APRIL 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS i

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Section Page 

Mission Overview ................................................................................................................ 1

Expedition 27/28 Crew ........................................................................................................11 

Mission Milestones ............................................................................................................. 25 

Expedition 27/28 Spacewalks ........................................................................................... 27

Russian Soyuz ...................................................................................................................... 29

Soyuz Booster Rocket Characteristics .......................................................................................... 34 

Prelaunch Countdown Timeline ..................................................................................................... 35 

Ascent/Insertion Timeline.............................................................................................................. 36 

Orbital Insertion To D o c k i n g T i m e l i n e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37 

S o y u z L a n d i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................... 42 

Expedition 27/28 Science Overview ................................................................................. 45 

Research Experiments ..................................................................................................................... 51 

NASA’S Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) ...................................... 73

Media Assistance ................................................................................................................ 75

Expedition 27/28 Public Affairs Officers (PAO) Contacts ............................................. 77

 

 

 
ii TABLE OF CONTENTS APRIL 2011

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APRIL 2011 MISSION OVERVIEW 1

Mission Overview 

Expeditions 27 and 28 

The International Space Station is featured in this image photographed by an STS-133 

crew member on space shuttle Discovery after the station and shuttle began their 

post-undocking relative separation. Undocking of the two spacecraft occurred at 

7 a.m. (EST) on March 7, 2011. Discovery spent eight days, 16 hours, and 46 minutes 

attached to the orbiting laboratory. Photo credit: NASA 

The primary goals of Expedition 27 and 28 

are to continue world-class research while 

preparing the International Space Station 

(ISS) for a future without space shuttles, 

provisioning it with enough supplies and 

spare parts to support the orbiting outpost 

until all of its new resupply spacecraft are 

ready. 

The comings and goings of the final two 

space shuttle missions, STS-134 and 

STS-135, will keep the station’s six-person 

crew busy for much of the summer, while 

the departure of four cargo ships turned 

trash trucks and the activation of 

Robonaut 2 fill the rest of its busy schedule. 
2 MISSION OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

The Expedition 27 and 28 crews, comprised 

of a total of nine residents over a span of 

seven months, will continue to support 

research into the effects of microgravity on 

the human body, biology, physics and 

materials, and expand its scope to the 

mysteries of the cosmos with the Alpha 

Magnetic Spectrometer. 

As Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly 

and Flight Engineers Alexander Kaleri and 

Oleg Skripochka departed in mid-March, 

cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratyev became 

commander of the three-person Expedition 

27 crew that also includes NASA’s Catherine 

Coleman and the European Space Agency’s 

Paolo Nespoli. For about two weeks, the trio 

maintained station operations and research 

before being joined by another American 

and two more Russians. 

NASA’s Ron Garan and Russians Andrey 

Borisenko and Alexander Samokutyaev 

joined Kondratyev, Coleman and Nespoli 

when their Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft 

docked with the station April 6, following an 

April 4 launch from the Baikonur 

Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. United, they 

comprise the full Expedition 27 crew. 

Kondtatyev, Coleman and Nespoli launched 

to the station Dec. 15, 2010, aboard the 

Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft. 

Less than two weeks after the arrival of 

Garan, Borisenko and Samokutyaev, the 

six-person crew celebrated the 

50th anniversary of the first human 

spaceflight and the 30th anniversary of the 

first space shuttle flight. Russian cosmonaut 

Yuri Gagarin’s flight lifted off from the same 

launch pad as Garan, Borisenko and 

Samukotyaev on April 12, 1961, while NASA 

astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen 

launched from Kennedy Space Center on 

STS-1 on April 12, 1981, aboard space 

shuttle Columbia. 

Coleman, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, 

has been on the space station since 

Dec. 17, 2010. She was a mission specialist 

on STS-73 in 1995 and STS-93 in 1999, a 

mission that deployed the Chandra X-Ray 

Observatory. She also served as the backup 

U.S. crew member for Expeditions 19, 20, 

and 21. 

Kondratyev, selected as a test-cosmonaut 

candidate of the Gagarin Cosmonaut 

Training Center Cosmonaut Office in 

December 1997, trained as a backup crew 

member for Expedition 5 and Expedition 20. 

He also served as the Russian Space 

Agency director of operations stationed at 

the Johnson Space Center from May 2006 

through April 2007. He conducted two 

spacewalks in January and February. 

Nespoli was selected as an astronaut by the 

Italian space agency in July 1998 and one 

month later joined ESA’s European 

astronaut corps. He flew as a mission 

specialist on STS-120 in October 2007, 

which delivered the Italian-built Harmony 

module to the space station. Prior to this 

mission, Nespoli had accumulated more 

than 15 days of spaceflight experience. 
APRIL 2011 MISSION OVERVIEW 3

Expedition 27 crew members from top, Russian cosmonaut Andrey Borisenko, NASA 

astronaut Ron Garan, and cosmonaut and Soyuz commander Alexander Samokutyaev 

wave farewell from the bottom of the Soyuz rocket prior to their launch to the ISS from 

the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on April 5, 2011 (Kazakhstan time). 

The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin,” is launching one week shy of the 50th 

anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 

12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. Photo credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi 
Garan, 49, is embarking on the second 

mission of his NASA career. Garan 

completed his first spaceflight in 2008 on 

STS-124 as a mission specialist and has 

logged more than 13 days in space and 

20 hours and 32 minutes of extravehicular 

activity in three spacewalks. Garan is a 

retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force and has 

degrees from the SUNY College at Oneonta, 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and 

the University of Florida. 

Samokutyaev, 41, flight engineer for 

Expeditions 27 and 28, is on his first 

mission. Before becoming a cosmonaut, 

Samokutyaev flew as a pilot, senior pilot and 

deputy commander of air squadron. 

Samokutyaev has logged 680 hours of flight 

time and performed 250 parachute jumps. 

He is a Class 3 Air Force pilot and a 

qualified diver. Since December 2008, he 

has trained as an Expedition 23/24 backup 

crew member, Soyuz commander and 

Expedition 24 flight engineer. 

Borisenko, 46, graduated from the Leningrad 

Physics and Mathematics School No. 30 

and, working in a military unit, started his 

career at RSC Energia in 1989 where he 

was responsible for the Mir motion control 

system and took part in the Borisenko was a 

shift flight director at the MCC-M starting in 

1999, first for the Mir space station and then 

for the International Space Station. 

Borisenko will serve as a flight engineer on 

Expedition 27 and commander on 

Expedition 28. 

The Expedition 27 and 28 crews will work 

with some 111 experiments involving 

approximately 200 researchers across a 

variety of fields, including human life 

sciences, physical sciences and Earth 

observation, and conduct technology 

4 MISSION OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

demonstrations ranging from recycling 

to robotics. Seventy-three of these 

experiments are sponsored by NASA, 

including 22 under the auspices of the 

U.S. National Laboratory program, and 

38 are sponsored by international partners. 

More than 540 hours of research are 

planned. As with prior expeditions, many 

experiments are designed to gather 

information about the effects of 

long-duration spaceflight on the human 

body, which will help us understand 

complicated processes such as immune 

systems with plan for future exploration 

missions. 

Aside from research, Expeditions 27 and 28 

are all about making room for the supplies 

and equipment to be delivered on the 

final shuttle missions by putting as much 

trash and packing material as possible 

into departing cargo vehicles. The emptied 

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencyprovided Konotouri2, or H-II Transfer Vehicle 

(HTV2) departed the station on March 28. 

The 41st Russian Progress cargo craft is 

scheduled to undock on April 22. The 

European Space Agency-launched 

Johannes Kepler Automated Transfer 

Vehicle 2 (ATV2) is slated to depart on June 

20. The 43rd Russian Progress cargo craft is 

scheduled to undock on Aug. 29. All four will 

be commanded to make fiery re-entries that 

destroy the spacecraft and the refuse inside 

as they fall back to Earth. 

Before Johannes Kepler departs, its 

thrusters and propellant will be used to boost 

the space station to its normal planned 

altitude of 248 miles, or 400 kilometers. The 

main reason for increasing the standard orbit 

from 220 statute miles, or about 350 

kilometers, is to cut the amount of fuel 

needed to keep it there by more than half. 
APRIL 2011 MISSION OVERVIEW 5

Even though the space station orbits in 

what most people on Earth would consider 

to be the “vacuum of space,” there are still 

enough atmospheric molecules contacting 

the station’s surfaces to change its speed, 

or velocity. The station is so large (as big as 

a football field with the end zones included) 

that the cumulative effect of these tiny 

contacts reduces its speed and causes a 

minute but continuous lowering of its 

altitude, or height above the Earth. To fight 

this tendency, thrusters on the space 

station or visiting vehicles such as the 

space shuttle, Progress resupply vehicles, 

or ATVs, are fired periodically to “reboost” 

the station. These reboosts, however, come 

at the cost of propellant, that must be 

launched from Earth at significant cost. 

Raising the space station’s altitude means 

that visiting vehicles will not be able to carry 

as much cargo as they could if they were 

launching to the station at a lower altitude, 

but it also means that not as much of that 

cargo needs to be propellant. 

NASA astronaut Mike Fossum (right foreground), Expedition 28 flight engineer and 

Expedition 29 commander; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut 

Satoshi Furukawa (center foreground), Expedition 28/29 flight engineer; NASA 

astronaut Ron Garan (left background), Expedition 27/28 flight engineer; and NASA 

astronaut Chris Ferguson (right background), STS-135 commander, participate in a 

training session in an ISS mock-up/trainer in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at 

NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Fossum and Garan are attired in training versions of 

the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit. Photo credit: NASA 
6 MISSION OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

At its current altitude, the space station 

uses about 19,000 pounds (8.6 kilograms 

of propellant a year to maintain a consistent 

orbit. At the new, slightly higher altitude, 

the station is expected to expend about 

8,000 pounds (3.6 kilograms) of propellant 

a year. And that will translate to a 

significant amount of food, water, clothing, 

research instruments and samples, and 

spare parts that can be flown on the cargo 

vehicles that will keep the station 

operational until 2020 and beyond. 

Another important task for the new crew will 

be to install infrastructure upgrades to the 

station’s command and control computers 

and its communications systems. The 

year-long upgrade process started during 

Expedition 26. Upgrading the computers 

and communications network will double 

the speed of data that can be transferred to 

and from the station, and add two additional 

video and two additional audio channels. 

The upgrades will help transmit scientific 

experiment data to researchers through 

control centers around the world, and help 

share the crew’s activities with the public. 

The goal is to increase the high-speed 

downlink levels from 150 to 300 megabits a 

second, which will allow the station to 

almost continually downlink telemetry data 

on all of its systems. The upgrade also will 

standardize the video system at 

high-definition television quality levels. 

Endeavour’s final mission, STS-134/ULF6, 

also known as Utilization and Logistics 

Flight 6, is scheduled to launch April 29, 

and will deliver the Alpha Magnetic 

Spectrometer (AMS). The AMS will be 

mounted to the station’s truss structure 

where it will use the power generated by 

the station’s solar arrays to support 

observations of cosmic rays. Looking at 

various types of unusual matter found in the 

universe will allow AMS researchers to 

study the formation of the universe and 

search for evidence of dark matter and 

antimatter. 

In addition, STS-134 will deliver ExPRESS 

Logistics Carrier 3 (ELC-3), which will hold 

a variety of spare parts. The STS-134 

mission will include four spacewalks to 

lubricate the port Solar Alpha Rotary Joints 

(SARJs) that allow the station’s solar arrays 

to track the sun as they generate electricity, 

install ammonia jumper hoses for the 

station’s cooling system, stow the Orbiter 

Boom Sensor System outside the station 

for future use as an inspection tool, and 

retrieve a set of materials exposure 

experiments for return to Earth. 

The final flight of the space shuttle fleet, 

STS-135/ULF7, is scheduled to launch 

June 28, and dock to the station three days 

later. Also known as Utilization and 

Logistics Flight 7, Atlantis’ last mission will 

carry the Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics 

Module to deliver supplies, logistics and 

spare parts to the station. The four-person 

shuttle crew also will fly a system to 

investigate the potential for remotecontrolled robot refueling of satellites and 

spacecraft in orbit and return a failed 

ammonia pump module to help NASA 

better understand the failure mechanism 

and improve pump designs for future 

systems. 
APRIL 2011 MISSION OVERVIEW 7

NASA astronaut Mike Fossum (right), Expedition 28 flight engineer and Expedition 29 

commander; along with Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov (center) and Japan 

Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, both 

Expedition 28/29 flight engineers, pose for a photo during a docking timeline 

simulation training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA’s 

Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA
8 MISSION OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Two Progress resupply craft are scheduled 

to deliver about two tons of supplies, 

equipment, fuel and other consumables 

during the summer. Progress 42 is 

scheduled to launch from the Baikonur 

Cosmodrome on April 27 and dock with the 

station’s Pirs port two days later, and 

Progress 43 is scheduled to launch from 

Kazakhstan on June 21, and dock on 

June 23 to the aft port of Zvezda, which will 

be vacated by ATV2. Progress 43’s stay is 

expected to be relatively brief, with 

Progress 44 scheduled to launch 

Aug. 30 and dock to the same Zvezda port 

on Sept. 1. 

One flight of the new commercial resupply 

vehicles, named Dragon, designed and 

tested for station support by Space 

Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), 

is scheduled to pass within a few miles of 

the station during the summer. The 

demonstration flight is part of NASA’s 

Commercial Crew and Cargo Program, 

which also involves future demonstration 

flights by Orbital Sciences Corp.’s 

Cygnus spacecraft. Once the test flights 

demonstrate the capabilities of the new 

commercial spacecraft, they will begin flying 

routine cargo missions to the station. 

The six-person Expedition 27 crew will 

spend about two months together before 

Kondratyev, Coleman and Nespoli climb 

into their Soyuz, undock and head for a late 

May landing in Kazakhstan. That will leave 

Borisenko, Garan and Samokutayev as the 

sole occupants of the station for about 

two weeks as the first set of three 

crewmembers that make up Expedition 28. 

Borisenko will become the Expedition 28 

commander when Kondratyev departs. The 

rest of the Expedition 28 crew – NASA’s 

Mike Fossum, JAXA’s Satoshi Furukawa 

and Russia’s Sergei Volkov – arrive 

approximately two weeks after Kondratyev, 

Coleman and Nespoli depart. They are 

scheduled to launch June 7 aboard the 

Soyuz TMA-02M spacecraft from Baikonur 

and be a part of the six-person crew for the 

rest of the summer until Borisenko, Garan 

and Samokutayev depart on Sept. 16. 

Fossum will become Expedition 29 

commander when Borisenko leaves for 

home. 
APRIL 2011 MISSION OVERVIEW 9

Attired in Russian Sokol launch and entry suits, Russian cosmonaut 

Andrey Borisenko (right), Expedition 27 flight engineer and Expedition 28 

commander; along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Samokutyaev (center) 

and NASA astronaut Ron Garan, both Expedition 27/28 flight engineers, 

take a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. 

Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center 
10 MISSION OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

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APRIL 2011 CREW 11

Expedition 27/28 Crew 

Expedition 27 

Expedition 27 Patch 

The Expedition 27 patch depicts the 

International Space Station prominently 

orbiting Earth, continuing its mission for 

science, technology and education. The 

space station is an ever-present reminder 

of the cooperation between the United 

States, Russia, Japan, Canada and the 

European Space Agency − and of the 

scientific, technical and cultural 

achievements that have resulted from that 

unique teamwork. The station is shown in 

its completed status with the latest addition 

of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and 

with two resupply vehicles docked at each 

end of the station. The Southern Cross 

Constellation is also shown in the 

foreground and its five stars, along with the 

sun, symbolize the six international crew 

members who live and work on the space 

station. The Southern Cross is one of the 

smallest modern constellations, and also 

one of the most distinctive. It has cultural 

significance all over the world and inspires 

teams to push the boundaries of their 

worlds, both in space and on the ground. 
12 CREW APRIL 2011

Expedition 27 crew members take a break from training at NASA’s Johnson Space 

Center to pose for a crew portrait. Pictured from the right are Russian cosmonaut 

Dmitry Kondratyev, commander; Russian cosmonaut Andrey Borisenko; 

NASA astronaut Catherine Coleman; Russian cosmonaut Alexander Samokutyaev; 

European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Paolo Nespoli; and NASA astronaut 

Ron Garan, all flight engineers. Photo credit: NASA 
APRIL 2011 CREW 13

Expedition 28 

Expedition 28 Patch 

In the foreground of the Expedition 28 

patch, the International Space Station is 

prominently displayed to acknowledge the 

efforts of the entire International Space 

Station team − both the crews who have 

assembled and operated it, and the team of 

scientists, engineers and support personnel 

on Earth who have provided a foundation 

for each successful mission. Their efforts 

and accomplishments have demonstrated 

the space station’s capabilities as a 

technology test bed and a science 

laboratory, as well as a path to the human 

exploration of our solar system and beyond. 

