"Awesome" Launch for Atlantis

"What a truly awesome day today," said NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier at the STS-135 postlaunch news conference. "I'm really talking about the teams and the people who supported the launch that just occurred. What you saw is the finest launch team and shuttle preparation teams in the world."

"It truly was an awesome, spectacular launch," added Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, who looked ahead to plans for future development beyond the shuttle program as space station operations continue.

"We're really looking forward to a great mission. This is a very critical mission for station resupply. We're going to do our best to try and stretch out an extra day," said Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration Manager and chairman of the pre-mission Mission Management Team Mike Moses. "I think the shuttle program is ending exactly as it should. We've built the International Space Station, we're stocking it up for the future, and ready to hand it off, and we finish really, really strong."

"On behalf of the launch team, and all the thousands of people here at KSC, we're just very, very proud that we finished strong from the launch perspective," added Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach.

Atlantis and its four astronauts lifted off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:29 a.m. EDT. Atlantis will dock with the space station on Sunday.

Launch Weather Forecast Remains 30 Percent "Go" for Friday

Following a meeting of the Mission Management Team this morning, STS-135 countdown and weather updates were provided at prelaunch news conference. Panelists included Mike Moses, Mission Management Team chair and space shuttle launch integration manager, Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director, and Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer.

"We had a really smooth Mission Management Team meeting today," said Moses. "The vehicle is in fantastic shape." In regard to the launch-day weather forecast, he added, "Before we go load the propellants into the tank we'll take a look at the weather and make sure it's really a good day to try that, and so at that point we'll be making a decision"

"The countdown so far is going extremely well," reported Leinbach. "We're not tracking anything at all that would prevent an on-time liftoff Friday morning."

"We have a tropical wave that's out in the Caribbean," explained Winters. "That wave is actually going to come into Florida along with a lot of tropical moisture that's down to the south, and it's all going to roll into Florida in the next couple of days." Based on these conditions, Winters predicted an 80 percent chance of weather preventing tanking operations, with a 70 percent chance of it standing in the way of launch at 11:26 a.m. on Friday.

The countdown for this final space shuttle launch began yesterday at 1 p.m. This morning at the T-27 hour mark, the countdown entered a planned hold at 5 a.m. and resumed at 9 a.m.

The Atlantis astronauts awoke at 4:30 a.m. to continue their preparations for launch.

Countdown Continues Toward Friday's Launch

The countdown for the final space shuttle launch began yesterday at 1 p.m. EDT, starting at the T-43 hour mark. However, the weather forecast looks less than favorable for Friday's launch, with only a 30 percent chance of a "go" at the 11:26 a.m. liftoff time.

At the 10 a.m. precountdown status briefing yesterday, NASA Test Director Jeremy Graeber reported space shuttle Atlantis is ready for flight, and STS-135 payload manager Joe Delai said the payloads are ready to go as well. The only issue standing in the way of liftoff is the chance of showers and thunderstorms developing along the sea-breeze front reported by Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer.

Today's prelaunch news conference will begin at 11:30 a.m. EDT live on NASA TV and online at www.nasa.gov/ntv. Participants will be Mike Moses, Mission Management Team chair and space shuttle launch integration manager, Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director, and Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer.

Managers Say Atlantis is "Go" for Launch

After the day-long Flight Readiness Review at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, senior NASA and contractor managers voted unanimously to set space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 launch date as July 8 at 11:26 a.m. EDT.

NASA Television will air a news conference at 3:30 p.m. to discuss the meeting and preparations for Atlantis' mission to the International Space Station. Participants will include Bill Gerstenmaier, assistant administrator for space operations, Mike Moses, Space Shuttle Program launch integration manager and Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director.

Watch the news conference at www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Endeavour Lands For Final Time at 2:34 a.m. EDT

Space shuttle Endeavour landed for the final time at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center after 248 orbits around Earth and a journey of 6,510,221 miles on STS-134.

