be an 

important threat to crew health during the 

longer duration exploration missions as 

crewmembers live and work in a closed 

environment. This investigation will aid in 

determining the clinical risk of 

asymptomatic reactivation and shedding of 

latent viruses to astronaut health, and the 

need for countermeasures to mitigate the 

risk. Stress-induced viral reactivation may 

also prove useful in monitoring early 

changes in immunity before onset of clinical 

disease. 

Web Site 

For more information on Latent Virus, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Effect of Spaceflight on Microbial Gene Expression and Virulence 

(Microbe) 

Principal Investigator: Cheryl A. Nickerson, Ph.D., Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz. 

Increment(s) Assigned: 13, 14 

Earth Applications 

By understanding the unique spectrum of 

microbial genetic and virulence changes 

induced by spaceflight, this experiment will 

yield valuable knowledge leading to 

advances in vaccine development and 

other therapeutics for treatment, prevention 

and control of infectious diseases on Earth 

as well as in space. 

Flight History/Background 

This will be the first time the Microbe 

investigation will be performed on the space 

station. 

Web Site 

For more information on Microbe, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html

Brief Research Summary 

The Microbe experiment will investigate the 

effects of the space flight environment on 

virulence (ability to infect) of three model 

microbial pathogens: Salmonella 

typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 

and Candida albicans, that have been 

identified as potential threats to crew health 

based upon previous space flight missions. 

Space Applications 

Results from this single-flight experiment 

will provide important information on the 

threat of pathogens in the space 

environment, which will assist with 

development of diagnostic tools to monitor 

the atmosphere, water and surfaces for the 

presence of these microbes. 

Understanding the molecular responses of 

these organisms to spaceflight is a 

necessary step that will significantly 

contribute to development of systems that 

meet requirements for supplying and 

storing potable water that is free of 

microbial contaminants. 
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Test of Midodrine as a Countermeasure 

Against Post-flight Orthostatic Hypotension 

(Midodrine) 

Principal Investigator: Janice Meck, Ph.D., Johnson Space Center, Houston 

Increment(s) Assigned: 5, 14, 15 

Earth Applications 

In addition to benefits for astronauts, 

millions of people on Earth suffer from 

orthostatic hypotension and may benefit 

from information gained from this 

experiment. 

Flight History/Background 

On Earth, and in studies that simulate 

weightlessness, the drug Midodrine has 

been extensively used to treat low blood 

pressure. This experiment presents the 

first time Midodrine is studied in space. 

Web Site 

For more information on Midodrine, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html

Brief Research Summary 

Many astronauts experience orthostatic 

hypotension (dizziness caused by a 

decrease in blood pressure) upon return to 

the Earth's gravity. This can be a problem 

for landing on other planets as well. This 

experiment measures the ability of the drug 

midodrine, when used as a 

countermeasure, to reduce the incidence 

and/or severity of orthostatic hypotension. 

Space Applications 

Orthostatic hypotension (low blood 

pressure while standing) is a significant 

problem to astronauts returning from even 

short-term space flight, and the symptoms 

only increase with longer-term flights. 

Often when returning home, an astronaut's 

body is unable to maintain blood pressure 

above the heart, which leads to decreased 

blood flow in the brain, resulting in 

lightheadedness and even fainting. 

Currently used countermeasures to the 

problem, such as increasing blood volume 

with saline, have not proven effective. If 

effective, post-flight midodrine 

administration may provide a relatively 

simple method for preventing a significant 

obstacle to long-term space flight, 

especially exploratory trips to the moon and 

Mars. 
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Materials on the International Space Station Experiment 3 and 4 

(MISSE-3 and 4) 

Overview 

The Materials on the International Space 

Station Experiment (MISSE) Project is a 

NASA/Langley Research Center-managed 

cooperative endeavor to fly materials and 

other types of space exposure experiments 

on the space station. The objective is to 

develop early, low-cost, non-intrusive 

opportunities to conduct critical space 

exposure tests of space materials and 

components planned for use on future 

spacecraft. 

The Boeing Co., the Air Force Research 

Laboratory and Lewis Research Center are 

participants with Langley in the project. 

History/Background 

Flown to the space station in 2001, the 

MISSE experiments were the first externally 

mounted experiments conducted on the 

International Space Station. The 

experiments are in Passive Experiment 

Containers (PECs) that were initially 

developed and used for an experiment on 

Mir in 1996 during the Shuttle-Mir Program. 

The PECs were transported to Mir on 

STS-76. After an 18-month exposure in 

space, they were retrieved on STS-86. 

PECs are suitcase-like containers for 

transporting experiments via the space 

shuttle to and from an orbiting spacecraft. 

Once on orbit and clamped to the host 

spacecraft, the PECs are opened and serve 

as racks to expose experiments to the 

space environment. 

