[Archived] Space Shuttle - Latest News

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Crews Conduct Spacewalk Preps, Cargo Transfers

Image above: Behind shuttle astronauts (from left) Stephanie Wilson,

Mark Kelly and Lisa Nowak are spacewalkers Piers Sellers and Mike

Fossum. From the station's Destiny laboratory, they answered questions

from reporters on Earth Tuesday morning.

Photo credit: NASA TV

The STS-121 and Expedition 13 crew members are pressing ahead with today’s scheduled activities aboard Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station.

One of the main tasks on the schedule is the transfer of items to and from the shuttle, the International Space Station and the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module. Leonardo arrived inside Discovery’s payload bay with more than 7,400 pounds of equipment and supplies for the station. Leonardo will be returned Friday to the payload bay packed with more than 4,300 pounds of science experiment results, unneeded items and trash.

The crews are also preparing for the third and final spacewalk to be conducted during STS-121’s visit to the station. Mission Specialists Piers Sellers and Mike Fossum are slated to begin the excursion at 7:13 a.m. EDT Wednesday. The spacewalkers will demonstrate on-orbit shuttle heat shield repair techniques.

This morning, STS-121 crew members took a few moments from their busy schedule to answer questions from reporters with the Associated Press and USA Today.

+ NASA TV | + STS-121 Shuttle Mission TV Schedule

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

President Bush Calls the International Space Station

The media advisory is reproduced below:

July 11, 2006

Dean Acosta/Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1400/281-483-5111

MEDIA ADVISORY: M06-113

President Bush Calls the International Space Station

President George W. Bush offered his best wishes to the crews of NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery and International Space Station Tuesday. In a private phone call from the White House at 10:35 a.m. EDT, the president told the astronauts that they represent the best of service and exploration, and he thanked them for the job they are doing.

A photo of the president making the call will be available on NASA's space shuttle Web site:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

The astronauts of the Discovery mission, STS-121, are in the seventh day of their 13-day flight to the space station. Discovery docked with the station last Thursday and will undock Saturday. Discovery's mission objectives include testing new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety, delivering supplies, making repairs and taking a third crew member to the station.

Visit the space shuttle Web site for the latest information on the STS-121 mission. For information about other NASA missions and activities, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/home

- end -

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

Source: NASA Media Advisory M06-113

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Crews Prep for Spacewalk, Receive Call From President

Image above: Behind shuttle astronauts (from left) Stephanie Wilson,

Mark Kelly and Lisa Nowak are spacewalkers Piers Sellers and Mike

Fossum. From the station's Destiny laboratory, they answered questions

from reporters on Earth Tuesday morning.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Flight day 8 went smoothly for the STS-121 and Expedition 13 crew members aboard Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station. In addition to their scheduled duties, they received a phone call from U.S. President George W. Bush at 10:35 a.m. EDT today.

Throughout the day, the crews prepared for the third and final spacewalk to be conducted during STS-121’s visit to the station. Mission Specialists Piers Sellers and Mike Fossum are slated to begin the excursion at 7:13 a.m. Wednesday. The spacewalkers will demonstrate on-orbit shuttle heat shield repair techniques.

The crews also continued cargo transfers to and from the shuttle, the International Space Station and the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module. Leonardo arrived inside Discovery’s payload bay with more than 7,400 pounds of equipment and supplies for the station. Leonardo will be returned Friday to the payload bay packed with more than 4,300 pounds of science experiment results, unneeded items and trash.

This morning, STS-121 crew members took a few moments from their busy schedule to answer questions from reporters with the Associated Press and USA Today. They were asked about the legacy of STS-121 since Discovery did not receive damage from launch. Pilot Mark Kelly referred to a conversation with his brother, Scott, who is also an astronaut. Kelly said, “My brother put it well on the IP phone, which is an internet phone and he said, ‘We’re back, baby.’ That’s his quote, not mine.”