Endeavour’s main gear touched down at 2:34:51 a.m. followed by the nose gear at 2:35:04 and wheels stop at 2:35:36 a.m.

A post-landing news conference with managers at Kennedy is expected no earlier than 4:30 a.m. on NASA Television and http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. The participants will be Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations, Mike Moses, space shuttle launch integration manager, and Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director.

STS-134 was the 25th and final flight for Endeavour, which spent 299 days in space, orbited Earth 4,671 times and traveled 122,883,151 miles.

Space shuttle Atlantis now is about half way complete with its move from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A.

Currently, the crawler-transporter (CT) with Atlantis and its mobile launcher platform on top is temporarily stopped to allow technicians to preemptively grease some bearings in the CT that were starting to heat up. The rollout will resume shortly.

Atlantis is expected to be secured on the launch pad about 3:30 a.m. EDT.

Space Shuttle Endeavour Returns to Earth for Final Time Wednesday

Joshua Buck

Headquarters, Washington                                   

 

Candrea Thomas

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to return to Earth for the final time on Wednesday, June 1, completing a 16-day mission to outfit the International Space Station. If Endeavour lands Wednesday, it will have spent 299 days in space and traveled more than 122.8 million miles during its 25 flights. It launched on its first mission on May 7, 1992.

Wednesday's landing opportunities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida are at 2:35 a.m. and 4:11 a.m. EDT. Endeavour's entry flight control team led by Tony Ceccacci will evaluate weather conditions at Kennedy before permitting Endeavour to land. If the shuttle is unable to return Wednesday, additional opportunities are available on Thursday at Kennedy and at backup landing site Edwards Air Force Base in California. For recorded updates about landing, call 321-867-2525.

Approximately two hours after Endeavour lands, NASA officials will hold a briefing to discuss the mission. The participants will be:

-     Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations

-     Mike Moses, space shuttle launch integration manager

-     Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director

After touchdown, the astronauts will undergo routine physical examinations and meet with their families. The crew is expected to participate in a post-landing news conference about six hours after landing. Availability is subject to change due to real time circumstances. The news events will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

The Kennedy Press Site will be open for shuttle Atlantis’ rollout to Launch Pad 39A scheduled for 8 p.m. Tuesday and will remain open until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

News media representatives who have been approved for STS-134 mission badges but have not picked them up yet may do so at NASA's Pass and Identification Building on State Road 3 on May 31 from 4 - 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on June 1. The last bus will depart from the news center for the Shuttle Landing Facility one hour before landing.

If the shuttle landing is diverted to Edwards after Wednesday, reporters should call the public affairs office at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at 661-276-3449. Dryden has limited facilities available for previously accredited journalists.

The NASA News Twitter feed is updated throughout the shuttle mission and landing. To follow, visit http://www.twitter.com/nasa.

For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

For the latest information about the STS-134 mission and accomplishments, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

For more information about the space station and its crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/station.

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Teams Not Working Any Launch Issues, Post-MMT News Conference at 4 p.m. Eastern

Launch teams at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center are working through the countdown milestones with no issues that would delay space shuttle Endeavour’s launch Monday, May 16 at 8:56 a.m. EDT to the International Space Station. The countdown entered an 8-hour built-in hold at 11 a.m. at T-19 hours and will pick up again at 7 p.m. Technicians at Launch Pad 39A have completed loading cryogenic reactants into Endeavour’s fuel cell storage tanks. Teams will remove the orbiter mid-body umbilical unit, which was used to load the propellants into the power reactant distribution system later this afternoon.

Current forecasts still call for a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time.

The Mission Management Team will meet at 3 p.m. MMT chair and Space Shuttle Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach and Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters will hold a news conference at 4 p.m. live on NASA TV and www.nasa.gov/ntv.

