By SPACEFLIGHT NOW

November 16, 2000 -- Follow the four-month mission of first resident crew of the international space station. Reload this page for the very latest.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2000
1825 GMT (1:25 p.m. EST)

An unmanned Progress spacecraft loaded with equipment and supplies for the international space station's three-man crew is in the final stages of preparation for launch this evening from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Read our full story.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2000
2340 GMT (6:40 p.m. EST)

Here is the latest mission status report from NASA:

The Expedition One crew continued work today to make the International Space Station a home, and to prepare for the arrival of a Russian cargo ship later this week.

Commander Bill Shepherd, Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev completed a full rehearsal of the upcoming arrival and docking of the Progress resupply vehicle, with all systems checking out perfectly.

Gidzenko and Krikalev oversaw the test, activating all of the required station systems and simulating procedures they will follow for the actual automated rendezvous and docking. The rehearsal included maneuvering the station to the proper attitude, or orientation, for docking and activation of the TORU manual docking system that will be used should the automated KURS docking system encounter difficulties. Late last week, the crew had configured data cables for the Zarya module’s nadir, or downward facing, docking port, where the Progress will be berthed.

Launch of the Progress is set for at 7:32 p.m. CST Nov. 15 (1:32 GMT Nov. 16). Docking is expected at 9:07 p.m. CST Nov. 17 (3:07 GMT Nov. 18). The Progress will contain about 2 tons of supplies and food for the crew, which will unload the vehicle during the next two weeks.

In addition, the crew activated and checked out medical equipment and participated in several medical tests, including body mass measurements and hearing assessments. They also exercised on the station’s stationary bicycle and treadmill.

Keeping track of the many pieces of equipment and supplies also was part of the crew’s day, as Shepherd conducted a routine equipment inventory and Krikalev worked to update the software on a bar-code inventory tool and management tool. Work on the software update will continue tomorrow.

The station remains in excellent shape, orbiting at an altitude of 240 statute miles.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2000
0845 GMT (3:45 a.m. EST)

The vanguard crew aboard the international space station got back to work today after a three-day break in activating their orbiting home. Alpha Commander Bill Shepherd, Pilot Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev had been spending upwards of 18 hours a day setting up vital life support and computer systems aboard the station during the first week of their four-month expedition.

But life on the station is becoming more routine now and an easier workload is expected as the crew settles into their tour-of-duty.

Back on Earth, meanwhile, technicians are readying a Russian Soyuz-U rocket for blastoff Wednesday night (U.S. time) that will send a Progress cargo ship to the station. The launch is slated to occur at 8:32 p.m. EST (0132 GMT Thursday) from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. After a two-day chase, the Progress is due to dock to the station's Zarya module on Friday night.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2000
2100 GMT (4 p.m. EST)

The three-man space station crew will be taking three days off after a hectic week setting up home aboard the new space outpost. Our next update will be early Tuesday unless other events warrant.

Here is the latest mission status report from NASA:

The Expedition One crew spent a relatively quiet day today aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as they prepare for the arrival of an unmanned resupply craft late next week.

ISS Commander Bill Shepherd, Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev hooked up cables and other hardware to the Station's Motion Control System which will enable the ISS to automatically reactivate its jet thrusters after the docking of a Progress supply ship or a manned Soyuz vehicle. Normally, those jets are disabled just before a docking to prevent inadvertent jet firings, which could damage the solar arrays on arriving space vehicles.

The crew also configured data cables for the Zarya module's nadir, or downward facing docking port, to which the next Progress resupply ship will link up next Friday night. Launch of the Progress is set for November 15 at 8:32 p.m. EST (1:32 GMT November 16). Docking to the Zarya's nadir port is scheduled for November 17 at 10:07 p.m. EST (3:07 GMT November 18).

The Progress will contain about 2 tons of supplies and food for the crew, which will spend the better part of the next two weeks unloading the vehicle.

In addition, the three crew members spent some time today making headway in their hookup of computers and cables for the onboard laptop computer network.

The crew will be given three days off Saturday, Sunday and Monday to relax following a busy period of activity since launch on October 31. The only significant activity on tap for Saturday calls for the crew to begin the setup of ham radio equipment in Zarya. ISS crews will use that gear to talk to schools and other ham radio operators throughout the world as they orbit the Earth.

The ISS continues to operate in excellent shape at an altitude of 237 statute miles.

1200 GMT (07:00 a.m. EST)

The space station astronauts are struggling once again today to complete the wiring and activation of an on-board computer network. They complained that so far, they have been unable to get the station's main printer to work on the network and instead have to manually connect it to specific computers whenever someone wants to print something out.

Given the spotty nature of mission control translation of Russian to English, it's unclear what the problem is or why it's proving so difficult to get the twisted pair network up and running. But the crew is continuing to troubleshoot the issue and presumably flight controllers in Moscow will come up with a solution soon.

The station's air conditioner, meanwhile, is continuing to produce quite a bit of excess water in its condensation unit. The crew members have taken a fan from the Zarya module to dry up the moisture, but it appears they may have to hook a heater of some sort up to the blower to make any progress.

"In order to dry that puddle," Moscow controllers radioed, "you can take a fan from the FGB..."

"Yeah, we did," flight engineer Sergei Krikalev replied. "And it's barely blowing air."

"OK, we understand."

"But it's better than nothing, so we're going to keep it on. But it would be better to connect it to a heater. It would be better to put something like that over there."

0600 GMT (01:00 a.m. EST)

The Alpha astronauts were awakened shortly before 0500 GMT (12:00 a.m. EST) Friday for another day of work to complete the international space station's initial outfitting and activation. Flight engineer Sergei Krikalev began his day by chatting with family members, although he complained the connection was so bad he could barely understand them.

The flight plan calls for Krikalev, Yuri Gidzenko and commander William Shepherd to continue efforts to set up and activate the station's laptop computer network this morning.

"The schedule looks really good. Give a big 'attaboy' to the planners. We're going to hit the network hard today and hopefully (get it running)," Shepherd told U.S. flight controllers during the day's first communications pass.

"Good deal, we're looking forward to it, Shep," replied communicator Rex Walheim in mission control.

"OK. We're happy campers," Shepherd said.

The crew members also plan to participate in medical activities this morning and take turns getting in some exercise before breaking for lunch. Additional exercise sessions are planned for the crew's afternoon before an eight-and-a-half-hour sleep period begins around 1930 GMT (2:30 p.m. EST).

