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Shuttle Atlantis Moves to Pad, Crew Ready for Countdown Test



CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The space shuttle Atlantis arrived at its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 3:09 p.m. EST on top of the giant vehicle known as the crawler transporter. The next milestone for the upcoming mission, STS-117, is a full launch dress rehearsal as the six-member crew prepares to continue building the International Space Station.

The crawler transporter began carrying Atlantis out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at 8:19 a.m. It traveled just under 1 mph during the 3.4 mile journey.

While at the pad, the shuttle will undergo final testing, payload installation and a "hot fire" test of auxiliary power units. When testing is completed, the rotating service structure will be moved around the vehicle for protection.

Atlantis' targeted launch date is March 15. During the 11-day mission, the crew will install a new truss segment, retract a set of solar arrays and unfold a new set on the starboard side of the station. The launch marks the first liftoff from Pad 39A in four years.

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Atlantis Arrives at the Launch Pad


Image above: Space Shuttle Atlantis arrives on Launch Pad 39A after a six-hour trek, via the crawler-transporter. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley + View High-res Image

02.15.07 - 7:15 p.m. EST
The Space Shuttle Atlantis arrived at Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 3:09 p.m. EST. Atlantis began its 3.4 mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building at 8:19 a.m. It traveled just under 1 mph.

The launch of Mission STS-117 will be the first liftoff from Pad 39A in four years.

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02.28.07 - 6:10 p.m. EST
NASA officials have decided to remove propellants that were loaded this week on Space Shuttle Atlantis before returning the spacecraft to the Vehicle Assembly Building. This work results in additional time at the pad, and rollback is now expected to occur Sunday or Monday.

Monday's severe thunderstorm with hail caused what could be 1,000 to 2,000 divots in the giant tank's foam insulation and minor surface damage to about 26 heat shield tiles on the shuttle's left wing.

Further evaluation of the tank is necessary to get an accurate accounting of foam damage and must be done in the Vehicle Assembly Building, where the entire tank can be more easily accessed.

Once an up-close look at the damage is complete, the type of repair required and the time needed for that work can be determined.

A new target launch date has not been determined, but teams will focus on preparing Atlantis for liftoff in late April.

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The media were invited to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to check out Space Shuttle Atlantis in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

During last week's teleconference NASA program managers discussed the status of repair work to the shuttle's external fuel tank, which was damaged during a Feb. 26 hail storm.

They reported that more testing and analysis are needed to determine if the tank will be used for the upcoming STS-117 flight or whether the tank will be replaced. The teams expect to have the necessary data to make that decision and to establish a target launch date by April 10.

During the STS-117's 11-day mission, the six-member crew will install a new truss segment, retract a set of solar arrays and unfold a new set on the starboard side of the station. Lessons learned from two previous missions will provide the astronauts with new techniques and tools to perform their duties.

Atlantis Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and Mission Specialists Jim Reilly, Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson and John "Danny" Olivas will continue training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston as they await a new target launch date.

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NASA Targets June Launch


Image above: The barge carrying external tank 117 is maneuvered toward the dock by a tug boat in the turn basin of Kennedy's Launch Complex 39 area. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

04.10.07 - 7:45 p.m. EST
NASA is targeting June 8 as the next possible launch opportunity for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-117 mission to the International Space Station.

Tuesday’s decision by agency management followed a meeting that reviewed the progress in repairing insulating foam on the shuttle’s external fuel tank, which was damaged during a sudden hail storm Feb. 26 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla. That damage required engineers to repair approximately 2,660 sites on the tank.

"If we continue at the pace of repair that we're doing, we should be looking at vehicle rollout to the launch pad, perhaps as early as May 6," said Wayne Hale, manager of the Space Shuttle Program.

The launch window extends from June 8 to July 18 and Hale pointed out that, "What we're doing is letting the work drive the schedule, not the other way around."

John Honeycutt, deputy manager of the External Tank Project said, "We've done a significant amount of aero-thermal and icing testing to support the repairs [done] at Marshall Space Flight Center. Our goal is to provide a tank that is safe to fly."

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NASA’s Shuttle Atlantis Rolls Back Out to Launch Pad


[SIZE=7]Image above: Space Shuttle Atlantis, mounted on a mobile launch platform, rests on the hard stand of Launch Pad 39A after an early morning rollout. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder[/SIZE]

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis is back at its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Teams are preparing Atlantis for its mission, STS-117, to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for June 8.

Atlantis rolled out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at 5:02 a.m. EDT Tuesday on a massive crawler transporter. Traveling less than 1 mph, the journey ended with Atlantis atop the launcher pedestals at Launch Pad 39-A at 11:47 a.m. The total trip time was six hours and 45 minutes. Electrical and mechanical connections of Atlantis to the launch pad are under way. With the refurbishment of Pad 39-A, this launch will be the first from the pad in four years.

Atlantis originally was targeted for launch in March, but a hail storm damaged foam insulation on the shuttle's external fuel tank and forced managers to roll the spacecraft back into the Vehicle Assembly Building to make repairs.

