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Table of Contents
Daily Reports
Torso Rotation Experiment Flight Log
L. Braithwaite
DAY 1 – June 20, 1996
Time
Flight Event
08:30 CDT
TRE support team on console, countdown proceeding and weather looks OK
0/00:00:00 MET
Launch: GMT 172/14:49:00 (CDT 09:49)
Totally nominal launch!
[The support team was able to watch the launch on our monitor in the windowless, chilly Science Monitoring Area of Building 36 at the Johnson Space Center and despite our succinct documentation there were some very pleased faces once Columbia reached orbit!
Note: MET is Mission Elapsed Time]
Totally nominal launch!
[The support team was able to watch the launch on our monitor in the windowless, chilly Science Monitoring Area of Building 36 at the Johnson Space Center and despite our succinct documentation there were some very pleased faces once Columbia reached orbit!
Note: MET is Mission Elapsed Time]
0/01:21:00 MET
Columbia received a "go" for Spacelab activation.
[This was 20 minutes ahead of schedule and was an omen for how the rest of the day was going to go!]
[This was 20 minutes ahead of schedule and was an omen for how the rest of the day was going to go!]
0/01:32:00 MET
One General Purpose Computer (GPS) may have failed.
[This has no effect on TRE, which does not depend on the Orbiter systems for anything, thanks to the self-contained computer and battery packs! But there is some concern about what this means for the mission as they don't have a replacement for this equipment and if another should fail they might have to come back].
[This has no effect on TRE, which does not depend on the Orbiter systems for anything, thanks to the self-contained computer and battery packs! But there is some concern about what this means for the mission as they don't have a replacement for this equipment and if another should fail they might have to come back].
0/03:01:00 MET
Pilot Kevin Kregel says that Payload Specialist-2 (PS-2),
Canadian Dr. Bob Thirsk, is wearing unit Bravo of the TRE
hardware. [We were supposed to be an hour into TRE
activities, according to the Timeline, however we had
heard nothing up to this point about TRE. The crew
follows the rule of "negative reporting" which
means literally, no news is good news - if you don't hear
anything then that means your experiment is progressing as
expected - but it's very nerve-racking for the folks on
the ground! So this message from Columbia was
extremely welcome!]
0/03:56:00 MET
The first 2 TRE subjects, Bob Thirsk and Jean-Jacques Favier, should be finished and the third subject, Chuck
Brady should be starting but we have heard no status reports.
0/04:32:00 MET
PS-2 is taking off the TRE hardware now - MS-1 has Alpha unit
on now. [Way to go Bob! Many smiles on the ground - it was
great to hear that a subject was complete and really nice
to know we had the Canadian astronaut's data. MS-1,
Dr. Rick Linnehan, is the only veterinarian currently in
the US astronaut corps.]
0/04:57:00 MET
PS-1 and PS-2 have completed TRE (via MS-2) and MS-1 and MS-3
have TRE equipment on now. [More good news!
In addition to Bob Thirsk, Dr. Jean-Jacques Favier, (PS-1), a physicist from France, has now done TRE and now we know both of the other 2 subjects are currently performing TRE activities. MS-3 is Dr. Chuck Brady. Barring something very unforeseen it looks like Doug Watt will get all his subjects completed on Flight Day 1. Because Dr. Watt is examining an aspect of human adaptation to microgravity it was very important to get this data extremely early in the mission but the Timeline was very tight on the first day and things might have had to be fixed that could have shaken loose during launch and that would certainly take priority over starting TRE on time. This message was relayed to us by Susan Helms (MS-2), the Payload Commander.]
In addition to Bob Thirsk, Dr. Jean-Jacques Favier, (PS-1), a physicist from France, has now done TRE and now we know both of the other 2 subjects are currently performing TRE activities. MS-3 is Dr. Chuck Brady. Barring something very unforeseen it looks like Doug Watt will get all his subjects completed on Flight Day 1. Because Dr. Watt is examining an aspect of human adaptation to microgravity it was very important to get this data extremely early in the mission but the Timeline was very tight on the first day and things might have had to be fixed that could have shaken loose during launch and that would certainly take priority over starting TRE on time. This message was relayed to us by Susan Helms (MS-2), the Payload Commander.]