Walheim told Shepherd the entire crew could take turns jogging on NASA's high-tech treadmill, which is isolated from the station structure by a vibration isolation system known as TVIS, as long as everyone abides by NASA procedures. Shepherd replied that the procedures are "very lengthy" and that "wading through a book trying to get exercise" is not an efficient use of the crew's time.

Walheim promised that flight controllers would look into the matter.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2000
0445 GMT (11:45 p.m. EST)

Here is the text of NASA's latest space station status report (U.S. Eastern Time used throughout):

Space Station Status Report #54
Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000 - 5 p.m. EST

The Expedition One crew today activated the last of its critical life support systems aboard the International Space Station and looked ahead to the launch of a resupply vehicle next week to the new outpost.

ISS Commander Bill Shepherd, Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev reported that the Elektron oxygen-generation system was turned on late Wednesday night at the start of their workday. The Elektron uses the process of electrolysis to produce oxygen for the crew, while venting hydrogen overboard.

Up to now, per the preflight plan, Shepherd, Gidzenko and Krikalev have been burning solid fuel oxygen-producing canisters to maintain the proper level of oxygen in the ISS modules. The Elektron may be turned off from time to time to conserve electricity on board the ISS if the Station has to be maneuvered into an orientation that reduces the electrical charge to Station systems through the solar arrays on the Zvezda and Zarya modules.

Once the large U.S. photovoltaic solar arrays are installed next month on the STS-97 mission, the Elektron can run continuously.

In addition to the Elektron, other Station life support systems, including a carbon dioxide removal system and an air conditioner, are performing normally.

Russian flight controllers continue to prepare for the launch of the second Progress resupply vehicle next week from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Progress is loaded with supplies and spare parts for the Expedition One crew. Launch is set for November 15 at 8:32 p.m. EST (1:32 GMT November 16). Docking to the Zarya module’s nadir port is scheduled for November 17 at 10:07 p.m. EST (3:07 GMT November 18).

To prepare for the arrival of the Progress, the crew will shift its sleep period about two hours later starting this weekend, typically going to bed at about 4:30 p.m. EST for 8.5 hours of rest. The crew will be given three days off Saturday, Sunday and Monday to relax following a busy period of activity since launch on October 31.

Because of an increase in solar flare activity, which is expected to continue for the next 48 hours, the crew was asked to set up a radiation detection monitor in the Zvezda living quarters. The monitor would signal a tone if radiation levels reach higher than expected levels.

Flight surgeons say the increased potential for higher radiation poses no danger or health risk to the crew, but as a precautionary measure, flight controllers asked Shepherd, Gidzenko and Krikalev to sleep in the aft portion of Zvezda for the next two nights near the so-called transfer compartment, where there is increased shielding.

The ISS continues to operate in excellent shape at an altitude of 237 statute miles. Mission commentary on NASA Television will resume at 12 a.m. Eastern time with the next Expedition One status report planned for Friday afternoon or sooner if developments warrant.

In a lighter moment, Shepherd asked ground controllers to radio up a photograph of his wife, Beth, smoking a congratulatory cigar with NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin shortly after the station crew's launch Oct. 31 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

As for the plan for next week, Moscow flight control told the astronauts they will begin preparing for a Progress supply ship docking once they return to work early next week.

"You have three days off Saturday, Sunday and Monday as compensation for previous hard work, although there are attempts at your discretion to have you work on the ham radio today and tomorrow (and to complete activation over the weekend for a test Monday)," said Russian flight control.

"Monday is a day off. Nov. 14 is the day that we start preparing for the Progress launch. The Progress is to launch (Nov. 16) at 1:32 GMT. The docking is planned for 3:17 GMT on Nov. 18. We will have to change your work and rest schedule for that day and we have a docking test as well four days in advance. We have not yet decided whether we're going to involve you in that test."

The Progress supply ship will dock with the Earth-facing, or nadir, port of the Zarya module. Zarya also is known by its origional Russian acronym FGB. The Progress will carry out a fully automatic docking, but if problems develop the crew can take over manual control using a Russian system known as TORU, for "tele-operated robotic unit."

"You will have to prepare the displays on the 14th for the laptop to monitor the FGB hook closure," flight control said. "You will get a radiogram for that. The next day after that, you will have a TORU test. And I would like to ask your advice. We have several requests from the NASA planning office suggesting that on the 15th we talk to you about the 4A plan overview (for the next shuttle assembly flight). What do you think? Is it a good idea to discuss this after the Progress docking so you can complete one important event before you go on to the next one?"

After conferring among themselves, the crew said "we agree, it's best to do it after the docking, not to take up time."

The astronauts then were told three public relations events were planned next week, an interactive media interview on Nov. 14 and crew updates on Nov. 15, "almost at the time you're having breakfast and we'd like to avoid complaints from you," flight control said. "What do you say?"

"Well, if it's a reasonable time we can do some reports. We can record some PAO events and downlink them," a crew member replied.

The station crew has had major problems keeping up with ambitious flight plans set up earlier in the mission. During a communications session today with flight controllers in Houston, Shepherd was told "things are beginning to smooth out down here."

"Yeah, I can see that up here. It's been great the last few days," Shepherd replied. "The schedule has been good and I'm glad to see you guys working together as a team. I think it's a real tribute to the planners. Planners lead the way, or something like that, right?"

But he complained that communications between the station and Moscow using NASA's OCA comm link are spotty at best and need improvement. He said crewmates Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev could barely understand their Russian colleagues.

"The OCA comm coming through Moscow is very hard to understand, particularly because of the language," Shepherd said. "It's almost unintelligible to Sergei and Yuri and it's very difficult for me."

1415 GMT (09:15 a.m. EST)

Space station commander William Shepherd reports the crew has finally had some success in getting Alpha's on-board laptop computer network up and running. The work is not yet complete, but there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Once fully operational, the network will enable the crew to send and receive email from family members and flight controllers.

In a morning update, NASA mission control commentator Rob Navias reported the station's Elektron oxygen generator was activated at 12:20 a.m. EST and is running normally. The air conditioning system in the Russian Zvezda command module, which shut down Wednesday because of excess water in a condensation collector, shut down again early today for the same reason. Navias said sensitive sensors in the system were reponsible and that the air conditioning unit was quickly restored to operation.

The crew will take Saturday, Sunday and Monday off, Navias reports. As a result, mission control commentary will be suspended Saturday and pick up again late Monday with the resumption of normal work aboard the station. Air-to-ground audio will continue uninterrupted.

