Attired in Russian Sokol launch and entry suits, NASA astronaut Peggy A. Whitson, Expedition 16 commander; cosmonaut Yuri I. Malenchenko (center), Soyuz commander and flight engineer representing Russia's Federal Space Agency; and Malaysian spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor walk from the RSC Energia Assembly and Testing Facility to report their readiness to the Head of the State Commission.

The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at sunset on Oct. 10, 2007, in their Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft and docked at to the International Space Station on Oct. 12. Whitson and Malenchenko will spend six months on the station, while Shukor will return to Earth on Oct. 21 with two of the Expedition 15 crewmembers currently on the complex.

Image credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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Source: NASA - Multimedia - Image of the Day Gallery

Expedition Crews Working Together


Ihe Expedition 15 and 16 crews, along with spaceflight participant Sheikh
Muszaphar Shukor, take a break from their activities to talk to the press.
Credit: NASA TV

The newly arrived Expedition 16 crew members continue to familiarize themselves with life aboard the International Space Station as Expedition 15 nears the end of its mission.

Expedition 16 crew members Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Clay Anderson reviewed spacewalk hardware and systems in the Quest airlock Tuesday in preparation for the arrival of space shuttle Discovery next week and the upcoming spacewalks.

Whitson and Anderson also continued their review of the medical equipment aboard the station, checking out the defibrillator stowed onboard for emergencies.

Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko completed another session of shuttle photography training. The station crew will use digital cameras to take high-resolution images of space shuttle Discovery's thermal protection system when it approaches the station for docking later this month.

Whitson, Malenchenko and spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor arrived at the station aboard their Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft Friday, Oct 12.

The Expedition 15 crew, Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov and Anderson, welcomed the new crew aboard the station when the hatches were opened at 12:22 p.m. Friday. Afterwards, Anderson, who joined Expedition 15 in June, became an Expedition 16 crew member when his seatliner was moved from the Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft to Soyuz TMA-11.

Both crews will work together until Oct. 21, when Yurchikhin, Kotov and Shukor depart aboard Soyuz TMA-10. Anderson will remain with Expedition 16 and return to Earth with the Discovery crew on the STS-120 mission.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crews Prepare for Arrivals and Departures


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson (foreground) and Flight Engineer
Yuri Malenchenko work with a Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER)
unit Wednesday in the Quest airlock of the International Space Stations.
Credit: NASA TV

As the Expedition 15 crew prepares for departure on Sunday, the Expedition 16 crew is getting ready for the arrival of space shuttle Discovery next week.

The Expedition 15 crew, Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov, conducted Soyuz descent training Wednesday. Joining them was Malaysian spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, who arrived on the station Friday, Oct. 12, with the Expedition 16 crew, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko.

Yurchikhin, Kotov and Shukor will depart aboard their Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft Sunday. Flight Engineer Clay Anderson, who joined Expedition 15 in June, will remain onboard as a member of Expedition 16, until his replacement, astronaut Dan Tani, arrives on the STS-120 shuttle mission later this month.

The two crews will participate in a change of command ceremony on Friday, as Expedition 15 formally hands over command of the station to Expedition 16.

Throughout the week, Whitson and her crewmates have been preparing the spacesuits and hardware for use during U.S. spacewalks scheduled for the STS-120 mission and afterwards. On Wednesday, Whitson and Malenchenko checked out the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) hardware. Essentially a “life jacket” for spacewalks, SAFER is a self-contained maneuvering unit worn by astronauts like a backpack.

Source: NASA - Space Station

19 October 2007


Preparations of the European Columbus laboratory took an important step on 16 October 2007 with the final closure of the module’s hatch ahead of the December launch to the International Space Station.

The European Columbus laboratory is the cornerstone of ESA’s contribution to the ISS and the first European laboratory dedicated to long-term research in space. Columbus will be carried into orbit in the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, scheduled for launch on 6 December 2007.

Credits: ESA

Preparations of the European Columbus laboratory took an important step earlier this week with the final closure of the module’s hatch ahead of the December launch to the International Space Station.

Although there was no formal ceremony to mark the occasion, the hatch closure is an important milestone for all involved. “This means we are 99% ready for flight,” explains Bernardo Patti, ESA’s Columbus Project Manager. “All the activities related to the pressurised volume are finished. The work left to be done on the exterior is considered to be minor.”

The 8-metre long Columbus laboratory is currently under preparation for flight at the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), in Florida.


Preparations of the European Columbus laboratory took an important step on 16 October 2007 with the final closure of the module’s hatch ahead of the December launch to the International Space Station.

The European Columbus laboratory is the cornerstone of ESA’s contribution to the ISS and the first European laboratory dedicated to long-term research in space. Columbus will be carried into orbit in the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, scheduled for launch on 6 December 2007.

Credits: ESA

The team at KSC has worked hard over the past weeks to meet the schedule. “The last checkouts were completed - the module worked perfectly and all the health checks were successful,” says Patti.

After power shutdown the team performed a meticulous check of each zone inside the module. The hatch was then closed to 80%, leaving a gap to allow for final air purge, before being fully closed late on Tuesday afternoon. Patti: “The next time the hatch is opened will be in orbit, allowing the astronauts to enter the module for the very first time.”

Next up for Columbus is a Payload Readiness Review which is expected to give the green light for moving the module to the canister – a large container in which Columbus will be taken to the launch pad early in November ready to be placed inside the Space Shuttle’s cargo bay.


Members of the Columbus project team inside the European laboratory during the final preparations before hatch closure on 16 October 2007.

Left to right: Bernardo Patti, ESA Columbus Project Manager; Gregor Woop, ESA Columbus Project PA & Safety; Alessio Festa, ESA Columbus Project Chief Mechanical Engineer; Giuliano Canovai, ESA Columbus Project Chief Avionics Engineer.

The European Columbus laboratory is the cornerstone of ESA’s contribution to the ISS and the first European laboratory dedicated to long-term research in space. Columbus will be carried into orbit in the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, scheduled for launch on 6 December 2007.

Credits: ESA

The European Columbus laboratory is the cornerstone of ESA’s contribution to the ISS and the first European laboratory dedicated to long-term research in space. Columbus will be carried into orbit in the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, scheduled for launch on 6 December 2007.

The STS-122 crew includes ESA astronauts Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts. Eyharts will remain on the ISS for two months as a member of the Expedition 16 crew to oversee the in-orbit commissioning of Columbus and its experimental facilities.

