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Space Station

Website Trailer
Running Time: 46 minutes
Release Date:
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Rating: G (General)

Tom Cruise narrates a chronicle of the International Space Station, its construction and the training of its crews.

Director Toni Myers

Cast
Tom Cruise (Narrator)
Leroy Chiao (Himself (NASA Astronaut))
Kenneth Cockrell (Himself (NASA Astronaut))
Robert Curbeam (Himself (Commander, USN))
Brian Duffy (Himself (Colonel, USAF, Ret.))
Michael Gernhardt (Himself (NASA Astronaut))
Yuri Gidzenko (Himself (Lieutenant Colonel, Air Force Russia))
Umberto Guidoni (Himself (European Space Agency))
Chris Hadifield (Himself (Colonel, CAF))
Susan Helms (Herself (Colonel, USAF))
Charles Hobaugh (Himself (Major, USMC))
Marsha Ivins (Herself (NASA Astronaut))
Thomas Jones (Himself (NASA Astronaut))
Janet Kavandi (Herself (NASA Astronaut))
James Kelly (Himself (Lt. Colonel, USAF))
Sergei Krikalev (Himself (Russian Cosmonaut))
Steven Lindsey (Himself (Lt. Colonel, USAF))
Yuri Lonchakov (Himself (Lieutenant Colonel, Russian Air Force))
Pamela Melroy (Herself (Lieutenant Colonel, USAF))
Mark Polansky (Himself (NASA Astronaut))

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-Notes provided by IMAX Corporation-

"The exciting thing is that we don't know what lies beyond the unopened doorand each door will open to many more doors each answer leading to many more questionsthat is discovery."
-NASA, "International Space Station Fact Book"

"Very few people can actually say they've been in space. But those who have been there--astronauts and cosmonauts--have said that IMAX is the next best thing to being there."
-Toni Myers, Producer, SPACE STATION 3D

As astoundingly beautiful as it is technically dazzling, SPACE STATION 3D is the first-ever IMAX 3D space film. Audiences will travel 220 miles above Earth at 17,500 mph to experience SPACE STATION 3Dthe greatest engineering feat since landing a man on the Moon.

Narrated by Tom Cruise, SPACE STATION 3D is the story of this unique partnership of 16 nations building a laboratory in outer space--a permanent facility for the study of the effects of long-duration exposure to zero gravity and the necessary first step towards the global co-operative effort needed if man is to someday set foot on Mars. The new IMAX film documents life aboard humanity's new home-away-from-home. SPACE STATION 3D chronicles the challenges, setbacks and triumphsand ultimately, the shared international victory of men and women whose dreams exceed the limits of life on this Earth.

Produced by IMAX Space Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, and sponsored by Lockheed Martin Corporation, in co-operation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), SPACE STATION 3D builds on the IMAX-Lockheed Martin-NASA heritage that began almost 20 years ago and has now produced five major large-format IMAX films such as The Dream Is Alive, Blue Planet, Destiny In Space and Mission To MIR that have been seen by 70 million moviegoers around the world.

SPACE STATION 3D is the first cinematic journey to the International Space Station (ISS), where audiences can experience for themselves life in zero gravity aboard the new Station. Transported by the magic of the IMAX® 3D technology, the audience blasts off into space with the astronauts and cosmonauts from Florida's Kennedy Space Center and Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome to rendezvous with their new home in orbit 220 miles above Earth. Now people of every age and language can work side by side with their space-walking crewmates, building and inhabiting this unprecedented structure in space.

SPACE STATION 3D is produced by Toni Myers and narrated by Tom Cruise. The Director of Photography and Astronaut Training is James Neihouse. The music is by Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon. The Associate Producer is Judy Carroll and the Consulting Producer is Graeme Ferguson. The film is distributed by IMAX Corporation and is available for giant-screen IMAX theatres worldwide. With over 80 theatres signed to play the film, this is the largest IMAX Corporation large-format film release to date.

ABOUT THE STORY

Through the use of breathtaking 3D imagery, the IMAX audience is quite literally hovering, unencumbered by a craft or vessel, in the vacuum of space--220 miles above the Earth. Launched into a world never before seennever experienced like this. Shocking as it is serene. Eerie in its stillness. Dizzying, magnificent. Beneath us, a huge structure with giant golden wings sails gracefully above the swirls of ocean and cloud.

This is the story of the world's first International Space Station and of the amazing people who built it. Forty-four men and women, working in teams like a relay, have already achieved what many said was impossible--they actually assembled this one-of-a-kind orbiting research lab in the deadly vacuum of space.

We are viewing what appears to be the outside of the Station from the camera mounted on a spacesuit helmet, as an astronaut walks hand over hand on the rungs of the module. Suddenly, the astronaut loses grip and begins to float away, outside of the port side of the Station. As he advises a crew member, via radio connection, of his predicament, he deploys his personal jetpack on the back of his suit. In short bursts of propulsion, he is maneuvered back to the station and to safety. Outstretching his hand, he regains contact with the module.

"Okay I've got it," he says.

"Your feet are clear," comes the radioed response.

"Back on structure. Let's get some tethers on."

At the Johnson Space Center Virtual Reality Lab, U.S. Astronaut Scott Parazynski successfully completes his latest exercise, having coped with how to escape from his worst spacewalking nightmare--free-floating away from the Station (this is the exercise we have just witnessed). These advanced exercises allow the men and women of the Space Station construction team to not only practice putting the structure together, but also develop tactics to deal with emergencies that may arise.

Phase One of the construction on the International Space Station was designed and completed by thousands of people in 16 different countries, the disparate parts of the Station so large and heavy that there is just enough rocket power to launch them into space one at a time. Testing has taken place all over the world, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to facilities in Russia. But since, like a huge puzzle, each piece has been completed separately on Earth during Phase One, no one is certain that they will all fit and function together in space.

As Phase Two (in-orbit) begins, the first station component to be launched into space is the Russian Space Agency-built ZARYA, which means "dawn" in Russian. We watch as a Proton rocket brings all of its 2 ½ million pounds of thrust to bear--a shattering experience indeed--launching ZARYA out of the Earth's atmosphere and into space.

Later, a NASA space shuttle follows with the American module, UNITY, in its cargo bay. The shuttle closes in on ZARYA and Astronaut Nancy Currie operates the shuttle's arm to grab and hold ZARYA while UNITY is thrust up into place. (It's a great moment for Currie, who notes, "That was the longest 15 minutes of my entire life!") With the two pieces joined, the Space Station is born. Now that the foundation is laid, it's time for the builders to do their work.

For the astronaut "construction workers," training involves logging countless hours submerged in a six- million gallon tank, building life-sized models of the Station (working underwater is the closest thing there is to working weightless). Like the builders of the first cathedrals and great bridges, these men and women are constructing a dream through faith. Before it's finally finished, these crews will have made 160 space walks, two-and-one-half times all of the previous space walks ever completed.

The shuttle DISCOVERY, under the command of Brian Duffy and piloted by Pamela Ann Melroy--the third woman ever to do so--docks with the Station and delivers the crew, whose job it is to hook up "the basics," which include wiring, plumbing and communications. On-board is Japanese Mission Specialist Koichi Wakata. His job is to install the Z1 Truss, the heart of the Station's systems, using the Station's robotic arm.

Wakata remembers, "When I was 5 years old, I saw the Apollo lunar landing. That was the start of my longing for space flight. But I thought that kind of thing was beyond my reach. Something that was, at that time, impossible to achieve or to do as a Japanese."

After he successfully completes the installation, Koichi is hailed by jubilant fellow crew members.

"I was moving the robot arm very slowly, as the Z1 Truss weighs about 18,000 pounds. We needed to align the Z1 Truss very precisely to the UNITY module. Everybody was cheering me, and somebody was saying, 'You're the man.' That was a great moment," says Wakata.

Astronauts Leroy Chiao and Bill McArthur, known as "BillyMac," prepare for their first working spacewalk and are ushered into the airlock by second team members Jeff Wisoff and Mike Lopez-Alegria, known as "L.A." Chiao and BillyMac push the Station's communications antenna manually into place. Other tasks we observe: wires being laid out that will eventually supply power to the DESTINY science lab when it arrives; Chiao installs a box of high-tech tools for future work. All of this is completed with the assistance of Wakata.

"Everyday I operated the robotic arm to help by putting one spacewalker at the tip of the robot arm, to move him to the location that he needs to do the spacewalk activities," he says.

(While completing his job on the outside of the Station, Chiao remarks that he "has no problem maintaining a death grip on the handles.")

Later, we see L.A. and Jeff outside of the Station testing the personal jetpack, known as SAFER (the device deployed earlier in the Johnson Virtual Reality Lab). With Jeff riding on the arm of the Station while L.A. is tethered to the structure by a thin wire, the test "flight" is a complete success. L.A. says he feels like a "human satellite moving around the Earth at 25,000 feet per second. Really an incredible experience."

The mission complete, DISCOVERY pulls away, leaving the three joined components that comprise the Space Station at this point (ZVESDA, the living quarters; ZARYA, storage; and the Z1 Truss and UNITY node, where the next additions will be attached). The station is now ready for tenants.

The Station's first inhabitants, known as the Expedition-1 crew, are to launch from the Russian spaceport, the Baikonur Cosmodrome, located in a desert in Kazakhstan. Forty years after the launch--from this very site--of the first man to ever go into space, Yuri Gagarin, two Russian Cosmonauts (Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev) and the crew's Commander (Navy S.E.A.L. Bill Shepherd, known as "Shep") are the first to live aboard the Station.

Shep has brought his wife, Beth (who is the Astronaut fitness trainer) to the Russian spaceport.

Beth says, "I was fortunate in that I was there in the capacity of his strength and conditioning coach, whereas the Russian families were not able to come at all-they stayed in Star City."

In between press activities and last-minute preparations, she and Shep find time for a walk around the ground's gardens.

Beth notes, "When Shep and I were walking down that row of trees, which is very historic, it was just hard for me to believe that we were finally here at this place, because he had worked so hard--we had worked so hard--for him to be there. And for us to finally be there together, to think about the people that had come and gone and to know that this person next to me--my husband--was going be a part of that history. It was a very special time for us."

Realizing that she will not see her husband again for some time (the Expedition-1's crew assignment lasts more than four months), Beth comments, "The International Space Station is a way for us to learn how we can go to other planets and explore other ways to live outside of this Earth. I think that's really exciting. I wanted to go, too."

The Expedition-1 crew launch to the Space Station aboard a Soyuz rocket--the workhorse of the Russian space program. The three crew members are crowded, along with their gear, into a capsule the size of a
Volkswagen Beetle for the two-day trip to the Station. An unbelievable 406 launches have gone from this pad.

Unlike an American launch, the pad is crowded with well-wishers and the media. Bill Shepherd is amazed.

Bill says, "It's very unexpected for me being out on the launch pad, on a very foggy day, having several hundred people right at the base of the rocket, which for an American launch would be very unusual. It would be unheard of. Being able to have such close contact with friends and family who are right there, right in the middle of the final moments before you go flyit was really exciting."

Beth adds, "After everything we went through for the four-and-one-half years going back and forth, seeing his face on launch day made it all worth it. He was so happy."

Of the Soyuz, Shepherd comments, "Sitting on your couch with your knees bent up almost to your chin for hours at a time, it's pretty uncomfortable. But on the plus side, the Soyuz is very reliable--it's got a lot of capability to get you up into space and get you back on a bad day, so it's kind of a trade."

The launch is accomplished without a hitch.

Its Commander says, "The biggest risk is just getting out of the Earth's atmosphere and to a safe orbit. Once you're at the end of the powered flight and you're floating around in orbit, then you can sit back and say, 'Boy I'm glad that we have gotten that done successfully.'"

Following the successful launch and orbit, the crew arrives at the Station, unsure of what to expect. But before beginning their mission--to get everything up and running--they take a minute to stretch their legs and clean up after their two-day journey.

Bill is surprised by the expansiveness of the Station in comparison to the Soyuz capsule and the American space shuttles.

He says, "After we got the node open, and we were able to use that, it started to seem like a really expansive place because we all have these memories of being in much more confined spaces like Soyuz and even on the shuttle."

The crew engages in frequent and strenuous exercise, mindful that Earth-toned muscles decay rapidly in zero-G.

Looking out of one of ZVESDA's two stateroom windows, Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev observes, "We're so used to looking at every map and seeing some kind of border between countries. But in space you are losing this. There is no artificial border. You feel yourself unified with all people on the ground."

In the "expect-the-unexpected" department, ZVESDA's air-conditioner malfunctions and Shep and Sergei extricate it from the jumble of under floor cables to effect repairs while a back-up system operates. Shep later takes time to field questions from school children all over the United States via HAM radio.

Back down on Earth, at the Kennedy Space Center, the cargo bay of the orbiter ATLANTIS is being loaded with the newest addition to the Station DESTINY, the science laboratory, perhaps the most important component of the ISS. With the docking of ATLANTIS, the Expedition-1 crew has their first taste of company.

(On the first radio broadcast from aboard DESTINY, one of the visiting astronauts observes that the ISS, "looks, feels and smells great and looks like all of their work has paid offit's a beautiful piece of hardware.")

Along with the science laboratory, ATLANTIS brings supplies that include clothing and water. Although still bare bones at this point, once DESTINY is fully outfitted, it will be equipped to conduct research to find new medicines, cancer treatments and improved materials for use back on Earth.

Its mission complete, ATLANTIS pulls away, cargo bay empty.

During their assignment (from October 31, 2000, to March 21, 2001) Bill, Sergei and Yuri continue to work aboard the Station. Bill is even able to arrange for a special Christmas present for Beth at home--a new puppy named "Captain."

"There were probably times, certainly over the holidays, when you were able to correspond by email, talk over the radio to friends and family on the ground--you knew there were things going on that you'd certainly like to be a part of that you were missing," he says.

As the first resident crew's assignment draws to a close, the Expedition-2 crew (which includes American Astronauts Jim Voss and Susan Helms and Russian Commander Yury Usachev ) prepare to take their place.