Atlantis' payload, consisting of the S3/S4 truss, will be installed into the shuttle's payload bay on Wednesday. Beginning May 23, propellants will be loaded into Atlantis' storage tanks. The propellant will be used by the orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system to move the spacecraft while it is in orbit.

The flight readiness review meeting, where the official launch date is scheduled, will be held May 30-31 at Kennedy. For a launch on June 8 at 7:37 p.m., the 43-hour countdown would begin on June 5.

STS-117 Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and mission specialists Jim Reilly, Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John "Danny" Olivas and Clay Anderson are scheduled to arrive at Kennedy on June 4.

During their 11-day mission, the astronauts will work with the space station crew and ground teams to install the girder-like S3/S4 truss segment, unfold a new set of solar arrays and retract one array on the starboard side of the station.

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NASA Gives "Go" for Space Shuttle Launch on June 8
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - On Thursday, NASA senior managers selected June 8 as the official launch date for space shuttle Atlantis. Commander Rick Sturckow and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off at 7:38 p.m. EDT on the STS-117 mission to the International Space Station.

During the 11-day mission and three spacewalks, the crew will work with flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, to install a 17-ton segment on the station's girder-like truss and deploy a set of solar arrays. The mission will increase the International Space Station's power capability in preparation for the arrival of new science modules from the European and Japanese space agencies.

Atlantis' launch date was announced at the Flight Readiness Review. During the two-day meeting, top NASA and contractor managers assess any risks associated with the mission and determine whether the shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for flight. The first Flight Readiness Review for STS-117 was held Feb. 27-28. A hail storm on Feb. 26, however, damaged Atlantis' external fuel tank and delayed the planned mid-March launch.

"While we cannot control the weather, this team can ensure that when we do launch, it will be as safely as possible," said Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, who chaired the meetings. "This second Flight Readiness Review was as thorough as the first. The discussions were open, healthy, and are evidence of a team that is ready for a complicated and important station assembly mission."

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Pre-launch Activities in Full Swing
Launch Target: June 8
Launch Time: 7:38 p.m. EDT


[SIZE=7]Image above: Welcoming the crew are Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Janet Petro and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett [/SIZE]

06.05.07 - 10:30 a.m. EDT
During a countdown status briefing this morning at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Test Director Steve Payne announced that preparations for launch on Friday continue and everything is on schedule.

"All our systems right now are in great shape -- we're tracking no constraints that are show stoppers," said Payne. "Teams are ready and everybody's eager to launch -- we're looking forward to a successful assembly mission."

Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters of the 45th weather squadron reported there is a 30 per cent chance of weather prohibiting launch. Although a typical pattern of afternoon thunderstorms prevail, upper level winds will push the clouds away by launch time.

The tanking forecast for Friday morning also looks good with no violation of constraints.

The launch countdown for Atlantis officially begins at 9 p.m. EDT today, at T-43 hours. Included in the countdown is nearly 28 hours of built-in hold time prior to a targeted 7:38 p.m. EDT launch on Friday.

The mission STS-117 astronauts arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida early Monday evening. Landing aboard their T-38 training jets, the astronauts flew in from Johnson Space Center in Houston to Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility.

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Countdown für US-Raumfähre "Atlantis" läuft
Die US-Raumfahrtbehörde NASA hat den Countdown für den Start der Raumfähre "Atlantis" am Freitag begonnen. Die dreitägige Phase wurde heute Früh eingeleitet. Abheben soll die Fähre im Raumfahrtzentrum Cape Canaveral im US-Bundesstaat Florida am Freitag um 19.38 Uhr Ortszeit (Samstag, 1.38 Uhr MESZ).

Die siebenköpfige Crew bereitet sich bereits seit Montag im Kennedy Space Center auf die Reise ins All vor. Ursprünglich war der Start für März geplant. Der "Atlantis"-Flug musste aber nach einem Hagelsturm aufgeschoben werden, um Schäden am Treibstofftank zu reparieren.

Das Raumschiff soll nun einen weiteren Sonnenenergie-Flügel zur Internationalen Raumstation (ISS) bringen. Das Shuttle wird mindestens elf Tage im All verbringen. Ausbau der 100 Milliarden Dollar teuren Raumstation ist durch das "Columbia"-Unglück 2003 ins Stocken geraten. Damals kamen alle sieben Astronauten ums Leben, als das Schwesterschiff der "Atlantis" bei der Rückkehr zur Erde explodierte.

2010 soll die veraltete Space-Shuttle-Flotte außer Dienst gestellt werden. Bis dahin muss sie noch mindestens 13 Einsätze zur ISS absolvieren, um die Raumstation fertig zu bauen.

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[SIZE=7] Image above: Jim Reilly (left) and John "Danny" Olivas conclude the June 11, 2007 spacewalk. Image credit: NASA TV [/SIZE]

Mission Specialists Jim Reilly and John “Danny” Olivas successfully completed tasks during STS-117’s first spacewalk to activate the International Space Station’s newest component.

The 6-hour, 15-minute excursion concluded at 10:17 p.m. EDT.