This Expedition 28 patch represents the 

teamwork among the international partners 

− USA, Russia, Japan, Canada and the 

ESA − and the ongoing commitment from 

each partner to build, improve and use the 

space station. Prominently displayed in the 

background is our home planet, Earth − the 

focus of much of our exploration and 

research on our outpost in space. Also 

prominently displayed in the background is 

the moon. The moon is included in the 

design to stress the importance of our 

planet’s closest neighbor to the future of 

our world. Expedition 28 is scheduled to 

occur during the timeframe of the 50th 

anniversary of both the first human in 

space, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, 

and the first American in space, astronaut 

Alan Shepard. To acknowledge the 

significant milestone of 50 years of human 

spaceflight, the names “Гагарин” and 

“Shepard” as well as “50 Years” are 

included in the patch design. 
14 CREW APRIL 2011

Expedition 28 crew members take a break from training at NASA’s Johnson Space 

Center to pose for a crew portrait. Pictured from the right (front row) are Russian 

cosmonaut Andrey Borisenko, commander; Russian cosmonaut Alexander 

Samokutyaev and NASA astronaut Mike Fossum, both flight engineers. Pictured from 

the left (back row) are Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut 

Satoshi Furukawa, NASA astronaut Ron Garan and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, 

all flight engineers. Photo credit: NASA 

Short biographical sketches of the crew 

follow with detailed background available at 

the following Web site: 

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/
APRIL 2011 CREW 15

Expedition 27 

Dmitry Kondratyev 

Dmitry Kondratyev, 41, will serve as the 

Soyuz commander for the December Soyuz 

launch and landing in May. He will join the 

Expedition 26 crew as a flight engineer and 

then transition to Expedition 27 as the crew 

commander. Kondratyev was selected as a 

test-cosmonaut candidate of the Gagarin 

Cosmonaut Training Center Cosmonaut 

Office in December 1997. He trained as a 

backup crew member for Expedition 5 

and Expedition 20. He also served as 

the Russian Space Agency director of 

operations stationed at the Johnson Space 

Center from May 2006 through April 2007. 
16 CREW APRIL 2011

Cady Coleman 

This is the third spaceflight mission for 

NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, 49, a 

retired U.S. Air Force colonel. Coleman and 

her crewmates launched to the space 

station on Dec. 13, 2010. She will serve as 

a flight engineer for both Expedition 26 and 

Expedition 27. Coleman has logged more 

than 500 hours in space. She was a 

mission specialist on STS-73 in 1995 and 

STS-93 in 1999, a mission which deployed 

the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. She also 

served as the backup U.S. crew member 

for Expeditions 19, 20 and 21. 
APRIL 2011 CREW 17

Páolo Néspoli 

European Space Agency astronaut 

Páolo Néspoli, 53, will serve as a flight 

engineer for Expedition 26 and 27, his 

second spaceflight mission. Néspoli was 

selected as an astronaut by the Italian 

space agency in July 1998 and one month 

later joined ESA’s European astronaut 

corps. He flew as a mission specialist on 

STS-120 in October 2007. During the 

mission, which delivered the Italian-built 

Node 2 Harmony to the space station, 

Néspoli accumulated more than 15 days of 

spaceflight experience. 
18 CREW APRIL 2011

Expedition 28 

Alexander Samokutyaev 

Alexander Samokutyaev, 41, flight engineer 

for Expeditions 27 and 28, is on his first 

mission. Before becoming a cosmonaut, 

Samokutyaev flew as a pilot, senior pilot 

and deputy commander of air squadron. 

Samokutyaev has logged 680 hours of flight 

time and performed 250 parachute jumps. 

He is a Class 3 Air Force pilot and a 

qualified diver. Since December 2008, he 

has trained as an International Space 

Station 23/24 backup crew member, Soyuz 

commander and 24 flight engineer. 
APRIL 2011 CREW 19

Andrey Borisenko 

This will be the first spaceflight for 

Andrey Borisenko, 46. After graduating 

from the Leningrad Physics and 

Mathematics School No. 30 and working in 

a military unit, Borisenko started his career 

at RSC Energia in 1989 where he was 

responsible for the Mir motion control 

system and took part in the MCC-M 

onboard systems operation analysis board. 

Borisenko was a shift flight director at the 

MCC-M starting in 1999, first for the Mir 

space station and then for the International 

Space Station. 

Borisenko will serve as a flight engineer 

on Expedition 27 and commander on 

Expedition 28. 
20 CREW APRIL 2011

Ron Garan Jr. 

Ron Garan, 49, will be embarking on the 

second mission of his NASA career. Garan 

completed his first spaceflight in 2008 on 

STS-124 as mission specialist 2 (flight 

engineer for ascent and entry) and has 

logged more than 13 days in space and 

20 hours and 32 minutes of extravehicular 

activity in three spacewalks. Garan is 

a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force and 

has degrees from the SUNY College 

at Oneonta, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical 

University and the University of Florida. 
APRIL 2011 CREW 21

Sergei Volkov 

Volkov, 38, a colonel in the Russian Air 

Force, was selected as a test-cosmonaut 

candidate of the Gagarin Cosmonaut 

Training Center Cosmonaut Office in 

December 1997. Volkov’s first spaceflight 

was the Soyuz 12 as commander and 

International Space Station commander 

where he logged 12 hours, 15 minutes 

of extravehicular activity time in two 

spacewalks and 199 days in space. He will 

be serving as a flight engineer in 

Expedition 28 on Soyuz 27. 
22 CREW APRIL 2011

Mike Fossum 

Fossum, 53, a colonel in the USAF, was 

selected as an astronaut in June 1998. 

Before Fossum was selected, he served 

as a flight test engineer on the X-38, a 

prototype crew escape vehicle for the new 

space station, and supported the Astronaut 

Office as a technical assistant for the space 

shuttle. Fossum is now a veteran of two 

spaceflights, STS-121 in 2006 and 

STS-124 in 2008. On those two flights 

Fossum logged more than 636 hours in 

space, including more than 42 hours in 

six spacewalks. He has been assigned to a 

six-month stay on the space station, serving 

as flight engineer on Expedition 28 and 

commander on Expedition 29. 
APRIL 2011 CREW 23

Satoshi Furukawa 

Furukawa, 47, will be serving his first 

spaceflight as a crew member on 

Expedition 28 in Soyuz 27 to the 

International Space Station. In 1999, 

Furukawa was selected by the National 

Space Development Agency of Japan 

(NASDA) as one of three Japanese 

astronaut candidates for the International 

Space Station. He was certified as an 

astronaut in January 2001. Since 2001, 

Furukawa has been participating in space 

station advanced training, as well as 

supporting the development of the 

hardware and operation of the Japanese 

Experiment Module “Kibo.” 
24 CREW APRIL 2011

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APRIL 2011 MILESTONES 25

EXPEDITION 27 AND 28 MILESTONES 

April 26 41 Progress undocks from the Pirs docking compartment 1 

April 27 42 Progress launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan 

April 29 42 Progress docks to the Pirs docking compartment 1 

May 5 50th anniversary of the first American human spaceflight, Freedom 7, by 

astronaut Alan Shepard 

May 15 Expedition 28 begins when 25 Soyuz/TMA-20 undocks from the Rassvet 

mini research module 1 and then lands (May 16 Kazakhstan time) 

May 23 Expedition 27 undocking from Rassvet Module/MRM1; Soyuz TMA-20/ 

25 Soyuz (Kondratyev, Coleman, Nespoli) (6:06 pm CT, 3:06 a.m. Moscow time 

on May 24) 

May 23 Expedition 27 Landing; Soyuz TMA-20 / 25 Soyuz (Kondratyev, Coleman, 

Nespoli) (8:37 p.m. CT, 5:37 a.m. Moscow time on May 24) 

June 1 27 Soyuz/TMA-02M docks to the Rassvet Mini Research Module 1 

June 7 Expedition 28 Launch; 27 Soyuz/TMA-02M launches from the Baikonur 

Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan 

June 9 Expedition 28 Docking to Rassvet Module (3:59 p.m. CT) 

June 20 The European Johannes Kepler Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV2) undocks 

from the aft of the Zvezda service module 

June 21 43 Progress launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan 

June 23 43 Progress docks to the aft of the Zvezda service module 

July 26 Russian spacewalk No. 29 

Aug. 29 43 Progress undocks from the aft of the Zvezda service module 

Aug. 30 44 Progress launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan 

Sept. 1 44 Progress docks to the aft of the Zvezda service module 

Sept. 16 Expedition 29 begins when 26 Soyuz/TMA-21 undocks from the Poisk 

MRM 2 and then lands 
26 MILESTONES APRIL 2011

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APRIL 2011 SPACEWALKS 27

Expedition 27/28 Spacewalks 

Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, 

NASA astronaut Ron Garan, Expedition 27/28 flight engineer, participates in a 

spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) 

near NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Divers are in the water to assist Garan in his 

rehearsal, which is intended to help prepare him for work on the exterior of the 

International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA 

There are no U.S.-based spacewalks 

currently scheduled for Expedition 27 or 28, 

though Flight Engineers Ron Garan and 

Mike Fossum will perform one during 

the STS-135 mission. However, Flight 

Engineer Sergi Volkov and Commander 

Andrey Borisienko will don Russian Orlan 

spacesuits for the station’s 29th Russian 

spacewalk. Volkov has 12 hours and 

15 minutes of spacewalk experience from 

the two spacewalks he performed on 

Expedition 17 in 2008. Borisienko will 

perform his first spacewalk. 

Spacewalks 29 is currently planned for July, 

though the date is subject to change. 
28 SPACEWALKS APRIL 2011

The focus of the spacewalk − Russian 

spacewalk 29 − will be the relocation of one 

of the two Russian Strela cargo booms from 

the Pirs docking compartment to the Poisk 

mini research module, in preparation for the 

deorbiting of the Pirs in late 2012. 

Another task on the spacewalkers’ agenda 

will be the installation of an onboard laser 

communications terminal on the Zvezda 

service module. This terminal will transmit 

information from the space station to 

the ground using optical communication 

channel assets. They will also install 

a platform with three Biorisk experiment 

containers onto the Pirs docking 

compartment. Biorisk studies the effect of 

the space environment on various biological 

materials during long-term exposure, 

particularly the way organisms like bacteria 

and fungi might adapt or change. 

In addition to all this, the cosmonauts will 

deploy an experiment called ARISSat-1, 

or Radioskaf-V, a 57-pound nanosatellite 

that houses congratulatory messages 

commemorating the 50th anniversary in 

April 2011 of Yuri Gagarin’s launch to 

become the first human in space. 

The ham radio transmitter will enable 

communications with amateur radio 

operators around the world for three to 

six months. It is one of a series of 

educational satellites being developed in 

a partnership with the Radio Amateur 

Satellite Corp.; the NASA Office of 

Education International Space Station 

National Lab Project; the Amateur Radio on 

the International Space Station working 

group; and RSC-Energia. 

NASA astronaut Mike Fossum, Expedition 28 flight engineer and Expedition 29 

commander, attired in a training version of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) 

spacesuit, awaits the start of a spacewalk training session in the waters of the 

Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA’s Johnson Space Center. 

Photo credit: NASA 
APRIL 2011 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA 29

Russian Soyuz 

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 already 

docked to the space station. 

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 in orbit during free flight. 

It has a volume of 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 antennae 

are used by the automated docking system 

− a radar-based system − to maneuver 

toward 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 

located 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 
30 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA APRIL 2011

crew member’s couch/seat, which are 

individually molded to fit each person’s 

body − this ensures a tight, comfortable fit 

when the module lands on the Earth. 

The module has a periscope, which allows 

the crew to view the docking target on the 

station or Earth below. The eight hydrogen 

peroxide thrusters 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 6,393 pounds, with a 

habitable volume of 141 cubic feet. 

Approximately 110 pounds of payload can 

be returned to Earth in this module and up 

to 331 pounds if only two crew members 

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, 

which has a cooling area of 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 

the atmosphere upon re-entry. 

TMA Improvements and Testing 

The Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft is the first 

to incorporate both newer, more powerful 

computer avionics systems and new digital 

displays for use by the crew. The new 

computer systems will allow the Soyuz 

computers to interface with the onboard 

computers in the Russian segment of the 

station once docking is complete. 

Both Soyuz TMA-15, which launched to the 

station in May 2009, and Soyuz TMA-18, 

which launched in April 2010, incorporated 

the new digital “Neptune” display panels, 

and seven Progress resupply vehicles have 

used the new avionics computer systems. 
APRIL 2011 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA 31

The Soyuz TMA-01M vehicle integrates 

those systems. The majority of updated 

components are housed in the Soyuz 

instrumentation module. 

For launch, the new avionics systems 

reduce the weight of the spacecraft by 

approximately 150 pounds, which allows a 

small increase in cargo-carrying capacity. 

Soyuz spacecraft are capable of carrying a 

limited amount of supplies for the crew’s 

use. This will increase the weight of 

supplies the spacecraft is capable of 

carrying, but will not provide any additional 

volume for bulky items. 

Once Soyuz is docked to the station, the 

new digital data communications system 

will simplify life for the crew. Previous 

versions of the spacecraft, including both 

the Soyuz TM, which was used from 1986 

to 2002, and the Soyuz TMA in use since 

2002, required Mission Control, Moscow, to 

turn on the Soyuz computer systems 

periodically so that a partial set of 

parameters on the health of the vehicle 

could be downlinked for review. In addition, 

in the case of an emergency undocking and 

deorbit, crew members were required to 

manually input undocking and deorbit data 

parameters. The new system will eliminate 

the need for the crew to perform these 

checks and data updates, with the 

necessary data being automatically 

transferred from the space station to the 

Soyuz. 

The updates required some structural 

modifications to the Soyuz, including the 

installation of cold plates and an improved 

thermal system pump capable of rejecting 

the additional heat generated by the new 

computer systems. 

The majority of Soyuz TMA systems remain 

unchanged. In use since 2002, the TMA 

increased 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 6 feet, 3 inches tall 

and 209 pounds, compared to 6 feet and 

187 pounds in the earlier TM. Minimum 

crew member size for the TMA is 4 feet, 

11 inches and 110 pounds, compared to 

5 feet, 4 inches and 123 pounds for the TM. 

Two new engines reduced landing speed 

and forces felt by crew members by 15 to 

30 percent, and a new entry control system 

and three-axis accelerometer increase 

landing accuracy. Instrumentation 

improvements included 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 hangardrop tests, in airdrop tests and in space 

before the spacecraft was declared flightready. 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, the 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 air drop tests. Additionally, extensive 

tests of systems and components were 

conducted on the ground. 
32 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA APRIL 2011

Soyuz Launcher 

A Soyuz TMA spacecraft launches from 

the Baikonur Cosmodrome in 

Kazakhstan on Oct. 12, 2008 carrying a 

new crew to the International Space 

Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls 

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 space flights. 

The basic Soyuz vehicle is considered a 

three-stage launcher in Russian terms and 

is composed of the following: 

• 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 laterally 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 booster separation occurs when 

the predefined velocity is reached, which is 

about 118 seconds after liftoff. 
APRIL 2011 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA 33

Second Stage 

An NPO Energomash RD 108 engine 

powers the Soyuz second stage. This 

engine differs from those of the boosters by 

the presence of four vernier thrusters, 

which are necessary for three-axis flight 

control of the launcher 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 of the two stages 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, and cutoff occurs when the 

calculated velocity increment is reached. 