The first two MISSE PECs (MISSE 1 and 2) 

were transported to the space station on 

STS-105 (ISS Assembly Flight 7A.1) in 

August 2001. About 1,500 samples were 

tested on MISSE 1 and 2. The samples 

included ultra-light membranes, 

composites, ceramics, polymers, coatings 

and radiation shielding. In addition, 

components such as switches, solar cells, 

sensors and mirrors were evaluated for 

durability and survivability. Seeds, plant 

specimens and bacteria, furnished by 

students at the Wright Patterson Air Force 

Research Laboratory, were also flown in 

specially designed containers. 

During an STS-114 spacewalk, astronauts 

removed the original PECs (1 and 2) from 

the station and installed MISSE PEC 5. 

MISSE 1 and 2 passive experiment carrier 

trays were retrieved by astronauts on July 

30, 2005, during STS-114. Like the myriad 

of samples in MISSE PECs 1 and 2, MISSE 

PEC 5 will study the degradation of solar 

cell samples in the space environment. 

PECs 1 and 2 were returned to NASA 

Langley Research Center where they were 

opened in a clean room and the contents 

were distributed to researchers for study. 

MISSE PECs 3 and 4 were launched on 

STS-121. PECs 3, 4 and 5 will remain on 

orbit for one year to continue to study the 

effects of space exposure on various 

materials. MISSE 5 is currently being 

exposed to the low Earth orbit environment 

on the space station and is scheduled for 

retrieval during the STS-115 mission. 

MISSE 3 and 4 are scheduled to be placed 
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outside of the station during an STS-115 

spacewalk when MISSE 5 is retrieved. 

The MISSE PECs are integrated and flown 

under the direction of the Department of 

Defense Space Test Program's Human 

Space Flight Payloads Office at NASA's 

Johnson Space Center. This work, relevant 

to the environmental durability of the Crew 

Exploration Vehicle and other exploration 

mission systems, is supported through the 

Exploration Systems Research and 

Technology Program and other programs. 

Examples of tests to be performed in 

MISSE include: new generations of solar 

cells with longer expected lifetimes to 

power communications satellites; advanced 

optical components planned for future Earth 

observational satellites; new, longer-lasting 

coatings that better control heat absorption 

and emissions and thereby the temperature 

of satellites; new concepts for lightweight 

shields to protect crews from energetic 

cosmic rays found in interplanetary space; 

and the effects of micrometeoroid impacts 

on materials planned for use in the 

development of ultra-light membrane 

structures for solar sails, large inflatable 

mirrors and lenses. 

Benefits 

New affordable materials will enable the 

development of advanced reusable launch 

systems and advanced spacecraft systems. 

Website 

For more information on MISSE, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Nutritional Status Assessment 

(Nutrition) 

Principal Investigator: Scott M. Smith, Ph.D., Johnson Space Center, Houston 

Payload Developer: Johnson Space Center, Human Research Program, Houston 

Sponsoring Agency: NASA 

Increment(s) Assigned: 13, 14, 15 

Brief Research Summary 

The Nutrition protocol will help the science 

program gain a better understanding of the 

time course of nutrition-related changes 

during flight, and will impact the definition of 

nutritional requirements, which will impact 

food system development for future space 

exploration programs to the Moon and 

Mars. This experiment will also help us 

understand the impact of countermeasures 

(exercise and pharmaceuticals) on 

nutritional status, and again—on nutrient 

requirements. Ensuring that we send the 

right nutrient balance for long duration 

missions is critical for crew health and 

mission success. 

Earth Applications 

Increased understanding of the connections 

between nutrition and bone loss has 

potential value for patients suffering bone 

loss on Earth. 

Flight History/Background 

Clinical Nutritional Status Assessment 

Medical Requirement on two Mir missions 

and all International Space Station 

Increments to-date. 

Website 

For more information on Nutrition, visit: 

http://hacd.jsc.nasa.gov/index.htm
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Perceptual Motor Deficits in Space 

(PMDIS) 

Principal Investigator: Barry Fowler, Ph.D., York University, Toronto, Ontario 

Increment(s) Assigned: 14, 15 

Brief Research Summary 

This experiment will measure the decline in 

hand-eye coordination of shuttle astronauts 

while on orbit. These measurements will be 

used to make distinction between three 

possible explanations for the decline. 

Detailed Research Description 

Perceptual-Motor Deficits in Space 

(PMDIS) monitors the hand-eye 

coordination of astronauts in microgravity. 

PMDIS will measure the Shuttle astronaut's 

hand-eye coordination prior to docking with 

ISS (transition from 1-g to zero-g). 

Measurements will be taken while the 

astronaut's arm is securely supported or 

floating free in three conditions: 

• Tapping targets on a computer screen 

with a stylus. 

• Moving a cursor between the targets 

with a joystick. 

• Performing these tasks while 

responding to tones with a button press. 

This experiment will test the theory that the 

loss of eye-hand coordination during 

spaceflight is due to the disruption of 

certain neural circuits in the human brain, 

arising from a disruption in the vestibular 

system. 

