The International Space Station (ISS) has been a cornerstone of human space exploration since its inception, serving as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory. On April 10, 2008, the ISS was in the midst of its 17th expedition, known as Increment 17, which began on March 14, 2008, and concluded on April 24, 2008. This period was marked by significant activities, including the arrival of Soyuz TMA-12 (16S), the commencement of the Visiting Cosmonaut 14 (VC14) program, and routine maintenance operations.

Arrival of Soyuz TMA-12 (16S)

On April 8, 2008, Soyuz TMA-12 (16S) launched successfully at 7:16:39 AM EDT. The spacecraft achieved orbit approximately 8 minutes and 45 seconds later, reaching an altitude of about 202 km. Following a two-day rendezvous profile, Soyuz TMA-12 docked with the ISS on April 10, 2008, at approximately 9:02 AM EDT. This docking facilitated the arrival of South Korean spaceflight participant So-yeon Yi, who was scheduled to participate in the VC14 program. The mission profile included two orbit adjustment burns to ensure a precise docking trajectory. ([](

Visiting Cosmonaut 14 (VC14) Program

The VC14 program, initiated on April 8, 2008, was a collaborative effort between the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). The program aimed to conduct 15 experiments and additional events over an 11-day period, from April 8 to April 19, 2008. The experiments encompassed a wide range of scientific disciplines, including:

  • P01 – Growth and mutation of plant seeds
  • KAP02 – Identification of Drosophila genes responsive to gravity and responsible for aging
  • KAP03 – Development of a bioreactor for use on the ISS
  • KAP04 – Spaceflight participant medical monitoring project
  • KAP05 – Study of spaceflight participant facial changes using a Moire screen
  • KAP06 – Study of the possibility of using traditional Korean food in onboard food rations
  • KAP07 – Growth of zeolite crystals, super crystals, and crystal layers in microgravity
  • KAP08 – Synthesis of metal-organic porous materials in microgravity
  • KAP09 – High-resolution telescope (ELT) and study of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) for next-generation telescopes
  • KAP10 – Earth observations
  • KAP11 – Noise level reduction onboard the ISS Russian Segment
  • KAP12 – Study of molecular memory device characteristics in space habitation environment
  • KAP13 – Experiment involving measurements using small mass measurement system (SMMS)
  • KAP14 – Educational experiment
  • KAP15 – Daily life and activities of the spaceflight participant, using Samsung Gx-10 and Samsung NV11 cameras

Additionally, the program included four video conferences between the ISS Russian Segment and TsUP-Moscow, two ham radio sessions, internal photo and video imagery on the ISS Russian Segment, activities with commemorative items, tag-ups with the Korean cosmonaut advisory group, and experiment operations with the US SLEEP/Actiwatch program. ([](

Routine Maintenance and Operations

During this period, the ISS crew conducted routine maintenance to ensure the station's systems operated optimally. Commander Volkov and Flight Engineer-1 Kononenko performed maintenance on the Environment Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) in the Service Module (SM). This included servicing the ASU toilet facilities systems and replacing consumables. They also updated the number and dates of water and urine containers, recorded counter readings of water consumption and urine collection, and documented data and total operating time of the Russian POTOK-150MK air filter unit of the SOGS air revitalization subsystem. ([](

Orbital Parameters and Upcoming Events

As of April 10, 2008, the ISS's orbital parameters were as follows:

  • Mean altitude: 342.1 km
  • Apogee height: 347.0 km
  • Perigee height: 337.1 km
  • Orbital period: 91.38 minutes
  • Inclination: 51.64 degrees
  • Eccentricity: 0.0007412
  • Solar Beta Angle: -22.6 degrees (magnitude decreasing)
  • Orbits per 24-hour day: 15.76
  • Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours: 105 meters
  • Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98): 54,100

Significant upcoming events included the launch and docking of Progress M-64/29P, scheduled for May 14 and May 16, 2008, respectively. This was followed by the launch of STS-124/Discovery/1J on May 31, 2008, which aimed to deliver the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" Pressurized Module, racks, and the Remote Manipulator System (RMS). ([](

Conclusion

On April 10, 2008, the ISS was actively engaged in scientific research, international collaboration, and routine maintenance. The successful docking of Soyuz TMA-12 (16S) and the initiation of the VC14 program underscored the station's role as a hub for global scientific endeavors. The crew's diligent maintenance efforts ensured the continued functionality of the ISS, supporting its mission to advance human knowledge and exploration in space.

Sources

  • Editor — NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 8 April 2008 — http://