Next Shuttle Crew Readies for Mission


Image above: The STS-121 crew members pause for a portrait during the
recent Crew Equipment Interface Test at NASA's Kennedy Space Center
in Florida.
Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
+ View High-Res Version


The crew of space shuttle Discovery is preparing for the launch of the STS-121 mission, currently targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

The flight will continue the evaluation of flight safety procedures, including shuttle inspection and repair techniques. It also will deliver more supplies and cargo for future station expansion.

Steve Lindsey will command the mission, flying with pilot Mark Kelly, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter is also part of the crew and will remain on the station for several months. Reiter's arrival will give the station its first three-person crew since May 4, 2003.

+ STS-121 Mission | + STS-121 Crew


Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

04.17.06

Times change, people change, and even orbiters and astronauts change.

As Discovery stands ready to be the "go-to" shuttle for the next mission, an astronaut who flew on Discovery's first flight will be with them in spirit. "You always transport yourself back to that moment when you were inside and it does get your heart rate up," says Mike Mullane.

The year was 1984. Discovery sat on Launch Pad 39-A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, awaiting its maiden voyage. Five of the six crew members were rookie astronauts primed for their first trip into space, including Mullane. After several delays, together the new orbiter and space travelers embarked on a successful 2.5-million-mile journey.


Image above: On Aug. 30, 1984, Discovery rises from its seaside launch
pad and is silhouetted against the sun's reflection on the Atlantic Ocean
surface as mission STS-41D begins.
Image credit: NASA

"It was a particular thrill for all of us to pass the 50-mile altitude because that's the point at which you are officially an astronaut," says Mullane, now an author of a book called "Riding Rockets" that details his experience in space. "We broke into cheers. At that point, we were no longer rookies; we were veteran astronauts."

More than two decades later, Mullane figures the anticipation of today's rookies, including the three set to fly on the upcoming STS-121 mission, is the same. Yet time has brought about definite changes -- both in the orbiters and in the diversity of the astronauts who fly them.

Among the crew who flew that first flight of Discovery was one woman, Mission Specialist Judy Resnick, who was only the second American woman in space.


Image above: In the mock-up flight deck of a shuttle trainer, STS-41D
rookie astronauts (from left) Judy Resnik, Mike Mullane and Steve Hawley
(in back) work with veteran Commander Henry Hartsfield (in foreground).
Image credit: NASA

NASA's next shuttle mission counts two women among its crew, and Mullane feels the status of women as astronauts today has changed significantly since Resnick's first flight.

"The aura of being a feminist pioneer has long past. It's not newsworthy anymore that a woman is flying," he reflects. "There are lots of female astronauts out there."

After all, the STS-114 Return to Flight mission in July 2005 was commanded by Eileen Collins.

Just as the makeup of the astronaut corps has changed, so has its work in space. Building the International Space Station is now the primary focus of the remaining shuttle missions, but the hardware that would bring the space station to life was just being developed when Discovery first flew. As part of that inaugural mission, the crew tested a "solar wing" that carried different types of solar cells. It was extended from the payload bay to its full 102-foot height several times, demonstrating that large, lightweight solar arrays could be viable for building future facilities in space -- a reality in today's International Space Station.


Image above: In this photo taken from Discovery's
window by the STS-41D crew, the extended solar array
experiment panel is deployed.
Image credit: NASA

Many of the changes experienced by the astronauts have been mirrored by Discovery.

Beginning in the fall of 1995, the shuttle underwent a nine-month maintenance period that included the addition of an external airlock to support its new role on missions to the International Space Station. In 2002, along with scheduled upgrades, technicians began making additional safety modifications as part of the preparations for the Return to Flight.

Since its inaugural flight in 1984, Discovery has completed more than 30 successful missions, surpassing the number of flights made by any other orbiter in NASA's fleet.


Image above: Inside the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy
Space Center, rookie crew members for the next shuttle mission --
(from left) Mission Specialists Michael Fossum, Lisa Nowak and Stephanie
Wilson -- join veteran Pilot Mark Kelly (right) in getting a close look at
Discovery, their launch vehicle for mission STS-121.
Image credit: NASA

With the shuttle flights coming to an end and the new Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) on the horizon, Mullane's thoughts turn to what it would be like to help write the next page in space exploration history.

"It would sure be a kick to go to the moon in a CEV!"

Indeed, some things never change.

Read more about:
+ STS-121
+ STS-41D
+ Discovery

Cheryl L. Mansfield
NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center

Source: NASA - Shuttle - Behind The Scenes

One era may have passed but another will take it's place!

Let us hope it will be as exciting still

Next Space Shuttle Mission:

STS-121 Discovery/ International Space Station Flight ULF1.1
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Window: No earlier than July 1, 2006
Landing: To Be Determined
Duration: 11 days
Orbital Insertion Altitude: 122 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 51.60°
Countdown begins: T-43 hours


Image above: External tank 119 is moved out of a checkout cell and
into the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Credit: NASA/Cory Huston
+ View High-Res Version

Technicians continue closing out areas of Discovery prior to its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building, scheduled for May 12. The right and left payload bay doors were opened earlier in the week in preparation for reinstallation of the remote manipulator system, or "shuttle arm." The arm was transported from the lab in the Vehicle Assembly Building to the processing facility on April 12 and installed in the vehicle April 14.

Program managers have determined the space shuttle main engine in position No. 2 will need to be replaced due to the possibility of a crack in a solder joint in the controller. During the certification of similar controllers, engineers observed cracking after thermal testing of the units. The engine replacement has no impact on the overall processing schedule.