Source: ESA - News

Expedition 15 Set to Return Home


Image above: The crew members onboard the International Space Station
pose for a group photo in the Destiny laboratory of the International
Space Station.
Credit: NASA

As Expedition 15 wraps up and prepares to return home, the Expedition 16 crew members are busy preparing for the arrival of space shuttle Discovery.

At a change of command ceremony Friday afternoon, the Expedition 15 crew formally handed over command of the station to Expedition 16.

Accepting command of the station from Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson remarked, "It's been a very impressive mission, and you guys have performed exceptionally."

The crews will bid their final farewells Saturday night, as the Expedition 15 crew, Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov, board their Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft for the return to Earth. They will undock from the station around 3:14 a.m. EDT Sunday and land in the steppes of Kazakhstan around 6:37 a.m.

Joining Expedition 15 for the journey home is spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian flying under an agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). He arrived at the station with the Expedition 16 crew, Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko, on Oct 12.

NASA TV coverage of the crew farewells and hatch closure begins at 11:45 p.m. Saturday. Live coverage of the undocking starts at 2:45 a.m. Sunday. Live coverage returns at 5:15 a.m. for the Soyuz deorbit burn and landing.

Flight Engineer Clay Anderson, who joined Expedition 15 in June, will remain onboard as a member of Expedition 16, until his replacement, astronaut Dan Tani, arrives on the STS-120 shuttle mission later this month.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 15 Returning Home


Image above: The crew members onboard the International Space Station
pose for a group photo in the Destiny laboratory of the International
Space Station.
Credit: NASA

The Expedition 15 crew members aboard their Soyuz spacecraft have undocked from the International Space Station and are making the journey home.

After bidding farewell to the Expedition 16 crew Saturday night, the Expedition 15 crew, Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov, boarded their Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft for the return to Earth. They undocked from the station around 3:14 a.m. EDT Sunday and are scheduled to land in the steppes of Kazakhstan around 6:37 a.m.

Joining Expedition 15 for the journey home is spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian flying under an agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). He arrived at the station with the Expedition 16 crew, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko, on Oct 12.

Live coverage of the Soyuz deorbit burn and landing is available on NASA TV.

At a change of command ceremony Friday afternoon, the Expedition 15 crew formally handed over command of the station to Expedition 16.

Accepting command of the station from Yurchikhin, Whitson remarked, "It's been a very impressive mission, and you guys have performed exceptionally."

Flight Engineer Clay Anderson, who joined Expedition 15 in June, will remain onboard as a member of Expedition 16, until his replacement, astronaut Dan Tani, arrives on the STS-120 shuttle mission later this month.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 15 Returns Home


Image above: The crew members onboard the International Space Station
pose for a group photo in the Destiny laboratory of the International
Space Station.
Credit: NASA

The Expedition 15 crew members have returned home.

After bidding farewell to the Expedition 16 crew Saturday night, the Expedition 15 crew, Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov, boarded their Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft for the return to Earth. They undocked from the station around 3:14 a.m. EDT Sunday and landed in the steppes of Kazakhstan at 6:36 a.m.

Joining Expedition 15 for the journey home was spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian flying under an agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). He arrived at the station with the Expedition 16 crew, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko, on Oct 12.

At a change of command ceremony Friday afternoon, the Expedition 15 crew formally handed over command of the station to Expedition 16.

Accepting command of the station from Yurchikhin, Whitson remarked, "It's been a very impressive mission, and you guys have performed exceptionally."

Flight Engineer Clay Anderson, who joined Expedition 15 in June, will remain onboard as a member of Expedition 16, until his replacement, astronaut Dan Tani, arrives on the STS-120 shuttle mission later this month.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Space Station Crew Back on Earth

10.21.07

Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov, the 15th crew of the International Space Station, landed safely in their Soyuz spacecraft at 6:36 a.m. EDT Sunday in the steppes of Kazakhstan.


Image above: Cosmonauts Fyodor N. Yurchikhin (right) and
Oleg V. Kotov (center), Expedition 15 commander and flight
engineer, respectively, representing Russia's Federal Space
Agency; and Malaysian spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar
Shukor pose for a photo in the Destiny laboratory of the
International Space Station.
Credit: NASA

A ballistic descent for the returning Soyuz resulted in a landing about 210 miles west of the nominal landing site.

With Expedition 15 was spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian flying under an agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). He arrived at the station with the Expedition 16 crew, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko, and spent almost nine days on the orbiting laboratory.

Yurchikhin, 48, wound up his second flight into space. He was a member of the STS-112 crew which launched to the station on Oct. 7, 2002, with the Starboard 1 Truss. He holds a Ph.D. in economics and was named a cosmonaut-candidate in 1997.

Kotov, 41, finished his first spaceflight. He graduated from the Moscow Medical Academy in 1988, and was named a cosmonaut-candidate in 1996.

Astronaut Clayton Anderson was a member of the E15 crew during the latter part of its increment. Anderson is scheduled to remain on the station for the first part of E16. He is scheduled to be replaced by Dan Tani, to arrive aboard Discovery on its STS-120 mission. Discovery will take Anderson back to Earth.

Tani, 46, holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was selected as an astronaut in 1996 and flew on Endeavour's STS-108 mission in December 2001. He will be making his second spaceflight.

Before closing the Soyuz-station hatches Sunday, Yurchikhin and Kotov said farewell to the E16 crew. Whitson and Malenchenko launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Oct. 10.

Whitson, 47, is on her second mission to the station. She served as a flight engineer on the Expedition 5 crew, launching June 5, 2002, and returning to Earth Dec 7, after almost 185 days in space. She holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Rice University in Houston. She began working for NASA as a research biochemist in 1989 and was selected as an astronaut in 1996.

Malenchenko, 45, a Russian Air Force colonel, is making his third long-duration spaceflight. He spent 126 days aboard the Russian space station Mir beginning July 1, 1994, and commanded the two-person station crew on Expedition 7, spending 185 days in space beginning April 26, 2003. He also was a member of the STS-106 crew of Atlantis on an almost-12-day mission to the station beginning Sept. 8, 2000. He is a graduate of the Kharkov Military Aviation School and the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy.

Yurchikhin and Kotov will spend several weeks in Star City, near Moscow, for debriefing and medical examinations.

