December 2006 - Sarex (INACTIVE)

EXP-14/STS-116 LATEST NEWS
by Arthur Rowe 15 Dec '06

15 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 LATEST NEWS Space walkers Perform Electrical Work, Move Carts Mission Specialists Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang took on the roles of electricians and movers during STS-116’s second spacewalk at the International Space Station. During the 5-hour excursion, which ended at 7:41 p.m. EST Thursday, they rearranged the station’s power system from a temporary status to a permanent setup and relocated two equipment carts. To prepare the station for the spacewalkers’ electrical work, flight controllers sent a barrage of commands to power down roughly half of the station’s systems. The spacewalk kicked off at 2:41 p.m., and Curbeam and Fuglesang quickly went to work rewiring two of the station’s four power channels. After they finished the connections, flight controllers began sending commands at 4:45 p.m. to power up the electrical systems in their new configuration. The remaining two channels will be rewired during the mission’s third spacewalk, slated for Saturday. The STS-116 crew is performing the electrical work to bring power generated by the P4 solar arrays on line for use by the station's systems and prepare for more arrays to be added next year. The duo then turned their attention to the relocation of two crew equipment translation aid carts. This cleared the way for the station’s mobile transporter rail car to move down the station's rail system to the S1 truss at a later date in preparation for the STS-117 mission next spring. The final task of the spacewalk was the rerouting of cables on the Z1 truss. Pilot Bill Oefelein coordinated the spacewalk activities. Expedition 14 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams and STS-116 Mission Specialist Joan Higginbotham operated the station’s robotic arm. In other activities, STS-116 and Expedition 14 crew members continued cargo transfers between Space Shuttle Discovery and the station. For the latest news and information on the International Space Station and the Expedition 14 crew, please visit the main station page. + Read more <http://www.nasa.gov/station>

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2006-12-15 04:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 14 Dec '06

14 Dec '06

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2006-12-15 04:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: The times listed below are subject to last minute changes due to continuing Shuttle EVA operations. (***) Thunmanskolan, Knivsta, Sweden via telebridge VK4KHZ Contact is a go for Sun 2006-12-17 18:19 UTC via VK4KHZ Watch for IRLP, Echolink, and webcast coverage. Kashiwabara Community Center, Sayama, Japan, direct via 8J1K Contact is a go for Wed 2006-12-27 12:22 UTC(***) During Expedition 14, ARISS expects to have one ARISS school contact per month rather than approximately one per week. It is also anticipated that there many not be many general contacts. STS-116 12A.1 Launch (Polansky, Oefelein, Curbeam, Higginbotham, Patrick KD5PKY, Christer Fuglesang KE5CGR, Suni Williams KD5PLB up) On orbit and docked. Total number of ARISS school contacts is 258. QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DP0ISS, NA1SS, RS0ISS ***************************************************************************** The schedule page has been updated as of 2006-12-15 04:00 UTC. Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2006-11-20 22:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… tf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf ***************************************************************************** There has been a rumor that the ISS was having direct contacts on the 40 meter band. There is no HF radio equipment on board and available yet. The HF antenna is mounted. Sometimes WA3NAN will retransmit shuttle audio. ***************************************************************************** Expedition 13/14 on orbit: Thomas Reiter DF4TR Expedition 14 on orbit: Michael Lopez-Alegria KE5GTK Mikhail Tyurin, RZ3FT Expedition 14 future: Sunita Williams, KD5PLB ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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STS-116 MCC Status Report #11
by Arthur Rowe 14 Dec '06

14 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 NASA NEWS 8:30 p.m. CST Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006 Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas 12.14.06 STATUS REPORT: STS-116-11 STS-116 MCC Status Report #11 Two spacewalking electricians completed half of STS-116’s rewiring today, and when flight controllers threw the switch, the lights inside the International Space Station turned on again without a hitch. Mission Specialists Bob Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang began their second spacewalk at 1:41 p.m. CST. Less than two hours later, they had the first half of the station’s permanent power system – channels two and three – up and running, taking advantage of power generated by the solar arrays delivered in September. The second half of the station’s power system – channels one and four – will be reconfigured during the mission’s third spacewalk Saturday. Once that’s done, the station’s power system will be in its assembly complete configuration, ready for the addition of more solar arrays and science modules next year. Before the spacewalkers swapped the cable connections, station flight controllers had to shut down about half of the station’s systems, including some lights, communication gear, ventilation fans and back-up computers. They started the power down just before 2 p.m., and by 3:45 p.m., were powering up main bus switching units for the first time ever and activating power channels two and three. By 4:30 p.m., one of two external thermal control system loops was actively shedding excess heat into space, and the direct current-to-direct current converter units were regulating power voltages. The space walkers headed out the hatch of the Quest airlock this afternoon about 30 minutes ahead of schedule, and made it through their tasks quickly enough to pick up another thirty minutes. They finished at 6:41 p.m., an hour earlier than planned and exactly five hours after they started. Expedition 14 Flight Engineer Suni Williams and STS-116 Mission Specialist Joan Higginbotham operated the station's robotic arm in support of the spacewalk. Before heading back into the station, Curbeam and Fuglesang also relocated two small handcarts that run along rails on the station’s main truss, put a thermal cover on the station’s robotic arm and installed bags of tools for future spacewalkers. Discovery’s crew is scheduled to go to sleep at 1:47 a.m. Friday. Flight Day 7 begins with a wakeup call at 8:47 a.m. The crew will spend the day transferring supplies and equipment from Discovery to the station, participating in a news conference and enjoying some off-duty time. The next STS-116 status report will be issued Friday morning or earlier if events warrant. - end -