Susan reflects while strolling on the beach near the pad where the shuttle DISCOVERY will launch them to the ISS: "I just kind of let my mind wander as I'm walking along the beach. Looking at the waves, I notice dolphins out there. These are the types of things I'm not going to get to see up-close and personal for several months and I guess I realize now that I'm going to miss this. Right now I'm starting to feel a little bit homesick about Earth even though I haven't left it yet."

Voss concurs, "The beach is such a beautiful place, it does give you a good feeling for the wide expanses of Earth that we won't have while we're in the Space Station."

Of their upcoming mission, Susan observes, "I expect that when I get up there, every evening before I go to bed, I'm going to want to write some notes to people and hope that they get sent down while we're sleeping and they write back. The great thing about having trained together for three or four years is that Jim, Yury and I have become a bit of a familyvery much a family, actually. We've come to sense each other's moods and feelings to the point where, when one person ends up having difficulties of some kind and they need to get away, the rest of us understand."

Two days later, DISCOVERY docks with the Station to deliver a new resident crew and return three crew members to Earth. As its inhabitants before them, Voss is surprised by the size of the Station.

He interjects, "This Space Station is a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be. It seems huge. You can fly for 20 to 25 seconds to go the length of it--that's quite a long time of flying in space."

The new crew wastes little time and begin to work in the lab on diverse experiments that include crystal growth and molecular structure, seed germination and plant growth under zero-G conditions, the effects of exposure to cosmic radiation, and others. For their research into the long-term effects zero-G has on the human body, they ready the Human Research Facility, a computer that records and saves all kinds of data about the crew members' bodies over their stay. This vital information will help pave the way for extended space exploration and travel. Other experiments promise the possibilities of improving life on Earth with such things as faster computer chips and stronger, lighter metals.

During the final briefing of Yury by Shep, the outgoing Commander says, "An American and a Russian kind of exchanging this job--it was to me a historic chapter in space, a reflection of what humans can accomplish."

And with that, Expedition-1 members board DISCOVERY and head home. The Expedition-2 crew continue with experiments and general housekeeping (such as storing water). They even have time for a little decorating.

Voss relates, "Yury just discovered one day that the onion had a small sprout growing at the top, so he placed it in a plastic bag with a washcloth wrapped around it. It sprouted, roots were growing. It was nice to have it around, not to eat, but just to see a green, growing plant. The MACE experiment is how Susan entertained herself on the weekends. Looking at the dynamics of a spacecraft...what's measured is the response of this whole system of gyroscopes and controlling devices to the motion of these large rods with a mass on the end."

Over Honshu Island in Japan, the space shuttle ENDEAVOR arrives with a special container in its cargo bay--RAFFAELLO, one of three high-tech moving vans built by the Italian space agency. Inside the shuttle are astronauts from three countries--Chris Hadfield is a Canadian, Yuri Lonchakov was born in Kazakhstan and Umberto Guidoni is from Rome.

Guidoni notes, "Working in space really makes people 'bonding.' The fact that many countries are working on building the Space Station is bringing the culture and history of each country into the Space Stationand somehow, it changes a little bit each of us."

Hadfield comments, "It's not just an adventuresome place to live, but actually a pleasant and challenging and interesting place to live. I would really like the opportunity to spend part of my life there. What struck me, though, was to watch the crew that's living there--to see them view Earth as a separate place. Earth is something completely separate from them. They are their own little entity, their own little team, their own little world. It's an interesting step, I think, for humans to get to the point where you are now separated from your mother and you are starting to view yourself as more of a single, separate entity, heading off into the rest of universe."

Following ENDEAVOR's departure, the crew engages in a tricky maneuver--they don Russian space suits, board their escape vehicle, the Soyuz taxi, and fly around the Station.

Jim advises, "If we were to have to leave the Space Station in the Soyuz vehicle, for an emergency escape, we'd put on the Russian suits. All the material that's in the front of the suit is where you get into the suit--it's a large hole in the suit. The material is there so you can gather it up and then you wrap two rubber bands around it to seal it so that it holds pressure. When you're in your suits and you have to go into the Soyuz, there is quite a small hatch to go through. So you have to open the hatch, scoot into the center seat, then close the hatch, and then float over to one of the side seats and get in. So we have two hatches between us and space--if one leaks the other one will protect us."

The rotating antenna on the Soyuz could be extremely damaging to their home, so they undock and move away with extreme caution.

And there it is, their house in space.

Astronaut Voss reflects, "Flying around one spacecraft in another one is a pretty unique experience."

Up until this point, spacewalks had to be executed after exiting through a docked shuttle. But all of this changes with the arrival of the Station's airlock and the heavy-duty installation arm which can detach itself at either end and walk around the exterior (Canada's contribution to the ISS). The new arm is integral to the installation of the airlock, the Station's "front door."

Astronaut Voss explains, "The joint airlock is basically like a room that we can use to go outside. It's like a porch on the Space Station, and it's whole function in life is to allow us to do spacewalks from the Space Station while the shuttle is not there. Just like a crane operator, we use these two hand controllers to move it. We look at it through cameras that are mounted on the arm outside so we can see what we're doing while we move the arm around. It's remarkable to me that we've been able to build these things thousands of miles apart in different countries using different systems and put them together in space and for them to work."

The installation successful, the airlock is finished with the addition of the interior door. So now the construction of a self-sufficient house in space is complete.

In the several years to come (the ISS is designed to last for 15 years), the Station and its family will grow, with structural additions from Europe and Japan.

Up until now, only a few hours of research time in space had been possible. Now the thousands of in-space research hours will open untold doors to new discoveries. Only tomorrow knows what discoveries will be made.

We watch as Susan Helms dreams of her new family of co-workers aboard their home-away-from-home. And we leave this magnificent structure to continue its orbit, 220 miles above the Earth.

ABOUT THE MAKING OF SPACE STATION 3D

As the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) progressed with the first construction phase on the International Space Station, the organization realized the amazing opportunity it had to record the ground-breaking second phase--the on-orbit construction of the Station. Leaders within the Administration decided to solicit proposals from large-format filmmakers for the privilege of documenting the building of the ISS.

Given its sterling reputation within the field and its canon of superlative previous films on the subject of space (including The Dream Is Alive, Blue Planet, Destiny In Space and Mission To MIR), IMAX submitted its bid, along with several others filmmakers, in the open competition. Aided by its past experience and that fact that the images of the Space Station would be filmed using the company's advanced 3D technology, IMAX was ultimately chosen by NASA to make SPACE STATION 3D. SPACE STATION 3D builds on the IMAX-Lockheed Martin-NASA heritage that began almost 20 years ago and has now produced five major large-format IMAX films such as The Dream Is Alive, Blue Planet, Destiny In Space and Mission To MIR that have been seen by 70 IMAX million moviegoers around the world.

There was little question with regard to the filmmaker best qualified to handle the project. A key member of the IMAX space team, Toni Myers had written and edited the space films The Dream Is Alive, Blue Planet and Destiny In Space and served as producer/writer/editor of L5: First City in Space and Mission To MIR. As she approached the new film, her enthusiasm seemed boundless.

Producer/Director Myers explains, "Well, it goes without saying, I'm a space enthusiast, having been involved in four space films. And this was no different. The opportunity to film a feat of engineering that's absolutely unprecedented in history, to capture that on film and, especially, to employ a brand new technology that had never been used there beforethose were really good reasons to want to do this film."

Co-founder of IMAX Corporation Graeme Ferguson (and Consulting Producer on SPACE STATION 3D), discussing how IMAX's previous space films have led to this newest project, explains, "Each of those dealt with a specific theme, as does this one. Toni's first film on the subject, The Dream Is Alive, was an introduction, really, to life in low Earth orbit. Blue Planet was about Earth and what you can learn about observing it from the unique perspective of orbit. The third film, Destiny In Space, looked the other direction, to the exploration of other stars and planets beyond our own. Mission To MIR, the fourth film, which could really be considered a prequel to this film, documented the first time that Americans and Russians (who had been former Cold War enemies) had combined forces to attempt to work together in space. The successful completion of that mission prompted NASA to begin the planning stages of what eventually would become the International Space Station. Because of the IMAX 3D technology, SPACE STATION 3D is a complete leap in how you see and experience everything over the previous four films."

Yet with the filmmakers' enthusiasm came the realization of the immense amount of work that lay ahead of them. The IMAX 3D cameras, as they existed at the time, were too cumbersome to be considered for usage inside the ISS. (For further information about the cameras used in filming SPACE STATION 3D, see ABOUT THE SPACE CAMERAS AND IMAX attached.) From the start, NASA dictated that any camera intended for use in-orbit would have to fit inside a single mid-deck shuttle locker.

Myers elaborates, "The classic IMAX 3D cameras capture images on to two strips of film simultaneously--one for the left eye and one for the right eye. Those two strips of film are then projected on a two-strip projector to make the 3D imagery that you see. No matter how the filming is completed, we still have to project the finished film this way. But we had a real challenge when it came to how to shoot 3D in space.

"We knew we could never launch with the two-strip system. So we worked with some of the same IMAX technicians who have built many of the IMAX 2D cameras to crack this technical problem. We came up with a unique design where both strips of film, one for each eye, could be exposed on one strip, with the left- and right-eye images captured on adjacent frames on a single strip."

Traditionally, motion picture film is exposed at 24 frames per second. One drawback to the newly created single-strip design, which eliminates the need for synchronizing two strips of film, is that the same amount of film results in half the length shot (since each frame is really two adjacent IMAX frames travelling through the camera simultaneously). With film being used at more than 11 feet a second, the new system, though ingenious, renders the film a costly and dear commodity.

Size constraints were not the only challenges facing the IMAX camera designers.

Myers continues, "When you're compressing the size of the camera down into a very small area, as we did, that's where the electronics come into play. We were nervous because a great deal of the electronics that would go into making this ingenious camera possible--such as computer chips--are very susceptible to the cosmic and solar radiation present when you're on-orbit. It can just knock out a chip and can effect the camera, sometimes just intermittently, but enough to stop the camera in the middle of a shot. So we were very nervous about relying on chip technology. But we had no choice, given the size constraints."

The filmmakers found their experience garnered while shooting previous space films invaluable. Because of their relationships cultivated within Lockheed Martin and NASA, they were able to call upon astronauts, mission specialists, scientists and engineers to advise them during the camera design stage. Various mock-ups were created and supplied to the astronauts, who had input on many aspects, from handle design to control knob placement. The filmmakers and camera designers, who themselves had never shot a film in space, relied heavily upon their panel of advisers and their experience shooting under zero-G conditions.

With the accelerated design schedule, the 3D space camera team were not afforded the luxury of a long test and de-bugging period. Luckily, they would eventually discover that the revolutionary cameras functioned beautifully under the rigorous conditions of space.

In addition to massive camera re-design work, hundreds of man hours would have to be devoted to training the astronauts and cosmonauts working on the Space Station, for they would serve as cameramen and cinematographers (as well as sound and lighting engineers) during filming. While shooting regular motion picture film under normal conditions would prove a challenging task for anyone, it would take special training for the astronaut filmmakers to avoid the pitfalls while judiciously exploiting all of the possibilities inherent in 3D filming--all the while shooting 220 miles above the Earth!

"We've advanced from the crude sort of trickery used in the first 3D films of the 1950s, which we call 'the spear in the eye,' or constantly having something project from the screen to remind the viewers that they were experiencing 3D. We've developed a more sophisticated camera language to maximize the 3D effect, and that includes almost constant camera movement. That's a very effective way to keep the 3D cues going in the viewer's brain. Camera operators and cinematographers also have to be cautious of space between the lenses, as well as the distance from the subject to the lens. All of this effects the quality of the final 3D images, and we had to train the astronauts and cosmonauts to be conscious of all of these aspects," says Myers.

No mean feat, indeed, given the rigorous amounts of training those working on the ISS would undergo for the myriad of takes associated with functioning and troubleshooting in space while constructing the Station. Not only would these men and women be creating the massive orbiting research and living facility, but documenting their work on the taxing medium of 3D large-format film.

Once NASA supplied Myers and her team with the list of flights where filming was to take place, the filmmakers held familiarization sessions with the flights' crews and introduced them to IMAX filming techniques by screening some of the company's previous films. Also, a talk was given on rudimentary 3D filming techniques (and how it differs from shooting traditional 2D) and the filmmakers-in-training began to become familiar with the hardware (the camera, the lighting and sound equipment) that would be involved in the shooting of SPACE STATION 3D. (Myers remembers that the first familiarization session was held so early that the 3D space camera had yet to be completed.)

Following the introductory sessions, the Commanders then singled out two or three crew members from each flight and assigned them specific filmmaking tasks; those crew members continued on with specialized training in their assigned areas. At that point, James Neihouse (Director of Photography and Astronaut Training) began basic technical training, which included how to load and unload the magazines that contained the 108 seconds of 65mm film negative. (This particular task involves advanced dexterity, as the magazines must be handled inside of a black bag to avoid possible exposure to light; the mission cameramen practiced the maneuver repeatedly until they achieved proficiency.)

From there, more advanced techniques, such as lighting and scene composition, were taught. Myers also discussed the basics of overall film editing, encouraging her space-bound auteurs not to shoot shorter "throw-away" scenes. Separate sessions were held to teach sound recording techniques. Once all of "3D Filmmaking 101" was covered, the hands-on lab hours began.

Myers explains, "Once they had reached that point, we gave the mission crews equipment and a roll of film and we took them to the mock-up of the Space Station at Johnson Space Center for a shot at practical filmmaking. They set up their own lights; they aligned the scene inside; they designed the scenes they were going to shoot; and they directed the subjects in their scenes. Once they completed three scenes, we processed the film and then showed it to them and their colleagues on the giant screen for critique. That was really the turning point in their film training. The writing is on the wall by then. If they haven't yet quite mastered things such as depth of field, good lighting and sharp focus, they sure learned it thenbecause nothing speaks louder than a scene that's ill-lit or in soft focus."

