PLANKTON-LINZA-SA experiment is included in the scientific program of South African cosmonaut Mark Shuttleworth, and is a constituent part of the Russian Program for Implementation of Scientific and Technological Research Planned for the Fourth Manned Expedition ISS-4.

SUPPORT HARDWARE:

• · Camera NIKON F5;

- lens 24/85 mm
- lens 80/100 mm

• Dictaphone;
• Camera NIKON DIX;
  - lenses AF-S NIKOR (f=16 mm, f=17-35 mm; f=28-70 mm; f=80-200 mm)
  - storage battery
• Digital camera Kodak ESC460c;
• Camcorder DSR PD-1P.

CONSUMABLES:

• Video cassettes;
• 35-mm film
• Dictaphone cassettes;
• CD disk;
• PCMCIA cards;
• Mini-DV video cassette.

THE OBJECTIVE:

• obtaining experimental data characterizing the effects of atmospheric, hydrophysical and geological factors on biological productivity of oceanic waters surrounding the Republic of South Africa.
• obtaining geological information needed for prediction and additional prospecting on the African territory.

THE TASKS:

• search for biologically productive areas of the ocean, a study of underwater topography near African coast;
• development of methods for digital photography of geological structures at low sun elevations over local horizon and different viewing angles;
• a study of topography in the area of known mineral deposits in order to search for promising geological structures outside these deposits using the identified indicative signs.

EXPECTED RESULTS:

The results of a comprehensive processing of materials obtained during the mission, making use of archive space data and measurements from ships will allow to evaluate the role and scope of effects the atmospheric, hydrophysical and geological factors have on biological production processes in the waters of the oceans surrounding African coast.