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Author
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Topic: International Space Station Visitor Log
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Delta7
Member Posts: 1505
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 06-14-2008 04:10 PM
   
Is there any kind of "book" that first-time fliers to the ISS sign after they board? Something like that would be a treasured historical record for future generations after the ISS is out of existence. I can't believe no one would have thought of something like that. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-14-2008 04:32 PM
Bill Shepherd, as the station's first commander, borrowed from a Navy tradition and began a ship's log. To quote from Francis French's article, Beyond 'where sky meets the dawn': His entries in the log give a vivid description of the amount of work the crew had to carry out getting the station shipshape. Equipment and tools had to be located from the bags of gear filling the station. Despite the years of planning, Shepherd knew that this was a test program, and there would be many unexpected challenges with hardware and software. Some systems, such as the thermal control system, could never be fully tested on the ground — they would have their first true trials in space. Shep's log (partially redacted) can be read via NASA's website.While other astronauts have kept journals, it has been left to each commander as to whether to continue a log and I believe that tradition has fallen to the wayside. With regards to a 'sign-in' book, the walls of the station have come to serve that function. The visiting (and expedition) crews have made a custom of applying their mission emblem decals in several areas of the station and signing around them. Though this photo from STS-124 has already appeared elsewhere, I'll reprint it here for example: 
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Delta7
Member Posts: 1505
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 06-14-2008 08:11 PM
It would be nice if there was something that would be around after the station is gone. Even a simple "sign in" log book (Name, Country, dates of arrival and departure), whose pages could eventually be displayed at the NASM. |
kosmonavtka
Member Posts: 170
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 07-07-2008 08:00 PM
This photo from the STS-110 mission shows a page from a Visitors' Book/Ship's Log. Transcription: 16 APR. 2002: The STS-110/8A crew docked with Alpha on 10 April 2002. In our payload bay we carried the S0 Truss segment, the beginning of Phase 3 for ISS. Over the next 7 days, we would team up with Expedition 4 and perform 4 spacewalks to install and power-up S0. These spacewalks required extensive, complex SSRMS and SRMS [ISS & Shuttle robotic arms] operations and close co-ordination with the ground control team. We successfully drove the Mobile Transporter from one site to the next paving the way for future flights to add additional Truss segments to Alpha. The highlights of our stay was the laughter, friendship, and warm hospitality that we received from our hosts, the Expedition 4 crew. Dan, Carl and Yury welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home the entire week. They are true heros [sic] and we feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work alongside them and spend time with them. As we depart for Earth, we will keep them and this incredible setup and laboratory in our prayers. We eagerly await their return to Earth! [Signed by the STS-110 crew] |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-07-2008 11:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
I believe that tradition has fallen to the wayside.
I was informed this evening that an ISS log is still kept today by station crews...
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