Reilly and Olivas went to work after the Starboard 3 and 4 (S3/S4) truss segment was installed onto the station. They made power, data and cooling connections between the station and the S3/S4. The spacewalkers also released locks and launch restraints on the segment’s solar arrays and prepared its radiator and rotary joint for operation.

The radiator was deployed during the spacewalk. The solar arrays will be unfurled Tuesday.

STS-117 Pilot Lee Archambault and Expedition 15 Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov were at the controls of the station’s robotic arm during the spacewalk. STS-117 Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester coordinated the spacewalk.

The start of the spacewalk and the attachment of the truss were delayed due to the saturation of the control moment gyros that control the attitude of the station. Flight controllers performed standard procedures to bring the CMGs back to normal operations.

S3/S4 activation activities will continue during STS-117’s second spacewalk, slated to take place Wednesday afternoon

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NASA Adds Two Days and a Fourth Spacewalk to Mission
During a post-mission management briefing held at 8 p.m. EDT, John Shannon, chair of the Mission Management Team, announced NASA will extend the mission two extra days and add a fourth spacewalk to the mission.

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"Atlantis" bleibt zwei Tage länger im All

Die US-Raumfähre "Atlantis" wird zwei Tage länger im All bleiben als ursprünglich geplant. Das gab Flugdirektor John Shannon gestern Abend (Ortszeit) im NASA-Kontrollzentrum in Houston in Texas bekannt. Die Raumfahrtbehörde wolle mehr Zeit haben, um einen Knick an einer Isoliermatte zu beheben.
Derzeit werde geprüft, ob das während des dritten Außeneinsatzes im All am Freitag geschehen kann oder ob ein zusätzlicher vierter Außeneinsatz notwendig wird. Die "Atlantis" wird mit den sieben Astronauten an Bord jetzt erst am 21. Juni zur Erde zurückkehren.

Problem mit Isolierung
Bei der Inspektion im All hatte die "Atlantis"-Crew am linken oberen Teil des Hecks eine eingeknickte und nach oben stehende Ecke einer Isoliermatte festgestellt. Beim Wiedereintritt in die Erdatmosphäre könnte an dem hervorstehenden Dreieck durch Reibung zusätzliche Hitze entstehen. Nach den Worten von Shannon gibt es mehrere Reparaturmöglichkeiten. Die einfachste sei, die Ecke einfach wieder nach unten zu drücken.

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Mit Nähzeug die "Atlantis" flicken

Washington - Nach dem erfolgreichen Ausklappen neuer Sonnensegel an der internationalen Raumstation ISS ist der Zeitpunkt für eine Notreparatur an der angedockten US-Raumfähre "Atlantis" weiter unklar. Ob die Crew den Schaden an einer Isoliermatte am Heck des Shuttles während des dritten oder vierten und letzten Außenbordeinsatzes behebt, werde am Mittwoch entschieden, sagte Flugdirektor John Shannon im NASA-Kontrollzentrum in Houston (US-Bundesstaat Texas) am Dienstagabend (Ortszeit). Die Besatzung habe bereits "sehr kreative Ideen". Zunächst stünden aber noch einige Tests bevor.



Am linken oberen Heck der "Atlantis" hat sich der Hitzeschild durch die gewaltigen Reibungskräfte und Luftströmungen beim Start auf einer Fläche von 10 mal 15 Zentimetern gelockert. Die Isoliermatte steht jetzt wie ein Dreieck nach oben. Der Schaden gilt aber nicht als schwerwiegend. Er soll möglicherweise mit Hilfe der Nähausrüstung befestigt werden, die die Astronauten zur Reparatur ihrer Raumanzüge dabei haben.



"Klebeband funktioniert nicht in der Schwerelosigkeit des Alls", erklärte der Astronaut Shannon. Die am Montag getroffene Entscheidung, den Hitzeschild vor der Landung zu reparieren, bedeutet, dass die "Atlantis" zwei Tage später zur Erde zurückkehren wird als geplant.

Für kurzzeitige Unruhe sorgte am Dienstag ein Feueralarm im russischen Teil der Raumstation. Dieser entpuppte sich aber schnell als Computerfehler.

Nahezu problemlos war am Dienstag das zweite Paar neuer Sonnensegel automatisch entfaltet worden. Die siebenköpfige Crew des Space Shuttles hatte das 17,5 Tonnen schwere Segment mit den 70 Meter langen Sonnenpaneelen am Vortag an der rechten Seite der ISS angebracht. Der Ausbau der Station erreichte damit eine neue Dimension. Die beiden Segel bieten der Raumstation eine zusätzliche Stromversorgung mit einer Leistung von 14 Kilowatt. Die Einrichtung des dritten Solarmoduls der Raumstation erfolgte nach Angaben der US-Raumfahrtbehörde NASA ohne Probleme.

Die beiden NASA-Astronauten Steve Swanson und Pat Forrester steigen am Mittwochabend um 20.03 Uhr MESZ zum zweiten der vier Außeneinsätzen ins freie All aus. Sie sollen u.a. Hand anlegen, falls sich ein altes Sonnensegel beim automatischen Zusammenfalten sperren sollte. Dieses Segel steht den zwei neuen im Weg.

