ISS expedition 3

Mission emblem

Mission dates

Mission:

ISS expedition 3

Crew:

3

Call sign:

Expedition 3

Rescue ships:

Soyuz TM-32 , Soyuz TM-33

Space station:

ISS

Start:

August 12, 2001, 18:41 UTC

Started by:

Coupling of STS-105

The End:

December 15, 2001, 17:28 UTC

Ended by:

Decoupling from STS-108

Duration:

124d 22h 47min

Number of EVAs :

4th

Total length of the EVAs:

18h 40m

Team photo

(from left) Michail Tjurin, Frank Culbertson and Wladimir Deschurow

navigation

Previous
mission:
ISS expedition 2

Next
mission:
ISS expedition 4

ISS Expedition 3 is the mission name for the third long-term crew of the International Space Station . The crew lived and worked on board the ISS from August 12 to December 15, 2001.

team

Frank Lee Culbertson (3rd space flight), ISS commander August 17 to December 12, 2001 ( NASA / USA )
Vladimir Nikolajewitsch Deschurow (2nd space flight), mission specialist ( Roskosmos / Russia )
Michail Wladislawowitsch Tjurin (1st space flight), mission specialist (Roskosmos / Russia)

Substitute team

The later crew of the ISS expedition 5 :

Valery Grigoryevich Korsun , ISS Commander (Roskosmos / Russia)
Peggy Whitson , flight engineer (NASA / USA)
Sergei Evgenjewitsch Treschtschow , flight engineer (Roskosmos / Russia)

Mission description

After the Discovery (Mission STS-105 ) was coupled to the International Space Station, the handover modalities were first regulated. This also included replacing the bucket seats in the Soyuz escape capsule. The supplied supplies were then stowed away and the new experiments installed. At the same time, ongoing investigations were supervised. The new facilities included two experiments on the crystallization of proteins (APCF, DCPCG) , a complex for researching cell growth (CBOSS) and a high-resolution camera system (Dreamtime) . Shortly after the Discovery was uncoupled , the unmanned freighter Progress M1-6 was also detached from the station.

Already on August 23, Progress M-45 docked with 2.5 tons of fuel, scientific equipment, personal belongings of the station crew, food, oxygen, data carriers, medical equipment and spare parts for various station systems at the rear coupling unit of the station.

Several new experiments were started at the end of August. For example, a volatile organic analyzer was installed. Air samples were examined for organic contamination on a daily basis . In addition, a series of tests began with a drug that is supposed to prevent the formation of kidney stones (experiment Renal Stone). The effect of the drug should be examined with urine samples. The Dreamtime video camera delivered high-resolution recordings of experiments, parts of the earth's surface as well as the facilities and work in the station.

Cell culture experiments were carried out in the International Space Station using CBOSS (Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System) . In a first series of experiments, 32 samples were propagated with kidney, ovarian and colon cells. They also included a variety of cancer cells. In the weightlessness cancerous tissue can grow freely in three dimensions. The study of the cell complexes enables new insights into the growth of cancer cells. After the growth phase at a constant 36 ° C, the samples were briefly analyzed, chemically fixed and then frozen. CBOSS has a sophisticated temperature control system, a system for freezing the finished samples, a system for regulating the gas supply and a container for holding up to 48 samples. The Advanced Protein Crystallization Facility (APCF) and the Dynamic Controlled Protein Crystal Growth Experiment ( DCPCG , both in Express Rack 1) were used to grow protein crystals of the highest purity . Both systems can be monitored and controlled by scientists from Earth. Lung function tests began in September. The breathing gases were analyzed during exercise (Gas Analyzer System for Metabolic Analysis Physiology = GASMAP ) and the lung volume was measured. Five test series were planned for the ISS-3 mission.

Vibration damping system ARIS

The shaker unit was used for the first time in the ARIS vibration damping experiment . It was used to generate high-frequency vibrations in all dimensions. It was also attached to various points on the ARIS platform. ARIS then tried to use vibration dampers to reduce these vibrations. Many experiments are very sensitive to brief accelerations. Such disruptions should be avoided in the future. That is why work is being carried out on vibration-damping systems such as ARIS .