1313 GMT (8:13 a.m. EST)

We have posted video of mission control's Rex Walheim informing the crew about a major solar flare.

1220 GMT (7:20 a.m. EST)

Flight controllers early today asked the space station Alpha astronauts to activate a radiation alarm because of a major solar flare that has increased the flux of high-energy protons near Earth 100,000 times above normal levels.

"There was recently a rather large solar flare and it was large enough in magnitude that according to the flight rules we have to set up (a radiation alarm)," Rex Walheim radioed the crew from mission control in Houston shortly before 6:30 a.m. EST.

"That should take about 45 minutes. And the doc says the increased solar activity shouldn't be a significant health risk, but it is something that's big enough that we want to monitor it. If you'd like to discuss it with surgeon we can schedule a PMC for it."

"Got you," station commander William Shepherd replied.

"The bottom line is if the alarm goes off, it's indicating the activity has reached a level where you should go to the most protected portion of the service module, which would be the aft end of the service module," Walheim said.

According to SpaceWeather.com, the M8-category solar flare occurred on the sun's western limb near active region 9218.

"The effects of this S3-class radiation storm include: HF radio propagation over Earth's polar regions may fade or black out altogether during the storm. Earth-orbiting satellites are likely to experience minor electronic glitches. Astronauts are safe so long as they avoid extra-vehicular (spacewalk) activities."

The SOHO sun-watching satellite also detected a coronal mass ejection shortly after the flare that could trigger auroral displays late Friday or Saturday.

The Alpha astronauts are completing their first full week aboard the international space station. The highlight of today's flight plan was for Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko and flight engineer Sergei Krikalev to activate the station's Elektron oxygen generator, a major milestone in the vessel's initial activation.

The Elektron uses solar-generated electricity to break water down into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is vented overboard while the oxygen is used to replenish the on-board air supply. Until now, the crew has been burning three so-called oxygen "candles" per day, which release oxygen as a by-product of a different type of chemical reaction.

The astronauts are still struggling to get Alpha's on-board computer network up and running. So far, hard-to-find parts and at least one potentially faulty cable have slowed network activation.

But the station's air conditioning system is back on line after problems Wednesday with too much water in the unit's condensate collector. Today, the crew dealt with a problem in a separate condensate system associated with the Elektron system.

"We had a misconfiguration on the condensate filter for the water systems," Shepherd reported. "It was flowing water into the interior of the panel where it lives in. Fortunately, Sergei (Krikalev) caught it. I think it was something where the ground hadn't sent the startup sequence right. We just got through bailing out a half liter of water."

The crew plans to review emergency egress procedures later this morning before taking part in a half-hour weekly planning session to review upcoming work with flight controllers in Moscow. U.S. station flight director Jeff Hanley plans to hold a weekly status briefing with reporters at the Johnson Space Center late this afternoon.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2000
1555 GMT (10:55 a.m. EST)

Flight controllers believe Zvezda's air conditioner has stopped working because of a build-up of water in the units condensate collector. Sergei Krikalev is working to dump that water so the system can be reactivated. In the meantime the crew have been told not to exercise to avoid increased humidity.

1244 GMT (7:44 a.m. EST)

The air conditioner in the Zevezda module has switched itself off. Experts at Russia's mission control are studying the problem.

1238 GMT (7:38 a.m. EST)

We have posted video clips of mission control first informing Shepherd that Bush had won and then hours later retracting that statement.

1150 GMT (6:50 a.m. EST)

Mission control has now informed Bill Shepherd that George W. Bush has not been declared the victor in the U.S. Presidential election as previously reported.

A few moments ago CAPCOM Stephanie Wilson said: "I had made a statement earlier about the new President of the United States and I must retract that statement. The networks have since retracted that and the vote is very close.

"Florida is the swing vote, so we do not know at this time who the President of the United States will be."

"Okay we copy. Thanks for the heads up," replied Shepherd.

1100 GMT (6 a.m. EST)

Like many other Americans, space station commander Bill Shepherd was informed early this morning that George W. Bush is the new President of the United States. Since then the election result has been declared too close to call. Here is the exchange between Shepherd and Houston CAPCOM Stephanie Wilson:

WILSON: For your information we have a new President of the United States. Would you like to guess who it is?

SHEPHERD: Yeah, please.

WILSON: The new President of United States is George W. Bush.

SHEPHERD: Well my congratulations. That's great. Maybe we'll get to talk to him.

WILSON: It may be so.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2000
2054 GMT (3:54 p.m. EST)

Space station commander Bill Shepherd complained this morning about poor planning and ongoing delays in setting up the computer network aboard the fledgling space outpost.

Clearly frustrated, he said mission planners had allocated two hours to setup the Treadmill Vibration Isolation System (TVIS), a task he reckoned would take all day.

"We keep telling the planning people that they are way too ambitious in what they are asking us to do, but they keep putting stuff on our plate anyway," he said in a video conference with flight controllers in Houston. "We need the planners to get the message."

Mission plans also called for the use of a video camera that was not setup.

"The camcorder you're asking for is not even broken out. We don't have the battery charged. The planning on this is just not adequate," he said.

"We understand and we promise to do better. We're learning too," responded Houston CAPCOM Stephanie Wilson.

Better communications would help matters, Shepherd said.

"I would like to have these things that are not really essential closed down and I want to get the configuration of the network finished so we can get better (communications) with you guys. Right now we are really hampered. The only way I can exchange files with you is through the OCA. We need more computer power and I want that to be priority one."

Shepherd appeared to place blame for the problem with planners at the Russian mission control, near Moscow.

"I don't think the problem is at all where you guys are," he told Wilson. "It's whoever is doing the scheduling on the other side of the Atlantic. They need to understand what an impact this is having to keeping us coordinated."

"We understand that, and we are doing our best to better coordinate and we certainly overlooked some items with scheduling your activities," replied Wilson.

Watch Shepherd's exchange with mission control (369k, 2min50sec QuickTime file).

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2000
1115 GMT (6:15 a.m. EST)

Living and working aboard the new international space station is very similar to life aboard the old Russian Mir station, the crew reported today, and although the workload has been heavy, all of the major objectives are being accomplished.

Fresh from a day off Sunday, station commander William Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko and flight engineer Sergei Krikalev time out early today to provide a brief update on the progress of work to outfit and activate the orbital outpost.

