June 2007 - Sarex (INACTIVE) - mailman.amsat.org

Astronauts at the Pad
by Arthur Rowe 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

SUBMIOTTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Astronauts at the Pad * *Launch Time: * 7:38 p.m. EDT Image above: One by one, the STS-117 astronauts are strapped in for launch. Image credit: NASA + View Launch Day Photo Gallery <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/multimedia…> TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html *06.08.07 - 4:45 p.m. EDT* The STS-117 crew is at Launch Pad 39A. A short elevator ride to the 195-foot level takes the astronauts to the White Room where one by one each crewmember is assisted by NASA's closeout crew as they prepare to board the shuttle. Their flight suits are checked and an orange glow stick is tucked into the pocket of each suit for safety. Commander Sturckow was first to be secured in his seat, followed by pilot Lee Archambault on the flight deck. As rest of the crew members are seated and strapped in, Sturckow began powering up the orbiter's general purpose computer for flight. *Follow the live countdown coverage in progress:* + NASA TV <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html> + Launch Blog <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/launch/ind…> *Mission and Crew* Mission STS-117 is the Space Shuttle Program's 21st mission to the International Space Station. Rick Sturckow will command the mission and Lee Archambault will serve as Atlantis' pilot. Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester, James Reilly, Steven Swanson, John Olivas and Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson round out the crew to deliver the S3/S4 starboard truss segments, batteries and another pair of solar arrays to the space station. Anderson will replace Expedition 15 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams on station and Williams will return to Earth aboard Atlantis.

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Launch Preparations Continue
by Arthur Rowe 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Launch Preparations Continue* *Launch Time: * 7:38 p.m. EDT Image above: The Final Inspection Team, or Ice Team, inspects the external tank at Launch Pad 39A. Image credit: NASA + View Launch Day Photo Gallery <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/multimedia…> TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html *06.08.07 - 3:00 p.m. EDT* The Final Inspection Team -- also known as the "Ice Team" -- is at the launch pad inspecting the space shuttle's exterior. The team will spend about two hours checking the external tank to make sure it is in good condition and free of ice and debris. There is an 80 percent chance of favorable weather at launch time this evening. The loading of Atlantis' external tank with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and hydrogen began at 9:55 a.m. The "topping off" of propellants into the tank will continue until launch. All systems onboard the space shuttle are functioning normally and ready for liftoff. *Follow the live countdown coverage in progress:* + NASA TV <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html> + Launch Blog <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/launch/ind…> *Mission and Crew* Mission STS-117 is the Space Shuttle Program's 21st mission to the International Space Station. Rick Sturckow will command the mission and Lee Archambault will serve as Atlantis' pilot. Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester, James Reilly, Steven Swanson, John Olivas and Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson round out the crew to deliver the S3/S4 starboard truss segments, batteries and another pair of solar arrays to the space station. Anderson will replace Expedition 15 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams on station and Williams will return to Earth aboard Atlantis. *Launch + 1 hour - Post-launch News Conference * - Rex Geveden, NASA associate administrator - Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations - John Shannon, chairman, Mission Management Team - Mike Leinbach, NASA launch director + NASA TV <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html> *STS-117 Mission* + The Crew <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/index.html> + The Mission <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/mission_ov…> + The Integrated Truss Structure <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/its.html>

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-06-08 15:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-06-08 15:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Colegio La Salle, San Bernardo, 9, Palencia E-34002, Spain, telebridge via W6SRJ Successful Fri 2007-06-08 10:55 UTC 33 deg(***) International Congress of Slavic States conference in Sochi, Russia via TBD Thu 2007-06-14 15:32 UTC Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 301. (***) Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 1. 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 2007-06-08 15:30 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 2007-06-08 15:30 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 14/15 on orbit: Sunita Williams, KD5PLB Expedition 15 on orbit: Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI Dr. Oleg Kotov Expedition 15 future: Clayton Anderson KD5PLA Daniel Tani KD5DXE ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

