Malenchenko then prepared a new ventilation assembly (MO-2-5008) with a fan and heater for Soyuz TMA-3. The work was supported by tagup with ground specialists via S-band.

FE/SO Ed Lu worked on the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) PFMI (Pore Formation & Mobility Investigation) experiment which had successfully completed its sample 15. [Ed remove PFMI-15 from the thermal chamber, exchanged the PFMI g-LIMIT bypass micro drive assembly in the laptop and removed the video tape. The MSG was then deactivated.]

In the SM, Malenchenko started the regeneration cycle on absorbent bed #2 of the BMP harmful impurities unit and switched channel #1 from its 24-hr regeneration process back to Purify mode. [The "bakeout" cycle in the filter beds is repeated every 20 days. Each bakeout to space vacuum takes about 24 hours.]

Ed Lu transferred data files from the physical exercise equipment to the MEC (medical equipment computer) via memory card and RED log entries, for downlink on OCA comm. Later, he also performed the periodic transfer of accumulated data files from the wrist-band HRM (heart rate monitor) receiver stations to the MEC for downlink, then deleted them on the HRM.

The Science Officer conducted another EPO (Educational Payload Operations) activity, today demonstrating the difference between weight and mass. The demo was video-taped with the camcorder for NASA educational use.

Malenchenko conducted the weekly IMS (inventory management system) tagup with the ground via S-band. He prepared the daily IMS "delta" file for database updating and performed the regular routine maintenance/inspection of the SOZh life support systems in the SM.

Ed Lu attended to the routine status checkup of autonomous payloads in the Lab.

The CDR, assisted by crewmate Lu, completed another session of the MO-5 MedOps protocol of cardiovascular evaluation during graded exercises on the VELO cycle ergometer. Last time done: 8/13. [As before, Malenchenko used the Gamma-1 ECG equipment with biomed harness, skin electrodes, and a blood pressure and rheoplethysmograph cuff wired to the cycle ergometer's instrumentation panels. For the graded exercise, he worked the pedals after a prescribed program at load settings of 125, 150, and 175 watts for three minutes each. All measurements were recorded and telemetered during Daily Orbit 2 to MCC-M, from where the workout was monitored by a specialist.]

Ed Lu conducted another inventory audit of the available CWCs (contingency water containers) and their contents, to keep track of onboard water supplies.

Ed also performed the hygiene pantry audit deferred from 9/16.

Both crewmembers worked out with their daily 2.5-h program of physical exercise, on TVIS treadmill, RED expander and VELO cycle with load trainer. Ed Lu then took care of the weekly TVIS maintenance.

Last night, the hard drive of the Cupola RWS (robotics work station) PCS suffered a failure. The HDD (hard disk drive) was replaced with a new unit, and Ed Lu was given time on today's schedule to reload the new drive with a "ghost image" procedure, resulting in a healthy Cupola PCS (portable computer system).

Next Monday's planned recharge of the lithium/ion-battery of the Motorola-9505 Iridium satellite phone has been deferred to a later date, to allow for additional safety evaluation and reassessment of the potentially hazardous procedure.

Today's CEO (crew earth observation) targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, and including the targets of the Lewis & Clark 200-year memorial locations, were Buenos Aires, Argentina (nadir pass over this capital city of almost 14 million people), Tuamotu Archipelago, Pacific (good pass parallel to the axis of the island chain. Looking mainly left of track), Patagonian Glaciers (this afternoon pass [one of three possible passes] allowed illumination of the usually cloudy west slopes of the southern Andes where numerous glaciers descend towards the sea. These glaciers reached the sea repeatedly during cold phases of the last two million years), and Fires, NE Australia (Dynamic event. Many forest fires are reported from SE Queensland. ISS track followed the thickly wooded Great Dividing Range for hundreds of miles and fires should be visible at nadir. Also trying for sunglint images of the Great Barrier Reef offshore to the left of track. Crew could see the entire length of this enormous feature during this pass). CEO images can be viewed at the websites http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov and http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov.

See also the website "Space Station Challenge" at http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/.

Did you know that… ...based on the average amount of power provided by the US Solar Arrays, Expedition 7 has used approximately 62,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the U.S. segment since its arrival. Using Houston rates, the bill for that much power would be about $6540!

...PMA-1 (Pressurized Mating Adapter 1) has a volume of 203 cubic feet, three times larger than Alan "Big Al" Shepard's Mercury capsule (60 cu.ft). The entire habitable volume of ISS, from a pure volume standpoint, could currently contain 223 Alan Shepards.

...the ITCS (internal thermal control system) pumps water at about 1430 kg/hr. Since arrival of Expedition 7, approximately 11 million pounds of water has flowed through the pumps. This is equivalent to 280 standard-sized swimming pools, 115,790 CWCs (collapsible water containers) or the amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in just under 4 seconds!

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:31am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 380.5 km
Apogee -- 384.2 km
Perigee -- 376.7 km
Period -- 92.2 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0005527
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.62
Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 60 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 27573
For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html