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 

plotting is performed for flight following an 

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 horizontal railcar. 

Transfer to the launch zone occurs two 

days before launch, during which 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 after launch to reach the space 

station. The rendezvous and docking 

are both automated, though once the 

spacecraft is within 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. 
34 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA APRIL 2011

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 
APRIL 2011 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA 35

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 onboard 

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 
36 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA APRIL 2011

Prelaunch Countdown Timeline (concluded) 

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

with nitrogen 

T- 2:30 Booster propellant tank pressurization starts 

Onboard measurement system activated by RUN 2 command 

Prelaunch pressurization of all tanks with ni ogen 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 

 
APRIL 2011 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA 37

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 Vs) 

- 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 
38 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA APRIL 2011

FLIGHT DAY 1 OVERVIEW (CONTINUED) 

Orbit 4 

(continued)

Crew report on burn performance upon AOS 

- 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 
APRIL 2011 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA 39

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 
40 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA APRIL 2011

FLIGHT DAY 3 AUTO RENDEZVOUS SEQUENCE (CONCLUDED) 

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 

 
APRIL 2011 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA 41

Typical Soyuz Ground Track 
42 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA APRIL 2011

Soyuz Landing 

The Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 24 

commander Alexander Skvortsov and flight engineers Tracy Caldwell Dyson 

and Mikhail Kornienko near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Sept. 25, 2010. 

Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls 

After about six months in space, the 

departing crew members from the 

International Space Station will board their 

Soyuz spacecraft capsule for undocking 

and a one-hour descent back to Earth. 

About three hours before undocking, the 

crew will bid farewell to the other three crew 

members who will remain on the station 

awaiting the launch of a new trio of 

astronauts and cosmonauts from the 
APRIL 2011 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA 43

Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan 

about 17 days later. 

The departing crew will climb into its Soyuz 

vehicle and close the hatch between 

Soyuz and its docking port. The Soyuz 

commander will be seated in the center 

seat of the Soyuz’ descent module, flanked 

by his two crewmates. 

After activating Soyuz systems and getting 

approval from flight controllers at the 

Russian Mission Control Center outside 

Moscow, the Soyuz commander will send 

commands to open hooks and latches 

between Soyuz and the docking port. 

He will then fire the Soyuz thrusters to back 

away from the docking port. Six minutes 

after undocking, with the Soyuz about 66 

feet away from the station, the Soyuz 

commander will conduct a separation 

maneuver, firing the Soyuz jets for about 

15 seconds to begin to depart the vicinity of 

the complex. 

About 2.5 hours after undocking, at a 

distance of about 12 miles from the station, 

Soyuz computers will initiate a deorbit 

burn braking maneuver. The 4.5-minute 

maneuver to slow the spacecraft will enable 

it to drop out of orbit and begin its re-entry 

to Earth. 

About 30 minutes later, just above the 

first traces of the Earth’s atmosphere, 

computers will command the pyrotechnic 

separation of the three modules of the 

Soyuz vehicle. With the crew strapped in 

the centermost descent module, the 

uppermost orbital module, containing the 

docking mechanism and rendezvous 

antennas, and the lower instrumentation 

and propulsion module at the rear, which 

houses the engines and avionics, will 

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 the buildup of 

heat as it plunges into the atmosphere. 

The crew will feel the first effects of gravity 

about three minutes after module 

separation at the point called entry 

interface, when the module is about 

400,000 feet above the Earth. 

About eight minutes later, at an altitude of 

about 33,000 feet, traveling at about 

722 feet per second, the Soyuz will begin 

a computer-commanded sequence for the 

deployment of the capsule’s parachutes. 

First, two “pilot” parachutes will be 

deployed, extracting a larger drogue 

parachute, which stretches out over an area 

of 79 square feet. Within 16 seconds, 

the Soyuz’ descent will slow to about 

262 feet per second. 

The initiation of the parachute deployment 

will create a gentle spin for the Soyuz as it 

dangles underneath the drogue chute, 

assisting in the capsule’s stability in the 

final minutes before touchdown. 

A few minutes before touchdown, the 

drogue chute will be jettisoned, allowing the 

main parachute to be deployed. Connected 

to the descent module by two harnesses, 

the main parachute covers an area of about 

3,281 feet. The deployment of the main 

parachute slows the descent module to a 

velocity of about 23 feet per second. 

Initially, the descent module will hang 

underneath the main parachute at a 

30-degree angle with respect to the horizon 

for aerodynamic stability. The bottommost 

harness will be severed a few minutes 
44 RUSSIAN SOYUZ TMA APRIL 2011

before landing, allowing the descent 

module to right itself to a vertical position 

through touchdown. 

At an altitude of a little more than 16,000 

feet, the crew will monitor the jettison of the 

descent module’s heat shield, which 

will be followed by the termination of the 

aerodynamic spin cycle and the dissipation 

of any residual propellant from the Soyuz. 

Also, computers 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. 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 39 feet, cockpit 

displays will tell the commander to prepare 

for the soft landing engine firing. Just 

three feet above the surface, and just 

seconds before touchdown, the six solid 

propellant engines will be fired in a final 

braking maneuver. This will enable the 

Soyuz to settle down to a velocity of about 

five feet per second and land, completing 

its mission. 

As always is the case, teams of Russian 

engineers, flight surgeons and technicians 

in fleets of MI-8 helicopters will be poised 

near the normal and “ballistic” landing 

zones, and midway in between, to enact the 

swift recovery of the crew once the capsule 

touches down. 

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 members. 

The crew will be seated in special reclining 

chairs near the capsule for initial medical 

tests and to begin readapting to Earth’s 

gravity. 

About two hours after landing, the crew will 

be assisted to the recovery helicopters for a 

flight back to a staging site in northern 

Kazakhstan, where local officials will 

welcome them. The crew will then return to 

Chkalovsky Airfield adjacent to the Gagarin 

Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, 

Russia, or to Ellington Field in Houston 

where their families can meet them. 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 45

Expedition 27/28 Science Overview 

NASA astronaut Mike Fossum (left background), Expedition 28 flight engineer and 

Expedition 29 commander; along with Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov 

(right background) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut 

Satoshi Furukawa (left foreground), both Expedition 28/29 flight engineers, participate 

in a docking timeline simulation training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility 

at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. A crew instructor assisted the crew members. 

Photo credit: NASA 

Expedition 27 and 28 will take advantage of 

a bonus storage and science facility, the 

final new experiment rack and the first 

human-like robot ever to move its head and 

stretch its arms in microgravity. These 

research and technology development 

activities will continue the transition of 

the International Space Station from 

construction site to full-time laboratory, 

putting the potential of space to work for the 

people of Earth. 

The Expedition 27 and 28 crews will 

work with 111 experiments involving 

approximately 200 researchers across a 

variety of fields, including human life 
46 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

sciences, physical sciences and Earth 

observation, and conduct technology 

demonstrations ranging from recycling 

to robotics. Seventy-three of these 

experiments are sponsored by NASA, 

including 22 under the auspices of the 

U.S. National Laboratory program, and 

38 are sponsored by international partners. 

More than 540 hours of research 

are planned. As with prior expeditions, 

many experiments are designed to 

gather information about the effects of 

long-duration spaceflight on the human 

body, which will help us understand 

complicated processes such as immune 

systems with plan for future exploration 

missions.

An important new instrument, the Alpha 

Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02), will be 

delivered to the station by the space shuttle 

Endeavour on the STS-134 mission. 

AMS-02 is a state-of-the-art particle physics 

detector constructed, tested and operated 

by an international team composed of 

60 institutes from 16 countries and 

organized under the United States 

Department of Energy (DOE) sponsorship. 

It will use the unique environment of space 

to advance knowledge of the universe and 

lead to the understanding of the universe’s 

origin by searching for antimatter, dark 

matter and measuring cosmic rays.

Experimental evidence indicates that our 

galaxy is made of matter; however, there 

are more than 100 million galaxies in the 

universe and the Big Bang theory of the 

origin of the universe requires equal 

amounts of matter and antimatter. Theories 

that explain this apparent asymmetry 

violate other measurements. Whether or 

not there is significant antimatter is one of 

the fundamental questions of the origin and 

nature of the universe.

AMS-02 will operate on the space station’s 

external truss structure for three years, 

gathering an immense amount of accurate 

data and allowing measurements of the 

long-term variation of the cosmic ray flux 

over a wide energy range, for nuclei from 

protons to ions. After the nominal 

mission, AMS-02 may continue to provide 

cosmic ray measurements that will help 

researchers understand what radiation 

protection is needed for human 

interplanetary flight.

The arrival of the Permanent Multipurpose 

Facility, an Italian-built converted 

pressurized cargo carrier named Leonardo, 

has added 2,700 cubic feet of pressurized 

volume to the orbiting laboratory, increasing 

the total habitable volume of the station to 

13,846 cubic feet.

Robonaut 2 will be installed in the U.S. 

Destiny Laboratory, providing scientists and 

engineers on the ground and crews on the 

station an opportunity to test how humans 

and human-like robots can work shoulder to 

shoulder in microgravity. Once this has 

been demonstrated inside the station, 

software upgrades and lower bodies can be 

added, potentially allowing Robonaut 2 to 

move around inside the station and 

eventually work outside in the vacuum of 

space. This will help NASA understand 

robotic capabilities for future deep space 

missions.
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 47

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, 

Expedition 28/29 flight engineer, participates in an advanced Resistive Exercise 

Device (aRED) training session in the Center for Human Spaceflight Performance 

and Research at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Crew instructors Robert Tweedy 

(right) and Bruce Nieschwitz assisted Furukawa. Photo credit: NASA 

Three science facilities recently delivered 

or activated on the station will be used 

in a variety of investigations: the Boiling 

Experiment Facility (BXF) is supporting 

microgravity experiments on the heat 

transfer and vapor removal processes 

in boiling. The eighth Expedite the 

Processing of Experiments to Space 

Station (ExPRESS) rack was delivered and 

installed on the STS-133 space shuttle 

mission and is being activated to support a 

variety of experiments in the Destiny 

Laboratory module. The Light Microscopy 

Module (LMM) is undergoing initial testing 

as a device to examine samples from 

experiments without requiring that they be 

returned to Earth, experiencing the effects 

of re-entry from orbit. The microscope is 

isolated from vibrations on the station, 

allowing it to obtain clear, high-resolution 

images of microorganisms and individual 

cells of plants and animals, including 

humans. The biological samples for the 

LMM were launched on space shuttle 

Discovery’s STS-133 mission, and included 

eight fixed slides containing yeast; bacteria; 

a leaf; a fly; a butterfly wing; tissue sections 

and blood; six containers of live C. elegans 

worms, an organism biologists commonly 

study; a typed letter “r” and a piece of 

fluorescent plastic. Some of the worms are 

descendants of those that survived 
48 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

the space shuttle Columbia (STS-107) 

accident; and others are modified to 

fluoresce.

A Japanese experiment will continue to look 

at one factor in the way fluid moves, 

called Marangoni convection. This type of 

convection is manifested on Earth in the 

way that “legs” or “tears of wine” form on 

the inside of a glass. This ring of clear liquid 

that forms near the top of a glass above the 

surface of wine, then forms rivulets that fall 

back into the liquid, illustrates the tendency 

for heat and mass to travel to areas of 

higher surface tension within a liquid. To 

study how heat and mass move within a 

fluid in microgravity, investigators are using 

a larger bridge of silicone oil between 

two discs. In microgravity on the space 

station, warm air does not rise and cold air 

does not sink, which allows investigators to 

heat one disc more than the other to induce 

Marangoni convection in that bridge of 

silicone oil to learn more about how heat is 

transferred in microgravity. 

A suite of European Space Agency 

experiments will look at other convection 

processes large and small, using aluminum 

alloys, a standard cast metal used 

in a number of automotive and 

transportation applications. The Materials 

Science Laboratory − Columnar-toEquiaxed Transition in Solidification 

Processing (CETSOL) and Microstructure 

Formation in Casting of Technical Alloys 

under Diffusive and Magnetically Controlled 

Convective Conditions (MICAST) are two 

investigations that will examine different 

growth patterns and evolution of 

microstructures during crystallization of 

metallic alloys in microgravity. CETSOL will 

give industry confidence in the reliability of 

the numerical tools used in casting, while 

MICAST will study microstructure formation 

during casting under diffusive and 

magnetically controlled convective 

conditions, and the Solidification along a 

Eutectic path in Ternary Alloys (SETA) 

experiment will look into a specific type of 

growth in alloys of aluminum manganese 

and silicon. 

Another interesting investigation is the 

Shape Memory Foam experiment, 

which will evaluate the recovery of shape 

memory epoxy foam in microgravity. The 

investigation will study the shape memory 

properties needed to manufacture a 

new-concept actuator that can transform 

energy to other forms of energy. 

As with prior expeditions, many 

experiments are designed to gather 

information about the effects of 

long-duration spaceflight on the human 

body, which will help us understand 

complicated processes such as immune 

systems while planning for future 

exploration missions. 

The investigations cover human 

research; biological and physical 

sciences; technology development; Earth 

observation, and education. In the past, 

assembly and maintenance activities have 

dominated the available time for crew work. 

But, as completion of the orbiting laboratory 

nears, additional facilities and the crew 

members to operate them are enabling a 

measured increase in time devoted to 

research as a national and multi-national 

laboratory. 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 49

NASA astronaut Mike Fossum (left), Expedition 28 flight engineer and Expedition 29 

commander; along with Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov (center) and Japan 

Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, both 

Expedition 28/29 flight engineers, participate in a docking timeline simulation training 

session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. 

Photo credit: NASA 

Also on tap in the area of technology 

demonstration is the resumption of work 

with a recycling device known as Sabatier, 

designed to help wring additional water 

from excess hydrogen not yet being 

reclaimed by the station’s water recovery 

system. 

Managing the international laboratory’s 

scientific 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 critical.

Teams of controllers and scientists on the 

ground continuously plan, monitor and 

remotely operate experiments from control 

centers around the globe. Controllers staff 

payload operations centers around the 
50 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

world, effectively providing for researchers 

and the station crew around the clock, 

seven days a week. 

State-of-the-art computers and 

communications equipment deliver up-tothe-minute reports about experiment 

facilities and investigations between 

science outposts across the United States 

and around the world. The payload 

operations team also synchronizes the 

payload timelines among international 

partners, ensuring the best use of valuable 

resources and crew time. 

The control centers of NASA and its 

partners are 

• NASA Payload Operations Center 

(POC), Marshall Space Flight Center in 

Huntsville, Ala. 

• RSA Center for Control of Spaceflights 

(“TsUP” in Russian) in Korolev, Russia 

• JAXA Space Station Integration and 

Promotion Center (SSIPC) in Tskuba, 

Japan 

• ESA Columbus Control Center (Col-CC) 

in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany 

• CSA Payloads Operations Telesciences 

Center, St. Hubert, Quebec, Canada 

NASA’s POC serves as a hub for 

coordinating much of the work related to 

delivery of research facilities and 

experiments to the space station as they 

are rotated in and out periodically when 

space shuttles or other vehicles make 

deliveries and return completed 

experiments and samples to Earth. 

The payload operations director leads the 

POC’s main flight control team, known as 

the “cadre,” and approves all science plans 

in coordination with Mission Control at 

NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, 

the international partner control centers and 

the station crew. 

