Universe Today » Space Shuttle

Will Discovery Be 'Go for Launch' or Forced to Roll Back?

Nancy Atkinson — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:03:37 +0000

A wide angle view of Discovery and the payload canister on the rolled back Rotating Service Structure. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Over the weekend, NASA engineers will conduct additional tests to determine if Discovery can launch "as is" or have to be rolled back for repairs — which would mean a three-month delay for the STS-131 mission. Helium regulator assemblies downstream from a failed isolation valve in the shuttle's right rear maneuvering engine pod must work perfectly to provide a system redundancy that would justify proceeding with the flight. If the valve needs to be repaired or replaced, neither can be done at the launchpad – meaning Discovery would have to be rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, de-mated from the SRBs and external tank, and sent to the Orbiter Processing Facility for repairs. But if the regulators check out, and no other problems arise, mission managers could give the 'go' to launch Discovery as is on April 5, 2010.

Today on the launchpad, said NASA Payload Manager Joe Delai was optimistic about the tests. "It's looking good," he said. "They will do a test on Saturday to make sure the two valves farther down the line work, and if that looks good, we'll put the payload on board."
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Post tags: Space Shuttle, Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-131

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ISS Change of Command as Russian American Crew readies Earth return

Ken Kremer — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:04:07 +0000

Map of Soyuz TMA 16 Landing Site, set for Thursday, March 18 at 7:23 AM in the steppes of Kazakhstan

ISS Station Commander Jeff Williams, from NASA, handed over command of the massive orbiting outpost to Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotev, in a formal ceremony early today (Wed, March 17) in preparation for the return to earth of two crew members early Thursday. The ISS population will be reduced to a crew of three until the scheduled April 4 arrival of the next three person station crew inside a Russian capsule. Both Williams and Kotev have previously served on the ISS for long duration missions.

This marks the end to Expedition 22 and the start of Expedition 23. The five person international crew of Expedition 22 comprised Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineers Maxim Suraev, Oleg Kotov, Soichi Noguchi, and T.J. Creamer. (...)
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STS-134 Does Star Trek with New Poster

Nancy Atkinson — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:59:18 +0000

Look familiar? Crew poster for STS-134. Credit: NASA

I love the crew posters that NASA has been creating lately, and this one is especially cool. If you are a Star Trek fan, you likely will recognize the pose that Commander Mark Kelly and his crew are assuming. If not, take a look below.
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Spacewalking: Through an Astronaut's Eyes

Nancy Atkinson — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:00:26 +0000

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield during one of his two EVAs during the STS-100 mission in 2001. Hadfield is backdropped against the blue and white Earth, and Scott Parazynski, who shared both space walks with Hadfield and who took this photo, appears as a small reflection in Hadfield's helmet visor. Credit: NASA

What is it really like to go on a spacewalk? Some astronauts have said there are no words to describe the experience, but we talked with astronaut Chris Hadfield – the same guy who gave the best description ever of going to the bathroom in space – and asked him to convey his thoughts about his EVA experiences. Hadfield has done it again, and has now given the best description ever of a spacewalk.
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Post tags: astronauts, Chris Hadfield, EVA, STS-100

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NASA manager says Shuttle Extension Possible; Key Issue Is Money not Safety

Ken Kremer — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:42:20 +0000

Endeavour rolls to pad 39 A at Dawn. Will the sun set on the shuttle era forever as scheduled by late 2010, or will Congress force an extension to the shuttle program until a replacement US rocket system is available to fly Americans into space and the ISS ? Credit: Ken Kremer

NASA Shuttle program manager John Shannon said on Tuesday (Mar 9) that the Space Shuttle Program can indeed be safely extended beyond the existing plan to retire the fleet after completing the four missions currently remaining to fly by the end of 2010. The key issue now is money not safety.

“Where the money comes from is the ‘big question’. We feel like we've addressed [the issue of shuttle] recertification”, said Shannon at a press briefing at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. (...)
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Gallery: Midnight Shuttle Rollout

Nancy Atkinson — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:53:34 +0000

Discovery rolls out of the VAB. Image: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today.

It was a dark and windy night. But then the Xenon spotlights hit space shuttle Discovery as it inched out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, lighting up the darkness. The lights didn't help the wind any, but the gleaming shuttle stack on top of the crawler/transporter was a beautiful sight to behold. I was told that first motion of the shuttle out of the VAB hasn't been open to the press for many years, (since the return to flight mission in 1988) and so I felt privileged to witness the event. Especially stunning was a unique silhouette shadow of the shuttle stack that formed against the clouds as the spotlights glared (see below). Photographer Alan Walters and I both snapped some shots, and I've now updated this post to include daylight photos of Discovery at the pad.
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Post tags: discovery, Space Shuttle, STS-131

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Get Ready for the Next Shuttle Mission, STS-131

Nancy Atkinson — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:24:19 +0000

The STS-131 crew: (L-R) Clay Anderson, Naoko Yamazaki (JAXA), Stephanie Wilson, Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Rick Mastracchio, Jim Dutton, Alan Poindexter. Image credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today.

