ISS Expedition 17 Mission Updates: Part 1

Success as Cosmonauts Return Home
15 July 2008 7:07 p.m. EDT

The spacewalkers have both reentered the Pirs docking compartment and closed the hatch at 7:02 p.m. EDT (2302 GMT).

Volkov and Kononenko checked each other?s suits carefully for any signs of damage or contamination before going into the hatch one after the other. They first took some time to rearrange some equipment tethered in and around the hatch.

The cosmonauts joked with Russian mission control about extending the five hour, fifty four minute spacewalk to six hours. Mission controllers conveyed thanks for the completion of the assigned tasks and the impromptu fix of the radio antenna, and remarked upon the July 10 spacewalk as well.

?Even the first attempt was perfect,? Russian mission control told the cosmonauts. ?Everything was done professionally.?

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalkers Hit Final Stretch
15 July 2008 6:42 p.m. EDT

The two cosmonauts returned to the vicinity of the airlock to complete their final task by retrieving the Biorisk experiment.

Kononenko moved to the experiment location and began removing the Biorisk containers, while Volkov retrieved a foot restraint from where it had been temporarily stowed.

Russian mission control warned the cosmonauts to ?be very careful around the Soyuz antenna,? as the two spacewalkers worked near the Soyuz spacecraft docked to the space station.

Any worries proved unfounded, as Kononenko returned the Biorisk containers to the airlock. Both cosmonauts are now preparing to enter the hatch.

The spacewalk has reached its estimated time length of five and a half hours.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Cosmonaut Straightens Out Ham Radio Antenna
15 July 2008 6:11 p.m. EDT

The Russian spacewalkers have one scheduled task left, but Volkov took the opportunity to fix a ham radio antenna that had been disabled.

Russian mission control guided Volkov to the antenna location, where the space station commander straightened out the ham antenna and fitted it back into its vertical slot.

?Please let me go home,? Volkov joked. ?I guess we?ve done it all for today??

He and Kononenko will now turn to the final task of retrieving the Biorisk experiment?s payload, which was installed on Expedition 15 last summer. That experiment studies the effects of space radiation and zero G on microorganisms.

Volkov?s path to the radio antenna actually passed the work site, but neither he nor Russian mission control realized that fact until the cosmonaut had already returned.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Burst Experiment Comes Alive
15 July 2008 5:49 p.m. EDT

Volkov and Kononenko forged ahead with installing the Burst experiment by cutting a wire that was holding them up, and routing the final clamp through the tangle of cables.

?Take a break,? Russian mission control told Kononenko. ?You can talk to Sergei [Volkov].?

The cosmonauts took some time to relax and gaze upon the Earth for a bit.

?The thunderstorms look beautiful,? one cosmonaut said.

They finally received word that the Burst experiment had started functioning.

?We have telemetry,? said Russian mission control. ?Vsplesk is alive.?

The cosmonauts are now removing protective covers from the radiators, before jettisoning them.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalkers Tie Down Science Experiment
15 July 2008 5:24 p.m. EDT

The two spacewalkers secured the ?Burst? experiment on the Russian segment of the space station with hand-turned clamps and wire ties.

Volkov and Kononenko are now tying tethers to hand rails in order to support the experiment, working through a mess of cables as they match each tether to the appropriate spots. They are also tightening clamps and attaching connectors.

?Are we still making it, Sergei?? Kononenko asked at one point, checking on the schedule. They have one connector left.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalkers Start Installing Physics Experiment
15 July 2008 4:43 p.m. EDT

The spacewalkers have reached the location where they will install a new science experiment on the Russian service module of the space station.

The Vsplesk or ?Burst? experiment is designed to measure the effects of high energy particle streams and cosmic bursts. Volkov and Kononenko used a handrail to move along the side of the module and reach the target area.

A camera caught a view of some debris spinning away from the space station. Mission controllers are trying to determine whether it might be paint from the handrails.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Cosmonauts Stow Foot Restraint, Crane
15 July 2008 4:24 p.m. EDT

Kononenko has returned to the main space station body, and the cosmonauts are now relocating the foot restraint from the Strela crane.