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STS-116 MCC Status Report #10
by Arthur Rowe 14 Dec '06

14 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 10:30 a.m. CST Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006 Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas 12.14.06 STATUS REPORT: STS-116-10 STS-116 MCC Status Report #10 The second spacewalk for Discovery's crew members is scheduled for this afternoon. During the spacewalk, set to start about 2:12 p.m. CST, Bob Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang will begin to rewire the station’s power system. Curbeam and Fuglesang spent the night in the station's Quest airlock at a reduced atmospheric pressure of 10.2 psi. The “campout” procedure reduces nitrogen levels in the blood to help avoid decompression sickness as the astronauts go to the even lower pressure of spacesuits. The spacewalk is planned to last about six hours. The two spacewalkers are scheduled to reconfigure two of the station's four power channels, channels 2 and 3, bringing power on line from the new set of solar arrays added to the station in September. The remaining two power channels, 1 and 4, will be reconfigured in a third spacewalk on Saturday. The changes will convert the station power system to a permanent setup, ready for even more arrays and science modules to be added next year. At about 11:22 a.m. CST, station flight controllers will be sending commands that will power down roughly half of the station's systems in preparation for the spacewalkers' rewiring job this afternoon. The result will partially power down some communications systems, lighting, ventilation systems and backup computers, among other systems. Once the spacewalkers have completed the new power connections, flight controllers will power all the equipment and systems back on. As changes are made in the power system, additional cooling systems also will need to be brought online as well. Late last night, half of the new cooling system for the P4 truss was filled with ammonia to be ready to begin circulating today when pumps are activated. During the spacewalk, Curbeam, who will wear a suit with red stripes on the legs, and Fuglesang, who will wear an all-white suit, also will relocate two small handcarts that run along rails on the station’s main truss. Expedition 14 Flight Engineer Suni Williams and Discovery Mission Specialist Joan Higginbotham will operate the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm in support of the spacewalk. Managers and engineers continue to evaluate whether further actions will be taken during STS-116 to complete the retraction of the port P6 truss solar array. The array was retracted almost halfway Wednesday, with only 17 bays of its center mast remaining extended. Fully extended, the mast has 31 bays. The array was retracted sufficiently to allow the new P4 solar arrays to begin rotating last night, an operation that was completed without problems. In their current state, the P6 port array and the P4 arrays have more than 16 feet of clearance from one another. Should they remain as they are, the partially retracted arrays pose no issue for the shuttle's undocking or any planned station activities until a Soyuz relocation flight set for April 2007. A decision on any further action regarding the partially retracted array – including a possible fourth spacewalk during STS-116 for Curbeam and Fuglesang to assist in the retraction -- is not expected before Saturday. Discovery’s crew was awakened at 9:17 a.m. CST today with the song, “Under Pressure,” performed by Queen. It was played for Curbeam. The station crew, Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and flight engineers Mikhail Tyurin and Williams, woke up a half-hour later. The next STS-116 status report will be issued Thursday evening, or earlier, if events warrant.

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ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter active from ISS.
by Cor 14 Dec '06

14 Dec '06

Hello All, On 11-Dec 2006 was Thomas Reiter active on amateur radio aboard the ISS. Thomas made QSO's with 2D0BCR (Matty), LA5LNA, Edwin (PD1EVL)......more? I have a audio recording from the contact with Edwin (PD1EVL) on my website. 73's Cor PD0RKC http://www.pd0rkc.com

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STS-116 MCC Status Report #09
by Arthur Rowe 14 Dec '06

14 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 11:30 p.m. CST Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006 Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas 12.13.06 STATUS REPORT: STS-116-09 STS-116 MCC Status Report #09 The first phase of the electrical and thermal makeover of the International Space Station was completed tonight as the outpost’s newest solar arrays began rotating to follow the sun and ammonia flowed into the station’s permanent cooling system for the first time. Flight controllers sent commands to enable a large joint to begin rotating around 7 p.m. CST, moving the solar arrays on the P4 truss like a giant paddle wheel to track the sun as the station moves from daylight to darkness in orbit. A few hours later, just before 10 p.m. CST, valves were opened to allow 300 pounds of ammonia to flow into the truss segments of the station and its radiators, the first step toward providing permanent cooling for the avionics and electronics on the complex. Those vital activation tasks occurred after a day-long effort by Discovery’s crew to retract the port array on the P6 solar array truss structure, which was installed six years ago to provide early electrical power for the station. The crew spent six hours today sending as many as 45 commands in a start-stop fashion to retract, then redeploy, then retract the balky Venetian-blind like array panels in an effort to fold them into a narrow blanket box at the base of the array. But guide wires that help fold the arrays flat into the box apparently became snagged with only 17 out of 31 bays of the port array retracted. That was enough, however, to provide enough clearance to enable the new P4 arrays to begin rotating as planned. Mission managers met tonight to discuss various options for completing the P6 array retraction, and decided to press ahead with the second of three scheduled spacewalks Thursday by Bob Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang during which they will rewire the first pair of electrical channels for the permanent power system on the station. Managers will convene over the next few days to determine whether additional spacewalk activity by Discovery’s crew will be scheduled to complete the retraction of the P6 array, although they have concluded that the array is in a safe configuration for the remainder of this mission, Discovery’s undocking next week, and if necessary, for the arrival of a new Russian Progress resupply ship in January should a spacewalking task be added to the Expedition 14 crew following Discovery’s flight. Late tonight, to gather data for a future decision, Mission Control asked Discovery Commander Mark Polansky and Station Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria to consider which flight day would be best for a fourth spacewalk if one is ordered to complete the P6 array retraction. Polansky and Lopez-Alegria asked for more details about what such a spacewalk would entail before offering their thoughts. With the station’s new solar arrays rotating and its permanent cooling system operating as advertised, Discovery’s crew members will begin an eight-hour sleep period at 1:17 a.m. CST and will wake up Thursday at 9:17 a.m. CST to begin preparations for the second spacewalk of the flight. The station crew members will be awakened thirty minutes later. The next STS-116 status report will be issued Thursday morning after crew wakeup, or earlier if events warrant.