Space Applications 

A mini-centrifuge with daily sessions has 

been suggested as a means for countering 

the physiological effects of long-term space 

flight, e.g., a Mars mission. This raises the 

possibility of continual changes in eye-hand 

coordination as the gravity signal changes 

on a daily basis. Understanding the cause 

of coordination loss is therefore critical to 

developing countermeasures. 

Earth Applications 

Understanding how the brain adapts to 

physiological changes that the ISS 

crewmembers undergo will be applicable on 

Earth as well as space. The results from 

this experiment will give insight on how the 

brain overcomes stresses that are not 

normally part of the day-to-day life. This 

new information can be applied in many 

areas of research that deal with 

neurological diseases in order to provide 

improved treatments. 

Web Site 

For more information on PMDIS, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Passive Observatories for Experimental Microbial Systems in Microgravity 

(POEMS) 

Principal Investigator: Michael Roberts, Ph.D., Dynamac Corp., 

Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 

Overview 

This experiment will evaluate the effect of 

stress in the space environment on the 

generation of genetic variation within model 

microbial cells. 

Research Summary 

This experiment uses a new system for 

microbial cultivation in the spaceflight 

environment to observe the generation and 

maintenance of genetic variation within 

microbial populations in microgravity. 

POEMS will contain experiments studying 

the growth, ecology and performance of 

diverse assemblages of microorganisms in 

space. 

Understanding microbial growth and 

ecology in a space environment is 

important for maintaining human health and 

bioregenerative life support functions in 

support of NASA Exploration Systems 

requiring Advanced Life Support. 

Research Operations 

Replicate cultures are inoculated on the 

ground and launched on the space shuttle. 

Half the cultures are returned with the 

shuttle that they launch on and half are 

transferred to the space station where they 

are preserved (frozen in the MELFI freezer) 

at successive time-points over the course of 

six months. These cultures will then be 

returned to Earth and compared to ground 

controls to determine if the space 

environment affected the rate of generation 

of new mutants. 

Flight History/Background 

POEMS was launched on ULF1.1 

(STS-121). The experiment is assigned to 

Expeditions 13 and 14. 

Web Sites 

For more information on POEMS, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Renal Stone Risk During Spaceflight: 

Assessment and Countermeasure Validation 

(Renal Stone) 

Principal Investigator: Peggy A. Whitson, Ph.D., NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston 

Payload Developer: Peggy A. Whitson (Expedition 5 Flight Engineer), NASA Johnson 

Space Center 

Project Manager: Michelle Kamman, NASA Johnson Space Center 

Operations: Inflight 

Objective 

This experiment examines the risk of renal 

(kidney) stone formation in crewmembers 

during the pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight 

timeframes. Potassium citrate (K-cit) is a 

proven ground-based treatment for patients 

suffering from renal stones. In this study, 

K-cit tablets will be administered to 

astronauts and multiple urine samples will 

be taken before, during and after 

spaceflight to evaluate the risk of renal 

stone formation. From the results, K-cit will 

be evaluated as a potential countermeasure 

to alter the urinary biochemistry and lower 

the risk for potential development of renal 

stones in microgravity. This study will also 

examine the influence of dietary factors on 

the urinary biochemistry, investigate the 

effect flight duration on renal stone 

formation and determine how long after 

spaceflight the risk exists. 

Brief Summary 

Kidney stone formation is a significant risk 

during long-duration spaceflight that could 

have serious consequences since it cannot 

be treated as it would on Earth. 

Quantification of the renal stone-forming 

potential that exists during long-duration 

spaceflight and the recovery after 

spaceflight is necessary to reduce the risk 

of renal stone formation. This is a 

long-term study to test the efficacy of 

potassium citrate as a countermeasure to 

renal stone formation. 

Strategic Objective Mapping 

This is a long-term study to test the efficacy 

of potassium citrate as a countermeasure to 

renal stone formation. Kidney stone 

formation is a significant risk during 

long-duration spaceflight that could impair 

astronaut functionality. 

Space Applications 

Human exposure to microgravity results in 

a number of physiological changes. Among 

these are changes in renal function, fluid 

redistribution, bone loss and muscle 

atrophy, all of which contribute to an altered 

urinary environment and the potential for 

renal stone formation during and 

immediately after flight. In-flight changes 

previously observed include decreased 

urine volume and urinary citrate and 

increased urinary concentrations of calcium 

and sodium. The formation of renal stones 

could have severe health consequences for 
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crewmembers and negatively impact the 

success of the mission. This study will 

provide a better understanding of the risk 

factors associated with renal stone 

development during and after flight, as well 

as test the efficacy of potassium citrate as a 

countermeasure to reduce this risk. 

Earth Applications 

Understanding how the disease may form 

in otherwise healthy crewmembers under 

varying environmental conditions will also 

provide insight into stone forming diseases 

on Earth. 