Source: NASA - Space Station - Expeditions

Thanks God they returned home safely. What an experienced to stay a few days in space..

The Descent Module (DM) of the Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft has returned to Earth the commander and flight engineer of the 15th expedition of the International Space Station (ISS), as well as the space flight participant Malaysia’s national Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor who in the period from October 12 to October 21 2007 worked under the 13th visiting expedition program (VE-13).
Fyodor Yurchkhin (ISS-15 crew commander, Soyuz TMA-10 flight engineer, Korolev RSC Energia test-cosmonaut) and Oleg Kotov (ISS-15 flight engineer, Soyuz TMA-10 commander, RGNII TsPK after Gagarin test-cosmonaut) have completed the program of a 197-day flight. NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson (ISS-15 flight engineer) who has been working on board the station since June 10 2007, continues the flight under the plan as a ISS-16 crew member, waiting for the arrival of the rotation crew via the Shuttle.
At the Mission Control Center, near Moscow (MCC-M) the activities on Soyuz TMA-10 deorbiting and landing maneuvers, search of the landed DM and crew evacuation from DM were conducted under control of the State Commission (the Chairman is Head of Roskosmos A.N. Perminov) and Technical Management for Manned Space Complex flight testing (headed by RSC Energia President, General Designer V.A. Lopota).
The Soyuz TMA-10 flight in the phase of returning to Earth was controlled by the Lead Operations Control Team (LOCT) residing at MCC-M and working in coordination with U.S. Mission Control Center specialists (Houston). The Flight Director is RSC Energia First Deputy General Designer V.A. Soloviev.
The Mission Control Center during final operations on spacecraft deorbiting was attended by: Head of Roskosmos, Chairman of the State Commission A.N. Perminov, Malaysia’s Vice-Premier Najib Razak, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Jamaludin Jarjis, Malaysia’s ambassador in the RF Mohamad Khalis, representatives of NASA and ESA, Russian and foreign enterprises and organizations participating in ISS program implementation.
The ISS-16 expedition crew – the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko (Soyuz TMA-11 commander, ISS-16 crew flight engineer-1) and the U.S. astronauts Peggy Whitson (ISS-16 crew commander, Soyuz TMA-11 flight engineer) and Clayton Anderson (ISS-16 crew flight engineer) – continues performing the flight program activities on board ISS.

For reference:
1. The Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft was undocked on October 21, 2007 from the ISS Russian Segment Zvezda Service Module port at 11:14 Moscow time by the commands of the Mission Control Center, near Moscow (MCC-M). The deorbiting went nominally in the automatic controlled descent mode with transition to the backup, automatically controlled ballistic descent mode. By the spacecraft crew commander’s report received at 14:18 Moscow time, the search and rescue services were operationally re-directed at the updated point of DM landing and provided its timely search, tracking in the phase of parachuting and landing with the subsequent crew evacuation from the landing site.
2. The Descent Module of the spacecraft landed at 14:36 Moscow time 10 km from the settlement of Tolybai, Republic of Kazakhstan. The coordinates of the landing point are: 50 degrees 29 minutes 01 second N, 62 degrees 17 minutes 20 seconds E.
3. The reasons for DM transition to the ballistic descent mode are clarified by a technical commission established at Korolev RSC Energia.
4. The Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft was operating attached to ISS 197 days as a life boat. It was replaced with the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft that delivered to the station a rotation crew for two crewmembers of the 16th prime expedition.
5. The Soyuz manned spacecraft developed and manufactured by Korolev RSC Energia have been flying since 1966, among them the Soyuz TMA spacecraft – since 2002.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia - Press Release

After information on crew evacuation from the Descent Module (DM) of the Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft, at the Mission Control Center (MCC-M) took place a press-conference for the Russian and foreign press.
The press-conference participants Head of Roskosmos, Chairman of the State Commission A.N. Perminov, Malaysia’s Vice-Premier Najib Razak, Head of Roskosmos Manned Program Division A.B. Krasnov, RSC Energia President, General Designer V.A. Lopota answered the journalists’ questions. They highly appreciated the completion of ISS-15/VE-13 expedition flight programs, Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft flight program, the activities of Russia’s space industry enterprises and organizations that supported the implementation of these programs, DM search and crew evacuation from DM.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

Cosmonauts Fyodor N. Yurchikhin (right) and Oleg V. Kotov (center), Expedition 15 commander and flight engineer, respectively, representing Russia's Federal Space Agency, and Malaysian spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor pose for a photo in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.

After bidding farewell to the Expedition 16 crew Saturday night, the Expedition 15 crew boarded a Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft for the return to Earth. They undocked from the station around 3:14 a.m. EDT Sunday, Oct. 21, and landed in the steppes of Kazakhstan at 6:36 a.m. EDT.

Image credit: NASA

+ Full Resolution (1.4 Mb)

Source: NASA - Multimedia - Image of the Day Gallery

Expedition 15 Lands, Expedition 16 Awaits Discovery


Image above: The crew members onboard the International Space Station
pose for a group photo in the Destiny laboratory of the International
Space Station.
Credit: NASA

Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov returned to Earth with their Malaysian guest Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor. The Soyuz capsule landed in Kazakhstan at 6:36 a.m. EDT Sunday. Flight Engineer Clay Anderson stayed aboard the International Space Station joining Expedition 16.

Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko are the new resident crew members. They are awaiting space shuttle Discovery and the STS-120 crew which launches Tuesday at 11:38 a.m. The shuttle will deliver the Harmony Module and a new station flight engineer, Dan Tani. Anderson will go home with the STS-120 crew ending his stay aboard the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Awaits Arrival of Discovery, New Crew Member


Image above: Space shuttle Discovery launches Tuesday morning to start
STS-120.
Image credit: NASA TV

With the successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery, the stage is set for changes at the International Space Station and for its crew.

Discovery lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.’s Launch Pad 39A at 11:38 a.m. EDT Tuesday to begin a two-day chase of the station. The STS-120 mission will continue the on-orbit construction of the station with the delivery and installation of the Harmony module. Also traveling with STS-120 is a new Expedition 16 crew member, astronaut Daniel Tani, who will replace Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Anderson will make final preparations for STS-120’s arrival. Docking is set for 8:35 a.m. Thursday. Tani and Anderson are scheduled to switch crews later that day.

