posted 10-13-2004 12:46 AM               

quote:

---

NASA TV is airing extensive coverage as the new mission to the International Space Station begins and one draws to a close.

Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov begin their six-month Station stay, when they launch aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft Wednesday, at 11:06 p.m. EDT from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Russian Space Forces Test Cosmonaut Yuri Shargin joins Chiao and Sharipov on their outbound trip.

Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA Station Science Officer and Flight Engineer Mike Fincke return to Earth aboard another Soyuz Saturday, Oct. 23, about 8:32 p.m. EDT, after their six-month journey. Shargin will join them for the return flight, after spending about a week with both crews on the Station.

NASA TV Video Files, airing at noon EDT on Oct. 11, 12 and 13, will include highlights of pre-launch activities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Other NASA TV coverage (all times EDT):

Wednesday, Oct. 13: 9 a.m.: Expedition 10/Shargin Crew Pre-launch News Conference from Baikonur

10:15 p.m.: Expedition 10/Shargin Launch Coverage (launch scheduled at 11:06 p.m.)

Friday, Oct. 15: 11:30 p.m.: Expedition 10/Shargin ISS Docking Coverage (docking scheduled, 12:25 a.m. Oct. 16)

Saturday, Oct. 23: 1:30 p.m.: Expedition 9/Shargin Farewell and Hatch Closure Coverage (hatch closure scheduled at 2 p.m.)

4:30 p.m.: Expedition 9/Shargin Undocking Coverage (undocking scheduled at 5:12 p.m.)

7 p.m.: Expedition 9/Shargin Deorbit Burn and Landing Coverage (deorbit burn scheduled at

7:39 p.m.; landing scheduled at 8:32 p.m.)

Sunday, Oct. 24: NASA TV expects to broadcast video of crew activities at the remote landing site in northern Kazakhstan during the early morning hours

NASA TV is available on the Web and via satellite in the continental U.S. on AMC-6, Transponder 9C, C-Band, at 72 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is available on AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band, at 137 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz.

---