NASA Sets May 16 For Final Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch

Stephanie L. Schierholz

Headquarters, Washington     

 

Kyle Herring

Johnson Space Center, Houston

 

Candrea Thomas

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

CAPE CANAVERAL -- NASA managers have set the liftoff of space shuttle Endeavour for 8:56 a.m. EDT on Monday, May 16. Launch attempts are available through May 26, except for May 21. The STS-134 mission to the International Space Station is the penultimate shuttle flight and the final one for Endeavour.

Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach announced the date at a news briefing Monday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They also discussed the progress of repairs since Endeavour's launch postponement on April 29.

A short in the heater circuit associated with Endeavour's hydraulic system resulted in the launch postponement. Technicians determined the most likely failure was inside a switchbox in the shuttle's aft compartment and associated electrical wiring connecting the switchbox to the heaters. The heater circuits prevent freezing of the fuel lines providing hydraulic power to steer the vehicle during ascent and entry.

The faulty box was replaced May 4. Since Friday, Kennedy technicians installed and tested new wiring that bypasses the suspect electrical wiring and confirmed the heater system is working properly. They also are completing retests of other systems powered by the switchbox and are closing out Endeavour's aft compartment.

STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly and his five crewmates are set to arrive at Kennedy for prelaunch preparations on Thursday, May 12, at approximately 11 a.m. NASA Television will broadcast the crew's arrival live. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

The crew will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and critical supplies to the space station, including two communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank and additional parts for the Dextre robot. AMS is a particle physics detector designed to search for various types of unusual matter. The crew also will transfer Endeavour's orbiter boom sensor system to the station, where it could assist spacewalkers as an extension for the station's robotic arm. For the latest information about the shuttle mission and its crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

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NASA Managers Meet to Discuss Endeavour's Launch

NASA managers have retargeted space shuttle Endeavour's launch to no earlier than Monday, May 16. After a meeting on Friday, they also extended the length of Endeavour's STS-134 mission to the International Space Station from 14 to 16 days. If Endeavour launches on May 16, liftoff would be at 8:56 a.m. EDT.

At 3 p.m. today, NASA Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach will hold a news conference at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to discuss the progress of repairs since Endeavour's launch postponement on April 29. The news conference will air live on NASA Television and online at www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Over the weekend, Kennedy technicians installed and checked out new wiring that bypasses the suspect electrical wiring connecting the switchbox to the heaters. They also ran the heaters for up to 30 minutes to verify they are working properly and complete retesting of the other systems powered by the switchbox. Teams will begin closing out Endeavour's aft compartment and will begin launch countdown preps today.

Space Shuttle Endeavour to Launch No Earlier Than May 16

NASA managers have retargeted space shuttle Endeavour's launch to no earlier than Monday, May 16. After a meeting on Friday, they also extended the length of Endeavour's STS-134 mission to the International Space Station from 14 to 16 days. If Endeavour launches on May 16, liftoff would be at 8:56 a.m. EDT.

At 3 p.m. on Monday, May 9, NASA Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach will hold a news conference at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to discuss the progress of repairs since Endeavour's launch postponement on April 29. The news conference will air live on NASA Television and online at www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Kennedy technicians are continuing work to resolve an issue in a heater circuit associated with Endeavour's hydraulic system that resulted in the launch postponement. Technicians determined the failure was inside an aft load control assembly, which is a switchbox in the shuttle's aft compartment, and possibly its associated electrical wiring.

Although the root cause of the failure in the switchbox has not been found, technicians are replacing hardware that could have caused the problem. The faulty box was changed Wednesday, and a test of nine shuttle systems powered by the new box is under way.

This weekend, technicians will install and check out new wiring that bypasses the suspect electrical wiring connecting the switchbox to the heaters. They also will run the heaters for up to 30 minutes to verify they are working properly and complete retesting of the other systems powered by the switchbox.

The shuttle has three Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) that provide hydraulic power to steer the vehicle during ascent and entry. The hydrazine fuel lines on each APU have two heater circuits that prevent the fuel from freezing while the shuttle is in space. NASA launch commit criteria and flight rules require all APUs and heater circuits to be operational for launch. On Endeavour's first launch attempt, one of two heaters for APU-1's fuel line did not work. Engineers confirmed the circuit in the original switchbox that directed power to the heaters was shorted out.