The astronauts are getting ready; space shuttle Discovery is getting ready. Are you ready for this fourth-to-the-last flight? Preparations have begun in earnest for the next shuttle mission, STS-131. The astronauts arrived at Kennedy Space Center Monday evening and will be here for several days of the standard prelaunch training called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. They arrived at the Shuttle Landing Facility airstrip, and all expressed their excitement for the mission and their thanks to the people at KSC who prepare the shuttle for flight.
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Post tags: astronauts, discovery, Space Shuttle, STS-131

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STS 130: Cool Night Landing Video from the Shuttle Strip

Ken Kremer — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:48:27 +0000

For my farewell from the Cape (for now) and STS 130 coverage, please check out this cool video of the STS 130 Night Landing which took place exactly 1 week ago on Sunday night, Feb 21.

It’s been a pleasure and an honor to work as a team for Universe Today; Nancy Atkinson and Ken Kremer reporting live from the Kennedy Space Center – informing all our readers about the remarkable deeds by the STS 130 and ISS astronauts & cosmonauts. As well as all the hardworking folks at NASA and the ISS partners from ESA, Russia, Canada and Japan without whom nothing would happen.(...)
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End of an Era: "Lasts" for Shuttle Program

Nancy Atkinson — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:32:36 +0000

Final test firing of reusable solid rocket motor FSM-17 on Feb. 25 in Promontory, Utah. Image Credit: NASA

Yesterday, NASA's Space Shuttle Program conducted the final test firing of a reusable solid rocket motor, in Utah. Look to see the words "final" and "last" frequently over the next few months in regards to the space shuttle. "There is a whole series of lasts coming up," said space shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach at Endeavour's landing earlier this week, who talked about the "majesty of this ship" and "people who have fallen in love with this machine." It's going to be hard to let them go," he said, "but we've been given a new direction and we'll process that last shuttle and fly that last mission and move on."

Here's a few notes and recent news items on the end of the shuttle program:
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Post tags: ISS, Solid Rocket Boosters, Space Shuttle

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Could the Space Shuttle Program Be Extended to 2015?

Nancy Atkinson — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:47:00 +0000

Space shuttle Endeavour lands in darkness on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell

Congressional legislators in Florida are mounting a campaign to extend space shuttle operations to 2015, adding two flights each year. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas said a bipartisan plan is in the works, which would require adding another $200 million to the NASA budget for 2010 and between $1.5 – $2 billion a year starting in the 2011-12 budget year. "We're not going to do anything that's not safe," Kosmas was quoted in Florida Today, adding that securing the funding would be difficult in tight budget times, but "we're going to go for it," she said.

At Kennedy Space Center early Monday morning after Endeavour returned home safely following the STS-130 mission, space shuttle program managers confirmed that while the shuttles are in good shape to continue flying, extending the program is not the direction their teams have been headed.
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ISS Astronaut Captures Shuttle Landing from Cupola

Nancy Atkinson — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:45:44 +0000

Endeavour from space. Credit: Soichi Noguchi

ISS astronaut Soichi Noguchi has been sharing lots of amazing pictures he's taken in space via Twitter, but this one is extra special. Noguchi was able to capture the plasma trail produced by space shuttle Endeavour as it streaked through Earth's atmosphere. "Space Shuttle Endeavour making S-turn during atmospheric re-entry," Noguchi wrote on his Twitpic page, where he post his space photos from Twitter, @Astro_Soichi. "The first time it was photographed from Space Station Cupola. Priceless."
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Endeavour Comes Home to Kennedy Space Center

Nancy Atkinson — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:12:58 +0000

Endeavour lands at Kennedy Space Center. Image Credit: Alan Walters

Space shuttle Endeavour loudly announced its arrival with twin sonic booms, then two minutes later emerged like a phantom out of the darkness to touch down beautifully on runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center. The landing at 10:20 p.m. EST Sunday ended the two-week STS-130 mission to the ISS. After early concerns about the weather, conditions were almost ideal for landing.

"STS-130 is mission complete, and we're safe on deck" said Commander George Zamka, speaking on the runway after the crew disembarked from Endeavour. "The Cupola is beautiful in both design and function, and Endeavour was perfect throughout the flight… Now it's time for us to hit the showers and get used to life on Earth again."
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Post tags: ISS, Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-130

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Endeavour Crew Preps for Sunday Landing as Showers Threaten Delay

Ken Kremer — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:13:17 +0000

NASA astronaut George Zamka, STS-130 commander, is pictured in a window of the newly-installed Cupola of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

(Editor's Note: Ken Kremer is at the Kennedy Space Center for Universe Today covering the flight of Endeavour)

The crew of Endeavour is packing up their gear in the crew cabin and preparing for a Sunday evening (Feb. 21) landing at the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida as a forecast of possible rain showers threatens to delay their return to Earth. (...)
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What's the Internet Really Like in Space?

