Expedition 1

ISS Expedition 1 mission is the name given to the first long-duration crew of the International Space Station ( ISS). The crew lived and worked from 2 November 2000 until 18 March 2001 aboard the ISS. Their main task was the activation of the main systems of the space station. In addition, new appliances were installed, eliminates errors and performed the first scientific work.

Team

• William McMichael Shepherd ( 4 space flight), ISS Commander (NASA / USA)
• Yuri Pavlovich Gidzenko ( second space flight), Soyuz commander ( Roscosmos / Russia)
• Sergei Konstantinovich Krikaljow ( fifth space flight), flight engineer ( Roscosmos / Russia)

Backup crew

The crew of the ISS Expedition 3:

• Frank Lee Culbertson, ISS Commander
• Vladimir Nikolaevich Dezhurov, Soyuz commander
• Mikhail Tyurin Vladislavovich, Flight Engineer

Mission Description

After starting as planned verlaufenen the Soyuz spacecraft docked with the first permanent crew on November 2 to the International Space Station (ISS). The initial work focused on the activation of key systems, the water treatment, a carbon dioxide absorber ( Vosduch ), the kitchen and the toilet. Moreover computer for a U.S. communications system and the centralized control of the Zvezda module was installed.

In the following weeks, especially other systems of the station were activated and tested, occurring, localized and eliminated smaller sources of error and removed and installed new hardware in reception. First scientific research focused on the growth of protein crystals, experiments of American schoolchildren with plants and an electronic camera ( EarthKAM ), Earth observation, material tests, medical examinations and measurements of air quality and noise levels in different areas of the station. Were installed in addition to the electron - oxygen generator, a computer network, a ham radio system in the Zarya module ( ARISS project), data lines for lower coupling unit of the Zvezda Service Module ( Zvezda nadir ) and a hand controller and a monitor for the TORU system ( Telerobotically Operated Rendezvous Unit), can be controlled with the unmanned transport ships from the station when the automated system is malfunctioning. A first test of this system was successful.

Used TORU was for the first time with the arrival of Progress M1 -4 on November 18 due to a software error. The unmanned space transport laid on the nadir port of Zarya and brought two tons of clothing, supplies, oxygen, computer hardware as well as some gifts of the families of the three astronauts. With the unloading and inventorying freight Shepherd, Gidzenko and Krikaljow were busy for several days. Come along was a new air purification system, which replaced a similar defective unit in the station.

To make room for the Space Shuttle Endeavour, Progress M1 -4 was disconnected on 1 December and brought in a park orbit, about 2,300 kilometers from the station. The re- docking took place on 26 December. In this case, a new software used, which had previously been dubbed into the computer of the spaceship came. Was uncoupled Final Progress M1 -4 on 8 February, just before the arrival of the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Two days after its launch on 1 December, the American shuttle Endeavour docked to the station. While outboard mounted and connected by the STS -97 astronaut Carlos Noriega and Joe Tanner the power module P6, the men of the tribe Department cables installed inside the station, so that the current could be used from the new solar cells. In addition, research materials and waste were transported to the Space Shuttle, while they took supplies into reception. At a joint experiment of both crews autonomous measuring capsules were used, the transmitted their values ​​to the stability of the station wirelessly to a computer.

Even in space, the Christmas festival was celebrated. As solid food was hydrogenated turkey. In addition, longer video conferences were held with family members. After re-dock the freighter Progress M1 - 4, its approach control was expanded for further analysis on Earth. The cargo ship served the crew then mainly as dumpster. But its engines could be used for orbit corrections.