+ NASA TV | + STS-121 Shuttle Mission TV Schedule

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Third Spacewalk on Tap Today

Image above: Behind shuttle astronauts (from left) Stephanie Wilson,

Mark Kelly and Lisa Nowak are spacewalkers Piers Sellers and Mike

Fossum. From the station's Destiny laboratory, they answered questions

from reporters on Earth Tuesday morning.

Photo credit: NASA TV

STS-121 Mission Specialists Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers will begin their third and final scheduled spacewalk today at 7:13 a.m. EDT. This spacewalk, which managers were able to add to the schedule after Space Shuttle Discovery arrived at the International Space Station, will focus on heat shield repair demonstrations.

The excursion is slated to last 6.5 hours. Pilot Mark Kelly will coordinate the spacewalk activities. Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak and Stephanie Wilson are the robot arm operators.

+ NASA TV | + STS-121 Shuttle Mission TV Schedule

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Another Day on the Job

Astronaut Michael E. Fossum, an STS-121 mission specialist, participates in the mission's second extravehicular activity. During the more than six-hour spacewalk, Fossum and fellow astronaut Piers J. Sellers restored the International Space Station's Mobile Transporter rail car to full operation and delivered a spare pump module for the station's cooling system.

Image credit: NASA

+ Full Resolution


Source: NASA - Multimedia - Image of the Day Gallery

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Third Spacewalk Under Way

Image above: Astronauts assist the two spacewalkers inside the Quest

Airlock prior to the beginning of the third spacewalk of STS-121.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Mission Specialists Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers began a 6.5-hour spacewalk to demonstrate on-orbit heat shield repair techniques at 7:20 a.m. EDT. This is the third spacewalk conducted by the STS-121 crew during Space Shuttle Discovery’s stay at the International Space Station. The orbital stroll is slated to wrap up about 1:50 p.m.

The spacewalkers are demonstrating repair work on pre-positioned heat shield materials in the payload bay. Among the tools they are using are a space-certified caulk gun and a variety of spatulas to manipulate the test materials.

Before returning to the airlock, the duo is scheduled to demonstrate an infrared camera by performing a 60-second recording of two sample damaged tiles. The camera is designed to capture temperature gradients that will indicate invisible damage.

Pilot Mark Kelly is coordinating the spacewalk activities and Commander Steve Lindsey is overseeing shuttle and video systems. Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak and Stephanie Wilson are the robot arm operators.

Meanwhile, the Expedition 13 crew is loading the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module with station experiment results, unneeded items and trash. Leonardo will return to Discovery’s payload bay on Friday, setting the stage for STS-121’s departure on Saturday.

+ NASA TV | + STS-121 Shuttle Mission TV Schedule

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Spacewalkers Demonstrating Repair Techniques

Image above: Astronauts assist the two spacewalkers inside the Quest

Airlock prior to the beginning of the third spacewalk of STS-121.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Mission Specialists Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers continue to demonstrate on-orbit heat shield repair techniques as they conduct STS-121’s third spacewalk at the station. The excursion began at 7:20 a.m. EDT. The orbital stroll is slated to wrap up about 1:50 p.m. after they return to the International Space Station Quest airlock.

The spacewalkers are demonstrating repair work on pre-positioned heat shield materials in the payload bay. Among the tools they are using are a space-certified caulk gun and a variety of spatulas to manipulate the test materials.

Before returning to the airlock, the duo is scheduled to demonstrate an infrared camera by performing a 60-second recording of two sample damaged tiles. The camera is designed to capture temperature gradients that will indicate invisible damage.

Pilot Mark Kelly is coordinating the spacewalk activities and Commander Steve Lindsey is overseeing shuttle and video systems. Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak and Stephanie Wilson are the robot arm operators.

Meanwhile, the Expedition 13 crew is loading the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module with station experiment results, unneeded items and trash. Leonardo will return to Discovery’s payload bay on Friday, setting the stage for STS-121’s departure on Saturday.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Astronauts Wrap Up Third STS-121 Spacewalk

Image above: Mission Specialists Piers Sellers and Mike Fossum work in

Discovery's payload bay during STS-121's third spacewalk.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Mission Specialists Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers successfully completed STS-121’s third and final spacewalk at 2:31 p.m. EDT today. The demonstration of orbiter heat shield repair techniques was the objective of the 7-hour, 11-minute excursion outside Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station.