"It's going together well," Shepherd reported, "except that finding the right tools, the right procedures, making sure everything fits right has been unusually full of unanticipated problems. But we've managed ... to get most everything done.

"And although the timeline's been very ambitious, we've accomplished most of the major tasks each day that we've been assigned."

Krikalev, one of the most experienced space fliers in the world with nearly 500 days in orbit aboard Mir and NASA's space shuttle, said "life here right now looks very similar to life on Mir."

"We're reminded of our time spent on the MIr station, Yuri and I," he said. "Practice and experience on the Mir station helped us very much with arranging things over here."

Shepherd wrapped up the brief report by reflecting on the view from orbit and his impressions of the new station complex.

"I'd like to add also my sense of our first week of operations," he said. "We've had very little time to look out the window. I had a chance to do a little bit last night for 10 or 15 minutes and it doesn't hit you how big the station is.

"It's going to get even bigger very soon with the lab and other modules that arrive. It's a very smooth vehicle on orbit, almost no sensation of motion whatsoever. It's very different from Soyuz and even from shuttle. I think each (crew) that comes up and stays on station for a while will really appreciate the difference."

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2000
1840 GMT (1:40 p.m. EST)

The Expedition One crew has successfully restored a battery inside the Zvezda service module that had not been working properly. Zvezda now has seven of its eight battery strings on line, and the additional battery will ensure enough power so the crew can activate the Elektron system to replenish the oxygen supply aboard the station. Faced with only six batteries, the Elektron system would not have been used until after the U.S. solar arrays were added next month. Plans currently call for the Elektron to be started on Thursday.

The eighth battery remains off line. Engineers believe a bent or broken connector pin is to blame.

1720 GMT (12:20 p.m. EST)

Today is officially a day off for the three-man Alpha crew. A conference with their families was planned and a Russian news bulletin has been transmitted to the crew. News in english has been promised later for mission commander Bill Shepherd.

NASA has not reported whether a burn was necessary overnight to avoid a piece of space junk that was predicted to come within 2 km of the station. Officials had said it was unlikely any action would be taken.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2000
2152 GMT (4:52 p.m. EST)

Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow are monitoring a potential close encounter or "conjunction" between the International Space Station and a piece of space junk tonight, but evasive action is thought unlikely.

"I don't think it's going to become a serious concern at all," ISS lead flight director Jeff Hanley said on NASA TV. "It's one of those things that we monitor. We have certain rules and procedures in place, which are rather conservative, to make sure that if one of these objects does threaten the vehicle that we do what is necessary to avoid it. But it doesn't look like... that is going to be necessary for this particular object."

The object is expected to pass as close as 2 km from the station at about 0643 GMT (1:43 a.m. EST).

0840 GMT (8:40 a.m. EST)

Russian flight controllers now say a bit of Freon leakage around an air conditioner flange is normal during startup and that the system appears to be operating properly. Earlier today, the Alpha astronauts were told to don protective eyewear and gloves when flight engineer Sergei Krikalev observed small bubbles forming around the air conditioner/compressor flange after it was tightened down.

1050 GMT (05:50 a.m. EST)

The Expedition One astronauts are troubleshooting a small Freon leak in Space Station Alpha's air conditioning system. Flight engineer Sergei Krikalev noticed the leak around an apparently damaged flange assembly around 3 a.m. today. Russian flight controllers told the crew to don breathing masks and protective gloves as a safety precaution, but a NASA flight surgeon in the Russian mission control center said the leak is of no consequence from a crew health standpoint.

Station commander William Shepherd suggested using Teflon tape around the flange to minimize or eliminate the leak, but Russian engineers are still assessing the best approach to dealing with the problem.

Krikalev, meanwhile, successfully installed a laptop computer in the Zvezda module's "central post" position today that will be used to monitor station telemetry and to send commands to various systems. The station's Vozdukh carbon dioxide removal system is now up and running and the crew is continuing work to assemble the station's Elektron oxygen generator.

The generator, which uses electricity to break water down into hydrogen and oxygen, will not be used, however, until after the P6 solar arrays are installed during shuttle mission STS-97 in early December. The Elektron uses about a kilowatt of power and the station's power margins at present are not sufficient to operate the device full time.

Other than the Freon issue, there are no problems of any significance aboard the station and the crew is pressing ahead with a busy day of outfitting and activation.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2000
0910 GMT (04:10 a.m. EST)

Struggling to find needed equipment among the tons of supplies delivered by recent shuttle crews, station commander William Shepherd complained today about the grueling pace of work to complete initial assembly, activation and checkout of various station systems.

Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko and flight engineer Sergei Krikalev docked with the space station Thursday after a two-day orbital chase. Shepherd promptly dubbed the officially unnamed outpost "Alpha," a radio call sign he now uses routinely.

So far, he said early today, the crew has been unable to keep up with the timeline.

"We'd like your opinion on whether or not you'd like to do a test on OCA video conferencing after you have those two procedures completed," Stephanie Wilson radioed from Houston early today.

"I'll be up for it," Shepherd replied. "Be advised the tempo of the planning is pretty ambitious. We worked really hard yesterday and we could not keep up with the timeline and we're way behind today, too. So you'll just have to be patient with us, we'll get it when we can."

"We understand. You can just let us know when you'd like to do that."

"I copy. Any influence you could have with the Russian side to kind of slow down the planning a little bit (would be appreciated)," Shepherd said. "Hooking up the food warmer was scheduled for 30 minutes and it took us a day and a half to finally figure out how to turn it on."

Despite the inevitable clutter in the station, Shepherd told flight controllers in Houston the outpost is as neatly packed with gear as possible.

Hey, I just want to give an 'attaboy' to all the shuttle crews, all the people who have worked the stowage in the FGB. There's a lot of stuff in there, but it's in a pretty ship shape fashion and I think they did a great job (making) the best of a bad situation trying to keep it all squared away. it's about as orderly as it could be in there."

"Those are good words, Shep, we appreciate that and we'll pass those on," Walheim replied. "We'll hand you over to Moscow. And it's great talking to you from down here, Shep."

"A big hello from the crew to everybody in Houston."

"And you've got a lot of happy people here ready to begin this big adventure with you."

"It's already started," Shepherd said.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2000
2000 GMT (03:00 p.m. EST)

In a two-part conversation, commander Bill Shepherd and NASA Administrator Dan Goldin agree to name the international space station "Alpha" for the Exedition One crew. Watch a video clip.