0/05:41:00 MET
We have TV! Replay of Bob Thirsk doing TRE in Spacelab! Mission Commander Tom Henricks says Bob
has "taken to space like a fish to water"!
0/05:48:00 MET
Live TV from module and MS-1 and MS-3 are NOT wearing TRE, so TRE is COMPLETE! [Congratulations all round by ground
support team! Doug Watt won't know what the quality of the data is until he gets the data modules back and
examines them but it looks like the hardware performed perfectly!]
0/07:40:36 MET
TRE support team off-console!! [We are now heading out for a celebratory dinner with happy smiles...]
DAY 2 – June 21, 1996
Time
Flight Event
00/23:19:00 MET
L. Braithwaite on console - 09:15 CDT
[Update on activities: Jean-Jacques has "grown" and no longer fits into the Canal and Otolith Integration Study (COIS) equipment measurement range ... oops! A Torque Velocity Dynamometer (TVD) power panel was down this morning, that had been working yesterday. Braithwaite completed a flight note requesting video from flight day one of Spacelab activities which included Thirsk performing TRE activities]
[Update on activities: Jean-Jacques has "grown" and no longer fits into the Canal and Otolith Integration Study (COIS) equipment measurement range ... oops! A Torque Velocity Dynamometer (TVD) power panel was down this morning, that had been working yesterday. Braithwaite completed a flight note requesting video from flight day one of Spacelab activities which included Thirsk performing TRE activities]
01/00:41:56 MET
"NASA Select" Mission Update featured Doug Watt talking about TRE and his motion
sickness research in general which we got to watch here in the Science Monitering Area Annex. Go Doug!
01/03:29:00 MET
One oxygen tank reads 500lb rather than 2200lbs. This could be trouble. It turns outs that
this is for the ALFE (Astronaut Lung Function Experiment) which is bad for them but not for others.
01/03:26:00 MET
Doug Watt took a call from Montreal from a Montreal Gazette reporter - glad to see this mission is
generating some interest. We heard that Alan Mortimer was on Morningside this am. - pretty exciting stuff!
01/04:05:00 MET
MS-3 (Rick Linnehan) apparently has the same problem with the COIS equipment as PS-1 (Jean-Jacques
Favier) ie. He's now too tall and out of measurement range if he puts his head in the chin rest. It is agreed
that he will attempt to hold his head still and not use the chin rest.
01/04:10:00 MET
PS-2 (Thirsk) is notified that he should hang by a window as Columbia will be passing over
Victoria, B.C. in 10 minutes. Unfortunately, Bob was mid-experiment in the Spacelab but Columbia is orbiting
Earth approx every 90 minutes so he should get another opportunity!
01/05:46:00 MET
We were treated to Bob Thirsk's first PAO (Public Affairs Office) event as he described the COIS,
TVD, and PFT experiments with commentary during replay of those activities in the Spacelab.
01/05:52:00 MET
Bob did a great job!
01/07:00:00 MET
Doug Watt off-console to attend Science Operations Planning Group meeting (SOPG)
01/08:00:00 MET
Braithwaite and Watt off-console (about 18:00 CDT).
DAY 3 – June 22, 1996
Time
Flight Event
01/23:00:00 MET
L. Braithwaite, D. Watt on console - 09:00 CDT
02/00:02:44 MET
We have Video from the Spacelab and a great view of Bob Thirsk in the TVD hardware!
02/00:04:00 MET
Video off
02/00:07:00 MET
Video back and we have the same view of Bob and he's STILL smiling. We don't think he's stopped grinning since they hit orbit!
02/00:15:00 MET
Video from the Spacelab module shows Bob Thirsk "giving his all" for science. He
has to perform a maximum force test with his leg while he is in the TVD hardware and his facial expression is
reminicient of that of an Olympic weight lifter! The TVD engineers at the console next to us would have been
happy to give Bob olympic gold and declared that the data that he was sending them was superb!