The spacewalkers tested repair techniques on pre-positioned heat shield materials in the payload bay. Among the tools they used were a space-certified caulk gun and a variety of spatulas to manipulate the test materials.

The duo also used an infrared camera to get a 60-second recording of two damaged tile samples. The camera is designed to capture temperature gradients that will indicate invisible damage.

Near the end of the spacewalk, Mission Control notified Sellers and Fossum that they would get extra time outside the shuttle/station complex to perform a get-ahead task. The spacewalkers relocated a grapple fixture from a cargo carrier to an ammonia tank on the S1 truss. This sets the stage for the tank's removal during a future spacewalk.

Pilot Mark Kelly coordinated the spacewalk activities and Commander Steve Lindsey oversaw shuttle and video systems. Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak and Stephanie Wilson were the robot arm operators.

Meanwhile, the Expedition 13 crew continued to load the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module with station experiment results and other items returning to Earth. Leonardo will return to Discovery’s payload bay on Friday, setting the stage for STS-121’s departure on Saturday.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Day of Light Duty on Tap for Shuttle Crew

Image above: Mission Specialists Piers Sellers and Mike Fossum work in

Discovery's payload bay during STS-121's third spacewalk.

Photo credit: NASA TV

After a busy eight days in orbit, the STS-121 crew will enjoy a much needed day of light duty aboard Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station. Today’s activities include several events with media members.

Up to this point, the STS-121 and Expedition 13 crews have transferred several tons of cargo to and from Discovery, the station and the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module. The STS-121 crew has conducted three spacewalks to perform maintenance on the station and to test on-orbit heat shield repair techniques.

Leonardo is scheduled to return to Discovery’s payload bay Friday. Discovery is scheduled to leave the station Saturday and return to Earth on Monday.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

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A Different View

Somewhat of a different angle showing Discovery's vertical stabilizer and some of the cargo in the payload bay was provided by one of the photographs taken by the Expedition 13 crew prior to docking of the two spacecraft.

Image credit: NASA

+ Full Resolution


Source: NASA - Multimedia - Image of the Day Gallery

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Day of Light Duty on Tap for Shuttle Crew

Image above: The STS-121 crew members gather for an in-flight crew

photo in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.

From the left (bottom) are astronauts Stephanie Wilson, mission specialist;

Steven Lindsey, commander; and Lisa Nowak, mission specialist. From

the left (top) are astronauts Piers Sellers, Michael Fossum, both

mission specialists; and Mark Kelly, pilot.

Photo credit: NASA TV

After a busy eight days in orbit, the STS-121 crew is enjoying a much needed day of light duty aboard Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station. Today’s activities include several events with media.

STS-121 Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak and Mike Fossum talked to reporters with MSNBC and Fox News Live. Also, Fossum received a call from Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

The STS-121 and Expedition 13 crews have transferred several tons of cargo to and from Discovery, the station and the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module. The STS-121 crew has conducted three spacewalks to perform maintenance on the station and to test on-orbit heat shield repair techniques.

The Leonardo module will be returned to Discovery’s payload bay Friday. Discovery is scheduled to leave the station Saturday and return to Earth on Monday.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

STS-121 Crew Enjoys Light Activity Day

Image above: The STS-121 crew members gather for an in-flight crew

photo in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.

From the left (bottom) are astronauts Stephanie Wilson, mission specialist;

Steven Lindsey, commander; and Lisa Nowak, mission specialist. From

the left (top) are astronauts Piers Sellers, Michael Fossum, both

mission specialists; and Mark Kelly, pilot.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Thursday was a relatively quiet day for STS-121’s six astronauts. The crew received a well-deserved light schedule.

The day's activities included some cargo transfers and preparations for the unberthing of the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module from the International Space Station and its return to Space Shuttle Discovery’s payload bay. The reusable cargo module will return to Earth with station science experiment results and unneeded items. Leonardo is scheduled to be unberthed from the station Friday at 9:08 a.m. EDT and returned to the payload bay at 10:43 a.m.

