DATE=9/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SPACE STATION ENTRY WRAP (L)
NUMBER=2-266384
BYLINE=DAVID MCALARY
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S space shuttle astronauts and cosmonauts
floated into the International Space Station Tuesday
to begin outfitting it for full-time habitation, later
this year. V-O-A Science Correspondent David McAlary
reports that they began the first of several days of
cargo transfer.
TEXT: The Atlantis team opened and passed through 12
hatches to get from the U-S "Unity" compartment to the
new Russian-built Zvezda command module and a Russian
Progress supply vehicle that arrived in August. Lead
station flight director Mark Ferring says they waited
while air pressure was equalized from one module to
another before they unlatched the doors.
/// FERRING ACT ///
We're basically opening up all the hatches and getting
in to all the spaces and hooking up all the
ventilation ducts and turning on the fans and powering
up all the avionics [aviation electronics] that you
need and turning on the lights and making sure the
house is ready for folks to live in.
/// END ACT ///
The seven Atlantis crewmen have been given at least
five days to transfer 22-hundred kilograms of cargo
from the shuttle and the cargo ship. The U-S space
agency (NASA) is expected to add another day to the
work schedule, if fuel holds out.
Although some transfers have already begun, Mr.
Ferring says most of the day was spent simply opening
the outpost and assessing the condition of Zvezda.
That is the so-called Service Module, which arrived at
the station in August to become the permanent crew
residence beginning in November.
/// FERRING ACT ///
Everybody is happy to see the Service Module. It's
kind of like opening a new gift to see what's in there
where you get inside. Everything seems to be working
very well in the Zvezda module. The crew is busily
putting everything together in there and getting ready
for the work at hand because, of course, at this
point, we've connected with the spacecraft and we've
gotten into it, and now tomorrow, we actually go to
work.
/// END ACT ///
The shuttle crew entered Zvezda wearing surgical masks
and eye protection to guard against floating debris
that may have been released when the cabin passed
beyond gravity after its launch in August. But the
gear quickly came off when the environment appeared
clean.
The Atlantis crew is also carrying personal ear plugs
because the noise level inside the Russian cabins --
caused by fans and other equipment -- is like that of
a busy street. But astronaut Ed Lu told reporters
recently he and his colleagues do not expect to wear
the ear protection on this mission.
/// LU ACTIALITY ///
I think the issue there is more of a long-term issue
for crews who will be up there for months. We're going
to be spending only five days total time. I don't
think it's going to be an issue.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
By the end of the visit to the space station next
week, the shuttle crew will have stored clothing,
medical kits, laptop computers, a printer, vacuum
cleaners, a treadmill for exercise, a toilet and life
support hardware -- including a Russian oxygen-
generation kit and a carbon dioxide removal unit.
(SIGNED)
NEB/DEM/TVM/PLM
12-Sep-2000 06:58 AM EDT (12-Sep-2000 1058 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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