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SARJ Takes Charge, Arrays Track Sun
by Arthur Rowe 13 Dec '06

13 Dec '06

> SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > > *SARJ Takes Charge, Arrays Track Sun* > > > The International Space Station’s newest set of solar arrays is > tracking the sun tonight, following partial retraction of a similar > array that’s been the station’s primary power plant for six years. > This event sets the stage for two challenging spacewalks by the > STS-116 crew to rewire and reroute the station’s power system. > > The Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) and the new set of arrays are a > part of the P3/ P4 truss segments that were installed onto the station > in September during the STS-115 mission. The rotary joint enables the > solar arrays to follow the sun and generate the maximum power > possible. Activation of the SARJ occurred shortly before 8 p.m. EST, > and a few minutes later the Mission Control Center in Houston notified > the crew that the arrays were following the sun. > > Throughout the day, the STS-116 crew and flight controllers worked > together to solve problems that prevented the P6 truss port solar > arrays from folding properly. The retraction activities of the arrays > began at 1:28 p.m. More than 40 commands were sent to furl and unfurl > the arrays in an attempt to properly align them. When the efforts > concluded about 7:50 p.m., 13.5 of 31 bays had been folded, leaving > the port arrays in a safe position that allowed the activation of the > P4 rotary joint. > > The crew also received word that Thursday’s spacewalk will take place > as planned despite the problems retracting the P6 solar array. Mission > Specialists Bob Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang, who conducted the > mission’s first spacewalk, are scheduled to begin Thursday’s orbital > stroll at 3:12 p.m. They will begin efforts to rewire the station, > bringing power generated by the P4 arrays on line for use by the > station's systems and prepare for more arrays to be added next year. > > In preparation for the spacewalk, Curbeam and Fuglesang will again > "campout" in the station’s airlock. The pressure will be lowered in > the airlock to the pressure normally found on Earth 10,000 feet above > sea level during the overnight campout. The procedure protects against > decompression sickness as Curbeam and Fuglesang go to the even lower > pressure of spacesuits on Thursday. > > For the latest news and information on the International Space Station > and the Expedition 14 crew, please visit the main station page. + Read > more <http://www.nasa.gov/station> >

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Astronauts Working to Retract Solar Array
by Arthur Rowe 13 Dec '06

13 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31458 *Astronauts Working to Retract Solar Array* S116-E-05789 : port-side P6 solar array Image above: A kink is seen in the port-side P6 solar array during the first attempt to retract it. Image Credit: NASA + View hi-resolution photo <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/164903main_s116e05789.jpg> (GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html) Discovery's crew is still working on the retraction of the port P6 solar arrays that began at 1:28 p.m. EST (6:28 utc). The bays have not been folding properly, and astronauts have been repeatedly retracting and deploying the panels in an attempt to properly align them. The folding of this 115-foot long solar array, which has been unfurled for more than 6 years, will permit the activation of a rotary joint on the P4 truss. The Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ, enables the solar arrays on the P4 to follow the sun as the station moves through orbital sunrise and sunset. Activation of the SARJ will follow the retraction. Two more spacewalks during STS-116's stay will rewire and redistribute power on the station. Once automatic sun tracking is confirmed for the new P4 arrays, the stage is set for the second spacewalk, scheduled to begin at 3:12 p.m.(8:12 UTC) Thursday. Mission Specialists Bob Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang, who conducted the mission’s first spacewalk, will perform Thursday’s excursion. Curbeam and Fuglesang will again "campout" in the station’s airlock to prepare for the spacewalk. During the overnight “campout” the pressure will be lowered in the airlock to the pressure normally found on Earth 10,000 feet above sea level. The procedure protects against decompression sickness as Curbeam and Fuglesang go to the even lower pressure of spacesuits on Thursday. In other activities today, crewmembers will field questions from the CBS Radio Network, the Fox Radio Network and SPACE.com at 8:07 p.m. For the latest news and information on the International Space Station and the Expedition 14 crew, please visit the main station page. + Read more <http://www.nasa.gov/station>

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P6 Solar Array Wing Retracting
by Arthur Rowe 13 Dec '06