Website 

For more information on Renal Stone, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Acquisition & Analysis of Medical & Environment Data 

Aboard the International Space Station 

Project Manager: William Foster, NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland 

Research Leads: Richard DeLombard, NASA Glenn Research Center 

Kenol Jules, NASA Glenn Research Center 

Overview 

Providing a quiescent microgravity, or 

low-gravity, environment for fundamental 

scientific research is one of the major goals 

of the International Space Station Program. 

However, tiny disturbances aboard the 

Space Station mimic the effects of gravity, 

and scientists need to understand, track 

and measure these potential disruptions. 

Two accelerometer systems developed by 

the Glenn Research Center are being used 

aboard the Station to measure the 

acceleration environment. Operation of 

these systems began with Expedition 2 and 

will continue throughout the life of the 

Station. 

The Space Acceleration Measurement 

System II (SAMS-II) measures 

accelerations caused by vehicle, crew and 

equipment disturbances. To complement 

the SAMS-II measurements, the 

Microgravity Acceleration Measurement 

System (MAMS) records accelerations 

caused by the aerodynamic drag created as 

the Station moves through space. It also 

measures accelerations created as the 

vehicle rotates and vents water. These 

small, quasi-steady accelerations occur in 

the frequency range below 1 Hertz. 

Using data from both accelerometer 

systems, the Principal Investigator 

Microgravity Services team at the Glenn 

Research Center will help investigators 

characterize accelerations that influence 

their ISS experiments. The acceleration 

data will be available to researchers during 

the mission via the World Wide Web. It will 

be updated nominally every two minutes as 

new data is transmitted from the ISS to 

Glenn’s Telescience Support Center. A 

catalog of acceleration sources also will be 

maintained.
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Space Acceleration Measurement System II 

(SAMS-II) 

Project Manager: William Foster, NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland 

The Space Acceleration Measurement 

System II (SAMS-II) began operations on 

International Space Station Mission 6A. It 

measures vibrations that affect nearby 

experiments. SAMS-II uses small remote 

triaxial sensor systems that are placed 

directly next to experiments throughout the 

laboratory module. In EXPRESS (Expedite 

the Processing of Experiments to the Space 

Station) Racks 1 and 4, it will remain on 

board the Station permanently. 

As the sensors measure accelerations 

electronically, they transmit the 

measurements to the interim control unit 

located in an EXPRESS rack drawer. 

SAMS-II is designed to record accelerations 

for the lifetime of the Space Station. As 

larger, facility-size experiments fill entire 

Space Station racks in the future, the 

interim control unit will be replaced with a 

more sophisticated computer control unit. It 

will allow on-board data analysis and direct 

dissemination of data to the investigators’ 

telescience centers at university 

laboratories and other locations around the 

world. 
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Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System 

(MAMS) 

Project Manager: William Foster, NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland 

The Microgravity Acceleration 

Measurement System (MAMS) measures 

accelerations that affect the entire Space 

Station, including experiments inside the 

laboratory. It fits in a double middeck 

locker, in the U.S. Laboratory Destiny in 

EXPRESS Rack No.1. It was preinstalled 

in the rack, which was placed in the 

laboratory during Expedition 2, ISS Flight 

6A. It will remain on board the Station 

permanently. 

Unlike SAMS-II, MAMS measures more 

subtle accelerations that only affect certain 

types of experiments, such as crystal 

growth. Therefore MAMS will not have to 

be on all the time. During early expeditions, 

MAMS will require a minimum operational 

period of 48 or 96 hours to characterize the 

performance of the sensors and collect 

baseline data. During later increments, 

MAMS can be activated for time periods 

sufficient to satisfy payload or Space 

Station requirements for acceleration data. 

MAMS is commanded on and off from the 

Telescience Support Center at Glenn. 

MAMS is activated when the crew switches 

on the power switch for the EXPRESS 

Rack No. 1, and the MAMS computer is 

powered up from the ground control center. 

When MAMS is powered on, data is sent to 

Glenn Research Center’s Telescience 

Support Center where it is processed and 

displayed on the Principal Investigator 

Microgravity Services Space Station Web 

site to be viewed by investigators. 

History/Background 

The Space Acceleration Measurement 

System (SAMS)—on which SAMS-II is 

based—first flew in June 1991 and has 

flown on nearly every major microgravity 

science mission. SAMS was used for 

almost four years aboard the Russian 

space station Mir where it collected data to 

support science experiments. 
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Space Experiment Module 

(SEM) 

Principal Investigator: Ruthan Lewis, Ph.D., Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. 

Increment(s) Assigned: 10, 11, 13, 14 

Overview 

The Space Experiment Module (SEM) 

provides student opportunity to conduct 

research on the effects of microgravity, 

radiation and spaceflight on various 

materials. Research objectives for each 

experiment are determined by the students, 

but generally include hypothesis on 

changes in the selected materials due to 

the space environment. This is done by 

providing students space capsules to 

contain passive test articles for flight. 

