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STS-106's schedule is full of a shopping list of tasks to configure the ISS for its first crew later this year. There are so many things to do that its not expected that all planned tasks can be completed by this mission alone, but the tasks include many items that are not essential for the first crews arrival, but would be nice to do if possible.
The shuttle carries a Spacehab module and external cargo carrier. The cargo carrier carrys EVA hardware for the mission, and the Spacehab carries logictics hardware and new equipment for delivery to the ISS, 1500 lb are 5 batteries, another 100 lb are on the external cargo carrier including cables, and EVA harware. 850 lb of American and Russian food, 1100 lb exercise eq., 400 lb of items ranging from tooth paste to postit notes, 8 bags of drinking water. In total 7200 lb of cargo will be carried to the ISS by the Shuttle. 300 lb will be returned including the Toru and packing materials of the equipment being delivered. 2 ISS experiments will be placed in the ISS, one a protien crystal growth unit installed in Zvezda to be returned later this year, mid-deck active control experiement to be used by the first ISS crew, and one CGBA, a biological growth experiment, will be performed on the shuttle.
One of the first activities will be taking a air sample in the Unity Node for analysis after the flight to access the quality of air. The crew will unload the Progress docked to the Service Module (on 8/8), transfer supplies from Zarya to Zvezda, transfer cargos from the shuttle Spacehab module to the ISS, remove Toru (recieving side) docking equipment from Zarya and return it to Earth (freeing up 47 bags of stowage space), deliver science payloads, connect 4 Zvezda to Zarya power distribution cables in one bundle, 2 television cables and 2 data cables in a bundle, a fiber optic cable for Orlan communications from the US Airlock to the Zvezda for downlink, and place a attitude control system magnetometer boom to Zvezda, reboost the stations orbit, installing three batteries in Zvezda required for activation of life support systems(left off at launch to lessen the weight of the module), installing air ducts and fans in Zvezda, installing formaldahide detector in Zvezda, install the treadmill on a motion isolation mounting, install toilet, measure atmosphere quality (air movement and carbon dioxide levels). Unity node computer software will be updated with a version allowing for control of the Z1 and P6 Truss hardware. Replacing two batteries in Zvezda. The crew will remove the Zarya docking probe and stow it, along with other packing materials in the Progress for destruction.
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The Service Module magnetometer boom is installed, in training at the Star City Hydrolab in one of 16 training tests, to place the magnetometer further away from the module to improve its performance |
If time allows, on the schedule are installing the Electron oxygen generator and associated equipment, install American to Russian power converter units, a bar code reader system for inventory control, reinstall CBM controllers , install formaldahide detectors in Zarya and Unity.
After the shuttle departs, the Progress will undock and destructively reenter the atmosphere clearing the way for the next Progress freighter which carries the final material needed by the first ISS crew which arrives in October.
Sound levels in the Zvezda have been a minor point of controversy, although similar to the Mir core module which has hosted many astronauts and cosmonauts, some estimates for the background sound levels produced by the motors, fans, etc. have prompted NASA to include hearing protect items for the crews working in the module, as well as retorfitting quieter equipment in the module. The 106 crew will measure the sound levels but as the module is used over the years and changes in its equipment, sound levels will be ever changing.
In preperation for future flights, Zvezda tests have been done on the computers, computer intercommuinications, the aft Kurs docking system.
JIm Van Lack (ISS PRogram Manager) said on Aug. 1, that he thought that the Russians seemed to be training their ground controllers more than would be expected for experienced controllers, implying that the Mir controllers were still working on Mir while new people were being prepared to work on ISS.
Images from NASA, ESA, NASDA, CSA, RSA
