Crew Unpacks, Re-activates Elektron and Practices With Robotics

The Expedition 14 crew spent time throughout the week unpacking items, including parts for the Elektron oxygen-generation system, fresh food and other system hardware from the Progress cargo ship. The remaining items will be unpacked as needed or when time permits.

The Elektron oxygen-generation unit that had been shut down since mid-September has been re-activated. Early this week, Flight Engineer Mikhail Tyurin repaired the unit by installing new valves and cables that arrived on the recent Progress cargo craft. The Elektron is supplying oxygen for the cabin atmosphere once again.

Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria worked on robotics proficiency tasks throughout the week. His robotics exercises included maneuvering the Canadarm 2 robotic arm over to the Mobile Transporter and its operating base. He also practiced modified grapple and release procedures.

The commander also performed the scheduled lens change on the EarthKAM, going from 50mm to the 180mm-lens configuration. The camera takes pictures by remote operation from the ground by students who submit image requests to conduct geographic research.

NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency have named two astronauts and two cosmonauts to the next International Space Station crew, known as Expedition 15. Astronauts Clayton Anderson and Daniel Tani will travel to the station next year and work as flight engineers. Cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin and Dr. Oleg Kotov will spend six months aboard the orbiting laboratory.