Crews Focusing on Logistics Module Transfer
Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:40:17 -0500
Gloria Estefan’s “Mi Tierra” was played for space shuttle Discovery Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
Discovery and International Space Station crew members will focus on the transfer of the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module from Discovery’s payload bay to the station’s Harmony node. Later, the crew will open Leonardo’s hatch and move the new life support and science research racks into the space station.
At 4 p.m., NASA television will air a post-Mission Management Team news briefing with Space Shuttle Program Deputy Manager and MMT Chairman LeRoy Cain.
Monday, 31 August 2009
STS-128 Launch Photo
STS-128 Launch Photo
Billows of smoke and steam rise above Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida alongside space shuttle Discovery as it races toward space on the STS-128 mission. The STS-128 mission is the 30th International Space Station assembly flight and the 128th space shuttle flight. The 13-day mission will deliver more than 7 tons of supplies, science racks and equipment, as well as additional environmental hardware to sustain six crew members on the International Space Station. The equipment includes a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill.
Image Credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell
Image Credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell
STS-128 Latest Updates - Sunday/Monday
Discovery Arrives at International Space Station
Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:54:24 -0500
Space shuttle Discovery finished its chase to the International Space Station with a docking at 8:54 p.m. EDT.
Hatches Open Between Shuttle and Station
Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:39:41 -0500
The crews have opened hatches between the two spacecraft and will be conducting the traditional Welcoming Ceremony. About 30 minutes later, Discovery mission specialist Nicole Stott and station Flight Engineer Tim Kopra will exchange Soyuz seat liners and titles, as Stott becomes a station Flight Engineer and Kopra a shuttle mission specialist. NASA Television will air a Mission Status news briefing at midnight to recap today's rendezvous and docking activities.
Crew Swap Complete
Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:24:58 -0500At 11:49 p.m. EDT,
Nicole Stott exchanged Soyuz seat liners with space station Flight Engineer Tim Kopra. Stott now is a member of the space station Expedition 20 crew, and Kopra is a member of Discovery’s crew. Kopra spent 44 days as a member of Expedition 20.
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Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:54:24 -0500
Space shuttle Discovery finished its chase to the International Space Station with a docking at 8:54 p.m. EDT.
Hatches Open Between Shuttle and Station
Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:39:41 -0500
The crews have opened hatches between the two spacecraft and will be conducting the traditional Welcoming Ceremony. About 30 minutes later, Discovery mission specialist Nicole Stott and station Flight Engineer Tim Kopra will exchange Soyuz seat liners and titles, as Stott becomes a station Flight Engineer and Kopra a shuttle mission specialist. NASA Television will air a Mission Status news briefing at midnight to recap today's rendezvous and docking activities.
Crew Swap Complete
Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:24:58 -0500At 11:49 p.m. EDT,
Nicole Stott exchanged Soyuz seat liners with space station Flight Engineer Tim Kopra. Stott now is a member of the space station Expedition 20 crew, and Kopra is a member of Discovery’s crew. Kopra spent 44 days as a member of Expedition 20.
Visit the spaceboosters online store for NASA space photos,patches,pins and more!
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Shuttle on Final Path to Station
Shuttle on Final Path to Station
Space shuttle Discovery began rendezvous operations at 3:29 p.m. EDT and has performed a series of minor maneuvers to close the gap with the International Space Station.
At 6:27 p.m., eight miles away from the station, Discovery used its left orbital maneuvering system engine for an 11-second Terminal Initiation burn, placing the shuttle on the final path for docking at 9:04 p.m. About an hour before docking, while 600 feet directly under the station, Commander Rick Sturckow will guide Discovery through a nine-minute back flip to enable station crew members Gennady Padalka and Mike Barratt to photograph the shuttle heat shield.
STS-128 Crew Portrait
Space shuttle Discovery began rendezvous operations at 3:29 p.m. EDT and has performed a series of minor maneuvers to close the gap with the International Space Station.
At 6:27 p.m., eight miles away from the station, Discovery used its left orbital maneuvering system engine for an 11-second Terminal Initiation burn, placing the shuttle on the final path for docking at 9:04 p.m. About an hour before docking, while 600 feet directly under the station, Commander Rick Sturckow will guide Discovery through a nine-minute back flip to enable station crew members Gennady Padalka and Mike Barratt to photograph the shuttle heat shield.
STS-128 Crew Portrait
STS-128 Prepares for Docking
STS-128 Crew Prepares for Docking
During their first full day in space, astronauts aboard Discovery conducted a daylong inspection of the space shuttle’s thermal protection system, checked out spacesuits and prepared to dock with the International Space Station.
With Commander Rick Sturckow at the controls, Discovery is scheduled to link up with the space station at 8:03 p.m. CDT Sunday.
STS-128 Mission Patch
During their first full day in space, astronauts aboard Discovery conducted a daylong inspection of the space shuttle’s thermal protection system, checked out spacesuits and prepared to dock with the International Space Station.