The entire film course averaged about 22 hours spread over the months which preceded each crew's mission. This filmic training continued up until the astronauts entered quarantine, which was one week prior to launch. Last-minute sessions were held to practice magazine loading and unloading, and all the while Myers worked with crews to develop and hone a list of scenes she had hoped would be shot.

These master scene lists were the product of true co-operation between the producer/director and the crew members.

Myers elaborates, "I took a lot of input from them because they knew better than anyone what might be interesting to shoot on any given flight. So we worked together to develop the shopping list of scenes and they'd tell us what might look good and what would be interesting, and also if we were asking for things that they couldn't possibly shoot. So we developed the list right up until the last minute."

Scheduling sometimes proved challenging, but the crews took their filming assignments seriously and fully committed to the tasks at hand. The Expedition-1 crew (Commander Bill Shepherd with Russian Cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev) completed their IMAX training nearly two years before their scheduled flight. While proficient at the time, their practical skills grew rusty. Anxious that they were not as fluent as they should be, the crew hoped to find more training time as their scheduled mission drew near. The ground filmmakers, who were travelling to Russia in order to cover the launch, co-ordinated their schedules with the Expedition-1 crew and held refresher courses in a Moscow hotel. Eager to practice up until the last minute, the crew even worked with Myers at Baikonur (800 miles Southeast of Moscow) while under pre-flight quarantine--with Myers and her colleagues wearing surgical masks as they watched Shepherd, Krikalev and Gidzenko loading and unloading film magazines.

(On a side note, Myers comments that shooting in Russia came with its bag of challenges. She remembers, "While in Kazakhstan to film the launch of the first station components, we had to sort of operate in a 'guerrilla mode.' When you're in a place like Kazakhstan, you have to imagine everything you're ever going to need, because it's an absolute certainty that you won't be able to buy it on location. And so we took everything we could conceivably use with us. And that included fifteen-hundred meters of telephone wire in case we were allowed to do a hardwire start for our cameras. Then you have to get all of your equipment through customs. That's when you truly feel like a S.W.A.T. member.")

Myers was duly impressed with the tenacity and acumen of her orbiting filmmakers.

She observes, "The crews actually worked very, very hard when they were filming on-orbit for us. We had to accomplish 90% of our filming in the few days when the shuttle was docked to the Station. And that, of course, was the peak busiest time for both the visiting shuttle crew and the resident crew. They were unloading all kinds of experiments, supplies, food and clothing--it was a non-stop, heavy-duty move and they worked extremely long days. It's miraculous that they got the scenes that they did. I mean, in the middle of all of this activity, the crew members assigned to film would have to get the scene set and lit and then move around the station, rounding up the people who were the subjects and then rehearse the sceneall of this under extreme pressure to remain within their mandated schedule. Talk about the pressures of filmmaking!"

Other developments proved challenging once filming began aboard the ISS. Myers and her colleagues had been told that if left on board the Station for more than 16 days, the 65mm film negative would become fogged by the same cosmic and solar radiation that can sometimes effect computer chips. It was deemed too high a risk to allow this already invaluable footage to become useless as a result. So film delivery and pick-up had to be co-ordinated with the shuttle flights (which remained docked at the Station for approximately 10-12 days). This left precious little time for error and compounded the already busy schedule of the crews during those peak periods. Filming, though important, came after an extensive list of Station inhabitants' duties.

Even booking the exchange of film magazines was, at times, difficult. As the station began to evolve, certain pieces of equipment (such as the Russian air-conditioner) required service or replacement. All cargo space aboard the shuttle was at a premium, and sometimes last-minute and vital shipments would take up the space allotted for IMAX film. During one particular period where Station function and filming activity were at a simultaneous high, the shipping of film became catch-as-catch-can. But thanks to the supportive team at Johnson Space Center, the film delivery channel remained open.

For whatever setbacks there were, though, there also came triumphs:

A brand new 3D technology, which had not even been tried on the ground, is sent up into space and works perfectly. The IMAX 3D Cargo Bay camera (ICBC3D) vividly captures the formidable nature of constructing a complicated free-floating structure in the vacuum of space.

As an experiment, 65mm film negative is left on board the Station for longer than the prescribed 16 days and does not exhibit any signs of solar or cosmic radiation fogging. As a result, film for use in the IMAX3D space camera can be stored in the Station for crews to shoot at their leisure (providing some of the most satisfying footage--including scenes of the Expedition-2 crew on-orbit--brought back to Earth).

Although positive about the results of shooting SPACE STATION 3D in 3D, experienced filmmakers know that the product doesn't always match up with the intention. Shooting 3D scenes while under Earth's gravity, mocked-up to approximate the final scenes shot in zero-G, could really only provide an educated guess. As the footage comes back to Earth and is processed into 3D imagery, Myers and her colleagues at IMAX are blown away by the spectacular view of life 220 miles above the Earth's surface. The combination of the technology and the talented orbiting filmmakers is evident in the thrilling footage.

Taking Myers' basic 3D filming techniques to heart, the astronauts and cosmonauts do everything possible to keep the camera moving by employing several techniques including one coined "human dollying," where the crew member operating the camera would be pulled or pushed by another crew membera human dolly effect. Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev of the Expedition-1 crew, who had previously spent a year in space prior to his Space Station stay, proves a master at moving around in zero-G. (Myers says watching Sergei is like "watching a ballet dancer--he's absolute perfection in that medium.")

The flying acumen, skill and focus of the shuttle pilots and Commanders combine in the execution of technically challenging "fly-around" shots. The shuttle maneuvers in a circle four- to six-hundred feet around the Station. The placement of the Station, beautifully lit with the Earth providing a backdrop--these shots required split-second timing on everyone's part to calculate the trajectory of the shuttle in relation to the placement of the Sun, the Station, the Earth. With no chance for error, the shots would either happen or they wouldn't. Filmmakers received not one but two of these breathtaking shots from their orbiting colleagues.

All through the NASA system, it takes hundreds of people to support a flight--any flight of the shuttle--and an entirely different set of people who support the actual operations on the Station. Teamwork from everyone involved resulted in the success of the filming of SPACE STATION 3D.

When the final footage shot in the Station returned to Earth, the challenges were far from being over for Myers and her IMAX team. The single strip of adjacent left- and right-eye images must be separated back into two strips--a laborious and difficult process for the technicians at the IMAX film lab--for the final IMAX 3D projection technique to be successful. The resulting film effect dazzles even Myers, who's been working with three-dimensional film technology for more than three decades; she is not surprised when, during early screenings of the scene of the Proton rocket launch, audience members take off their glasses to see if they've been damaged by the flying debris in the wake of the powerful rocket's exhaust.

Myers says, "I would say the IMAX 3D technology is the fantastic thing about this film. I mean, it is fantastic to be able to travel into orbit in any way possible, but 3D absolutely puts you right there, aboard the Space Station, in a way that no other medium or technology can. It's an experience unlike any other."

The producer/director was also duly impressed by the Hollywood legend who, compelled by his enthusiasm for flight and space travel and himself impressed by an early screening of the footage, signed on to narrate SPACE STATION 3D.

"We're just incredibly fortunate that Tom Cruise agreed to be our narrator. The story of SPACE STATION 3D is actually, as I had envisioned, told by the cosmonauts and astronauts who built the Station and lived there. And that is, in fact, true. But you need, when you make a film in this manner, to have another voice that ties it all together and puts everything in perspective for the viewerand that's what Tom Cruise does.

"Tom is extremely enthusiastic about space and is also a pilot. I know that he's also a real IMAX enthusiast. When he brought his kids to see an early screening of the promotion reel, that really swayed himit knocked his socks off. We are very honored to have him participate in this venture," notes Myers.

When asked what she feels the International Space Station will contribute to humankind in the future, the maker of SPACE STATION 3D is extremely optimistic. She believes that during its relatively brief existence, the Station has already contributed a great deal; the very fact that people from many different countries around the world can work together to construct something on such a scale in space is already a huge achievement.

Looking forward to returning to the Moon and perhaps building a base there or some kind of structure on Mars--that is a skill that we have already acquired.

We now have never-before-obtainable data on what happens to the human body outside of the effects of Earth's gravity and atmosphere.

The Station continues to provide an environment of weightlessness unlike any other, where invaluable experiments can be conducted in molecular structure and design, cell growth and possible disease prevention.

Exact benefits are hard to quantify at this point, because some of the greatest discoveries come from unforeseeable developments. Answers are sought only by searching in new environments, such as aboard the ISS.

While she believes that the benefits of International SPACE STATION 3D are far-reaching, with some perhaps not to be realized for some time, Toni Myers will remember and hold a small moment-a quiet benefit-as perhaps her most personal impression of the ISS.

"What was my most memorable experience while filming SPACE STATION 3D 3D? One that sticks out right away: it was on STS-97, that was the flight on which our first interior rolls of footage were set to be shot. Days had gone by and we had yet to hear a word. It was getting close to the end of the flight and we were a little worried about their progress and whether they were actually going to get anything done at all.

"Anyway, we were at Mission Control, and we were very relieved to see in the monitors that they had begun shooting--and this happened right as the Station was set to pass over Houston at night. This was all over the news, that the Station was going to be the brightest star in the sky that nightbut I had never seen it. I remember going downstairs at Mission Control--having just seen our camera and everybody gathered around it setting up for a shot--and out into the parking lot outside and looking up and seeing the Space Station sailing across the night skyfrom one side, one-hundred-and-eighty degrees, over to the other, and just thinking of the fact that, up there, they were running the camera and filming our scenes. It just gave me shivers," closes Myers.

IMAX Corporation and Lockheed Martin Corporation present, in co-operation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, SPACE STATION 3D. The film is narrated by Tom Cruise. The Director of Photography and Astronaut Training is James Neihouse. The music is by Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon. The Associate Producer is Judy Carroll and the Consulting Producer is Graeme Ferguson. SPACE STATION 3D is Produced and Directed by Toni Myers. The film is distributed by IMAX Film Distribution and is available for giant-screen IMAX theatres worldwide. ©2001 IMAX Corporation.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

Toni Myers (Producer/Director) began her career on early Canadian successes such as the television series This Hour Has Seven Days, Forest Rangers and Seaway and the National Film Board feature Nobody Waved Goodbye. Moving to England, she spent six years working on various films for the BBC and music projects for the Beatles' company, Apple. She returned to Canada to edit dramas for CBC-TV's For the Record series, working with directors Gilles Carle, Francis Mankiewicz and Claude Jutra. Her feature film work includes By Design, Surfacing and Abortion: Stories from the North and South, which was awarded First Prize at the 1985 San Francisco Film Festival.

Myers began her association with large-format films in 1967 as assistant editor of Graeme Ferguson's stunning multi-screen documentary for EXPO '67, Polar Life, then with the debut of the IMAX technology, edited Ferguson's pioneering large-format film North of Superior. She then went on to edit many other IMAX films, including Ocean, Snow Job, Nomads of the Deep, Hail Columbia! and Heart Land and was associate producer of Rolling Stones at the Max. A key member of the IMAX space team, Myers wrote and edited the space films The Dream Is Alive, Blue Planet and Destiny In Space, and was producer/writer/editor of L5: First City in Space and Mission To MIR.

Graeme Ferguson (Consulting Producer), Co-founder of IMAX Corporation, has been an active filmmakers since the early 1950s. His pioneering multi-screen film, Polar Life, was one of the big hits of EXPO '67 in Montreal. The success of that multi-screen technique led Ferguson and his partners to develop the giant screen 15perforation/70mm IMAX system. Ferguson has produced the IMAX films North of Superior, Man Belongs to the Earth, Snow Job, Ocean, Hail Columbia!, The Dream Is Alive, Blue Planet, Destiny In Space, Into the Deep, L5: First City in Space and Mission To MIR.

Ferguson has been recognized with many awards, including the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts Medal, the Canadian Government Environmental Achievement Award and two Genie Awards, Canada's highest film honor. In 1993, he was invested into the Order of Canada and received an honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford, England. Ferguson was honored with NASA's coveted Silver Snoopy Award for outstanding contribution to the space industry.

After working in television news at CTV and on documentary films for several years, Judy Carroll (Associate Producer) joined the IMAX Space Team in 1989. Her IMAX credits include Blue Planet, Destiny In Space, Journey to the Planets, Into the Deep, L5: First City in Space and Mission To MIR. A hands-on producer, Carroll excels at managing the intricacies of location shoots on-site and long distance. Her IMAX film work has taken her to Russia, Kazakhstan, Europe and across North America.

Micky Erbe (Composer) and Maribeth Solomon (Composer) have been collaborating on diverse musical projects for more than 20 years. Their work includes the scores for numerous IMAX-produced films, including: North of Superior, Nomads of the Deep, Ocean, Hail Columbia!, The Dream Is Alive, Blue Planet, Destiny In Space, Into the Deep, L5: First City in Space and Mission To MIR. They have written Gemini Award-winning soundtracks for some of the best Canadian television series, including The Struggle for Democracy, Adderly, Street Legal, E.N.G. and Peacekeepers.

Recent telefilms include Friends at Last with Kathleen Turner, Against Her Will with Marlee Matlin, To Save the Children with Richard Thomas, Dancing in the Dark, Gene Roddenberry's Battleground Earth, Blackjack and Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy. Their scores for feature films include Threshold, Care Bears II, Ticket to Heaven and Improper Channels. Solomon and Erbe have composed, arranged or produced songs and albums for such performers as Isaac Hayes, Anne Murray, Natalie Cole, The Canadian Brass and opera star Maureen Forrester.

James Neihouse (Director of Photography and Astronaut Training) has been involved in the professional film and video business since his graduation from Brooks Institute of Photography in 1976 (B.A. Professional Photography). His credits include work on the IMAX films Ocean, The Great Barrier Reef, Hail Columbia!, The Dream Is Alive, Race the Wind, On the Wing, Blue Planet, Rolling Stones at the Max, Destiny In Space, Whales, L5: First City in Space, Mission To MIR, Michael Jordan to the Max and Ocean Oasis, as well as the upcoming Bears, India: Kingdom of the Tiger and Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey.