Source: NASA - Space Station

The Boeing press release is reproduce below:

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 23, 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is playing a significant role in the current 14-day Space Shuttle Discovery mission, which will deliver the European Space Agency's Harmony module to the International Space Station.

Boeing has worked with Thales Alenia Space in Torino, Italy, for more than 10 years to assemble and prepare the Harmony module for launch. Formerly known as Node 2, Harmony will act as an internal connecting port and passageway for future international science labs and cargo spacecraft. Thales Alenia Space built the utility node, while Boeing provided many of the subsystem components essential to supporting life on the station.

"This is a challenging assignment, and it will take another total team effort to ensure the success of one of NASA's most complex assembly missions," said Brewster Shaw, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space Exploration. "I'm proud of the pre-planning by our entire Space Exploration team as we work toward bringing the station one step closer to completion."

Harmony measures 23.6-feet long by 14.5-feet wide and weighs 31,500 pounds. The module adds 2,666 cubic feet of living space and several much needed storage racks. The Boeing subsystem components include lights, fans, power switches and converters, racks, air diffusers, smoke detectors, hatches and common berthing mechanisms, which help mate arriving pressurized elements to the existing on-orbit platform.

Harmony will be the first permanent pressurized module added to the station since the Russian Pirs Docking Compartment was added in September 2001. It joins three other named U.S. modules on the station, including the Boeing-built Destiny laboratory. Harmony will allow the distribution of resources from the station's truss to the Destiny lab and, in the future, to the European Space Agency's Columbus research laboratory and the Japanese Kibo experiment module.

During the mission, astronauts also will relocate the Boeing-built Port 6 truss and solar arrays to their permanent location on the far left of the station's (Port 5) truss structure. The solar arrays will provide the extra power needed to support future station growth as well as additional research activities.

The STS-120 mission marks the second time the Boeing-engineered Station-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS) will be used to allow the shuttle to remain docked on orbit for a longer period. The first use of the SSPTS occurred during STS-118 in August.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems iis one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.4 billion business with 72,000 employees worldwide.



Source: Boeing press release

Discovery, New Crew Member to Arrive at Station Thursday


Image above: Space shuttle Discovery launches Tuesday morning to start
STS-120.
Image credit: NASA TV

The Expedition 16 crew is ready to welcome its newest member to the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to arrive at the station at 8:33 a.m. EDT Thursday, delivering a new crew member and a new module to the station.

Arriving with the STS-120 crew on Discovery is NASA Astronaut Daniel Tani. He will replace Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson. Tani will officially join Expedition 16 several hours after Discovery docks and stay on the station for about two months. Anderson will return home with the STS-120 crew.

The new module, called Harmony, will be attached to the station and sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories. Five spacewalks are scheduled during STS-120’s stay to attach Harmony and to relocate the station’s P6 truss and solar arrays.

The Expedition 16 and STS-120 crews will conduct about a week of joint operations. In addition to the spacewalks, they will transfer cargo between the vehicles. Discovery and its crew are scheduled to stay at the station until Nov. 4.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Crew to Greet New Visitors Aboard Station


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson works on a U.S.
spacesuit inside the Quest Airlock.
Image credit: NASA

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Clay Anderson will welcome a new set of visitors aboard the International Space Station today. Space Shuttle Discovery is slated to dock with the station at 8:33 a.m. EDT and the STS-120 crew will enter the station for the first time about 10:30 a.m.

+ View docking animation
+ View rendezvous animation
+ View rendezvous pitch maneuver animation
+ View shuttle approaching the space station animation

One of the first major tasks is the station crew rotation. STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani will switch places with Anderson, who will be wrapping up a four-month tour of duty as an Expedition crew member. Tani is scheduled to stay on the station until he returns to Earth with STS-122 later this year.

The two crews will also begin joint operations to begin preparations for STS-120’s first spacewalk to continue the on-orbit construction of the station. A new station module, called Harmony, will be attached to the station and sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories.

Five spacewalks are scheduled during Discovery’s stay at the station to attach Harmony and to relocate the station’s P6 truss and solar arrays.

In addition to Harmony, Discovery is delivering supplies and equipment to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Crew to Greet New Visitors Aboard Station


Image above: Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Clay Anderson takes a call
from STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy. Discovery was less than two
hours from docking when Melroy called the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Clay Anderson will welcome a new set of visitors aboard the International Space Station today. Space Shuttle Discovery is slated to dock with the station at 8:33 a.m. EDT and the STS-120 crew will enter the station for the first time about 10:30 a.m.

+ View docking animation
+ View rendezvous animation
+ View rendezvous pitch maneuver animation
+ View shuttle approaching the space station animation

One of the first major tasks is the station crew rotation. STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani will switch places with Anderson, who will be wrapping up a four-month tour of duty as an Expedition crew member. Tani is scheduled to stay on the station until he returns to Earth with STS-122 later this year.

The two crews will also begin joint operations to begin preparations for STS-120’s first spacewalk to continue the on-orbit construction of the station. A new station module, called Harmony, will be attached to the station and sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories.

Five spacewalks are scheduled during Discovery’s stay at the station to attach Harmony and to relocate the station’s P6 truss and solar arrays.

In addition to Harmony, Discovery is delivering supplies and equipment to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Discovery Prepares to Dock; Expedition 16 Set to Welcome Visitors


Image above: The International Space Station is viewed from Discovery's
orbiter docking ring several hundred feet away.
Image credit: NASA TV

Space Shuttle Discovery is set to dock with the International Space Station at 8:43 a.m. EDT today, setting the stage for the on-orbit expansion of the outpost. Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Clay Anderson will welcome the seven-member STS-120 crew aboard the station after the hatches between the vehicles swing open about 10:30 a.m.

One of the first major tasks is the station crew rotation. STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani will switch places with Anderson, who will be wrapping up a four-month tour of duty as an Expedition crew member. Tani is scheduled to stay on the station until he returns to Earth with STS-122 later this year.

Discovery also delivered the Harmony module, which will be attached to the station Friday. In addition, the crews will conduct the first of five scheduled spacewalks Friday.

STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

+ View docking animation
+ View rendezvous animation
+ View rendezvous pitch maneuver animation
+ View shuttle approaching the space station animation

One of the first major tasks is the station crew rotation. STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani will switch places with Anderson, who will be wrapping up a four-month tour of duty as an Expedition crew member. Tani is scheduled to stay on the station until he returns to Earth with STS-122 later this year.