On the Internet 

For fact sheets, imagery and more on 

Expedition 27/28 experiments and payload 

operations, visit the following Web site: 

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 51

Research Experiments 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

HYPERSOLE Cutaneous 

Hypersensitivity and 

Balance Control in 

Humans 

CSA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

HYPERSOLE will determine the change in 

skin sensitivity post spaceflight for the 

application to balance control, specifically 

changes in skin sensitivity of the sole of the 

foot and which receptors may be influenced 

following a period of non-loading 

Leah R. Bent, 

Ph.D., 

University of 

Guelph, 

Guelph, 

Ontario, 

Canada 

Pre and 

Post-flight 

(Shuttle) 

None 

VASCULAR Health consequences 

of Long-Duration 

Flight 

CSA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

Health Consequences of Long-Duration 

Flight (VASCULAR) will conduct an 

integrated investigation of mechanisms 

responsible for changes in blood vessel 

structure with long-duration space flight and 

will link this with functional and health 

consequences that parallel changes that 

occur with the aging process 

Richard Lee 

Hughson, 

Ph.D., 

University of 

Waterloo, 

Waterloo, 

Ontario, 

Canada 

ISS Columbus 

3D SPACE Mental 

Representation of 

Spatial Cues During 

Spaceflight 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

3D Space involves comparison of pre-flight, 

flight and post-flight perceptions and mental 

imagery with special reference to spaceflightrelated decreases in vertical percepts 

France: 

G. Clement 

USA: 

C. E. Lathan 

ISS Columbus 

ALTEA-SHIELD Anomalous 

Long-Term Effects in 

Astronauts – 

Radiation Shielding 

ESA Radiation 

Dosimetry 

ALTEA-SHIELD aims at obtaining a better 

under-standing of the light flash 

phenomenon, and more generally the 

interaction between cosmic rays and brain 

function, as well as testing different types of 

shielding material 

Italy: L. Narici, 

F. Ballarini, 

G. Battistoni, 

M. Casolini, 

A. Ottolenghi, 

P. Picozza, 

W. Sannita, 

S. Villari 

USA: 

E. Benton, 

J. Miller, 

M. Shavers 

ISS Destiny 

Batch-2A 

CETSOL-2 

Columnar-toEquiaxed Transition 

in Solidification 

Processing 

ESA Physical 

Sciences in 

Microgravity 

CETSOL-2 carries out research into the 

formation of microstructures during the 

solidification of metallic alloys specifically the 

transition from columnar growth to equiaxed 

growth when crystals start to nucleate in the 

melt. Results will help to optimize industrial 

casting processes. (See also Batch-2A 

MICAST-2 and SETA-2) 

France: 

A Gandin, 

B. Billia, 

Y. Fautrelle 

Germany: 

G. Zimmerman 

Ireland: 

D. Browne 

USA: 

D. Poirier 

ISS Destiny 

Batch-2A 

MICAST-2 

Microstructure 

Formation in Casting 

of Technical Alloys 

Under Diffusive and 

Magnetically 

Controlled Convective 

Conditions 

ESA Physical 

Sciences in 

Microgravity 

MICAST carries out research into the 

formation of microstructures during the 

solidification of metallic alloys under diffusive 

and magnetically controlled convective 

conditions. (See also Batch-2A CETSOL-2 

and SETA-2) 

Germany: 

L. Ratke, 

G. Mueller, 

G. Zimmerman 

France: 

Y. Fautrelle, 

J. Lacaze 

Hungary: 

A. Roosz 

Canada: 

S. Dost 

USA: 

D. Poirier 

ISS Destiny 

Batch-2A SETA-2 Solidification Along 

Eutectic Path in 

Ternary Alloys 

an ESA Physical 

Sciences in 

Microgravity 

Dedicated to the study of a particular type of 

eutectic growth namely symbiotic growth in 

hypoeutectic metallic alloys. (See also 

Batch-2A CETSOL-2 and MICAST-2) 

Germany: 

S. Rex, 

U. Hecht, 

L. Ratke 

France: 

G. Faivre 

Belgium: 

L. Froyen 

ISS Destiny 
52 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

CARD CARD ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

The main aims of CARD are to understand 

how weightlessness affects the regulation of 

blood pressure and establish how some 

hormones responsible for regulating the 

cardiovascular system are affected by 

long-term exposure to weightlessness 

Switzerland: 

A. Ferrari; 

Germany: 

H. Iwase, 

D. Schardt; 

Japan: 

T. Sato; 

Sweden: 

L. Sihver 

ISS Columbus 

CARD -

(Sympatho) 

Sympatho-adrenal 

activity in humans 

during spaceflight 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

SYMPATHO, which forms part of the CARD 

experiment is an ongoing study of adrenal 

activity of the sympathetic nervous system in 

weightlessness 

Denmark: N.J. 

Christensen, 

P. Norsk 

ISS Merged 

protocol with 

CARD 

CFS-A Coloured Fungi in 

Space (Part A) 

ESA Biological 

Sciences in 

Microgravity 

CFS-A will undertake an examination of the 

survival and growth of different coloured 

fungi species, which can be relevant to 

spacecraft contamination, panspermia and 

planetary protection issues 

Romania: 

D. Hasegan, 

O. Maris, 

G. Mogildea, 

M. Mogildea 

Sortie. 

Shuttle/ 

ISS 

Columbus 

DOBIES Dosimetry for 

Biological 

Experiments in Space 

ESA Radiation 

Dosimetry 

The objective of DOBIES is to develop a 

standard dosimetric method to measure 

absorbed and equivalent doses for biological 

samples as a contribution to the continuing 

DOSIS experiment, as well as the 

EXPOSE-E and EXPOSE-R payloads that 

have finished on-orbit activities 

Belgium: 

F. Vanhaever, 

et al 

ISS Columbus 

DOSIS Dose Distribution 

Inside the ISS 

ESA Radiation 

Dosimetry 

DOSIS maps the actual nature and 

distribution of the radiation field inside 

Columbus using different detectors placed 

around the European laboratory 

Germany: 

G. Reitz et al. 

ISS Columbus 

EDOS Early Detection of 

Osteoporosis 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

This is a study into the mechanisms 

underlying the reduction in bone mass, which 

occurs in astronauts in weightlessness and 

will evaluate bone structure pre and 

post-flight 

France: 

C .Alexandre, 

L. Braak, 

L. Vico 

Switzerland: 

P. Ruegsegger 

Germany: 

M. Heer 

Pre/Post 

flight 

Groundbased 

EKE Assessment of 

endurance capacity 

by gas exchange and 

heart rate kinetics 

during Physical 

Training 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

EKE will make an assessment of endurance 

capacity and heart rate kinetics during 

physical training of ISS Expedition crew 

members 

Germany: 

U. Hoffman, 

S. Fasoulas, 

D. Essfeld, 

T. Drager 

Pre/Post 

flight 

Groundbased. Data 

sharing with 

NASA 

VO2max 

protocol 

ERB-2 Erasmus Recording 

Binocular 2 

ESA Technology 

Demonstration 

The ERB-2 is a high definition 3D 

stereoscopic video camera which will be 

used for taking footage inside the ISS to 

develop narrated video material for 

promotional and educational purposes 

Netherlands: 

M. Sabbatini, 

ESA/ESTEC 

ISS Columbus 

Geoflow-2 Geoflow-2 ESA Physical 

Sciences in 

Microgravity 

Geoflow-2 investigates the flow of an 

incompressible viscous fluid held between 

two concentric spheres rotating about a 

common axis as a representation of a planet. 

This is of importance for astrophysical and 

geophysical problems 

Germany: 

Ch. Egbers 

France: 

P. Chossat 

ISS Columbus 

IMMUNO Neuroendo-crine and 

immune responses in 

humans during and 

after a long-term stay 

on the ISS 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

The aim of this experiment is to determine 

changes in hormone production and immune 

response during and after an ISS mission 

Germany: 

A. Chouker, 

F. Christ, 

M. Thiel, 

I. Kaufmann, 

Russia: 

B. Morukov 

ISS Russian 

Segment 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 53

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

MARES The Muscle Atrophy 

Research and 

Exercise System 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

MARES will carry out research on 

musculo-skeletal, bio-mechanical, and 

neuro-muscular human physiology. Results 

will provide a better understanding of the 

effects of microgravity on the muscular 

system and an evaluation of relevant 

countermeasures 

Netherlands: 

J. Ngo-Anh, 

J. Castellsaguer, ESA/ 

ESTEC 

ISS Columbus 

OTOLITH Otolith assessment 

during post-flight 

re-adaptation 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

The otolith organs in the inner ear play an 

important role in our balance system as 

detectors of vertical and horizontal 

acceleration. This experiment will make an 

assessment of otolith function before and 

after short-term spaceflight 

Germany: 

A Clarke 

USA: S. Wood 

Pre and 

Post-flight 

(Shuttle) 

Groundbased 

PASSAGES Scaling Body-related 

Actions in the 

Absence of Gravity 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

PASSAGES is designed to test how 

astronauts interpret visual information d

exposure to weightlessness with a focus

the possible decrease in use of the 

“Eye-Height” strategy 

ue to 

 on 

France: 

M. Luyat, 

J. McIntyre 

ISS Columbus 

SOLAR SOLAR ESA Solar Physics In orbit since February 2008, the Solar facility 

consists of three instruments and continues 

to study the Sun’s irradiation with 

unprecedented accuracy across most of its 

spectral range 

Germany: 

G. Schmidtke 

France: 

G. Thuillier 

Switzerland: 

C. Frohlich 

ISS Columbus 

SOLO Sodium Loading in 

Microgravity 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

SOLO is carrying out research into salt 

retention in space and related human 

physiology effects 

Germany: 

P. FringsMeuthen, 

M. Heer, 

N. Kamps, 

F. Baisch 

Denmark: 

P. Norsk 

ISS Columbus 

SPIN SPIN ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

SPIN is a comparison between pre-flight and 

post-flight testing of astronaut subjects using 

a centrifuge and a standardized tilt test to link 

orthostatic tolerance with otolith-ocular 

function 

Belgium: 

F. Wuyts, 

N. Pattyn 

USA: 

S. Moore, 

B. Cohen, 

A. Diedrich 

Australia: 

H. MacDougall 

France: 

G. Clement 

Pre/Post 

flight 

Groundbased 

THERMOLAB Thermoregulation in 

humans during 

long-term spaceflight 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

THERMOLAB is looking into core 

temperature changes in astronauts 

performed before during and after exercise 

on the ISS to investigate thermoregulatory 

and cardiovascular adaptations during 

long-duration spaceflight 

Germany: 

H.C. Gunga, 

K. Kirsch, 

E. Koralewski, 

J. Cornier, 

H.-V. Heyer, 

P. Hoffman, 

J. Koch, 

F. Sattler 

France: 

P. Arbeille 

ISS Destiny 

Vessel ID System Vessel ID System ESA Technology 

Demonstration 

The Vessel ID System is demonstrating the 

space-based capability of identification of 

maritime vessels and also test the ability of 

an external grappling adaptor to 

accommodate small payloads 

Norway: 

R.B. Olsen 

Luxembourg: 

G. Ruy 

ISS Columbus 

Vessel Imaging Vascular Echography ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

The main objective of Vessel Imaging is to 

evaluate the changes in the peripheral blood 

vessel wall properties (thickness and 

compliance) and cross sectional areas during 

long-term spaceflight 

France: 

P. Arbeille 

ISS Columbus 
54 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

ZAG Z-axis Aligned 

Gravito-inertial force 

ESA Human Research 

and Countermeasures 

Development 

This is an investigation into the effect 

weightlessness has on an astronaut’s 

perception of motion and tilt and his level of 

performance before and immediately after 

spaceflight 

France: 

G. Clement 

USA: 

S. Wood, 

D. Harm, 

A. Rupert 

Pre and 

Post-flight 

(Shuttle) 

Groundbased 

2D Nanotemplate 2D Nanotemplate JAXA Applied 

Research 

The 2D Nanotemplate will evaluate 

gravitational effects on a new nanomaterial 

quantitatively during its chemical reaction 

process. To prepare the two-dimensional 

template with nanoditches for electronic 

devices, it is prepared via an isothermal 

reaction upon mixing of peptides and alkali 

water. Microgravity is needed to prevent 

sedimentation and convective flow 

Takatoshi 

Kinoshita, 

Nagoya 

Institute of 

Technology, 

Naokiyo 

Koshikawa, 

JAXA 

ISS US Lab 

PADLES Passive Dosimeter for 

Life Science 

Experiments in Space 

JAXA Human 

Spaceflight 

Technology 

Development 

Area PADLES project surveys the space 

radiation environment inside Kibo using the 

PADLES analysis system and passive and 

integrating dosimeter developed by JAXA for 

measuring absorbed dose, LET distributions, 

and dose equivalents. Ultimate goals of this 

program are to support risk assessment and 

dose management for Japanese astronauts, 

and to update radiation assessment models 

for human spaceflight in the next generation. 

The 17 Area PADLES dosimeters have been 

installed in Kibo’s Pressurized Module (PM) 

and Kibo’s Experiment Logistics ModulePressurized Section (ELM-PS). These are 

replaced in each expedition. This series of 

experiment has begun since Expedition 17 

Keiji 

Murakami, 

Akiko 

Nagamatsu, 

JAXA 

ISS Kibo 

BioRyhthsm The effect of 

long-term 

microgravity 

exposure on cardiac 

autonomic function 

by analyzing 

24-hours 

electrocardiogram 

JAXA Human 

Spaceflight 

Technology 

Development 

ECG data of ISS crew members will be 

recorded continuously through 24-hour by a 

commercial Holter ECG recorder in this 

Biological Rhythms project. The recordings 

will be performed once in pre-flight time, 

three times in flight and once in post-flight. 

The data from the flight time will be 

downlinked to the ground after measurement. 

With these data, cardiovascular and 

autonomic functions are analyzed, and also 

be used to evaluate Biological Rhythm 

fluctuations and crew members’ heart resting 

quality while they sleep on board the ISS. 

The results come from this experiment will be 

applied to improving health care technologies 

for the ISS crew 

Chiaki MUKAI, 

Japan 

ISS Kibo 

CsPINs Dynamism of auxin 

efflux facilitators, 

CsPINs, responsible 

for gravity-regulated 

growth and 

development in 

cucumber 

JAXA Life Science It has been hypothesized that an auxin efflux 

facilitator, CsPIN1, plays an important role in 

regulation of gravity-dependent auxin 

redistribution and controls 

gravimorphogenesis of cucumber 

(Cucmis sativus L.) seedlings. In addition, 

gravitropism interferes with hydrotropism in 

cucumber roots on the ground, in which 

CsPIN5 may play a role. In this space 

experiment, we will use cucumber seedlings 

to analyze the effect of gravity on the 

localization of CsPIN1 protein and unravel its 

contribution to peg formation. At the same 

time, we will differentiate hydrotropism from 

gravitropism in cucumber roots and 

investigate the localization of CsPIN5 protein 

to figure out the interacting mechanism 

between the two tropisms 

Kazuyuki 

Wakabayashi, 

Osaka City 

University 

ISS Kibo 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 55

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

Marangoni EXP Chaos, Turbulence 

and its Transition 

Process in Marangoni 

Convection 

JAXA Fluid Science Marangoni EXP is an experiment of 

Marangoni convection led by Koichi Nishino 

of Yokohama National University, and 

performed using the Fluid Physics 

Experiment Facility (FPEF) in the RYUTAI 

rack in Kibo. Within a silicone oil liquid bridge 

formed into a pair of disks, convection is 

induced by imposing a temperature 

difference between the disks. The flow and 

temperature fields in each stage (e.g., 

steady, oscillatory, and chaotic flow) are 

observed using several visualization 

techniques to determine the transition 

process. The experimental data and images 

will be downlinked in real time and also 

recorded for detailed analysis. The cells for 

this experiment have been delivered to the 

ISS on the HTV-1 Mission 

Koichi Nishino, 

Yokohama 

National 

University 

ISS Kibo 

Evaluation of 

Onboard 

Diagnostic kit 

Evaluation of 

Onboard Diagnostic 

kit 

JAXA Human Research Onboard Diagnostic Kit is total telemedicine 

system, e.g., stethoscope, 

electroencephalography and etc. This system 

is capable of measuring, storing and 

analyzing crew’s medical data. In addition, 

the medical data will be downlinked to the 

ground in real time in order to diagnose a 

crew’s disorder by doctor. Onboard 

Diagnostic Kit will be evaluated, and 

confirmed its operability and accuracy of the 

measured data 

JAXA ISS Kibo 

Hair Biomedical analyses 

of human hair 

exposed long-term 

space flight 

JAXA Human 

Spaceflight 

Technology 

Development 

Hair is a target to study about effects of 

long-term exposure into the space 

environment against gene expression and 

mineral metabolism in it. Human hair is one 

of the most suitable biological specimens for 

a space experiment since there are no 

special requirements for handling, nor use of 

hardware. Hair matrix cells divide to a hair 

follicles actively while these cell divisions 

reflect physical conditions sensitively. The 

hair shaft records the information of the 

astronauts’ metabolic conditions. These 

samples give us useful physiological 

information to examine the effects of 

spaceflight on astronauts participating in 

long-duration spaceflight missions. In the 

experiment, two different analyses will be 

performed using the ISS crew members’ 

hair:1) Nucleic Acids (RNA and mitochondrial 

DNA) and proteins in the hair root and 2) 

