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 Sunday 15th June 2008

Photo Credit: Nasa
Seven astronauts flew space shuttle Discovery back to NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Saturday14th June to end the latest construction mission to the International Space Station.

Commander Mark Kelly and Pilot Ken Ham were at the controls of Discovery as it glided through Florida skies to touch down on time at 3:15 p.m. BST.

Kelly, Ham and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum and Japan's Akihiko Hoshide spent 14 days in orbit installing the Japanese Pressurized Module to the space station. The module is the largest section of the Japanese laboratory called "Kibo," or hope. Garrett Reisman also returned onboard Discovery. He spent three months living on the space station.

Talking to the news media a few hours after landing, the crew of STS-124 beamed about the flight.

"I think I have the best space shuttle crew of all-time," Kelly said.

Although there are more pieces to add on future flights, Fossum said the addition of Kibo made the station look nearly complete.

"It was a great feeling of accomplishment as we backed away (from the station)," he said.

Hoshide, one of the astronauts of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, spent time on Earth monitoring Kibo's preparation for space. Saying goodbye to it in orbit was not easy.

"When we went to close the hatch, that was a tender moment, it was kind of sad," he said.

NASA and Japanese officials hailed the flight just after landing.

"I can't think of a mission really that's been better than this one," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator of Space Operations. "We're starting to break that tie to planet Earth and get out and do what exploration is."

Discovery returned to its base in good shape, said Michael Leinbach, shuttle launch director.

"It's just a terrific day here at the Kennedy Space Center."

Astronaut Ron Garan came back with a unique spacewalking experience. Perched at one end of the station's long robotic arm, he swung far out and away from the shuttle and station to move a nitrogen tank into place.

"I got the impression I wasn't just looking at the Earth, I was looking at a planet hanging in space," he said.

After a night at Kennedy, the crew will fly to Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA's next shuttle flight is slated for October when the crew of STS-125 is to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

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Discovery Lands at KSC - 14th June

Photo Credit: Nasa
Five men and one woman who flew back to Earth after two weeks in space today looked over the outside of space shuttle Discovery as it sat on the shuttle's runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle landed on time at 3:15 p.m. BST. Space station resident Garrett Reisman also returned with Discovery after three months in orbit.

Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Ken Ham and Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum and Japan's Akihiko Hoshide surveyed the black heat shield on the belly of Discovery as ground crews serviced the spacecraft and NASA officials talked to them about the mission and landing.

"It was a really exciting mission and we're glad to be back here in Florida," Kelly said soon after Discovery landed.

The congratulatory spirit was shared by NASA officials who hailed the flight.

"I can't think of a mission really that's been better than this one," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator of Space Operations. "We're starting to break that tie to planet Earth and get out and do what exploration is."

Discovery returned to its base in good shape, said Michael Leinbach, shuttle launch director.

"It's just a terrific day here at the Kennedy Space Center."

Discovery Set for Landing Today - 14th June

Photo Credit: Nasa
Two landing opportunities are available for space shuttle Discovery and the STS-124 crew to return to Earth today.

Discovery's first landing opportunity is at 3:15 p.m. BST on orbit 217. If controllers elect to take it, Commander Mark Kelly will perform the deorbit burn at 2:10 p.m. to begin the descent to Kennedy. Orbit 218 provides a second opportunity at 4:50 p.m.

Forecasters predict good weather at the landing site.

The STS-124 crew arrived at the station June 2, delivering the second component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory and a new Expedition 17 crew member – Flight Engineer Greg Chamitoff – to the station. Chamitoff took the place of Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who is returning to Earth as a member of the Discovery crew.

STS-124 is the 123rd shuttle mission and 26th shuttle flight to visit the space station.

Discovery Cleared for Landing Saturday - 13th June

Photo Credit: Nasa
The crew members of space shuttle Discovery are spending today getting ready for their return home and the end of the STS-124 mission.

After completing a standard day-before-landing test of the shuttle steering jets, the crew indicated they had seen an object floating away from the shuttle from behind the rear portion of the right wing. Experts on the ground determined that the object was a clip that is used to protect the speed brake from heating during ascent. The crew also described what they called a "bump" on the left side trailing edge of Discovery's rudder. Mission Control compared today's images to preflight pictures of the area, and they are normal. Neither the “bump” nor the clip are a concern for re-entry.