The Expedition One crew did complete all their major chores today following the successful docking to the station. They are currently asleep and are due to be awakened for the first full day aboard Alpha at 0400 GMT (11 p.m. EST).

1400 GMT (9:00 a.m. EST)

Two hours after the first full-time crew boarded the international space station today, NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin sent a not-so-subtle message to the Russian government, saying the station project would be in jeopardy if funding is not increased. And soon. Read our full story.

Also, see our updated docking story.

1102 GMT (6:02 a.m. EST)

The station has moved out of range of Russian ground stations, ending voice communications between the crew and Mission Control for the time being. So far the crew has turned on the lights and activated the warning alarm system inside the Zvezda module of the international space station, their home for the next four months. The next communications session is expected to start at 1223 GMT and should permit the crew to downlink a video replay of the hatch opening.

1055 GMT (5:55 a.m. EST)

The caution and warning alarm system and power panel inside the Zvezda system have been activated by the crew as the three men get to work inside the station.

Upcoming chores today include starting a clock in the station, opening the hatches to the Zarya control module, installing protective covers over the hatch rings, taking air samples, setting up air ducts between the modules, putting the Soyuz capsule in a standby mode and activating food warmers and the toilet. The crew will go to bed at 1645 GMT (11:45 a.m. EDT) for an 11-hour sleep period.

1046 GMT (5:46 a.m. EST)

The Expedition One crew has radioed Mission Control-Moscow with the news they have opened the hatches and floated inside the living quarters of the international space station's Zvezda service module. This signals what could be a permanent occupation of the station for the next 15 years.

1031 GMT (5:31 a.m. EST)

The Environmental Systems Officer in Mission Control-Houston reports that telemetry from the international space station via the U.S. Early Communications System indicates the Expedition Crew has opened the hatch from their Soyuz capsule to enter the Zvezda module's transfer compartment. Since the station is out of range from Russian ground stations, the crew cannot talk directly with flight controllers. The next communications pass is due to begin in about 16 minutes.

0950 GMT (4:50 a.m. EST)

Read our full story on today's docking, plus watch a video clip.

0934 GMT (4:34 a.m. EST)

Russian Mission Control has told the crew that once the leak and pressure checks between the two craft are completed they are allowed to open the hatches to enter the station. The Soyuz is now out of range from ground tracking stations and the next communications pass won't occur until 1047 GMT.

0929 GMT (4:29 a.m. EST)

The retraction of the corkscrew-like docking probe and closing of latches have been completed, firmly joining the Soyuz spacecraft and international space station.

0925 GMT (4:25 a.m. EST)

Following a smooth final rendezvous sequence, docking occurred while the Soyuz and space station flew high above central Kazakhstan. The docking probe retraction is now underway,

0921 GMT (4:21 a.m. EST)

CONTACT! The Soyuz capsule has docked to the international space station, delivering the Expedition One crew to their orbiting home for a historic four-month adventure.

Following this initial capture between the Soyuz and aft docking port of the Zvezda service module, the two craft will be firmly latched together. The hatches are due to be opened in just over an hour at 1040 GMT.

0920 GMT (4:20 a.m. EST)

Distance 10 meters. Closing rate has decreased to .1 meter per second.

0919 GMT (4:19 a.m. EST)

Now inside 20 meters as the Soyuz flies a fully automatic approach and docking with the international space station.

0918 GMT (4:18 a.m. EST)

Distance is 30 meters. Soyuz is closing at a rate of .2 meter per second.

0917 GMT (4:17 a.m. EST)

The Soyuz docking probe and hooks are now prepared for docking with the Zvezda module of the international space station.

0916 GMT (4:16 a.m. EST)

Now 50 meters from docking.

0915 GMT (4:15 a.m. EST)

Distance now 80 meters. Soyuz is closing at a rate of .4 meter per second.

0914 GMT (4:14 a.m. EST)

The Soyuz capsule has begun its final approach to docking with the international space station.

0912 GMT (4:12 a.m. EST)

Russian Mission Control has reacquired communications with three-man crew aboard the Soyuz spacecraft through ground stations. The capsule remains at a holding point 170 meters from the space station.

0906 GMT (4:06 a.m. EST)

The Soyuz capsule has taken its stationkeeping position about 170 meters from the international space station. The final approach to the station will start in about nine minutes.

0904 GMT (4:04 a.m. EST)

Now 20 minutes from docking. The Expedition One crew remains out of voice communications with Mission Control. The next ground station pass will begin at 15 minutes past the hour. Data from the rendezvous is continuing to be fed via the U.S. Early Communications System on the Unity module of the space station.

0859 GMT (3:59 a.m. EST)

The Soyuz is less than 400 feet from the space station as the flyaround continues. The capsule will begin stationkeeping in about 7 minutes from a point just inside 200 meters. The 9-minute pause in the rendezvous is done to ensure proper timing for the docking, which needs to occur while in range of Russian ground stations.

0857 GMT (3:57 a.m. EST)

The final two rendezvous maneuvers by the Soyuz have been completed. The small 4.7-meter per second and 1.5-meter per second burns have tweaked the capsule's approach. The Soyuz is now in the midst of a flyaround of the station in preparation for docking at 0924 GMT.

0849 GMT (3:49 a.m. EST)

Distance to the space station now 1,600 meters. Time to docking 35 minutes.

0847 GMT (3:47 a.m. EST)

The Soyuz has just performed another thruster firing in its approach to the space station, as planned. This one dramatically slowed the capsule's closing rate. Two more maneuvers are upcoming in the next 10 minutes.

0842 GMT (3:42 a.m. EST)

Data from the Soyuz's KURS automatic docking system, which is being fed through the U.S. Early Communications System on the international space station's Unity node, shows the capsule is now within 5,000 meters of the station.

0818 GMT (3:18 a.m. EST)

Noe less than 50 km separating the Soyuz and international space station. The next automatic maneuver by the capsule in this rendezvous sequence is planned for 0845 GMT to refine the path the station slightly.

0807 GMT (3:07 a.m. EST)

The latest maneuver by the Soyuz capsule has been completed. This one-minute, 20-second firing of the craft's thrusters has raised its orbital altitude to closely match that of the international space station.

0755 GMT (2:55 a.m. EST)

The automatic docking system on the Soyuz capsule, known as KURS, has been checked out as the craft continues on course to reach the international space station. Officials report all is going well this morning. The distance between the two craft is down to 123 km.