02/00:48:00 MET
Dr. Reggie Edgerton was interviewed on NASA Select for their "Mission Update" and during his
description of the muscle atrophy problems encountered during weightlessness they cut away to Bob Thirsk doing
his olympic weightlifting impression in the TVD. Talk about "as it happens"!
02/02:02:00 MET
We had video downlink of the Medaka fish embryos and after my close encounter of the ARF kind, I thought they looked pretty cool.
02/04:47:00 MET
We got another concrete example of how the astronauts bodies change in microgravity. Bob Thirsk's rip
suit, which he wears for the lung function experiment, no longer fits properly and the coil that should encircle his
abdomen is now on his lower rib cage. A lesson to be learned: if you are building close-fitting suits that need
to remain in contact with a particular anatomical area then they should be adjustable, perhaps with extendable
shoulder straps, that can be lengthened as the astronauts "grow".
02/05:07:00 MET
Good video of Bob Thirsk pedalling the ergometer - too bad they can't have a window in the
spacelab, then it would be a much more scenic "bike ride"!
02/06:52:00 MET
During the Science Operations Planning Group Meeting (SOPG) we were informed that there is still no
reason not to add in the extra day so this will 17 day mission which will make this the longest shuttle mission to date.
02/07:30:00 MET
Off console
[Even on the days where there aren't TRE activities, it is still fascinating to be here "listening in" on all the other experiments and there are lots of opportunities to learn from the problems encountered by others. Knock on wood that the next TRE activities will go a smoothly as those on Flight Day One!]
[Even on the days where there aren't TRE activities, it is still fascinating to be here "listening in" on all the other experiments and there are lots of opportunities to learn from the problems encountered by others. Knock on wood that the next TRE activities will go a smoothly as those on Flight Day One!]
DAY 4 – June 23, 1996
Time
Flight Event
02/23:36:00 MET
L. Braithwaite, D. Watt on console
03/00:19:00 MET
CNN called Columbia and conducted a lengthy interview. Unfortunately Bob Thirsk was in the middle of TVD activities.
03/03:40:00 MET
Somebody has the camcorder and gave us a nice video tour of the spacelab for about 5-10 minutes.
03/04:17:00 MET
Video of In-Flight Maintenance of the Thermal Electric Holding Module (TEHM) [The crew had
called down earlier that they had experienced difficulty opening the door of the TEHM. This module is used to hold
samples after they have been frozen. The crew said they had only been able to open it by prying the door with a
screwdriver! D. Watt commented that must be engineerÕs worst nightmare - having folks go at their delicate
hardware with whatever tool is available. During the video downlink the crew demonstrated how they got the door open
and, in fact, they used a pretty big looking crowbar to wrench the door open!!]
03/04:42:00 MET
Video of Bob Thirsk working an ALFE (Astronaut Lund Function Experiment) problem. One of the
gas capillaries appeared to be loose and before the ALFE support team could call up the problem, which they had
noticed in their data downlink, Dr. Bob Thirsk had determined which capillary it was and replaced it. Dr.
Prisk, Principal Investigator for ALFE, was very impressed with Bob ThirskÕs quick thinking!
03/04:54:00 MET
It appears that the whole TEHM frame has been twisted and for the moment the crew will continue to
use the crowbar approach but the refrigeration people are trying to come up with a solution.
03/04:55:00 MET
Crew Choice video downlink. Tom Henricks discussed the PAWS experiment. This examines microgravity
effects on standardized cognitive performance measures.
03/06:37:00 MET
Another quiet day for TRE. Off console
DAY 5 – June 24, 1996
Time
Flight Event
03/23:00:00 MET
L. Braithwaite on console
04/02:47:00 MET
Bob Thirsk worked through his lunch period in order to properly complete his TVD test and still stick to the timeline.
04/03:02:00 MET
Bob completed the TVD arm test and the PI congratulated him on a perfect run.
04/05:01:00 MET
It appears that the chin rest used for COIS (Canal and Otolith Integration Studies) is not useable by
Dr. Chuck Brady, who, like the other astronauts, has "grown" out of measurement range when he uses it.