The STS-124 astronauts also will set up the recumbent seat for Mission Specialist Garrett Reisman, who joined the crew of Discovery on the International Space Station. Reisman, who served as Expedition 17 flight engineer for three months, was replaced on the station crew by NASA astronaut Greg Chamitoff.

STS-124 arrived at the station June 2, delivering the Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM), the second and largest component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory. The tour bus-sized JPM was attached to the left side of the Harmony connecting node by shuttle and station crew members during a series of three spacewalks.

Discovery is scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., tomorrow.

2nd Spacewalk complete - 7th June

Photo Credit: Nasa
Mission Specialists Mike Fossum and Ron Garan completed the second STS-124 spacewalk. The 7-hour, 11-minute excursion ended at 11:15 p.m. GMT Thursday.

The spacewalkers installed two cameras on the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory. These cameras will be used to judge clearances for the module’s robotic arm.

Garan and Fossum also prepared the laboratory’s top active common berthing mechanism for the attachment of the smaller section of the module, the Japanese Experiment Logistics Module - Pressurized Section, which was delivered during STS‐123.

In addition, the two spacewalkers made preparations for a nitrogen tank assembly swap they will make on their third spacewalk. They also removed an external television camera that had a failing power supply.

Fossum also inspected the space station's port solar alpha rotary joint, or SARJ. Unlike the starboard SARJ, the port SARJ has performed flawlessly. The inspection was done to ensure the port SARJ remains in good condition.

2nd Spacewalk in progress - 6th June

Photo Credit: Nasa
Mission Specialists Mike Fossum and Ron Garan began the second STS-124 spacewalk at 3:04 p.m. GMT.

The spacewalkers will install two cameras on the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory and prepare the laboratory for the attachment of the smaller section of the module. The Japanese Experiment Logistics Module - Pressurized Section was delivered during STS-123.

In addition, Garan and Fossum will prepare for a nitrogen tank assembly swap that they will make on the mission’s third spacewalk.

For the final tasks of today’s spacewalk, Garan will join Fossum on the left truss to remove an external television camera that has a failing power supply. They will bring the camera inside with them, where the power supply will be replaced, and then reinstall it during the third spacewalk.

Japanese Lab Completed - 5th June

Photo Credit: Nasa
The shuttle and station crews opened the newly installed Japanese laboratory Kibo for business Wednesday. Hatch opening occurred at 10:05 p.m. GMT. The experiment module was installed on the Harmony Node’s port side Tuesday.

After a leak check, mission specialists Karen Nyberg and Akihiko Hoshide prepared Kibo for activation before opening the hatches. Shortly after entering Kibo, the crew members sampled the air and tested for contamination. They wore protective goggles and masks until they were sure the Japanese lab’s air was clean.

Mission specialists Mike Fossum and Ron Garan reviewed procedures for their second spacewalk and will sleep in the U.S. Quest airlock overnight to purge the nitrogen from their bodies. During Thursday’s spacewalk, the second of the mission, the spacewalkers will outfit the new lab and prepare the Japanese logistics module for relocation.

JPM installed. First EVA completed! - 4th June

Photo Credit: Nasa
The crews of space shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station wrapped up a busy day Tuesday, completing a six-hour, 48-minute spacewalk and expanding the Japanese segment of the orbital outpost.

Mission specialists Mike Fossum and Ron Garan completed STS-124’s first spacewalk at 12:10 a.m. GMT Wednesday. During the excursion, the pair retrieved a shuttle inspection tool, serviced and inspected components of a solar alpha rotary joint and prepared the largest component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory for installation on the International Space Station.

The spacewalkers first transferred the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) from the station’s truss to space shuttle Discovery. The OBSS, which attaches to the shuttle’s robotic arm for detailed inspection of the shuttle’s heat shield, was left at the station during the previous shuttle mission to provide room for the giant Kibo module in Discovery’s payload bay.

Next, the spacewalkers prepared Kibo’s Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM) for installation. After inspecting the common berthing mechanism on the Harmony Node’s left side and opening a window cover, Fossum and Garan worked together in the shuttle’s cargo bay to remove contamination covers from the JPM’s docking surfaces. Fossum also disconnected heater cables and removed locking bolts from the shutters of the JPM’s forward window.

For their final tasks, Garan and Fossum moved to the station’s starboard solar alpha rotary joint, which has been operating in a degraded mode due to debris contamination. Garan installed a replacement of one of the joint’s 12 trundle bearing assemblies. Meanwhile, Fossum inspected a depression on the joint’s race ring and tried out several techniques for cleaning the debris.