13 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *P6 Solar Array Wing Retracting* retracted. Image Credit: NASA TV The first step in STS-116’s challenging job of rerouting power aboard the International Space Station is under way as the left wing of the solar array on the station's P6 truss has begun to slowly retract and fold up. The retraction began at 1:28 p.m. EST. The folding of this 115-foot long solar array, which has been unfurled for more than 6 years, will permit the activation of a rotary joint on the P4 truss. The Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ, enables the solar arrays on the P4 to follow the sun as the station moves through orbital sunrise and sunset. Activation of the SARJ is set for 2:57 p.m. Two more spacewalks during STS-116’s stay will rewire and redistribute power on the station. Once automatic sun tracking is confirmed for the new P4 arrays, the stage is set for the second spacewalk, scheduled to begin at 3:12 p.m. Thursday. Mission Specialists Bob Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang, who conducted the mission’s first spacewalk, will perform Thursday’s excursion. Curbeam and Fuglesang will again “campout” in the station’s airlock to prepare for the spacewalk. During the overnight “campout” the pressure will be lowered in the airlock to the pressure normally found on Earth 10,000 feet above sea level. The procedure protects against decompression sickness as Curbeam and Fuglesang go to the even lower pressure of spacesuits on Thursday. In other activities today, crew members will field questions from the CBS Radio Network, the Fox Radio Network and SPACE.com at 8:07 p.m. For the latest news and information on the International Space Station and the Expedition 14 crew, please visit the main station page. + Read more <http://www.nasa.gov/station>

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STS-116 MCC Status Report #07
by Arthur Rowe 13 Dec '06

13 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 STATUS REPORT: STS-116-07 STS-116 MCC Status Report #07 The International Space Station is now two tons heavier, with the installation today of its newest truss segment during the flight’s first spacewalk. Mission Specialists Bob Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang ventured outside the station to attach the P5 segment of the station’s truss and replace a failed camera needed to support future assembly tasks. They also were able to fit in some extra tasks that will save future spacewalkers time, including plugging the new segment into the existing truss, removing the locks that held it steady during launch and opening a latch that will allow the P6 segment to be attached when it is moved from its current, temporary location to its permanent place at the end of the port truss. The spacewalk began at 2:31 p.m. CST, and Curbeam and Fuglesang were back inside by 9:07 p.m. The truss was officially attached at 4:45 p.m., and installation was complete by 5:21 p.m. Total duration of the spacewalk was 6 hours, 36 minutes. Upon their return to the Quest airlock at the end of the spacewalk, Curbeam took a moment to congratulate Nobel Prize winners, including Dr. John C. Mather, a Goddard Space Flight Center scientist honored for his work on the big-bang theory. With the new port truss section in place, the crew is ready to move on to the second phase of the mission – rewiring the station. That work will begin Wednesday when the port solar array on truss segment P6 is folded up, allowing the P4 solar arrays delivered by the STS-115 crew to rotate and track the sun. Once that’s done, Curbeam and Fuglesang will head outside again Thursday to begin reconfiguring the external wiring so that power from the new solar arrays delivered in September can be used. Meanwhile, after taking a close look at imagery gathered on the first three days of the flight, mission managers determined that the shuttle’s heat shield can support a safe return to Earth. They also decided a more detailed inspection that had been scheduled for tomorrow will not be necessary. Space Shuttle Discovery’s seven astronauts woke at 9:47 a.m. this morning to the song “Waterloo” by Swedish group Abba in honor of Fuglesang, who is from Sweden. “Nice music this morning,” Fuglesang said from the Quest airlock, where he spent the night preparing for the spacewalk with Curbeam. The crew is scheduled to go to sleep at 1:17 a.m. Wednesday, after moving the space station arm into a position that will provide a good view of the P6 solar array retraction. The shuttle crew will start flight day four at 9:17 a.m. on Wednesday. The station crew will get an extra 40 minutes of sleep, awakening at 9:47 a.m. The next STS-116 status report will be issued Wednesday morning or earlier if events warr

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On-Orbit Station Construction Continues
by Arthur Rowe 12 Dec '06

12 Dec '06

SUBMIOTTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *On-Orbit Station Construction Continues* The International Space Station grew Tuesday when the STS-116 crew installed the P5 integrated truss segment. The P5 was attached at 5:45 p.m. EST. The construction work was performed by STS-116 spacewalkers Bob Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang and robot arm operators Joan Higginbotham and Sunita Williams. The P5 spacer segment’s attachment to the P4 sets the stage for the addition of the P6 and its set of solar arrays. Two more spacewalks are scheduled during STS-116’s stay to reconfigure and redistribute power generated by the station’s newest solar arrays. The spacewalks are set for Thursday and Saturday. The P5’s installation is not the only change that the station has undergone since Space Shuttle Discovery docked Monday. Williams, who arrived at the station with the STS-116 mission, replaced European Space Agency Astronaut Thomas Reiter on the Expedition 14 crew at midnight Tuesday. Williams will remain a member of Expedition 14 until Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and Flight Engineer Mikhail Tyurin are relieved by Expedition 15 in March 2007. Williams will finish her remaining time of her six-month tour of duty on the station as a member of Expedition 15 crew. Reiter will wrap up a five-month stay on the station when he leaves with STS-116 next week. He arrived at the station in July with the STS-121 mission to give the station its first three-member crew since May 2003. He was a member of Expedition 13 until Expedition 14 began its tour of duty in September. The crew rotation became official when their custom-made seatliners were swapped out in the Soyuz spacecraft docked to the station. Also, the Expedition 14 and STS-116 crews will conduct a week of joint operations. In addition to the spacewalks, they will transfer cargo between the vehicles. Discovery and its crew are scheduled to stay at the station until Dec. 18. For the latest news and information on STS-116, visit the main shuttle page. + Read more <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html> + Read more about Expedition 14 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition14/index.ht…> + View crew's daily timelines <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html> NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency have named two astronauts and two cosmonauts to the next International Space Station crew, known as Expedition 15. Astronauts Clayton Anderson and Daniel Tani will travel to the station next year and work as flight engineers. Cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin and Dr. Oleg Kotov will spend six months aboard the orbiting laboratory. + Read more about Expedition 15 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/index.ht…> + Read the press release <http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/oct/HQ_06337_new_station_crew.html>