Das alte Segel soll deshalb wie ein Stadtplan zusammengefaltet, in einer Schachtel verpackt und später an anderer Stelle der Raumstation wieder angebracht werden. Im Dezember hatte der linke Teil des störrischen Segels schon die "Discovery"-Crew an den Rand Verzweiflung gebracht. Am Ende half nur sanfte Gewalt mit etwas Rütteln und Schütteln.

Swanson und Forrester sollen während ihrer sechseinhalb Stunden im All außerdem das Drehgelenk für die neuen Sonnensegel aktivieren. Dafür müssen sie zuerst alle Bolzen entfernen, mit denen das Gelenk während des Fluges von der Erde zur ISS gesichert wurde. Die beiden Astronauten haben einen neuartigen Schraubenschlüssel in der Handwerkskiste, falls einer der 16 Stifte zu fest sitzen sollte.

Im Dezember, als das Drehgelenk für die Sonnensegel an der linken ISS-Seite aktiviert wurde, mühten sich zwei "Discovery"-Astronauten mit vereinten Kräften eine halbe Stunde lang an einem Bolzen ab, bis sie ihn endlich gelockert hatten. (APA/dpa/AP)

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ISS und "Atlantis": Schwierige Reparaturen im All

In einer Höhe von 330 Kilometern über Osteuropa haben zwei Astronauten ein verklemmtes Sonnensegel der Internationalen Raumstation (ISS) zusammengefaltet. Mit dem Arbeitseinsatz im All sorgten Patrick Forrester und Steve Swanson dafür, dass sich das neu installierte Sonnensegel der ISS stets nach dem Stand der Sonne ausrichten kann.

Die US-Raumfahrtbehörde NASA will die beschädigte Raumfähre "Atlantis" morgen reparieren lassen. Das Spaceshuttle muss wegen eines Computerausfalls im russischen Teil der ISS womöglich noch einen weiteren Tag im All bleiben.

"Ausgezeichnete Arbeit", lobte der Astronaut James Reilly die beiden Kollegen, während er den Fortgang der Arbeiten am alten Sonnensegel verfolgte. Forrester und Swanson setzten Spezialwerkzeuge ein, um das Solarpanel in seiner Lagerbox zu verstauen.
Die zwei Astronauten mussten während ihres Außeneinsatzes im All eine Überstunde einlegen. Aber trotz der sieben Stunden und 16 Minuten Arbeitszeit im freien Weltraum konnten sie nicht ihr gesamtes vorgenommenes Pensum abarbeiten. Neben dem Sonnensegel hätten auch festsitzende Bolzen und ein vertauschter Kabelanschluss Swanson und Forrester alles abverlangt, teilte das NASA-Kontrollzentrum in Houston in Texas mit.

Die eingerissene Isoliermatte am Heck der "Atlantis" soll nun nicht wie ursprünglich vorgesehen mit Nadel und Faden genäht, sondern wie eine Schnittwunde bei einer Operation geklammert werden.
Beim Start der "Atlantis" hatte sich am vergangenen Freitag eine zehn mal 15 Zentimeter große Ecke einer Isoliermatte am linken oberen Heck gelöst. Diese steht jetzt wie ein Dreieck in die Höhe und könnte beim Wiedereintritt in die Erdatmosphäre zu einer Hitzebeschädigung der Außenhaut der "Atlantis" führen.

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Spacewalkers Prep SARJ for Action


[SIZE=7]Image above: Spacewalker Pat Forrester rides on the end of the station's robotic arm to assist with the retraction of a solar array. Image credit: NASA TV [/SIZE]

Astronauts Patrick Forrester and Steve Swanson continued work to activate the International Space Station’s Starboard 3 and 4 (S3/S4) truss segment during STS-117’s second spacewalk. The 7-hour, 16-minute excursion wrapped up at 9:44 p.m. EDT Wednesday. Meanwhile, managers approved a repair task for a damaged thermal blanket to be carried out during the next spacewalk Friday.

The spacewalking duo first assisted with the retraction of the starboard solar array on the Port 6 (P6) truss. They left launch restraints still attached on the S3/S4 Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ). Flight controllers want to take a closer look at a drive lock assembly on the SARJ. After the launch restraints are removed on an upcoming spacewalk, the rotary joint will allow the S3/S4 arrays to track the sun as the station orbits Earth.

13 of the P6’s 31.5 array bays were retracted Wednesday, and the crew will send commands Thursday to retract the remaining bays. Before moving on to SARJ, Forrester and Swanson “fluffed” the array to allow easier retraction on Thursday.
The retraction of the P6 array clears the line of sight for the S3/S4 arrays to track the sun and sets the stage for the P6’s relocation by a future shuttle crew from atop the station to the end of the Port 5 truss.

Mission Specialist Jim Reilly coordinated the spacewalk, and Pilot Lee Archambault operated the station’s robotic arm. Two more spacewalks are scheduled for STS-117. The next is set for Friday.

In other activities, Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineers Oleg Kotov and Clayton Anderson continued to transfer cargo between the station and Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Russian flight controllers will be working overnight to resolve a problem with the Russian segment computers that provide backup attitude control and orbital altitude adjustments. For now, the station’s control moment gyroscopes are handling attitude control, with the shuttle’s propulsion providing backup.