Source: NASA - Shuttle - Launch and Landing

Next Space Shuttle Mission:

STS-121 Discovery/ International Space Station Flight ULF1.1
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Window: No earlier than July 1, 2006
Landing: To Be Determined
Duration: 11 days
Orbital Insertion Altitude: 122 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 51.60°
Countdown begins: T-43 hours


Image above: In the Vehicle Assembly Building's transfer aisle at NASA's
Kennedy Space Center, external tank No. 119 is suspended in a vertical
position. The tank will soon be lifted into high bay 3 for stacking with
solid rocket boosters.
Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
+ View High-Res Version

Technicians continue closing out areas of Discovery prior to its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building, scheduled for May 12. The right and left payload bay doors were opened earlier in the week in preparation for reinstallation of the remote manipulator system, or "shuttle arm." The arm was transported from the lab in the Vehicle Assembly Building to the processing facility on April 12 and installed in the vehicle April 14.

Program managers have determined the space shuttle main engine in position No. 2 will need to be replaced due to the possibility of a crack in a solder joint in the controller. During the certification of similar controllers, engineers observed cracking after thermal testing of the units. The engine replacement has no impact on the overall processing schedule.

Source: NASA - Shuttle - Launch and Landing

Next Space Shuttle Mission:

STS-121 Discovery/ International Space Station Flight ULF1.1
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Window: No earlier than July 1, 2006
Landing: To Be Determined
Duration: 11 days
Orbital Insertion Altitude: 122 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 51.60°
Countdown begins: T-43 hours


Image above: In high bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the external
tank designated for Space Shuttle Discovery is lowered into position
between the solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform.
Credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
+ View High-Res Version

Technicians continue closing out areas of Discovery prior to its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building, scheduled for May 12. The right and left payload bay doors were opened earlier in the week in preparation for reinstallation of the remote manipulator system, or "shuttle arm." The arm was transported from the lab in the Vehicle Assembly Building to the processing facility on April 12 and installed in the vehicle April 14.

Program managers have determined the space shuttle main engine in position No. 2 will need to be replaced due to the possibility of a crack in a solder joint in the controller. During the certification of similar controllers, engineers observed cracking after thermal testing of the units. The engine replacement has no impact on the overall processing schedule.

Source: NASA - Shuttle - Launch and Landing

Station Cargo Readied

04.27.06

Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician observes as the hatch closes on the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo. The Italian-built module is part of the payload that Space Shuttle Discovery will carry to the International Space Station on the next mission. The module contains more than two tons of equipment and supplies to be delivered to the station by Discovery's crew during the STS-121 mission.

Leonardo is one of three such modules that act as "moving vans" for the Space Station, carrying cargo and supplies for delivery, and returning spent materials to Earth. Designed to fit in the space shuttle cargo bay, each module is approximately 21 feet long and 15 feet in diameter. They weigh almost 4.5 tons and can carry 10 tons of cargo packed into standard "racks."

+ View High Resolution Photo

Source: NASA/KSC - Station Payloads

The NASA / Marshall Space Flight Center press release is reproduced below:



NASA Successfully Completes Solid Rocket Motor Test April 28

04.28.06

June Malone
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
(Phone: 256.544.0034)

News release: 06-061

NASA's Space Shuttle Program successfully static fired a full-scale, full-duration reusable solid rocket motor Friday, April 28, at a Utah test facility. The two-minute test was performed at ATK Launch Systems, an Alliant Techsystems Inc. group, in Promontory.

The flight support motor, FSM-12, burned for approximately 123 seconds, the same amount of time each reusable solid rocket motor burns during an actual space shuttle launch. The test firing included 62 specific objectives and used 711 instrumentation channels to collect and evaluate the motor's performance.

Preliminary data indicates that all test objectives were met. After NASA technicians analyze all final test data, results for each objective will be published in a final report which will be available later this year.

Regular static-fire tests of space shuttle reusable solid rocket motors maintain the highest safety, quality and reliability standards of solid rocket motors used for human space flight. Testing provides the highest confidence possible on the performance of motors in NASA's Space Shuttle Program.

"Full-scale static testing continues to be a key element of our 'test before you fly' standard that we apply to our processes, material, hardware and design changes," said Jody Singer, manager of the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor Project, part of the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. "Testing such as this is important to ensure continued quality and performance."

The shuttle's reusable solid rocket motor is the largest solid rocket motor ever flown, the only one rated for human flight and the first designed for reuse. Each shuttle launch requires the boost of two reusable solid rocket motors to lift the 4.5-million-pound shuttle vehicle.

During space shuttle flights, solid rocket motors provide 80 percent of the thrust during the first two minutes of flight. Each motor generates an average thrust of 2.6 million pounds and is just over 126 feet long and 12 feet in diameter. It is the primary component of the shuttle's twin solid rocket boosters.

During a shuttle launch, the solid propellant rockets take the shuttle to an altitude of 28 miles at a speed of 3,094 mph before they separate and fall into the ocean to be retrieved, then refurbished and prepared for another flight.

ATK Launch Systems manufactures the shuttle's solid rocket motor at its Promontory plant north of Salt Lake City.

For more information about the Space Shuttle Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

For supporting materials for this news release -- such as photographs, fact sheets, video and audio files and more -- please visit the NASA Marshall Center Newsroom Web site at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news

Source: NASA/MSFC- News

A reusable solid rocket motor successfully fires during testing April 28 at a Utah test facility. The static-fire test was conducted by ATK Launch Systems in Promontory for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. (ATK Thiokol)

A reusable solid rocket motor successfully fires during testing April 28 at a Utah test facility. The static-fire test was conducted by ATK Launch Systems in Promontory for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. (NASA)

Source: NASA/MSFC- News

The NASA / Marshall Space Flight Center press release is reproduced below:



Marshall Center to Test 48-Inch Solid Rocket Motor Today

05.04.06

June Malone
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
(Phone: 256.544.0034)

News release: 06-064

A static -- or stationary -- firing of a scaled-down version of the Space Shuttle’s Reusable Solid Rocket Motor will occur in the afternoon of Thursday, May 4, at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The 28-second test firing of the modified NASA motor may be heard in the Huntsville area surrounding the Marshall Center.