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STS-117 CREW
by Arthur Rowe 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *STS-117* STS-117 crew portrait Image above: The crew of STS-117 pose for their official portrait. From left: Expedition 15/16 Flight Engineer Clayton C. Anderson, mission specialists James Reilly II, Steven Swanson, Commander Frederick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and mission specialists Patrick Forrester and John D. Olivas. Image credit: NASA TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/index.html Frederick Sturckow, a Marine colonel, will command STS-117. The mission will deliver the second and third starboard truss segments (S3/S4) and another pair of solar arrays to the space station. Pilot Lee Archambault, an Air Force colonel, joins Sturckow in the Shuttle’s cockpit. Mission specialists James Reilly II, Ph.D., Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, Ph.D., and John D. Olivas, Ph.D., round out the crew. STS-117 is the 21st shuttle mission to the International Space Station. Expedition 15 Flight Engineer Sunita L. Williams will return to Earth from the space station aboard shuttle mission STS-117. That flight will carry Expedition 15/16 Flight Engineer Clayton C. Anderson to the station. He will return home aboard Discovery on mission STS-120.

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STS-117 Launch Day
by Arthur Rowe 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Launch Date:* June 8 *Launch Time: * 7:38 p.m. EDT Image above: At Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility, Mission STS-117 Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Lee Archambault are ready to begin practice flights in the shuttle training aircraft. In flight, the aircraft duplicates the unpowered orbiter's descent for landing on a runway. Photo credit: NASA/KSC TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html + View High-res Image <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170421main_sta.main.jpg> *06.07.07 - 10:30 a.m. EDT* At this morning's Countdown Status Briefing, NASA Test Director Steve Payne reported that after many months of hard work Atlantis is ready to launch. External tank inspections are in process and there are no issues being tracked. Upon completion of all checks and inspections the access platforms will be retracted. The xenon lights will be lit, brightly illuminating the space shuttle, which can be seen from miles away. "We're ready to fly tomorrow," said Payne. Roy Worthy, external tank and solid rocket booster vehicle manager, described the multitude of repairs performed on the external tank and thanked the hundreds of workers who labored days on end to complete the task. STS-117 Payload Manager, Robbie Ashley, reported that the payload was loaded into the orbiter's payload bay this week and everything is ready and secured for launch. Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer said there is now only a 20-percent chance that weather would affect the launch. A high pressure ridge has entered the area and although the typical Florida afternoon storms may develop, they should be west of Kennedy Space Center and not an issue at launch time. The forecast for tomorrow morning is for light winds and a zero percent chance of weather prohibiting the loading of propellants into the external tank. Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Lee Archambault have been practicing landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft and the entire crew is making final preparations for tomorrow's liftoff. Transfer of the hydrogen and oxygen reactants were completed this morning. These reactants will be used by Atlantis to generate power during the mission. The umbilical unit was secured once the loading was accomplished. The launch pad's rotating service structure is scheduled to roll away from Atlantis at 10:30 p.m. tonight. When in place, the giant revolving enclosure is used to install payloads into the orbiter's cargo bay and provide protection from inclement weather. On Friday, launch day, propellant loading is set to begin at about 9:30 a.m., with the pumping of more than 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and hydrogen into the vehicle's orange external tank. NASA TV coverage of the launch and live launch countdown coverage from NASA's Launch Blog will begin at 1:30 p.m. EDT Friday. + NASA TV <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html> + Launch Blog <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/launch/ind…>

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ARISS event - Colegio La Salle, San Bernardo, Palencia, Spain, Friday (Jun 08) 10:55 UTC
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 07 Jun '07