The spacewalk has passed the three hour mark and remained ahead of schedule for the most part. However, a delay occurred when Volkov and Kononenko ran into trouble with one of the tethers while securing the Strela crane.

The cosmonauts dealt with the tether and temporarily relocated the foot restraint, so they can now look forward to installing a new high-energy physics experiment called ?Burst? on the Russian segment of the space station.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Finishing the Photo Shoot
15 July 2008 3:43 p.m. EDT

The two spacewalkers ran into some difficulty getting Kononenko in place to take pictures of the space station, but should remain on schedule barring further delays.

?I am in position, but there is no way to stop rotation,? Kononenko said, as he tried to keep himself steady on the end of the Strela crane and focus his camera. The cosmonaut gamely snapped images even as he and Volkov tried to negotiate the best solutions with Russian mission control in Moscow.

Photography finally wrapped up, allowing Volkov to begin retracting the 50-foot Strela boom and bring Kononenko back to the main body of the space station.

The cosmonauts will go on to reposition the foot restraint on the end of the crane. However, Russian mission control first wanted Kononenko to get a few additional shots.

?Yes, take pictures of yourself,? a mission controller said. ?We love it.?

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Going Out on a Crane
15 July 2008 3:18 p.m. EDT

The spacewalk is moving slightly ahead of schedule as the cosmonauts make their way to the next work site.

Kononenko has attached himself to the end of one of two Strela hand-powered cranes, as Volkov is slowly maneuvering him past one of the space station?s solar arrays. Kononenko has begun taking images for inspection as he struggles to position himself.

?Please embrace the Strela boom with your legs,? someone advised.

?I don?t even feel the button,? Kononenko said, trying to get the camera in place.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Pausing to Take a Picture
15 July 2008 2:45 p.m. EDT

The spacewalkers are taking pictures of the installed docking target before moving on to the removal and repositioning of a foot restraint attached to Strela crane.

?When you?re taking photographs, do not hurry,? Volkov instructed fellow spacewalker Kononenko, and added that the camera still had 200 shots. ?Take photographs to your heart?s content.?

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Cosmonauts Float on Past Two Tasks
15 July 2008 2:32 p.m. EDT

The spacewalkers are performing an inspection of the mounting holes that will be used for the future installation of an antenna adapter, as part of the Kurs automated docking system.

A brief discussion occurred about whether to trim away part of the space station?s insulation to gain better access to the work area.

Volkov and Kononenko also talked about watching the film White Sun of the Desert, a traditional viewing for cosmonauts before launch and one of the most popular Russian films.

The cosmonauts are now packing up, after a brief scare where a tool appeared to fly away before getting caught.

?Nothing can escape from us,? one cosmonaut joked.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Docking Target in Place
15 July 2008 2:10 p.m. EDT

The cosmonauts have reached the first work site and installed the docking target on the zenith, or space-ward, side of the Russian Zvezda module.

The work required the spacewalkers to lift up flaps and insert an adapter into mounting holes that hold the docking target. Volkov wielded a camera to take pictures of the installation process, but both cosmonauts appeared eager to get on with the spacewalk.

?Ok, we?re not going to waste too much time on that, Oleg,? Volkov said, after taking several pictures.

Kononenko held Volkov in place as the latter maneuvered a bit to get the docking target in place. The cosmonauts are now moving on to their next task.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalkers Commuting to Work Site
15 July 2008 1:50 p.m. EDT

Volkov (red stripes) and Kononenko (blue stripes) are organizing their tools and preparing for the docking target installation outside the space station.

Kononenko is again sporting a helmet camera adapted from U.S. spacesuits, so that mission controllers can better see the ongoing work. The cosmonauts are floating alongside one another as they work, unhooking and hooking their tethers as they move along.

One cosmonaut noted a difference between the handrail area outside the Russian module and the simulator they had worked with.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Cosmonauts Step Out
15 July 2008 1:30 p.m. EDT

Both Russian cosmonauts have exited the Pirs docking compartment to prepare for the first task of installing a docking target on the Zvezda module of the International Space Station.

