AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 313.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 09, 2001
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-313.03

The Expedition-3 crew, Commander Frank Culbertson, Pilot Vladimir
Dezhurov and Flight Engineer Mikhail Tyurin, continue to make
preparations for the third and final space walk of their mission
(scheduled for November 12th). This is the fifth space walk to take place
from the International Space Station (ISS).

The Expedition-3 crew is scheduled to return to Earth in December on
shuttle mission STS-108, which will launch their Expedition-4
replacements. The space shuttle Endeavour is targeted for lift off
(STS-108) late this month. A firm launch date will be established
following a Flight Readiness Review by shuttle and station managers.

In addition to preparing spacesuits and equipment for their Monday
spacewalk, the Expedition-3 crew has continued scientific investigations
aboard the station this week. These investigations include measuring
space radiation aboard ISS and growing crystals that may help
researchers better design drugs to fight diseases such as diabetes.

With systems operating normally, the station is orbiting the Earth at an
average altitude of 247 statute miles, roughly every 90 minutes.

[ANS thanks NASA for this information]