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Computerprobleme auf ISS: Behebung dauert Tage

Die US-Raumfahrtbehörde NASA hat die Chancen auf eine Evakuierung der Internationalen Raumstation ISS wegen der Computerprobleme als äußerst gering bezeichnet. Von einem solchen Szenario sei man noch weit entfernt, sagte der stellvertretende NASA-Direktor Bill Gerstenmaier heue im Kontrollzentrum in Houston (Texas). Allerdings werde es noch einige Tage dauern, um die Computerprobleme im russischen Teil der Raumstation zu beheben.

"Atlantis" beginnt zu sparen
Nach den Worten von Gerstenmaier hat die Besatzung der Raumfähre "Atlantis" mit dem großen Energie sparen begonnen. Bis auf die absolut notwendigen Systeme, seien alle anderen heruntergefahren worden. Außerdem werde der für die ISS vorgesehene Sauerstoff vorerst nicht aus der Raumfähre entladen. Die NASA will damit sicherstellen, dass die "Atlantis" im Notfall noch einen Tag länger bis Mittwoch an der Raumstation angekoppelt bleiben kann.

Stabiler Kurs wichtig
Mit Hilfe der drei russischen Computersysteme können die russischen Raketentriebwerke gezündet werden, um die ISS auf einem stabilen Kurs zu halten. Dies ist unter anderem notwendig, damit sich die Solarpaneele nach der Sonne ausrichten können und genug Energie liefern. Nach den Worten von Gerstenmaier kann die "Atlantis" mit ihren Triebwerken ebenfalls Kurs halten. Die Russen prüften derzeit, ob ein angedockter russischer "Progress"-Raumtransporter nach Rückflug der "Atlantis" diese Aufgabe übernehmen könnte

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Astronauts Fold Arrays, Prepare for Spacewalk


[SIZE=7]Image above: The partially retracted solar array on the Port 6 truss. Image credit: NASA TV [/SIZE]

The STS-117 and Expedition 15 crews moved through a busy day aboard the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Atlantis. They were retracting solar arrays and preparing for STS-117’s third spacewalk.

The STS-117 crew resumed retraction of the starboard P6 solar array at 12:25 p.m. Thursday. The crew and flight controllers decided to conclude the efforts just before 4 p.m. with about half of the 31½ array bays retracted. The crew will resume retraction activities Friday with the help of the spacewalkers if needed.

The schedule for STS-117 Mission Specialists Jim Reilly and Danny Olivas includes a review of procedures and the practice of techniques they will use during the spacewalk set to begin at 1:38 p.m. EDT Friday. The first task of the extravehicular activity is the repair of a thermal blanket that pulled away from the orbital maneuvering system pod on the rear of the shuttle.

About an hour and 20 minutes before Thursday morning’s scheduled wakeup call, the crews were awakened by a false alarm on the station. The alarm was triggered by the restart of Russian navigation computers that provide backup attitude control and orbital altitude adjustments.

Flight controllers continue efforts to bring the computers back up to full operation. For now, the station’s control moment gyroscopes are handling attitude control, with the shuttle’s propulsion system providing backup.

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Crews Work Together; Flight Controllers Work on Computer Problem


[SIZE=7]Image above: The International Space Station's new S3/S4 truss and solar arrays are viewed from Space Shuttle Atlantis' robotic arm. Image credit: NASA TV [/SIZE]

The Expedition 15 crew continues to conduct joint operations with its visitors on the International Space Station. Meanwhile, Russian flight controllers are troubleshooting a problem with backup navigation computers.

The computers were restarted Thursday morning. Flight controllers continue efforts to bring the computers back up to full operation.

Throughout the week, the two crews have been activating the Starboard 3 and 4 (S3/S4) truss segment that was attached to the station on Monday. The STS-117 crew has conducted two spacewalks to prepare the new segment for activation and to retract arrays on the Port 6 (P6) truss. The P6 will be relocated from atop the station to the end of the Port 5 truss by a future shuttle crew.

The S3/S4, which is 45 feet long and weighs 35,678 pounds, contains a new set of solar arrays that will increase the station’s power-generation capabilities. The S3/S4 also contains a rotary joint that will allow its arrays to track the sun.

Two more spacewalks are scheduled for STS-117’s stay.

In addition to a new truss segment, NASA Astronaut Clayton Anderson joined the Expedition 15 crew on Sunday, replacing Flight Engineer Suni Williams. Anderson arrived at the station as a member of Space Shuttle Atlantis’ crew. Atlantis docked to the station on Sunday. Williams spent six months as an Expedition crew member.

Atlantis is scheduled to undock from the station June 19.