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Crew Attaches P5 to Station, Makes Connections
by Arthur Rowe 12 Dec '06

12 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Crew Attaches P5 to Station, Makes Connections* Image above: Mission Specialist Bob Curbeam participates in the first spacewalk of the STS-116 mission. Image Credit: NASA TV (GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html-FOR PICTURE With the attachment of the P5 integrated truss structure on to the International Space Station, STS-116 spacewalkers Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang are finalizing the installation with power, data and heater cable connections. The spacewalk began at 3:31 p.m. EST and the P5 was attached to the P4 segment at 5:45 p.m. Mission Specialist Joan Higginbotham used the station's robotic arm to move the new segment with only inches of clearance into its installation position. Then, the spacewalkers guided Higginbotham with visual cues as the exacting operation was carried out. The component, also called the P5 spacer, is a two-ton piece that is the fifth truss segment added to the port side of the station. The addition of the P5 sets the stage for the relocation of the P6 truss and its set of solar arrays. The P6 will be moved from its current location on the top of the Destiny Laboratory to the P5 during a future mission. Pilot Bill Oefelein is coordinating the spacewalk. The excursion will conclude about 9:41 p.m. Two more spacewalks are on tap for STS-116. All three will be based out of the station’s Quest Airlock. Also, the STS-116 and Expedition 14 crews continue joint operations, which began Monday evening. *No Focused Heat Shield Inspection Required Wednesday* The Mission Control Center in Houston informed STS-116 Commander Mark Polansky that the crew will not need to perform a focused inspection of Space Shuttle Discovery’s heat shield on Wednesday. The STS-116 crew will press ahead with their activities on Wednesday, which includes the retraction of the port solar array on the P6 truss segment. For the latest news and information on the International Space Station and the Expedition 14 crew, please visit the main station page. + Read more <http://www.nasa.gov/station>

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Astronauts to Add Segment to Station During Spacewalk
by Arthur Rowe 12 Dec '06

12 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Astronauts to Add Segment to Station During Spacewalk* Image above: STS-116 and Expedition 14 crew members take a moment for a group picture shortly after the hatches opened between Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station. Image Credit: NASA TV TO SEE PICTURE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html STS-116 Mission Specialists Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang will go spacewalking today. The primary objective of the spacewalk is to install a new piece to the space station's girder-like truss. The two-ton piece will be the fifth truss segment added to the port side of the station and is called the P5 spacer. From inside the space station Mission Specialist Joan Higginbotham will use the station's robotic arm to move the new segment with only inches of clearance into its installation position. The spacewalkers will assist by providing two extra pairs of eyes as the exacting operation is carried out. Once the segment is in place, Curbeam and Fuglesang will bolt it to its permanent position and finalize installation with power, data and heater cable connections. Pilot Bill Oefelein will coordinate the spacewalk, which is slated to begin at 3:42 p.m. EST and conclude at 9:52 p.m. Two more spacewalks are slated for STS-116, on Thursday and Saturday. All three will be based out of the station’s Quest Airlock. Also, the STS-116 and Expedition 14 crews will continue joint operations, which began Monday evening. For the latest news and information on the International Space Station and the Expedition 14 crew, please visit the main station page. + Read more <http://www.nasa.gov/station>