With Commander Rick Sturckow at the controls, Discovery is scheduled to link up with the space station at 8:03 p.m. CDT Sunday.
STS-128 Mission Patch
Saturday, 29 August 2009
STS-128 - Heat Shield Inspection
Heat Shield Inspection for Crew
The crew of space shuttle Discovery woke at 1:30 p.m. to start work on the first full day of their 13-day mission. The seven-person crew will focus on heat shield inspections and preparations docking to the International Space Station Sunday.
Overnight, the Flight Control Team reported the failure of one of two small steering jets that flank the orbiter nose due to a leak. This will have no impact to docking, other mission activities or entry, but the crew will close a manifold to isolate both jets and disable them from use for the remainder of the mission.
The crew of space shuttle Discovery woke at 1:30 p.m. to start work on the first full day of their 13-day mission. The seven-person crew will focus on heat shield inspections and preparations docking to the International Space Station Sunday.
Overnight, the Flight Control Team reported the failure of one of two small steering jets that flank the orbiter nose due to a leak. This will have no impact to docking, other mission activities or entry, but the crew will close a manifold to isolate both jets and disable them from use for the remainder of the mission.
NASA Space Shuttle Discovery in Orbit
Discovery in Orbit, Chasing Space Station
With seven astronauts and a host of experiments and equipment on board, space shuttle Discovery completed a flawless ascent into orbit Friday night to begin a two-day chase of the International Space Station. With Commander Rick "C.J. " Sturckow at the controls, the shuttle lifted off on-time at 11:59 p.m. EDT from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will rendezvous and dock with the station Sunday and the crew will begin transferring equipment to the outpost during the 13-day mission.
After flying up on Discovery, Nicole Stott will trade places with station resident Tim Kopra, who went into space last month aboard Endeavour. Equipment and science racks for the orbiting laboratory are riding inside the Leonardo cargo module, which is secured tightly inside Discovery's payload bay. The module will be lifted out of Discovery and locked onto the station so the crew can transfer the gear efficiently. The treadmill named for comedian Stephen Colbert also is aboard Discovery and destined for the station.
STS-128 Souvenirs at the Spaceboosters Online Store
With seven astronauts and a host of experiments and equipment on board, space shuttle Discovery completed a flawless ascent into orbit Friday night to begin a two-day chase of the International Space Station. With Commander Rick "C.J. " Sturckow at the controls, the shuttle lifted off on-time at 11:59 p.m. EDT from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will rendezvous and dock with the station Sunday and the crew will begin transferring equipment to the outpost during the 13-day mission.
After flying up on Discovery, Nicole Stott will trade places with station resident Tim Kopra, who went into space last month aboard Endeavour. Equipment and science racks for the orbiting laboratory are riding inside the Leonardo cargo module, which is secured tightly inside Discovery's payload bay. The module will be lifted out of Discovery and locked onto the station so the crew can transfer the gear efficiently. The treadmill named for comedian Stephen Colbert also is aboard Discovery and destined for the station.
STS-128 Souvenirs at the Spaceboosters Online Store
Launch Teams "Go" for Liftoff of STS-128
Launch Teams "Go" for Liftoff
Space shuttle Discovery has been cleared for launch tonight at 11:59 EDT. The mission management team, mission control and the launch team have given unanimous "go for launch" calls as the countdown prepares to enter its final phase. The weather has improved throughout the evening and is no longer a factor tonight.
"Looks like the third time really is the charm," STS-128 Launch Director Pete Nickolenko told Discovery's crew.
Commander Rick "C.J." Sturckow said the crew is ready. "Let's go step up the science on the International Space Station," he said.
Space shuttle Discovery has been cleared for launch tonight at 11:59 EDT. The mission management team, mission control and the launch team have given unanimous "go for launch" calls as the countdown prepares to enter its final phase. The weather has improved throughout the evening and is no longer a factor tonight.
"Looks like the third time really is the charm," STS-128 Launch Director Pete Nickolenko told Discovery's crew.
Commander Rick "C.J." Sturckow said the crew is ready. "Let's go step up the science on the International Space Station," he said.
Friday, 28 August 2009
NASA Sets Briefing, TV Coverage of Japan's First Cargo Spacecraft
HOUSTON -- NASA will hold a news briefing at 12:30 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, Sept. 2, to preview the maiden launch and flight of Japan's unpiloted H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station. NASA Television will broadcast the briefing live from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Participants in the briefing will include officials from NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
NASA TV also will broadcast live HTV's launch and flight. The HTV is scheduled to lift off on an H-IIB rocket from JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan at approximately noon Sept. 10 (about 2 a.m. Sept. 11 Japan time). NASA TV coverage of the launch will begin at 11:45 a.m. The HTV will augment the European Space Agency's Automated Transportation Vehicles and the Russian Progress ships that deliver supplies to the space station.