These capsules are clear, sealable 

polycarbonate vials, one inch in diameter 

and three inches in depth. The vials are 

packed in satchels (20 per satchel) which 

contain specially formed foam layers for 

flight. 

Students select the items that will be 

contained inside the vials. Some of the 

items include seeds, such as corn, 

watermelon, cucumber, beans, peas and 

several other vegetable seeds. Additional 

items include materials such as wool, 

Kevlar, silk, ultraviolet beads, chicken 

bones, copper, plastic, dextrose, yeast, 

over-the-counter medications, human hair, 

mineral samples, light bulbs and brine 

shrimp eggs. Many students will test for 

seed growth after microgravity exposure; 

other students test how materials protect 

against radiation exposure and survival 

rates of microscopic life forms. 

Flight History/Background 

SEM has flown on the following shuttle 

missions: STS 80, 85, 88, 91, 95, 101, 102, 

105, 106, 107 and 108. The SEM satchel 

001 was launched during Expedition 10 in 

December 2004. All ISS operations have 

been completed for the first SEM satchel on 

the space station. The satchel was 

returned to Earth on Discovery (STS-114) 

in August 2005. The sample vials will be 

returned to the students for analysis. 

Benefits 

SEM introduces the concept of 

space-based scientific experiments to the 

next generation. SEM is educating and 

inspiring the next generation to take the 

journey. 

Web Site 

For more information on SEM, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Sleep-Wake Actigraphy and Light Exposure During Spaceflight-Long 

(Sleep-Long) 

Principal Investigator: Charles A. Czeisler, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School, 

Cambridge, Mass. 

Co-Investigator: Laura K. Barger, Ph.D., Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston 

Payload Developer: Johnson Space Center, Flight Research Management Office, 

Houston 

Increment(s) Assigned: 14, 15 

Brief Research Summary 

Sleep-Long will examine the effects of 

spaceflight on the sleep-wake cycles of the 

crew during long-duration stays on the 

International Space Station. 

Research Summary 

Previous research on space shuttle 

crewmembers has shown that sleep-wake 

patterns are disrupted on orbit. This 

experiment will examine whether 

sleep-wake activity patterns are disrupted 

during long duration stays on the 

International Space Station. A wrist-worn 

Actiwatch will record the activity of the 

crewmembers, when they are sleeping, and 

the ambient light they experience. Results 

will be also be used to evaluate the 

crewmembers' subjective evaluation of the 

amount and quality of their sleep. This 

work will help in defining light requirements, 

sleep-shifting protocols, and workload plans 

for future explorations missions, and 

determine if further countermeasures to 

sleep disruption will need to be tested. 

Space Applications 

The information derived from this study will 

help to better understand the effects of 

spaceflight on sleep-wake cycles. 

Earth Applications 

A better understanding of insomnia is 

relevant to the millions of people on Earth 

who suffer nightly from insomnia. The 

advancement of state-of-the-art technology 

for monitoring, diagnosing, and assessing 

treatment effectiveness is vital to the 

continued treatment of insomnia on Earth. 

Website 

For more information on Sleep-Long, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Sleep-Wake Actigraphy and Light Exposure During Spaceflight-Short 

(Sleep-Short) 

Principal Investigator: Charles A. Czeisler, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School, 

Cambridge, Mass. 

Co-Investigator: Laura K. Barger, Ph.D., Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston 

Increment(s) Assigned: Expeditions 11, 13, 14, 15 

Brief Research Summary 

Sleep-Short will examine the effects of 

space flight on the sleep-wake cycles of the 

astronauts during Space Shuttle missions. 

Research Summary 

Previous research on space shuttle 

crewmembers has shown that sleep-wake 

patterns are disrupted on orbit. A 

wrist-worn Actiwatch will record the activity 

of the crewmembers, when they are 

sleeping, and the ambient light they 

experience. Results will be used to 

evaluate the crewmembers’ subjective 

evaluation of the amount and quality of their 

sleep. 

Space Applications 

The information derived from this study will 

help to better understand the effects of 

spaceflight on sleep-wake cycles. The 

countermeasures that will be developed will 

improve sleep cycles during missions which 

in turn will help maintain alertness and 

lessen fatigue of the Space Shuttle 

astronauts. 

Earth Applications 

A better understanding of insomnia is 

relevant to the millions of people on Earth 

who suffer nightly from insomnia. The 

advancement of state of the art technology 

for monitoring, diagnosing, and assessing 

treatment effectiveness is vital to the 

continued treatment of insomnia on Earth. 

This work could have benefit the health, 

productivity and safety of groups with a high 

prevalence of insomnia, such as shift 

workers and the elderly. 