04/07:40:00 MET
As you can see, it was a VERY quiet day with little happening that would have an impact on TRE or be of
interest to "Thirsk watchers".
DAY 6 – June 25, 1996
Time
Flight Event
04/23:26:00 MET
L. Braithwaite on console, D. Watt attending NASA Microgravity Countermeasures Working Group Meeting.
Today should prove to be even more quiet than yesterday as it has been designated as a day-off for Columbia's crew.
05/00:23:00 MET
Video downlink from Spacelab during a BDPU (Bubble Drop Particle Unit) In-Flight Maintenance.
Dr. J.-J. Favier shared one of the crew's "post-it-notes" with us. Using duct tape they
have attached a sign in the Spacelab reading "Science at work! QUIET Minimize disruptions".
05/00:32:00 MET
During the video downlink we saw a Canadian Flag passing underneath the LMS Mission Flag at the far
end of the Spacelab supported by hands that looked suspiciously like Bob
Thirsk's......
05/04:00:00 MET
Bob Thirsk scheduled for a Private Family Conference. This is the first shuttle mission during
which the astronauts will be able to communicate with their families using video conferencing and this will be his first opportunity.
05/05:33:00 MET
During the Science/Operations Planning Group (SOPG) meeting it was noted that 50 % of the videotapes
taken aboard for recording science activities have now been used and we are only 30 % of the way through the
mission. Heavy users were asked to consider their options. We hope this doesn't have an impact on the
Video Recording requirements for TRE.
05/07:30:00 MET
The astronauts provided some answers to Internet questions they have received.
05/07:39:00 MET
Bob Thirsk gave a detailed explanation of the Astronaut Lung Function Experiment in response to an Internet question.
05/07:52:00 MET
Bob dealt with a question about the muscle atrophy and bone loss that occur in microgravity and
countermeasures taken to prevent these occurances. NOTE: The answers to questions posted to the astronauts
aboard Columbia are placed on the web in voice and transcribed form.
05/08:06:00 MET
Off-console and looking forward to a busier day tomorrow when TRE activities are back in the Timeline!
The first astronauts are due to put on the TRE hardware at 7:40 am Houston time tomorrow, 8:40 Ottawa time. Lookout!
DAY 7 – June 26, 1996
Time
Flight Event
05/21:06:00 MET
L. Braithwaite, D. Watt on console (6:55 am
CDT) [They also serve who only sit and wait...the TRE
support team is poised and ready!]
05/21:57:00 MET
TV-OPS (Columbia video downlink organisers)
called to confirm that the TRE event in the Timeline
requires video. [YES!!!]
05/22:06:00 MET
We have video downlink from the middeck with
TRE activities also being recorded on the camcorder.
GREAT VIEW of the TRE PREP and DON activities being
performed by PS-1 (Dr. Jean-Jacques Favier) and PS-2 (Dr.
Bob Thirsk) in the middeck.
05/22:10:00 MET
Video downlink of J.-J. securing the TRE
head unit to Bob. We note that both Payload
Specialists have the torso units in place and that J.-J.
has a data module partially inserted. Bob has
his electrodes in place and is securing electrodes by
J.-J.'s right and left eyes so that his eye movements will
be recorded while rate sensors in the head and torso units
record his head and torso movements.
05/22:14:00 MET
Both Payload Specialists check the placement
of their electrodes in the mirror.
05/22:16:00 MET
As J.-J. "floats" by the camera we
are able to determine that he is wearing the Alpha unit
and therefore Bob must have on the Bravo unit.
05/22:17:00 MET
J.-J. connects cable from head unit to torso
unit for Bob and inserts data module and Bob reciprocates
for J.-J. We see flashing lights on both their
torso units - this is a GOOD sign that the hardware is
performing as expected!
05/22:18:30 MET
Bob Thirsk performs the TRE calibration
procedure which consists of fixing his gaze straight ahead
and moving his head from side to side in a step-wise
fashion and then finishing with a "thank you" bow.
