Souyz launch to the ISS

Soyuz Rolls Out to Launch Pad; Crew Works on Science


The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is on the launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Credit: NASA
Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank updates software for the SOdium LOading in Microgravity experiment. Credit: NASA TV
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft that will carry new Expedition 30 Flight Engineers Oleg Kononenko, Don Pettit and Andre Kuipers into space rolled out to the launch pad Monday at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:16 a.m. EST, with NASA TV coverage beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Soyuz will dock to the International Space Station Friday morning.

› Watch NASA TV

Aboard the station, Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank worked with the Biomechanical Analysis of Treadmill Exercise on the International Space Station, or Treadmill Kinematics, experiment. Treadmill Kinematics studies the difference between exercising on a treadmill in space and on Earth. It is the first rigorous investigation to determine the most beneficial treadmill exercise conditions to maintain or improve crew health during long-duration spaceflight.

› Read more about Treadmill Kinematics

Burbank also continued his work with the Preliminary Advanced Colloids Experiment-2, or PACE-2. Housed in the Fluids Integrated Rack, PACE-2 studies the effects of vibration on particles suspended in fluid in the space environment. This work aids in the development and optimization of crew procedures for the future Advanced Colloids Experiment, also known as ACE, which will fly samples that may have an important impact on our understanding of fundamental physics.

› Read more about PACE-2

Additionally, he updated software for the SOdium LOading in Microgravity (SOLO) experiment. SOLO researches the ways in which the human body retains fluid and salt during bed rest and space flights. Subject crew members follow a diet of constant low or normal sodium intake and increased fluid consumption.

› Read more about SOLO

Flight Engineer Anton Shkaplerov worked on the Seiner experiment. This is a Russian experiment that examines the oceans below, documents their characteristics and then correlates that to certain bioproductive areas that impact the fishing industry.

› Read more about Seiner

Shkaplerov and Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin worked to replace several of the panels, fuses and batteries inside the complex’s Russian segment.

All three crew members continued unpacking supplies from the ISS Progress 45 cargo craft, which arrived at the station on Nov. 2.

› Read more about Expedition 30
› Send a holiday postcard to the station crew

From NASA Website

China launches space station

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15101890?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Good story from the BBC  This launch will happen Thursday morning at 1316 UTC 9:16AM EDT.
The launch window lasts until 1331 UTC or 9:31 AM EDT

NASA calls it SLS the SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM, you've seen it before as ARES V.  New paint, new name higher cost.  Cancellation bait for the budget.  Can we really afford this?  Didn't NASA pull the plug on this last year.   You have to wonder what were these people thinking.
 (from the NASA Press release)
The SLS rocket will incorporate technological investments from the Space Shuttle program and the Constellation program in order to take advantage of proven hardware and cutting-edge tooling and manufacturing technology that will significantly reduce development and operations costs. It will use a liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propulsion system, which will include the RS-25D/E from the Space Shuttle program for the core stage and the J-2X engine for the upper stage. SLS will also use solid rocket boosters for the initial development flights, while follow-on boosters will be competed based on performance requirements and affordability considerations. The SLS will have an initial lift capacity of 70 metric tons. That's more than 154,000 pounds, or 77 tons, roughly the weight of 40 sport utility vehicles. The lift capacity will be evolvable to 130 metric tons -- more than 286,000 pounds, or 143 tons -- enough to lift 75 SUVs. The first developmental flight, or mission, is targeted for the end of 2017.