Minerals in the hair shaft 

Chiaki MUKAI, 

Japan 

ISS Kibo 

Hicari Growth of 

Homogeneous SiGe 

Crystals in 

Microgravity by the 

TLZ Method 

JAXA Crystallization Hicari experiment aims to verify the 

crystal-growth theory, and to produce 

high-quality crystals of SiGe semiconductor, 

and performed by the Gradient Heating 

Furnace (GHF). The experimental cartridge 

containing SiGe samples is heated at the 

planned temperature profile in the GHF. After 

the cartridges are set in GHF, the experiment 

will be conducted by ground operations. The 

cartridges of this experiment will be delivered 

to Kibo, ISS on HTV-2 

Kyoichi 

Kinoshita, 

JAXA 

ISS Kibo 
56 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

JAXA PCG High-Quality Protein 

Crystallization 

Research 

JAXA Applied 

Research 

JAXA PCG project has been exploring to 

grow crystals of biological macromolecules 

using the counter diffusion technique. The 

main scientific objective of the JAXA PCG 

experiment is to produce fine-quality protein 

crystals in microgravity. The crystals will be 

grown in the JAXA PCG Canister using the 

Protein Crystallization Research Facility 

(PCRF) in the RYUTAI rack. The spacegrown crystals will be applied to structural 

biology and pharmaceutical activities. This 

experiment is a JAXA-ROSCOSMOS 

science collaboration. JAXA is performing the 

onboard experiments, including samples 

from the Russian research group, and 

ROSCOSMOS is operating the launch and 

retrieval 

Masaru Sato, 

JAXA (The 

samples are 

supplied from 

researchers in 

company, 

university, and 

national 

laboratory) 

ISS Kibo 

MAXI Monitor of All-sky 

X-ray Image 

JAXA X-ray Astronomy MAXI is an external observatory operated on 

the EF. MAXI was launched and installed on 

Kibo’s EF during the STS-127 Mission. MAXI 

has been monitoring X-ray variability more 

than 1,000 its sources covering the entire 

sky. MAXI consists of two types of highly 

sensitive X-ray slit cameras: the Gas Slit 

Camera (GSC) and the Solid-state Slit 

Camera (SSC). The GSC uses a gas 

proportional counter for X-ray detection, and 

the SSC uses Peltier-cooled CCDs for X-ray 

detection. MAXI is equipped with 12 GSCs 

and 2 SSCs. The discoveries of X-ray novae 

and gamma-ray bursts with MAXI are to be 

distributed worldwide via the Internet, so that 

astronomical observatories may conduct 

follow-up and detailed observations with 

telescopes or astronomical satellites 

Masaru 

Matsuoka, 

JAXA 

ISS Kibo 

SEDA-AP Space Environment 

Data Acquisition 

Equipment-Attached 

Payload 

JAXA Astrophysics/ 

Earth 

Observation 

SEDA-AP is an external experiment 

conducted on the Exposed Facility (EF). 

SEDA-AP was launched and installed on 

Kibo’s Exposed Facility (EF) during the 

STS-127 Mission, and it has been collecting 

space environment data ever since then. It 

consists of common bus equipment, a mast 

that extends the neutron monitor sensor into 

space, and seven measurement units that 

measure space environment data. The 

measurement units are (1) Neutron Monitor 

(NEM), (2) Heavy Ion Telescope (HIT), 

(3) Plasma Monitor (PLAM), (4) Standard 

Dose Monitor (SDOM), (5) Atomic Oxygen 

Monitor (AOM), and (6) Electronic Device 

Evaluation Equipment (EDEE). 

Micro-Particles Capture (MPAC) and Space 

Environment Exposure Device (SEED) were 

removed by EVA and recovered by STS-131 

Tateo Goka, 

JAXA 

ISS Kibo 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 57

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

Myco Mycological 

evaluation of crew 

member exposure to 

ISS ambient air 

JAXA Human 

Spaceflight 

Technology 

Development 

Myco1 project will investigate and evaluate 

the risk of inhalation and adhesion of 

microorganisms to astronauts who are 

exposed to ambient air on board the ISS 

during long-duration missions. The ultimate 

goal of this experiment is to develop 

medically effective countermeasures to 

protect ISS crew members living in a closed 

environment of microgravity against the living 

environmental risks caused by 

microorganisms. Normal human flora is 

thought to be strongly affected by the living 

environment. The environment on board the 

ISS would progressively be contaminated by 

microorganisms since various 

microorganisms are brought up to the station 

along with commodities and or crew 

members themselves. Some of them are 

possible allergens in our living environment. 

To mitigate the risk of microbial 

contamination on board, it is necessary to 

take some countermeasures against 

microbial contaminations 

Chiaki MUKAI, 

Japan 

ISS Kibo 

AMS-02 Alpha Magnetic 

Spectrometer − 02 

NASA Earth and Space 

Science 

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer − 02 

(AMS-02) is a state-of-the-art particle physics 

detector constructed, tested and operated by 

an international team. The AMS-02 uses the 

unique environment of space to advance 

knowledge of the universe and lead to the 

understanding of the universe’s origin by 

searching for antimatter, dark matter and 

measuring cosmic rays 

Spokesperson: 

Samuel Ting, 

Ph.D., 

Massachusetts 

Institute of 

Technology, 

Cambridge, 

Mass. 

ISS 

External 

BCAT-3 Binary Colloidal Alloy 

Test − 3 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test – 3 (BCAT-3) 

investigates the long-term behavior of 

colloids – a system of fine particles 

suspended in a fluid – in a microgravity 

environment, where the effects of 

sedimentation and convection are removed. 

Results will help scientists develop 

fundamental physics concepts previously 

masked by the effects of gravity 

David A. 

Weitz, Ph.D., 

Harvard 

University, 

Cambridge, 

Mass. 

Peter Lu, 

Ph.D., Harvard 

University, 

Cambridge, 

Mass. 

ISS 

Inflight 

BCAT-4 Binary Colloidal Alloy 

Test − 4 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test – 4 (BCAT-4) is 

part of the BCAT suite of experiments 

studying colloids – a system of fine particles 

suspended in a fluid. Results from this study 

may lead to new colloid materials with 

applications in the communications and 

computer industries for switches, displays 

and optical devices with properties that could 

rival those of lasers 

Paul M. 

Chaikin, Ph.D., 

Princeton 

University, 

Princeton, NJ 

and New York 

University, 

New York 

ISS 

Inflight 
58 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

BCAT-5 Binary Colloidal Alloy 

Test − 5 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test – 5 (BCAT-5) is a 

suite of four investigations which will 

photograph randomized colloidal samples 

onboard the International Space Station to 

determine their resulting structure over time. 

The use of EarthKAM software and hardware 

will allow the scientists to capture the 

kinetics, or evolution, of their samples, as 

well as the final equilibrium state of each 

sample 

Arjun Yodh, 

Ph.D., 

University of 

Pennsylvania, 

University Park 

Barbara 

Frisken, Ph.D., 

Simon Fraser 

University, 

Burnaby, 

British 

Columbia, 

Canada 

Matthew 

Lynch, Ph.D., 

Procter and 

Gamble, 

Cincinnati 

David Weitz, 

Ph.D., Harvard 

University, 

Cambridge, 

Mass. 

Paul Chaikin, 

Ph.D., New 

York 

University, 

New York 

ISS 

Inflight 

BCAT-6 Binary Colloidal Alloy 

Test − 6 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test – 6 (BCAT-6) is a 

suite of four investigations which will 

photograph randomized colloidal samples 

onboard the International Space Station to 

determine their resulting structure over time. 

The use of EarthKAM software and hardware 

will allow the scientists to capture the 

kinetics, or evolution, of their samples, as 

well as the final equilibrium state of each 

sample 

Paul Chaikin, 

Ph.D., New 

York 

University, 

New York 

Arjun Yodh, 

Ph.D., 

University of 

Pennsylvania, 

University 

ParkMatthew 

Lynch, Ph.D., 

Procter and 

Gamble, 

Cincinnati 

David Weitz, 

Ph.D., Harvard 

University, 

Cambridge, 

Mass. 

ISS 

Inflight 

BIOKIS BIOKon In Space NASA Biology and 

Biotechnology 

BIOKon In Space (BIOKIS) involves the 

investigation of seven experiments 

sponsored by the Italian Space Agency 

(ASI-Agenzia Spaziale Italiana) in the areas 

of cellular biology, radiation and 

radioprotection, aging, germination and plant 

growth. These experiments will aim to 

evaluate various biological species to 

determine genetic distinctions following 

short-duration space flight; also, BIOKIS will 

utilize a variety of dosimeters to monitor 

radiation 

Pier Luigi 

Ganga, Kayser 

Italia s.r.l., 

Livorno, Italy 

ISS 

Inflight 

 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 59

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

Bio Biology NASA Physical 

Sciences 

Biology (Bio) is a NASA Rapid Turn Around 

(RTA) engineering proof-of-concept proposal 

in preparation for Advanced Colloids 

Experiment (ACE). In Bio, crew members 

image three-dimensional biological sample 

particles, tissue samples and live organisms. 

The goal of this experiment is to indicate the 

microscope’s capabilities for viewing 

biological specimens 

Jacob Cohen, 

Ph.D., Ames 

Research 

Center, Moffett 

Field, Calif. 

ISS 

Inflight 

Bisphosphonates Bisphosphonates as a 

Countermeasure to 

Space Flight Induced 

Bone Loss 

NASA Human Research Bisphosphonates as a Countermeasure to 

Space Flight Induced Bone Loss 

(Bisphosphonates) determines whether 

anti-resorptive agents (help reduce bone 

loss), in conjunction with the routine in-flight 

exercise program, protects International 

Space Station (ISS) crew members from the 

regional decreases in bone mineral density 

documented on previous ISS missions 

Adrian 

LeBlanc, 

Ph.D., Division 

of Space Life 

Sciences, 

Universities 

Space 

Research 

Association, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

CBTM-3 Commercial 

Biomedical Test 

Module − 3 

NASA Human Research Commercial Biomedical Test Module − 3 

(CBTM-3) will use a validated mouse model 

to examine the effectiveness of an 

experimental therapeutic as a possible 

countermeasure for muscle atrophy. 

Combined with exercise, this experimental 

therapeutic developed by Amgen could one 

day form the basis for a treatment that will 

help maintain a high level of physical fitness 

in future flight crews. Also, through an 

extensive tissue sharing program several 

additional investigations will be performed on 

the effects of microgravity on the skeletal, 

cardiovascular, immune systems, liver and 

kidney function as well as other physiological 

systems 

Louis Stodieck, 

Ph.D., 

BioServe 

Space 

Technologies, 

University of 

Colorado −

Boulder 

Sortie 

CCF Capillary 

Flow 

Channel NASA Physical 

Sciences 

Capillary Channel Flow (CCF) yields results 

to contribute to the improvement of future 

spacecraft fuel tanks. Currently, spacecraft 

fuel tanks rely on additional reservoirs to 

prevent ingestion of gas into the engines 

during firing to attain optimal engine 

performance. By understanding capillary fluid 

flow rates in microgravity, current models for 

spacecraft fuel tanks could be updated to use 

capillary vanes to supply gas-free propellant 

to spacecraft thrusters instead of reservoirs, 

resulting in reduced cost and weight, and 

improved reliability 

Michael 

Dreyer, Ph.D., 

University of 

Bremen, 

Germany 

ISS 

Inflight 

CEO Crew Earth 

Observations 

NASA Earth and Space 

Science 

In Crew Earth Observations (CEO), the crew 

on the International Space Station (ISS) 

photograph natural and human-made 

changes on Earth. The photographs record 

the Earth’s surface changes over time, along 

with dynamic events such as storms, floods, 

fires and volcanic eruptions. These images 

provide researchers on Earth with key data to 

better understand the planet 

Susan Runco, 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

CFE-2 Capillary Flow 

Experiment − 2 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

Capillary Flow Experiments − 2 (CFE-2) is a 

suite of fluid physics experiments that 

investigate capillary flows and flows of fluids 

in containers with complex geometries. The 

experiments have led to changes in 

computer models of low-gravity fluid 

systems, which achieve better results, and 

may lead to improvements in fluid-transfer 

systems in future spacecraft designs 

Mark M. 

Weislogel, 

Ph.D., Portland 

State 

University, 

Portland, Ore. 

ISS 

Inflight 
60 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

CSI-05 Commercial Generic 

Bioprocessing 

Apparatus Science 

Insert − 05 

NASA Educational 

Activities 

(CSI-05) Commercial Generic Bioprocessing 

Apparatus Science Insert − 05 (CSI-05) is 

part of the CSI program series and provides 

the K-12 community opportunities to utilize 

the unique microgravity environment of the 

International Space Station as part of the 

regular classroom to encourage learning and 

interest in science, technology, engineering 

and math 

Louis Stodieck, 

Ph.D., 

University of 

Colorado −

Boulder, 

BioServe 

Space 

Technologies, 

Boulder 

ISS 

Inflight 

CVB Constrained 

Bubble 

Vapor NASA Physical 

Sciences 

Constrained Vapor Bubble (CVB) operates a 

miniature wickless heat pipe (heat 

exchanger) to understand the physics of 

evaporation and condensation as they affect 

heat transfer processes in microgravity 

Peter C. 

Wayner, Jr., 

Ph.D., 

Rensselaer 

Polytechnic 

Institute, Troy, 

New York 

ISS 

Inflight 

DTN Delay Tolerant 

Networking 

NASA Technology The Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) tests 

communication protocols with the 

Commercial Generic Bioprocessing 

Apparatus (CGBA) onboard the International 

Space Station. The primary purpose is to 

rapidly mature the DTN technology for use in 

NASA’s exploration missions and space 

communications architecture 

Kevin Gifford, 

Ph.D., 

University of 

Colorado, 

Boulder 

ISS 

Inflight 

ENOS Electronic NOse for 

Space exploration 

NASA Technology Electronic NOse for Space exploration 

(ENOS) is a study involving air quality 

monitoring and the search for possible 

anomalies in the internal on-orbit atmosphere 

utilizing a network of three sensorial ENOS 

units 

Eugenio 

Martinelli, 

University of 

Rome Tor 

Vergata, 

Rome, Italy 

Arnaldo D 

Amico, 

University of 

Rome Tor 

Vergata, 

Rome, Italy 

Corrado Di 

Natale, 

University of 

Rome Tor 

Vergata, 

Rome, Italy 

ISS 

Inflight 

EPO-Demos Education Payload 

Operation −

Demonstrations 

NASA Educational 

Activities 

Education Payload Operation −

Demonstrations (EPO-Demos) records video 

education demonstrations performed on the 

International Space Station (ISS) by crew 

members using hardware already onboard 

the ISS. EPO-Demos enhance existing 

NASA education resources and programs for 

educators and students in grades K-12. 

EPO-Demos support the NASA mission to 

inspire the next generation of explorers 

Matthew Keil, 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

EarthKAM Earth Knowledge 

Acquired by Middle 

School Students 

NASA Educational 

Activities 

Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School 

Students (EarthKAM), an education activity, 

allows middle school students to program a 

digital camera on board the International 

Space Station to photograph a variety of 

geographical targets for study in the 

classroom. Photos are made available on the 

world wide web for viewing and study by 

participating schools around the world. 

Educators use the images for projects 

involving Earth Science, geography, physics, 

and social science 

Sally Ride, 

Ph.D., 

University of 

California −

San Diego 

ISS 

Inflight 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 61

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

Functional Task 

Test 

Physiological Factors 

Contributing to 

Changes in Postflight 

Functional 

Performance 

NASA Human Research The Physiological Factors Contributing to 

Changes in Postflight Functional 

Performance (Functional Task Test) payload 

tests crew members on an integrated suite of 

functional and physiological tests before and 

after short- and long-duration space flight. 