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2006-12-12 05:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2006-12-12 05:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Thunmanskolan, Knivsta, Sweden via telebridge VK4KHZ (***) Contact is a go for Sun 2006-12-17 18:19 UTC via VK4KHZ (***) Watch for IRLP, Echolink, and webcast coverage. (***) During Expedition 14, ARISS expects to have one ARISS school contact per month rather than approximately one per week. It is also anticipated that there many not be many general contacts. STS-116 12A.1 Launch (Polansky, Oefelein, Curbeam, Higginbotham, Patrick KD5PKY, Christer Fuglesang KE5CGR, Suni Williams KD5PLB up) On orbit and docked (***) Total number of ARISS school contacts is 258. QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DP0ISS, NA1SS, RS0ISS ***************************************************************************** The schedule page has been updated as of 2006-12-12 05:00 UTC. Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2006-11-20 22:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… tf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf ***************************************************************************** There has been a rumor that the ISS was having direct contacts on the 40 meter band. There is no HF radio equipment on board and available yet. The HF antenna is mounted. Sometimes WA3NAN will retransmit shuttle audio. ***************************************************************************** Expedition 13/14 on orbit: Thomas Reiter DF4TR Expedition 14 on orbit: Michael Lopez-Alegria KE5GTK Mikhail Tyurin, RZ3FT Expedition 14 future: Sunita Williams, KD5PLB ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Discovery Docks With Station
by Arthur Rowe 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 After two days of orbital pursuit, Space Shuttle Discovery and the STS-116 crew reached the International Space Station. The two spacecraft linked up at 5:12 p.m. EST as they flew over southeast Asia. The arrival of Discovery sets the stage for the continuation of station construction and a week of joint operations. Inside Discovery’s payload bay is the P5 integrated truss structure. The STS-116 crew will conduct three spacewalks to install the P5 and to reconfigure and redistribute power generated by the station. The first spacewalk is scheduled to kick off at 3:42 p.m. Tuesday. Also on board the shuttle is the station’s next crew member. Astronaut Sunita Williams will join the Expedition 14 crew about an hour after she enters the station for the first time. The hatches between Discovery and the station are slated to open shortly after 7 p.m. STS-116 is also delivering supplies and equipment to the station. Most of the supplies are located in a small pressurized logistics module called SPACEHAB, which is located in the payload bay. Discovery is slated to stay at the station until Dec. 18. STS-116 is the 20th shuttle mission to visit the station. *STS-116 Resources* + STS-116 TV Schedule <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html>

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DISCOVERY HAS MATED WITH THE ISS
by Arthur Rowe 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

Discovery has mated up with the International Space Station just as a sunrise has ocurred over SE Asia - At 5:12PM EST (1012 UTC) Heading for central Australia.

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Discovery Closes In On Station -
by Arthur Rowe 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 115 FEET BEHIND THE ISS The arrival of Space Shuttle Discovery this afternoon will set the stage for a change aboard the International Space Station. Discovery, which is scheduled to arrive at 5:05 p.m. EST, is delivering a new crew member to the station. STS-116 Commander Mark Polansky guided Discovery through a back-flip maneuver about 4:05 p.m. to allow the station's Expedition 14 crew to take pictures of Discovery's heat shield. The images will be down linked to the ground for analysis by shuttle engineers. NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams will join the Expedition 14 crew about an hour after she and the STS-116 crew enter the station for the first time about 7:02 p.m. She will replace European Space Agency Astronaut Thomas Reiter, who will return to Earth with the STS-116 crew. The crew rotation will be official when the custom-made seat liners are swapped out in the Soyuz spacecraft docked to the station. STS-116 is also delivering the P5 integrated truss structure to the station. The P5 will be attached to the end of the P4 to set the stage for the addition of the P6. Three spacewalks are scheduled during STS-116’s stay to install the P5 and to reconfigure and redistribute power generated by the station’s solar arrays. The Expedition 14 and STS-116 crews will conduct a week of joint operations. In addition to the spacewalks, they will transfer cargo between the vehicles. Discovery and its crew are scheduled to stay at the station until Dec. 18. For the latest news and information on STS-116, visit the main shuttle page. + Read more <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html> + Read more about Expedition 14 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition14/index.ht…> + View crew's daily timelines <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html>

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Discovery Close to Catching Space Station
by Arthur Rowe 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 Discovery Close to Catching Space Station Discovery's payload bay Image above: A video camera aboard Discovery captured this view of the payload bay. Image Credit: NASA TV The two-day chase will come to a close today when Space Shuttle Discovery docks with the International Space Station. The orbital linkup is scheduled to take place at 5:05 p.m. EST. The STS-116 crew will begin rendezvous operations around 11:37 a.m. today. Commander Mark Polansky will guide Discovery through a back-flip maneuver about an hour before docking to allow the station’s Expedition 14 crew to take pictures of Discovery’s heat shield. Discovery, which launched Saturday, is carrying the P5 integrated truss structure in its payload bay. The STS-116 crew will conduct three spacewalks to install the P5 and to reconfigure and redistribute power generated by the station. Also onboard the shuttle is the station’s next crew member. Astronaut Sunita Williams will join the Expedition 14 crew about an hour after she enters the station for the first time. The hatches between Discovery and the station are slated to open at about 7:02 p.m. *STS-116 Resources* + STS-116 TV Schedule <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html>

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DISCOVERY ALMOST AT THE ISS
by Arthur Rowe 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 The STS-116 crew inspected Space Shuttle Discovery’s exterior Sunday and prepared for docking with the International Space Station. Crew members used the robotic arm to grapple a boom extension sensor system to check the heat shield’s health following Saturday’s launch. After the completion of the inspections of the heat shield, the crew returned the boom to the payload bay and used the arm’s cameras to check out the shuttle’s upper surfaces. Docking preparations included the checkout of rendezvous tools and the installation of equipment for use when Discovery links up with the station at 5:05 p.m. EST Monday. The astronauts’ activities also included a checkout of spacesuits they will use during STS-116’s three scheduled spacewalks to install the P5 integrated truss structure and rewire the station’s electrical system. Discovery began its two-day chase of the station when it launched Saturday night from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. In addition to the P5, the STS-116 mission is also delivering a new crew member to the station. *STS-116 Resources* + STS-116 TV Schedule <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html> + Certificate of Flight Readiness <http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/163551main_116-CoFR.pdf> + News and Media Resources <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/index.html> *STS-116 Mission* + The crew <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/index.html> + The mission <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/mission_ov…> + The Integrated Truss Structure <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/its.html>