05/22:19:00 MET
J.-J. performs the TRE calibration procedure.
05/22:20:30 MET
Both Payload Specialists exit the middeck
through the tunnel to the Spacelab. [Bye
guys...thanks for the great view of TRE setup, it was a
big help!!!]
05/22:23:30 MET
We get a call down from Columbia that the
camera in the Spacelab is being configured to downlink TRE
activities. [We wait with baited breath!]
05/22:34:00 MET
We have video in the Spacelab module and
both Payload Specialists are present with their TRE
hardware intact after their trip through the tunnel.
[Yeah!]
05/22:38:00 MET
Both Payload Specialists performed a variety
of movements in their TRE units including microgravity
pushups by Dr. Thirsk.
05/22:40:00 MET
Bob Thirsk called down that he has created a
4.5 minute video about TRE and was looking for a place in
the Timeline to downlink it - hopefully later today or
sometime tomorrow. [We were very excited to hear this and
are looking forward to seeing "TRE - The Movie "! ]
05/22:43:00 MET
The TRE hardware provides an audio prompt
every 5 minutes after which, the astronauts perform
calibration if they are not busy. J.-J. did a
sideways calibration with his long axis parallel to the
functional "floor" of the Spacelab which looked
pretty strange to us here on the ground!
05/22:44:00 MET
to
05/22:57:00 MET
to
05/22:57:00 MET
Bob and J.-J. performed a series of
interesting movements, including spins, spirals, and
somersaults interspersed with good calibrations.
05/23:04:00 MET
Call down from PS-2 that both he and PS-1
have completed TRE data collection and that PS-2 used the
Bravo unit and PS-1 used the Alpha unit which confirmed
what we were able to glean from the video downlink.
[Yeah! Two down and two to go]
05/23:35:00 MET
to
05/23:50:00 MET
to
05/23:50:00 MET
"NASA Select" playback of TRE
activities. Lot's of good coverage that the media
will be able to pick-up [we hope].
06/02:16:00 MET
Bob Thirsk called from Columbia's flightdeck
with information for SAREX II (Shuttle Amateur Radio
Experiment) which allows radio communications with
educational facilities and numerous amateur radio
operators. So far Columbia STS-78 has received about
50 voice contacts, however, todays call with a school in
Saskatoon was cut short after only 1 minute and was
rescheduled for 06/02:51:00 MET for about 8 minutes.
We hope it works out for them!
06/02:50:00 MET
MS-1, Dr. Rick Linnehan, entered the
Spacelab wearing the TRE hardware and everything appears to be nominal!
06/02:52:00 MET
MS-3, Dr. Chuck Brady is also now in the
Spacelab after executing his usual entry of somersaulting
into the Lab, fortunately TRE hardware survived that experience!
06/02:53:00 MET
Rick performs three step-wise calibrations and one bow at the end.
06/02:55:99 MET
Chuck performed a calibration after securing himself to the "floor" of the Spacelab.
06/02:59:00 MET
The Spacelab "floor" space (1.7m x 8m; 5ft x 25ft) rapidly fills up when you get 5 of the 7
astronauts working in there. While Chuck was doing a "bat" imitation hanging upside-down from the
ceiling, J.-J. elbowed him in the head - having that happen on the Orbiter give a whole new meaning to seeing stars!
06/03:02:00 MET
Bob Thirsk is now in the Spacelab and seems to be checking Chuck's TRE electrodes and head unit.
06/03:08:00 MET
No more video downlink.
06/03:15:00 MET
TRE support reminds CIC that it will be time to changeout the TRE battery packs after these 2 data collections.
06/03:18:00 MET
CIC called up that the battery pack will need to be changed out before the hardware can be used
again. Commander Tom Henricks copied and said MS-1 and MS-3 were still wearing the hardware but he would pass on the battery changeout message.
06/03:52:00 MET
to
06/04:04:00 MET
to
06/04:04:00 MET
"NASA Select" replay of Middeck and Spacelab activities including TRE activities.
06/04:10:00 MET
We have video and now see Chuck in the Spacelab without the TRE hardware so we assume that he was able to complete data collection.
