ISSCOM 24 March 2006 (052)

14 March 2006:

Tokarev establishes a comm. session with a Russian speaking person Misha. He transmits via

VHF-1, 143.625 mc during pass of ISS in orb. 41824, 1237-1246UTC. Very interesting for TsUP-Moskou is not involved in this communication.

Here the conversation:

Misha, how do you read. In this band it is not so good, but I hear you again. What was it you wanted to tell me, Misha? With TsUP? No, we will make contact with TsUP later. Now we work via the channel SG (Space Ground). Thanks, please continue with the checks, I will be on the frequency when this is necessary. Now I am over Austria at an altitude of approx. 386 KM.

(Misha can be heard now and then in the background, but unclear).

Tokarev about the spring. In the headland of Austria there is no snow.

But spring will be there soon. I hope to meet the spring soon, in April for instance. Thanks, I have not been in Stalingrad for a long time.

Send me an invitation via TsPK, Star city, on my name Tokarev, then I will come.

Now reception is not so good, the signal is strong, but there is a lot interference. Now we are further away , we fly over Poland. Now reception is good, without interference.

Good, I will relay that, now we are already over the Ukraine.

15 March 2006.

Orbit 41840, 1301-1311UTC.

Tok undergoes an ECG and reports details about the adjustments.

20 March 2006.Orb. 41916, Tokarev from inside S-TMA7 after the redocking operation.

All is still going well. Tok reports pressure checks. Understood. Increase tension (voltage).

Tok: So for us the comm. session begins at 0848UTC? But we have already communications now.

(So according to the original schedule S-TMA7 was supposed not to communicate via Shcholkovo. Nevertheless Shch. relayed the traffic before 0848UTC.

About purification cartridges. We took off our spacesuits, we are drying them now.

This in accordance with Radiogram 2411.

21 March 2006.

Orb. 41932, 0907-0916UTC.

Tokarev opens comm. session with TsUP Moscow. He agrees to do something with the remark: We are always prepared like young pioneers.

Bill McArthur, in Russsian, takes over. Somebody on earth asks questions. He confirms that space is dangerous and in this respect he refers to all cosmonauts and astronauts who flew before them. He for instance refers to the crews of the Salyuts, Skylab, MIR but also to their predecessors in the ISS. He confirms that the duration of their flight is 6 months.

Orbit: 41935. 1351-1401UTC.

Bill answers (in English) questions of Italian students with whom the ISS is in contact via the amateur frequency 14

5.800 mc. Subjects: The antennae they have for all kinds of frequencies, like for instance the Ku- and S-bands.

The importance of different studies needed to become an astronaut. Bill gives a summary: mathematics, geography, physics, but the most of all are foreign languages. Languages are important to be able to work together with fellow astronauts from other countries. He answers a question about the importance of their work on board. This is essential to make future flights to, for instance Mars, possible very important for the present generation of these students. About their health: Valeriy and he got a medical education to be able to handle when this is needed , but they always can rely on advises from physicians on earth. About the dangers of collisions with other objects: here they get assistance by radar if the objects are large, then evasion is possible. Smaller objects, for instance grains of sand, will be stopped by protecting layers on the station.

To conclude he gives their working times. Wake up at 0600UTC and the beginning of their working day at 0800UTC, the lunchtimes and exercises.

22 March 2006.

Orb. 41948, 0931-0940UTC.

In co-ordination with a lady Irina on earth Bill undergoes an Electro Cardiogram and he reports which commands he loaded. Tokarev speaks about the signalisation of the transmission of the ECG by telemetry. In relation to this Bill speaks about a not burning indicator.

24 March 2006,

Orb. 41979, 0844-0853UTC.

Tokarev with an Irina of Ina about the search for some missing objects. They can do this but need time for that, for they have to clear away things first. (Possibly the missing Russian lithium hydroxide canisters)

Another subject is an experiment in relation to their cabins.

Lady (in background) gives a long argumentation. (Not clear enough for translation)

Chris van den Berg, NL-9165