Neihouse was director of photography on the IMAX Dome film The Eruption of Mt. Saint Helens, which was nominated for an Academy AwardÒ for Best Short Documentary in 1980. Neihouse served as co-director and principal cinematographer on Destiny In Space, which opened at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in June 1994. He also served as director of photography on IMAX's Mission To MIR and has also worked extensively in smaller film formats. Neihouse has also been an astronaut trainer and IMAX camera equipment integration supervisor for the space team since 1988. During production on SPACE STATION, Neihouse was awarded NASA's highest astronaut honor, the Silver Snoopy, "for the many years of superlative support he has given--and continues to give--America's space program."

ABOUT THE NARRATOR

Making his film debut in 1981 with the critically acclaimed film Taps, Tom Cruise (Narrator) has experienced a distinguished career in the entertainment industry, and he shows no signs of slowing down 20 years later.

Beginning his rise to stardom in 1983 with his Golden Globe-nominated performance in Risky Business, Cruise then created one of the most memorable characters of the Eighties, flying-ace Maverick, in the top-grossing film of 1986, Top Gun. The role established him among the most bankable stars in Hollywood and added to his remarkable lists of credits, which include the Academy Award-winning
films Rain Man and The Color of Money, as well as All the Right Moves, Legend, Cocktail, Days of Thunder, Far and Away, The Firm and Interview with the Vampire.

In 1989 Cruise received his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor and won his first Golden Globe for his starring role in Born on the Fourth of July. More accolades and a Golden Globe nomination followed in 1992 with the Rob Reiner film, A Few Good Men.

Cruise turned to producing in 1993 when he and partner Paula Wagner formed Cruise/Wagner Productions. In 1996 they created the blockbuster hit Mission: Impossible and that same year, Cruise teamed up with writer/director Cameron Crowe on the critically acclaimed Jerry Maguire, which garnered him a second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and his second Golden Globe win. Both Cruise and Wagner were celebrated in 1997 by the Producer's Guild of America when they were presented with the Nova Award for the most Promising Producers in Theatrical Motion Pictures. The following year Cruise/Wagner released the critically acclaimed film Without Limits, written by the Oscar-winning writer of Chinatown, Robert Towne.

Once again proving his dramatic acting abilities, Cruise starred in the 1999 ensemble drama Magnolia. Applauded by critics and audiences alike, his powerful performance garnered him his third Academy Award nomination and his third Golden Globe win, this time for Best Supporting Actor.

Cruise entered the new millennium serving once again as both producer and star in the sequel hit, Mission: Impossible 2, which gave Cruise/Wagner Productions one of the most successful franchises in history, grossing over one billion dollars to date. Earlier last year, the company also produced the highly-
successful film The Others, which marked Cruise's first collaboration with the film's director Alejandro Amenabar, who also wrote and directed Abre Los Ojos, the romantic Spanish thriller upon which Vanilla Sky, Cruise's recent project, was based. Most recently, Cruise finished working on Stephen Spielberg's futuristic film Minority Report.

A testament to his critical and popular success, Cruise has surpassed many industry standards by receiving numerous awards, tributes and nominations, which include: the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, the British Academy Awards, the Chicago Film Critics Association, the MTV Movie Awards, the Golden Satellite Awards, the National Board of Review, the People's Choice Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Kid's Choice Awards.

In 1987, the ShoWest Convention acknowledged Cruise as the Box Office Star of the Year and in 1990, the American Cinema presented him with its Distinguished Achievement Award. He garnered the Hasty Pudding Man of the Year Award from Harvard University in 1994; and in 1996, he received the prestigious American Cinematheque Award for his significant contributions to the art of film and video. In 1998, the Artist Rights Foundation recognized Cruise with the John Huston Award, an honor given to those known for safeguarding the integrity of the artistic process.

Vanilla Sky marked Cruise's second collaboration with the Academy Award-winning Cameron Crowe, one of the most distinguished directors in the industry. As an actor, Cruise has established himself as one of the best and the brightest by working with other elite filmmakers, including Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, John Woo, Brian De Palma, Ron Howard, Neil Jordon, Tony Scott, Ridley Scott, Rob Reiner, Sydney Pollack, Barry Levinson, Oliver Stone and Steven Speilberg. He also has had the privilege of working with such remarkable talent as Dustin Hoffman, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Renee Zellweger, Brad Pitt, Julianne Moore, Gene Hackman, Jack Nicholson and Paul Newman. Tom Cruise has made over 24 films, tallying almost 40 Oscar nominations between them, with a gross of nearly two billion dollars, clearly marking his place in Hollywood history.

ABOUT THE ASTRONAUTS & COSMONAUTS:
THE STARS OF SPACE STATION 3D
(in alphabetical order)

Leroy Chiao, Ph.D., NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Chiao became an astronaut in July 1991. He is qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. His technical assignments to date include: Space Shuttle flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL); crew equipment, Spacelab, Spacehab and payloads issues for the Astronaut Office Mission Development Branch; Training and Flight Data File issues; EVA issues for the EVA Branch. A veteran of three space flights, he flew as a mission specialist on STS-65 in 1994, STS-72 in 1996 and STS-92 in 2000. Dr. Chiao has logged a total of 36 days, 12 hours, 36 minutes and 5 seconds in space, including over 26 EVA hours in four space walks. Dr. Chiao currently serves as Chief of the Astronaut Office EVA Branch, and is also assigned as back-up commander for ISS Expedition-8.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-65 Columbia (July 8-23, 1994) launched from and returned to land at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, setting a new flight duration record for the Space Shuttle program at that time. The STS-65 mission flew the second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2). During the 15-day flight the seven-member crew conducted more than 80 experiments focusing on materials and life sciences research in microgravity. The STS-65 mission was accomplished in 236 orbits of the Earth, travelling 6.1 million miles in 353 hours and 55 minutes.

STS-72 Endeavour (January 11-20, 1996) was a 9-day mission during which the crew retrieved the Space Flyer Unit (launched from Japan 10 months earlier), and deployed and retrieved the OAST-Flyer. Dr. Chiao performed two spacewalks designed to demonstrate tools and hardware, and evaluate techniques to be used in the assembly of the International Space Station. In completing this mission, Dr. Chiao logged a total of 214 hours and 41 seconds in space, including just over 13 EVA hours, and travelled 3.7 million miles in 142 orbits of the Earth.

STS-92 Discovery (October 11-24, 2000) was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the 13-day flight, the seven member crew attached the Z1 Truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 to the International Space Station using Discovery's robotic arm and performed four space walks to configure these elements. This expansion of the ISS opened the door for future assembly missions and prepared the station for its first resident crew. Dr. Chiao totalled 13 hours and 16 minutes of EVA time in two space walks. The STS-92 mission was accomplished in 202 orbits, travelling 5.3 million miles in 12 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes and 25 seconds.

Kenneth D. Cockrell, NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: From November 1987 to July 1990, Cockrell worked as an aerospace engineer and research pilot at Ellington Field, Houston. He was an instructor pilot and functional check pilot in NASA T-38 aircraft. He conducted air sampling and other high altitude research while piloting the WB-57 and was an aircraft commander in the Gulfstream I administrative transport aircraft.
Selected by NASA in January 1990, Cockrell became an astronaut in July 1991. His technical assignments to date include: duties in the Astronaut Office Operations Development Branch, working on landing, rollout, tires and brakes issues; CAPCOM in Mission Control for ascent and entry; Astronaut Office representative for Flight Data File, the numerous books of procedures carried aboard Shuttle flights. He served as Assistant to the Chief of the Astronaut Office for Shuttle operations and hardware, and has served as Chief of the Astronaut Office Operations Development Branch.

A veteran of four space flights, Cockrell has logged over 1,215 hours in space. He served as a mission specialist on STS-56 (April 9-17, 1993), was the pilot on STS-69 (September 7-18, 1995), and was the mission commander on STS-80 (November 19 to December 7, 1996) and STS-98 (February 7-20, 2001). Cockrell is assigned to command the crew of STS-111, scheduled to launch in 2002. The STS-111 mission will deliver a new ISS resident crew and a Canadian-built mobile base for the orbiting outpost's robotic arm. It will be the second Space Shuttle mission dedicated to delivering research equipment to the space platform.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-56 Discovery (April 9-17, 1993). STS-56 carrying ATLAS-2 was a nine-day mission during which the crew conducted atmospheric and solar studies in order to better understand the effect of solar activity on the Earth's climate and environment. Mission duration was 9 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, 21 seconds.

STS-69 Endeavour (September 7-18, 1995). The primary objective of STS-69 was the successful deployment and retrieval of a SPARTAN satellite and the Wake Shield Facility (WSF). The WSF was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of using a free-flying platform to grow semiconductors, high temperature superconductors and other materials using the ultra-high vacuum created behind the spacecraft. Mission duration was 10 days, 20 hours, 28 minutes.

STS-80 Columbia (November 19 to December 7, 1996). During STS-80 the crew deployed and retrieved the Wake Shield Facility (WSF) and the Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ORFEUS) satellites. The ORFEUS instruments, mounted on the reusable Shuttle Pallet Satellite, studied the origin and makeup of stars. Mission duration was a record breaking 17 days, 15 hours, 53 minutes.

STS-98 Atlantis (February 9-20, 2001). The STS-98 crew continued the task of building and enhancing the International Space Station by delivering the U.S. laboratory module Destiny. The Shuttle spent seven days docked to the station while Destiny was attached and three spacewalks were conducted to complete its assembly. The crew also relocated a docking port, and delivered supplies and equipment to the resident Expedition-1 crew. Mission duration was 12 days, 21 hours, 20 minutes.

Robert L. Curbeam, Jr. (Commander, USN) NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in December 1994, Curbeam reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. After completing a year of training and evaluation, he was assigned to the Computer Support Branch in the Astronaut Office. He is a veteran of two space flights, STS-85 in 1997 and STS-98 in 2001, and has logged over 593 hours in space, including over 19 EVA hours during three spacewalks. Between the two flights, Curbeam served as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) responsible for relaying all voice communication between Mission Control and crews aboard the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. He now serves as the CAPCOM Branch Chief.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-85 (August 7-19, 1997) was a 12-day mission during which the crew deployed and retrieved the CRISTA-SPAS payload, operated the Japanese Manipulator Flight Demonstration (MFD) robotic arm, studied changes in the Earth's atmosphere and tested technology destined for use on the future International Space Station. The mission was accomplished in 189 Earth orbits, traveling 4.7 million miles in 284 hours and 27 minutes.

STS-98 (February 7-20, 2001) continued the task of building and enhancing the International Space Station by delivering the U.S. laboratory module Destiny. The Shuttle spent seven days docked to the station while Destiny was attached. In helping to complete its assembly Curbeam logged over 19 hours EVA hours in 3 space walks. The crew also relocated a docking port, and delivered supplies and equipment to the resident Expedition-1 crew. Mission duration was 12 days, 21 hours, 20 minutes.

Brian Duffy (Colonel, USAF, Ret.), NASA Astronaut (former), VP / Assoc. Program Manager,
Lockheed Martin Space Operations
Brian Duffy is currently Vice President and Associate Program Manager for Lockheed Martin Space Operations. He is responsible for the Consolidated Space Operations Contract (CSOC) activities at the Kennedy Space Center. These activities include the development and verification of software that is the heart of the new Checkout and Launch Control System, as well as the operation and maintenance of the communication systems and computer networks for the Center. Duffy joined Lockheed Martin in May 2001.

Prior to joining the Corporation, Duffy spent 16 years with NASA as an astronaut and in senior leadership positions. In October 2000, he commanded STS-92, an International Space Station assembly mission. He was also the commander of STS-72, and the pilot of STS-45 and STS-57. During his tenure at the Johnson Space Center (JSC), he served in management positions of increasing responsibility including the JSC Deputy Director (Acting) and Assistant Director (Technical).

Before joining NASA, Duffy served as a test pilot and was the Director of F-15 flight tests at Eglin AFB in Florida. There he managed a fleet of uniquely modified aircraft to increase the effectiveness of the F-15. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel in July 2001 after completing a 26-year career. During his career he logged over 5,000 flight hours in more than 25 different aircraft. He received many awards including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Duffy holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from the United States Air Force Academy (1975) and a master of science degree in systems management (1982) from the University of Southern California. He is a distinguished graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School and the Air Force's Undergraduate Pilot Training program.

Michael L. Gernhardt, Ph.D., NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Dr. Gernhardt was selected by NASA in March 1992, and reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992. Technical assignments to date include: flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL); development of nitrox diving to support training for the Hubble Space Telescope repair and on a variety of Space Station EVA developments; member of the astronaut support team at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, responsible for Shuttle prelaunch vehicle checkout, crew ingress/egress; spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) at Mission Control Center, Houston, during various Shuttle missions; currently leading an international effort to develop new prebreathe procedures for future spacewalks from an International Space Station.

A four flight veteran, Dr. Gernhardt has logged over 43 days in space, including 4 spacewalks totaling 23 hours and 16 minutes. He was a mission specialist on STS-69 in 1995, STS-83 in 1997, STS-94 in 1997 and STS-104 in 2001.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-69 (September 7-18, 1995) whose prime objective was the successful deployment and retrieval of a SPARTAN satellite and the Wake Shield Facility (WSF). The WSF was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of using this free-flying experiment to grow semiconductors, high temperature superconductors and other materials using the ultra-high vacuum created behind the spacecraft near the experiment package. Dr. Gernhardt was one of two astronauts to perform a spacewalk to evaluate future Space Station tools and hardware, logging 6 hours and 46 minutes of EVA. Mission duration was 260 hours, 29 minutes, and 8 seconds, traveling 4.5 million miles in 171 orbits of the Earth.