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"Atlantis"-Astronauten beenden letzten Außeneinsatz
Die Besatzung der US-Raumfähre "Atlantis" hat in der Nacht auf heute ihren vierten und letzten Außeneinsatz an der internationalen Raumstation ISS vor ihrem Rückflug zur Erde beendet. Bei dem sechseinhalbstündigen Einsatz montierten die beiden Astronauten Patrick Forrester und Steven Swanson eine Drehverbindung, mit der die Solarsegel der ISS zur Energiegewinnung ausgerichtet werden können.
Bei der Montage der Sonnensegel war es am vorigen Montag zu einem mysteriösen Computerausfall an Bord ISS gekommen, der erst am Wochenende behoben werden konnte.

Nun steht noch ein Test an, bei dem geprüft werden soll, ob die Steuerungseinheit der Raumstation wieder vollständig funktioniert. Dann soll sich die "Atlantis" morgen auf den Heimflug machen. Die Landung ist für Donnerstag geplant.

"Wir sind zuversichtlich, dass wieder alles funktioniert, aber wir werden es doppelt überprüfen, um sicher zu sein, dass alles richtig konfiguriert ist", sagte ein Nasa-Sprecher. Nach der Computerpanne war eine Evakuierung der ISS befürchtet worden.

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STS-117 Astronauts Conclude Fourth Spacewalk


[SIZE=7]Image above: Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and Steven Swanson check the Drive Lock Assembly 2 on the S3/S4 truss segment of the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA TV [/SIZE]

STS-117’s final spacewalk came to an end Sunday at 6:54 p.m. EDT. During the 6-hour, 29-minute orbital stroll, Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and Steven Swanson performed tasks to activate the International Space Station’s new truss segment and completed work that will help future spacewalkers.

Forrester and Swanson began the excursion at 12:25 p.m. and quickly went to work preparing the Starboard 3 and 4 (S3/S4) truss segment for operation. The S3/S4 was installed onto the station on June 11. Most of the S3/S4 work centered on activating the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ), which will allow the S3/S4 arrays to track the Sun.

Early in the spacewalk, Forrester verified the installation of the Drive Lock Assembly 2, one of two mechanisms that will drive rotation of the SARJ, while Swanson installed a TV camera and its support structure. Then, the duo removed the final launch restraints on the SARJ before removing a keel pin and drag link to clear the path for the station’s mobile transporter.

The get-ahead tasks included the installation of a computer network cable onto the Unity module and the removal of a Global Positioning System antenna. The two astronauts also finished the installation of a piece of debris shielding on the Destiny laboratory.

Mission Specialist Jim Reilly coordinated the spacewalk and Pilot Lee Archambault operated the robot arm. Forrester and Swanson conducted STS-117’s second spacewalk. Reilly and Mission Specialist Danny Olivas conducted the other two. Sunday’s spacewalk is the 87th devoted to station assembly and maintenance.

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Attention now turns to Atlantis' departure and the events leading up to undocking. The STS-117 crew is scheduled to exit the station Monday before the hatches close at 6:23 p.m. EDT. Atlantis is slated to undock at 10:42 a.m. Tuesday.

However, mission managers may decide to add a day of docked operations for STS-117 if the Russian navigation computers do not perform adequately during a test of Russian attitude control capabilities Monday morning at 10:28 a.m.

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Russian Navigation Computers in Stable Condition
The Russian computers aboard the International Space Station are back in near normal, stable operation. Two of three channels of each computer are operating. A third channel is believed to be functioning well, but currently in standby.

The Mission Control Center in Moscow has restarted all Russian systems except the Elektron oxygen generation system, which has been powered but not yet started. Flight controllers are planning to test Russian thrusters on Monday as they maneuver the station and Space Shuttle Atlantis to a water dump attitude.

The Russian navigation computers provide one method of backup attitude control and orbital altitude adjustments. The station’s control moment gyroscopes are the complex’s primary attitude control system. The shuttle’s propulsion system also provides a backup attitude control system for the complex.


[SIZE=7]Image above: The International Space Station's new S3/S4 truss and solar arrays are viewed from Space Shuttle Atlantis' robotic arm. Image credit: NASA TV [/SIZE]

The Expedition 15 and STS-117 crews continue to conduct joint operations aboard the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Atlantis. Throughout the week, the two crews have been activating the Starboard 3 and 4 (S3/S4) truss segment that was attached to the station on Monday.

The STS-117 crew has conducted four spacewalks to prepare the new segment for activation and to retract arrays on the Port 6 (P6) truss. The P6 will be relocated from atop the station to the end of the Port 5 truss by a future shuttle crew.

The S3/S4, which is 45 feet long and weighs 35,678 pounds, contains a new set of solar arrays that will increase the station’s power-generation capabilities. The S3/S4 also contains a rotary joint that will allow its arrays to track the sun.

In addition to a new truss segment, NASA Astronaut Clayton Anderson joined the Expedition 15 crew on Sunday, replacing Flight Engineer Suni Williams. Anderson arrived at the station as a member of Space Shuttle Atlantis’ crew. Atlantis docked to the station on Sunday. Williams spent six months as an Expedition crew member.

STS-117 arrived at the station June 10 and is scheduled to undock June 19.