0655 GMT (1:55 a.m. EST)

The automated rendezvous sequence is beginning for today's docking of Soyuz spacecraft to the international space station. The next major event in the rendezvous -- scheduled for 30 minutes from now -- will be a 54-second firing of the Soyuz capsule's main engine to raise its orbit to more closely match that of the space station. Another substantial firing along with several smaller maneuvers to bring the capsule within close proximity of the station over the next two hours.

Docking remains set for 0924 GMT (4:24 a.m. EDT) while the two craft fly above the intersecting boards of Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Mongolia. For the docking, the station will be rotated 180 degrees about its long axis from its normal orientation. As such, the Z1 truss mounted on the Unity module's normally upward facing, or zenith, port will be facing Earth instead of deep space.

0510 GMT (12:10 a.m. EST)

In a just-completed communications session with Mission Control via a Russian station pass, the Expedition One crew reports the Soyuz capsule remains in good shape as it nears docking with the international space station in just over four hours. The crew members are now preparing to don their Sokol spacesuits and enter the Descent Module of the Soyuz in advance of the final rendezvous and docking.

0050 GMT (7:50 p.m. EST)

Bill Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krivalev have been awakened and are now in their post-sleep period, having breakfast, getting cleaned up and preparing for a busy day ahead. The Expedition One crew is just hours away from the rendezvous and docking with the international space station -- the orbiting outpost that will serve as the men's home for the next four months.

The automated rendezvous sequence will begin at about 0700 GMT (2 a.m. EST). The first of several rendezvous maneuvers is scheduled for 0725 GMT (2:25 a.m. EST). At around 0857 GMT (3:57 a.m. EST), the Soyuz will perform a flyaround of the station and then begin station-keeping about 500 feet at 0906 GMT (4:06 a.m. EST). The final approach is set to begin at 0915 GMT (4:15 a.m. EST), with docking at 0924 GMT (4:24 a.m. EST).

We will provide play-by-play coverage of the docking on this page.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2000
1730 GMT (12:30 p.m. EST)

The Expedition One crew is in the midst of their sleep period. The three men will be awakened tonight for their second full day in space -- the day they dock to the international space station.

Earlier today the crew continued chores to check systems of the Soyuz capsule and a handheld laser device that will be used to accurately determine distance of the Soyuz to the station during the rendezvous.

An orbital correction maneuver was also performed. The small 1.3 meter per second burn lasted three seconds. A second maneuver was conducted later, both culminating orbit achieved was 170 by 151 statute miles (275 by 243 kilometers). As of this morning, the Soyuz trailed the ISS by about 5,300 statute miles and is closing in at a rate of about 709 miles every orbit of the Earth.

0835 GMT (3:35 a.m. EST)

Russian flight controllers report the Progress cargo vessel has reentered Earth's atmosphere over the South Pacific as planned.

0712 GMT (2:12 a.m. EST)

The Progress 1P international space station cargo ship, which departed the outpost a couple of hours ago, has completed its 95 meter-per-second deorbit burn, committing the craft to a fiery plunge back into Earth's atmosphere. Reentry is expected at 0742 GMT over the South Pacific at 17 degrees South and 200 degrees East.

0640 GMT (1:40 a.m. EST)

ISS Commander Bill Shepherd told ground controllers a few minutes ago that things are going well aboard the Soyuz capsule as the craft continues to close the distance to the international space station. The third orbital maneuver in the two-day chase to the station is upcoming in about two hours. Docking of the capsule to Zvezda service module remains set for 0924 GMT (4:24 a.m. EST) on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Progress vessel is nearing its suicidal but harmless crash back to Earth. The 95 meter-per-second deorbital burn is slated for 0705 GMT (2:05 a.m. EST) with reentry into the atmosphere about 35 minutes later.

We have posted a video clip of the Progress' undocking as seen by a camera mounted on the ship.

0405 GMT (11:05 p.m. EST)

SEPARATION. The first Progress cargo freighter to deliver supplies, fuel and equipment to the international space station has undocked from the outpost. The Russian-made craft is now bound for a fiery plunge into the Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean where it will burn up in about three hours.

The Progress 1P was launched on August 6 aboard a Soyuz-U rocket and arrived at the station two days later, docking to the Zvezda service module. The vessel ferried a carbon dioxide removal system, components for Zvezda's oxygen generation system, parts for the station's toilet, two IBM ThinkPad computers and other electrical gear to the outpost. Other cargo included clothing, tools, food preparation equipment, air purification systems, television and communications gear and components of other life support systems for the station's first residents.

The crew of space shuttle Atlantis unpacked the Progress in September, then loaded trash into the craft for disposal.

Another Progress is due for launch around November 14 and will attach itself to a port on the Zarya module.

The station's now-free docking port on Zvezda will be used by the capsule carrying the Expedition One crew. That arrival is set for Thursday morning.

0400 GMT (11:00 p.m. EST)

The international space station has been prepared for undocking of the Progress 1P cargo ship in the next few minutes. The station is now in "free drift mode" meaning its thrusters have been temporarily deactived. Hooks and latches holding the Progress to the Zvezda service module will be opened in about two minutes, followed by physical separation of the freighter at five minutes past the hour.

0030 GMT (7:30 p.m. EST)

The wakeup alarm is sounding for the Expedition One crew aboard their Soyuz capsule. The crew is beginning their first full day in space, one that will include testing of Soyuz systems, setting up a humidity scrubbing device and a rendezvous maneuver.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2000
1700 GMT (1:00 p.m. EST)

The three men of the Expedition One crew have gone to sleep after a day when they were launched on a four-month voyage to the international space station. Activities have gone well today with no significant problems reported by the crew or ground controllers. A pair of orbital maneuvers by the Soyuz capsule were performed this morning as planned. The next is planned for early tomorrow to continue the rendezvous to reach the station for docking Thursday. Tests of the spacecraft's external camera used during the docking procedure have been performed as well. NASA flight controllers in Houston have activated life support systems and air purification units onboard the station in advance of the crew's arrival.

The crew -- ISS Commander Bill Shepherd, Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev -- will be awakened at 0030 GMT (7:30 p.m. EDT) tonight to begin their first full day in space.

Meanwhile, the Progress cargo freighter currently docked to the station's Zvezda module will separate at 0402 GMT (11:02 p.m. EDT) tonight to make room for the Soyuz. The craft will be sent plunging back into the atmosphere about three hours later.