Launch attempts are available through May 26. May 21 is the only day a launch is not an option because it would lead to a May 23 docking with the space station. May 23 is when three of the space station's Expedition 27 crew members undock and return home in their Soyuz spacecraft. Managers reviewed the STS-134 mission timeline and determined the Endeavour crew can accomplish all objectives even with the departure of the three station crew members.

NASA Celebrates Discovery Landing with Eye on Future Flights

Reflection mixed with celebration today at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida after space shuttle Discovery completed the last of its 39 missions into orbit with a flawless return to Earth and landing at Kennedy. Before people could get too nostalgic, though, Space Shuttle Program officials quickly noted that the agency is working toward two more shuttle missions with Endeavour and Atlantis.

"Spaceflight doesn't come easy," said Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations. "We need to stay focused, keep our heads down and recognize that this is not easy."

Discovery worked so well during its final orbital journey that the six-astronaut crew was given two extra days in space to help the residents of the International Space Station with a host of duties. Gerstenmaier said the work was critical to set up the station and its crew for research.

"I think (Discovery's) legacy will be the future," Gerstenmaier said.

Although Discovery will not go back into space, it will still offer scientific insight to future engineers, said Mike Moses, chairman of the Mission Management Team.

"The vehicle itself is a science platform," he said, adding that parts of Discovery will be pulled from the spacecraft and evaluated for wear.

The shuttle teams throughout NASA drew special praise for the longevity of the program and its successes, along with the workers' diligence.

"Discovery was in great shape and I view that as a testament to the team," Moses said. "It was really a triumph today for the entire Discovery team."

"We wanted to go out on a high note and Discovery's done that," said Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director. "We couldn't ask for more. It was virtually a perfect mission conducted by a perfect flight crew and a perfect ground crew. I couldn't be happier."

Discovery Lands for Final Time at 11:57 a.m. EST

At 11:57 a.m. EST, space shuttle Discovery landed for the final time at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center after 202 orbits around Earth and a journey of 5,304,140 miles on STS-133.

Discovery’s main gear touched down at 11:57:17 a.m. followed by the nose gear at 11:57:28 and wheels stop at 11:58:14 a.m. At wheels stop, the mission elapsed time was 12 days, 19 hours, four minutes and 50 seconds.

A post-landing news conference with managers at Kennedy is expected no earlier than 2 p.m. on NASA TV and http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. The participants will be Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations, Mike Moses, space shuttle launch integration manager, and Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director.

STS-133 was the 39th and final flight for Discovery, which spent 365 days in space, orbited Earth 5,830 times and traveled 148,221,675 miles.

Space Shuttle Discovery Makes Final Return to Earth Wednesday

Stephanie Schierholz

Headquarters, Washington                                   

 

Candrea Thomas

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to return to Earth for the final time on Wednesday, March 9, completing a 13-day mission to outfit the International Space Station. If Discovery lands Wednesday, it will have spent a total of 365 days in space and traveled more than 148 million miles during 39 flights. It launched on its first mission on Aug. 30, 1984.

Wednesday landing opportunities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida are at 11:57 a.m. and 1:34 p.m. EST. NASA managers will evaluate weather conditions at Kennedy before permitting Discovery to land. If Discovery is unable to land Wednesday, additional opportunities are available on Thursday at Kennedy and at backup landing site Edwards Air Force Base in California. For recorded updates about landing, call 321-867-2525.

Approximately two hours after Discovery lands, NASA officials will hold a briefing to discuss the mission. The participants will be:

-     Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations

-     Mike Moses, space shuttle launch integration manager

-     Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director

After touchdown, the astronauts will undergo routine physical examinations and meet with their families. The crew may participate in a post-landing news conference about 6.5 hours after landing. The news events will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

The Kennedy news center will open for landing activities at 8 a.m. Wednesday and remain open until 11 p.m. because of shuttle Endeavour's 8 p.m. rollout to Launch Pad 39A. Endeavour is targeted to launch April 19 on the STS-134 mission to the space station.