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"Atlantis" hat grünes Licht für Rückkehr zur Erde

Die US-Raumfähre "Atlantis" wird nach zwölf Tagen im All heute wieder in richtung Erde aufbrechen. Da ein Test der Computer im russischen Teil der Internationalen Raumstation (ISS) zufriedenstellend verlaufen sei, könne die Raumfähre wie geplant um 16.42 Uhr (MESZ) von der Station abdocken, teilte die US-Raumfahrtbehörde NASA mit.

Mehrere russische Rechner waren während des Besuchs des Raumorbiters tagelang ausgefallen und hatten nur mit Mühe wieder in Gang gebracht werden können. In der Nacht auf heute wurde bereits die Lukenverbindung zwischen "Atlantis" und ISS geschlossen. Die Landung der Raumfähre ist für Donnerstagabend in Florida geplant.

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STS-117, Expedition 15 Close Hatches; Atlantis to Undock Tuesday


[SIZE=7]Image above: The STS-117 and Expedition 15 crewmembers gather for a group portrait during a joint crew press conference in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Atlantis was docked with the station. Image credit: NASA [/SIZE]

The STS-117 crew bid farewell Monday to the Expedition 15 crew before the hatches closed at 6:51 p.m. EDT between Space Shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station. Attention now turns to Atlantis’ undocking from the station 10:42 a.m. Tuesday.

The STS-117 crew members are wrapping up a stay in which they continued the on-orbit construction of the station with the installation of the Starboard 3 and 4 (S3/S4) truss segment. The crew installed the truss June 11 and conducted four spacewalks to activate the S3/S4 and assist in the retraction of solar array on the Port 6 truss. During the third spacewalk, the crew repaired an out –of-position thermal blanket on the left orbital maneuvering system pod.

Atlantis also delivered a new station crew member, Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson. He replaced astronaut Suni Williams, who is the new record holder for a long-duration single spaceflight for a woman. She arrived at the station in December with STS-116.

Before Atlantis begins the journey home, Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Archambault will perform a fly-around to allow crew member collect video and imagery of the station and its newly expanded solar wings.

Atlantis is scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 1:54 EDT Thursday.

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Entry Flight Direktor Norm Knight erklärte gestern, dass er heute ausschließlich versuchen wird in Florida zu landen. Allerdings könnte ihm das Wetter einen Strich durch die Rechnung machen und die Vorhersage gibt derzeit ein No-Go.
Zu dieser Jahreszeit gibt es in Florida zur Mittagszeit immer wieder Gewitter und die Flugregeln für das Space Shuttle verbieten es zu landen, wenn sich ein Gewitter in einem 56 Kilometer Radius um die Landebahn befindet.
Der Orbiter hat genug Reserven, um bis Sonntag auf eine Landung zu warten. Der Plan sollte man heute nicht in Florida landen können sieht vor, dass Morgen sowohl Florida als auch Kalifornien als Landeplätze in Betracht gezogen werden. Am Samstag sollen dann alle Landeplätze in Florida, Kalifornien und New Mexico aktiviert werden.
Die heutigen Landemöglichkeiten sind Folgende:

Orbit Landeplatz Deorbit (MESZ) Landung (MESZ)
202 KSC 18:49 / 19:55
203 KSC 20:25 / 21:30

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Shuttle Astronauts Prepare for Return to Earth


[SIZE=7]Image above: The STS-117 crew members aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis talk with reporters. Image credit: NASA TV [/SIZE]

During its scheduled final full day in space, the STS-117 crew prepared for landing. Two opportunities are available on Thursday for Space Shuttle Atlantis to land at Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

Wednesday’s preparations included stowing equipment and checking out systems that will be used to deorbit Atlantis and begin the descent to Earth. Also, the seven crew members took time out of their schedules to talk with reporters from NBC News, ABC News and CNN Live.

The first landing opportunity available is on Orbit 202, which calls for the deorbit burn to occur 12:50 p.m. EDT Thursday with a 1:55 p.m. touchdown. The final opportunity of the day is on the next orbit. It begins with the deorbit burn at 2:25 p.m. and ends with a 3:30 p.m. landing.

Weather forecasts call for a possibility of thunder showers in the area. Flight controllers and forecasters with the Spaceflight Meteorology Group will continue to monitor the weather at Kennedy.

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- NASA managers kept close tabs on the weather Thursday as thunderstorms and low clouds threatened to prevent space shuttle Atlantis and its seven astronauts from landing after a trip to the international space station.

The shuttle's first landing opportunity was at 1:55 p.m. ET Thursday, when predictions called for thunderstorms within 34 miles and clouds within 8,000 feet of the landing strip at Kennedy Space Center. Attempting to land so close to rain or clouds would violate flight rules.

The next chance would be at 3:30 p.m. ET.
"Tomorrow is the first day of summer, and we know what summer brings to Florida, and that is afternoon thunderstorms," John Shannon, chairman of the mission management team, said Thursday.
NASA says Atlantis will have seven landing opportunities over four days.
Mission Control said opportunities at Kennedy, the primary landing site, look slightly more promising on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, they could also consider using a backup landing site in California. That backup site plus another in New Mexico would be activated Saturday if necessary.

Atlantis has enough power for its systems to orbit until Sunday, but managers want the shuttle to land by Saturday. The flight would only be extended to Sunday if there were technical problems that needed to be fixed.