The two crews will also begin joint operations to begin preparations for STS-120’s first spacewalk to continue the on-orbit construction of the station. A new station module, called Harmony, will be attached to the station and sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories.

Five spacewalks are scheduled during Discovery’s stay at the station to attach Harmony and to relocate the station’s P6 truss and solar arrays.

In addition to Harmony, Discovery is delivering supplies and equipment to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Discovery Docks; Expedition 16 Set to Welcome Visitors


Image above: The International Space Station is viewed from Discovery's
orbiter docking ring several hundred feet away.
Image credit: NASA TV

Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station at 8:40 a.m. EDT today, setting the stage for the on-orbit expansion of the outpost. Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Clay Anderson will welcome the seven-member STS-120 crew aboard the station after the hatches between the vehicles swing open about 10:30 a.m.

One of the first major tasks is the station crew rotation. STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani will switch places with Anderson, who will be wrapping up a four-month tour of duty as an Expedition crew member. Tani is scheduled to stay on the station until he returns to Earth with STS-122 later this year.

Discovery also delivered the Harmony module, which will be attached to the station Friday. In addition, the crews will conduct the first of five scheduled spacewalks Friday.

STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

+ View docking animation
+ View rendezvous animation
+ View rendezvous pitch maneuver animation
+ View shuttle approaching the space station animation

One of the first major tasks is the station crew rotation. STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani will switch places with Anderson, who will be wrapping up a four-month tour of duty as an Expedition crew member. Tani is scheduled to stay on the station until he returns to Earth with STS-122 later this year.

The two crews will also begin joint operations to begin preparations for STS-120’s first spacewalk to continue the on-orbit construction of the station. A new station module, called Harmony, will be attached to the station and sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories.

Five spacewalks are scheduled during Discovery’s stay at the station to attach Harmony and to relocate the station’s P6 truss and solar arrays.

In addition to Harmony, Discovery is delivering supplies and equipment to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Welcomes STS-120 Crew Aboard Station


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson (left) welcomes
STS-120 crew members aboard the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Clay Anderson welcomed the seven-member STS-120 crew aboard the station at 10:39 a.m. EDT. The STS-120 crew arrived at the station when Space Shuttle Discovery docked at 8:40 a.m. Attention now turns to a crew exchange and on-orbit construction work.

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One of the first major tasks is the station crew rotation. STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani will switch places with Anderson, who will be wrapping up a four-month tour of duty as an Expedition crew member. Tani is scheduled to stay on the station until he returns to Earth with STS-122 later this year.

Discovery also delivered the Harmony module, which will be attached to the station Friday. In addition, the STS-120 crew will conduct the first of five scheduled spacewalks Friday.

STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Tani, Anderson Switch Crews


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson (left) welcomes
STS-120 crew members aboard the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

NASA Astronaut Daniel Tani has joined the Expedition 16 crew, replacing Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson. Tani arrived at the station as a member of Space Shuttle Discovery’s STS-120 crew earlier today. Discovery docked to the station at 8:40 a.m. EDT.

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+ View rendezvous animation
+ View rendezvous pitch maneuver animation
+ View shuttle approaching the space station animation

He and Anderson officially swapped crews when his custom-made seat liner was swapped out in the Soyuz spacecraft docked to the station. Anderson is wrapping up a four-month stay aboard the station. He will return to Earth on Discovery, which is slated to undock June 4. Tani is scheduled to leave the station later this year.

Discovery also delivered the Harmony module, which will be attached to the station Friday. In addition, the STS-120 crew will conduct the first of five scheduled spacewalks Friday.

STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Space Station Grows With Addition of Harmony


Image above: The Harmony module is attached to the International
Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

The International Space Station continued its on-orbit expansion with the addition of the Harmony module. Harmony was attached to the station at 11:38 a.m. EDT during STS-120’s first spacewalk. The addition of the Harmony module sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency during upcoming shuttle missions.

Four more spacewalks will take place during STS-120’s stay at the station. The two crews will also transfer cargo between Space Shuttle Discovery and the station.

STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Space Station Grows With Addition of Harmony


Image above: The Harmony module is attached to the International
Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

The International Space Station continued its on-orbit expansion with the addition of the Harmony module. Harmony was attached to the station at 11:38 a.m. EDT Friday during STS-120’s first spacewalk. The addition of the Harmony module sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency during upcoming shuttle missions.

Four more spacewalks will take place during STS-120’s stay at the station. The two crews will also transfer cargo between Space Shuttle Discovery and the station.

STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crews Prepare for Second Spacewalk, Enter Harmony


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson (left) and
STS-120 Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli enter the Harmony module
for the first time.
Image credit: NASA TV

The STS-120 and Expedition 16 crews entered the Harmony module for the first time at 8:24 a.m EDT Saturday after STS-120 Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli and Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson opened the hatches. Whitson recognized the schools that submitted the name "Harmony" in an academic competition, and Nespoli made some comments about the significance of this new addition to the station. STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy also presented Whitson with a necklace with a Harmony charm that was given to her by one of the winning schools.

The second spacewalk of the STS-120 mission is on tap for Sunday. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 5:58 a.m.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crews Complete Second Spacewalk


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson (left) and
STS-120 Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli enter the Harmony module
for the first time.
Image credit: NASA TV

The second spacewalk of the STS-120 mission ended at 12:05 p.m. EDT. The spacewalkers were STS-120 Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani. Today’s excursion lasted 6 hours and 33 minutes.

The STS-120 and Expedition 16 crews entered the Harmony module for the first time at 8:24 a.m. Saturday after STS-120 Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli and Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson opened the hatches. Today’s spacewalk included outfitting tasks for the new module.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station, Shuttle Crews Working Together


Image above: Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson (left), Expedition 16 commander,
and Pam Melroy, STS-120 commander, take a moment for a photo in
the Unity node of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle
Discovery is docked with the station.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew and the visiting STS-120 crew continue joint operations aboard the International Space Station.

Since the seven STS-120 astronauts arrived on Oct. 25, the station has grown in size. The addition of the Harmony module sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency during upcoming shuttle missions.

The crews have performed two spacewalks so far, and three more spacewalks are planned during STS-120’s stay at the station.