Nancy Atkinson — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:53:12 +0000

The space chicken seen in the STS-130 execute packages.

With the internet now part of daily life on the International Space Station, inquiring minds want to know! Can astronauts visit any websites they want, and what kinds of download speeds do they have in space? And what about that chicken, seen above, that has been gracing the STS-130 execute packages? And what's the view from the new cupola really like? Astronauts answered those questions and more, at the joint crew news conference last night, where I had the chance to talk the crew members of Endeavour and the ISS.
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Post tags: astronauts, ISS, Space Shuttle, STS-130

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Double Spaceship Sighting Alert!

Nancy Atkinson — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:17:46 +0000

Space shuttle Endeavour will undock from the ISS on late Friday (7:54 p.m. EST) or early Saturday (00:54 GMT) depending where you live, providing an opportunity to see the two spaceships flying in tandem. This is an incredible sight, and as the shuttle program comes to a close, one that will happen only about four more times. Early morning sightings are favored for those in the northern hemisphere. The two spacecraft will be seen as separate but closely-spaced points of light. The ISS is bigger, so will appear as the brighter object trailing the smaller Endeavour as they move across the sky. Double flybys will continue until the shuttle lands, currently scheduled for late Sunday or early Monday, with the two getting farther apart each day. Of course, your viewing ability will depend on cloud cover. Above, you can watch the ceremony as the shuttle crew returned to Endeavour and closed the hatches from the ISS.

To find out if you'll be able to see spaceships in your area, there are a few different sites to check out:
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Post tags: ISS, sighting opportunities, Space Shuttle

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Obama Talks With ISS/Shuttle Crews

Nancy Atkinson — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:11:36 +0000

Astronauts on the International Space Station took questions Wednesday from President Barack Obama and a group of children. The astronauts eloquently explained the the science and benefits of the ISS, and discussed if artificial gravity could be developed, their thoughts and feelings about being in space, and what they could see from space. "This is really exciting," said Obama. "We're investing back here on the ground in a whole array of solar and other renewable energy projects. So to find out you're doing this up there at the space station is very exciting."

Obama added, "We wanted to let you know how proud we are of you and how committed we are to continuing human space exploration in the future."

Let's hope so.

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Scenes from Space: Best Images from STS-130 (so far…)

Nancy Atkinson — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:38:15 +0000

Astronaut Robert Behnken during the first EVA of the mission. Credit: NASA

The STS-130 mission has provided some of the most spectacular images of any space shuttle mission to date — from a stunning shot of space shuttle Endeavour silhouetted against Earth's colorful atmosphere, to incredible views of the International Space station, to the always amazing photos of astronauts at work in space. But that's only the beginning! Take a look at a sampling of some of the best images from the mission so far. Above, astronaut Bob Behnken works outside the ISS during the first EVA of the mission.
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Cupola Bay Window bolted to face Earth; Stunning 38 Second Video

Ken Kremer — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:54:05 +0000

The Cupola, which is akin to a ‘bay window’ in a house back on earth, was relocated overnight to the Tranquility modules Earth-facing (nadir) port and put in place at 1:25 AM EST this morning. The so called ‘Room with a View’ was then securely latched and bolted into place. Cupola is an innovative 7 windowed observation dome, built in Italy, that will provide spectacular panoramic views of the Earth, the station and the cosmos and simultaneously function as a robotics work station for approaching cargo ships.(...)
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Space Plumbers hook up crucial Tranquility cooling and power to Space Station

Ken Kremer — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:19:44 +0000

Mission Specialists Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken work outside the International Space Station during the second spacewalk of the STS-130 mission. Credit: NASA TV

(Editor's Note: Ken Kremer is at the Kennedy Space Center for Universe Today covering the flight of Endeavour)

Astronauts Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick completed the second of their three spacewalks (EVAs) planned for the STS-130 mission early this Sunday morning Feb 14 at 3:14 AM EST. The pair worked essentially as plumbers today during the spacewalk which began at 9:20 PM Saturday night. They successfully accomplished all their assigned tasks overnight by connecting crucial Tranquility feed lines to the International Space Station (ISS). (...)
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Spectacular SRB Videos from STS-130 Provide Night-time Shuttle Love

Nancy Atkinson — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:15:31 +0000

This may be the last time we'll see this. Launch videos taken from the space shuttle's solid rocket boosters are incredible anyway, but add the fact the latest launch took place at night, and you've got a recipe for complete awesomeness! The SRB perspective of launch is unique, but go to about 2:05 in the video to watch the SRBs separate and you will swoon! Endeavour zooms away like something out of a science fiction movie. Then the sparks fly — literally and figuratively — as the SRBs fall away. Given STS-130 was the final scheduled night launch, don't miss watching this one.