07 Jun '07

An International Space Station Expedition 15 ARISS school contact has been planned with participants at the Colegio La Salle, San Bernardo, Palencia, Spain on 08 June. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:55 UTC. The contact will be a telebridge between stations NA1SS and W6SRJ. The contact should be audible in western portions of North America. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The participants are expected to conduct the conversation in English. Colegio La Salle is a college in city of Palencia, in the Cerraro region. Palencia is the capital city of the province of Castilla and Leon, at 235 km from Madrid.. The city has 82.263 inhabitants. The school counts 150 pupils aged 6 to 18 years. Special efforts are undertaken to move the students closer to the technological and scientific world. The school maintains a close relationship with the local astronomy society. For this event, schoolchildren of several schools visit the college and assist to the space rendezvous. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. When did you realize you wanted to be an astronaut? 2. What did you have to study to be an astronaut? 3. Have you need to speak any other languages apart from yours to be selected for this mission? 4. What sort of training did you receive to become an astronaut? 5. Now that you are in space, what do you miss the most? 6. What is taken into account when they are selecting astronauts for space missions? 7. Do you get more tired in space than when you are on Earth? 8. How many hours a day do you have to work on the space ship? 9. In your free time, do you play cards or something? Can you watch television? 10. Have you seen a flying saucer? 11. Do you listen to music? 12. How does it feel to be floating for so long? 13. What do you have today for breakfast, lunch and dinner? 14. How many calories do you get everyday? 15. How do you differentiate days from nights? 16. Are there different rooms in the space ship or is there only one in which you spend all the time? 17. Have you made any important discoveries? 18. Can your family get in touch with you through the phone? 19. Are you connected to the Internet? 20. How do you have a shower on the space ship? Please note, the amateur equipment on the ISS should be operating in the unattended packet mode on 145.825 until a full restore of the radio's capabilities is accomplished. Information about the next scheduled ARISS contact can be found at http://www.rac.ca/ariss/upcoming.htm#NextContact . Next planned event(s): TBD ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries. ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning. Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website http://www.rac.ca/ariss (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada). Thank you & 73, Kenneth - N5VHO

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-06-07 06:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 07 Jun '07

07 Jun '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-06-07 06:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Colegio La Salle, San Bernardo, 9, Palencia E-34002, Spain, telebridge via W6SRJ Fri 2007-06-08 10:55 UTC 33 deg Watch for possible Echolink and IRLP coverage International Congress of Slavic States conference in Sochi, Russia via TBD Thu 2007-06-14 15:32 UTC Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 300. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 1. 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 2007-06-07 06:00 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 2007-05-31 23:00 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 14/15 on orbit: Sunita Williams, KD5PLB Expedition 15 on orbit: Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI Dr. Oleg Kotov Expedition 15 future: Clayton Anderson KD5PLA Daniel Tani KD5DXE ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

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ISS Status Report: SS07-31
by Arthur Rowe 06 Jun '07