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Expedition 14 Awaits STS-116 After Shuttle Launches
by Arthur Rowe 10 Dec '06

10 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 Space Shuttle Discovery is on its way to the International Space Station. Expedition 14 awaits the STS-116 crew delivering with it the P5 truss segment and a new station crew member. Discovery lifted off at 7:47 p.m. EST Saturday from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The space shuttle will dock with the station Monday afternoon. The P5 will be attached to the end of the P4 and sets the stage for the addition of the P6. STS-116’s stay at the station will feature three spacewalks to attach the P5 and to reconfigure and redistribute power generated by the station’s solar arrays. The new crew member is NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams. She will replace European Space Agency Astronaut Thomas Reiter. Williams is scheduled to stay on the station for about six months and Reiter will return home with STS-116. Throughout the week, the Expedition 14 crew has prepared for STS-116’s arrival by transferring cargo, preparing spacewalking tools and equipment and reviewing procedures for photographing the space shuttle's thermal protection shield as it approaches the station. For the latest news and information on STS-116, visit the main shuttle page. + Read more <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html> + Read more about Expedition 14 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition14/index.ht…> + View crew's daily timelines <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html> NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency have named two astronauts and two cosmonauts to the next International Space Station crew, known as Expedition 15. Astronauts Clayton Anderson and Daniel Tani will travel to the station next year and work as flight engineers. Cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin and Dr. Oleg Kotov will spend six months aboard the orbiting laboratory. + Read more about Expedition 15 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/index.ht…> + Read the press release <http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/oct/HQ_06337_new_station_crew.html>

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NASA's Shuttle Discovery Begins Mission to the Space Station
by Arthur Rowe 10 Dec '06

10 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > Dec. 9, 2006 > > Jessica Rye/Katherine Trinidad > Kennedy Space Center, Fla. > 321-867-2468 > > NASA'S SHUTTLE DISCOVERY BEGINS MISSION TO THE SPACE STATION > CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Discovery and its > seven-member crew lifted off Saturday from NASA's Kennedy Space > Center at 8:47 p.m. EST on one of the most complex missions ever to > the International Space Station. > > Shortly before launch, Discovery's Commander Mark Polansky said he and > his crew were excited to continue assembly of the station, "We look > forward to lighting up the night sky and rewiring ISS." > > After hearing of the successful liftoff, Expedition 14 Commander > Michael Lopez-Alegria told Mission Control in Houston "We'll leave > the light on," in anticipation of the space shuttle crew's arrival, > now scheduled for Monday. > > Low clouds delayed Discovery's launch on Thursday night. After > standing down on Friday, weather was much better for Saturday's > launch. > > During the 12-day mission, designated STS-116, a new structural > component will be added to the station. Shuttle and station crews > will work with ground teams to install the P5 truss. This latest > addition to the station's backbone weighs 4,000 pounds and will > extend the left side of the truss to allow future solar panels to > rotate. > > The mission also includes extensive work to reconfigure the station's > electrical and cooling systems from temporary to permanent mode. > During the mission, ground control will shut down and reroute the > station's power in stages so that the astronauts can reconfigure the > power system and make the P4 solar arrays delivered during the last > mission fully operational. This complex operation has never been done > before. Part of an existing solar panel will be retracted to allow > the P4 arrays to track the sun for a full 360 degrees and provide > power to the rest of the station. > > As part of these operations, the station's temporary cooling system > will be deactivated and a permanent system will become operational. > > The station's newest resident will also be traveling aboard Discovery. > Astronaut Sunita Williams joins the Expedition 14 crew. Thomas > Reiter, a European Space Agency astronaut who has been aboard the > station since July, will return to Earth with the Discovery crew. > Williams is scheduled to spend six months on the station. > > Discovery's crew is Polansky, Pilot Bill Oefelein and mission > specialists Bob Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, > Williams and Christer Fuglesang, a European Space Agency astronaut. > > For the latest information about the STS-116 mission and its crew, > visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle > > > -end- > > > > >

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LAST LAUNCH COVERAGE - STS-116 DISCOVERY
by Arthur Rowe 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 9:00 p.m. - After years in training and two launch countdowns, the crew of Space Shuttle Discovery has reached orbit and can get down to the business of completing the most challenging and complex International Space Station mission to date. Thank you for joining our coverage tonight. For the latest on this and future missions, visit NASA's Space Shuttle Web site <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html>. 8:56 p.m. - Main engine cut-off! Commander Mark Polansky confirms a good separation. "Discovery, Houston, we saw a nominal MECO," Houston Flight told Polansky. "You've got a lot of smiling faces up here," Polanksy responded. 8:55 p.m. - Discovery's speed 14,000 miles per hour. The vehicle is downrange 643 miles from the launch site. 8:54 p.m. - Discovery could now reach Istres, France on one main engine at this point in the ascent. Discovery's speed is 11,000 miles per hour. 8:52 p.m. - The "Press to ATO" order has been given. Discovery now could land on two engines if necessary. The vehicle is now 290 miles downrange from the Kennedy Space Center with three good engines, three good auxiliary power units and three good fuel cells. So far all is going well and Discovery will roll into a heads-up orientation shortly. 8:50 p.m. - Five minutes remaining until Main Engine Cutoff. Discovery is downrange 110 miles from Kennedy Space Center as it climbs to orbit after lighting up the Central Florida sky. 8:47 p.m. - Ten... nine... eight... we have a go for main engine start... five... four... three... two... one... booster ignition and liftoff of the Space Shuttle Discovery, lighting up the night-time sky as we continue building the International Space Station.

