The International Space Station (ISS) has been occupied continuously since 1 November 2000, with the arrival of the Expedition 1 Crew. Much had changed by the time the Expedition 9 Crew came aboard. The Station had nearly doubled in size, with a large increase in capability.

Expedition 9 initiated with the launch of Soyuz TMA-4 atop a Starsem booster from Baykonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, on 18 April 2004 at 10:19 PM CDT (03:19 19 April GMT). Aboard were Station and Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Mike Fincke. In the third seat was ESA Astronaut Andre Kuipers of the Netherlands, on the Delta Mission. They spent the next two days chasing ISSy for rendezvous and docking, which took place at 12:01 AM (05:01 GMT) on 21 April. The three men were warmly greeted by the outgoing crew of Expedition 8. These were Commander Mike Foale and Flight Engineer Alexander "Sasha" Kaleri. A week of joint operations ensued, with the station being finally handed over to the Expedition 9 crew. Andre Kuipers, and the Expedition 8 crew entered their Soyuz TMA-3 vehicle to return to Earth on 29 April 2004.

During their six month stay aboard, the Expedition 9 crew carried out Four EVAs (Extra-Vehicular Activity or spacewalk) and an extensive but flexible program of science. These included some 21 different experiments in five categories. These were Bioastronautics, the Physical Sciences, Space Product Development, Space Flight, and Space Biology. More can be learned about the Expedition 9 Science program Here, and Here.

With the arrival of the Expedition 10 Crew, and Cosmonaut Yuri Shargin of the Russian Space Forces, on 15 October 2004, the final week of Expedition 9 was at hand. As is usual practice, the two crews worked together for a week to familiarize the new men with their home in orbit. On 23 October at 4:08 PM CDT (21:08 GMT), the Soyuz TMA-4 undocked from ISSy for the return home. Cosmonaut Shargin was aboard with the Expedition 9 crew for the ride. A safe landing was achieved near Arkalyk Kazakhstan on 23 October at 7:36 PM CDT (00:36 24 October GMT). Expedition 9 was a productive and successful mission to ISS, and all ended very well. Total flight duration: 187 days 21 hours 17 minutes.

Friday 3rd September 2004 was the date of the last EVA for the Expedition 9 Crew of ISSy. Called EVA 9d, the mission sortied from the PIRS docking and airlock module using Russian Orlan Space Suits.

(EVA 9d Reference - Explains Tasks Carried Out) The main purpose of this EVA was to remove and replace a failed pump assembly on Zarya, and to (amongst other things) add several new guidance anntenae to the docking equipment at the aft end of the Zvezda service module of ISS. These modifications were made to accommodate the new ESA (European Space Agency) ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) to be launched for the first time in 2007. This robotic freighter will operate in similar fashion to the current Progress cargo craft bringing supplies to ISS. The difference is that the new ESA craft will carry two and a half time the payload of a Progress vehicle, in production and use since 1978.

Both pictures at left are are NASA computer generated animations. The picture at top shows the layout of the Russian part of ISSy.

The FGB, PIRS, and Zvezda are the modules involved with this EVA. Soyuz is the manned spacecraft used to get to and from the station. It can also be used as a "life boat", for a swift return to Earth, in the event of a dire emergency. Progress is the cargo carrier used to deliver essential supplies to the ISS.

The lower picture illustrates the FGB, PIRS, and the crewmen installing the new pump. Please note crew in spacesuits at top center of the FGB, along with the white cannister carrying the new pump assembly.

During the installation of the new guidance antennae, several protective plastic caps were jettisoned into space. At the close of the spacewalk, the crewmen cleaned up their gloves with disposable wipes as well. All of these, caps and towels, were tossed "overboard", but under specific instructions on how and in what direction from Russian Mission Control in Korolev (TsUP), near Moscow. These precautions are taken to insure that the dumped material does not return on a later orbit to collide with the station.