06/04:11:00 MET
We now can also see Rick without TRE hardware. [Even though we didn't get a call down re. MS-1
or MS-3, at the conclusion of TRE activities, with negative reporting we assume everything was nominal.
We got some great video from the Payload and Mission Specialists and count this day as completely
successful!! We hope the video has been captured and will be available at the TRE site on the Space Agency
Website. We will remain on the console for a few more hours and attend the SOPG but
that's it for TRE activities today.]
DAY 8 – June 27, 1996
Time
Flight Event
06/22:20:00 MET
On console
[The Science Operations Planning Group (SOPG) meeting yesterday was uneventful with few problems to report, however, the extra day (17) is in doubt. Apparently, it was being considered because the revised Orbiter attitude compromised BDPU (Bubble Drop Particle Unit). Because the BDPU experiment is experiencing problems, they have an In Flight Maintenance scheduled for today. If this IFM is NOT successful, it "may NOT be necessary to have the extra day". Principle. Investigators present at the meeting mentioned that there was a great of other science that had been compromised that could be done.
As well, during TAG-UP just prior to the sleep period, MS-2 Susan Helms reported that the TRE batteries had been changed out. So we are ready to go with our next set of Energizers !!]
[The Science Operations Planning Group (SOPG) meeting yesterday was uneventful with few problems to report, however, the extra day (17) is in doubt. Apparently, it was being considered because the revised Orbiter attitude compromised BDPU (Bubble Drop Particle Unit). Because the BDPU experiment is experiencing problems, they have an In Flight Maintenance scheduled for today. If this IFM is NOT successful, it "may NOT be necessary to have the extra day". Principle. Investigators present at the meeting mentioned that there was a great of other science that had been compromised that could be done.
As well, during TAG-UP just prior to the sleep period, MS-2 Susan Helms reported that the TRE batteries had been changed out. So we are ready to go with our next set of Energizers !!]
06/23:01:00 MET
There is discussion between Columbia and the ground about how Bob Thirsk's "Crew Choice"
video ("TRE - The Movie") will be downlinked.
06/23:15:00 MET
MS-2 referred to TRE during her PAO (Public Affairs Office) event which was a radio interview with
KNX10 in Los Angeles. She mentioned that this crew had very few Space Adaptation Syndrome symptoms and that
for her, personally, the most noticeable manifestation on previous flights occurred upon return,
when she experienced 4-24 hours of poor balance.
06/23:33:00 MET
We were treated to a pre-Olympic cycling "event" with Dr. Chuck Brady holding the Olympic
"torch" while pedalling on the ergometer - looks like he's "going for gold"!
06/23:35:00 MET
We see all available astronauts including Bob Thirsk surrounding Chuck during his
"Olympic" cycling effort and Chuck eventually passes the torch over in order to complete his "victory" lap!
06/23:46:00 MET
Bob Thirsk, ever-helpful, assists Chuck with his ergometer activities.
07/01:47:00 MET
We get a good view of Dr. Bob Thirsk beginning his ALFE activities.
07/02:00:00 MET
The ALFE support team discuss the possibility of cutting the shoulders of the rip suits the
astronauts wear and inserting Velcro straps in order to accommodate the astronauts' change in torso length.
07/02:15:00 MET
The Orbiter Commander, Tom Henricks, confirms that "Crew Choice" video time is still available at 07/02:30:00.
07/02:34:00 MET
Attempt to downlink "Crew Choice" video and got good video of crew wake-up but the downlink of Dr. Thirsk discussing TRE was broken up.
07/02:43:00 MET
Finally got downlink of Bob Thirsk doing "TRE - The Movie" and it was excellent! (to 07/02:47:00 MET)
07/06:20:00 MET
Off console and invited to a reunion of folks who participated in Spacelab 1 & 2 missions with Doug Watt.