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LAUNCH COVERAGE ,NASA's - Mission STS-116
by Arthur Rowe 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 LAUNCH COVERAGE NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116 *NASA's launch blog was activated on Dec. 9, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. EST* *+ View All Launch Day Videos <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/launch/lau…>* *+ View First Launch Attempt Blog <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/launch/lau…>* ** 8:38 p.m. - T-9 minutes and counting. Nine minutes until the first nighttime launch of a space shuttle in four years. 8:34 p.m. - Launch Director Mike Leinbach polled his team and launch is "go" all the way. He told Commander Polansky that 48 hours makes all the difference and he wishes them good luck and Godspeed. "We're looking forward to lighting up the night sky and rewiring the ISS," replied Polansky. Standing by to release the hold. 8:33 p.m. - NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/spaulding.html> has polled the Launch Team <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/launch/lau…> and the team is "go." 8:32 p.m. - The Mission Management Team has been polled and all members have given a "go" for launch. 8:29 p.m. - Houston has contacted Discovery to advise the crew that all three transatlantic abort landing sites are go, but they will go with Moron, Spain as the preferred site. 8:18 p.m. - The countdown clock is holding at T-9 minutes, and there are about 20 minutes left in this last built-in hold. The final prelaunch polls by Mission Management Team Chairman LeRoy Cain, NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding and Launch Director Mike Leinbach should be taking place shortly. 8:03 p.m. - Launch Director Mike Leinbach has announced that we will aim for our preferred launch time in the middle of tonight's window. Again, 8:47:35 p.m. is the preferred launch time. 8:00 p.m. - We are inside the T-9 minute built-in hold. Everything continues to go well with the countdown tonight.

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NASA's Launch - Mission STS-116
by Arthur Rowe 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Arthur Rowe wrote: > SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > > NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116 > > > *NASA's launch blog was activated on Dec. 9, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. EST* > > *+ View All Launch Day Videos > <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/launch/lau…>* > > > *+ View First Launch Attempt Blog > <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/launch/lau…>* > > ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN STANDARD TIMES > > > > 7:48 p.m. - The weather officer continues to report that we are > "green" on all constraints, meaning the weather is still acceptable > for liftoff. The countdown is proceeding as expected and we are on > target for launch at 8:47:35 p.m. > > 7:47 p.m. - Exactly one hour to go. > > 7:44 p.m. - T-18 minutes and counting. Commander Mark Polanksy has > reported that the transitioning of the back-up computer is complete. > > 7:42 p.m. - T-20 minutes and counting. There is only one hold > remaining, at the T-9 minute mark. > > 7:38 p.m. - The NASA Test Director is giving the launch team his final > instructions for the remainder of tonight's countdown. There are four > minutes remaining in the T-20 minute built-in hold. > > 7:32 p.m. - T-20 minutes and holding. This is a built-in hold lasting > 10 minutes. The countdown will resume at 7:42 p.m. > > 7:30 p.m. - The crew has been informed that their prime transatlantic > abort landing site for tonight's launch will be Moron, Spain. > > 7:25 p.m. - The crew is receiving some instructions to update their > flight checklists for launch. >

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LAUNCH COVERAGE- Mission STS-116
by Arthur Rowe 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

> SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > > LAUNCH COVERAGE > NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116 > > > *NASA's launch blog was activated on Dec. 9, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. EST* > > *+ View All Launch Day Videos > <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/launch/lau…>* > > > *+ View First Launch Attempt Blog > <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/launch/lau…>* > > > *NOTE:* Refresh/Reload your browser every few minutes to view launch > control center updates. All times are in EST unless otherwise stated. > > > 6:41 p.m. - Welcome news from Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters: > With the crosswinds improving and other weather issues having cleared > up, the revised forecast calls for only a 30 percent chance of weather > prohibiting launch tonight. This is a dramatic improvement over > previous forecasts, which indicated a 60-70 percent chance of the > shuttle being grounded due to weather. > > 6:35 p.m. - The only weather issue we're still following is the > crosswinds problem, and it is trending towards positive. The launch > team is extremely hopeful that the winds will die down enough to allow > launch tonight. > > 6:34 p.m. - The Closeout Crew has reported that the crew module is > closed, latched and pressurized, and cabin leak checks have verified > the integrity of the cabin door seal. With a little more than two > hours remaining before liftoff, the astronaut crew is safely sealed > inside Space Shuttle Discovery, awaiting liftoff at 8:47 p.m. > > 6:28 p.m. - In addition to the bright lights at the launch pad, a > bright orange flame can sometimes be seen inside the pad perimeter. > This is actually a safety feature: The flame burns away excess > hydrogen in the area so it doesn't become a toxic hazard. > > 6:21 p.m. - With the entire STS-116 crew safely aboard Discovery, the > Closeout Crew is finishing up in the crew module. Once the Closeout > Crew members have completed those last procedures, they will close and > latch the crew module and depart the launch pad. > > >

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