In other activities, STS-121 Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak and Mike Fossum talked to reporters with MSNBC and Fox News Live. Also, Fossum received a call from Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

The cargo module’s return to the payload bay sets the stage for the undocking of Discovery on Saturday at 6:08 a.m.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Reusable Cargo Module to Return to Discovery's Payload Bay

Image above: The STS-121 crew members gather for an in-flight crew

photo in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.

From the left (bottom) are astronauts Stephanie Wilson, mission specialist;

Steven Lindsey, commander; and Lisa Nowak, mission specialist. From

the left (top) are astronauts Piers Sellers, Michael Fossum, both

mission specialists; and Mark Kelly, pilot.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Today is the last full day of docked operations for the STS-121 crew members at the International Space Station.

In preparation for Saturday’s departure, the crew will use the station’s robotic arm to unberth the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module and return it to Space Shuttle Discovery’s payload bay. Leonardo is filled with station science experiment results and unneeded items. The reusable cargo module is scheduled to be unberthed from the station at 9:08 a.m. EDT and returned to the payload bay at 10:43 a.m.

Discovery’s undocking is set for 6:08 a.m. EDT Saturday.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Leonardo Returns to Shuttle’s Payload Bay

Image above: The International Space Station’s robotic arm transfers

the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module (center) from the

Unity node to Space Shuttle Discovery’s payload bay.

Photo credit: NASA TV

STS-121 Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak used the International Space Station’s robotic arm to return the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module to Space Shuttle Discovery’s payload bay this morning. The reusable cargo carrier was detached from the station’s Unity node at 9:25 a.m. EDT and placed in the payload bay at 11 a.m.

Leonardo contained more than 7,000 pounds of equipment and supplies when STS-121 arrived at the station. It will return to Earth with more than 4,000 pounds of station experiment results and unneeded items.

Later today, Wilson and Nowak, with the assistance of Commander Steve Lindsey, will use the shuttle’s robotic arm and boom extension to inspect the shuttle’s port wing to verify that it has not been damaged by tiny micro-meteoroid debris particles. The starboard wing and nosecap will be inspected after undocking.

Discovery is slated to undock from the station at 6:08 a.m. Saturday to begin the two-day trip home.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Leonardo Returns to Shuttle’s Payload Bay

Image above: The International Space Station’s robotic arm transfers

the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module (center) from the

Unity node to Space Shuttle Discovery’s payload bay.

Photo credit: NASA TV

The STS-121 crew’s activities Friday set the stage for Space Shuttle Discovery’s departure from the International Space Station. Discovery is scheduled to undock at 6:08 a.m. EDT Saturday.

Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak used the station’s robotic arm to return the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module to Discovery’s payload bay. Leonardo contained more than 7,000 pounds of equipment and supplies when STS-121 arrived at the station. Leonardo will return to Earth with more than 4,000 pounds of station experiment results and unneeded items.

Wilson and Nowak used the shuttle’s robotic arm and boom extension to inspect the shuttle’s port wing to verify that it has not been damaged by tiny micro-meteoroids or orbital debris particles. The starboard wing and nose cap will be inspected after undocking.

Discovery and the six-member STS-121 crew are slated to land at Kennedy Space Center at 9:07 a.m. EDT Monday. Weather forecasts call for favorable conditions for landing.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Discovery Undocks From Space Station

Image above: The International Space Station’s robotic arm transfers

the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module (center) from the

Unity node to Space Shuttle Discovery’s payload bay.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Space Shuttle Discovery ended STS-121’s stay at the International Space Station when it undocked at 6:08 a.m. EDT today. Undocking occurred as the two spacecraft flew above the Pacific Ocean north of New Zealand.

STS-121 delivered a new Expedition 13 crew member and much needed supplies and equipment to the international outpost. The shuttle crew also conducted three spacewalks to perform maintenance on the station and to test on-orbit heat shield repair techniques.

Pilot Mark Kelly will fly Discovery to a point above the station before performing the final separation burn at 7:08 a.m.