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Post tags: Space Shuttle, Space Shuttle Endeavour, SRB videos

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Tranquility attached to Space Station

Ken Kremer — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:45:19 +0000

“JEM, Soyuz, Shuttle, our new Node3, and your beautiful Earth!” Stunning Twitpic shows new Tranquility module (Node 3, center left) being prepared for attachment today to the International Space Station (ISS). Note the giant Japanese Experimental Module (JEM) and attached japanese science porch and robotic arm (at top center) in background as well as manned shuttle Endeavour and Soyuz spaceships. Three robot arms in total visible here. Credit: Astronaut Soichi Noguchi aboard ISS.

(Editor's Note: Ken Kremer is at the Kennedy Space Center for Universe Today covering the flight of Endeavour)

The new 15 ton Tranquility module which had been carefully nestled and carried to orbit inside the cavernous payload bay of shuttle Endeavour, was bolted onto the left side port of the centrally positioned Unity module of the International Space Station (ISS) early this morning (Feb 12) at 12:20 AM EST during the first of three spacewalks (EVA’s) set for the STS 130 mission.

Installing the Tranquility life support module to the ISS was the primary task for the combined STS 130 and resident ISS crew of 11 people during the planned 13 day flight of Endeavour. (...)
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Best. Shuttle Image. Ever

Nancy Atkinson — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:01:15 +0000

Space shuttle Endeavour in Earth's limb as it approaches the ISS prior to docking. Credit: NASA

While watching space shuttle Endeavour approach the International Space Station late Tuesday/early Wednesday, there was an amazing view shown on NASA TV, and I only hoped that someone on the ISS captured it with a high-resolution photo. They did. This amazing image shows Endeavor silhouetted against the tiny, colorful sliver of Earth's atmosphere. Where else can you get an image like this except in space?! Incredible!

And below is the flipside, the view the space shuttle astronauts had of the ISS as they got closer to their new home in space.
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Pirouettes and Twitpics from Space

Nancy Atkinson — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:09:27 +0000

If you were watching NASA TV late Tuesday/early Wednesday you likely saw the beautiful backflip maneuver that space shuttle Endeavour performed before docking at 12:06 a.m. EST with the International Space Station. It was a striking sight to behold (see video above) as Commander George Zamka guided the orbiter through the nine-minute Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver, rotating the orbiter backwards so that space station astronauts could take high-resolution pictures of the shuttle's heat-resistant tiles. Meanwhile, the ISS astronauts not taking the hi-res images were busy taking pictures of the approaching orbiter and posting them on Twitter.
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Post tags: ISS, Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-130

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LAUNCH!

Nancy Atkinson — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:07:52 +0000

Launch of STS-130. Credit: Rich Yaeger

I am still shaking and still awestruck! I just witnessed my first rocket launch and my first space shuttle launch which also happens to be the last night launch for the space shuttle program. It was absolutely the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed. When the SRB's lit, night literally turned into day. The shuttle moved silently upward until the sound wave reached — and hit me — a couple of seconds later. I could feel the power of the launch from 3 miles away. The crackling and popping was amazingly loud, and the noise endured a very long time. So, so, so absolutely incredible! I wish I could better relate the awesomeness of seeing a shuttle launch! All I can say is that seeing the launch in person is nothing like watching it on TV or on your computer screen. But, I've embedded the video below, since I have run out or superlatives.

I was going to try and take a couple of pictures, but I ended up instead taking NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden's advice to just suck it up and enjoy the experience of the launch and not try to capture it on film — just let the professionals do that. (And yes, Charlie, I cried, too!) So the image above was taken by fellow journalist Rich Yaeger who graciously shared his image with Universe Today. Thanks Rich! Check out Rich's blog.

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Launch Scrub for STS-130

Nancy Atkinson — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:38:23 +0000

Shuttle Endeavour on the launchpad shortly after the RSS had been retracted. Image: Nancy Atkinson

The launch of space shuttle Endeavour was scrubbed about 9 minutes before the scheduled 4:39 am EST (9:49 GMT) liftoff due to low clouds that moved into the area. Mission managers have scheduled space shuttle Endeavour's next launch attempt for Monday, Feb. 8 at 4:14 a.m. EST (9:14 GMT)

The Mission Management Team will meet at 6:15 p.m. Sunday to give the "go" to fill Endeavour's external fuel tank with propellants. Tank loading will begin at 6:45 p.m.

The launch of the Solar Dynamic Observatory has subsequently been moved one day forward, and is now scheduled for Feb. 10 at 10:26 am EST.
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