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CAPE CANAVERAL -- Three International Space Station experiments can't be done until at least February because an enclosed mini-lab the crew needs to work with hazardous materials has broken down.
Engineers in Europe spent this week examining broken parts of the Microgravity Science Glovebox, which inexplicably lost power on Nov. 20. The first chance to get replacement parts will be aboard the Russian Progress cargo ship arriving in February.
Newly-arrived American science officer Don Pettit, commander Ken Bowersox and Russian Nikolai Budarin still will be able to work on 15 other American experiments during their stay, which is scheduled to end in March. NASA officials are not too worried, saying the projects can be done by Pettit or the next space station crew once the glovebox is repaired.
"There's no rush for that," said Linda Jeter, the glovebox team leader at Marshall Space Flight Center. "Just as long as we get it done. That's fine. Our samples are good indefinitely."
Former ISS science officer Peggy Whitson and Pettit worked on the glovebox in the United States' Destiny laboratory trying to figure out the problem during the transition period between crews. During that time, the glovebox team narrowed the problem down to either a power distribution box or a power supply module.
The glovebox is a joint project of NASA and the European Space Agency. Engineers from Astrium, which put the glovebox together, and Bradford Engineering, which built the power distribution box, are meeting to figure out what's wrong.
At the time the glovebox's power went out, Whitson was working on an experiment dealing with pore formation. In that project, she melts a piece of succinonitrile, and she is able to control how it solidifies by putting heat in certain places. Scientists hope to learn more about how to improve production of composite materials.
This type of experiment couldn't be done without the glovebox. It's too dangerous. The glovebox is essentially an enclosed lab area with two holes in the front. Astronauts can place their hands through the holes and into gloves. That way, they can work with hazardous materials without actually being in direct contact with them.
The glovebox was brought to the station this spring. Samples from the first experiment came back to Earth on shuttle Endeavour last week. Kennedy Space Center scientists are doing more work on the samples.
"The science video looks good," said Bradley Biehn, lead systems engineer for the glovebox. "It acted the way it was supposed to." Biehn said the three science experiments on Pettit's flight will have to wait.
"We won't lose science," Jeter said. Meanwhile, there is plenty of work left aboard the station for Pettit and his crewmates.
Published under license from FLORIDA TODAY. Copyright 2001 FLORIDA TODAY. No portion of this material may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of
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