DATE=5/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SHUTTLE-SPACE STATION WRAP (L)
NUMBER=2-262676
BYLINE=DAVID MCALARY
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
INTERNET=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut from
the space shuttle "Atlantis" have opened the hatches
to the International Space Station -- the first people
to visit the outpost in one year. As we hear from V-
O-A Science Correspondent David McAlary, they began
four days of repair and supply transfers to prepare
the station for permanent occupation.
TEXT: Astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms and
cosmonaut Yuri Usachev floated through five hatches
separating the space station from Atlantis. They got
a preview of the complex they will inhabit for several
months next year as the second expeditionary crew.
For now, they are getting it ready for the first
inhabitants, later this year, by making some necessary
repairs.
The last time astronauts visited the station, they
suffered nausea and headaches -- presumably because of
stagnant air and possibly high levels of exhaled
carbon dioxide. So the Atlantis crew reworked ducting
to improve airflow. Shuttle Flight Director Phil
Engelauf says crew measurements showed that canisters
left behind last year to remove carbon dioxide from
the air are working well.
// ENGELAUF ACTUALITY ///
We haven't seen any indications of adverse affects or
poor air quality. The conditions that we think we've
created with these ducting modifications -- we're
optimistic we'll keep the air as good as we can
possibly make it in the station.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
The three Atlantis crewmembers went through their work
quickly and got an hour ahead of schedule. They lost
no time in pulling up floor panels to replace the
first two of four dead batteries on the Russian
"Zarya" module.
Phil Engelauf attributes the speed of their work to
the fact that cosmonaut Usachev had done similar work
aboard the Russian "Mir" space station and the
movements the crew worked out for themselves during
training before this mission.
/// ENGELAUF ACTUALITY ///
They really worked this down to a science like a pit
crew working on a racecar. Everybody knows exactly
which pieces they are supposed to do and they have
gotten it down to be about as efficient as we possibly
could and I think that that's bearing out here on
orbit. I think they are going very quickly and I
think the crew's choreography in training here is
going a long way to help that.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Later today, transfers of supplies to the space
station will begin in earnest. Before Atlantis undocks
Friday, the outpost will receive more than a ton of
equipment.
Shuttle Commander James Halsell and pilot Scott
Horowitz will also conduct the first of three daily
jet thruster firings to increase the station's orbit.
It has dropped over time because of friction with
particles in the upper atmosphere and is too low to
receive the next Russian module set for launch in
July. It will serve as home for the first permanent
crew, expected to arrive in October. (SIGNED)
NEB/DEM/ WD
23-May-2000 04:48 AM EDT (23-May-2000 0848 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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