Experiments on the physics of liquid- particle mixtures (EXPPCS) , the measurement of the accelerations within the station during orbit maneuvers (MAMS, SAMS) , the determination of the radiation exposure (BBND) , the interaction between space travelers and ground personnel (Interactions) to change the Reflexes (Hoffman Reflex Experiment) as well as for Earth observation (Crew Earth Observation) . Observation objectives were z. B. Ice and snow in the Rocky Mountains and the Andes , bushfires in South Africa, environmental pollution over Europe and the USA, effects of agricultural activities in the Middle East and rivers in Asia, Africa and South America. The effects of a typhoon over Japan and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States were also observed .

Initially, only minor maintenance work was required in August and September. So smoke detectors were changed at regular intervals . Repairs were also carried out on a power converter, the treadmill , the air conditioning system, a video recorder and the oxygen supply. A software update was necessary in the Express Rack 2 because there were problems booting the systems. Therefore, several experiments had to be switched off for a few days.

In mid-September, situation control was handed over to the Russian part of the station on a trial basis. The test was successful. On September 17, the exit and coupling module docked Pirs at the bottom nozzle of the living and the control module Zvezda on. It was launched on September 14 with a modified Progress transporter. A few hours after coupling, the members of the ISS crew entered the module, activated ventilation and lighting and unloaded the cargo that was also stowed in the interior. This included scientific and technical equipment, sanitary materials, data carriers and spare parts, a total of around 800 kg. Later, 870 kg of fuel were also pumped into Zarya's tanks. Furthermore, the guide cone of the coupling system was dismantled and the computer software in the module was updated. The drive part was ejected on September 26th and burned up in the earth's atmosphere.

Other work included the reorientation of the station according to the position of the sun in order to be able to optimally align the solar cells and the recording of an output of 19 liters of service water with the cameras of the Canadian manipulator arm. It should be determined to what extent such waste disposal can cause damage to the station.

The scientific experiments were also continued in October. With Experiment on Physics of Colloids in Space (EXPPCS) tests were carried out on a colloid polymer gel and a colloid glass sample. When solidifying, the structures that the particles occupy in weightlessness are fixed and can be examined in more detail later. The solidification can take several days under the conditions of microgravity. The colloids consisted either of a large particle with 6 smaller ones all around or of a larger particle with 13 surrounding smaller ones. The vibration damping unit ARIS was put to the test with the hammer test. So far, the damping of vibrations in the range below 1 Hz and between 30 and 300 Hz has been investigated. From March 2002 ARIS was used operationally. After a modification, EarthKAM , a camera system with which American students could work from the ground, was reactivated . The pictures were then published on the Internet. Lung function tests were carried out with the Human Research Facility HRF . This was mainly done with a view to the upcoming outboard work.

These began on October 8th (Deschurow, Tjurin for 4:58 h). First a telemetry and data cable was pulled between Zvezda and Pirs. It is primarily used for communication between the ground station and the space workers and for monitoring their vital functions. Then retaining grids, a ladder and the Strela crane mast were installed. This was followed by a target mark and a navigation antenna for the automatic coupling system. A test of the stability of the crane arm had to be omitted for reasons of time. At the second exit (Deschurow, Tyurin) on October 15 (5:52 h), three scientific experiments were mounted on the outer skin of Zvezda.

With Kromka , particles are collected that are detached from the engines of the Zvezda module. Their analysis should later lead to the construction of better drive systems. The NASDA experiments MPC (Micro Particles Capturer) and SEED (Space Environment Exposure Device) serve on the one hand to collect natural micrometeorites and dust particles caused by space travel and on the other hand to test different materials under the harsh environmental conditions of space. These materials include dyes, insulation materials, and solid lubricants , among others .

Further experiments as part of an international research program under Russian leadership concerned the investigation of cardiac activity during physical activity (Experiment Cardio-ODTN ), research into changes in the oral cavity that are important to health (Paradont) , changes in fluid and electrolyte metabolism (Diurez) , and testing of therapies against muscle and bone loss in weightlessness (Profilaktika) , volume determination of intra- and intercellular body fluids (Sprut-MBI) , the development of a real-time prediction method as well as precise measurements of radiation exposure ( Prognoz , Bradoz and Poligen ), the efficiency of drugs in weightlessness (Farma) , the testing of ground-based and space-based systems to predict natural or man-made disasters on earth (Uragan) , the detection of bioproductive zones in the oceans (Diatomeya) , the determination of structural loads on the station during coupling maneuvers verning, course corrections, sporting activities and extraordinaire work (Identifikatsija) and the testing of new techniques to determine the movement characteristics of the ISS more precisely ( Tenzor and Vektor T ).