The study identifies critical mission tasks that 

may be impacted, maps physiological 

changes to alterations in physical 

performance and aids in the design of 

countermeasures that specifically target the 

physiological systems responsible for 

impaired functional performance 

Jacob 

Bloomberg, 

Ph.D., 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

Pre/ 

Postflight 

HREP-HICO HICO and RAIDS 

Experiment Payload −

Hyperspectral Imager 

for the Coastal Ocean 

NASA Earth and Space 

Science 

HICO and RAIDS Experiment Payload −

Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean 

(HREP-HICO) operates a visible and 

near-infrared (VNIR) Maritime Hyperspectral 

Imaging (MHSI) system, to detect, identify 

and quantify coastal geophysical features 

from the International Space Station. The 

experiment analyzes the water clarity, 

chlorophyll content, water depth, and ocean 

or sea floor composition for civilian and naval 

purposes 

Mike Corson, 

Naval 

Research 

Laboratory, 

Washington 

ISS 

External 

HREP-RAIDS HICO and RAIDS 

Experiment Payload −

Remote Atmospheric 

and Ionospheric 

Detection System 

(RAIDS) 

NASA Earth and Space 

Science 

The HICO and RAIDS Experiment Payload −

Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric 

Detection System (HREP-RAIDS) 

experiment provides atmospheric scientists 

with a complete description of the major 

constituents of the thermosphere and 

ionosphere. The thermosphere is the layer of 

the Earth’s atmosphere where the 

International Space Station (ISS) orbits the 

Earth, and the ionosphere is the portion of 

the upper atmosphere that affects radio 

waves. RAIDS provides density, composition, 

temperature and electron density profiles at 

altitudes between 95 - 300 kilometers 

Scott Budzien, 

Naval 

Research 

Laboratory, 

Washington 

ISS 

External 

ISSAC International Space 

Station Agricultural 

Camera 

NASA Earth and Space 

Science 

The International Space Station Agricultural 

Camera (ISSAC) will take frequent images, in 

visible and infrared light, of vegetated areas 

on the Earth, principally of growing crops, 

rangeland, grasslands, forests, and wetlands 

in the northern Great Plains and Rocky 

Mountain regions of the United States. 

Images will be delivered directly to 

requesting farmers, ranchers, foresters, 

natural resource managers and tribal officials 

to help improve their environmental 

stewardship of the land. Images will also be 

shared with educators for classroom use 

George A. 

Seielstad, 

Ph.D., 

University of 

North Dakota, 

Grand Forks 

ISS 

Inflight 

ISS Ham Radio International Space 

Station Ham Radio 

NASA Educational 

Activities 

Utilizing ham radios, International Space 

Station Ham Radio (ISS Ham Radio) gets 

students interested in space exploration by 

allowing them to talk directly with the crews 

living and working aboard the ISS 

Kenneth 

Ransom, 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

InSPACE-3 Investigating the 

Structure of 

Paramagnetic 

Aggregates from 

Colloidal 

Emulsions − 3 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic 

Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions − 3 

(InSPACE-3) obtains data on fluids that 

change their physical properties in response 

to magnetic fields 

Eric M. Furst, 

Ph.D., 

University of 

Delaware, 

Newark 

ISS 

Inflight 
62 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

Integrated Cardiac Atrophy and NASA Human Research Cardiac Atrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction Benjamin D. ISS 

Cardiovascular Diastolic Dysfunction 

During and After Long 

Duration Spaceflight: 

Functional 

Consequences for 

Orthostatic 

Intolerance, Exercise 

Capability and Risk 

for Cardiac 

Arrhythmias 

During and After Long Duration Spaceflight: 

Functional Consequences for Orthostatic 

Intolerance, Exercise Capability and Risk for 

Cardiac Arrhythmias (Integrated 

Cardiovascular) quantifies the extent, time 

course and clinical significance of cardiac 

atrophy (decrease in the size of the heart 

muscle) associated with long-duration space 

flight. This experiment identifies the 

mechanisms of this atrophy and the 

functional consequences for crew members 

who will spend extended periods of time in 

space 

Levine, M.D., 

Institute for 

Exercise and 

Environmental 

Medicine, 

Presbyterian 

Hospital and 

University of 

Texas 

Southwestern 

Medical Center 

at Dallas 

Inflight 

Integrated Immune Validation of 

Procedures for 

Monitoring Crew 

member Immune 

Function 

NASA Human Research Validation of Procedures for Monitoring Crew 

Member Immune Function (Integrated 

Immune) will assess the clinical risks 

resulting from the adverse effects of space 

flight on the human immune system and will 

validate a flight-compatible immune 

monitoring strategy. To monitor changes in 

the immune system, researchers collect and 

analyze blood, urine and saliva samples from 

crew members before, during and after 

space flight 

Clarence 

Sams, Ph.D, 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

Integrated Validation of NASA Human Research Validation of Procedures for Monitoring Crew Clarence Sortie 

Immune-SDBI Procedures for 

Monitoring Crew 

member Immune 

Function − Short 

Duration Biological 

Investigation 

Member Immune Function − Short Duration 

Biological Investigation (Integrated 

Immune-SDBI) will assess the clinical risks 

resulting from the adverse effects of space 

flight on the human immune system and will 

validate a flight-compatible immune 

monitoring strategy. Immune system 

changes will be monitored by collecting and 

analyzing blood, urine and saliva samples 

from crew members before, during and after 

space flight 

Sams, Ph.D, 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

Kids In Micro-g-2 Kids In Microgravity-2 NASA Educational 

Activities 

Kids In Micro-gravity − 2 (Kids in Micro-g-2) 

provides students in grades 5 - 8 a hands-on 

opportunity to design an experiment or 

simple demonstration that could be 

performed both in the classroom and aboard 

the International Space Station (ISS) 

Deborah 

Biggs, 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

Lego Bricks Lego Bricks NASA Educational 

Activities 

The Lego Bricks payload is a series of toy 

Lego kits that are assembled on orbit and 

used to demonstrate scientific concepts. 

Some of these models include satellites, a 

space shuttle orbiter, and a scale model of 

the International Space Station (ISS) 

The Lego 

Group, Billund, 

Denmark 

ISS 

Inflight 

MAMS Microgravity 

Acceleration 

Measurement System 

NASA Technology Microgravity Acceleration Measurement 

System (MAMS studies the small forces, or 

vibrations and accelerations, on the 

International Space Station (ISS) that result 

from the operation of hardware, crew 

activities, dockings and maneuvering. 

Results are used to generalize the types of 

vibrations affecting vibration-sensitive 

experiments. Investigators seek to better 

understand the vibration environment on the 

space station 

Project 

Manager: 

Robert 

Hawersaat, 

Glenn 

Research 

Center, 

Cleveland 

ISS 

Inflight 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 63

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

MAUI Maui Analysis of 

Upper Atmospheric 

Injections 

NASA Technology Maui Analysis of Upper Atmospheric 

Injections (MAUI) observes the Space 

Shuttle engine exhaust plumes from the Maui 

Space Surveillance Site in Hawaii. The 

observations occur when the Space Shuttle 

fires its engines at night or twilight. A 

telescope and all-sky imagers take images 

and data while the Space Shuttle flies over 

the Maui site. The images are analyzed to 

better understand the interaction between the 

spacecraft plume and the upper atmosphere 

of Earth 

Rainer A. 

Dressler, 

Ph.D., 

Hanscom Air 

Force Base, 

Lexington, 

Mass. 

Descent 

Only 

MDCA-FLEX-2 Multi-User Droplet 

Combustion 

Apparatus − Flame 

Extinguishment 

Experiment − 2 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

The Multi-User Droplet Combustion 

Apparatus − Flame Extinguishment 

Experiment − 2 (MDCA-FLEX-2) assesses 

the effectiveness of fire suppressants in 

microgravity and quantify the effect of 

different possible crew exploration 

atmospheres on fire suppression. The goal of 

this research is to provide definition and 

direction for large scale fire suppression tests 

and selection of the fire suppressant for next 

generation crew exploration vehicles 

Forman A. 

Williams, 

University of 

California, San 

Diego 

ISS 

Inflight 

MISSE-7 Materials International 

Space Station 

Experiment − 7 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

The Materials International Space Station 

Experiment − 7 (MISSE-7) is a test bed for 

materials and coatings attached to the 

outside of the International Space Station 

being evaluated for the effects of atomic 

oxygen, ultraviolet, direct sunlight, radiation 

and extremes of heat and cold. This 

experiment allows the development and 

testing of new materials to better withstand 

the rigors of space environment. Results will 

provide a better understanding of the 

durability of various materials when they are 

exposed to the space environment with 

applications in the design of future spacecraft

Robert 

Walters, Ph.D., 

Naval 

Research 

Laboratory, 

Washington 

ISS 

External 

MISSE-8 Materials International 

Space Station 

Experiment − 8 

NASA The Materials on International Space Station 

Experiment − 8 (MISSE-8) is a test bed for 

materials and computing elements attached 

to the outside of the International Space 

Station. These materials and computing 

elements are being evaluated for the effects 

of atomic oxygen, ultraviolet, direct sunlight, 

radiation and extremes of heat and cold. This 

experiment allows the development and 

testing of new materials and computing 

elements that can better withstand the rigors 

of space environments. Results will provide a 

better understanding of the durability of 

various materials and computing elements 

when they are exposed to the space 

environment, with applications in the design 

of future spacecraft 

Robert 

Walters, Ph.D., 

Naval 

Research 

Laboratory, 

Washington 

ISS 

External 

NLO-Education-1 National Laboratory 

Office − Education − 1 

NASA Educational 

Activities 

 ISS 

Inflight 
64 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

NLP-Cells-6 National Laboratory 

Pathfinder − Cells − 6: 

Jatropha − 3 

NASA Biology and 

Biotechnology 

National Lab Pathfinder − Cells − 6: 

Jatropha − 3 (NLP-Cells-6) assesses the 

effects of microgravity on formation, 

establishment and multiplication of 

undifferentiated cells of the Jatropha 

(Jatropha curcas), a biofuel plant, using 

different tissues as explant sources from 

different genotypes of Jatropha. Specific 

goals include the evaluation of changes in 

cell structure, growth and development, 

genetic changes, and differential gene 

expression. Postflight analysis identifies 

significant changes that occur in microgravity 

which could contribute to accelerating the 

breeding process for the development of new 

cultivars of this biofuel plant 

Wagner 

Vendrame, 

Ph.D., Tropical 

Research and 

Education 

Center, 

Gainesville, 

Fla. 

ISS 

Inflight 

NLP-Cells-7 National Laboratory 

Pathfinder − Cells − 7

NASA Biology and 

Biotechnology 

National Lab Pathfinder − Cells − 7 

(NLP-Cells-7) is a commercial payload 

serving as a pathfinder for the use of the 

International Space Station (ISS) as a 

National Laboratory after ISS assembly 

complete. It contains several different 

experiments that examine cellular replication 

and differentiation of cells. This research is 

investigating the use of space flight to 

enhance or improve cellular growth 

processes utilized in ground based research 

Louis Stodieck, 

Ph.D., 

BioServe 

Space 

Technologies, 

University of 

Colorado −

Boulder 

ISS 

Inflight 

NLP-Vaccine National Laboratory 

Pathfinder − Vaccine 

NASA Biology and 

Biotechnology 

The National Laboratory Pathfinder −

Vaccine (NLP-Vaccine) is a commercial 

investigation serving as a pathfinder for the 

use of the International Space Station (ISS) 

as a National Laboratory after ISS assembly 

is complete. NLP-Vaccine uses microgravity 

to examine pathogenic (disease-causing) 

organisms to develop a potential vaccine for 

the prevention of infection on Earth and in 

microgravity 

Timothy 

Hammond, 

M.B.B.S., 

Durham 

Veterans 

Affairs Medical 

Center, 

Durham, N.C. 

Sortie 

NanoRacksCubeLabs 

Module-6 

NanoRacksCubeLabs_Module-6 NASA Multipurpose The NanoRacks-CubeLabs Module-6 is a 

3-Dimensional video camera for International 

Space Station (ISS) crew members. 

NanoRacks-CubeLabs Module-6 supports 

future NanoRacks-CubeLabs investigations 

onboard the ISS 

 

NanoRacksCubeLabs 

Module-7 

NanoRacksCubeLabs Module-7 NASA Human Research The NanoRacks-CubeLabs Module-7 mixes 

samples of two or three liquids in 

microgravity. The science goals for 

NanoRacks-CubeLabs Module-7 are 

proprietary. The client base is international, 

with researchers from North America and 

Israel involved in using the hardware and 

forms the basis for future space station 

research 

Jeffrey 

Manber, 

NanoRacks, 

LLC, Laguna 

Woods, Calif. 

ISS 

Inflight 

NanoRacksCubeLabs 

Module-8 

NanoRacksCubeLabs_Module-8 NASA Biology and 

Biotechnology 

The NanoRacks-CubeLabs Module-8 

processes biological samples in microgravity. 

The science goals for NanoRacks-CubeLabs 

Module-8 are proprietary 

Jeffrey 

Manber, 

NanoRacks, 

LLC, Laguna 

Woods, Calif. 

Sortie 

Night Vision Eyespots and 

Macular Pigments 

Extracted from Algal 

Organisms 

Immobilized in 

Organic Matrix with 

the Purpose to 

Protect Astronaut’s 

Retina 

NASA Biology and 

Biotechnology 

Eyespots and Macular Pigments Extracted 

from Algal Organisms Immobilized in Organic 

Matrix with the Purpose to Protect 

Astronaut’s Retina (Night Vision) is a study 

on the response of microalgae strains (that 

contain eye spots similar to the human 

retina) to space radiation in order to obtain 

results applicable to future nutrition programs 

for astronauts 

Maria Teresa 

Giardi, Ph.D., 

Institute of 

Crystallography, Rome, 

Italy 

Sortie 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 65

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

Nutrition Nutritional Status 

Assessment 

NASA Human Research Nutritional Status Assessment (Nutrition) is a 

comprehensive in-flight study designed to 

understand changes in human physiology 

during long-duration space flight. This study 

includes measures of bone metabolism, 

oxidative damage, and chemistry and 

hormonal changes; as well as assessments 

of the nutritional status of the crew members 

participating in the study. The results have an 

impact on the definition of nutritional 

requirements and development of food 

systems for future space exploration 

missions. This experiment also helps 

researchers understand the effectiveness of 

measures taken to counteract the effects of 

space flight, as well as the impact of exercise 

and pharmaceutical countermeasures on 

nutritional status and nutrient requirements 

for crew members 

Scott M. Smith, 

Ph.D., 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

PACE-2 Preliminary Advanced 

Colloids Experiment 

− 2: 3D Particle Test 

NASA Technology Preliminary Advanced Colloids Experiment 

− 2 (PACE-2) characterizes the resolution of 

the high magnification colloid experiments 

with the Light Microscopy Module (LMM) to 

determine the minimum size of the particles 

that can be resolved by the Advanced 

Colloids Experiment (ACE). There is a direct 

relationship between magnification, particle 

size, test duration and on-orbit vibration that 

is quantified 

Jacob N. 

Cohen, Ph.D., 

Ames 

Research 

Center, Moffett 

Field, Calif. 

ISS 

Inflight 

Plant Signaling Plant Signaling NASA Biology and 

Biotechnology 

The Plant Signaling experiment studies the 

effects of microgravity on the growth of 

plants. The experiment is performed on 

board the International Space Station (ISS) in 

collaboration with the European Space 

Agency (ESA). Images of the plants are 

captured and down-linked to Earth. Samples 

of the plants are harvested and returned to 

Earth for scientific analysis. The results of 

this experiment can lead to information that 

will aid in food production during future long 

duration space missions, as well as data to 

enhance crop production on Earth 

Imara Perera, 

Ph.D., North 

Carolina State 

University, 

Raleigh 

 

Pro K Dietary Intake Can 

Predict and Protect 

Against Changes in 

Bone Metabolism 

during Spaceflight 

and Recovery 

NASA Human Research The Dietary Intake Can Predict and Protect 

Against Changes in Bone Metabolism during 

Spaceflight and Recovery (Pro K) 

investigation is NASAs first evaluation of a 

dietary countermeasure to lessen bone loss 

of astronauts. Pro K proposes that a flight 

diet with a decreased ratio of animal protein 

to potassium will lead to decreased loss of 

bone mineral. Pro K has impacts on the 

definition of nutritional requirements and 

development of food systems for future 

exploration missions, and yield a method of 

counteracting bone loss that would have 

virtually no risk of side effects 

Scott M. Smith, 

Ph.D., 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 
66 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

RAMBO-2 Ram Burn 

Observations − 2 

NASA Technology Ram Burn Observations − 2 (RAMBO-2) 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 

William L. 