Mission specialists Karen Nyberg and Akihiko Hoshide used the station’s robotic arm to remove the JPM from the shuttle’s payload bay and install it on Harmony, completing the task at 7:01 p.m.

Today the crew will power up the newly installed JPM and open the hatches to begin outfitting the lab.

Crew conduct First Spacewalk - 3rd June

Photo Credit: Nasa
Mission specialists Mike Fossum and Ron Garan are scheduled to kick off STS-124’s first spacewalk at 4:32 a.m. GMT. During the 6-½ hour excursion, the pair will retrieve a shuttle inspection tool, service and inspect components of a solar alpha rotary joint and prepare the largest component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory for installation on the International Space Station.

The spacewalkers’ first task is to transfer the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) from the station’s truss to space shuttle Discovery. The OBSS, which attaches to the shuttle’s robotic arm for detailed inspection of the shuttle’s heat shield, was left at the station for STS-124 during the previous shuttle mission to provide room for the giant Kibo module in Discovery’s payload bay.

Next, the spacewalkers will prepare Kibo’s Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM) for installation. After inspecting the common berthing mechanism on the Harmony Node’s left side and opening a window cover, Fossum and Garan will work together in the shuttle’s cargo bay to remove contamination covers from the JPM’s docking surfaces. Fossum will also disconnect heater cables and remove locking bolts from the shutters of the JPM’s forward window.

For their final tasks, Garan and Fossum will move to the station’s starboard solar alpha rotary joint, which began experiencing increased vibration and power usage in the autumn of 2007. Garan will install a replacement of one of the joint’s 12 trundle bearing assemblies. Meanwhile, Fossum will inspect a potentially damaged area on the joint and try out several techniques for cleaning debris from the surface of the joint’s race ring.

While Fossum and Garan work outside the orbital outpost, mission specialists Karen Nyberg and Akihiko Hoshide will use the station’s robotic arm to remove the JPM from the shuttle’s payload bay and install it on Harmony.

Discovery heads for ISS - 1st June

Photo Credit: Nasa
Commander Mark Kelly promised "the greatest show on Earth," and space shuttle Discovery delivered with a thundering, fiery arc stretching over Florida's East Coast on Saturday. The launch began a 14-day mission for Kelly and his crew of seven astronauts as they install a new Japanese-built laboratory module on the International Space Station.

As the astronauts got used to their new surroundings in space, NASA officials on Earth basked in the satisfaction of a flawless countdown and liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

"(It was) obviously a huge day," said NASA Administrator Mike Griffin. "A huge day for the space station partnership, for the Japanese Space Agency, for NASA and, really, for the people who hoped to see the space station do what it was designed to do, to be a place in orbit where we can learn to live and work in space."

Neither weather nor technical problems cropped up as the launch team and mission controllers went through their checks on the way to an on-time liftoff at 10:02 p.m. GMT.

"I reveled in the (launch) team's performance," said Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director. "It's really a pleasure to have my job and just sit back and watch the launch team."

Next up for the STS-124 mission is a two-day chase across space to link up with the International Space Station. It will take the crew several hours of robotic arm maneuvers and spacewalks to connect the Pressurized Module of Japan's Kibo laboratory to the station. The 36-foot-long module is the largest habitable section to be launched to the orbiting research post.

Discovery Launches from Florida! - Day 1

Photo Credit: Nasa
Space shuttle Discovery is on its way into space on the power of its two solid rocket boosters and three main engines! The launch traced a fiery arc across the sky of Florida's East Coast as the shuttle races to catch up to the International Space Station.

It will take Discovery 8 1/2 minutes to reach its orbital speed of about 17,500 mph.

More information coming soon...

Launch Day has Arrived! - May 31st

Photo Credit: Nasa
At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians are putting the finishing touches on space shuttle Discovery before its scheduled liftoff on mission STS-124. Launch is set for May 31 at 10:02 p.m. GMT.

"After months of hard work and preparation, Discovery and its crew are ready to fly," said NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding during a morning briefing on Discovery's countdown status. "All of our systems are in great shape, we're tracking no issues, and we're right on schedule for today's launch."

The weather is looking promising for launch day, according to Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters. Isolated coastal showers may be in the area during the morning hours, but a sea breeze will develop in the afternoon, clearing the coast and causing any showers to move inland. There is an 80 percent chance of favorable weather at launch time.