In the following years mainly biomedical experiments were carried out. In this case (Experiment cardio ODTN ) was measured including the cardiac activity during physical stress. In addition, the vacuum attraction Chibis was used. With it, the lower half of the body is exposed to a negative pressure (of 10 to 60 mm of mercury). Characterized more blood is pumped into the lower regions of the body. This means a certain amount of relief to the bloodstream. Further medical investigations concerned the amount and distribution of blood in the human body (Experiment Sprut MBI). In this case, changes in the relationship between cellular and befindlichem in the circulation of blood are interesting. In the experiment periodontium of the oral cavity was explored in more detail. Among other things, the concentration of immunoglobulin, the proportion of pathogens and antibodies as well as the individual components of the microflora in the oral cavity were determined. These saliva samples and dental swabs were taken and frozen. The experiments forecasters and Bradoz served to develop a real-time prediction method and the precise determination of the actual radiation exposure of the crew. These new types of systems are used, the thermoluminescence, semiconductor materials and seeds of higher plants were used as detectors in addition to established dosimeters. In addition to the radiation dose, the direct biological and genetic effects as can be determined. Uragan dealt with the testing ground-based and space-based systems for the prediction of natural or man-made disasters on Earth. Also in the experiment Crew Earth Observation (CEO) focused on the observation and documentation of special formations on Earth. These included major river deltas of South and East Asia, coral reefs, floodplains, glaciers, craters, Erdfalten and ecologically sensitive areas as well as weather phenomena such as El Niño. In Identifikatsija it came to the structural loads on the station when coupled maneuvers, course corrections, sporting activities of crew members and extravehicular activities. To the acceleration values ​​measured in different parts of the station -linear optical and conventional systems. The focus of the experiment tensor was testing new techniques to determine the movement characteristics of the ISS more precisely, in the center. These included the determination of the moments of inertia, the air resistance of the growing station and the exact determination of its center of gravity. The quality of microgravity on board was examined in the experiment IZGIB while Priviazka dealt with changes in shape of the station. In Iskaschenije were magnetic interference and its potential impact on the execution of experiments and the orientation of Earth's magnetic field on the object of investigation.

The normal daily life of the crew during the mission in general looked like this: After getting up at 5 Clock (World Time), the three astronauts took time for morning ablutions, breakfast and individual information, usually by e -mail. In addition, they went together again through the day's schedule. From 8 to 16 clock, often longer worked, interrupted by a lunch break. Then the activities of the next day were discussed. In addition, two hours of sports were compulsory daily. To this end, there is a bicycle ergometer and a treadmill aboard the station. With these devices, however, were encountered massive problems. The weekends were essentially free and served relaxation. There were exceptions here, however, if the work had to be made to the life support system and if a van or a shuttle was docked.

In January, especially the final preparations were made for the expansion of the station to the American Destiny laboratory research in addition to maintenance and repair work on a battery charger. As its start delayed, focused its attention more extensively with the inventory of existing equipment, equipment and supplies. In a computer database all items with their number and the place of storage are listed. In addition, disaster exercises were carried out. The as yet limited scientific program included biomedical and technological experiments. These included vibration measurements with the originally developed for the space shuttle measuring complex MACE ( middeck Active Control Experiment), and the documentation of predominantly natural phenomena on earth. The logbook of William Shepherd hardware and software problems with the computers were repeatedly noted, especially in the first few weeks. To solve these problems, a considerable part of the working time was spent. The central server inside the Zvezda module integrates with the Windows NT operating system.

After installation of the U.S. laboratory module by the STS -98 crew on 11 February 2001, the crew activated together with the crew of the shuttle Atlantis whose systems. These included air ventilation and cooling, the controls for internal communication, attitude control, life support, environmental data, command, and data processing as well as the power supply. In addition, a rack was installed with an air purification system. However, the carbon dioxide absorber could not be brought into service as a pump was defective. But were Enables the onboard computer, the fire detection and alarm system and attitude control gyroscope in the grid element Z1, whose control of computers in the module Destiny is adopted. The current state of the laboratory was documented with an IMAX camera.

On February 24, the crew interrupted their work in the laboratory module and boarded their spaceship. The docking port at the rear end of the Zvezda service module had to be cleared for the arrival of the unmanned cargo ship Progress M -44. Therefore pilot Gidzenko docked the Soyuz spacecraft from, away up to about 150 m from the station, flew around this part and approached from below the front part of the module Zarya. After 31 minutes of flight Soyuz TM -31 docked with the ISS again. In the event that the coupling would fail, many systems of the station had been disabled previously. These were then re-activated. On February 26, Progress M -44 was launched from Baikonur and docked to the station two days later. The transport ship brought fuel, spare parts, clothing, food, computers, office supplies and the first ESA experiment PKE (plasma crystal experiment ). Until the arrival of the Discovery astronauts were busy unloading the van and the preparations for the return to Earth.

When the Discovery docked with the ISS on March 10, the immediate preparations began for the return of three astronauts. These included mainly the transfer formalities, medical tests and an increased physical training. At a joint press conference, the commander of the first ISS crew took the Mission with the following words:

" We moved into an uninhabited outpost and now have a fully functional station where the next crew can do research. I believe this is the substance of our mission. "

After a total successful flight Shepherd, Gidzenko Krikaljow and returned with the shuttle Discovery ( STS -102) on 21 March 2001 back to Earth.