STS-83 (April 4-8, 1997) the Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) Spacelab mission, was cut short because of problems with one of the Shuttle's three fuel cell power generation units. Mission duration was 95 hours and 12 minutes, traveling 1.5 million miles in 63 orbits of the Earth.

STS-94 (July 1-17, 1997) was a re-flight of the Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) Spacelab mission, and focused on materials and combustion science research in microgravity. Mission duration was 376 hours and 45 minutes, traveling 6.3 million miles in 251 orbits of the Earth.

STS-104 (July 12-24, 2001) was the 10th mission to the International Space Station (ISS). During the 13-day flight the crew conducted joint operations with the Expedition-2 crew. Dr. Gernhardt was one of two astronauts to perform three spacewalks to install the joint airlock "Quest" and to outfit it with four high-pressure gas tanks. The mission was accomplished in 200 Earth orbits, traveling 5.3 million miles in 306 hours and 35 minutes.

Yuri Pavlovich Gidzenko (Lieutenant Colonel, Air Force Russia), Cosmonaut of the Y.A. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
NASA Experience: Gidzenko was a member of the Expedition-1 crew, launching October 31, 2000 on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan, and successfully docking with the station on November 2, 2000. During their stay on the station they prepared the inside of the orbital outpost for future crews. They also saw the station grow in size with the installation of the U.S. solar array structure and the U.S. Destiny Laboratory Module. They left the station with the STS-102 crew, undocking from the station on March 18, and landing at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on March 21, 2001. In completing his first mission, Gidzenko logged over 141 days in space.

Umberto Guidoni, Ph.D., Astronaut (European Space Agency)
NASA Experience: In 1994, Umberto Guidoni was assigned to serve as a payload specialist on the crew of STS-75/TSS-1R. Selected by ASI to attend NASA Astronaut Candidate Training, Dr. Guidoni reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. He completed two years of training and evaluation, and was initially assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office, pending flight assignment as a mission specialist. In August 1998, Dr. Guidoni joined the Astronaut Corps of the European Space Agency (ESA) based at the European Astronauts Center (EAC) in Cologne, Germany. A veteran of two space flights, Dr. Guidoni has logged over 681 hours in space. He flew as a payload specialist on STS-75 (1996) and was a mission specialist on STS-100 (2001).

Spaceflight Experience: STS-75 Columbia (February 22 to March 9, 1996) was a 16-day mission whose principal payloads were the reflight of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS) and the third flight of the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-3). The TSS successfully demonstrated the ability of tethers to produce electricity. The TSS experiment produced a wealth of new information on the electrodynamics of tethers and plasma physics before the tether broke at 19.7 km, just shy of the 20.7 km goal. The crew also worked around the clock performing combustion experiments and research related to USMP-3 microgravity investigations. STS-75 was completed in 252 orbits covering 6.5 million miles in 377 hours and 40 minutes.

STS-100 Endeavour (April 19 to May 1, 2001) was the 9th mission to the International Space Station during which the crew successfully delivered and installed the Canadarm2 Robotic Arm supplied by the Canadian Space Agency. They also delivered more than 6,000 pounds of supplies and equipment from the Italian-built Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. The mission was accomplished in 186 Earth orbits, travelling 4.9 million miles in 283 hours and 30 minutes.

Chris A. Hadfield (Colonel, CAF) Astronaut (Canadian Space Agency)
NASA Experience: In November 1995, Colonel Hadfield served as Mission Specialist #1 on STS-74, NASA's second space shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the 8-day flight the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis attached a 5-tonne docking module to Mir and transferred over 1,000 kg of food, water and scientific supplies for use by the cosmonauts. Colonel Hadfield flew as the first Canadian mission specialist, the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit, and the only Canadian to ever be aboard Mir. The STS-74 Mission was accomplished in 129 orbits of the Earth, travelling 5.5 million kilometres in 196 hours, 30 minutes, 44 seconds.

In April 2001, Colonel Hadfield served as Mission Specialist #1 on STS-100, International Space Station assembly Flight 6A. The crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour delivered and installed the new Canadian-built Robot Arm, Canadarm2, as well as the Italian-made resupply module Raffaello. During the flight, Hadfield performed two spacewalks, which made him the first Canadian to ever leave a spacecraft, and float free in space. In total, Colonel Hadfield spent 14 hours, 54 minutes outside-10 times around the world. The entire STS-100 Mission was accomplished in 187 orbits of the Earth, travelling 7.9 million kilometres in 285 hours, 30 minutes.

Currently, Colonel Hadfield is living in Star City, Russia, as NASA's Director of Operations at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. As NASA's lead representative his work includes co-ordination and direction of all Space Station Crew activities in Russia, oversight of training and crew support staff, as well as policy negotiation with the Russian Space Program and other International Partners.

Susan J. Helms (Colonel, USAF) NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in January 1990, Helms became an astronaut in July 1991. A veteran of five space flights, Helms has logged over 206 days in space. She flew on STS-54 in 1993, STS-64 in 1994, STS-78 in 1996, STS-101 in 2000, and most recently served aboard the International Space Station and a member of the Expedition-2 crew.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-54 Endeavor, January 13-19, 1993. The primary objective of this mission was the deploy of a $200-million NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-F). A Diffuse X-Ray Spectrometer (DXS) carried in the payload bay, collected over 80,000 seconds of quality X-ray data that will enable investigators to answer questions about the origin of the Milky Way galaxy. The crew demonstrated the physics principles of everyday toys to an interactive audience of elementary school students across the United States. A highly successful Extravehicular Activity (EVA) resulted in many lessons learned that will benefit Space Station Freedom assembly. Mission duration was 5 days, 23 hours, 38 minutes, 17 seconds.

STS-64 Discovery, September 9-20, 1994. On this flight, Helms served as the flight engineer for orbiter operations and the primary RMS operator aboard Space Shuttle. The major objective of this flight was to validate the design and operating characteristics of Lidar in Space Technology Experiment (LITE) by gathering data about the Earth's troposphere and stratosphere. Additional objectives included the deploy and retrieval of SPARTAN-201, a free-flying satellite that investigated the physics of the solar corona, and the testing of a new EVA maneuvering device. The Shuttle Plume Impingement Flight Experiment (SPIFEX) was used to collect extensive data on the effects of jet thruster impingement, in preparation for proximity tasks such as space station docking. Mission duration was 10 days, 22 hours, 51 minutes.

STS-78 Columbia, June 20 to July 7, 1996, Helms was the payload commander and flight engineer aboard Columbia, on the longest Space Shuttle mission to date. The mission included studies sponsored by 10 nations and five space agencies, and was the first mission to combine both a full microgravity studies agenda and a comprehensive life science investigation. The Life and Microgravity Spacelab mission served as a model for future studies on board the International Space Station. Mission duration was 16 days, 21 hours, 48 minutes.

STS-101 Atlantis, May 19-29, 2000, was a mission dedicated to the delivery and repair of critical hardware for the International Space Station. Helms prime responsibilities during this mission were to perform critical repairs to extend the life of the Functional Cargo Block (FGB). In addition, she had prime responsibility of the onboard computer network and served as the mission specialist for rendezvous with the ISS. Mission duration was 9 days, 20 hours and 9 minutes.

Helms lived and worked onboard the International Space Station as a member of the second crew to inhabit the International Space Station. The Expedition-2 crew (2 American astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut) launched on March 8, 2001 onboard STS-102 Discovery and successfully docked with the station on March 9, 2001. The Expedition-2 crew installed and conducted tests on the Canadian made Space Station Robotic arm (SSRMS), unloaded the Italian made Logistics module, conducted internal and external maintenance tasks, in addition to medical and science experiments. During her stay onboard the Space Station, the STS-104 brought up the Airlock that was added to the Space Station. Helms was the SSRMS operator taking the Airlock from the Shuttle and berthing it to the Space Station. Helms spent a total of 163 days aboard the Space Station. She returned to Earth with the STS-105 crew aboard Discovery on August 22, 2001.

Charles Owen Hobaugh (Major, USMC)
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in April 1996, Hobaugh reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. He completed two years of training and evaluation, and is qualified for flight assignment as a pilot. Hobaugh was initially assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Spacecraft Systems/Operations Branch. Most recently he was the pilot on STS-104 and has logged a total of 12 days, 18 hours and 35 minutes in space.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-104 (July 12-24, 2001) was the 10th mission to the International Space Station (ISS). During the 13-day flight the crew conducted joint operations with the Expedition-2 crew and performed three spacewalks to install the joint airlock "Quest" and to outfit it with four high-pressure gas tanks. The mission was accomplished in 200 Earth orbits, traveling 5.3 million miles in 306 hours and 35 minutes.

Marsha S. Ivins, NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Ms. Ivins has been employed at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center since July 1974, and until 1980, was assigned as an engineer, working on orbiter displays and controls and man machine engineering. Her major assignment in 1978 was to participate in development of the Orbiter Head-Up Display (HUD). In 1980 she was assigned as a flight engineer on the Shuttle Training Aircraft (Aircraft Operations) and a co-pilot in the NASA administrative aircraft (Gulfstream-1).

Ms. Ivins holds a multi-engine Airline Transport Pilot License with Gulfstream-1 type rating, single engine airplane, land, sea, and glider commercial licenses, and airplane, instrument, and glider flight instructor ratings. She has logged over 6,000 hours in civilian and NASA aircraft.

Ms. Ivins was selected in the NASA Astronaut Class of 1984 as a mission specialist. Her technical assignments to date include: review of Orbiter safety and reliability issues; avionics upgrades to the Orbiter cockpit; software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL); Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control; crew representative for Orbiter photographic system and procedures; crew representative for Orbiter flight crew equipment issues; Lead of Astronaut Support Personnel team at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, supporting Space Shuttle launches and landings; crew representative for Space Station stowage, habitability, logistics, and transfer issues.

A veteran of five space flights, (STS-32 in 1990, STS-46 in 1992, STS-62 in 1994, STS-81 in 1997, and STS-98 in 2001), Ms. Ivins has logged over 1,318 hours in space.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-32 (January 9-20, 1990) launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on an eleven-day flight, during which crew members on board the Orbiter Columbia successfully deployed a Syncom satellite, and retrieved the 21,400 pound Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). Mission duration was 261 hours, 1 minute, and 38 seconds. Following 173 orbits of the Earth and 4.5 million miles, Columbia returned with a night landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

STS-46 (July 31-August 8, 1992) was an 8-day mission, during which crew members deployed the European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA) satellite, and conducted the first Tethered Satellite System (TSS) test flight. Mission duration was 191 hours, 16 minutes, and 7 seconds. Space Shuttle Atlantis and her crew launched and landed at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, completing 126 orbits of the Earth in 3.35 million miles.

STS-62 (March 4-18, 1994) was a 14-day mission for the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP) 2 and Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) 2 payloads. These payloads studied the effects of microgravity on materials sciences and other space flight technologies. Other experiments on board included demonstration of advanced teleoperator tasks using the remote manipulator system, protein crystal growth, and dynamic behavior of space structures. Mission duration was 312 hours, 23 minutes, and 16 seconds. Space Shuttle Columbia launched and landed at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, completing 224 orbits in 5.82 million miles.

STS-81 Atlantis (January 12-22, 1997) was a 10-day mission, the fifth to dock with Russia's Space Station Mir, and the second to exchange U.S. astronauts. The mission also carried the Spacehab double module providing additional middeck locker space for secondary experiments. In five days of docked operations more than three tons of food, water, experiment equipment and samples were moved back and forth between the two spacecraft. Following 160 orbits of the Earth the STS-81 mission concluded with a landing on Kennedy Space Center's Runway 33 ending a 3.9 million mile journey. Mission duration was 244 hours, 56 minutes.

STS-98 Atlantis February 7-20, 2001) continued the task of building and enhancing the International Space Station by delivering the U.S. laboratory module Destiny. The Shuttle spent seven days docked to the station while Destiny was attached and three spacewalks were conducted to complete its assembly. The crew also relocated a docking port, and delivered supplies and equipment to the resident Expedition-1 crew. Space Shuttle Atlantis returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Mission duration was 12 days, 21 hours, 20 minutes.

Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., NASA Astronaut
Experience: A Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Academy, Dr. Jones served on active duty as an Air Force officer for 6 years. After pilot training in Oklahoma, he flew strategic bombers at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. As pilot and aircraft commander of a B-52D Stratofortress, he led a combat crew of six, accumulating over 2,000 hours of jet experience before resigning as a captain in 1983.

From 1983 to 1988 he worked toward a Ph.D. at the University of Arizona in Tucson. His research interests included the remote sensing of asteroids, meteorite spectroscopy, and applications of space resources. From 1989 to 1990, he was a program management engineer in Washington, D.C., at the CIA's Office of Development and Engineering. In 1990 he joined Science Applications International Corporation in Washington, D.C. as a senior scientist. Dr. Jones performed advanced program planning for NASA's Solar System Exploration Division, investigating future robotic missions to Mars, asteroids, and the outer solar system.

After a year of training following his selection by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Jones became an astronaut in July 1991. In 1994 he flew as a mission specialist on successive flights of space shuttle Endeavour. First, in April 1994, he ran science operations on the "night shift" during STS-59, the first flight of the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL-1). Then, in October 1994, he was the payload commander on the SRL-2 mission, STS-68. Dr. Jones next flew in late 1996 on Columbia. Mission STS-80 successfully deployed and retrieved 2 science satellites, ORFEUS/SPAS and the Wake Shield Facility. While helping set a Shuttle endurance record of nearly 18 days in orbit, Dr. Jones used Columbia's robot arm to release the Wake Shield satellite and later grapple it from orbit. His latest space flight was aboard Atlantis on STS-98, in February 2001. Dr. Jones and his crew delivered the U.S. Destiny Laboratory Module to the Space Station, and he helped install the Lab in a series of 3 space walks lasting over 19 hours. The successful addition of Destiny gave the first Expedition Crew the largest space outpost in history and marked the start of onboard scientific research at the ISS. A veteran of four space flights, Dr. Jones has logged over 52 days (1,272 hours) in space, including 3 space walks totaling over 19 hours.