Kononenko exited first and received the adapter and docking target from Volkov inside the airlock. Kononenko then made his way to the Strela hand-powered crane, which will take him to the work site on the Russian module.

Volkov has also just exited the airlock to prepare for his role in operating the crane.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

The Hatch Opens
15 July 2008 1:14 p.m. EDT

Space station commander Sergei Volkov tapped the pressure gauge reading zero, before telling flight engineer Oleg Kononkeno to open the hatch at 1:08 p.m. EDT (1708 GMT).

The two Russian cosmonauts are first slated to install a docking target on the Russian Zvezda module, once they have exited the Pirs docking compartment. Kononenko will be first out the hatch.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalkers Depressurizing Airlock
15 July 2008 12:54 p.m. EDT

Two Russian cosmonauts are getting ready to head out on the second spacewalk of their careers.

Expedition 17 space station commander Sergei Volkov and flight engineer Oleg Kononenko are reconfiguring and depressurizing the airlock to start their five and a half hour spacewalk at 1:14 p.m. EDT (1714 GMT).

They conferred briefly with their third space station crewmate, U.S. astronaut Greg Chamitoff, who has secured himself inside the Soyuz spacecraft and will remain there for the duration of the spacewalk.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Russians Celebrate Successful Spacewalk
10 July 2008 9:10 p.m. EDT

The first-time spacewalkers have successfully completed the first of two jaunts outside the space station.

Volkov and Kononenko secured the Strela hand-crane to the Pirs docking compartment before going back into the space station and closing the hatch. They were outside for 6 hours, 18 minutes.

Russian mission controllers congratulated Volkov on becoming a ?full crew commander? after getting handed the ?grenade,? or pyro bolt.

The cosmonauts will bring the pyro bolt back to Earth with them on October 23, riding the current Soyuz.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalk Almost Sewn Up
10 July 2008 8:03 p.m. EDT

The cosmonauts have finished playing space tailor as they used wire ties and tethers to secure the thermal blanket.

Volkov and Kononenko have also jettisoned the covers that they used to protect the Soyuz thrusters from possible contamination during the spacewalk, when loose pieces of insulation may have floated off as Kononenko cut it away with the serrated knife.

Mission controllers are instructing the cosmonauts on how to use the Strela hand-crane to move back to the safety of the International Space Station.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalk to Conclude with Blanket Installation
10 July 2008 7:21 p.m. EDT

The two spacewalkers are spending the remainder of the spacewalk installing a thermal blanket. That will help cover the insulation that was cut away to gain access to the suspect pyro bolt.

Mission controllers have decided to hold off on the secondary goal of the mission, which involved installing a spacewalk target on the Zvezda service module.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Cosmonauts Succeed in Removing Explosive Bolt
10 July 2008 6:48 p.m. EDT

The crowning moment of the spacewalk arrived as Volkov used a socket wrench to unscrew the explosive pyro bolt from its housing.

Kononenko stood by with the blast-proof case to secure the bolt, while Russian mission control asked the cosmonauts to count the number of turns with the socket wrench. An estimated 10 turns was needed to remove the bolt.

 ?After five, please be very careful,? said a Russian mission controller.

The cosmonauts paused at eight turns as they conferred on their plan of action, and then cooperated to loosen the bolt and put it into its secure case.

?Good! Thank God, it is in? exclaimed one cosmonaut. The major objective was completed at 3 hours and 58 minutes into the spacewalk.

Russian mission control dictated a five minute break ?without any motions, without moving.?

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalkers Exchange Places to Continue Work
10 July 2008 6:26 p.m. EDT

Space station commander Sergei Volkov exchanged places with flight engineer Oleg Kononenko as they prepared the pyro bolt for removal.

The cosmonauts are using various tools to disconnect the electrical connector from the pyro bolts. The Soyuz spacecraft has five sections with two pyro bolts each fire to separate the instrument and return modules.

