Posts Tagged ‘date’
June 29, 2011
by yaska77
NASA has confirmed that the last ever launch of the iconic space shuttle will take place on Friday 8th July, after the date was fixed by Mission Managers yesterday.
Around 750,000 people are expected to flock to the roads and beaches around Kennedy Space Center, to witness Atlantis close out the orbiter program which has run for 30 years.
STS-135 Atlantis will lift off at 11:26 EDT (15:26 GMT/16:26 BST) Click to enlarge - Credit: NASA
Inspections passed a new fuel valve on one of the main engines (which was replaced after a suspected leak) and the external fuel tank raised no issues of concern.
Four astronauts will ride Atlantis on this historic final mission – Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim. This is the first time there has been such a small crew since 1983′s STS-6 flight, with numbers restricted in case of an emergency.
All STS-135 crew members have been fitted for a Russian Sokol space suit and molded Soyuz seat liner, in the event they are forced to return to Earth via a Soyuz capsule (should the shuttle be deemed unsafe for re-entry).
This is an event not to be missed, not only are shuttle launches one of the most awe-inspiring sights to behold, but this will be the last ever time you’ll have chance to see it live. We’ll feature live coverage of the lift-off, and continued updates throughout the mission, a regular one-stop-shop for all your shuttle needs!
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Posted in ISS, NASA, yaska77 | Tagged 2011, 30 years, 8th, astronauts, BBC, Center, Commander Chris Ferguson, confirms, date, engine, final, Friday, inspections, july, Kennedy, last, launch, Mission Specialist, NASA, Pilot Doug Hurley, postaweek2011, Rex Walheim, Sandy Magnus, science, shuttle, shuttle program, sokol, soyuz, space, STS-135, STS-6, suit, time | Leave a Comment »
May 10, 2011
by yaska77
Technicians at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center will finish closing out Endeavour’s aft compartment and will retract the access arm to the external fuel tank today, as work continues to prepare for the start of the countdown on Friday.
Endeavour is now scheduled to launch Monday 16th May at 08:56 EDT (13:56 BST) on a 16-day mission to the International Space Station. The launch originally planned for 29th April was scrubbed when telemetry showed an electrical problem within the aft load control assembly in the Shuttle’s engine compartment.
Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz
Meanwhile at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the STS-134 crew is preparing to return to Kennedy this Thursday. Pictured in the official crew portrait above (clockwise) are NASA astronauts Mark Kelly (bottom centre), Commander Gregory H. Johnson, Pilot Michael Fincke, and Mission Specialists Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel and ESA’s Roberto Vittori.
The delay to this launch has also pushed back the expected lift-off of STS-135 (Atlantis) to early July, with an exact date still to be confirmed.
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Posted in yaska77 | Tagged 16, 2011, andrew feustel, atlantis, centre, crew list, date, Endeavour, ESA, greg chamitoff, gregory h. johnson, International, ISS, johnson, Kennedy, launch, mark kelly, may, michael fincke, names, NASA, new, penultimate, postaweek2011, roberto vittori, shuttle, space, Station, STS-134, STS-135, update | Leave a Comment »
May 3, 2011
by yaska77
Work to replace and fully test an electrical distribution box in STS-134 Endeavour’s engine compartment will further delay the next launch attempt to at least 10th May, NASA advised yesterday. An official launch date is only likely to be announced on Friday after the repairs are complete.
Inside Endeavour's aft compartment - Credit: NASA
This tentative new date is based on a full review of the work needed to replace the faulty aft load control assembly. This showed it would take longer than originally expected to complete repairs (and all required testing) in time to start a fresh countdown for a launch on Sunday.
The lift-off of Endeavour was scrubbed on Friday 29th April when telemetry showed hydraulic power system fuel line heaters were not working properly. Later tests determined the problem was with the aft load control assembly No. 2 in the Shuttle’s engine compartment.
NASA are hoping to extend Endeavour’s mission by up to two days to allow the crew more time to complete their objectives, but with the Russian Soyuz* capsule scheduled to detach from the ISS on 23rd May (returning 3 of the 6 ISS crew to Earth) this will depend entirely on which day Endeavour is able to launch on. (* edited to correct errors)
Full article on Spaceflight Now
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Posted in yaska77 | Tagged 42p, aft, assembly, cargo, centre, control, date, Endeavour, failure, freighter, fuel, heater, information, Kennedy, latest, launch, Line, load, M-10M, NASA, new, postaweek2011, progress, russian, shuttle, soyuz, space, STS-134, twitter | Leave a Comment »
April 5, 2011
by yaska77
Not too long ago we let you know about an interesting new movie filmed by firstorbit.org, recreating the view of the world’s first man ever to orbit the Earth, Yuri Gagarin. Due to premiere on 12th April (50 years to the day since Yuri made his historic voyage), there are worldwide events taking place where you can go and see the movie with other like minded people.
The website yurisnight.net has a fantastic interactive map which you can use to see if a “World Space Party” event is taking place near you. Not only that but it gives details where you can contact the organiser of each event to ask about going along yourself!
For those looking to enjoy this fantastic anniversary event from the comfort of your own home, keep an eye on the YouTube channel which will stream the movie starting at midnight on the International Date Line (12th April).
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Posted in yaska77 | Tagged date, events, first orbit, firstorbit, International, ISS, Line, NASA, party, postaweek2011, premiere, space, world, YouTube, Yuri Gagarin, Yuri's night | 1 Comment »
April 4, 2011
by yaska77
NASA has targeted the launch of space shuttle Endeavour‘s STS-134 mission for 19:47 GMT (15:47 EDT) on Friday, April 29, following discussions with the International Space Station partners on Sunday.
This date is expected to be confirmed by NASA managers after a Flight Readiness Review on Tuesday 19th April, which will assess readiness to support launch.
Credit: EPA/Justin Dernier
Minor damage to Endeavour’s external fuel tank foam was identified during inspections last weekend on Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. No damage to the spacecraft has been identified.
The crew members for the STS-134 mission are Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Michael Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel and European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori.
Their 14 day mission will see Endeavour deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) and spare parts including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for Dextre and micrometeoroid debris shields.
Source: NASA
Here at Skywatching we’ll link to NASA TV so you can watch one of the last ever shuttle launches live!
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Posted in NASA, yaska77 | Tagged 2011, Alpha, April, Center, date, Dextre, Endeavour, ISS, Kennedy, launch, Magnetic, NASA, postaweek2011, shuttle, space, Spectrometer, STS-134, TV | Leave a Comment »
