One call to ground controllers was for a new hard drive

Cosmonaut Krikalev exchanges the hard drive for one in another laptop, and the call goes out for a replacement to be sent on the next rocket:

"We do not have a backup and we are operating on our only working load. We request that 4A bring at least one complete hard drive as backup for the Russian laptop," reads a later entry.

The log does not mention whether the crew got a call reference number for this particular cry for help, but it is unlikely that they were put on hold after minutes of "press 'one' for technical support" style menus.

Edited version

The log is published online by Nasa, minus a few sensitive comments which the space agency decided it would be better to leave out.

"These communications require absolute candor in discussion that would not be available if parties to the exchange thought the material might be released to the public," it explains.

The crew of the ISS, Sergei Krikalev, Bill Shepherd and Yuri Gidzenko, spent four and a half months on the station.

Commander Shepherd's entry for 25th November 2000 records a conversation over breakfast about how the computers were displaying documents in Russian:

"Sergei discusses some problems with the way [Microsoft] Windows is handling Cyrillic fonts."

The Russian ground crew come up with a fix soon afterwards, but glitches continue throughout the mission:

"Sergei is still having difficulties with his e-mail. After the mail sync, he still has 'outgoing' mail left instead of everything in the 'sent' folder," writes Commander Shepherd in January.

Lights, camera .... action!

The ISS crew spent time shooting with an IMAX camera to make high quality films which can be projected in giant cinemas. It turned out to be a time-consuming process:

"We estimate at least 45 minutes per shot, minimum (for 2 people - not including 'talent'). This assumes camera is loaded, and lights and sound equipment all assembled and positioned.

"When you consider all that goes into one scene - lighting, metering, focus, depth of field, camera moves, rehearsal, clothes, props, sound, etc., we think even this estimate could be short," the log reads.

'Apocalypse Now'

But it wasn't all headaches aboard the largest ever man-made object in space.

The crew found time to watch films like Apocalypse Now on one of the station's laptops.

"Shep tried to explain why Robert Duvall is always wearing the black cavalry hat, but being a Navy guy, he's not sure he understands it, either," the log says.

And the crew's menu, also published on the Nasa site, shows a varied selection rotating over six days.

They ate four meals a day, with day four's menu showing peasant soup, beef goulash and Moscow rye bread for the third meal, followed by teriyaki chicken, rice, peaches and almonds in the evening.

Handover

The final entries in the log record the handover to the next crew.

"We pass to your care 'Alpha's' log, with the hope that many successful entries are recorded here, that explorations carried out on board are prodigious, and discoveries wondrous.

"May the good will, spirit and sense of 'mission' we have enjoyed onboard endure. Sail her well," reads the final entry.

The publication of the logs exposes the apparently everyday side of working in space and Russia's space authorities will decide on Wednesday whether to take another step towards making space travel less exclusive.

They are due to make a final decision on whether to allow millionaire Dennis Tito onto the ISS.

Mr Tito is offering to pay $20m (�14m) for the privilege, but Nasa opposes allowing him onto the station, saying that he would pose a safety risk.