A locking ring that holds the pyro bolts in place has proved stubborn. Russian mission controllers instructed the cosmonauts to try and tear the ring off by force, while also trying to ensure that they did not tire.

?Oleg, please let Sergei do it because you need a rest,? a Russian mission controller said, repeating his request several times.

One of the covers protecting the Soyuz thrusters had popped off earlier and was dangling from its tether. Russian mission control has asked the spacewalkers to put it back on.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Cosmonauts Apply ?Dino Cutters?
10 July 2008 5:52 p.m. EDT

The spacewalkers have begun preparing the work area to remove one of the ten explosive bolts that Russian engineers suspect as a cause for the Soyuz spacecraft malfunctions.

Kononenko is applying a set of pliers called ?dino cutters? that will ground any static electricity from the area. That step helps prepare for eventually disconnecting the explosive bolts on the Soyuz from the electrical connector.

Kononenko and Volkov continue to work in fairly tight quarters, despite removing much of the insulation covering the area.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalkers Use Knife to Cut Away Insulation
10 July 2008 5:16 p.m. EDT

Kononenko has used a serrated knife to cut away all necessary insulation from the Soyuz spacecraft work site.

?We feel sorry for the vehicle.? Konenko joked.

?We?re not damaging it, we?re healing it,? fellow spacewalker Volkov replied. He has now reached the spacecraft to work alongside Kononenko.

The cosmonauts worked to remove a locking ring and reach the pyro bolt that represents the goal of this spacewalk.

Ten pyro bolts fire to separate the Soyuz modules and prepare the spacecraft for reentry. Russian engineers suspect that a faulty bolt may be behind recent malfunctions that caused the two latest Soyuz missions to undergo ballistic reentry.

Volkov and Russian mission control kept careful watch on Kononenko?s work with the knife.

?Oleg, be more careful with the cutter,? Volkov warned. ?I?m concerned about your gloves.?

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Cosmonauts Begin Work
10 July 2008 4:55 p.m. EDT

The first spacewalker has reached the work site on the Soyuz spacecraft, and has begun examining the area for any possible signs of damage.

?I don?t see anything expensive or criminal.? Kononenko said after glancing at the location between the Soyuz instrument module and descent module.

After Volkov maneuvered Kononenko closer to the site by using the hand crane, the latter began taking photographs despite some trouble with sunlight reflecting in the viewer.

Volkov has also begun making his way up the Strela hand crane toward the work site, while his crewmate started placing protective covers over the thrusters between the Soyuz modules.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalk Underway Again
10 July 2008 4:38 p.m. EDT

Spacewalker Kononenko is now on his way to the work site on the Soyuz spacecraft.

Kononenko encountered earlier difficulties getting into a foot restraint, which is designed to allow him to ride the 50-foot boom of the Strela crane to the work site.

Russian mission control finally instructed the cosmonaut to improvise and tether himself to the crane. Fellow spacewalker Volkov operated the hand-powered crane to move Kononenko.

The third member of the space station crew, U.S. astronaut and flight engineer Greg Chamitoff, is sitting inside the Soyuz spacecraft for the duration of the six-hour spacewalk in case of an emergency.

?We can probably go ahead and scare Greg a little through the window,? one cosmonaut joked.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk activities.

NASA is broadcasting the spacewalk live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Jeremy Hsu

Spacewalk Held Up By Foot Restraint Problems
10 July 2008 4:20 p.m. EDT

Volkov issued a stream of instructions to fellow spacewalker Kononenko, who is encountering difficulty getting into a foot restraint.

Kononenko will use the foot restraint to ride a 50-foot hand-powered crane up to the main work site on the Soyuz spacecraft.

 ?Strange, I had it,? Kononenko said as he struggled to get his feet planted in the foot restraint. The cosmonaut cannot get both his feet into the foot restraint.

?Guys, let?s take a minute break,? a Russian mission controller interjected at one point.

Near one hour and thirty minutes into the spacewalk, everyone was eager to get on with the work at hand.

?We?re running short of time,? the mission controller said, suggesting a workaround solution.

Click here for a preview of today?s spacewalk acti