Posts Tagged ‘ISS’

Endeavour launches on sixth attempt to start STS-127 – UCCAS status

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Endeavour finally got a break from the weather and launched on the sixth attempt to mark the begining of STS-127. A number of debris events could be seen on the ET Cam during ascent, but it will take a few days to check to see if they caused any damage of note. STS-127 will include [...]

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NASA updates Endeavour’s 2010 opening STS-130 mission carrying Node 3

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

With engineers working hard on processing Endeavour (STS-127) and Discovery (STS-128), while at the same time preparing for the arrival of Atlantis from the Dryden Flight Research Center sometime early next week, NASA mission managers are looking ahead on the Shuttle manifest – conducting the Launch Site Flow Requirements (LSFR) review for Endeavour’s early 2010 [...]

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Soyuz TMA-15 launches for growing ISS – UPA/SPDM updates

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

ESA astronaut Frank De Winne, Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk have launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, at 10:34 GMT on Wednesday, with their Soyuz TMA-15 scheduled to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) at 12:36 GMT on Friday 29 May – marking the start of six crew operations [...]

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ISS considering the permanent attachment MPLM, advancement of STS-134

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

As the International Space Station (ISS) continues to build up to a six man crew, managers are looking into adding a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) permanently on Station at the conclusion to the last logistics mission for the shuttle. Assessments are also taking place on potentially swapping the yet-to-be-baselined STS-134 with STS-133’s place in the manifest.

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ISS preparing for debuts of Canada’s Dextre operations and Japan’s HTV

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Canada’s Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) robot “Dextre” has reported himself as fit for duty, as the clock ticks down to his debut tasks on the International Space Station (ISS). Meanwhile, preparations are building up for the arrival of the first Japanese HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle) – which may involve spare robotic work station hardware being [...]

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Soyuz investigation findings backed by nominal Soyuz TMA-13 return

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Expedition 18 Commander Michael Fincke, Flight Engineer and Soyuz TMA-13 Commander Yury Lonchakov and space tourist Charles Simonyi have returned home safely, following their landing in Kazakhstan this morning. The safe return backs up the findings presented in an expansive NASA and Russian document that outlined the off-nominal ballistic re-entries of Soyuz TMA-10 and 11, [...]

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ISS concern over S1 Radiator – may require replacement via shuttle mission

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

Imagery taken of the delaminated panel on the International Space Station’s S1 Radiator has revealed a “structural risk” on the array, which has the potential to create an ammonia leak in the External Thermal Control System (ETCS). NASA managers are considering options that include flying a replacement radiator array on a downstream shuttle mission, along [...]

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Soyuz TMA-14 launches towards the International Space Station

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

A Russian Soyuz launch vehicle has launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 6:49am CDT, carrying NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, and spaceflight participant and U.S. software engineer Charles Simonyi.

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STS-119: Amazing Discovery undocks from ISS, heads to Late Inspection

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

Shuttle manager John Shannon has described Discovery’s performance as “amazing”, ahead of Wednesday’s undocking from the International Space Station (ISS). Discovery is now heading to Late Inspections of her Thermal Protection System (TPS) on Flight Day 12 of STS-119.

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STS-119: NASA troubleshoots during problematic final EVA

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Spacewalkers Richard Arnold and Joseph Acaba have completed the final EVA of STS-119, tasked with several replanned elements, including troubleshooting on the Unpressurized Cargo Carrier Attach System (UCCAS), which proved to be problematic. Meanwhile, no issues of note are being worked on Discovery, although engineers are monitoring the amount of propellant Discovery has been using [...]

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Packed EVA-2 completed on FD7 of STS-119 – Discovery round-up

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

Due to the deletion of EVA-4 from the docked phase of STS-119, spacewalkers Joseph Acaba (EV3) and Steven Swanson (EV1) were tasked with a packed EVA-2 on Flight Day 7. Meanwhile, Discovery continues to perform like a champ, with no issues of note being worked.

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STS-119: SAW deploy success highlights Flight Day 6

Friday, March 20th, 2009

Discovery continues to perform without any issues of note as her crew completed the task of remotely deploying the 1B and 3B solar arrays from the newly installed S6 integrated truss structure on the International Space Station (ISS). The operation was a huge success for both arrays, which are now fully deployed on the Station.

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STS-119 EVA-1: Final Truss Segment S6 installed on Station

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Following the successful handover of the S6 truss element to the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) on Wednesday, astronauts Steven Swanson and Rick Arnold have completed  STS-119’s first Extravehicular Activity (EVA) on Flight Day 5. The first of three planned EVAs for STS-119 saw Swanson and Arnold install the final integrated truss element – [...]

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Clean Discovery completes RPM and ISS docking

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

Discovery has docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Flight Day 3, as the initial TPS (Thermal Protection System) inspection images show a very clean orbiter. Prior to docking, Discovery carried out the RPM (Rbar Pitch Maneuver) for a full check of her TPS and belly.

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RED threshold late notice conjunction threat misses ISS – Crew egress Soyuz

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

The three members of Expedition 18 carried out the contingency of  “evacuation” into the Soyuz spacecraft attached to the International Space Station (ISS), following a “RED threshold late notice conjunction threat” alert, related to Object “25090 PAM-D” debris. The threat passed with no impact, allowing the crew to egress back into the Station.

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L-1 for STS-119, minor troubleshooting at pad – ISS EVA complete

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

STS-119 is one day away from the opening launch attempt, with only a few issues of note are being worked on by engineers out at Pad 39A. One ealier issue that has been resolved related to the Seat Detailed Test Objective (DTO), which will gather information on Thrust Oscillation (TO) for Ares I. Meanwhile, two members [...]

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Positive news on SARJ status – Flight preps for latest STS-119 date

Friday, February 27th, 2009

The work conducted by the STS-126 on the International Space Station’s Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJs) continues to reap rewards, following the latest positive status update to NASA managers. Meanwhile, Flight Directors have given a status overview of the work required to ensure they are ready for a potential launch of STS-119 in March.

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Progress M-66 launches, heads for the International Space Station

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

The Russian cargo ship Progress M-66/32P has launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, ahead of docking with the International Space Station (ISS) on February 13. The resupply vehicle is carrying 2.5 tons of cargo for the Station’s Expedition 18 crew.

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STS-119 slips to NET February 22 – risk of a two month delay

Friday, February 6th, 2009

The need for additional time for the impact test data review – one of the threats associated with the Flow Control Valve (FCV) issue – has moved STS-119 to NET (No Earlier Than) February 22. Friday’s decision also noted a worst case scenario that would involve a two month delay.

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NASA approve funding to leave OBSS permanently on the ISS

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

NASA managers have approved funding elements to allow for a plan to leave the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) as a permanent fixture on the International Space Station (ISS). The 50 foot robotic arm would be used as a EVA crew platform for maintenance activities by ISS crewmembers.

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