Static firings of modified NASA motors are part of the ongoing verification of components, materials and manufacturing processes required by the Shuttle’s Solid Rocket Motor Project Office and the Space Shuttle program.

The test, which produces near flight motor internal environments, will be used to evaluate the performance of a new internal insulation material that will be used in the aft dome of the motor. It will also allow engineers to assess potential instrumentation including one that offers a sharper chemical "map" of the motor’s plume during launch and another that provides more information on the temperature of the nozzle’s phenolics -- resin-impregnated fiber reinforced material cured under heat and pressure.

The test motor is deemed one-sixth scale, based on its 9-inch nozzle throat diameter versus the full scale motor's 54-inch diameter nozzle throat. The duration of Thursday’s test will be approximately one-fourth the amount of time that motors perform during Shuttle flights.

Engineers from the Marshall Center Space Engineering Directorate, ATK's Science and Engineering Huntsville Operations group and the Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor project office will conduct the test. ATK Thiokol, a unit of Alliant Techsystems, Inc., in Promontory, Utah, manufactures the Shuttle's Solid Rocket Motor.

Following the test, the data will be analyzed and the results for each objective will be used to better understand the motor's performance.

For supporting materials for this news release -- such as photographs, fact sheets, video and audio files and more -- please visit the NASA Marshall Center Newsroom Web site at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news

Source: NASA/MSFC- News

Next Space Shuttle Mission:

STS-121 Discovery/ International Space Station Flight ULF1.1
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Window: No earlier than July 1, 2006
Landing: To Be Determined
Duration: 11 days
Orbital Insertion Altitude: 122 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 51.60°
Countdown begins: T-43 hours


Image above: In high bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the external
tank designated for Space Shuttle Discovery is lowered into position
between the solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform.
Credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
+ View High-Res Version

Technicians continue closing out areas of Discovery before it is moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building on May 12. The payload bay doors were closed April 26 for the final time prior to flight.

Last week, technicians removed the space shuttle main engine in position No. 2 and replaced it with a new one. Engine leak checks were successfully completed April 25. Interface verification tests were completed for sensors No. 1 and 2 on the new orbiter boom sensor system.

Source: NASA - Shuttle - Launch and Landing

The press release is reproduced below:

May 5, 2006

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
(202) 358-3749

Doug Peterson
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(281) 483-5111

RELEASE: 06-216

NASA Names Doi to Shuttle Crew to Launch Japanese Module

NASA; Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have named Japanese astronaut Takao Doi to the space shuttle crew that will deliver the first module of the Japanese laboratory, Kibo, to the International Space Station.

Doi is the first crew member named to the mission, which will be the eighth of the upcoming space shuttle missions to the space station. Doi's duties will involve attachment and initial set-up of the Kibo Japanese Experiment Logistics Module. Doi's crew mates will be named at a later date.

The mission will be Doi's second space flight. During his first flight, shuttle mission STS-87 in 1997, he performed two spacewalks.

Doi holds a bachelor's degree, master's degree and a doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Tokyo. He also has a doctorate in astronomy from Rice University, Houston.

For complete biographies of Doi, NASA and International Space Station partner astronauts, visit:

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/home

- end -

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA Press Release 06-216

Next Space Shuttle Mission:

STS-121 Discovery/ International Space Station Flight ULF1.1
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Window: No earlier than July 1, 2006
Landing: To Be Determined
Duration: 11 days
Orbital Insertion Altitude: 122 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 51.60°
Countdown begins: T-43 hours


Image above: In high bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the external
tank designated for Space Shuttle Discovery is lowered into position
between the solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform.
Credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
+ View High-Res Version

Technicians continue final preparations on Discovery prior to its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The move is scheduled for May 12. Shuttle program managers will discuss readiness for the move and any final technical details during the Orbiter Rollover Review on May 8.

As a precautionary measure to provide protection from the tin whiskering phenomenon, a reaction jet driver was replaced in an avionics bay and successfully retested early this week. Whiskering is a phenomenon identified decades ago whereby certain metals, primarily tin, zinc and cadmium, develop pure metallic crystalline extrusions.

During retesting of the reaction jet driver replacement, an unrelated problem was discovered in the load control assembly in a line replacement unit box in the forward avionics bay. The remotely controlled assembly provides power to the reaction jet driver. Technicians have replaced the assembly and planned to retest the equipment over the weekend.

Source: NASA - Shuttle - Launch and Landing

Image above: Workers accompany the orbiter Discovery as it moves
away from NASA's Orbiter Processing Facility toward the Vehicle
Assembly Building (VAB) atop an orbiter transporter.
Image credit: NASA/KSC
+ View High-Res Photos

A wave of excitement rippled across NASA's Kennedy Space Center on May 12 as the orbiter Discovery rolled out of its processing facility and into the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building. Inside, the shuttle's external tank and twin solid rocket boosters stand ready for the orbiter, which will soon be attached to the rest of the assembly. Space Shuttle Discovery is set to launch on the STS-121 mission, currently targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

The flight will continue the evaluation of flight safety procedures, including shuttle inspection and repair techniques. It also will deliver more supplies and cargo for future station expansion.

Steve Lindsey will command the mission, flying with pilot Mark Kelly, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter is also part of the crew and will remain on the station for several months. Reiter's arrival will give the station its first three-person crew since May 4, 2003.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Next Space Shuttle Mission:

STS-121 Discovery/ International Space Station Flight ULF1.1
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Window: No earlier than July 1, 2006
Landing: To Be Determined
Duration: 11 days
Orbital Insertion Altitude: 122 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 51.60°
Countdown begins: T-43 hours


Image above: The orbiter Discovery rolls down the short roadway
between the Orbiter Processing Facility and the nearby Vehicle Assembly
Building. Credit: NASA/KSC
+ View High-Res Version

Discovery was moved today from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 to the Vehicle Assembly Building, a major step toward a launch to the International Space Station. Technicians and crane operators began preparations to lift Discovery into the assembly building's high bay 3 and attach the shuttle to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. After final integration, a crawler transporter is scheduled to carry Discovery to the launch pad May 19.

