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Jan. 24, 2003

Steve Roy
MSFC, Huntsville, Ala.
(Phone: 256/544-0034)

RELEASE: 03-015

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION EXPEDITION SIX SCIENCE OPERATIONS
STATUS REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING JAN. 24, 2003

Expedition Six Zeolite Crystal Growth research was successfully 
completed this week aboard the International Space Station.

Commander Ken Bowersox removed the 19 sample tubes from the crystal 
growth furnace on Monday following a 15-day processing run.  The 
samples were stowed for return on the ULF-1 Space Shuttle mission to 
the Station.  The goal of this experiment is to grow larger, more 
perfect zeolites for study on Earth. Zeolites are used in many 
manufacturing processes, including petroleum refining.  Improving 
zeolites could make gasoline production more efficient or lead to ways 
of storing and using clean-burning hydrogen for fuel.

Also on Monday, the Payload Operations Center and the Station crew
successfully upgraded software for EXPRESS Rack 1 in the Destiny lab.  
This upgrade is expected to make science operations smoother.  Two 
racks have received the new software, with three more scheduled.  
EXPRESS Racks provide Station experiments with utilities such as 
power, cooling, fluids, communications and more.

The crew also inspected the sample containers for the Investigating 
the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 
(InSPACE) experiment in preparation for processing once the 
Microgravity Science Glovebox is repaired.  One of six sample 
containers was discovered to be cracked. However, an identical backup 
sample container was intact, so the science team expects to complete 
all its objectives for the experiment with minimal impact.

InSPACE is designed to obtain basic data on magnetorheological fluids 
- a new class of "smart materials" that can be used to improve or 
develop new brake systems, seat suspensions, robotics, clutches, 
airplane landing gear, and vibration damper systems. The Glovebox, 
which provides a sealed work volume for crews to work safely with 
experiments involving fumes, fluids or flames, lost power on Nov. 20, 
2002.  Repair parts will be launched next month aboard a Russian 
Progress resupply ship, which should restore the Glovebox to working 
order.

Also on Tuesday, the crew completed the 90-day checkout with the Gas
Analyzer System for Metabolic Analysis Physiology (GASMAP), used for
periodic assessment of crew aerobic capacity. It analyzes human 
metabolics, cardiac output, lung diffusing capacity, lung volume, 
pulmonary function and nitrogen washout.  Crewmembers activate the 
GASMAP hardware and perform a full functional health check every 90 
days.

On Wednesday, Bowersox conducted the third round of research with the
FOOT/Ground Reaction Forces During Space Flight (FOOT) experiment.  
FOOT is designed to characterize the stress on the bones and muscles 
in the lower extremities in microgravity.

Beginning today, the crew will conduct five days of research with the 
Renal Stone experiment.  The crew is taking potassium citrate pills or 
a placebo to study a possible preventative for kidney stones in space. 
The microgravity environment of the Station results in several changes 
in the human body, including changes in fluid metabolism and bone loss 
that increase the chance of kidney stone formation during and after 
flight.  As part of the experiment, they collect urine samples and 
record their food, fluid, exercise and medication to assess 
environmental influences other than microgravity.

Crew Earth Observation crew photography opportunities for today 
include Buenos Aries, Argentina; the Tuamotu Archipelago, air quality 
over Southeast Africa, Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, and 
Patagonian glaciers.

On January 28th, the crew and ground controllers are scheduled to 
begin operations with the Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School 
Students (EarthKAM) experiment for Expedition Six.

The Payload Operations Center at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center 
in Huntsville, Ala., manages all science research experiment 
operations aboard the International  Space Station.  The center is 
also home for coordination of the mission-planning work of a variety 
of international sources, all science payload deliveries and 
retrieval, and payload training and payload safety programs for the 
Station crew and all ground personnel.

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