About 9 a.m., STS-121 crewmembers will use the robotic arm and the orbital boom sensor system to perform final inspections of the starboard wing and the shuttle nose cap. Discovery will remain about 45 miles behind the station until the mission management team reviews survey results and clears Discovery for landing.

Discovery is scheduled to touch down at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 9:14 a.m. Monday.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Discovery Undocks From Space Station

Image above: View of the International Space Station from the Space

Shuttle Discovery after it undocked.

Photo credit: NASA TV

Space Shuttle Discovery ended STS-121’s stay at the International Space Station when it undocked at 6:08 a.m. EDT today. Undocking occurred as the two spacecraft flew above the Pacific Ocean north of New Zealand.

STS-121 delivered a new Expedition 13 crew member and much needed supplies and equipment to the international outpost. The shuttle crew also conducted three spacewalks to perform maintenance on the station and to test on-orbit heat shield repair techniques.

Pilot Mark Kelly flew Discovery to a point above the station before performing the final separation burn at 6:57 a.m.

About 9 a.m., STS-121 crewmembers will use the robotic arm and the orbital boom sensor system to perform final inspections of the starboard wing and the shuttle nose cap. Discovery will remain about 45 miles behind the station until the mission management team reviews survey results and clears Discovery for landing.

Discovery is scheduled to touch down at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 9:14 a.m. Monday.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Discovery Undocks From Space Station

Image above: View of the International Space Station from the Space

Shuttle Discovery after it undocked.

Photo credit: NASA

Space Shuttle Discovery ended STS-121’s stay at the International Space Station when it undocked at 6:08 a.m. EDT Saturday. Undocking occurred as the two spacecraft flew above the Pacific Ocean north of New Zealand.

STS-121 delivered a new Expedition 13 crew member and much needed supplies and equipment to the international outpost. The shuttle crew also conducted three spacewalks to perform maintenance on the station and to test on-orbit heat shield repair techniques.

Pilot Mark Kelly flew Discovery to a point above the station before performing the final separation burn at 6:57 a.m.

STS-121 crew members used the robotic arm and the orbital boom sensor system to perform final inspections of the starboard wing and the shuttle nose cap.

Discovery remains on track for a scheduled touch down at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 9:14 a.m. Monday.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

STS-121 Crew Gets Ready for Landing

Image above: View of the International Space Station from the Space

Shuttle Discovery after it undocked.

Photo credit: NASA

The six STS-121 astronauts are preparing for landing. They will stow items and test Space Shuttle Discovery’s engines today.

Landing is scheduled for 9:14 a.m. EDT Monday at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The deorbit burn is set for 8:07 a.m. Weather forecasts call for a chance of showers at the landing site.

Crew members will take a break from their work to talk with media with CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC and the Fox News Channel at 11:53 a.m.

Discovery’s landing will mark the end of a successful mission for the STS-121 astronauts. They delivered supplies, equipment and a new Expedition 13 crew member to the International Space Station. During three spacewalks, they performed maintenance on the station’s mobile transporter and tested orbiter heat shield techniques.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Discovery Cleared for Landing; First Attempt Monday

Image above: Astronauts Stephanie Wilson, STS-121 mission specialist,

and Mark Kelly, pilot, float on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Photo credit: NASA

The Mission Control Center told the STS-121 crew Sunday morning that engineers have cleared Space Shuttle Discovery for landing after completing a review of post-docking inspection data.

The crew members received the word while eating lunch. They prepared Sunday for landing by stowing items, testing engines and checking out shuttle systems.

The astronauts took a break from their work to talk to reporters with CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC and the Fox News Channel.

Landing is set for 9:14 a.m. EDT Monday at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The crew is scheduled to fire the shuttle’s engines at 8:07 a.m. to begin Discovery’s descent to Florida.

A second landing opportunity in Florida also is available for Monday. The crew would fire the engines at 9:43 a.m. for a landing at 10:50 a.m. Weather forecasts call for a chance of showers at the landing site. Flight controllers do not plan to consider any landing site other than Florida on Monday.