Discovery was scheduled to move Thursday, but a sheared left-hand jack screw on the lifting sling in the assembly building postponed the rollover until today. Both the right and left-hand screws were removed and replaced. The replacements were inspected, analyzed, proof loaded and installed on the sling.

The payloads that will launch aboard Discovery were loaded into the payload transportation canister this week and are scheduled to roll out to the launch pad on May 16. Discovery's payloads include the Italian-built logistics module, known as Leonardo, which will carry food, clothing, spare parts and research equipment to the station. Other payloads include two cargo carriers which contain heat shield tile samples, a spare pump module and a replacement mobile transporter reel assembly.

Source: NASA - Shuttle - Launch and Landing

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Discovery -- sitting atop an orbiter transporter -- nears the Vehicle Assembly Building. The orbiter's "rollover" from its processing facility is a milestone in prelaunch preparation. Once inside, Discovery will be raised to vertical and lifted up and over into high bay 3 for stacking with its redesigned external tank and twin solid rocket boosters. In about a week, Discovery is expected to roll out to Launch Pad 39B, with the launch of mission STS-121 scheduled to take place during a window extending July 1 to 19.

Kennedy Space Center workers display a banner as Discovery rolls from the Orbiter Processing Facility toward the Vehicle Assembly Building.



Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Image above: The orbiter Discovery is lowered via a crane and
sling into high bay 3 of NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building.
Discovery will be mated with its external tank and twin solid
rocket boosters waiting below on the mobile launcher platform.
Image credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser
+ View High-Res Version

A wave of excitement rippled across NASA's Kennedy Space Center on May 12 as the orbiter Discovery rolled out of its processing facility and into the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building. Inside, the orbiter was mated to the external tank and twin solid rocket boosters over the weekend. Space Shuttle Discovery is set to launch on the STS-121 mission, currently targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

The flight will continue the evaluation of flight safety procedures, including shuttle inspection and repair techniques. It also will deliver more supplies and cargo for future station expansion.

Steve Lindsey will command the mission, flying with pilot Mark Kelly, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter is also part of the crew and will remain on the station for several months. Reiter's arrival will give the station its first three-person crew since May 4, 2003.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Sigh, NASA, the 80's are OVER

So what do you suggest Master Sage? Do you really think NASA should stop manned space flight for 6 years (the earliest date at which the replacement CEV will fly is 2012)? In the meantime Russia will continue to fly with it's Soyuz vehicle first flown in the 60's on a rocket first flown in the '50's.

NASA has finally been given the go ahead to replace the Shuttles but this is not something that can be achieved overnight.

The Space Shuttle has its faults (as was all too evident with Columbia) but as a rocket it is the most reliable launch vehicle ever built, with only one launch failure. It has placed more people into space than Vostok, Mercury, Voskhod, Gemini, Apollo and Soyuz vehicles combined and has failed only twice in 25 years in service.

Image above: The payload canister approaches the rotating service
structure on Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The
canister holds the payloads for mission STS-121.
Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
+ View High-Res Version

Carried in a special canister mounted on a transporter, the payloads for mission STS-121 trekked across NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 17, arriving at Launch Pad 39B in early afternoon. The payloads will be loaded into Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay after the vehicle reaches the launch pad. Discovery is set to roll out to the pad May 19 from the Vehicle Assembly Building. The STS-121 mission is targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

The flight will continue the evaluation of flight safety procedures, including shuttle inspection and repair techniques. It also will deliver more supplies and cargo for future station expansion.

Steve Lindsey will command the mission, flying with pilot Mark Kelly, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter is also part of the crew and will remain on the station for several months. Reiter's arrival will give the station its first three-person crew since May 4, 2003.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

The press release is reproduced below:

May 17, 2006

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
(202) 358-3749

Tracy Young
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(321) 867-2468

RELEASE: 06-223

NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery Cargo Ready for Flight

The payloads that will launch aboard the next space shuttle mission, STS-121, arrived Wednesday at Launch Pad 39-B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

Space Shuttle Discovery's cargo includes the Italian-built logistics module Leonardo, which will carry 11 large racks filled with food, clothing, spare parts and research equipment to the International Space Station. Also included in the cargo is the Oxygen Generation System, which can provide enough oxygen each day to support a six-member crew. The system will be operational before the first six-person crew arrives aboard the station in 2009.

An integrated cargo carrier will deliver a spare pump module and replacement mobile transporter reel assembly to the station. Another carrier containing pieces of the shuttle's heat-shielding material is also installed in Discovery's payload bay. The material will be used to test heat shield repair methods in orbit during a potential third spacewalk.

Discovery's launch to the International Space Station is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. During the 12-day mission, crew members will test new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety.

Imagery from the transfer and the latest information on the STS-121 mission and crew is available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Video highlights of the transfer to the launch pad will air on Thursday's NASA TV's Video File segments. NASA TV's Video File news feed is on the Media Channel (Program 103) at 6 - 8 and 9 - 11 a.m.; 12 - 2 and 4 - 7 p.m.; and 10 p.m. - midnight. All times are Eastern.