06 Jun '07

> SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > > >> June 6, 2007 >> >> Katherine Trinidad >> Headquarters, Washington 202-358-3749 >> John Ira Petty >> Johnson Space Center, Houston >> 281-483-5111 >> STATUS REPORT: SS07-31 >> >> INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION STATUS REPORT: SS07-31 >> >> HOUSTON - On Wednesday, the Expedition 15 crew completed the second >> spacewalk in eight days and continued preparations for space shuttle >> Atlantis' arrival at the International Space Station. >> >> Kotov, Yurchikhin during the second spacewalk of Expedition 15Image >> above: Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov (left) and Commander Fyodor >> Yurchikhin work outside the International Space Station during their >> second spacewalk. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov opened the hatch on the Pirs docking compartment at 9:23 a.m. CDT to begin a spacewalk lasting 5 hours and 37 minutes. The cosmonauts installed sample containers on the Pirs module for a Russian experiment. The experiment, called Biorisk, looks at the effect of space on microorganisms. >> >> Next, the spacewalkers strung a section of Ethernet cable on the >> exterior of the Zarya module. This completed the installation of a >> remote computer network that will enable commanding of the station's >> Russian segment from the U.S. segment, if necessary. >> >> Yurchikhin and Kotov later moved to the primary task on the agenda, >> putting up 12 debris shield panels on the conical section of the >> Zvezda module. Five panels were installed last week, and six others >> were installed in 2002 to improve the module's protection from >> micrometeroid debris strikes. The aluminum panels each measure >> approximately 2 feet by 3 feet and are 1 inch thick. >> >> Almost two and a half hours into the spacewalk, Russian controllers >> noticed unusual readings in Pirs and asked Yurchikhin to return to >> the module where he verified that the pressurized oxygen bottles were >> closed properly. Mission Control Moscow subsequently determined that >> a small amount of oxygen was flowing from a fluid umbilical that had >> not closed fully when it was disconnected from the spacesuit at the >> beginning of the spacewalk. Controllers closed the flow of oxygen to >> that umbilical to preserve the supply and restarted it during >> repressurization of Pirs after the spacewalk concluded. >> >> The spacewalk ended at 3 p.m. when the hatch on Pirs was closed. Both >> cosmonauts now have 11 hours and 2 minutes experience in the Russian >> Orlan spacesuits. This was the 83rd spacewalk in support of station >> assembly and maintenance, the 55th conducted from the station, and >> the 22nd conducted out of Pirs. >> >> During Wednesday's spacewalk, Flight Engineer Suni Williams remained >> aboard the station monitoring the spacewalk, exercising and >> conducting experiment activities. Earlier this week, she and her >> crewmates prepared the Quest airlock for the spacewalks planned >> during Atlantis' mission. They also packed her personal items and >> experiment results for her return to Earth aboard Atlantis. Early in >> the morning of June 16, Williams will exceed astronaut Shannon >> Lucid's mark for the longest spaceflight ever by a woman, 188 days >> and 4 hours. >> + Read more about Wednesday's spacewalk <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/exp15_ev…> Space Shuttle Atlantis and the STS-117 crew will visit the International Space Station on Sunday after launching Friday at 7:38 p.m. Atlantis is delivering the S3/S4 truss segment, a new set of starboard solar arrays and batteries. Shuttle crew member Clayton Anderson will replace Expedition 15 Flight Engineer Suni Williams. Williams will return home aboard Atlantis when STS-117 completes its mission. >> Commander Rick Sturckow and the crew of shuttle Atlantis are in >> Florida preparing for their scheduled launch Friday, June 8, at 7:38 >> p.m. EDT. STS-117, due to dock to the station at 2:49 p.m. CDT >> Sunday, June 10, delivers a new set of solar array wings and a new >> station flight engineer, NASA astronaut Clay Anderson. >> For more about the crew's activities and station sighting >> opportunities, visit: >> >> http://www.nasa.gov/station >> >> >> -end- >> >> >> >> >> >> >

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Pre-launch Activities in Full Swing
by Arthur Rowe 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Pre-launch Activities in Full Swing* *Launch Target:* June 8 *Launch Time: * 7:38 p.m. EDT The STS-117 mission astronauts are greeted after arriving at Kennedy Space Center. mage above: Welcoming the crew are Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Janet Petro and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html + View High-res Image <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170421main_arrival-2.jpg> *06.05.07 - 10:30 a.m. EDT* During a countdown status briefing this morning at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Test Director Steve Payne announced that preparations for launch on Friday continue and everything is on schedule. "All our systems right now are in great shape -- we're tracking no constraints that are show stoppers," said Payne. "Teams are ready and everybody's eager to launch -- we're looking forward to a successful assembly mission." Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters of the 45th weather squadron reported there is a 30 per cent chance of weather prohibiting launch. Although a typical pattern of afternoon thunderstorms prevail, upper level winds will push the clouds away by launch time. The tanking forecast for Friday morning also looks good with no violation of constraints. The launch countdown for Atlantis officially begins at 9 p.m. EDT today, at T-43 hours. Included in the countdown is nearly 28 hours of built-in hold time prior to a targeted 7:38 p.m. EDT launch on Friday. The mission STS-117 astronauts arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida early Monday evening. Landing aboard their T-38 training jets, the astronauts flew in from Johnson Space Center in Houston to Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. The days before launch will be busy ones for the astronauts and launch team as they make final preparations for Friday's flight to the International Space Station. Mission STS-117 is the Space Shuttle Program's 21st mission to the space station. Wednesday, June 6 *Countdown Status Briefing 10 a.m. EDT * - Jeff Spaulding, NASA test director - Robbie Ashley, STS-117 payload manager - Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer *STS-117 Launch Readiness News Conference 4 p.m. EDT* (No Earlier Than) - LeRoy Cain, launch integration manager, Space Shuttle Program - Mike Leinbach, NASA launch director - U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Pat Barrett, 45th Weather Squadron + NASA TV <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html> *STS-117 Mission* + The Crew <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/index.html> + The Mission <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/mission_ov…> + The Integrated Truss Structure <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/its.html>

