Space Station Crew Stays Busy with Maintenance, Tests and Exercise

Onboard the International Space Station, a Russian oxygen generator was successfully activated Wednesday. A gyroscope that helps control the Station’s direction shut down. The crew continues health tests, exercise and preparations for homecoming.

A troublesome oxygen generator inside the Zvezda Service Module was reactivated after two restart attempts. Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov spent several hours Wednesday troubleshooting the device known as the Elektron. A recently docked Progress cargo vehicle can replenish the oxygen supply if the Elektron shuts down again.

A Control Moment Gyroscope shut down early Wednesday after a circuit breaker tripped. The circuit breaker was replaced last year during an Expedition 9 spacewalk after it had tripped also. Two other gyroscopes are maintaining the Station’s orientation, however. Thrusters on the Russian side of the orbital outpost can provide steering control, but they use up fuel. Another gyroscope that has been broken for three years is due to be replaced when Space Shuttle Discovery visits the ISS in mid-2005.

The Expedition 10 crewmembers participated in a hearing test to determine the strength of acoustic countermeasures. Chiao was also scheduled for a 30-minute exercise to strengthen his ability to apply advanced cardio life support in an emergency. Sharipov completed a Russian fitness test series to study preventive health maintenance.

In preparation for an April homecoming, Chiao and Sharipov performed a fit check of their seats inside the Soyuz descent capsule. During long-term stays in space the body extends in length. As a result, the fit check helps ensure the seats will adequately protect the crew during touchdown.