Janet Lynn Kavandi, Ph.D., NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Dr. Kavandi was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in December 1994 and reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. Following an initial year of training, she was assigned to the Payloads and Habitability Branch where she supported payload integration for the International Space Station. Dr. Kavandi served as a mission specialist on STS-91 (June 2-12, 1998) the 9th and final Shuttle-Mir docking mission, concluding the joint U.S./Russian Phase 1 program. Following the mission she worked as a CAPCOM (spacecraft communicator) in NASA's Mission Control Center. On her second mission, she served aboard STS-99 (February 11-22, 2000), the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, which mapped more than 47 million miles of the Earth's land surface to provide data for a highly accurate three-dimensional topographical map. Dr. Kavandi subsequently worked in the Robotics Branch where she trained on both the shuttle and space station robotic manipulator systems. Most recently, she served aboard STS-104/ISS Assembly Flight 7A (July 12 - 24, 2001) on the 10th mission to the International Space Station. The shuttle crew installed the joint airlock "Quest" and conducted joint operations with the Expedition-2 crew.

A three flight veteran, Dr. Kavandi has logged over 33 days in space, traveling over 13.1 million miles in 535 Earth orbits.

James L. Kelly (Lt. Colonel, USAF) NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in April 1996, Kelly reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. Having completed two years of training and evaluation, he is qualified for selection as a pilot on a Space Shuttle flight crew. Initially, Kelly was assigned to the Astronaut Office Flight Support Branch where he served as a member of the Astronaut Support Personnel team responsible for shuttle launch preparation. Kelly was the pilot on STS-102 and has logged over 307 hours in space. Currently, he is assigned as pilot on STS-114 scheduled to launch in late 2002.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-102 Discovery (March 8-21, 2001) was the eighth Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station. Mission accomplishments included the delivery of the Expedition-2 crew and the contents of the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, the completion of two successful space walks, the return to Earth of the Expedition-1 crew, as well as the return of Leonardo, the reusable cargo carrier built by the Italian Space Agency. Mission duration was 307 hours and 49 minutes.

Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, Russian Cosmonaut
NASA Experience: In October 1992, NASA announced that an experienced cosmonaut would fly aboard a future Space Shuttle mission. Krikalev was one of two candidates named by the Russian Space Agency for mission specialist training with the crew of STS-60. In April 1993, he was assigned as prime mission specialist. In September 1993, Vladimir Titov was selected to fly on STS-63 with Krikalev training as his back up.

Krikalev flew on STS-60, the first joint U.S./Russian Space Shuttle Mission. Launched on February 3, 1994, STS-60 was the second flight of the Space Habitation Module-2 (Spacehab-2), and the first flight of the Wake Shield Facility (WSF-1). During the 8-day flight, the crew of Discovery conducted a wide variety of materials science experiments, both on the Wake Shield Facility and in the Spacehab, Earth observation, and life science experiments. Krikalev conducted significant portions of the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) operations during the flight. Following 130 orbits of the Earth in 3,439,705 miles, STS-60 landed at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on February 11, 1994. With the completion of this flight, Krikalev logged an additional 8 days, 7 hours, 9 minutes in space.

Krikalev returned to duty in Russia following his American experience on STS-60. Periodically he returned to the Johnson Space Center in Houston to work with CAPCOM in Mission Control and ground controllers in Russia supporting joint U.S./Russian Missions. To date he has supported STS-63, STS-71, STS-74 and STS-76.

Krikalev flew on STS-88 Endeavour (December 4-15, 1998), the first International Space Station assembly mission. During the 12-day mission the Unity module was mated with Zarya module. Two crew members performed three space walks to connect umbilicals and attach tools/hardware for use in future EVAs. The crew also performed IMAX Cargo Bay Camera (ICBC) operations, and deployed two satellites, Mighty Sat 1 and SAC-A. The mission was accomplished in 185 orbits of the Earth in 283 hours and 18 minutes.

Krikalev was a member of the Expedition-1 crew. They launched October 31, 2000 on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan, successfully docking with the station on November 2, 2000. During their stay on the station they prepared the inside of the orbital outpost for future crews. They also saw the station grow in size with the installation of the U.S. solar array structure and the U.S. Destiny Laboratory Module. They left the station with the STS-102 crew, undocking from the station on March 18, with landing at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on March 21, 2001. In completing his fifth space flight, Krikalev logged more than 1 year, 5 months and 10 days in space, including seven EVAs.

Steven W. Lindsey (Lt. Colonel, USAF) NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in December 1994, Lindsey became an astronaut in May 1996, qualified for flight assignment as a pilot. Initially assigned to flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), Lindsey also served as the Astronaut Office representative working on the Multifunction Electronic Display System (MEDS) program, a glass cockpit Space Shuttle upgrade program, as well as a number of other advanced upgrade projects. Lindsey also served as Deputy for Shuttle Operations and Co-Chairman of the Space Shuttle Cockpit Council, responsible for designing and implementing an advanced Shuttle cockpit. In between flights he worked as the Shuttle Landing and Rollout representative responsible for training flight crews and testing orbiter landing techniques and flying qualities. A veteran of three space flights, Lindsey has logged over 896 hours in space. He flew as pilot on STS-87 in 1997 and STS-95 in 1998, and was mission commander on STS-104 in 2001.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-87 (November 19 to December 5, 1997) was the fourth U.S Microgravity Payload flight and focused on experiments designed to study how the weightless environment of space affects various physical processes, and on observations of the Sun's outer atmospheric layers. Two members of the crew performed an EVA (spacewalk) which featured the manual capture of a Spartan satellite, and tested EVA tools and procedures for future Space Station assembly. During the EVA, Lindsey piloted the first flight of the AERCam Sprint, a free-flying robotic camera. The mission was accomplished in 252 orbits of the Earth, traveling 6.5 million miles in 376 hours and 34 minutes.

STS-95 (October 29 to November 7, 1998) was a 9-day mission during which the crew supported a variety of research payloads including deployment and retrieval of the Spartan solar-observing spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test Platform, and investigations on space flight and the aging process. The mission was accomplished in 134 Earth orbits, traveling 3.6 million miles in 213 hours and 44 minutes.

STS-104 (July 12-24, 2001), designated assembly mission 7A, was the 10th mission to the International Space Station (ISS). During the 13-day flight the crew conducted joint operations with the Expedition-2 crew and performed three spacewalks to install the ISS joint airlock Quest and to outfit it with four high-pressure gas tanks. In addition to installing and activating the joint airlock, the crew also performed the first spacewalk from Quest. The mission was accomplished in 200 Earth orbits, traveling 5.3 million miles in 306 hours and 35 minutes.

Yuri Valentinovich Lonchakov (Lieutenant Colonel, Russian Air Force) Test -Cosmonaut Candidate of Y.A. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
Experience: After graduation from the pilot school Lonchakov served as a second crew commander, crew commander, squadron senior pilot, aviation brigade commander in the Air Force. He flew L-29, Tu-134 and Tu-16 aircraft. Lonchakov has logged over 1400 hours of flight time. He is a Class 1 Air Force pilot and a paratroop training instructor. Lonchakov was selected as a test-cosmonaut candidate of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center Cosmonaut Office in December of 1997.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-100 Endeavour (April 19 to May 1, 2001) was the 9th mission to the International Space Station during which the crew successfully delivered and installed the Canadarm2 Robotic Arm supplied by the Canadian Space Agency. They also delivered more than 6,000 pounds of supplies and equipment from the Italian-built Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. In completing his first space flight, Lonchakov travelled 4.9 million miles in 186 Earth orbits, logging 283 hours and 30 minutes in space.

Michael E. Lopez-Alegria (Commander, USN) NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in March 1992, Lopez-Alegria reported for training to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992. Following one year of training and designation as an astronaut, he was assigned as the Astronaut Office technical point of contact to the Space Shuttle Orbiter, Main Engine, Solid Rocket Booster and External Tank projects. He was subsequently assigned to the Kennedy Space Center where he provided crew representation on orbiter processing issues and provided direct crew support during launches and landings. Following his first space flight he served as NASA Director of Operations at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City, Russia. A veteran of two space flights, STS-73 in 1995 and STS92 in 2000, Lopez-Alegria has logged a total of 27 days, 43 hours, 32 minutes and 46 seconds in space, including 14 hours and 3 minutes in two space walks. Currently, he is assigned to STS-113 scheduled to launch in 2002.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-73 Columbia (October 20 to November 5, 1995) was launched from and returned to land at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. STS-73 was the second United States Microgravity Laboratory mission and focused on materials science, biotechnology, combustion science, the physics of fluids, and numerous scientific experiments housed in the pressurized Spacelab module. Lopez-Alegria served as the flight engineer during the ascent and entry phases of flight, and was responsible for all operations of the "blue" shift on orbit. The STS-73 mission was completed in 15 days, 21 hours, 52 minutes and 21 seconds and travelled over 6 million miles in 256 Earth orbits.

STS-92 Discovery (October 11-24, 2000) was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the 13-day flight, the seven member crew attached the Z1 Truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 to the International Space Station using Discovery's robotic arm and performed four space walks to configure these elements. This expansion of the ISS opened the door for future assembly missions and prepared the station for its first resident crew. Lopez-Alegria totalled 14 hours and 3 minutes of EVA time in two space walks. The STS-92 mission was accomplished in 202 orbits, travelling 5.3 million miles in 12 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes and 25 seconds.

William Surles "Bill" McArthur, Jr. (Colonel, USA, Ret.) NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: McArthur was assigned to NASA at the Johnson Space Center in August 1987 as a Space Shuttle vehicle integration test engineer. Duties involved engineering liaison for launch and landing operations of the Space Shuttle. He was actively involved in the integrated test of the flight control system for each Orbiter for its return to flight and was a member of the Emergency Escape and Rescue Working Group. Selected by NASA in January 1990, McArthur became an astronaut in July 1991. Since then, McArthur has held various assignments within the Astronaut Office including: working issues relating to the solid rocket booster, redesigned solid rocket motor, and the advanced solid rocket motor. He served as Chief of the Astronaut Office Flight Support Branch, supervising astronaut support of the Mission Control Center, prelaunch Space Shuttle processing, and launch and landing operations. McArthur also served as Director of Operations, Russia, overseeing training activities for astronauts in Star City. A veteran of three space flights, McArthur has logged 35 days, 2 hours, 25 minutes and 10 seconds in space, including 13 hours and 16 minutes of EVA time in two space walks. McArthur is currently assigned to the Expedition-8 crew, a long duration flight to the International Space Station, to take place during the spring and summer of 2003.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-58 Columbia (October 18 - November 1, 1993) was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the mission the crew performed neurovestibular, cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and musculoskeletal medical experiments on themselves and 48 rats, expanding our knowledge of human and animal physiology both on Earth and in space flight. In addition, the crew performed 16 engineering tests aboard the Orbiter Columbia and 20 Extended Duration Orbiter Medical Project experiments. Additionally, the crew made extensive contacts with school children and amateur radio operators around the world through the Shuttle Amateur Radio experiment. The STS-58 mission was accomplished in 225 orbits of the Earth in 336 hours, 13 minutes, 01 second.

STS-74 Atlantis (November 12-20, 1995) was NASA's second Space Shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. STS-74 was launched from and returned to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During the 8-day flight the crew successfully attached a permanent docking module to Mir, conducted experiments on a number of secondary payloads, and transferred one and a half tons of supplies between Atlantis and Mir. The STS-74 mission was accomplished in 129 orbits of the Earth, travelling 3.4 million miles in 196 hours, 30 minutes, 44 seconds.

STS-92 Discovery (October 11-24, 2000) was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the 13-day flight, the seven-member crew attached the Z1 Truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 to the International Space Station using Discovery's robotic arm and performed four space walks to configure these elements. This expansion of the ISS opened the door for future assembly missions and prepared the station for its first resident crew. McArthur's EVA time totalled 13 hours and 16 minutes. The STS-92 mission was accomplished in 202 orbits, travelling 5.3 million miles in 12 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes and 25 seconds.

Pamela Ann Melroy (Lieutenant Colonel, USAF) NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in December 1994, Melroy reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. She completed a year of training and evaluation and is qualified for flight assignment as a shuttle pilot. Initially assigned to astronaut support duties for launch and landing, she has also worked Advanced Projects for the Astronaut Office. She was the pilot on STS-92 in 2000 and has logged over 309 hours in space. Melroy is assigned as pilot on STS-112 scheduled to launch in 2002.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-92 Discovery (October 11-24, 2000) was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the 13-day flight, the seven member crew attached the Z1 Truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 to the International Space Station using Discovery's robotic arm and performed four space walks to configure these elements. This expansion of the ISS opened the door for future assembly missions and prepared the station for its first resident crew. The STS-92 mission was accomplished in 202 orbits, travelling 5.3 million miles in 12 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes and 25 seconds.

Scott E. Parazynski, MD, NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in March 1992, Dr. Parazynski reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992. He completed one year of training and evaluation, and was qualified as a mission specialist. Dr. Parazynski initially served as one of the crew representatives for extravehicular activity (EVA) in the Astronaut Office Mission Development Branch. Following his first flight he was assigned as a backup for the third American long-duration stay aboard Russia's Space Station Mir, and was expected to serve as a prime crew member on a subsequent mission. He spent 5-months in training at the Gargarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City, Russia. In October 1995, when sitting-height parameters raised concerns about his fitting safely in the Soyuz vehicle in the event of an emergency on-board the Mir station, he was deemed too tall for the mission and was withdrawn from Mir training. He served as the Astronaut Office Operations Planning Branch crew representative for Space Shuttle, Space Station and Soyuz training, was assigned to the Astronaut Office EVA Branch, helping to develop tools and procedures for the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS), and also served as Deputy (Operations and Training) of the Astronaut Office ISS Branch. A veteran of four space flights, STS-66 (1994), STS-86 (1997), STS-95 (1998) and STS-100 (2001), Dr. Parazynski has logged over 1,019 hours (6 weeks) in space, including 20 hours of EVA, and traveled over 17 million miles.