Discovery delivered supplies, equipment and a new Expedition 13 crew member to the International Space Station. During three spacewalks, the crew performed maintenance on the station’s mobile transporter and tested orbiter heat shield repair techniques.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Discovery Set to Return Home Today

Image above: Astronauts Stephanie Wilson, STS-121 mission specialist,

and Mark Kelly, pilot, float on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Photo credit: NASA

Space Shuttle Discovery and its six-member crew are scheduled to land today at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., bringing STS-121 to a close.

Discovery has two landing opportunities available today, with the first one at 9:14 a.m. EDT. The crew is scheduled to fire the shuttle’s engines at 8:07 a.m. to begin Discovery’s descent to Florida. The second opportunity is at 10:50 a.m., with the engine firing at 9:43 a.m.

Discovery delivered supplies, equipment and a new Expedition 13 crew member to the International Space Station. During three spacewalks, the crew performed maintenance on the station’s mobile transporter and tested orbiter heat shield repair techniques.

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Payload Bay Doors Close for Landing

Image above: Astronauts Stephanie Wilson, STS-121 mission specialist,

and Mark Kelly, pilot, float on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Photo credit: NASA

Space Shuttle Discovery and the STS-121 crew are on track to land at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 9:14 a.m. EDT today. The crew closed Discovery’s payload bay doors at 5:35 a.m. Commander Steve Lindsey and Pilot Mark Kelly are scheduled to fire the shuttle’s engines at 8:07 a.m. to begin the descent to Florida.

Flight controllers and forecasters continue to monitor the weather. The biggest concern is a chance of rain showers within 30 miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility, which could force flight controllers to wave off STS-121’s first landing opportunity.

A second landing opportunity is available in Florida today. It would call for the deorbit engine firing to occur at 9:43 a.m. and a 10:50 a.m. touchdown.

Discovery and its six astronauts visited the International Space Station. They delivered supplies, equipment and a new Expedition 13 crew member to the orbital outpost. During three spacewalks, the crew performed maintenance on the station’s mobile transporter and tested orbiter heat shield repair techniques.

De-orbit Opportunities for STS-121

Orbit 202: Kennedy Space Center

De-orbit Burn: 8:07 a.m. EDT

Landing: 9:14 a.m. EDT

Orbit 203: Kennedy Space Center

De-orbit Burn: 9:43 a.m. EDT

Landing: 10:50 a.m. EDT

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle

Edited July 17, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Discovery has just been given the "go for de-orbit burn". In about 10 minutes the shuttle will fire it's 2 OMS engines, slowing the vehicle down and allowing it to re-enter the Earths atmosphere. Touch down will be at the Kennedy Space Center at 9:14 a.m. EDT.

Edited July 17, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

NASA is reporting a good de-orbit burn. Discovery is on her way home.

Good luck to the brave crew of Discovery.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Discovery, STS-121 Head Home

Image above: Astronauts Stephanie Wilson, STS-121 mission specialist,

and Mark Kelly, pilot, float on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Photo credit: NASA

STS-121 Commander Steve Lindsey and Pilot Mark Kelly fired the Space Shuttle Discovery’s engines at 8:07 a.m. EDT today to begin the descent to Florida. Discovery is scheduled to land at 9:14 a.m. at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility.

Discovery and its six astronauts are returning home after a visit to the International Space Station. They delivered supplies, equipment and a new Expedition 13 crew member to the orbital outpost. During three spacewalks, the crew performed maintenance on the station’s mobile transporter and tested orbiter heat shield repair techniques.

De-orbit Opportunities for STS-121

Orbit 202: Kennedy Space Center

De-orbit Burn: 8:07 a.m. EDT

Landing: 9:14 a.m. EDT

Orbit 203: Kennedy Space Center

De-orbit Burn: 9:43 a.m. EDT

Landing: 10:50 a.m. EDT

STS-121 Landing information

+ View the landing groundtracks

+ NASA's Landing Blog

+ Landing 101

Source: NASA - Space Shuttle