The quality of microgravity on board was the experiment Izgib examined while Priviatzka dealt with changes in shape of the station. At Iskazhenije , magnetic interferences and their possible effects on the conduct of experiments and orientation to the earth's magnetic field were the subject of investigation. The aim of Scorpio is to develop an improved system for recording environmental parameters. These include microgravity, electromagnetic fields, particle radiation and climatic conditions. For many experiments it is important to know the exact environmental conditions in order to be able to correctly evaluate the results achieved. With the experimental complex CPCF 2 , protein crystals of high purity were produced ( Glikoproteid and Mimetik K ). Detectors are located on the outside of the Zvezda module, which can be used to record the frequency and nature of micrometeorites with diameters of 10 to 60 µm. The aim of the Meteoroid experiment is to predict the expected erosion of the outer skin of the service module in the coming years. With the ESA Global Time System , a method was tested in which the time signals for synchronizing clocks come from the International Space Station. They are broadcast on frequencies in the range of 400 MHz and 1.5 GHz. Finally, a high-resolution video camera was tested on behalf of the Japanese space agency.

On October 19, the three space travelers boarded their Soyuz spaceship, disconnected and, 16 minutes later, docked again at the new Pirs module. This not only tested the coupling unit. When the replacement spaceship is docked on the Zarya module, the third man can stay in the station while disembarking, as the escape capsule then remains accessible to him even if the coupling module is removed. On October 23, the Soyuz TM-33 spacecraft, launched two days earlier, docked at the lower port of Zarya. Both crews carried out joint work. This included twelve scientific experiments in the fields of biomedicine, biotechnology , geology and engineering. The guest crew returned to Earth on October 31 with the Soyuz TM-32 spacecraft .

MISSE

The following weeks were again filled with assembly, maintenance and research work. EXPPCS provided further data on the behavior of colloids in weightlessness. The experiment runs largely automatically. The distribution of the particle clusters in the slowly solidifying liquid can be illuminated with a laser from different angles. This means that any structures that may appear can be better recognized. Experiments for the production of protein crystals (APCF, DCPCG) , materials research ( MISSE ) and measurements of microgravity (SAMS, MAMS) also ran automatically . During this time, the crew was busy with questionnaires about interaction with the ground station, medical examinations (lung function, Hoffman reflex) and earth observations. Observation targets were, for example, North American cities (Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburg, Washington), coral reefs ( Samoa , Malaysia ) and mountain ranges ( Appalachian Mountains , Andes). Several times, minor repairs had to be carried out on the experimental ARIS (Active Rack Isolation System) damping system. In the meantime, the control software has also been adapted to the first findings. It has been found that vibrations are partially transmitted through power cables laid in the ground.

Control of the Canadian manipulator arm

On November 12, Deshurow and Culbertson worked five hours and four minutes outboard. They installed seven telemetry cables from the course's automatic coupling system , completed the installation of the Strela lattice crane and inspected a solar cell panel on the Zvezda module that was not exactly unfolded. Michael Tyurin meanwhile operated the station's manipulator to illuminate the work area and to enable video transmission of the assembly work to the ground station.

Preparations for the shift change were made from mid-November. Among other things, the Bio Technology Refrigerator from Express Rack 1 and an experiment for measuring microgravity (MAMS) were relocated from Rack 2 to Rack 4. In addition, the Progress M-45 was filled with waste and materials that were no longer needed and disconnected from the station on November 22nd. Four days later, a new transporter, the Progress M1-7, started up and docked at the rear of the station on November 28th. However, due to a residue of rubber sealing in the locking mechanism of the coupling system, it was not initially possible to establish a permanent connection between the transport spaceship and the station. Therefore the cosmonauts Deschurow and Tjurin got out again on December 3rd (2:46 h) to remove the foreign body. For this reason, the start of the space shuttle Endeavor with the new permanent crew was postponed for a few days until the problem was solved. It took place on December 5th.

After the coupling of the Endeavor and the obligatory welcome ceremony, equipment was first brought from the space shuttle to the station. Then the official handover to the new permanent crew took place. The following days were filled with preparations for the return to earth. After landing, medical examinations took place, among other things, on blood pressure regulation through the venous- arterial reflex (experiment Xenon 1 ). In weightlessness, this reflex, in which smaller blood vessels in skin and muscle tissue contract briefly to maintain blood pressure, is reduced (orthostatic intolerance). Further investigations focused on the sense of balance and the breakdown of bones and muscles.