The Media Channel is available on an MPEG-2 digital C-band signal via satellite AMC-6; 72 degrees west longitude, transponder 17C, 4040 MHz, vertical polarization. In Alaska and Hawaii, it's on AMC-7; 137 degrees west longitude, transponder 18C, at 4060 MHz, horizontal polarization. A digital video broadcast compliant integrated receiver decoder is required for reception. For media unable to receive the Media Channel, a modified version of Video-File airs on the Public Channel at 9 a.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. (Eastern). For downlink, Media and Public Channel information and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

- end -

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA Press Release 06-223

The press release is reproduced below:

May 17, 2006

Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
(202) 358-4769

Doug Peterson
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(281) 483-5111

RELEASE: 06-221 (CORRECTED)

NASA Finalizes Crews for Upcoming Shuttle Missions

NASA has finalized crew assignments for two space shuttle missions targeted for launch in 2007 to continue assembly of the International Space Station.

Astronaut John D. Olivas will join the crew of shuttle mission STS-117. Astronaut Tracy Caldwell will join the crew of shuttle mission STS-118. Olivas and Caldwell will be making their first space flights.

Astronaut Richard A. Mastracchio, previously assigned to STS-117, has been reassigned to STS-118. Veteran shuttle flier and spacewalker Scott Parazynski, previously assigned to STS-118, has left that crew to prepare for assignment to another mission.

With the changes, the STS-117 crew is commanded by Marine Lt. Col. Frederick W. Sturckow. The mission's pilot is Air Force Col. Lee J. Archambault and the mission specialists are James F. Reilly II, retired Army Col. Patrick G. Forrester, Steven R. Swanson and Olivas. STS-117 will deliver the second starboard truss segment to the space station with the third set of U.S. solar arrays, batteries and associated equipment.

STS-118 will be commanded by Navy Cmdr. Scott J. Kelly. The pilot will be Marine Lt. Col. Charles O. Hobaugh. The mission specialists are Canadian Space Agency astronaut Dr. Dafydd R. Williams, educator astronaut Barbara R. Morgan, Mastracchio and Caldwell. STS-118 will deliver to the station the third starboard truss segment; an external stowage platform; and logistics and supplies in a SPACEHAB single cargo module.

Olivas was born in North Hollywood, Calif., and raised in El Paso, Texas. He received a bachelor's from the University of Texas-El Paso, a master's from the University of Houston and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Rice University, Houston. Upon completing his doctorate, Olivas worked as a senior research engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. He was selected as an astronaut in 1998.

Caldwell was born in Arcadia, Calif. She received a bachelor's from California State University in Fullerton and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of California at Davis. She was selected as an astronaut in 1998. Her assignments have included spacecraft communicator in mission control, shuttle flight software verification and support of shuttle launch and landing operations.

For complete astronaut biographical information, visit:

http://www######c.nasa.gov/Bios

For more information on space shuttle missions and crews, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

- end -

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA Press Release 06-221

I really don't know if I'd fly in the Shuttle anymore. I mean, she's an incredible bird, but after 25 years, so much wear, and with the accidents...I dunno.

I'm not sure wear and tear is such a huge issue. The shuttles were designed for 100 missions each. In fact the 5 orbiters combined have only just exceeded this figure.

Both accidents were the result of design flaws (Challenger was only on it's 10th mission when it was destroyed). In the case of Challenger this design flaw has been repaired. In the case of Columbia the same problem should be discovered before the orbiter attempts reentry

In the cases of Discovery and Endeavour they have both recently completed a full mid-life overhaul. Atlantis is due for this in a couple of years but will be retired early instead. The shuttles are probably safer to fly now than when they were built.

The problem with the shuttles is that they were sold to the public as operational vehicles. Instead they should always have been considered experimental vehicles. If you compare them with the research programmes that came before, especially the X15 programme, their safety record compares favourably.

Image above: The payload canister approaches the rotating service
structure on Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The
canister holds the payloads for mission STS-121.
Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
+ View High-Res Version

Space Shuttle Discovery will make the long, slow crawl out to its seaside launch pad today, a major step toward the STS-121 mission. Mounted on the Mobile Launcher Platform and carried by the mammoth Crawler-Transporter, Discovery is expected to roll out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at 12 p.m. EDT and begin the four-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B. Moving along at less than one mile an hour, it could take seven or more hours for the "stack" to reach the pad. The STS-121 mission is targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

The flight will continue the evaluation of flight safety procedures, including shuttle inspection and repair techniques. It also will deliver more supplies and cargo for future station expansion.

Steve Lindsey will command the mission, flying with pilot Mark Kelly, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter is also part of the crew and will remain on the station for several months. Reiter's arrival will give the station its first three-person crew since May 4, 2003.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Discovery On The Move

Image above: From high bay 3 of NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building,
Space Shuttle Discovery begins its slow 4.2-mile journey via the
crawlerway to Launch Pad 39B. The shuttle rests on a mobile launcher
platform that sits atop a crawler-transporter. The rollout is an important
step before launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 to the International
Space Station.

Space Shuttle Discovery's four-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B is underway! The move brings NASA one step closer to the STS-121 mission, targeted for launch no earlier than July 1. Mounted on the Mobile Launcher Platform and carried by the mammoth Crawler-Transporter, Discovery emerged from the assembly building at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The "stack" rolls along at less than one mile an hour, and is expected to arrive at the launch pad sometime this evening. The STS-121 mission is targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

The flight will continue the evaluation of flight safety procedures, including shuttle inspection and repair techniques. It also will deliver more supplies and cargo for future station expansion.

Steve Lindsey will command the mission, flying with pilot Mark Kelly, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter is also part of the crew and will remain on the station for several months. Reiter's arrival will give the station its first three-person crew since May 4, 2003.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Discovery On The Move

Image above: Space Shuttle Discovery is on its slow 4.2-mile journey
via the crawlerway to Launch Pad 39B. The shuttle rests on a mobile
launcher platform that sits atop a crawler-transporter. The rollout is an
important step before launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 to the
International Space Station.

