ISS Crew Deactivates Elektron, Participates in Medical Training

The Expedition 10 crew tackled a workday filled with a number of tasks on Wednesday. The crew deactivated the Elektron oxygen generation system so the International Space Station can be supplied with oxygen from the ISS Progress 16 spacecraft. The Progress’ oxygen supply will be depleted to prepare it for its upcoming deorbit. Progress 16, which will be filled with unneeded items, is slated to undock from the Station on Feb. 27. Russian flight controllers will then command the unpiloted cargo ship to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere to harmlessly disintegrate.

Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov participated in standard emergency medical training. The 30-minute drill is used to refresh the crew’s skills with medical equipment on the orbital outpost.

Inside the Quest Airlock, Chiao also inspected and cleaned prebreathe equipment for U.S. spacesuits and stowed equipment in preparation for the arrival of STS-114 in May.