The STS-133 media badges are in effect through landing. The media accreditation building on State Road 3 will be open from 7 to 10 a.m. Wednesday. The last bus will depart from the news center for the Shuttle Landing Facility one hour before landing.

If the shuttle landing is diverted to Edwards after Wednesday, news media should call the public affairs office at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at 661-276-3449. Dryden has limited facilities available for previously accredited journalists.

The NASA News Twitter feed is updated throughout the shuttle mission and landing. To follow, visit http://www.twitter.com/nasa.

For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

For the latest information about the STS-133 mission and accomplishments, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

For more information about the space station and its crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/station.

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Mission Management Team Approves Thursday Launch

Today’s Mission Management Team meeting has concluded. The team is unanimous to go forward with space shuttle Discovery’s launch tomorrow at 4:50 p.m. EST.

The prelaunch news conference is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on NASA Television. The participants will be Mike Moses, Mission Management Team chair, Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director, Scott Higginbotham, STS-133 payload manager, and Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer.

Watch the news conference live at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

This news byte was sponsored by Police Technology.

Discovery Declared Ready to Fly Next Week

NASA managers declared Discovery ready to launch next week on a mission to the International Space Station following a daylong Flight Readiness Review on Friday. Discovery is scheduled to launch Thursday, Feb. 24, at 4:50 p.m. EST.

"We had a really thorough review today," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for Space Operations. "Things are looking pretty good."

Managers, engineers and contractors went over the detailed analysis and testing performed on the support beams of Discovery's external fuel tank during the session and reviewed the repairs and modifications made. The processes of the repairs and testing involved people throughout the agency and its centers.

"I can't say enough about the work the teams have done," Gerstenmaier said.

The crew also underwent a change recently when astronaut Steve Bowen was assigned to take the place of Tim Kopra who was injured in a bicycle accident.

"Overall the crew was in really good shape and felt really comfortable with this change," said Mike Moses, chairman of the Mission Management Team.

Discovery is poised on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The countdown is to begin Monday at 3 p.m.

"We're in outstanding shape out at the pad," said Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director.

This article was sponsored by Forensic Science Books.

Discovery Launch Set for Feb. 24

After a day-long flight readiness review at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, senior NASA and contractor managers voted unanimously to set space shuttle Discovery’s STS-133 launch date for Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST.NASA Television will air a news conference at 6 p.m. to discuss the meeting and preparations for Discovery’s mission to the International Space Station. Participants include Bill Gerstenmaier, assistant administrator for Space Operations, Mike Moses, Space Shuttle Program launch integration manager and Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director.

This news byte was sponsored by Police Technology.

NASA Schedules News Conference About Next Space Shuttle Launch

Michael Curie

Headquarters, Washington                                   

 

Candrea Thomas

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA managers will hold a news conference on Friday, Feb. 18, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to discuss the status of the next space shuttle launch. The briefing will begin after the Flight Readiness Review, or FRR, a meeting to assess preparations for shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station.

Live status updates, including the start time for the news conference, will be provided during the meeting via the NASA News Twitter feed. To access the feed, go to the nasa.gov homepage or visit http://www.twitter.com/nasa.

NASA expects to announce an official launch date at the conclusion of the review. Discovery and six NASA astronauts are targeted to lift off at 4:50 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 24.

The briefing participants are:

-- Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations

-- Mike Moses, Space Shuttle Program launch integration manager

-- Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director

NASA Television and the agency's website will broadcast the briefing live. Reporters may ask questions from participating NASA locations, and should contact their preferred NASA center to confirm participation. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

For STS-133 crew and mission information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

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This article was sponsored by Forensic Science Books.