STS-120’s stay at the station is slated to wrap up when Discovery undocks Nov. 4.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Airglow above Earth's horizon and solar array panels add color to this scene of a portion of the International Space Station as the orbiting complex is docked with the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Image credit: NASA

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Source: NASA - Multimedia - Image of the Day Gallery

Joint Operations Continue


Image above: Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson (left), Expedition 16 commander,
and Pam Melroy, STS-120 commander, take a moment for a photo in
the Unity node of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle
Discovery is docked with the station.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew continues to work with the visiting STS-120 crew on the International Space Station.

Throughout the week, the two crews have been outfitting the Harmony module that was attached to station on Friday. They have performed two of the five planned spacewalks for the mission, with the third spacewalk scheduled for Tuesday morning.

STS-120’s stay at the station is slated to wrap up when Discovery undocks Nov. 5.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crews Conduct Third Spacewalk


Image above: Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson (left), Expedition 16 commander,
and Pam Melroy, STS-120 commander, take a moment for a photo in
the Unity node of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle
Discovery is docked with the station.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew continues to work with the visiting STS-120 crew on the International Space Station.

The crews completed the third of the five planned spacewalks for the mission at 11:53 a.m. EDT. The fourth spacewalk is scheduled to take place Thursday morning.

Throughout the week, the two crews have also been outfitting the Harmony module that was attached to the station on Friday.

STS-120’s stay at the station is slated to wrap up when Discovery undocks Nov. 5.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Teams Evaluate Array Damage


Image above: A view of a damaged P6 4B solar array wing on the International
Space Station.
Image credit: NASA

Engineering teams continue to look at the damage to the P6 4B solar array spotted by the crew during deployment Tuesday. NASA halted the deployment of the solar array wing to evaluate the damage. Deployment was about 80 percent complete.

Third Spacewalk Successful

Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski and Doug Wheelock completed the third spacewalk of the STS-120 mission at 11:53 a.m. EDT Tuesday. The spacewalkers accomplished all of their scheduled tasks and a few get-ahead items that will make future spacewalks more efficient.

Parazynski and Wheelock will again team up for the next spacewalk which is scheduled to take place Thursday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Joint Operations Continue, Spacewalk Rescheduled to Friday


Image above: STS-120 and Expedition 16 crew members pose for a group
photo following a joint news conference in the Harmony node of the
International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked
with the station.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 and STS-120 crews continue to conduct joint operations aboard the International Space Station. The astronauts will also have an extra day to prepare for STS-120’s fourth spacewalk, as the International Space Station Program has changed its priority from inspection of a rotary joint to repair of a solar array. The spacewalk, which was planned for Thursday, will be moved to Friday, or possibly Saturday if extra time is needed for preparation.

The crews spent part of Wednesday preparing for the spacewalk they would have taken on Thursday, which will put them ahead of schedule for preparations for Friday’s spacewalk. They also took time out to participate in a news conference with reporters from the United States, Italy and Russia.

STS-120 Mission Specialist and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli and STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy also talked to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. The astronauts took questions from the Italian leader while they were inside the Harmony node. The newly delivered Harmony was U.S. funded and Italian built.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Joint Operations Continue, Spacewalk Rescheduled to Saturday


Image above: Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Dan Tani works on the P6
truss during the second spacewalk of Discovery's mission.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 and STS-120 crews continue to conduct joint operations aboard the International Space Station. STS-120’s fourth spacewalk has been pushed back again to Saturday allowing extra time for preparation. The International Space Station Program has changed the priority of the spacewalk from inspection of a rotary joint to repair of a solar array.

On Wednesday, the crews took time out to participate in a news conference with reporters from the United States, Italy and Russia. Early Wednesday morning, STS-120 Mission Specialist and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli and STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy talked to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano from inside the Italian built Harmony node.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crews Outfit Harmony, Prepare for Spacewalk


Image above: Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Dan Tani works on the P6
truss during the second spacewalk of Discovery's mission.
Image credit: NASA

While the ground continued efforts to plan for Saturday’s spacewalk to repair a torn solar array, the space shuttle Discovery and International Space Station crews completed the initial outfitting of the Harmony node. It will remain at its temporary home on the Unity module until later this month when it will be permanently relocated to Destiny. It will serve as the docking port for future science laboratories supplied by the European Space Agency and Japan.

The crews also spent the day putting together tools and making preparations for Saturday’s spacewalk.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Joint Operations Continue


Image above: Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Dan Tani works on the P6
truss during the second spacewalk of Discovery's mission.
Image credit: NASA
The Expedition 16 crew continues to work with the visiting STS-120 crew on the International Space Station.

The two crews have completed the initial outfitting of the Harmony module that was attached to the station last week. They will continue preparing today for STS-120’s fourth spacewalk which is scheduled to take place Saturday.

STS-120’s stay at the station is slated to wrap up when Discovery undocks Nov. 5.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crews Conduct Fourth Spacewalk


Image above: Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Dan Tani works on the P6
truss during the second spacewalk of Discovery's mission.
Image credit: NASA

The fourth spacewalk of the STS-120 mission began at 6:03 a.m. EDT. The spacewalkers are STS-120 Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski and Doug Wheelock. Today’s excursion is scheduled to last 6.5 hours.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Fourth Spacewalk Complete; Undocking Ahead


Image above: Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski installs cufflinks on the
damaged solar array during the fourth spacewalk of Discovery's mission.
Image credit: NASA TV

The Expedition 16 and STS-120 crews completed the fourth spacewalk of the mission at 1:22 p.m. EDT Saturday. The main objective of the spacewalk was the repair of a torn solar array. After successfully repairing the array, the crews fully deployed it.

The STS-120 astronauts are scheduled to exit the station on Sunday and undock Monday. STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Joint Operations End; Discovery to Undock Monday


Image above: The Expedition 16 and STS-120 crews gather in the
International Space Station's Destiny Lab for the farewell ceremony.
Image credit: NASA TV

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Daniel Tani concluded joint operations with the STS-120 crew Sunday afternoon. STS-120’s stay at the station began Oct. 25 and featured four spacewalks to continue the on-orbit construction of the station.

The STS-120 crew exited the station before hatches closed at 3:03 p.m. EST Sunday in preparation for undocking. Discovery is slated to undock a little after 5:30 a.m. Monday.

Space Shuttle Discovery carried the Harmony Node 2 module and a new crew member, Daniel Tani, to the station.

