Image above: Commander Bill McArthur shows off a packet of smoked turkey. Image credit: NASA TV

An out-of-this-world Thanksgiving

After completing some proficiency training and routine station maintenance this week, Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur KC5ACR and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev will enjoy a day off to celebrate Thanksgiving. The crew will dine on irradiated smoked turkey, dehydrated green beans, powdered drinks and a thermo stabilized cranberry-apple dessert.

View the crew's Thanksgiving message (Windows Media Format)

On Monday, Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur engaged in proficiency runs on the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm to keep his robotic skills sharp. The training also entailed positioning the arm for viewing the upcoming Russian EVA, now rescheduled for Feb. 2, 2006.

With the Russian spacewalk moved to February, Expedition 12 now has more time to focus on packing the Progress 19 cargo craft, set to undock on Dec. 20, and the arrival of fresh supplies aboard Progress 20 on Dec. 23.