NASA managers prefer landing at Kennedy since there would be less cost and time in preparing Atlantis for its next mission in December. NASA hopes to fly a total of four missions this year.

"Obviously, we would prefer to stay at the Cape if we can," Shannon said.

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Schlechtes Wetter:"Atlantis"-Landung verzögert sich

Die für heute geplante Landung der US-Raumfähre "Atlantis" verzögert sich wegen schlechten Wetters. Wie der Fernsehsender CNN weiter meldete, will die Besatzung nicht wie zunächst geplant um 19.55 Uhr MESZ in Cape Canaveral (Florida) landen, sondern die zweite Möglichkeit um 21.30 Uhr MESZ nutzen. Entsprechend sollen die Triebwerke zum Wiedereintritt in die Erdatmosphäre erst um 20.25 Uhr MESZ gezündet werden.

Dichte Bewölkung sowie vorausgesagter Regen und Gewitter hatten die Landung des Raumorbiters mit sieben Astronauten an Bord zur Zitterpartie gemacht. Falls heute die Rückkehr zur Erde überhaupt nicht möglich ist, kann die Raumfähre immer noch morgen entweder in Florida oder auf der Edwards Air Force Base in Kalifornien aufsetzen.

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Schlechtes Wetter: "Atlantis"-Landung verschoben

Das Space-Shuttle "Atlantis" wird frühestens morgen zur Erde zurückkehren. Wegen anhaltend schlechten Wetters in Cape Canaveral (Florida) verschob die NASA die Landung der Raumfähre um einen Tag. Der früheste Rückkehrtermin ist jetzt etwa 20.00 Uhr MESZ morgen Abend.

Dichte Bewölkung sowie vorausgesagter Regen und Gewitter hätten die Landung des Raumorbiters mit sieben Astronauten an Bord zur Zitterpartie gemacht.

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Bad Weather Pushes STS-117 Landing to Friday



[SIZE=7]Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center Image above: A camera atop the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., captured this view of the Shuttle Landing Facility on Thursday. Image credit: NASA TV[/SIZE]

The STS-117 crew is getting an extra day in space thanks to poor weather conditions at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Space shuttle Atlantis has four landing opportunities available Friday, with the first at 2:16 p.m. EDT in Florida.

Thunderstorms in the vicinity of Kennedy forced flight controllers to wave off both opportunities today. Controllers and the Spaceflight Meteorology Group will closely monitor forecasts for Friday’s opportunities in Florida and at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

The first opportunity Friday is on Orbit 218 and calls for a deorbit burn at 1:14 p.m. The second is on Orbit 219, which calls for the deorbit burn to begin at 2:50 p.m. and landing to occur at 3:51 p.m. at Kennedy.

If Florida weather does not cooperate, two opportunities are available at Edwards. The first is on Orbit 220. The deorbit burn would occur at 4:19 p.m. and landing at 5:21 p.m. The final opportunity is one orbit later with the deorbit burn at 5:55 p.m. and the landing at 6:56 p.m.

Opportunities are also available Saturday.

Atlantis launched June 8 and arrived at the International Space Station on June 10. While at the orbital outpost, the crew installed the Starboard 3 and 4 truss segment and conducted four spacewalks to activate it. During the third spacewalk, the crew repaired an out of position thermal blanket on the left orbital maneuvering system pod.

Atlantis also delivered a new station crew member, Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson. He replaced astronaut Suni Williams, who is the new record holder for a long-duration single spaceflight for a woman. She arrived at the station in December with STS-116.

STS-117 is the 118th shuttle mission and 21st mission to visit the space station. The next mission, STS-118, is slated to launch in August.

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Shuttle Atlantis Crew Returns Home After Successful Mission

EDWARDS, Calif. -- The space shuttle Atlantis and its crew are home after completing a 14-day journey of more than 5.8 million miles in space. Atlantis' STS-117 mission successfully increased the power capability of the International Space Station, preparing for the future delivery of European and Japanese laboratories.

Atlantis' Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and mission specialists Jim Reilly, Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John "Danny" Olivas and Sunita Williams landed at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Friday at 3:49 p.m. EDT.

STS-117 was the 118th space shuttle flight, the 21st flight to the station, the 28th flight for Atlantis and the first of four missions planned for 2007.

Several inspections in orbit revealed no critical damage, and Atlantis' thermal protection system was declared safe for re-entry on flight day 13. Weather concerns prevented the crew from returning to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., the primary end-of-mission landing site. In 7-10 days, Atlantis will be transported approximately 2,500 miles from California to Florida on the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet. Once at Kennedy, Atlantis will be separated from the aircraft to begin immediate processing for its next flight, targeted for December 2007

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NASA's Shuttle Atlantis Set for Return to Kennedy Space Center

EDWARDS, Calif. - A week after landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., NASA's space shuttle Atlantis is about to make its cross-country journey back to Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

Mounted on a modified Boeing 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, Atlantis is expected to be flown back to Florida this weekend. Due to the fluid nature of preparing Atlantis for this ferry flight and changing weather conditions, the exact date and time of departure are still to be determined.