NASA conducted an HTV readiness review on Aug. 27. The HTV was formally approved for flight and rendezvous. The launch window will be open from Sept. 10-30. In the event of a launch postponement after the H-IIB rocket is fueled, a 72-hour turnaround will be required before the next launch attempt. As the 16.5-ton cargo craft makes its week-long journey to the space station, flight controllers in Tsukuba, Japan, and at Mission Control in Houston will conduct a number of tests of HTV's rendezvous and navigation systems.
NASA TV coverage of the cargo craft's arrival at the station will begin at 2 p.m. Sept. 17. As the HTV moves within about 40 feet of the orbiting laboratory, space station crew members will capture the craft using the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm. The crew then will attach the HTV to an Earth-facing docking port on the station's Harmony connecting module. The robotic maneuvers are set to begin at about 2:50 p.m. Sept. 17. The HTV will remain attached to the station for about six weeks while supplies are transferred. In addition to interior supplies and equipment, two new experiments carried on the exterior of the HTV will be moved to the Japanese Kibo module's external experiment porch using a combination of maneuvers with the station's Canadarm2 and Kibo's robotic arm.
spaceflight souvenirs, NASA memorabilia - spaceboosters online store
HOUSTON -- NASA will hold a news briefing at 12:30 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, Sept. 2, to preview the maiden launch and flight of Japan's unpiloted H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station. NASA Television will broadcast the briefing live from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Participants in the briefing will include officials from NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
NASA TV also will broadcast live HTV's launch and flight. The HTV is scheduled to lift off on an H-IIB rocket from JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan at approximately noon Sept. 10 (about 2 a.m. Sept. 11 Japan time). NASA TV coverage of the launch will begin at 11:45 a.m. The HTV will augment the European Space Agency's Automated Transportation Vehicles and the Russian Progress ships that deliver supplies to the space station.
NASA conducted an HTV readiness review on Aug. 27. The HTV was formally approved for flight and rendezvous. The launch window will be open from Sept. 10-30. In the event of a launch postponement after the H-IIB rocket is fueled, a 72-hour turnaround will be required before the next launch attempt. As the 16.5-ton cargo craft makes its week-long journey to the space station, flight controllers in Tsukuba, Japan, and at Mission Control in Houston will conduct a number of tests of HTV's rendezvous and navigation systems.
NASA TV coverage of the cargo craft's arrival at the station will begin at 2 p.m. Sept. 17. As the HTV moves within about 40 feet of the orbiting laboratory, space station crew members will capture the craft using the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm. The crew then will attach the HTV to an Earth-facing docking port on the station's Harmony connecting module. The robotic maneuvers are set to begin at about 2:50 p.m. Sept. 17. The HTV will remain attached to the station for about six weeks while supplies are transferred. In addition to interior supplies and equipment, two new experiments carried on the exterior of the HTV will be moved to the Japanese Kibo module's external experiment porch using a combination of maneuvers with the station's Canadarm2 and Kibo's robotic arm.
spaceflight souvenirs, NASA memorabilia - spaceboosters online store
Tanking Underway for Discovery Launch
Tanking Under Way For 11:59 p.m. Launch
Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are flowing into the gigantic orange external tank of space shuttle Discovery this afternoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tanking operations began at 2:45 p.m. EDT and it will take three hours to load the 500,000 gallons of propellants into the structure. The fuel will be consumed in 8 1/2 minutes as Discovery’s three main engines power the shuttle into orbit.
Launch is scheduled for 11:59 p.m. EDT tonight. Forecasters call for a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time.
The mission management team reported that all the testing and analysis of Discovery's fill-and-drain valve during the last two days gives them a high degree of confidence the valve is working. Procedures have been approved in case there is a similar issue with the position sensor on the hydrogen fill-and-drain valve.
The plan includes being able to open and close the valve, or cycle it, two times during the tanking process if the valve position indicator sensor doesn't work. Teams would use alternate means, including monitoring pressure in the system, to provide confidence the valve is closed for launch.
STS-128 Mission Insignia at Spaceboosters
Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are flowing into the gigantic orange external tank of space shuttle Discovery this afternoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tanking operations began at 2:45 p.m. EDT and it will take three hours to load the 500,000 gallons of propellants into the structure. The fuel will be consumed in 8 1/2 minutes as Discovery’s three main engines power the shuttle into orbit.
Launch is scheduled for 11:59 p.m. EDT tonight. Forecasters call for a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time.
The mission management team reported that all the testing and analysis of Discovery's fill-and-drain valve during the last two days gives them a high degree of confidence the valve is working. Procedures have been approved in case there is a similar issue with the position sensor on the hydrogen fill-and-drain valve.
The plan includes being able to open and close the valve, or cycle it, two times during the tanking process if the valve position indicator sensor doesn't work. Teams would use alternate means, including monitoring pressure in the system, to provide confidence the valve is closed for launch.
STS-128 Mission Insignia at Spaceboosters
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