The crews installed Harmony Oct. 26 and conducted four spacewalks during STS-120. During the third spacewalk, the crews installed the P6 truss and solar array pair in its permanent location outboard of the port truss. The fourth spacewalk was changed during the mission so that the crews could repair a torn solar array on the P6 truss. Following the successful repair work, the crews were able to fully deploy the solar array.

In other activities, the two crews transferred cargo between Discovery and the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Discovery Leaves Newly Configured Station


Image above: The International Space Station as seen from space shuttle
Discovery after undocking.
Image credit: NASA TV

Discovery undocked from the International Space Station at 5:32 a.m. today. The shuttle and station crews ended joint operations when the hatches closed at 3:03 p.m. EST Sunday.

STS-120’s stay at the station began Oct. 25 and featured four spacewalks to continue the on-orbit construction of the station. Discovery also carried the Harmony Node 2 module and a new crew member, Daniel Tani, to the station.

The crews installed Harmony Oct. 26 and conducted four spacewalks during STS-120. During the third spacewalk, the crews installed the P6 truss and solar array pair in its permanent location outboard of the port truss. The fourth spacewalk was changed during the mission so that the crews could repair a torn solar array on the P6 truss. Following the successful repair work, the crews were able to fully deploy the solar array.

Source: NASA - Space Station

5 November 2007

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, technicians inside the payload canister monitor movement of the Columbus Laboratory module as it is lowered into the canister. The canister will transport the module and other payloads to Launch Pad 39A in preparation for its journey to the International Space Station. The European Space Agency 's largest single contribution to the International Space Station, Columbus will expand the research facilities of the station, providing crew members and scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. The module is scheduled to be transferred to Launch Pad 39A in early November, in preparation for its journey to the station. Columbus will fly aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, targeted for launch 6 December.

Credits: NASA

The European Columbus laboratory has taken an important step towards launch. Columbus was moved from its work stand at NASA's Space Station Processing Facility and placed inside the payload canister. The canister will transport the module to Launch Pad 39A in preparation for its journey to the International Space Station.

"The empty stand symbolises one of the most visible milestones in the Columbus project," says Alan Thirkettle, ESA's International Space Station Programme Manager. "The transfer to the canister is an essential step forward for the Columbus laboratory towards its launch and its final attachment to the ISS. It is indeed a symbolic moment for all those who have been contributing to the development of Columbus. Another step towards launch, a moment they will remember and of which they can be very proud.”

The 8-metre long Columbus laboratory has been prepared for flight at the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), in Florida.

The European Columbus laboratory is the cornerstone of ESA’s contribution to the ISS and the first European laboratory dedicated to long-term research in space. Columbus will be carried into orbit in the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, targeted for launch on 6 December 2007.

The STS-122 crew includes ESA astronauts Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts. Eyharts will remain on the ISS for two months as a member of the Expedition 16 crew to oversee the in-orbit commissioning of Columbus and its experimental facilities.

More images:

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers attach an overhead crane to the European Columbus Laboratory module. The module will be moved to a weigh station before transfer to the payload canister. ESA largest single contribution to the International Space Station, Columbus will expand the research facilities of the Station, providing crew members and scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. The module is scheduled to be transferred to Launch Pad 39A in early November, in preparation for its journey to the station. Columbus will fly aboard space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, targeted for launch 6 December.

Credits: NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane lifts the Columbus Laboratory module from its stand. The module is being moved to a weigh station before transfer to the payload canister. The European Space Agency 's largest single contribution to the International Space Station, Columbus will expand the research facilities of the station, providing crew members and scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. The module is approximately 23 feet long and 15 feet wide, allowing it to hold 10 large racks of experiments. The module is scheduled to be transferred to Launch Pad 39A in early November, in preparation for its journey to the station. Columbus will fly aboard space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, targeted for launch Dec. 6.

Credits: NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, an overhead crane lifts the Columbus Laboratory module away from its stand. The module is being moved to a weigh station before transfer to the payload canister. The European Space Agency 's largest single contribution to the International Space Station, Columbus will expand the research facilities of the station, providing crew members and scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. The module is approximately 23 feet long and 15 feet wide, allowing it to hold 10 large racks of experiments. The module is scheduled to be transferred to Launch Pad 39A in early November, in preparation for its journey to the station. Columbus will fly aboard space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, targeted for launch Dec. 6.

Credits: NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Columbus Laboratory module is moved toward a weigh station. After being weighed, the module will be transferred to the payload canister. The European Space Agency 's largest single contribution to the International Space Station, Columbus will expand the research facilities of the station, providing crew members and scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. The module is scheduled to be transferred to Launch Pad 39A in early November, in preparation for its journey to the station. Columbus will fly aboard space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, targeted for launch 6 December.

Credits: NASA

Source: ESA - Human Spaceflight and Exploration - News

Discovery Leaves Newly Configured Station


Image above: Backdropped by the blackness of space and Earth's horizon,
the International Space Station is seen from Space Shuttle Discovery as
the two spacecraft begin their relative separation.
Image credit: NASA

Discovery undocked from the International Space Station at 5:32 a.m. EST Monday. The shuttle and station crews ended joint operations when the hatches closed at 3:03 p.m. Sunday.

STS-120’s stay at the station began Oct. 25 and featured four spacewalks to continue the on-orbit construction of the station. Discovery also carried the Harmony Node 2 module and a new crew member, Daniel Tani, to the station.

The crews installed Harmony Oct. 26 and conducted four spacewalks during STS-120. During the third spacewalk, the crews installed the P6 truss and solar array pair in its permanent location outboard of the port truss. The fourth spacewalk was changed during the mission so that the crews could repair a torn solar array on the P6 truss. Following the successful repair work, the crews were able to fully deploy the solar array.

Source: NASA - Space Station

The media advisory is reproduced below:

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602
john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov

James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
202-483-5111
james.a.hartsfield@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-155

NASA TV Coverage Set For Briefings, Space Station Work

HOUSTON - In the wake of space shuttle Discovery's delivery of the Harmony connecting module to the International Space Station, the station crew will conduct three spacewalks and robotically move two components this month to prepare for delivery of a European laboratory. All of the spacewalks and major robotics work will be broadcast live on NASA Television.