Spaceflight Experience: The STS-66 Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-3 (ATLAS-3) mission was launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on November 3, 1994, and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on November 14, 1994. ATLAS-3 was part of an on-going program to determine the Earth's energy balance and atmospheric change over an 11-year solar cycle, particularly with respect to humanity's impact on global-ozone distribution. Dr. Parazynski had responsibility for a number of on-orbit activities including operation of the ATLAS experiments and Spacelab Pallet, as well as several secondary experiments in the crew cabin. He and his crewmates also successfully evaluated the Interlimb Resistance Device, a free-floating exercise he developed to prevent musculoskeletal atrophy in microgravity. The Space Shuttle Atlantis circled the Earth 175 times and traveled over 4.5 million miles during its 262 hour and 34 minute flight.

STS-86 Atlantis (September 25 to October 6, 1997) was the seventh mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. Highlights of the mission included the exchange of U.S. crew members Mike Foale and David Wolf, the transfer of 10,400 pounds of science and logistics, and the first Shuttle-based joint American-Russian spacewalk. Dr. Parazynski served as the flight engineer (MS2) during the flight, and was also the navigator during the Mir rendezvous. Dr. Parazynski (EV1) and Russian cosmonaut Vladimir Titov performed a 5 hour, 1 minute spacewalk during which they retrieved four experiment packages first deployed during the STS-76 Shuttle-Mir docking mission. They also deployed the Spektr Solar Array Cap, which was designed to be used in a future Mir spacewalk to seal a leak in the Spektr module's damaged hull. Other objectives of EVA included the evaluation of common EVA tools to be used by astronauts wearing either Russian or American-made spacesuits, and a systems flight test of the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER). The Space Shuttle Atlantis circled the Earth 169 times and traveled over 4.2 million miles during its 259 hour and 21 minute flight, landing at the Kennedy Space Center.

STS-95 Discovery (October 29 to November 7, 1998) was a 9-day mission during which the crew supported a variety of research payloads including deployment of the Spartan solar-observing spacecraft, and the testing of the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test Platform. The crew also conducted investigations on the correlation between space flight and the aging process. Dr. Parazynski was the flight engineer (MS2) for the mission, as well as the navigator for the Spartan spacecraft rendezvous. During the flight, he also operated the Shuttle's robotic arm in support of the testing of several space-vision systems being considered for ISS assembly. In addition, he was responsible for monitoring several life sciences investigations, including those involving crewmate-Senator John Glenn. The mission was accomplished in 134 Earth orbits, traveling 3.6 million miles in 213 hours and 44 minutes.

STS-100 Endeavour (April 19 to May 1, 2001) was the 9th mission to the International Space Station (ISS) Alpha during which the crew successfully delivered and installed the Space Station "Canadarm2" robotic arm, to be used for all future Space Station assembly and maintenance tasks. Dr. Parazynski conducted two spacewalks with Canadian colleague Chris Hadfield to assemble and power the next generation robotic arm. Additionally, the pair installed a new UHF radio antenna for space-to-space communications during Space Shuttle rendezvous and ISS extravehicular activity. A critical on-orbit spare, a direct current switching unit, was also transferred to Alpha during the 14 hours and 50 minutes of EVA work. Also during the flight, Dr. Parazynski operated Endeavour's robotic arm to install and later remove the Italian-built "Raffaello" Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. The mission was accomplished in 186 Earth orbits, traveling 4.9 million miles in 283 hours and 30 minutes.

Mark L. Polansky, NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Polansky joined NASA in August 1992, as an aerospace engineer and research pilot. He was assigned to the Aircraft Operations Division of the Johnson Space Center. His primary responsibilities involved teaching the astronaut pilots Space Shuttle landing techniques in the Shuttle Trainer Aircraft and instructing astronaut pilots and mission specialists in the T-38 aircraft. Polansky also conducted flight testing of the NASA T-38 avionics upgrade aircraft.

Selected by NASA in April 1996, Polansky reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. Having completed two years of training and evaluation, he was assigned as a member of the Astronaut Support Personnel team at the Kennedy Space Center, supporting Space Shuttle launches and landings. Most recently, Polansky served as pilot on STS-98 Atlantis (February 7-20, 2001). The STS-98 crew continued the task of building and enhancing the International Space Station by delivering the U.S. laboratory module Destiny. The Shuttle spent seven days docked to the station while Destiny was attached and three spacewalks were conducted to complete its assembly. The crew also relocated a docking port, and delivered supplies and equipment to the resident Expedition-1 crew. Mission duration was 12 days, 21 hours, 20 minutes.

James F. Reilly II, Ph.D., NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in December 1994, Reilly reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995, has completed a year of training and evaluation, and is qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. Initially, he was assigned to work technical issues for the Astronaut Office Computer Support Branch. Reilly flew on STS-89 in 1998 and STS-104 in 2001. He has logged over 517 hours in space, including 3 spacewalks totaling 16 hours and 30 minutes.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-89 (January 22-31, 1998) was the eighth Shuttle-Mir docking mission during which the crew transferred more than 9,000 pounds of scientific equipment, logistical hardware and water from Space Shuttle Endeavour to Mir. In the fifth and last exchange of a U.S. astronaut, STS-89 delivered Andy Thomas to Mir and returned with David Wolf. Mission duration was 8 days, 19 hours and 47 seconds, traveling 3.6 million miles in 138 orbits of the Earth.

Paul William Richards, NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in April 1996, Richards reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. Having completed two years of training and evaluation, he is qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. Richards was initially assigned to the Computer Branch working on software for the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. He next served in the Astronaut Office Shuttle Operations Branch assigned to support Payload and General Support Computers (PGSCs) and the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL). Richards flew on STS-102 and has logged over 307 hours in space, including 6.4 EVA hours. He is currently assigned as a back-up crewmember for ISS Expedition-7.

Spaceflight Experience: STS -102 Discovery (March 8-21, 2001) was the eighth Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station. Mission accomplishments included the delivery of the Expedition-2 crew and the contents of the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, the return to Earth of the Expedition-1 crew, as well as the return of Leonardo, the reusable cargo carrier built by the Italian Space Agency. Richards performed an EVA totaling 6 hours and 21 minutes. Mission duration was 307 hours and 49 minutes.
JANUARY 2002

William M. Shepherd (Captain, USN) NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in May 1984. A veteran of four space flights, Shepherd has logged over 159 days in space. Most recently, he was the Commander of the Expedition-1 crew on the International Space Station (October 31, 2000 to March 21, 2001). Earlier he made three flights as a mission specialist on STS-27 (December 2-6, 1988), STS-41 (October 6-10, 1990) and STS-52 (October 22 to November 1, 1992). From March 1993 to January 1996, Shepherd was assigned to the Space Station Program and served in various management positions.

Joseph R. "Joe" Tanner, NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Tanner started working for NASA Johnson Space Center in 1984 as an aerospace engineer and research pilot. His primary flying responsibilities involved teaching the astronaut pilots Space Shuttle landing techniques in the Shuttle Training Aircraft and instructing the pilots and mission specialists in the T-38. In addition to his flying duties, Tanner held positions as the aviation safety officer, the head of the pilot section, and the Deputy Chief of the Aircraft Operations Division (AOD). He has accumulated more than 7,500 hours in military and NASA aircraft.

Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in March 1992, Tanner reported to the Astronaut Office in August 1992. He completed one year of initial training and worked in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory before being assigned to his first mission. Tanner also served as part of the Astronaut Support Personnel team at the Kennedy Space Center, supporting Space Shuttle launches and landings. A veteran of three space flights Tanner has logged over 742 hours in space, including over 33 EVA hours in 5 space walks. He flew on STS-66 in 1994, STS-82 in 1997 and STS-97 in 2000.

Spaceflight Experience: Tanner flew aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-66, November 3-14, 1994, performing the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-3 (ATLAS-3) mission. ATLAS-3 was the third in a series of flights to study the Earth's atmosphere composition and solar effects at several points during the Sun's 11-year cycle. The mission also carried the CRISTA-SPAS satellite that was deployed to study the chemical composition of the middle atmosphere and retrieved later in the mission. Tanner logged 262 hours and 34 minutes in space and 175 orbits of the Earth.

Tanner performed two space walks as a member of the STS-82 crew to service the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in February, 1997. The STS-82 crew of 7 launched aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on February 11 and returned to a night landing at Kennedy Space Center on February 21. During the flight the crew completed a total of 5 space walks to improve the science capability of the telescope and replace aging support equipment, restoring HST to near perfect working condition. The crew boosted HST's orbit by 8 nautical miles before releasing it to once again study the universe. Tanner's two space walks totaled 14 hours and 01 minutes. The flight orbited the Earth 150 times covering 4.1 million miles in 9 days, 23 hours, 37 minutes.

STS-97 Endeavour (November 30 to December December 11, 2000) was the fifth Space Shuttle mission dedicated to the assembly of the International Space Station. While docked to the Station, the crew installed the first set of U.S. solar arrays, performed three space walks, in addition to delivering supplies and equipment to the station's first resident crew. Mission duration was 10 days, 19 hours, 57 minutes, and traveled 4.47 million miles.

Andrew S.W. Thomas, Ph.D., NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Dr. Thomas was selected by NASA in March 1992 and reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992. In August 1993, following one year of training, he was appointed a member of the astronaut corp. and was qualified for assignment as a mission specialist on Space Shuttle flight crews.

While awaiting space flight assignment, Dr. Thomas supported shuttle launch and landing operations as an Astronaut Support Person (ASP) at the Kennedy Space Center. He also provided technical support to the Space Shuttle Main Engine project, the Solid Rocket Motor project and the External Tank project at the Marshall Space Flight Center. In June 1995 Dr. Thomas was named as payload commander for STS-77 and flew his first flight in space on Endeavour in May 1996. He next trained at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia in preparation for a long-duration flight. In 1998, he served as Board Engineer 2 aboard the Russian Space Station Mir for 130 days. Dr. Thomas recently completed his third space flight on STS-102 and has logged over 163 days in space.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-77 was a 10-day mission during which the crew deployed two satellites, tested a large inflatable space structure on orbit and conducted a variety of scientific experiments in a Spacehab laboratory module carried in Endeavour's payload bay. The flight was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on May 19, 1996 and completed 160 orbits 153 nautical miles above the Earth while traveling 4.1 million miles and logging 240 hours and 39 minutes in space.

On January 22, 1998, Dr. Thomas launched aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour as part of the STS-89 crew to dock with the Mir Space Station. He served aboard Mir as Flight Engineer 2 and returned to Earth with the crew of STS-91 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on June 12, 1998, completing 141 days in space and 2,250 orbits of the Earth.

STS-102 Discovery (March 8-21, 2001) was the eighth Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station and Dr. Thomas's third flight. Mission accomplishments included the delivery of the Expedition-2 crew and logistics resupply with the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, and the return to Earth of the Expedition-1 crew. During the mission, Dr. Thomas performed an EVA of 6.5 hours to install components to the outside of the space station. Mission duration was 307 hours and 49 minutes.

Yury Vladimirovich Usachev, Cosmonaut
NASA Experience: Served on the crew of STS-101, the third Shuttle mission devoted to International Space Station (ISS) construction. Most recently, he was the commander of the Expedition-2 crew. Launched on March 8, 2001 aboard STS-102 Discovery and successfully docked with the International Space Station on March 9, 2001, the Expedition-2 crew lived and worked aboard ISS for the next 163 days. They returned to Earth with the crew of STS-105 on August 22, 2001 on the Shuttle flight delivering the third Expedition crew. Altogether, he has logged over 670 days in space and has participated in 6 EVAs.

James S. Voss (Colonel, USA, Ret.) NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Voss has been working at the Johnson Space Center since November 1984. In his capacity as a Vehicle Integration Test Engineer, he supported Shuttle and payload testing at the Kennedy Space Center for STS 51-D, 51-F, 61-C and 51-L. He participated in the STS 51-L accident investigation, and supported the resulting reviews dedicated to returning the Space Shuttle safely to flight. Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in June 1987, Voss completed a one year training and evaluation program in August 1988, which qualified him for assignment as a mission specialist on Space Shuttle flights. He has worked as a flight crew representative in the area of Shuttle safety, as a CAPCOM, providing a communications interface between ground controllers and flight crews during simulations and Shuttle flights, and as the Astronaut Office Training Officer. Jim served as the back-up crew member for two missions to the Russian Space Station Mir. During this time he lived and trained for 2 years at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Voss served as a mission specialist on STS-44 in 1991 and STS-53 in 1992, was the payload commander on STS-69 in 1995, and again was a mission specialist on STS-101 in 2000. During 2001 he lived and worked aboard the International Space Station as a member of the Expedition-2 crew. A veteran of five space flights, Voss has logged 201 days in space, including four spacewalks totalling 22 hours and 35 minutes of EVA time.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-44 Atlantis (November 24 - December 1, 1991) launched at night from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida and returned to land on the lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The primary mission objective was accomplished with the successful deployment of a Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite with an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) rocket booster. In addition, the crew also conducted two Military Man in Space experiments, three radiation monitoring experiments, and numerous medical tests to support longer duration Shuttle flights. The mission was concluded after 110 orbits of the Earth in 166 hours, 50 minutes and 42 seconds.

STS-53 Discovery (December 2-9, 1992) launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The five man crew deployed the classified Department of Defense payload DOD-1 and also performed several Military Man in Space and NASA experiments. Mission duration was 115 orbits of the Earth in 175 hours, 19 minutes and 17 seconds.

