October 2007 - Sarex (INACTIVE)

Spacewalkers find solar-panel joint damage
by Arthur Rowe 29 Oct '07

29 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Oct. 28, 2007, 6:50PM* Spacewalkers find solar-panel joint damage By MARCIA DUNN Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Spacewalking astronauts doing construction work outside the international space station today made a disturbing discovery: what appear to be metal shavings inside a joint that is needed to turn a set of solar power panels. FOR THE REST OF THE STORY GO TO: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/space/5252633.html

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Truss Work, Spacewalk Preps on Tap Today
by Arthur Rowe 29 Oct '07

29 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Truss Work, Spacewalk Preps on Tap Today* Image Above: The station arm handed off the P6 truss structure to the shuttle's arm. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html The Space Shuttle Discovery and International Space Station crews are using the station and shuttle robotic arms to move the P6 truss segment and preparing for Tuesday’s spacewalk, the third of the mission. The crews will also get some off duty time this morning. The station robotic arm operators have handed off the P6 truss to the shuttle robotic arm operators. The shuttle’s Canadarm will hand the P6 back over to the station’s Canadarm2 later this morning after Canadarm2 moves closer to the worksite. Canadarm2 will then install P6 to the P5 truss during the mission’s third spacewalk. STS-120 Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski and Doug Wheelock are reviewing procedures and practicing techniques they will use during the third spacewalk set to begin at 5:28 a.m. EDT Tuesday. Parazynski and Wheelock will also conduct an overnight campout in the station’s airlock to prepare for the spacewalk. Shuttle and station crew members are also set to talk about their mission from inside the Harmony node with ABC News, NBC News and CNN News at 1:43 p.m. *Mission Information* + STS-120 Mission Overview <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts120/index.html> + Harmony Node 2 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/harmony_payload.html> + Space Shuttle Discovery <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-in…>

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Station, Shuttle Crews Working Together
by Arthur Rowe 28 Oct '07

28 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C#31468 *Station, Shuttle Crews Working Together* 28 October 2007 Image Above: Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson (left), Expedition 16 commander, and Pam Melroy, STS-120 commander, take a moment for a photo in the Unity node of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station. Image credit: NASA TO VIEW IMAGE ABOVE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html The Expedition 16 crew and the visiting STS-120 crew continue joint operations aboard the International Space Station. Since the seven STS-120 astronauts arrived on Oct. 25, the station has grown in size. The addition of the Harmony module sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency during upcoming shuttle missions. The crews have performed two spacewalks so far, and three more spacewalks are planned during STS-120’s stay at the station. STS-120’s stay at the station is slated to wrap up when Discovery undocks Nov. 4. For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page. + Read More <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html> + View crew daily timelines <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html> + Read more about Expedition 16 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition16/index.ht…> + Read more about Expedition 15 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/index.ht…>

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SPACEWALK COMPLETED
by Arthur Rowe 28 Oct '07

28 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Spacewalkers Prepare Truss for Relocation 28 October 2007 * Image Above: STS-120 spacewalkers exit the Quest airlock to begin the second spacewalk of the mission. Image credit: NASA TV: TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html STS-120’s second spacewalk is now in the books. Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani successfully prepared the P6 truss for its relocation during the excursion, which ended at 12:05 p.m. EDT. Parazynski and Tani began the spacewalk heading to the section where the P6 truss was attached to the Z1 truss. Once there they disconnected the umbilicals and bolts holding the two trusses together. Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson and Doug Wheelock used the station robotic arm to remove the P6. They will place the solar array section in a temporary holding position for tonight before handing it off to the shuttle's robotic arm Monday morning. Tani performed a couple of inspections requested by mission managers. He inspected handrails on a Crew and Equipment Translation Aid cart, but he did not note any apparent sharp edges on them. While inspecting a rotary joint used to rotate solar arrays he noticed metal shavings and unusual wear on a race ring. The joint has been showing some increased friction lately, and engineers are analyzing potential causes. The excursion lasted 6 hours and 33 minutes. Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli was the spacewalk coordinator, assisting the spacewalkers with their tasks. The next spacewalk is scheduled to take place Tuesday. Parazynski and Wheelock will team up to assist with robotic arm attachment of the P6 truss in its new location on P5. *Mission Information* + STS-120 Mission Overview <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts120/index.html> + Harmony Node 2 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/harmony_payload.html> + Space Shuttle Discovery <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-in…>

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ISS KEPS - DAY 300
by Arthur Rowe 28 Oct '07

28 Oct '07

ISS (ZARYA) 1 25544U 98067A 07300.90939573 .00014099 00000-0 92667-4 0 2412 2 25544 51.6371 139.4786 0002573 139.5015 1.9355 15.76020103511717

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Astronauts Go to Work Outside Space Station
by Arthur Rowe 28 Oct '07