This mission will carry the largest payload so far to the station and includes three spacewalks. It is the second of three missions that will launch components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and Kibo's robotic arm system. Discovery also will deliver new station crew member Greg Chamitoff and bring back Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who will end a three-month stay aboard the outpost.

Discovery arrives at Launch pad 39 - may 5th

Photo Credit: Nasa
Space shuttle Discovery made the long, slow trek out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Saturday. Carried by the slow-moving crawler-transporter, the shuttle assembly atop the mobile launcher platform began rolling out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at 3:47 a.m. GMT Saturday morning and was secured at the pad at 10:06 a.m. The 3.4-mile journey is one of the last major milestones leading up to the launch of Discovery on the STS-124 mission, targeted for May 31.

The canister carrying the STS-124 payloads arrived at the launch pad April 29. Primary payloads are the tour-bus-sized Japanese Experiment Module-Pressurized Module and the lab's robotic arm system. With Discovery in place at the launch pad, the payload components are being installed in the orbiter's payload bay.

The STS-124 crew members, commanded by astronaut Mark Kelly, are set to arrive at Kennedy on May 6 for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The three-day event concludes May 9 with a full dress rehearsal of the launch countdown.

Launch Pad 39A Ready - April 30th

Photo Credit: Nasa
Space shuttle Discovery is set to complete the final leg of its preflight journey May 3, making the 3.4-mile trek from Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A. Perched atop the mobile launcher platform, the shuttle assembly will roll out to the oceanside launch complex atop the massive crawler-transporter at less than one mile an hour.

The canister carrying the STS-124 payloads arrived at the launch pad April 29. Primary payloads are the tour-bus-sized Japanese Experiment Module-Pressurized Module and the lab's robotic arm system. The components will be installed in the orbiter's payload bay after the shuttle arrives at the pad.

The STS-124 crew members, commanded by astronaut Mark Kelly, are set to arrive at Kennedy on May 6 for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The three-day event concludes May 9 with a full dress rehearsal of the launch countdown.

Launch remains targeted for May 31.

Discovery Ready for Roll out - April 26th

Photo Credit: Nasa
At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is being readied for its STS-124 mission, currently targeted for launch May 31.

Inside the orbiter processing facility, shuttle workers are preparing for the orbiter's April 26 move to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be joined with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Rollout of the entire space shuttle assembly to Launch Pad 39A is set for May 3.

STS-124 is the second of three flights to deliver the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory to the International Space Station. At 37 feet long and 14 feet wide, the Japanese Pressurized Module will be the station's largest science laboratory. The shuttle also will deliver the lab's robotic arm system that supports operations outside of Kibo. The lab's logistics module, which was installed in a temporary location during STS-123 in March, will be attached to the new lab.

Mark Kelly will command the seven-member crew, which includes Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. Chamitoff will replace Expedition 16/17 Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman and remain aboard the station as a member of the Expedition 17 crew. Reisman will return to Earth with the STS-124 crew.

Discovery Launch set for May 31st

Photo Credit: Nasa
NASA is targeting May 31 as the launch date for space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission. STS-124 is the 26th shuttle flight to the International Space Station and the second of three flights to deliver components of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory.

The Japanese Pressurized Module will be the station's largest science laboratory, measuring 37 feet long and 14 feet in diameter, about the size of a large tour bus. The shuttle also will deliver the lab's robotic arm system that support operations outside of Kibo. The lab's logistics module, which was installed in a temporary location during STS-123 in March, will be attached to the new lab.

Mark Kelly will command the seven-member crew, which includes Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and Greg Chamitoff. Chamitoff will replace Expedition 16/17 Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman and remain aboard the station as a member of the Expedition 17 crew. Reisman will return to Earth with the STS-124 crew.

Launch Date is Set

Photo Credit: Nasa
NASA is targeting May 31 as the launch date for space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission. STS-124 is the 26th shuttle flight to the International Space Station and the second of three flights to deliver components of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory.

The Japanese Pressurized Module will be the station's largest science laboratory, measuring 37 feet long and 14 feet in diameter, about the size of a large tour bus. The shuttle also will deliver the lab's robotic arm system that support operations outside of Kibo. The lab's logistics module, which was installed in a temporary location during STS-123 in March, will be attached to the new lab.

Mark Kelly will command the seven-member crew, which includes Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Jr., Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and Greg Chamitoff. Chamitoff will replace Expedition 16/17 Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman and remain aboard the station as a member of the Expedition 17 crew. Reisman will return to Earth with the STS-124 crew.