STS-69 Endeavour (September 7-18, 1995) launched from and returned to land at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. On this mission Jim served as Payload Commander. The crew successfully deployed and retrieved a SPARTAN satellite and the Wake Shield Facility. Also on board was the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker payload, and numerous secondary payloads and medical experiments. Jim conducted an EVA (space walk) lasting 6 hours 46 minutes to test space suit modifications and to evaluate procedures and tools to be used to construct the International Space Station. Mission was accomplished in 171 orbits of the Earth in 260 hours and 28 minutes.

STS-101 Atlantis (May 19-29, 2000) was the third Shuttle mission devoted to International Space Station (ISS) construction. The crew transported and installed over 3,000 pounds of equipment and supplies, and repaired Station electrical and environmental control components. Jim conducted his second space walk lasting 6 hours and 44 minutes to complete Station assembly tasks. Mission duration was 155 orbits of the Earth in 236 hours and 9 minutes.

The Expedition-2 crew launched on March 8, 2001 aboard STS-102 Discovery and successfully docked with the International Space Station on March 9, 2001. As a member of the second crew to live on ISS, Voss served aboard the space station for a total of 163 days and returned to Earth with the STS-105 crew on August 22, 2001. During the expedition, Jim conducted spacewalks in both U.S. and Russian space suits and was the first person to operate the Space Station Robotic Manipulator System, Canadarm2. Other highlights of the mission included a Soyuz capsule flyaround, addition of the joint airlock to ISS and 5 visiting spacecraft. In completing this mission, Voss logged a total of 167 days in space, including 2 spacewalks totalling 9 hours and 5 minutes of EVA time.

Koichi Wakata, NASDA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Wakata reported to the NASA Johnson Space Center in August 1992. He completed one year of training and is qualified for assignment as a mission specialist on future Space Shuttle flight crews. Wakata's technical assignments to date include: payload science support for the Astronaut Office Mission Development Branch (April 1993 to February 1995); Space Shuttle flight software verification testing in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL, April to October 1994); Space Shuttle and Space Station Robotics for the Astronaut Office Robotics Branch (March 1996 to date). Wakata was the NASDA Assistant Payload Operation Director of the Manipulator Flight Demonstration, a robotic arm experiment for the Japanese Experiment Module of the International Space Station, on STS-85 (August 7-19, 1997).

Spaceflight Experience: STS-72 Endeavour (January 11-20, 1996). Wakata flew as the first Japanese mission specialist on this 9-day mission during which the crew retrieved the Space Flyer Unit (launched from Japan 10-months earlier), deployed and retrieved the OAST-Flyer, and conducted two spacewalks to demonstrate and evaluate techniques to be used in the assembly of the International Space Station. The STS-72 mission was completed in 142 orbits, travelling 3.7 million miles in 8 days, 22 hours and 40 seconds.

STS-92 Discovery (October 11-24, 2000) was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the 13-day flight, the seven member crew attached the Z1 Truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 to the International Space Station using Discovery's robotic arm and performed four space walks to configure these elements. This expansion of the ISS opened the door for future assembly missions and prepared the station for its first resident crew. The STS-92 mission was accomplished in 202 orbits, travelling 5.3 million miles in 12 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes and 25 seconds.

James D. Wetherbee (Capt. USN) NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in May 1984, Wetherbee became an astronaut in June 1985. Wetherbee is Director of the Flight Crew Operations Directorate. A veteran of five space flights, Wetherbee has logged over 1,262 hours in space. He was the pilot on STS-32 in 1990, and was the mission commander on STS-52 in 1992, STS-63 in 1995, STS-86 in 1997, and STS-102 in 2001. Wetherbee will serve as Commander of STS-113 scheduled to launch in 2002.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-32 Columbia (January 9-20, 1990) included the successful deployment of the Syncom IV-F5 satellite, and retrieval of the 21,400-pound Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) using the remote manipulator system (RMS). The crew also operated a variety of middeck experiments and conducted numerous medical test objectives, including in-flight aerobic exercise and muscle performance to evaluate human adaptation to extended duration missions. Mission duration was 173 orbits in 261 hours and 01 minute.

STS-52 Columbia (October 22 to November 1, 1992) successfully deployed the Laser Geodynamic Satellite (LAGEOS), a joint Italian-American project. The crew also operated the first U.S. Microgravity Payload (USMP) with French and American experiments, and successfully completed the initial flight tests of the Canadian-built Space Vision System (SVS). Mission duration was 236 hours and 56 minutes.

STS-63 Discovery (February 2-11, 1995), was the first joint flight of the new Russian-American Space Program. Mission highlights included the rendezvous with the Russian Space Station, Mir, operation of Spacehab, and the deployment and retrieval of Spartan 204. The mission was accomplished in 129 orbits in 198 hours and 29 minutes.

STS-86 Atlantis (September 25 to October 6, 1997) was the seventh mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. Highlights included the delivery of a Mir attitude control computer, the exchange of U.S. crew members Mike Foale and David Wolf, a spacewalk by Scott Parazynski and Vladimir Titov to retrieve four experiments first deployed on Mir during the STS-76 docking mission, the transfer to Mir of 10,400 pounds of science and logistics, and the return of experiment hardware and results to Earth. Mission duration was 169 orbits in 259 hours and 21 minutes.

STS-102 Discovery (March 8-21, 2001) was the eighth Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station. Mission accomplishments included the delivery of the Expedition-2 crew and the contents of the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, the completion of two successful space walks, the return to Earth of the Expedition-1 crew, as well as the return of Leonardo, the reusable cargo carrier built by the Italian Space Agency. Mission duration was 307 hours and 49 minutes.

Peter J.K. "Jeff" Wisoff, Ph.D., NASA Astronaut
NASA Experience: Selected by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Wisoff became an astronaut in July 1991. He is qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. His technical assignments to date include: spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control; flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL); co-ordinating flight crew equipment; evaluating extravehicular activity (EVA) equipment and techniques for the construction of the International Space Station; lead for the Payloads and Habitability Branch of the Astronaut Office. A veteran of four space flights, STS-57 in 1993, STS-68 in 1994, STS-81 in 1997 and STS-92 in 2000, Dr. Wisoff has logged a total of 42 days, 56 hours, 1 minute and 48 seconds in space, including 19 hours and 53 minutes of EVA time in three space walks.

Spaceflight Experience: STS-57 Endeavour (June 21 to July 1, 1993) launched from and returned to land at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The primary objective of this flight was the retrieval of the European Retrievable Carrier satellite (EURECA) using the RMS. Additionally, this mission featured the first flight of Spacehab, a commercially-provided mid-deck augmentation module for the conduct of microgravity experiments. Spacehab carried 22 individual flight experiments in materials and life sciences research. During the mission Wisoff conducted a 5-hour, 50-minute spacewalk during which the EURECA communications antennas were manually positioned for latching, and various extravehicular activity tools and techniques were evaluated for use on future missions. STS-57 was accomplished in 155 orbits of the Earth in 239 hours and 45 minutes.

STS-68 Endeavour (September 30 to October 11, 1994) was the Space Radar Lab-2 (SRL-2) mission. As part of NASA's Mission to Planet Earth, SRL-2 was the second flight of three advanced radars called SIR-C/X-SAR (Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar), and a carbon-monoxide pollution sensor, MAPS (Measurement of Air Pollution from Satellites). SIR-C/X-SAR and MAPS operated together in Endeavour's cargo bay to study Earth's surface and atmosphere, creating radar images of Earth's surface environment and mapping global production and transport of carbon monoxide pollution. Real-time crew observations of environmental conditions, along with over 14,000 photographs aided the science team in interpreting the SRL data. The SRL-2 mission was a highly successful test of technology intended for long-term environmental and geological monitoring of planet Earth. Following 183 orbits of the Earth in 269 hours and 46 minutes, the eleven-day mission ended with Space Shuttle Endeavour landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

STS-81 Atlantis (January 12-22, 1997) was a ten-day mission, the fifth to dock with Russia's Space Station Mir, and the second to exchange U.S. astronauts. The mission also carried the Spacehab double module providing additional mid-deck locker space for secondary experiments. In five days of docked operations more than three tons of food, water, experiment equipment and samples were moved back and forth between the two spacecraft. Following 160 orbits of the Earth in 244 hours, 55 minutes, the STS-81 mission concluded with a landing on Kennedy Space Center's Runway 33 ending a 3.9 million mile journey.

STS-92 Discovery (October 11-24, 2000) was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the 13-day flight, the seven member crew attached the Z1 Truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 to the International Space Station using Discovery's robotic arm and performed four space walks to configure these elements. This expansion of the ISS opened the door for future assembly missions and prepared the station for its first resident crew. Dr. Wisoff totalled 13 hours and 16 minutes of EVA time in two space walks. The STS-92 mission was accomplished in 202 orbits, travelling 5.3 million miles in 12 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes and 25 seconds.

ABOUT THE SPACE CAMERAS AND IMAX

Between December 1998 and August 2001, more than 69,000 feet (that's 13 miles) of 65mm film negative was flown into space for use in the two different IMAX® 3D space cameras designed specifically for use on the Space Station. These cameras were designed and built over a period of two-and-one-half years by MSM Design Inc. under the supervision of, and for, IMAX Corporation. The two cameras are known as the IMAX 3D Cargo Bay camera (ICBC3D) and the IMAX 3D camera (IMAX3D).

The ICBC3D system was hard mounted in the space shuttle cargo bay in its own environmentally sealed container to capture bird's eye views of spacewalks and Station assembly. The camera is remotely controlled by a laptop computer from inside the Station; this allows the 25 astronaut and cosmonaut filmmakers to frame their shots, select focus and exposures and choose from alternate camera lenses. The ICBC3D holds about eight minutes worth of film (5,400 feet) and could not be reloaded with new film during flight; the camera travelled up and down on the various shuttle missions and was reloaded after the shuttles returned to Earth.

The IMAX3D camera was specifically designed for filming within the ISS, moving from module to module to capture scenes of daily life on the inside. This camera is loaded with one 1220-ft. film roll that provides 108 seconds of filming time--which was removed after shooting and reloaded with new film by the in-orbit filmmakers. The IMAX3D remained on the Space Station for 337 days.

"IMAX Corporation is at the leading edge of technology and we are continuously finding ways to bring unique experiences to audiences around the world," says IMAX Corporation Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "These new cameras are a perfect example of this ingenuity. Only IMAX 3D technology can transport audiences to such extraordinary places, like the Space Station. When projected on to our six-story screens with 12,000 watts of surround-sound, these 3D images literally launch audiences into space to witness history in the making."

The primary difference between a traditional IMAX 3D camera and the space 3D camera is the technique of recording the 3D information. The traditional IMAX 3D camera records the left- and right-eye images on two separate strips of film, while the 3D space camera records the left- and right-eye images side by side on a single strip of film. This allows for a more compact camera design. (The customary two-strip 3D cameras are approximately the size of a safe and require four men to maneuver. With the breakthrough of the single-strip 3D technology, a considerably smaller camera could be designed--the IMAX 3D, without the video display and mounted handgrips, measures approximately 10" by 17" by 30". Because the ICBC3D was required to hold a greater amount of film between reloads, its finished size is a little smaller than a bar refrigerator.)

During development, the left- and right-eye images are separated back into two strips for the projected three-dimensional effect.

The technical breakthroughs in creating the IMAX 3D space cameras were the first steps necessary in achieving the goal of filming IMAX 3D in space and are part of a continuing commitment by IMAX Corporation to remain the leader in 3D film technology.

Recognition should also be given to Lockheed Martin and NASA for designing and building the ICBC3D container, providing the engineering support necessary to get the IMAX cameras certified for space, processing the camera hardware for flight and providing mission support for the IMAX filming activities. Most of all though, it is the astronauts who worked so hard with the IMAX cameras, under very demanding circumstances, to bring the experience of space back to Earth on film.

IMAX Corporation is the pioneer and leader of giant-screen large-format film and motion simulator entertainment. It is the leading provider of high-impact out-of-home high technology entertainment systems.

IMAX technology combines a variety of technological innovations: special cameras, special projectors, wide screens, specially-designed theatres with steeply raked seating and films shot on 65mm negative stock.

IMAX technology uses the largest commercial film format in motion picture history (70mm, 15-perforation), three times the size of regular 70mm and 10 times the size of conventional 35mm films projected in a normal movie theatre.

IMAX films are projected on giant screens (up to eight stories high), which extend beyond the moviegoer's peripheral vision--so big, in fact, that a whale can appear life-size--giving the moviegoer the sense of being right in the action.

The projectors utilized are some of the most advanced ever built and use IMAX's proprietary Rolling Loop technology. Each frame is positioned on fixed registration pins; the film is held firmly against the rear element of the lens by a vacuum. A 68 percent shutter transmits one-third more light than a conventional 50 per-cent shutter. In 1997, IMAX Corporation was awarded an Oscar®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' highest honor, for scientific and technical achievement.

IMAX theatres feature a patented digital audio technology with advanced circuits designed specifically to enhance sound clarity and depth of sound reproduction. IMAX sound also uses proprietary signal processing, amplification and loudspeaker design.

IMAX films are shown in specially-designed theatres where the seating decks are steeply raked, so that even a child's view is unobstructed and people can look up and down, as in real life.

IMAX 3D technology is acknowledged to be the best 3D in the world. IMAX has both a special 3D camera which incorporates two camera movements into one housing for use on land and an advanced 3D camera for filming in space. IMAX 3D presentations can be viewed using either IMAX 3D glasses with polarizing filters or electronic liquid-crystal shutter glasses.

With the IMAX 3D effect using polarized glasses, the images are projected onto a huge, flat screen via two polarized lenses that focus the separate left- and right-eye images of the two separate strips of film onto the screen. The audience wears polarized glasses which have the same polarizer alignment in each lens as the projector and this allows excellent alignment and picture steadiness.

Used to show left- and right-eye images of each scene, IMAX E3D (electronic liquid-crystal shutter) glasses sense an infra-red signal from the projection system. The shutters alternately open and close 48 times per second, allowing each eye to see the appropriate image. The theatre disappears as images float through the air, enveloping the viewer in the film.


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