NASA Space Station Status 7 October 2004

ISS Crew Concludes Its Work With Two Science Investigations

Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA ISS Science Officer Mike
Fincke are in the final weeks of their stay aboard the International Space
Station. On Thursday, they wrapped up their scheduled work with two U.S.
Station science experiments.

They completed their third and final diet logging session with the Effect of
Prolonged Space Flight on Human Skeletal Muscle (Biopsy) experiment. This
experiment seeks to establish the basis for reductions in limb muscle size,
force and power at the cellular level that are induced by microgravity and
determine how long it takes for microgravity to affect skeletal muscles.
This would allow predictions to be made regarding muscle changes that may
occur on a roundtrip flight to Mars.

The crewmembers also had a follow-up analysis meeting with scientists on the
ground for the Advanced Ultrasound in Microgravity (ADUM) experiment. They
held their final session of ADUM on Tuesday during which they conducted
successful bone scans. ADUM seeks to better understand the ability to
quickly and remotely transmit medical data to the ground. The application
may also find benefits on Earth, allowing for much quicker injury diagnosis
for patients at remote locations by doctors based at hospitals.

Padalka also worked with a Russian biomedical experiment "Pilot." This
experiment tests the piloting skills in microgravity.

The duo also continued to prepare for their Oct. 23 departure from the
Station.

Before they return to Earth, Padalka and Fincke will welcome Expedition 10
Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov aboard the ISS.
Expedition 10 is scheduled to launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
at 10:06 p.m. CDT Oct. 13 (0306 GMT Oct. 14) and arrive at the Station at
11:24 p.m. CDT Oct. 15 (0424 GMT Oct. 16) 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.