Expedition 9 Works on Spacesuit, Conducts Experiments

Expedition 9 Works on Spacesuit, Conducts Experiments

Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA ISS Science Officer Mike
Fincke tackled science and maintenance activities aboard the International
Space Station on Wednesday.

Fincke replaced a gas trap and pump filter in one of the U.S. spacesuits on
the Station. He also took samples for the monthly microbiology and chemistry
water analysis.

Padalka conducted his final session of a Russian/German plasma crystal
experiment on the ISS and prepared the data for stowage on the ISS Soyuz 8
spacecraft in which he and Fincke will return to Earth on Oct. 23. Padalka
also inspected a Russian plant experiment.

Before Padalka and Fincke return to Earth, they will hand the ISS over to a
new crew -- Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan
Sharipov. Expedition 10 is scheduled to launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in
Kazakhstan on Oct. 13 and arrive at the Station on Oct. 15 to begin a
six-month stay at the orbital outpost. Russian Space Forces Test Cosmonaut
Yuri Shargin will travel to the Station with Expedition 10 and return to
Earth with Expedition 9.

On the ground Monday, NASA officials held briefings highlighting Expedition
9 activities and previewing Expedition 10.


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info