Dimpfl, Ph.D., 

Aerospace 

Corporation, 

Los Angeles 

Descent 

Only 

REBR ReEntry Breakup 

Recorder 

NASA Technology Reentry Breakup Recorder (REBR) will test a 

cost-effective system that can ride a 

reentering vehicle, record data during the 

reentry and breakup of the vehicle, and 

return data for analysis 

William Ailor, 

Ph.D., The 

Aerospace 

Corporation, 

El Segundo, 

Calif. 

Sortie 

Reaction Self Test Psychomotor 

Vigilance Self Test on 

the International 

Space Station 

NASA Human Research The Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the 

International Space Station (Reaction Self 

Test) is a portable five-minute reaction time 

task that will allow the crew members to 

monitor the daily effects of fatigue on 

performance while on board the International 

Space Station (ISS) 

David F. 

Dinges, Ph.D., 

University of 

Pennsylvania 

School of 

Medicine, 

Philadelphia 

ISS 

Inflight 

Repository National Aeronautics 

and Space 

Administration 

Biological Specimen 

Repository 

NASA Human Research The National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration Biological Specimen 

Repository (Repository) is a storage bank 

that is used to maintain biological specimens 

over extended periods of time and under 

well-controlled conditions. This repository 

supports scientific discovery that contributes 

to our fundamental knowledge in the area of 

human physiological changes and adaptation 

to a microgravity environment and provides 

unique opportunities to study longitudinal 

changes in human physiology spanning 

many missions. Samples from the 

International Space Station (ISS), including 

blood and urine, are collected, processed 

and archived during the preflight, in-flight and 

postflight phases of ISS missions. This 

investigation archives biosamples for use as 

a resource for future space flight related 

research 

Kathleen A. 

McMonigal, 

M.D., Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

Robonaut Robonaut NASA Technology Robonaut serves as a spring board to help 

evolve new robotic capabilities in space. 

Robonaut demonstrates that a dexterous 

robot can launch and operate in a space 

vehicle, manipulate mechanisms in a 

microgravity environment, operate for an 

extended duration within the space 

environment, assist with tasks, and 

eventually interact with the crew members 

Myron A. 

Diftler, Ph.D., 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

SAMS-II Space Acceleration 

Measurement 

System-II 

NASA Technology Space Acceleration Measurement System-II 

(SAMS-II) is an ongoing study of the small 

forces (vibrations and accelerations) on the 

International Space Station (ISS) resulting 

from the operation of hardware, crew 

activities, dockings and maneuvering. 

Results generalize the types of vibrations 

affecting vibration-sensitive experiments. 

Investigators seek to better understand the 

vibration environment on the ISS 

Project 

Manager: 

Robert 

Hawersaat, 

Glenn 

Research 

Center, 

Cleveland 

ISS 

Inflight 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 67

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

SEITE Shuttle Exhaust Ion 

Turbulence 

Experiments 

NASA Technology Shuttle Exhaust Ion Turbulence Experiments 

(SEITE) uses space-based sensors to detect 

the ionospheric turbulence inferred from the 

radar observations from a previous Space 

Shuttle Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) 

burn experiment using ground-based radar 

Paul A. 

Bernhardt, 

Ph.D., Naval 

Research 

Laboratory, 

Washington 

Descent 

Only 

SHERE-II Shear History 

Extensional Rheology 

Experiment − II 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

The Shear History Extensional Rheology 

Experiment − II (SHERE-II) investigation 

involves a non-Newtonian fluid that will 

undergo preshearing (rotation) for a specified 

period of time, followed by stretching. This 

combination of shearing and extensional 

deformations is common in many 

earth-based polymer processing and 

manufacturing operations such as extrusion, 

blow-molding and fiber spinning. However, in 

order to accurately predict the flow behaviour 

of polymeric fluids under such deformation 

histories, an accurate knowledge of the 

extensional viscosity of a polymer system 

and its variation with strain rate is critical and 

will be measured during this experiment. The 

fundamental understanding and 

measurement of these complex fluids is 

important for containerless processing, a key 

operation for fabrication of parts, such as 

adhesives or fillers, using elastomeric 

materials on future exploration missions 

Gareth 

McKinley, 

Ph.D., 

Massachusetts 

Institute of 

Technology, 

Cambridge, 

Mass. 

ISS 

Inflight 

SLICE Structure and Liftoff In 

Combustion 

Experiment 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

Structure and Liftoff In Combustion 

Experiment (SLICE) investigates the 

structure of lifting and lifted flames; whereby 

the flame detaches from the nozzle and 

stabilizes at a downstream position 

Marshall B. 

Long, Ph.D., 

Yale 

University, 

New Haven, 

Conn. 

ISS 

Inflight 

SNFM Serial Network Flow 

Monitor 

NASA Technology Using a commercial software CD, Serial 

Network Flow Monitor (SNFM) monitors the 

payload local area network (LAN) to analyze 

and troubleshoot LAN data traffic. Validating 

LAN traffic models may allow for faster and 

more reliable computer networks to sustain 

systems and science on future space 

missions 

Carl Konkel, 

Boeing, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

SPHERES Synchronized 

Position Hold, 

Engage, Reorient, 

Experimental 

Satellites 

NASA Technology Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, 

Reorient, Experimental Satellites 

(SPHERES) are bowling-ball sized spherical 

satellites. They are used inside the space 

station to test a set of well-defined 

instructions for spacecraft performing 

autonomous rendezvous and docking 

maneuvers. Three free-flying spheres fly 

within the cabin of the Space Station, 

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 formation flying 

spacecraft configurations 

David W. 

Miller, Ph.D., 

Massachusetts 

Institute of 

Technology, 

Cambridge, 

Mass. 

ISS 

Inflight 

STP-H3-Canary Space Test Program 

− Houston 3 − Canary 

NASA Technology Space Test Program − Houston 3 − Canary 

(STP-H3-Canary) investigates the interaction 

of ions with the background plasma 

environment around the ISS 

Geoff Mcharg, 

Ph.D., United 

States Air 

Force 

Academy, 

Colorado 

Springs, Colo. 

ISS 

External 
68 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

STP-H3-DISC Space Test Program 

− Houston 3 − Digital 

Imaging Star Camera

NASA Technology Space Test Program − Houston 3 − Digital 

Imaging Star Camera (STP-H3-DISC) 

captures images of star fields for analysis by 

ground algorithms to determine the attitude 

of the ISS. The results will lead to the 

creation of more robust and capable 

satellites to be used by ground systems for 

Earth-bound communications 

Andrew 

Williams, Air 

Force 

Research 

Laboratory, 

WrightPatterson Air 

Force Base, 

Ohio 

ISS 

External 

STP-H3-MHTEX Space Test Program 

− Houston 3 −

Massive Heat 

Transfer Experiment 

NASA Technology Space Test Program − Houston 3 − Massive 

Heat Transfer Experiment (STP-H3-MHTEX) 

is capillary pumped loop heat transfer 

equipment, which operates by continuous 

fluid flow to transfer heat from multiple 

spacecraft sources to an external vehicle 

surface to improve the understanding of 

two-phase flow microgravity performance 

Andrew 

Williams, Air 

Force 

Research 

Laboratory, 

WrightPatterson Air 

Force Base, 

Ohio 

ISS 

External 

STP-H3-VADER Space Test Program 

− Houston 3 −

Variable emissivity 

radiator Aerogel 

insulation blanket 

Dual zone thermal 

control Experiment 

suite for Responsive 

space 

NASA Technology Space Test Program − Houston 3 − Variable 

emissivity radiator Aerogel insulation blanket 

Dual zone thermal control Experiment suite 

for Responsive space (STP-H3-VADER) 

tests a new form of multilayer insulation that 

uses Aerogel as the thermal isolator to 

protect spacecraft from the harsh extremes 

of the space environment 

Andrew 

Williams, Air 

Force 

Research 

Laboratory, 

WrightPatterson Air 

Force Base, 

Ohio 

ISS 

External 

Shape Memory 

Foam 

Shape Memory Foam NASA Physical 

Sciences 

The Shape Memory Foam experiment will 

evaluate the recovery of shape memory 

epoxy foam in microgravity obtained by 

solid-state foaming on ground consisting of 

various geometric complexities shaped on 

ground. This investigation is expected to 

study the shape memory properties required 

to manufacture a new concept actuator 

(a device that transforms energy to other 

forms of energy) 

Professor 

Loredana 

Santo, 

University of 

Rome Tor 

Vergata, 

Rome, Italy 

Pre/Postfli

ght 

Sleep-Short Sleep-Wake 

Actigraphy and Light 

Exposure During 

Spaceflight-Short 

NASA Human Research Sleep-Wake Actigraphy and Light Exposure 

During Spaceflight-Short (Sleep-Short) 

examines how spaceflight affects astronauts’ 

sleep patterns 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 

Charles A. 

Czeisler, M.D., 

Ph.D., Brigham 

and Women's 

Hospital, 

Harvard 

Medical 

School, Boston 

Sortie 

Spinal Elongation Spinal Elongation and 

its Effects on Seated 

Height in a 

Microgravity 

Environment 

NASA Human Research The Spinal Elongation and its Effects on 

Seated Height in a Microgravity Environment 

(Spinal Elongation) study provides 

quantitative data as to the amount of change 

that occurs in the seated height due to spinal 

elongation in microgravity 

Sudhakar 

Rajulu, Ph.D., 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

Sortie 

Sprint Integrated Resistance 

and Aerobic Training 

Study 

NASA Human Research Sprint (Integrated Resistance and Aerobic 

Training Study) evaluates the use of high 

intensity, low volume exercise training to 

minimize loss of muscle, bone, and 

cardiovascular function in ISS crew members 

during long-duration missions 

Lori PloutzSnyder, Ph.D., 

Universities 

Space 

Research 

Association, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 69

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

Treadmill 

Kinematics 

Biomechanical 

Analysis of Treadmill 

Exercise on the 

International Space 

Station 

NASA Human Research The Biomechanical Analysis of Treadmill 

Exercise on the International Space Station 

(Treadmill Kinematics) experiment is the first 

rigorous investigation to quantify the 

biomechanics of treadmill exercise conditions 

during long duration spaceflight on the ISS. 

Exercise prescriptions have been developed 

under the assumption that walking and 

running in microgravity have the same 

training effects as during normal gravity. 

However, if locomotion kinematics and 

kinetics differ between microgravity and 

normal gravity, understanding these 

mechanisms will allow the development of 

appropriate exercise prescriptions to 

increase exercise benefits to crew health and 

well-being 

John De Witt, 

Ph.D., Wyle 

Integrated 

Sciences and 

Engineering 

Group, 

Exercise 

Physiology and 

Countermeasures 

Project, NASA 

Johnson 

Space Center 

ISS 

Inflight 

VCAM Vehicle Cabin 

Atmosphere Monitor 

NASA Technology Vehicle Cabin Atmosphere Monitor (VCAM) 

identifies gases that are present in minute 

quantities in the International Space Station 

breathing air that could harm the crew’s 

health. If successful, instruments like VCAM 

could accompany crew members during 

long-duration exploration missions 

Ara Chutjian, 

Ph.D., 

California 

Institute of 

Technology, 

Pasadena, CA 

and Jet 

Propulsion 

Laboratory, 

Pasadena, 

Calif. 

ISS 

Inflight 

VIABLE ISS eValuatIon And 

monitoring of 

microBiofiLms insidE 

International Space 

Station 

NASA Physical 

Sciences 

The eValuatIon And monitoring of microBiaL 

biofilms insidE ISS (VIABLE ISS) study 

involves the evaluation of the microbial 

biofilm development on space materials. 

Both metallic and textile space materials, 

either conventional or innovative, will be 

located inside and on the cover of Nomex 

pouches that will be placed inside the 

International Space Station (ISS) 

Francesco 

Canganella, 

Department of 

Agrobiology 

and 

Agrochemistry, 

University of 

Tuscia, 

Viterbo, Italy 

ISS 

Inflight 

VO2max Evaluation of Maximal 

Oxygen Uptake and 

Submaximal 

Estimates of VO2max 

Before, During, and 

After Long Duration 

International Space 

Station Missions 

NASA Human Research Alan D. Moore, 

Jr., Ph.D., 

Johnson 

Space Center, 

Houston 

ISS 

Inflight 

ТХН-9 Kristallizator 

(Crystallizer) 

RSA Physico-chemical 

processes and 

material in 

condition of 

Biological macromolecules crystallization and 

obtaining bio-crystal films under microgravity 

conditions 

 ISS 

Inflight 

JAXA PCG 

complex 

cosmos 

КПТ-21(TEX-20) Plazmennyi Kristall 

(Plasma Crystal) 

RSA Physico-chemical 

processes and 

material in 

condition of 

Study of the plasma-dust crystals and fluids 

under microgravity 

 ISS 

Inflight 

MRM2 

cosmos 

КПТ-16 Zone-К RSA Physico-chemical 

processes and 

material in 

condition of 

Study termokapilarnoe to convections of the 

fluid zone in condition the microgravity 

 ISS 

Inflight 

MRM1 

cosmos 

КПТ-17 Sloiy -К RSA Physico-chemical 

processes and 

material in 

condition of 

Study termokapilarnoe to convections in 

laminated liquid system in condition the 

microgravity 

 ISS 

Inflight 

MRM1 

cosmos 
70 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

ГФИ-1 Relaksatsiya RSA Geophysics and 

located beside 

land outer space 

Study of chemiluminescent chemical 

reactions and atmospheric light phenomena 

that occur during high-velocity interaction 

between the exhaust products from 

spacecraft propulsion systems and the Earth 

atmosphere at orbital altitudes and during the 

entry of space vehicles into the Earth upper 

atmosphere 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ГФИ-8 Uragan RSA Geophysics and 

located beside 

land outer space 

Experimental verification of the ground and 

space-based system for predicting natural 

and man-made disasters, mitigating the 

damage caused, and facilitating recovery 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ГФИ-11 Obstanovka 

(Situation) (Step 1) 

RSA Geophysics and 

located beside 

land outer space 

Studies in the surface zone ISS plasma-wave 

interaction processes Superlarge spacecraft 

and the ionosphere 

 ISS 

Inflight 

EVA 

ГФИ-16 Vsplesk (Burst) RSA Geophysics and 

located beside 

land outer space 

Seismic effects monitoring. Researching 

high-energy particles streams in near-Earth 

space environment 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ГФИ-17 Molnija- Gamma 

(Lightning-Gamma) 

RSA Geophysics and 

located beside 

land outer space 

Study atmospheric hits gamma and optical 

radiation in condition of the storm activity 

 ISS 

Inflight 

EVA 

КПТ-23 Radar-Progres RSA Geophysics and 

located beside 

land outer space 

Investigation of ground-based observations 

of reflection characteristics of plasma 

irregularities in the ionosphere generated by 

the onboard engines of the Progress 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ГФИ-28 Microsatellite RSA Geophysics and 

located beside 

land outer space 

Testing of run in automatic mode 

microsatellite Chibis-M using the cargo ship 

“Progress” 

 ISS 

Inflight 

Progress 

МБИ-12 Sonokard RSA Biomedical 

studies 

Integrated study of physiological functions 

during sleep period throughout a long space 

flight 

 ISS 

Inflight 

МБИ-16 Vzaimodeistvie 

(Interaction) 

