ISS first picked up 4 female astronauts at the same time

On April 5, the US space shuttle Discovery was launched on the International Space Station (ISS) from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This is the 131th launch of the US Aeronautics Agency (NASA) and the first train to bring the most female astronauts ever.

However, this launch occurred a minor problem when astronauts discovered the Ku-Band antenna used to transmit images to the Earth and was an important part of the radar location system that did not work. when the ship reaches orbit.

Shortly thereafter, NASA announced that Discovery will "dock," connect to secure ISS as well as fulfill all of its mission objectives without using the Ku-Band antenna.

Discovery has a different antenna used to transmit audio and data on multiple frequencies and ISS also has a Ku-Band system to transfer images to Earth.

In Discovery's 7-person crew, there are 3 women.Photo: AFP .

During this 13-day mission, Discovery ship brought seven astronauts to space, including three women. Thus, together with a female astronaut working at ISS, the universe was first received and four representatives of the weaker sex. In addition, this is also the first time that two Japanese astronauts work on ISS.

Discovery ships carrying nearly 8 tons of cargo, including a spare bed, a large container containing ammonia liquid cooling and seven containers filled with scientific experiments.

The ship also carried a refrigeration device to preserve samples such as blood, urine, bacteria used in experiments in micro gravity environments to be able to further analyze the Earth, and one Exercise machines to study the effects of non-gravity environments on human musculoskeletal systems.

It is expected that astronauts will make three out-of-space walks, each lasting six and a half hours, to install ammonia coolant liquid storage tanks, replacing one of the gyroscopes. ISS steering system and Dextre robot maintenance.

NASA plans to give space shuttle "Discovery" Atlantis and Endeavor "retired" in September this year after implementing three more missions. When the shuttle program ends, the Russian "Union" (Soyuz) will be in charge of bringing astronauts to the ISS until the US launches a new modern ship around 2015.

At 10 years old by November 20, 2008, ISS is the largest international space project of the twentieth century and the twenty-first century, worth 100 billion USD with 16 participating countries. The current weight of the ISS is over 300 tons and will reach 377 tons after being completed.

At first scientists expected the operating time of ISS on orbit to be 15 years.

Currently the participating countries are planning to extend the "life expectancy" of ISS to 2020 and turn it into a "space port" to prepare for research-expeditions between the planets./.