Tim Furniss/LONDON
The International Space Station (ISS) reached a major milestone on 2 November when the first expedition crew aboard the Soyuz TM31 spacecraft docked to the orbital base for a 115 day mission, marking the start of permanent manning of the $60 billion ISS.
The ISS - the largest co-operative international project ever conducted - is due for completion in 2006.
TM31 was launched on 30 October aboard a Soyuz booster from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, carrying ISS commander Bill Shepherd, Soyuz commander Yuri Gidzenko and flight engineer Sergei Krikalev, both Mir veterans. Krikalev is making his second visit to the ISS, having flown the STS 88 assembly mission in December 1998.
The ISS comprises the Zvezda service module, Zarya control module, Unity Node 1, Z-1 truss and a Pressurized Mating Adapter. The Expedition Crew 1 will bring the ISS up to operational status.
A Progress M tanker loaded with supplies and equipment is due to reach the Space Station on 16 November.
During their stay, the crew will receive visits from three Shuttle missions. STS 97 will be launched on 30 November to deliver the station's first set of solar panels, while the US Laboratory Module will arrive aboard STS 98 due for launch on 18 January next year.
Another Progress M tanker will be launched on 1 February and will be followed by the STS 102 mission, set for a 15 February launch, carrying the first Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. STS 102 will carry the second expedition crew and return Shepherd and his colleagues to Earth.
Source: Flight International