1015 GMT (5:15 a.m. EST)

The Expedition One Crew is using the call sign "Uranus". This is the same call sign Yuri Gidzenko (the Soyuz commander) used on his previous spaceflight.

Flight controllers report the Soyuz's motion control system has been activated and the solar arrays deployed and generating adequate power. Crew were given a "go" to take off their launch and entry suits and permitted to enter the habitation module of the Soyuz spacecraft one orbit from now.

There are two rendezvous maneuvers upcoming today as the capsule continues its 20,000-mile pursuit to catch the international space station. They will occur at 1127 GMT and 1209 GMT, respectively.

The orbital insertion of Soyuz was 233 x 182 km. After first burn, the orbit will be changed to 264 X 205 km. The second maneuver should place the craft into a 271 x 245 km orbit. Docking with the space station is set to occur Thursday in a 392 x 374 km orbit following several addition thruster firings over the next two days.

1000 GMT (5:00 a.m. EST)

An American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts blasted off early today from Kazakhstan and set off after the international space station for a docking Thursday to establish what NASA hopes will be a permanent foothold in space. Read our complete launch story.

0836 GMT (3:36 a.m. EST)

T+plus 44 minutes. Russian flight controllers report the Soyuz capsule is in good shape following today's launch. The power-generating solar arrays have been deployed along with several antennae. The orbit achieved was 118 by 150 miles. The craft will perform several maneuvers over the next two days to reach the international space station for docking, which is expected at around 0925 GMT (4:25 a.m. EST) on Thursday.

0806 GMT (3:06 a.m. EST)

T+plus 14 minutes. Standing by for confirmation that the solar arrays and communications antennae of the Soyuz capsule have been deployed. Word might not come until officials hold the post-launch news conference.

0803 GMT (3:03 a.m. EST)

T+plus 11 minutes. Control of the Soyuz flight has been handed from Baikonur Cosmodrome to Kaliningrad Mission Control. The Soyuz capsule and its three-man crew has safely reached orbit today on their way to docking with the international space station early Thursday for a four-month stay.

0801 GMT (3:01 a.m. EST)

T+plus 9 minutes, 30 seconds. CAPSULE SEPARATION! Now receiving confirmation the Soyuz spacecraft has separated from the spent third stage. The capsule as arrived in Earth orbit for a two-day chase to catch the international space station. Today's launch of the Soyuz appears to have been successful without any problems reported.

0800:47 GMT (3:00:47 a.m. EST)

T+plus 8 minutes. One minute left in the powered phase of the launch.

0759:47 GMT (2:59:47 a.m. EST)

T+plus 7 minutes. Rocket stabilization remains normal. Third stage burn continues.

0758:32 GMT (2:58:32 a.m. EST)

T+plus 5 minutes, 45 seconds. The third stage is up and burning to deliver the Soyuz capsule into Earth orbit.

0757:47 GMT (2:57:47 a.m. EST)

T+plus 5 minutes. The second stage of the Soyuz rocket has shut down and separated as scheduled. A smooth flight still being reported for the Expedition One crew.

0756:47 GMT (2:56:47 a.m. EST)

T+plus 4 minutes. Second stage operating normally. Vehicle systems are functioning as planned, officials report.

0755:47 GMT (2:55:47 a.m. EST)

T+plus 3 minutes. The safety escape tower and launch shroud have been jettisoned from the atop the Soyuz capsule.

0754:47 GMT (2:54:47 a.m. EST)

T+plus 2 minutes. The four strap-on boosters of the first stage have separated as planned. The second stage core stage continues to fire.

0753:47 GMT (2:53:47 a.m. EST)

T+plus 60 seconds. Flight of Soyuz rocket reported normal as the three-man crew heads to the international space station. Vehicle is stable as it climbs into midday sky over Central Asia.

0753:17 GMT (2:53:17 a.m. EST)

T+plus 30 seconds. Pitch and roll programs have started to put the vehicle on the proper course.

0752:47 GMT (2:52:47 a.m. EST)

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Russian Soyuz rocket with the Expedition One crew embarking on a voyage to begin continuous human presence aboard the international space station.

0752 GMT (2:52 a.m. EST)

T-minus 30 seconds. The first umbilical arm has separated from Soyuz. The second will retract in the next few seconds.

0752 GMT (2:52 a.m. EST)

T-minus 1 minute and counting. Launch sequence start.

0751 GMT (2:51 a.m. EST)

T-minus 2 minutes and counting. Rocket propellant tank pressurization is underway. Vehicle's onboard measurement system activated. Oxidizer and fuel drain and safety valves of launch vehicle have been closed.

0750 GMT (2:50 a.m. EST)

T-minus 3 minutes and counting. The combustion chambers of side and central engine pods of the rocket have been purged with nitrogen.

0748 GMT (2:48 a.m. EST)

T-minus 5 minutes and counting. Systems of the Soyuz have switched to onboard control, the ground measurement system and commander's controls are being activated.

0747 GMT (2:47 a.m. EST)

T-minus 6 minutes and counting. All launch complex and vehicle systems are ready for launch.

0746 GMT (2:46 a.m. EST)

T-minus 7 minutes and counting. The Soyuz has switched from ground-supplied power to onboard batteries. Also, the crew have completed leak checks of their spacesuits and closed visors on their helmets.

0743 GMT (2:43 a.m. EST)

T-minus 10 minutes and counting. The crew inside the Soyuz capsule are activating recorders to collect data during launch.

0739 GMT (2:39 a.m. EST)

T-minus 14 minutes and counting. The Soyuz telemetry systems are being activated. They will relay real-time data back to Earth during today's launch.

0736 GMT (2:36 a.m. EST)

T-minus 17 minutes and counting. Realignment of the Soyuz rocket's trajectory control system has been completed and checks of internal batteries have been performed. The Soyuz telemetry system will soon be activated and monitoring of Soyuz's thermal control system will also begin.

0733 GMT (2:33 a.m. EST)

T-minus 20 minutes and counting. The countdown is proceeding smoothly at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. No problems are being reported and liftoff remains set for 0752:47 GMT. The weather at the Baikonur Cosmodrome is very cold, windy and foggy with limited visibility, but acceptable for the Soyuz to launch.