Website 

For more information on Sleep-Short, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Space Test Program-H2-Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment 

(STP-H2-ANDE) 

Principal Investigator: Andrew Nicholas, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 

Increment(s) Assigned: 14 

Brief Research Summary 

Two microsatellites launched from the 

Shuttle payload bay will measure the 

density and composition of the Low Earth 

Orbit atmosphere while being tracked from 

the ground. The data will be used to better 

predict the movement of objects in orbit. 

Research Summary 

• Atmospheric Neutral Density 

Experiment’s (ANDE) objectives are to 

measure atmospheric density and 

composition in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) 

and to better characterize the 

parameters used to calculate a 

satellite’s drag coefficient. 

• This experiment consists of two micro 

satellites, the Mock ANDE Active (MAA) 

spacecraft and the Fence Calibration 

(FCal) spacecraft, that are launched 

from the Space Shuttle cargo bay. 

• These spherical satellites will be tracked 

by the Satellite Laser Ranging systems 

and the Space Surveillance Network. 

• ANDE is part of the Space Test 

Program-H2 (STP-H2) compliment that 

also includes MEPSI and RAFT. 

Space Applications 

Understanding the atmospheric effects on 

spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit will lead to 

improved calculations for orbit 

determinations and collision avoidance. 

Earth Applications 

Improving calculations that are used when 

observing orbits, may lead to 

advancements in the fields of mathematics 

and physics here on Earth. 

Web Site 

For more information on STP-H2-ANDE, 

visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Space Test Program-H2-Microelectromechanical 

System-Based (MEMS) PICOSAT Inspector 

(STP-H2-MEPSI) 

Principal Investigator: James, Keeney, Ph.D., Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, N.M. 

Increment(s) Assigned: 14 

Brief Research Summary 

This experiment will demonstrate the use of 

tiny (the size of a coffee cup) low-power 

inspection satellites that can be sent out to 

observe larger spacecraft. The small (1 kg) 

inspection satellites are enabled by 

microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), 

and will test the functioning of small camera 

systems and gyros. 

Research Summary 

MEPSI is a series of tests in the 

development of tiny (about 1-2 kg, 4"x4"x5") 

autonomous satellites that can be used to 

observe larger spacecraft. An active 

on-board imaging capability can be used to 

assess spacecraft damages from 

man-made or environmental threats, 

monitor launch operations, and augment 

servicing operations. 

The primary goal is to provide a rapid 

feedback capability for decision makers for 

detection and response to spacecraft 

anomalies. MEPSI is part of the Space 

Test Program-H2 (STP-H2) compliment 

that also includes ANDE and RAFT.

Space Applications 

MEPSI technology will lead to an image 

inspection capability for a low-cost survey 

of spacecraft while on orbit. 

Earth Applications 

MEPSI uses miniature imaging technology. 

This experiment may lead to new 

advancements in miniature imagining and 

relay technology which can be used in a 

variety of settings from medicine to public 

safety. 

Web Site 

For more information on STP-H2-MEPSI, 

visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Space Test Program-H2-Radar Fence Transponder 

(STP-H2-RAFT) 

Principal Investigator: United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. 

Increment(s) Assigned: 14 

Brief Research Summary 

The RAFT mission is a student experiment 

from the United Sates Naval Academy that 

uses picosatellites to test the Space 

Surveillance Radar Fence and experimental 

communications transponders. 

Research Summary 

The Radar Fence Transponder's (RAFT) 

main objective is to determine the limits if 

the U.S. Navy Space Surveillance radar 

surveillance fence in detecting small 

satellites and test experimental 

communications transponders. RAFT will 

use 2 picosatellites, small 5 x 5 x 5 inch 

cube-shaped satellites, to transmit signals 

to and receive signals from the radar fence 

for calibration.

Space Applications 

RAFT will lead to a better system of 

tracking an increasing population of 

picosatellites. 

Earth Applications 

RAFT is a student project at the US Naval 

Academy Aerospace. This experiment 

provides students the hands-on opportunity 

to design and build picosatellites. By using 

mathematics, engineering and scientific 

concepts, it will prepare the next generation 

for careers in the Aerospace industry. 

Web Site 

For more information on STP-H2-RAFT, 

visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites 

(SPHERES) 

Principal Investigator: David Miller, Ph.D., Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. 

Overview 

The Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, 

Reorient, Experimental Satellites 

(SPHERES) experiment will be used to 

develop the software needed to control 

multiple spacecraft flying close together and 

to test formation flying in microgravity. The 

experiment will serve as an International 

Space Station-based test bed for the 

development and testing of formation flying 

and other multi-spacecraft control 

algorithms. 

SPHERES consists of three self-contained, 

bowling ball-sized "satellites" or free-flyers, 

which perform the various algorithms. Each 

satellite is self-contained with power (AA 

batteries), propulsion (CO2 gas), computers 

and navigation equipment. As the satellites 

fly through the station, they will 

communicate with each other and an ISS 

laptop via a low-power, 900 MHz wireless 

link. 