This spacewalk lasted 5 hours 21 mintutes, beginning at 11:43 AM CDT (16:43 GMT) with the PIRS hatch opening. It ended early and successfully at 5:04 PM CDT (22:04 GMT) with the final resealing of the airlock hatch. This was the 6th spacewalk for Commander Padalka, and the fourth for Flight Engineer Fincke. It was the 56th ISS Assembly & Mainenance EVA, and the 31st from the Station itself.

We'll look at these two cases in order of appearance. So, our examination of the escaping piece of tubing will be first. In an amazing coincidence, Commander Padalka was discussing the possibility, over his suit radio, that this bit of pipe would get away from him if it wasn't attached right away. His talk was with ground control in Russia. A transcript of his words with TsUP in Korolyev is next.

TRANSCRIPT of “ESCAPE” CONVERSATION

ISS EVA 9d - 3 September 2004

(K) = Korolev = MCC Moscow – ("Micha")

(P) = Padalka

All Orange italics mine for emphasis. Hesitations and grammatical errors are left in as originally spoken. JC.

(P) - Micha, it's not secured to the connector, uh, if I don't attach it, it's gonna...drift away.

(K) - Uh...yeah, I wanted to talk to you about the velocity vector.

(P) - I understand the rule.

END TRANSCRIPT

Option: The actual words of the conversation available below.

ESCAPE CONVERSATION (MP3 file 229 kb © 2006 Jeff Challender)

Interestingly, that verbal conversation was taking place just as the part itself DID escape! Yet, once it was gone, there was no acknowledgement of the fact. It was as if someone said "pretend it didn't happen...the show must go on".

Unplanned escapes of things like this are more dangerous than you might think. These objects can come around on a later orbit and strike ISSy in a vulnerable spot, causing great damage. Something like this may have hit ISSy on 26 November 2003, during the Expedition 8 Increment.

Let's have a look at the event now, just as it happened.

Here the escaping part can be seen clearly. Station Commander Padalka had just informed TsUP Korolev (over his suit radio) that the part was not secured and might get away...when it did just that!

OOPS!

Now we'll examine the "Barrel Escape"

At the conclusion of the mission, when the crewmen were back inside the PIRS airlock module repressurizing, something resembling a barrel went tumbling away into space. This object was unacknowledged by either team of mission control specialists on the ground, nor by the crew aboard the station. I believe it could very well be the cannister which contained the new pump assembly for the Zarya module, and in which the old worn out part was ensconced. This cannister was to have been stowed in the PIRS airlock module as the men passed by on their way to the aft end of Zvezda for the second part of the EVA. This writer can think of nothing else used during this spacewalk that could account for the size and shape of the object seen tumbling off, out of control, from the station AFTER the crew were back inside with the hatch sealed.

Below are some example frames to illustrate what this cannister looks like.

The entire video clip lasted only a few seconds, after which the feed was cut and we were returned to Mission Control with the monotonous blue desks.

Remember, Padalka and Fincke had been instructed to make sure this container was carefully stowed inside PIRS even BEFORE they made their way to the aft end of the Zvezda Service Module to continue work. The loss of this piece of equipment was not acknowledged by anyone connected with the spacewalk. This example of sloppy work must have been a great embarassment to all concerned for it to be covered up so. You may be certain that this escape did not go unnoticed.

If a cannister of this size hit a critical spot on the station at any speed, it could do considerable damage, perhaps even be a threat to life. They were very lucky that this little faux pas doesn't come back to haunt them later on...

***

At all times during these two incidents, the camera and audio feed were under the control of the CATO in Houston Mission Control.

(INCO - INstrument & Communication Officer - The man in Houston Mission Control Center who is responsible for operating the Shuttle payload bay, and robotic arm, cameras. He also remotely operates the helmet cameras in space suits. In the case of ISS, this officer is referred to as the CATO - Communications And Tracking Officer. In both cases, these persons CONTROL everything which is PERMITTED to go out on broadcast to the public. It is a commonly believed falacy that the cameras are operated by Astronauts & Cosmonauts on the Shuttles, and Space Station. Very little camera work is done by the crews. They're way too busy for that.)

At the end of the day, it's up to YOU to draw your own conclusions.

© 2006 Jeff Challender