The shuttle Atlantis is targeted to launch Dec. 6 to deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus science module. Before Columbus can be added to the station, Harmony must be relocated to its permanent location at the front of the complex. The station crew's spacewalks and robotics work this month will complete that task, allowing Atlantis to dock and Columbus to attach to Harmony.

The NASA Television schedule includes:

4 a.m. CST Friday, Nov. 9 - NASA TV live coverage will begin as Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko don U.S. spacesuits to conduct a 6.5-hour spacewalk to prepare a docking port on the forward end of the Destiny Laboratory to be detached. A press conference will follow the spacewalk on NASA TV, originating from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston with questions from reporters at participating NASA sites.

4 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 12 - NASA TV will broadcast live coverage as Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani use the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm to detach the docking port, known as pressurized mating adapter-2, and relocate it to the forward end of the Harmony. No news conference is planned following the mating adapter relocation.

3:30 a.m. CST Wednesday, Nov. 14 - NASA TV will broadcast live coverage as Whitson and Tani use the Canadarm2 to detach Harmony and its new docking adapter from their current location attached to the Unity module. They will reposition Harmony to be attached to the forward end of the Destiny Lab, its permanent location. This will be the first time a major component of the station has been relocated without a shuttle present. No news conference is planned following Harmony's relocation.

4 a.m. CST Tuesday, Nov. 20 - NASA TV will broadcast live coverage as Whitson and Tani conduct a 6.5-hour spacewalk to hook up fluid, electrical and data lines for the relocated mating adapter and Harmony module. A press conference will follow the spacewalk on NASA TV, originating from Johnson with questions from participating NASA sites.

4 a.m. CST Saturday, Nov. 24 - NASA TV will broadcast live coverage as Whitson and Tani conduct a final 6.5-hour spacewalk to complete the hook up of the mating adapter and Harmony module to the station and leave them ready for the docking of Atlantis and delivery of Columbus. No news conference is planned following the spacewalk.

For the Nov. 9 and Nov. 20 news conferences, reporters must contact their preferred NASA location for participation details.

For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information on the Web, visit:


Source: NASA Media Advisory M07-155

Discovery Leaves Newly Configured Station


Image above: Backdropped by the blackness of space and Earth's horizon,
the International Space Station is seen from Space Shuttle Discovery as
the two spacecraft begin their relative separation.
Image credit: NASA

The International Space Station’s crew enjoyed a day off duty Tuesday before starting a heavy schedule of spacewalks and robotics activities, which kick off with a spacewalk by Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko Friday morning. The goal of the work is the relocation of the Harmony module so the station will be ready to receive the European laboratory module on the next shuttle flight, targeted to launch in early December.

On Monday at 5:32 a.m. EST, space shuttle Discovery undocked from the station. The shuttle and station crews ended joint operations when the hatches closed at 3:03 p.m. Sunday.

STS-120’s stay at the station began Oct. 25 and featured four spacewalks to continue the on-orbit construction of the station. Discovery also carried the Harmony Node 2 module and a new crew member, Daniel Tani, to the station.

The crews installed Harmony Oct. 26 and conducted four spacewalks during STS-120. During the third spacewalk, the crews installed the P6 truss and solar array pair in its permanent location outboard of the port truss. The fourth spacewalk was changed during the mission so that the crews could repair a torn solar array on the P6 truss. Following the successful repair work, the crews were able to fully deploy the solar array.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Spacewalk to Prepare for PMA, Harmony Moves

A spacewalk to prepare for the relocation of Pressurized Mating Adaptor 2 and the subsequent move of the new Harmony node to its permanent International Space Station home is scheduled to begin about 6 a.m. EST on Friday.

Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko will be in U.S. spacesuits and use the Quest airlock. Whitson, the lead spacewalker, will wear the suit with the red stripes. Cosmonaut Malenchenko's suit will be all white. Newly arrived Flight Engineer Dan Tani will be the spacewalk choreographer.


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy
Whitson works with an Extravehicular Mobility Unit
(EMU) spacesuit in the Quest Airlock of the
International Space Station.
Credit: NASA

Their first task will be to disconnect the Station to Shuttle Power Transfer System cables between the U.S. laboratory Destiny and PMA-2. Next they'll disconnect eight other cables between PMA-2 and the lab.

Subsequently they will demate connectors on the rigid umbilicals on the side of the lab, temporarily stowing them on the lab and elsewhere. That is so they will be accessible once fluid umbilical trays are installed there after the Harmony move. Malenchenko also will install caps on his side of the lab on receptacles left open by the PMA cable demates.

Whitson also will remove a Crew Equipment Translation Aid light on the lab to make way for the trays. She will take the light to the airlock. It will be reinstalled later. Malenchenko will move to the truss and configure the port Squib firing unit.

The next task takes them to the outboard end of the Harmony node, where PMA-2 will be installed. There they will remove the active Common Berthing Mechanism cover. The cover is held on by a strap that goes around the circumference. They'll bundle the cover and secure it with wire ties. It will be put in a Progress cargo carrier for disposal.

While Whitson completes connections for a power and data grapple fixture on the bottom of Harmony that will provide a base for the station's robotic arm, Malenchenko will move back behind the Z-1 truss to reconfigure a power system, removing an electrical jumper. Next Whitson will work at the right side of the "rats' nest," at the base of Z-1 on another reconfiguration.

Then she'll retrieve a box called the base-band signal processor and return it to the airlock. It will be returned to Earth for refurbishment. Malenchenko will remove and replace a failed electrical circuit box called a remote power controller module. They'll transfer tools between two bags and move a bag to the S0 truss for later spacewalks.

PMA-2 is scheduled to be removed from Destiny and placed on Harmony, using the station's robotic arm, on Monday, Nov. 12. Harmony, brought to the station by Discovery, is to be moved from its temporary position on the left side of the Unity node to the front of Destiny, again using Canadarm2, on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Source: NASA - Space Station - Expeditions

Crew Set for Spacewalk on Friday


Image above: Backdropped by the blackness of space and Earth's horizon,
the International Space Station is seen from Space Shuttle Discovery as
the two spacecraft begin their relative separation.
Image credit: NASA

The International Space Station’s crew enjoyed a day off duty Tuesday before starting a heavy schedule of spacewalks and robotics activities, which kick off with a spacewalk by Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko Friday morning. The goal of the work is the relocation of the Harmony module so the station will be ready to receive the European laboratory module on the next shuttle flight, targeted to launch in early December.

Source: NASA - Space Station