Flight History/Background 

The MIT Space Systems Laboratory is 

developing the SPHERES formation flight 

test bed to provide the Air Force and NASA 

with a long-term, replenishable and 

upgradeable test bed for the validation of 

high-risk metrology, control and autonomy 

technologies. The technologies are critical 

to the operation of distributed satellite and 

docking missions such as TechSat 21, 

Starlight, Terrestrial Planet Finder and 

Orbital Express. 

This experiment is assigned to Expeditions 

8, 13, 14 and 15. 

Benefits 

Developing autonomous formation flight 

and docking control algorithms is an 

important step in making many future space 

missions possible. The ability to 

autonomously coordinate and synchronize 

multiple spacecraft in tightly controlled 

spatial configurations enables a variety of 

new and innovative mission operations 

concepts. The results are important for 

designing constellation and array 

spacecraft configurations. 

Website 

For more information on SPHERES visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html

http://ssl.mit.edu/spheres/

http://ssl.mit.edu/spheres/library.html
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Stability of Pharmacotherapeutic and Nutritional Compounds 

(Stability) 

Principal Investigator(s): Scott Smith, Ph.D. and Lakshmi Putcha, Ph.D., 

Johnson Space Center, Houston 

Increment(s) Assigned: 13, 14, 15, 16 

Brief Research Summary 

The radiation environment in space can 

have negative effects on many systems, not 

only the human body. Complex organic 

molecules can be affected by radiation, 

including vitamins and other compounds in 

food and pharmaceuticals (medications). 

The radiation damage may render these 

compounds ineffective. Determining the 

magnitude of these effects on the stability 

of medicines and food stuffs will help better 

plan for exploration missions, and may 

facilitate development of stable and reliable 

pharmaceutical and nutritional 

countermeasures suitable for future long 

duration expeditions to the moon and Mars. 

Research Summary 

This study will document the changes in 

pharmaceuticals and foods after these 

items are stored for long durations in space. 

Knowledge gained from this research 

project will direct future efforts for potent 

formulation development, packaging and/or 

shielding for medicines and foods to ensure 

efficacy (effectiveness) of medicines and 

quality nutritional value of food products 

used by crew throughout exploration 

missions.

Space Applications 

Results of this investigation will provide 

important information on the susceptibility 

of select pharmaceuticals and foods to 

adverse environmental factors encountered 

during space missions. 

Earth Applications 

The results of this investigation will help 

researchers understand the effects of 

adverse environments on food and 

medicines. 

Web Site 

For more information on Stability, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Surface, Water and Air Biocharacterization 

(SWAB) 

Principal Investigator: Duane L. Pierson, Ph.D., NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston 

Overview 

Generic techniques will be used for the first 

time to comprehensively evaluate the 

microbes, including pathogens, on the 

space station, and how the microbial 

community changes as spacecraft visit and 

modules are added. 

Research Summary 

Previous microbial analysis of spacecraft 

only identify microorganisms that will grow 

in culture, omitting more than 90 percent of 

all microorganisms including pathogens 

such as Legionella (the bacterium which 

causes Legionnaires' disease) and 

Cryptosporidium (a parasite common in 

contaminated water). The incidence of 

potent allergens, such as dust mites, has 

never been systematically studied in 

spacecraft environments and microbial 

toxins have not been previously monitored. 

This study will use modern molecular 

techniques to identify microorganisms and 

allergens. Direct sampling of the Station 

allows identification of the microbial 

communities present, and determination of 

whether these change over time. 

Benefits 

The results of this study will provide insight 

into the progression of the microbial 

ecology and potential problems in terrestrial 

systems such as office buildings and 

residential homes. The development of 

specific primers for bacterial enumeration 

and fungal identification will advance the 

ability of ground-based investigators to 

diagnose the causes of microbial volatile 

organic compounds and “sick building 

syndrome.” 

Flight History/Background 

This investigation was conducted for the 

first time during Expedition 11. The 

experiment is to be flown on Expeditions 

13, 14 and 15. 

More Information 

For more information on SWAB, visit: 

http://hrf.jsc.nasa.gov/science/swab.asp
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Test of Reaction and Adaptation Capabilities 

(TRAC) 

Principal Investigator(s): Otmar Bock, Ph.D., German Sport University, Cologne Germany 

Increment(s) Assigned: 14, 15 

Brief Research Summary 

The TRAC investigation will test the theory 

of brain adaptation during spaceflight by 

testing hand-eye coordination before, 

during and after the mission. 

Research Summary 

TRAC will investigate the theory that the 

decrease in motor skills, for example, 

hand-eye coordination, is a result of the 

brain’s adaptation to being in space. By 

testing hand-eye coordination of the ISS 

crew, scientists hope to confirm that while 

the brain is adapting to microgravity, it is 

unable to provide the resources necessary 

to perform normal motor skills. 