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A Piece of the Past Hitches a Ride on Next Space Shuttle Mission
by Arthur Rowe 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > June 5, 2007 > > Allard Beutel > Headquarters, Washington > 202-3458-4769 > > Kathy Barnstorff > Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va. > 757-864-9886 > > Kevin Crossett > Jamestown 2007, Jamestown, Va. > 757-253-4534 > > Elizabeth S. Kostelny > Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, Richmond, Va. > 804-648-1889, ext. 306 > > > A PIECE OF THE PAST HITCHES A RIDE ON NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION > > HAMPTON, Va. -- A small piece of early American history will become > the latest space traveler with the liftoff of NASA's space shuttle > Atlantis. Atlantis is scheduled to launch Friday, June 8 at 7:38 p.m. > EDT for the STS-117 mission to the International Space Station. > > A nearly 400-year-old metal cargo tag bearing the words "Yames Towne" > and some commemorative mementoes are packed in Atlantis' middeck > floor cargo space for the roundtrip flight to the International Space > Station. Their hitchhike through the galaxy honors this year's 400th > anniversary of Jamestown, Va., the first permanent English settlement > in North America. > > "We found the tag at the bottom of a well during a dig at the James > Fort," said William M. Kelso, director of archaeology at Historic > Jamestowne for the Association for the Preservation of Virginia > Antiquities. "It appears to be a discarded shipping tag from a crate > or trunk that arrived from England around 1611. The artifact clearly > marks Jamestown as a destination - our nation's first address." > > NASA has teamed with Jamestown 2007 to promote the spirit of > exploration then, now and in the future. The artifacts' > out-of-this-world trip is just one of a number of events held during > the last 18 months that have commemorated the nation's pioneering > spirit. > > When the one-inch in diameter artifact lands back on Earth, it will > have logged more than four million miles spanning four centuries. It > will have traveled from England to Jamestown, then to and from the > space station. Two sets of Jamestown commemorative coins, authorized > by Congress and issued by the U.S. Mint, also are on Atlantis. > > The cargo tag and coin sets honoring Jamestown were handed over to > NASA's Lesa Roe, director of the Langley Research Center in Hampton, > Va., before they made their way aboard the shuttle. "NASA's proud to > be entrusted with this piece of exploration history and to extend > America's great sense of adventure, exploration and heritage into the > future of space," she said when accepting the priceless artifact. > > A $5 gold piece and a silver dollar, both of which depict Jamestown > symbols, make up each commemorative coin set. When returned from > space, NASA will present one set to Virginia Governor Tim Kaine for > display at Jamestown Settlement, a 17th century living history > museum. The second set will be displayed at the National Park > Service's Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center. > > NASA will return the shipping tag to Historic Jamestowne where it will > join hundreds of other artifacts in a new archaeological museum > called the Archaearium. Since 1994, archaeologists at the Jamestown > Rediscovery project have dug up more than a million items, including > the long-lost remains of James Fort. For centuries, the fort was > believed to have eroded into the James River. > > NASA's vision to return to the moon then venture to Mars and beyond > continues the legacy of exploration and discovery begun 400 years ago > by America's earliest explorers. To learn more about NASA's long-term > exploration goals, visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/exploration > For more information about the commemoration of Jamestown's 400th > anniversary, visit: > > http://www.americas400thanniversary.com > For more information about Historic Jamestowne, visit: > > http://www.historicjamestowne.org > For more information about space shuttle Atlantis' mission to the > space station, visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle > > > -end- > > > > > >

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