Space Shuttle Discovery's four-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B is underway! The move brings NASA one step closer to the STS-121 mission, targeted for launch no earlier than July 1. Mounted on the Mobile Launcher Platform and carried by the mammoth Crawler-Transporter, Discovery emerged from the assembly building at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The "stack" rolls along at less than one mile an hour, and is expected to arrive at the launch pad sometime this evening. The STS-121 mission is targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

The flight will continue the evaluation of flight safety procedures, including shuttle inspection and repair techniques. It also will deliver more supplies and cargo for future station expansion.

Steve Lindsey will command the mission, flying with pilot Mark Kelly, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter is also part of the crew and will remain on the station for several months. Reiter's arrival will give the station its first three-person crew since May 4, 2003.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Discovery's Crawl Continues

Image above: Space Shuttle Discovery leaves the confines of NASA's
Vehicle Assembly Building as it begins its slow 4.2-mile journey via the
crawlerway to Launch Pad 39B. The shuttle rests on a mobile launcher
platform that sits atop a crawler-transporter.
Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
+ View High-Res Version

Space Shuttle Discovery's 4.2-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B is underway! The move brings NASA one step closer to the STS-121 mission, targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

Mounted on the Mobile Launcher Platform and carried by the mammoth crawler-transporter, Discovery emerged from the assembly building at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The "stack" rolls along at less than one mile an hour, and is expected to arrive at the launch pad sometime this evening. The STS-121 mission is targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

The flight will continue the evaluation of flight safety procedures, including shuttle inspection and repair techniques. It also will deliver more supplies and cargo for future station expansion.

Steve Lindsey will command the mission, flying with pilot Mark Kelly, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter is also part of the crew and will remain on the station for several months. Reiter's arrival will give the station its first three-person crew since May 4, 2003.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Next Space Shuttle Mission:

STS-121 Discovery/ International Space Station Flight ULF1.1
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Window: No earlier than July 1, 2006
Landing: To Be Determined
Duration: 11 days
Orbital Insertion Altitude: 122 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 51.60°
Countdown begins: T-43 hours


Image above: Space Shuttle Discovery rolls down the crawlerway from
the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B.
Credit: NASA/Debbie Kiger
+ View High-Res Version

Space Shuttle Discovery is making big strides toward launch. Carried by the crawler-transporter and perched on the Mobile Launcher Platform, the shuttle assembly rolled out of Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building at 12:45 p.m. EDT May 19, embarking on a 4.2-mile trek to Launch Pad 39B. "Rollout" is a major milestone as NASA prepares to launch Discovery on the STS-121 mission to the International Space Station.

The payloads that will launch aboard Discovery were loaded into the payload transportation canister May 8-10 and rolled out to the launch pad May 17. Discovery's payloads include the Italian-built logistics module, known as Leonardo, which will carry food, clothing, spare parts and research equipment to the station. Other payloads include two cargo carriers which contain heat shield tile samples, a spare pump module and a replacement mobile transporter reel assembly.

Source: NASA - Shuttle - Launch and Landing

Discovery's Crawl Continues

Daylight streams through the open doors of NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building as Space Shuttle Discovery begins its slow 4.2-mile journey via the crawlerway to Launch Pad 39B. The shuttle rests on a mobile launcher platform that sits atop a crawler-transporter. First motion was at 12:45 p.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett


Space Shuttle Discovery moves away from high bay 3 of NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building as begins its slow 4.2-mile journey via the crawlerway to Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Debbie Kiger


Viewed from across the turn basin, Space Shuttle Discovery, on top of the mobile launcher platform and crawler-transporter, makes its way to Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley


Space Shuttle Discovery begins its slow 4.2-mile journey via the crawlerway (seen in the background) to Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton


Space Shuttle Discovery rolls toward Launch Pad 39B. Launch Pad 39A is in the background. The rollout is an important step before launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle- Roll Out

Discovery Arrives at the Pad

Image above: Space Shuttle Discovery rests on Launch Pad 39B at
NASA's Kennedy Space Center after completing the 4.2-mile journey
from the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Image credit: NASA
+ View High-Res Version

Space Shuttle Discovery's 4.2-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B is complete! The move brings NASA one step closer to the STS-121 mission, targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

Mounted on the Mobile Launcher Platform and carried by the mammoth crawler-transporter, Discovery emerged from the assembly building at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The "stack" rolls along at less than one mile an hour, and is expected to arrive at the launch pad sometime this evening. The STS-121 mission is targeted for launch no earlier than July 1.

The flight will continue the evaluation of flight safety procedures, including shuttle inspection and repair techniques. It also will deliver more supplies and cargo for future station expansion.

Steve Lindsey will command the mission, flying with pilot Mark Kelly, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter is also part of the crew and will remain on the station for several months. Reiter's arrival will give the station its first three-person crew since May 4, 2003.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Discovery Reviews Continue for July Launch

Image above: Space Shuttle Discovery rests on Launch Pad 39B at
NASA's Kennedy Space Center after completing the 4.2-mile journey
from the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Image credit: NASA
+ View High-Res Version

31 May 2006
NASA Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale briefed the media about the status of the upcoming STS-121 mission during a mid-afternoon press conference on Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center Press Site TV studio.

Hale discussed the importance of the space program's Debris Design Verification Review meetings and detailed the types of testing already completed surrounding external tank foam loss. Hale stressed that more areas of the tank will be subject to engineering review and improvements for future flights.

Another point Hale underscored is that there will always be foam debris released during launch. Research and testing continues in this regard, but as far as the STS-121 launch is concerned, there are "no show stoppers," he said.

The Design Certification Review for the external tank will take place next week and the Flight Readiness Review is set for June 16 and 17 at Kennedy. The actual launch target date will be selected at the Flight Readiness Review meeting.

Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director, also was on hand to talk about the preparation milestones for Discovery. He said hardware processing has gone extremely well and between now and July 1, the team has been able to build in about two weeks of contingency time, which is more than ever before. "Things are going really, really well," Leinbach said.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Next Space Shuttle Mission:

STS-121 Discovery/ International Space Station Flight ULF1.1
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Window: No earlier than July 1, 2006
Landing: To Be Determined
Duration: 11 days
Orbital Insertion Altitude: 122 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 51.60°
Countdown begins: T-43 hours

Leonardo is Packed and Ready to Go


Image above: The multi-purpose logistics module is loaded into into
Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay (at left).
Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
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From inside the payload changeout room on the rotating service structure on Launch Pad 39B, workers gently glide Leonardo into position. The payload ground-handling mechanism is used to transfer the module into the payload bay.

Leonardo is a reusable logistics carrier. It is the primary delivery system used to resupply and return station cargo requiring a pressurized environment.

The payloads that will launch aboard Discovery were loaded into the payload transportation canister May 8-10 and rolled out to the launch pad May 17. Leonardo will carry food, clothing, spare parts and research equipment to the station.

Other payloads include two cargo carriers which contain heat shield tile samples, a spare pump module and a replacement mobile transporter reel assembly.

Source: NASA - Shuttle - Launch and Landing

Discovery Crew Set for Briefings, Dress Rehearsal

Image above: STS-121 Mission Specialists, from left,
Lisa Nowak, Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers.
Credit: NASA

The seven-member crew of NASA's next space shuttle flight, STS-121, will join program managers in a series of briefings on Thursday, June 8 at the Johnson Space Center, Houston. The briefings begin at 9 a.m. EDT and will be broadcast live on NASA TV.
+ Briefing Schedule | NASA TV

Next week, the astronauts and ground crews go through a full launch dress rehearsal at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The terminal countdown demonstration test runs June 12-15, and some activities will air on NASA TV.

Space Shuttle Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. The STS-121 mission will visit the International Space Station and continue evaluating new shuttle safety improvements. At least two spacewalks are planned during the 12-day mission, which also includes repair work to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Discovery Crew Holds Briefings, Prepares for Dress Rehearsal

Image above: STS-121 Mission Specialists, from left,
Lisa Nowak, Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers.
Credit: NASA

Steve Lindsey, commander of STS-121, and the rest of the seven-member crew of NASA's next space shuttle flight, joined program managers in a series of briefings today at the Johnson Space Center, Houston. Lindsey remarked, that "it's been long road ... We've passed a lot of milestones."
NASA TV

Next week, the astronauts and ground crews go through a full launch dress rehearsal at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The terminal countdown demonstration test runs June 12-15, and some activities will air on NASA TV.

Space Shuttle Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. The STS-121 mission will visit the International Space Station and continue evaluating new shuttle safety improvements. At least two spacewalks are planned during the 12-day mission, which also includes repair work to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Discovery Crew to Hold Launch Dress Rehearsal

Image above: STS-121 Mission Specialists, from left,
Lisa Nowak, Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers.
Credit: NASA

This week, the astronauts and ground crews go through a full launch dress rehearsal at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The terminal countdown demonstration test runs June 12-15, and some activities will air on NASA TV.

Space Shuttle Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. The STS-121 mission will visit the International Space Station and continue evaluating new shuttle safety improvements. At least two spacewalks are planned during the 12-day mission, which also includes repair work to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Discovery Crew Launch Dress Rehearsal Delayed

Image above: STS-121 Mission Specialists, from left,
Lisa Nowak, Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers.
Credit: NASA

The start of the terminal countdown demonstration test at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida scheduled for June 12-15 has been delayed because of inclement weather. The astronauts, prepared to leave Johnson Space Center in Texas and arrive at Kennedy around 6 p.m. EDT, were waived off awaiting tropical storm Alberto to pass over Florida.

The astronauts and ground crews will go through a full launch dress rehearsal at Kennedy during the tests and some activities will air on NASA TV

Space Shuttle Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. The STS-121 mission will visit the International Space Station and continue evaluating new shuttle safety improvements. At least two spacewalks are planned during the 12-day mission, which also includes repair work to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Discovery Crew Expected Today

Image above: STS-121 Mission Specialists, from left,
Lisa Nowak, Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers.
Credit: NASA

Delayed by yesterday's stormy weather, the STS-121 mission crew is scheduled to arrive at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., this afternoon. The astronauts will be at Kennedy this week for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test to prepare for their mission to the International Space Station.

The astronauts and ground crews will go through a full launch dress rehearsal at Kennedy during the tests and some activities will air on NASA TV

Space Shuttle Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. The STS-121 mission will visit the International Space Station and continue evaluating new shuttle safety improvements. At least two spacewalks are planned during the 12-day mission, which also includes repair work to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

The Discovery Team Arrives!

Image above: Discovery's STS-121 astronauts pose for the media
after their arrival at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Credit: NASA/Kim Schiflett
+ View High-Res Image

The STS-121 mission crew arrived safely at Kennedy Space Center this afternoon after a delayed departure due to continued stormy weather over Florida. For the next few days the Discovery astronauts will be participating in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test.

Shortly after arrival in a NASA Gulfstream G-2 aircraft at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility, Discovery's Commander Steve Lindsey stepped to the podium and welcomed the media.

Lindsey introduced the crew members, Pilot Mark Kelly, Mission Specialists Mike Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson, Piers Sellers and Thomas Reiter who are all involved in the countdown test this week. Lindsey commented on the Flight Readiness Review meetings scheduled for June 16-17 and said, "My crew and I are optimistic for an early July launch date."

The test is held at Kennedy prior to each space shuttle flight, providing the crew an opportunity to participate in several safety training and simulated countdown activities. The training includes a mock launch countdown, ending in a simulated main engine cut-off exercise. The astronauts also spend time undergoing emergency egress training exercises at the pad and have an opportunity to view and inspect the payloads in the orbiter's payload bay.