Space Applications 

Understanding how the brain adapts from 

zero-g to 1-g will lead to improvement in 

procedures that require precise motor skills. 

Earth Applications 

The finds of this investigation may lead to 

improved medical treatments for patient 

who suffer from coordination deficits and 

neurological disorders on Earth. 

Website 

For more information on TRAC, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html
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Analysis of a Novel Sensory Mechanism in Root Phototropism 

(Tropi) 

Principal Investigator: John Kiss, Ph.D., Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 

Increment(s) Assigned: 13, 14 

Brief Research Summary 

Plants sprouted from seeds will be video 

taped and samples collected will be 

analyzed at a molecular level to determine 

what genes are responsible for successful 

plant growth in microgravity. Insights 

gained from Tropi can lead to sustainable 

agriculture for future long duration space 

missions. 

Research Summary 

Tropi is a plant growth experiment that will 

investigate how plant roots respond to 

varying levels of both light and gravity 

(using a rotating centrifuge). This 

experiment will help gain insight into how 

plants grow in space to help create 

sustainable life support systems for 

long-term space travel. Plant growth under 

various gravity conditions (0 G to 1 G) is 

achieved using a rotating centrifuge. 

Space Applications 

During long-term space exploration it will be 

necessary to provide astronauts with 

regenerative sources of food as well as 

supplemental methods to recycle carbon 

dioxide into breathable oxygen. As new 

information about how plants grow in 

microgravity emerges, sustainable 

plant-based life support systems may be 

developed. 

Earth Applications 

Further understanding of how plants grow 

and develop at a molecular level can lead 

to significant advancements in agricultural 

production on Earth. 

Web Site 

For more information on Tropi, visit: 

http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/

station/list.html

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The Digital NASA Television 

NASA Television can be seen in the 

continental United States on AMC-6, at 

72 degrees west longitude, Transponder 17C, 

4040 MHz, vertical polarization, FEC 3/4, 

Data Rate 36.860 MHz, Symbol 26.665 Ms, 

Transmission DVB. If you live in Alaska or 

Hawaii, NASA TV can now be seen on 

AMC-7, at 137 degrees west longitude, 

Transponder 18C, at 4060 MHz, vertical 

polarization, FEC 3/4, Data Rate 36.860 MHz, 

Symbol 26.665 Ms, Transmission DVB. 

Digital NASA TV system provides higher 

quality images and better use of satellite 

bandwidth, meaning multiple channels from 

multiple NASA program sources at the same 

time. 

Digital NASA TV has four digital channels: 

1. NASA Public Service ("Free to Air"), 

featuring documentaries, archival 

programming, and coverage of NASA 

missions and events; 

2. NASA Education Services ("Free to 

Air/Addressable"), dedicated to providing 

educational programming to schools, 

educational institutions and museums; 

3. NASA Media Services ("Addressable"), 

for broadcast news organizations; and 

4. NASA Mission Operations (Internal Only) 

Note: Digital NASA TV channels may not 

always have programming on every 

channel simultaneously. 

Internet Information 

Information is available through several 

sources on the Internet. The primary source 

for mission information is the NASA Human 

Space Flight Web, part of the World Wide 

Web. This site contains information on the 

crew and its mission and will be updated 

regularly with status reports, photos and video 

clips throughout the flight. The NASA Shuttle 

Web’s address is: 

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov

General information on NASA and its 

programs is available through the NASA 

Home Page and the NASA Public Affairs 

Home Page: 

http://www.nasa.gov

or 

http://www.nasa.gov/newsinfo/index.html

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Expedition 14 PAO Contacts 

Melissa Mathews International Partners 202-358-1272

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, D.C. 

Melissa.Mathews-1@nasa.gov

Allard Beutel Shuttle, Space Station Policy 202-358-4769

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, D.C. 

allard.beutel@nasa.gov

Katherine Trinidad Shuttle, Space Station Policy 202-358-3749

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, D.C. 

Katherine.Trinidad@nasa.gov

Grey Hautaluoma Shuttle, Space Station Policy 202-358-0668

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, D.C. 

Grey.hautaluoma-1@nasa.gov

Michael Braukus Research in Space 202-358-1979

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, D.C. 

Michael.Braukus@nasa.gov

James Hartsfield Astronauts/Mission Operations 281-483-5111

NASA Johnson Space Center 

Houston, TX 

james.a.hartsfield@nasa.gov

Rob Navias Mission Operations 281-483-5111

NASA Johnson Space Center 

Houston, TX 

rob.navias-1@nasa.gov

Kylie Clem International Space Station 281-483-5111

NASA Johnson Space Center 

Houston, TX 

kylie.s.clem@nasa.gov
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Kim Newton

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center 

Huntsville, Ala. 

Kim.Newton@nasa.gov

Science Operations 256-544-0371

Ed Memi 

The Boeing Company 

Houston, TX 

Edmund.g.memi@boeing.com

International Space Station 281-226-4029