DAY 9 – June 28, 1996
Time
Flight Event
07/23:35:00 MET
Dr. Bob Thirsk is the prime crew member for the Torque Velocity Dynamometer (TVD) experiments as well
as the TRE experiment and we were treated to "TVD - The Movie" as Dr. Thirsk described their experiments
and demonstrated how the TVD hardware works during a "Crew Choice" downlink.
08/00:50:00 MET
The Bubble Drop and Particle Unit (BDPU) In-Flight Maintenance is under way. Once again, duct
tape (or grey tape, as the NASA folks call it) is playing a major role during hardware repair! Red Green would
feel right at home. Maybe the astronauts should be inducted into Possum Lodge as honourary members.
08/02:12:00 MET
Looks like the BDPU IFM is a success!! The crew claims they are ready for a 17 or 18 day mission!
08/04:00:00 MET
During the Science Operations Planning Group meeting (SOPG) we were told that the decision about inserting the extra day and make it a 17 day mission should come tomorrow.
08/06:45:00 MET
After a quiet day TRE team is off-console.
DAY 10 – June 29, 1996
Time
Flight Event
08/23:00:00 MET
On-console
[Well, lots of stuff has happened!
The extra day has been approved and will occur Monday as a NEW day ie. a new Flight Day 12 or Mission Day 11 depending on how you are counting time. Therefore, the original Flight 12 is now Flight Day 13 and so on. Originally scheduled TRE activities will now take place on Flight Day 14 (Wed. July 3) and Flight Day 16 (Fri. July 6).
In addition, prior to the approval of the extra day, Columbia's crew requested extra sessions for TRE, ALFE (Astronaut Lung Function Experiment) and PAWS (Performance Assessment Workstation). Wow, they must like us!
A Replan Request was written, following the crew's call, to obtain data from 2 extra subjects using the 2 extra data modules flown. Care was taken to select the crew members who were originally scheduled at the end of the third data collection session so that if any of the data modules are faulty, there will still be 3 data points for each of the subjects.]
[Well, lots of stuff has happened!
The extra day has been approved and will occur Monday as a NEW day ie. a new Flight Day 12 or Mission Day 11 depending on how you are counting time. Therefore, the original Flight 12 is now Flight Day 13 and so on. Originally scheduled TRE activities will now take place on Flight Day 14 (Wed. July 3) and Flight Day 16 (Fri. July 6).
In addition, prior to the approval of the extra day, Columbia's crew requested extra sessions for TRE, ALFE (Astronaut Lung Function Experiment) and PAWS (Performance Assessment Workstation). Wow, they must like us!
A Replan Request was written, following the crew's call, to obtain data from 2 extra subjects using the 2 extra data modules flown. Care was taken to select the crew members who were originally scheduled at the end of the third data collection session so that if any of the data modules are faulty, there will still be 3 data points for each of the subjects.]
09/00:10:00 MET
The RR was submitted to Mark Pickett, who is combining the various "extra day" RR's for JSC Project (of which TRE is a part).
09/01:05:00 MET
Dr. Doug Watt submitted a mid-mission science report to Mark Pickett.
09/01:06:00 MET
We were treated downlink recorded previously by Dr. Thirsk and the rest of Columbia's crew wishing
Canada "Happy Birthday" complete with a spinning Canadian flag. Hopefully, everybody at home will be
able to see it on Monday July 1. They also sent down birthday greetings to British Columbia.
09/03:57:00 MET
Summary from the Science Operations Planning Group meeting: Confirmed that the crew said they wanted to
do extra ALFE / TRE / PAWS. We received an "official" GO for the extra day. Nearly
everything is going nominally at this time. Tomorrow will be the critical SOPG during which the replanning will
take place for the extra day and we need to watch for planning errors like using inappropriate subjects.
09/04:41:00 MET
MS-2, Payload Commander Susan Helms, answered a few of the questions the crew has received by
E-mail including "can the crew members who require eyeglasses use contact lenses in microgravity"
Lt-Colonel Helms replied that contact lenses work well and using saline is not a problem however cleanliness,
particularly hand, is difficult to obtain at a level necessary for cleaning contact lenses so they use disposable lenses.
09/06:25:00 MET
Off-console after an interesting day.
