Space station quirks will test a new crew

WASHINGTON – A fresh crew is heading for the international space station this weekend for a six-month stint that will include science and spacewalks, but will also demand close attention to an array of potentially serious maintenance problems that have arisen in the aftermath of last year’s shuttle disaster.

Unlike the last crew exchange, when two midlevel NASA officials refused temporarily to certify the safety of the mission, planners have given this weekend’s “Expedition 9” – the ninth crew to staff the station – a clean bill of health. Lingering defects ranging from an iffy oxygen supply to jury-rigged exercise equipment and a temperamental gyroscope continue to raise concerns, but NASA officials said they have been analyzed and deemed manageable.

“The best you can do is train for every one of these contingencies,” NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe said last week. “But you’re going to have equipment challenges, and there’s no way to call Pep Boys or Wal-Mart. You’ve got to have the capacity to do this on board.”

O’Keefe also denied reports of disputes between NASA and Russian space officials over priorities for shipping vital equipment on the Russian Soyuz and Progress cargo spacecraft, which have assumed the burden of servicing the station since the U.S. space shuttles were grounded after last year’s Columbia tragedy. The Russians “have responded like partners,” he said. “It has been extremely successful.”

Expedition 9 is scheduled for launch at 8:19 p.m. PDT Sunday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Russian Air Force Col. Gennady Padalka, 45, a veteran of long-duration spaceflight aboard the Mir space station, will command the mission. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Edward “Mike” Fincke, 37, a spaceflight rookie, will serve as flight engineer and science officer. Docking is scheduled for 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers, 45, another first-timer, will accompany Padalka and Fincke and conduct experiments aboard the space station for 10 days. He will return to Earth on April 30, with the departing crew: American commander Michael Foale and Russian flight engineer Alexander Kaleri.

Boeing is a prime contractor for the space station.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Modern DNA tech comes through again for Everett police in 1989 murder case

Recent advances in forensic genealogy led to the suspect’s arrest in Clark County, Nevada.

Ari Smith, 14, cheers in agreement with one of the speakers during Snohomish County Indivisible’s senator office rally at the Snohomish County Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
More than 100 people gather in Everett to protest recent Trump actions

Protesters hoped to pressure lawmakers into delaying and disrupting action in the Senate.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.