RSA Biomedical 

studies 

Monitoring of the group crew activities under 

space flight conditions 

 ISS 

Inflight 

МБИ-20 Tipologia RSA Biomedical 

studies 

Researching for typological features of the 

activities of the ISS crews as operators 

activities in long term space flight phases 

 ISS 

Inflight 

МБИ-21 Pneumocard RSA Biomedical 

studies 

Study of space flight factors impacts on 

vegetative regulation of blood circulation, 

respiration and contractile heart function 

during long space flights 

 ISS 

Inflight 

МБИ-24 Sprut-2 RSA Biomedical 

studies 

Investigation of the dynamics of body 

composition and distribution of human body 

fluids during prolonged space flight 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БИО-1 Poligen RSA Biomedical 

studies 

Detection of genotypic features (experimental 

object – Drozophila midge), determining 

individual characteristics of resistance to the 

long-duration flight factors 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БИО-2 Biorisk RSA Biomedical 

studies 

Study of space flight impact on 

microorganisms-substrates systems state 

related to space technique ecological safety 

and planetary quarantine problem 

 ISS 

Inflight 

EVA 

БИО-5 Rasteniya RSA Biomedical 

studies 

Study of the space flight effect on the growth 

and development of higher plants 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ДЗЗ-12 Rusalka RSA Remote flexing 

the Land 

Testing of the procedure to determine the 

carbon dioxide and methane content in the 

Earth atmosphere to understand a role of 

natural processes in human activity 

 ISS 

Inflight 
APRIL 2011 SCIENCE OVERVIEW 71

Research Experiments (continued) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

ДЗЗ-13 Seyener RSA Remote flexing 

the Land 

Experimental methods of the interaction of 

the crews to cosmic station with court Fishing 

in process of searching for and mastering 

commercial-productive region of the World 

ocean 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ДЗЗ-14 СВЧ − radiometry 

Microwave radiometry 

RSA Remote flexing 

the Land 

Investigation of the underlying surface, ocean 

and atmosphere 

 ISS 

Inflight 

КПТ-3 Econ RSA Remote flexing 

the Land 

Experimental researching of ISS RS 

resources estimating for ecological 

investigation of areas 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ИКЛ-2В BTN-Neutron RSA Study of the 

Solar system 

Study of fast and thermal neutrons fluxes ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-5 Laktolen RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Effect produced by 

Laktolen producing 

space flight factors on 

strain 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-6 ARIL RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Effect produced by SFFs on expression of 

strains producing interleukins 1α, 1β, “ARIL” 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-7 OChB RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Effect produced by SFFs on strain producing 

superoxidodismutase (SOD) 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-8 Biotrack RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Study of space radiation heavy charged 

particles fluxes influence on genetic 

properties of bioactive substances 

cells-producers 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-10 Kon’yugatsiya 

(Conjugation) 

RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Working through the process of genetic 

material transmission using bacteria 

conjugation method 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-11 Biodegradatsiya RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Assessment of the initial stages of 

biodegradation and biodeterioration of 

surfaces of structural materials 

the 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-14 Bioemulsiya 

(Bioemulsion) 

RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Study and improvement of closed-type 

autonomous reactor for obtaining biomass of 

microorganisms and bioactive substance 

without additional ingredients input and 

metabolism products removal 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-26 Cascad (cascade) RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Study of various types cells cultivation 

processes 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-29 Zhenshen’-2 

(Ginseng-2) 

RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Study of the possibility to increase 

ginseng biological activity 

the ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-35 Membrane RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Study of the possibility of the reception in 

principal new пористых material with regular 

structure for use as filter and membran 

мембран

 ISS 

Inflight 

MRM2 

БТХ-39 Asepsises RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Development of the methods and on-board 

technical facilities of the ensuring the aseptic 

conditions of the undertaking BTH − an 

experiment in condition of the space flight 

 ISS 

Inflight 

MRM1 

БТХ-40 BIF (bifidobacterias) RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Study of the influence factor space flight on 

technological and биомедицинские of the 

feature bifidobacterias 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-41 Bakteriofag RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Study of the influence factor 

bakteriofages 

space flight on ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-42 Structure RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Reception high-quality crystal 

рекомбинантных squirrel 

 ISS 

Inflight 

БТХ-43 Constant RSA Cosmic 

biotechnology 

Study of the influence factor 

activity ferment 

space flight on ISS 

Inflight 

ТЕХ-14 

(SDTO 12002-R) 

Vektor-T RSA Technical studies 

and experiments 

Study of a high-precision system for ISS 

motion prediction 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ТЕХ-15 

(SDTO 13002-R) 

Izgib RSA Technical studies 

and experiments 

Study of the relationship between the 

onboard systems operating modes and ISS 

flight conditions 

 ISS 

Inflight 
72 SCIENCE OVERVIEW APRIL 2011

Research Experiments (concluded) 

Acronym Title Agency Category Summary Principal 

Investigator 

ISS/ 

Sortie 

Ops 

Location 

ТЕХ-22 Identifikatsiya RSA Technical studies 

and experiments 

Identification of disturbance sources when 

the microgravity conditions on the ISS are 

disrupted 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ТЕХ-38 Veterok RSA Technical studies 

and experiments 

Otrabotka new technology to optimization of 

the gas ambience in inhabited compartment 

ISS RS 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ТЕХ-39 SLS (System lazer 

relationship) 

RSA Technical studies 

and experiments 

Otrabotka systems lazer relationship for 

issue greater array to information from target 

equipment 

 ISS 

Inflight 

EVA 

ТЕХ-44 Sreda-ISS 

(Environment) 

RSA Technical studies 

and experiments 

Studying ISS characteristics as researching 

environment 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ТЕХ-50 Contur (Sidebar) RSA Technical studies 

and experiments 

Development of the methods of management 

through Internet robot-manipulator on ISS 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ТЕХ-51 VIRU RSA Technical studies 

and experiments 

Virtual Guide ISS 

Inflight 

ТЕХ-58 Vinoslivost 

(Endurance) 

RSA Technical studies 

and experiments 

Investigation of the influence of space factors 

on the mechanical properties of materials for 

space purposes 

 ISS 

Inflight 

РБО-3 Matryeshka-R RSA Study of the 

physical 

conditions in 

outer spaces on 

orbit ISS 

Study of radiation environment dynamics 

along the ISS RS flight path and in ISS 

compartments, and dose accumulation in 

anthropomorphous phantom, located inside 

and outside ISS 

 ISS 

Inflight 

ОБР-3 MAI-75 RSA Formation and 

popularization 

cosmic studies 

Spacecraft and up-to-date technologies for 

personal communications 

 ISS 

Inflight 

КПТ-14 Ten’ – Mayak 

(Shadow – Beacon) 

RSA Formation and 

popularization 

cosmic studies 

Working-out of the method for radio probing 

of board-ground space for supporting 

preparation of “Ten” (“Shadow”) plasma 

experiment on ISS RS 

 ISS 

Inflight 

КПТ-10 Kulonovskiy crystal RSA Formation and 

popularization 

cosmic studies 

System speaker Study of the charged 

particles in magnetic field in condition the 

microgravity 

 ISS 

Inflight 

MRM2 
APRIL 2011 COTS 73

NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) 

Through a revolutionary program begun in 

2006, NASA’s Commercial Crew and Cargo 

Program is investing financial and technical 

resources to stimulate efforts within the 

private sector to develop and demonstrate 

safe, reliable, and cost-effective space 

transportation capabilities. In a multi-phase 

strategy, the program is helping spur 

the innovation and development of new 

spacecraft and launch vehicles from the 

commercial industry, creating a new way of 

delivering cargo − and possibly crew − to 

low-Earth orbit and the International Space 

Station. 

As NASA sets its sights on exploring once 

again beyond low-Earth orbit, the ability for 

private industry to take on the task of 

providing routine access to space and 

the International Space Station is of vital 

importance. NASA’s Commercial Crew and 

Cargo Program is the catalyst for this 

expanding new industry. 

The first phase of this strategy is known as 

Commercial Orbital Transportation Services 

(COTS). Under COTS, NASA is helping 

commercial industry develop and 

demonstrate its own cargo space 

transportation capabilities to serve the U.S. 

government and other potential customers. 

The companies lead and direct their own 

efforts, with NASA providing technical and 

financial assistance. 

Two companies have funded COTS 

agreements with NASA: Space Exploration 

Technologies (SpaceX) and Orbital 

Sciences Corporation (Orbital). Since their 

competitive selection, these two companies 

have been working vigorously to develop 

technologies and capabilities to complete 

orbital space flight demonstrations in 2010 

and 2011. The International Space Station 

Program has already purchased future 

cargo delivery services from both of these 

companies to resupply the station through 

2015. 

Orbital Sciences Corporation 

Just 100 miles up the coast from where the 

Wright brothers first flew their airplane at 

Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orbital is 

planning to launch its new COTS system at 

the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport 

(MARS), located at NASA’s Wallops Flight 

Facility in Virginia. Founded in 1982 with 

the goal of making space technology more 

affordable, accessible, and useful, Orbital 

has grown to become a leading developer 

and manufacturer of space and rocket 

systems. Orbital’s COTS system design is 

based on the new Taurus II rocket with a 

liquid oxygen (LOX)/kerosene (RP-1) first 

stage powered by two Aerojet AJ-26 

engines. The Taurus II second stage is 

ATK’s Castor 30 solid propellant motor 

derived from their flight-proven Castor 120. 

The spacecraft, known as Cygnus, is 

derived from Orbital’s heritage DAWN and 

STAR spacecraft projects and International 

Space Station pressurized cargo carriers. 
74 COTS APRIL 2011

Space Exploration Technologies 

(SpaceX) 

At Florida’s Cape Canaveral, within sight 

of where every NASA human spaceflight 

mission has launched, SpaceX is 

planning to launch its new COTS system. 

Established in 2002, SpaceX is well into the 

development of a new family of launch 

vehicles, and has already established 

an extensive launch manifest. SpaceX is 

based on the philosophy that simplicity, 

low cost, and reliability go hand in hand. 

SpaceX personnel have a rich history of 

launch vehicle and engine experience, and 

are developing their Dragon cargo and crew 

capsule and the Falcon family of rockets 

from the ground up, including main- and 

upper-stage engines, cryogenic tank 

structure, avionics, guidance and control 

software, and ground support equipment. In 

December 2010, SpaceX completed the 

first COTS demonstration mission and 

became the first commercial company in 

history to successfully launch and recover a 

spacecraft to and from low-Earth orbit. 
APRIL 2011 MEDIA ASSISTANCE 75

Media Assistance 

NASA Television and Internet 

The digital NASA Television 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 the following four 

digital channels: 

1. NASA Public Channel (“Free to Air”), 

featuring documentaries, archival 

programming, and coverage of NASA 

missions and events. 

2. NASA Education Channel (“Free to 

Air/Addressable”), dedicated to 

providing educational programming to 

schools, educational institutions and 

museums. 

3. NASA Media Channel (“Addressable”), 

for broadcast news organizations. 

4. NASA Mission Channel (Internal Only), 

provides high-definition imagery from 

science and human spaceflight missions 

and special events. 

Digital NASA TV channels may not always 

have programming on every channel 

simultaneously. 

NASA Television Now in High Definition 

NASA TV now has a full-time High 

Definition (HD) Channel available at no cost 

to cable and satellite service providers. Live 

coverage of space shuttle missions; onorbit video of Earth captured by astronauts 

aboard the International Space Station; and 

rocket launches of advanced scientific 

spacecraft are among the programming 

offered on NASA HD. Also available are 

imagery from NASA’s vast array of space 

satellites, as well as media briefings, 

presentations by expert lecturers, astronaut 

interviews and other special events, all in 

the improved detail and clarity of HD. 

Getting NASA TV via satellite (AMC3 

Transponder 15C) 

In continental North America, Alaska and 

Hawaii, NASA Television’s Public, 

Education, Media and HD channels are 

MPEG-2 digital C-band signals carried by 

QPSK/DVB-S modulation on satellite 

AMC-3, transponder 15C, at 87 degrees 

west longitude. Downlink frequency is 

4000 MHz, horizontal polarization, with a 

data rate of 38.86 Mhz, symbol rate of 

28.1115 Ms/s, and 3/4 FEC. A Digital Video 

Broadcast (DVB) compliant Integrated 

Receiver Decoder (IRD) is needed for 

reception. 

Effective Sept. 1, 2010, NASA TV changed 

the primary audio configuration for each of 

its four channels to AC-3, making each 

channel’s secondary audio MPEG 1 Layer 

II. 

For NASA TV downlink information, 

schedules and links to streaming video, visit 

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
Television Schedule 

A schedule of key mission events and 

media briefings during the mission will be 

detailed in a NASA TV schedule posted at 

the link above. The schedule will be 

updated as necessary and will also be 

available at 

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/

mission_schedule.html

Status Reports 

Status reports and timely updates on 

launch countdown, mission progress, and 

landing operations will be posted at: 

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

76 MEDIA ASSISTANCE APRIL 2011

Internet Information 

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

Information on the International Space 

Station is available at: 

http://www.nasa.gov/station

The NASA Human Space Flight Web 

contains an up-to-date archive of 

mission imagery, video and audio at: 

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov

Resources for educators can be found at: 

http://education.nasa.gov
APRIL 2011 PAO CONTACTS 77

Expedition 27/28 Public Affairs Officers (PAO) Contacts 

John Yembrick 

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, D.C. 

john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov

Shuttle, Space Station Policy 202-358-1100

Michael Curie 

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, D.C. 

michael.curie@nasa.gov

Shuttle, Space Station Policy 202-358-1100

Stephanie Schierholz 

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, D.C. 

stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov

Shuttle, Space Station Policy 202-358-1100

Joshua Buck 

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, D.C. 

jbuck@nasa.gov

Shuttle, Space Station Policy 202-358-1100

Michael Braukus International Partners 202-358-1979

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, D.C. 

michael.j.braukus@nasa.gov

Research in Space 

James Hartsfield 

NASA Johnson Space Center 

Houston 

Chief, Mission and Media 

Support 

281-483-5111

james.a.hartsfield@nasa.gov

Kylie Clem 

NASA Johnson Space Center 

Houston 

Newsroom Manager 281-483-5111

kylie.s.clem@nasa.gov

Kyle Herring 

NASA Johnson Space Center 

Houston 

Space Shuttle Program 281-483-5111

kyle.j.herring@nasa.gov
78 PAO CONTAC APRIL 2011

Rob Navias Mission Operations Lead 281-483-5111

NASA Johnson Space Center 

Houston 

rob.navias-1@nasa.gov

Kelly Humphries International Space Station and 281-483-5111

NASA Johnson Space Center Mission Operations Directorate 

Houston 

kelly.o.humphries@nasa.gov

Nicole Cloutier-Lemasters Astronauts 281-483-5111

NASA Johnson Space Center 

Houston 

nicole.cloutier-1@nasa.gov

Josh Byerly Advanced Planning And 281-483-5111

NASA Johnson Space Center Mission Operations 

Houston 

josh.byerly@nasa.gov

Bill Jeffs Space Life Sciences 281-483-5111

NASA Johnson Space Center 

Houston 

william.p.jeffs@nasa.gov

Steve Roy Science Operations 256-544-0034

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center 

Huntsville, Ala. 

steven.e.roy@nasa.gov

Ed Memi International Space 281-226-4029

The Boeing Company Station/Space Shuttle 

Houston Communications 

edmund.g.memi@boeing.com

Space Exploration Division 

European Space Agency (ESA) 

Jean Coisne Head of European Astronaut 49-2203-60-01-110

European Space Agency Centre Outreach Office 

jean.coisne@esa.int

Communication Department 
APRIL 2011 PAO CONTACTS 79

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) 

Takefumi Wakamatsu 

JAXA Public Affairs Representative 

Houston 

281-792-7468 

wakamatsu.takefumi@jaxa.jp

JAXA Public Affairs Office 

Tokyo, Japan 

011-81-50-3362-4374 

proffice@jaxa.jp

Canadian Space Agency (CSA) 

Jean-Pierre Arseneault 514-824-0560 (cell)

Manager, Media Relations & Information 

Services 

jean-pierre.arseneault@asc-csa.gc.ca

Media Relations Office 450-926-4370

Roscosmos Federal Space Agency 

Asya Samojlova 7-495-975-4458 

Assistant to Alexander Vorobiev, Press (Press Office)

Secretary to the General Director 

pressfka@roscosmos.ru 

or press@roscosmos.ru
80 PAO CONTACT APRIL 2011

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