28 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Astronauts Go to Work Outside Space Station 28 October 2007 *Astronauts are working outside the International Space Station for the second time during the STS-120 mission. The main objective of today’s spacewalk, which began at 5:32 a.m. EDT, is the preparation of the Port 6, or P6, truss segment for its relocation. Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski and Flight Engineer Daniel Tani will disconnect the Port 6, or P6, truss segment from the top of the station, where it was installed temporarily in 2000. Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson and Doug Wheelock will use the station robotic arm to remove it and place the solar array section in a temporary holding position for tonight. Parazynski and Tani will begin the spacewalk heading to the section where the P6 truss is attached to the Z1 truss. There they will disconnect the umbilicals and bolts holding the two trusses together. In addition, mission managers have asked Tani to make a couple of inspections. First, he will inspect a rotary joint used to rotate solar arrays on the starboard side of the truss. The joint has been showing some increased friction lately, and mission managers hope Tani may be able to identify the cause. Second, he will inspect some handrails on a Crew and Equipment Translation Aid cart for sharp edges. Parazynski also will install handholds and other equipment on the Harmony node. Both spacewalkers will finish up their tasks when they install a new grapple fixture to Harmony. The station’s robotic arm will use the grapple fixture next month when it reinstalls Harmony to the front of the Destiny laboratory. The excursion is scheduled to last 6 hours and 40 minutes. Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli will be the spacewalk coordinator, assisting the spacewalkers with their tasks. *Mission Information* + STS-120 Mission Overview <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts120/index.html> + Harmony Node 2 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/harmony_payload.html> + Space Shuttle Discovery <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-in…>

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Crews Prepare for Second Spacewalk, Enter Harmony
by Arthur Rowe 28 Oct '07

28 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C# 31468 *Crews Prepare for Second Spacewalk, Enter Harmony* 27 October 2007 Image Above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson (left) and STS-120 Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli enter the Harmony module for the first time. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html The STS-120 and Expedition 16 crews entered the Harmony module for the first time at 8:24 a.m EDT Saturday after STS-120 Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli and Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson opened the hatches. Whitson recognized the schools that submitted the name "Harmony" in an academic competition, and Nespoli made some comments about the significance of this new addition to the station. STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy also presented Whitson with a necklace with a Harmony charm that was given to her by one of the winning schools. The second spacewalk of the STS-120 mission is on tap for Sunday. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 5:58 a.m. For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page. + Read More <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html> + View crew daily timelines <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html> + Read more about Expedition 16 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition16/index.ht…> + Read more about Expedition 15 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/index.ht…>

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Crews Enter Harmony, Prepare for Second Spacewalk
by Arthur Rowe 28 Oct '07

28 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Crews Enter Harmony, Prepare for Second Spacewalk 27 October 2007* STS-120 and Expedition 15 crew members talk to press Image Above: STS-120 and Expedition 16 crew members gather in the new Harmony module to talk to the press. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO :http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html The hatch of Harmony was opened at 8:24 a.m. EDT Saturday. Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli – who is from Italy, where the module was built – were the first to enter, and took advantage of the opportunity to remark on the appropriateness of its name. “We think Harmony is a very good name for this module,” Whitson said, “because it represents the culmination of a lot of international partner work and will allow international partner modules to be added on.” Crew members spent part of Saturday hooking Harmony systems up for use. After the module’s ventilation system was up and running, some crew members were able to take time out from their work for interviews with a few television stations. They answered questions on subjects ranging from the challenges of the missions to the historic significance of having Whitson, the first female commander of the station, in space at the same time as Pam Melroy, the second female commander for the shuttle. The other major tasks for the day centered around preparations for the mission’s second spacewalk on Sunday. Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski and the station’s newly arrived flight engineer, Daniel Tani, are scheduled to leave the station at 5:58 a.m. *Mission Information* + STS-120 Mission Overview <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts120/index.html> + Harmony Node 2 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/harmony_payload.html> + Space Shuttle Discovery <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-in…>

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Items Taken Into Space Reflect Accomplishments on Earth
by Arthur Rowe 27 Oct '07