The astronauts and ground crews will go through a full launch dress rehearsal at Kennedy during the tests and some activities will air on NASA TV

Space Shuttle Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. The STS-121 mission will visit the International Space Station and continue evaluating new shuttle safety improvements. At least two spacewalks are planned during the 12-day mission, which also includes repair work to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

STS-121 Crew Begins Countdown Testing

Image above:Discovery's STS-121 astronauts pose for the media on
Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Credit: NASA/Kim Schiflett
+ View High-Res Image

A beautiful sunny morning dawned on the Space Coast of Florida at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. as the Discovery astronauts prepared for their first full day of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test exercises.

The crew's morning began with a hearty early-morning breakfast. Wearing their traditional blue suits, the astronauts stepped out of their quarters for the 20-minute ride to Launch Pad 39B where they greeted the media. Commander Steven Lindsay introduced his crew members and described their responsibilities. The team then answered questions from the media about the mission and readiness for flight.

Today's activities involve safety training - where the astronauts familiarize themselves with launch pad escape routes, fire suppression procedures and an emergency egress walkdown. After a break for lunch, the STS-121 mission team will be briefed on the orbiter and its payload, including a late-afternoon payload bay walkdown.

Following a full day of activities and briefings the crew will enjoy dinner and a little relaxation to prepare for tomorrow's program.

The astronauts and ground crews will go through a full launch dress rehearsal during the tests and some activities will air on NASA TV.
+ View NASA TV Schedule

Space Shuttle Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. The STS-121 mission will visit the International Space Station and continue evaluating new shuttle safety improvements. At least two spacewalks are planned during the 12-day mission, which also includes repair work to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Next Space Shuttle Mission:

STS-121 Discovery/ International Space Station Flight ULF1.1
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Processing Window: July 1-19, 2006
Landing: To Be Determined
Duration: 12 days
Orbital Insertion Altitude: 122 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 51.60°
Countdown begins: T-43 hours

Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test at Kennedy


Image above: The STS-121 crew pause in their prelaunch activities to
talk to the media. At the microphone is Commander Steven Lindsey.
Behind him are (from left) Mission Specialists Michael Fossum and
Lisa Nowak, Pilot Mark Kelly and Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson,
Piers Sellers and Thomas Reiter of Germany, who represents the European
Space Agency.
Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflet
+ View High-Res Version

To familiarize astronauts with equipment and safety procedures before each space shuttle mission, crews come to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test -- and Discovery's STS-121 crew is no exception.

For three days this week, the team is participating in safety training, emergency egress exercises at the launch pad and simulated countdown activities from inside Discovery's flight deck. The test concludes with a simulated main engine cut-off exercise.

Space shuttle landing practice is included in the training, allowing mission pilots to take to the skies in special jets called Shuttle Training Aircraft from Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. All of the crew members are involved in driving the M-113 tanks that could carry them from the launch pad in the event of an emergency.

The astronauts will also don their custom-fitted helmets and recognizable bright-orange suits they'll wear for launch and landing. They'll also be busy attending briefings, inspecting the payload and participating in standard pre-launch activities.

At the end of the test, the astronauts will depart for Johnson Space Center in Texas to continue training for the upcoming July mission.

NASA's Flight Readiness Review meeting on June 16 and 17 will conclude with the announcement of the target date for launching Discovery on the 18th mission to the International Space Station.

Source: NASA - Shuttle - Launch and Landing

Countdown Test Continues for Discovery's Crew Members

Image above: The STS-121 astronauts wave to the crowd as they make
their way to the transport vehicle taking them to Launch Pad 39B for
a mock launch countdown.
Photo credit: NASA/KSC
+ View High-Res Image

This is day two of special training for the astronauts of upcoming mission STS-121, and a busy schedule greets them today at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

It's an early start this morning for the crew, with a wake-up call at 6 a.m. followed by the traditional breakfast in the crew quarters at the Operations and Checkout building. After a weather briefing, the team members will don their custom-fitted orange flight suits and helmets.

The crew then will emerge from the Operations and Checkout building, waving to employees during this traditional countdown milestone known as the "walkout," and climb into NASA's silver Astrovan for the 20-minute ride to Launch Pad 39B. The astronauts will be whisked up into the White Room and seated inside the orbiter for a mock launch countdown, concluding in a simulated main engine cutoff.

Turning their attention to safety later in the day, the crew members will practice driving the M-113 tanks that could carry them away from the launch pad in an emergency.

After a rigorous and demanding day, the astronauts will sit down to a delicious dinner, relax and get some rest to prepare for the last day of the exercises.

The astronauts and ground crews will go through a full launch dress rehearsal during the tests and some activities will air on NASA TV.
+ View NASA TV Schedule

Space Shuttle Discovery's launch is targeted for July 1 in a launch window that extends to July 19. The STS-121 mission will visit the International Space Station and continue evaluating new shuttle safety improvements. At least two spacewalks are planned during the 12-day mission, which also includes repair work to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Final Test Day for STS-121 Astronauts

Image above: The Discovery crew concludes emergency egress practice
at the top of the fixed service structure. From left are Mission Specialists
Michael Fossum and Thomas Reiter, Pilot Mark Kelly, Commander Steven
Lindsey, and Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson and Piers
Sellers.
Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
+ View High-Res Image

It's the last morning of special training for the seven astronauts who will fly on mission STS-121, and the day started with a 7 a.m. wake-up call at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. After breakfast, the crew will be transported to Launch Pad 39B for a final inspection of the payload bay, traditionally called the "payload bay walkdown."

An elevator will take the team through the Rotating Service Structure, which surrounds the orbiter, into the Payload Changeout Room. There they will have a clear view of Leonardo, the multi-purpose logistics module that contains supplies, equipment and other cargo for the International Space Station.

This is an important part of their visit to Ken