0723 GMT (2:23 a.m. EST)

T-minus 30 minutes and counting. Now a half-hour from blastoff of the Soyuz rocket with the Expedition One crew. The vehicle stands 162 feet tall and weighs 683,400 pounds at liftoff. Fueling of the rocket was completed a couple of hours ago with kerosene fuel and super-cold liquid oxygen loaded into all three stages. Throughout the countdown the oxygen supplies have been topped off to replace that which naturally boils off. The propllent accounts for about 150 tons of the vehicle's weight.

0718 GMT (2:18 a.m. EST)

T-minus 35 minutes and counting. Leak checks of the crew's launch and entry spacesuits are being performed at this time. And in the next few minutes, the emergency escape system will be armed. The system would be employed if a major malfunction occurs, propelling the Soyuz capsule off the top of the rocket and to safety.

0708 GMT (2:08 a.m. EST)

T-minus 45 minutes and counting. The two-piece service structure that has enclosed the Soyuz rocket at the launch pad during its two-day stay is now peeling away. The towers are rotating to a horizontal position. Several other umbilical arms connecting the rocket to the ground will be retracted at various times later in the countdown.

Today will mark the 399th launch from this historic pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome. In fact, Yuri Gagarin launched from this very pad 39 years ago to become the first human in space.

0703 GMT (2:03 a.m. EST)

T-minus 50 minutes and counting. The final update to the launch time has been announced. Liftoff is scheduled to occur at precisely 0752:47 GMT (2:52:47 a.m. EST).

0653 GMT (1:53 a.m. EST)

T-minus 1 hour and counting. Now 60 minutes away from the launch of a three-stage Russian Soyuz rocket with the Expedition One crew of three men to begin a permanent human presence in Earth orbit aboard the international space station. As the countdown ticks along, the rocket's control system is currently being readied and activation of the gyroscope instruments is beginning.

0640 GMT (1:40 a.m. EST)

The fog blanketing Baikonur Cosmodrome this morning is not burning off, Spaceflight Now's Steven Young reports from the fabled site. So the view for journalists from around the world on hand to cover the Soyuz rocket's launch may have great difficulty viewing this historic event.

0620 GMT (1:20 a.m. EST)

The outer hatch to the Soyuz capsule should be sealed by this point in the countdown with the Expedition One crew strapped into their seats. After arriving at the pad, the crew rode the elevator to the top of the gantry and began boarding the spacecraft starting at about 10:10 a.m. local time. Krikalev boarded first climbing into the left seat. He was followed by Shepherd, who took the center seat. Gidzenko boarded last and is seated on the right hand side. Activities remain on track at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the rocket is fueled and covered with a coating of frost.

It is a cold day on the remote steppes of Kazkhstan with a temperature of 33 degrees F (1 deg C), fog and mist. Those weather conditions, however, won't pose a threat to an on-time launch of Soyuz rocket, officials say. The Russian space vehicles have vastly different weather constraints than their American counterparts.

0535 GMT (12:35 a.m. EST)

The Expedition One crew is now aboard the Soyuz capsule that will ferry them to the international space station. ISS Commander Bill Shepherd commented: "Let go do it. Get those shuttles ready."

Watch a QuickTime video clip of the crew departing for the launch pad this morning. The video was shot by Spaceflight Now's Steven Young at Baikonur.

0515 GMT (12:15 a.m. EST)

Before the crew left for the launch pad, Russian officials and Johnson Space Center director George Abbey bid them farewell in a short ceremony in the suit-up room.

"We're looking forward to a great flight today," Abbey said. "May you have a fair wind and a following sea. We know you'll do well. Good luck."

"Give us a fast ship," Shepherd told Russian and U.S. space officials.

0455 GMT (11:55 p.m. EST)

The Expedition One crew has departed for the launch pad to board their ride to space. Bill Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev suited up and then met with senior delegations and the Russian State Commission before leaving for the ride to the pad. Fueling of the Soyuz rocket, meanwhile, is being completed as the countdown enters the final three hours.

0235 GMT (9:35 p.m. EST)

The sun has risen on a cold, foggy morning at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazkhstan where final preparations are underway to ready a Soyuz rocket for blastoff in just over five hours, according to Spaceflight Now's Steven Young reporting from the launch site. Liftoff remains set for 0753 GMT (2:53 a.m. EST).

The three-man Expedition One crew bound for the international space station are awake and will begin donning their spacesuits in about an hour.

We will provide further updates over the next few hours and then start continuous status reports starting at 0700 GMT (2 a.m. EST).

MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2000
0553 GMT (12:53 a.m. EDT)

Now 26 hours away from the launch of Expedition One. Nearly 17 years after President Ronald Reagan first proposed building an international space station, an American commander and two Russian cosmonauts are finally poised for blastoff to become the first full-time occupants of what has become a $60 billion project. Read our four-part special report on this historic launch.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2000

The Russian Soyuz rocket that will launch the future of human spaceflight was transported by train from its assembly hangar to a desert pad in Central Asia in the cold morning fog and mist today.

The three-stage booster is set for blastoff at 0753 GMT (2:53 a.m. EST) Tuesday from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan with the Expedition 1 crew. The three-man team -- American astronaut William Shepherd and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev -- will spend two days catching up to the station before docking early Thursday for a historic four-month visit that begins permanent human occupation of space over the next decade.

Riding on its side atop a specially designed lifting device, the Soyuz started the 90-minute journey to the launch pad at 7 a.m. local time. Once at the pad, the vehicle was erected and service towers were moved into place to enclose the rocket. The launch pad is the same one used in 1961 when man first leaped from Earth and traveled to the final frontier. Russian Yuri Gagarin soared to space, becoming the first human to orbit the planet.

Countdown activities will get underway at T-minus 34 hours when technicians prepare the Soyuz rocket for fueling. On launch day in Baikonur final tasks are due to start at T-minus 6 hours (6:53 a.m. local time) as batteries are installed into the booster. Operations to load kerosene fuel and liquid oxygen into all three stages of the rocket is scheduled to commence at T-minus 5 hours. The flight crew will begin suiting up at T-minus 4 hours, 20 minutes, then depart for the launch pad at T-minus 3 hours, 5 minutes for a half-hour ride to the complex. They will enter the Soyuz capsule through the orbital module sie hatch and progress into the reentry vehicle.

It will take just shy of 10 minutes for the Soyuz to achieve orbit.

Spaceflight Now will provide comprehensive live coverage of the launch and the four-month voyage of Expedition 1 to inhabit the fledgling international space station.

A full preview report package will be available early Monday.