27 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 Items Taken Into Space Reflect Accomplishments on Earth http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/Whatsgoingup.html 10.24.07 The Wright Flyer got only a few feet off the ground during its maiden flight in 1903, but traveled to the moon 66 years later. A lead cargo tag that took months to cross the Atlantic Ocean from England to the nascent colony at Jamestown recently made the same crossing in minutes. Astronaut Jim Reilly with R2-D2 and a lightsaber from Star Wars. Image right: Astronaut Jim Reilly helped welcome R2-D2 and Luke Skywalker's lightsaber from Star Wars to the Kennedy Space Center. The lightsaber is being taken into space aboard the real-life spacecraft Discovery during mission STS-120. Photo credit: Lucasfilm + View Hi-Res Image <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/194005main_astrolightsaber.jpg> Now a plastic handle whose sole role was to make the fictional world of Star Wars look realistic is ready to take a real trip to the stars aboard space shuttle Discovery for mission STS-120. From pieces of history to articles of pop culture, the assortment of items astronauts have taken with them into space is as varied as the world the artifacts represent. Most of the objects find esteemed homes when they return, such as a stuffed teddy bear that STS-116 Commander Mark Polansky took into orbit. The bear was a replica of one owned by a Holocaust survivor. The astronaut returned the replica to a museum after the flight for its collection. The lightsaber used in Star Wars Return of the Jedi was packed for space. Image left: The lightsaber prop that was used by Lluke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi was packed in foam and will spend two weeks in orbit. The flight helps celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of the original Star Wars trilogy. Photo credit: Lucasfilm + View Hi-Res Image <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/194007main_lightsaberpic.jpg> For the Star Wars prop, a lightsaber handle that was used by Luke Skywalker, even the send-off was celebrated. Actors dressed as characters including Chewbacca and X-wing pilots escorted the item to an airport in California for the flight to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where it was packed into a shuttle locker and taken to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for loading aboard Discovery. Astronaut Jim Reilly, who flew three missions and has conducted eight spacewalks, said there is a symbolic tie between the lightsaber and the real-life work NASA does in space. "There's a kind of a fine line between science fiction and reality as far as what we do and it's only just time really because a lot of what we're doing right now was science fiction when I was growing up," he said. "I think it's a neat link because it combines two space themes all at one time." The lightsaber will spend 14 days in orbit on mission STS-120, but is not expected to leave the locker during the flight. It will be returned to Star Wars creator George Lucas' film company after the mission. It will not be the first time a Star Wars-related item has gone into orbit, though. Reilly said astronauts have taken small Star Wars toys into space with them when asked. "Toy mementos, things like a Star Wars toy that might have meant something in their life, so there are any number of things that might be just a little out of the ordinary," he said. A piece of the Wright Brothers' first powered airplane was carried to the moon. Image right: The crew of Apollo 11 took a swath of fabric and a small piece of a wooden strut from the Wright Flyer to moon. The Wright Flyer was the first successful powered aircraft. Photo credit: Mark Avino, National Air & Space Museum More solemn markers have also accompanied astronauts. For example, Reilly's STS-117 mission carried a medal earned by a World War II pilot who died in the war. Patches, flags and medallions are routinely carried by the dozens or more on each flight, with some going on display and many going as awards to shuttle workers and VIPs. "I think it makes it real," astronaut Rick Arnold said. "I lived in several countries and I think it's nice to be able to present one of the flags that flew on our mission to those host countries as a thank you." Arnold has been picked to fly aboard STS-119 in 2008, and is just starting to contemplate what to take with him to mark the occasion. "There's not a lot of room for personal items," he said. Wedding rings and other small tokens are often taken into orbit. They are small enough to fit and large enough to have meaning. Each crew member is allowed to take about two pounds of mementos on their flight, but they must fit in a comparatively tiny area. Astronaut Stephanie Wilson is taking a sheet of music from the Boston Symphony Orchestra onboard Discovery for mission STS-120. The music comes from Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," a favorite in the orchestra's extensive repertoire. Wilson worked at one time in a music store in Tanglewood, Mass., which is the summer home of the orchestra. Some items never leave space, notably mission emblems like those stuck to the walls inside the International Space Station. This lead cargo tag is believed to have been discarded from a shipping crate or trunk arriving at Jamestown in about 1611. Image left: This cargo tag made of lead was unearthed during excavation of the original colony at Jamestown in Virginia. It is believed to have made the trip from England to the New World in 1611, and made the trip going the other way in minutes aboard space shuttle Discovery during STS-117. Photo credit: NASA Another example is a golf ball astronaut Alan Shepard carried to the moon on Apollo 14 and hit with an improvised club. Moonwalker Charles Duke left a portrait of his family on the lunar surface. Thousands of signatures have also gone into the solar system in the form of computer codes imprinted on compact discs. Whether they go into space to stay or to be appreciated anew back on Earth, the artifacts manage to find a unique home. "When you get the chance to deliver that stuff back to your family and friends, they're really excited about it," Reilly said. + Listen to Podcast <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/podcasting/whatsgoingup_transcript.html>

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Harmony Open for Business
by Arthur Rowe 27 Oct '07

27 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C#31468 *Harmony Open for Business* Image Above: STS-120 and Expedition 16 crew members gather in the new Harmony module to talk to the press. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html The STS-120 and Expedition 16 crews entered the Harmony module for the first time at 8:24 a.m EDT after Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli and Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson opened the hatches. Harmony will provide the docking ports for new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The laboratories will be delivered to the station on upcoming shuttle missions. Members of the shuttle and station crews gathered in the new Harmonony module shortly after 2 p.m to discuss the mission in interviews with CBS News, FOX News, and WHAM-TV of Rochester, New York. The participants were Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko, and STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka, and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock and Clay Anderson. The crews are also preparing for Sunday’s spacewalk, the second of the mission. The spacewalk will be conducted by Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani. To prepare, they will do an overnight “campout” in the station’s airlock. *Mission Information* + STS-120 Mission Overview <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts120/index.html> + Harmony Node 2 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/harmony_payload.html> + Space Shuttle Discovery <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-in…> 27 October 2007

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