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

Astronaut Suni Williams Available for Interviews
by Arthur Rowe 26 Jun '07

26 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORD - AMSAT A/C #31468 > June 26, 2007 > > John Yembrick > Headquarters, Washington > 202-358-3749 > > James Hartsfield > Johnson Space Center, Houston > 281/483-5111 > > RECORD-BREAKING ASTRONAUT SUNI WILLIAMS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS > > HOUSTON - NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who returned to Earth last > week after the longest space voyage ever by a woman, will be > available for satellite interviews on NASA Television from 5:30 - 8 > a.m. CDT Friday, June 29. > > Williams spent 195 days in space, 190 of them as a flight engineer > aboard the International Space Station. Although this was her first > spaceflight, Williams also broke the record for most hours outside a > spacecraft by a woman after completing four spacewalks with a total > time of 29 hours, 17 minutes. > > > > Williams launched on space shuttle Discovery's STS-116 mission in > December 2006. She then joined the Expedition 14 crew aboard the > station and stayed on the complex to become a member of the > Expedition 15 crew in April. She came home on space shuttle Atlantis' > STS-117 mission that landed at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. on > Friday, June 22. > > During her stay on orbit, Williams worked with experiments across a > wide variety of fields, including human life sciences, physical > sciences and Earth observation. She also performed education and > technology demonstrations. The experiments conducted by Williams will > help pave the way for future spaceflights. > > "The six months that astronauts spend on the International Space > Station is analogous to the six months they would spend in transit to > get to Mars," said Dr. J.D. Polk, chief of NASA's Medical Operations > Branch at Johnson. "Suni's work on the life sciences experiments, and > indeed Suni herself by virtue of her physiologic data, give us keen > insight that will be needed for exploration beyond Earth." > > Williams' time on the station was not all work. In April, she became > the first person officially to run a marathon in space, participating > in the 2007 Boston Marathon. > > "It is so great to see more and more astronauts, both female and male, > having the privilege to live for extended periods in space," said > astronaut Shannon Lucid, the previous holder of the female space > endurance record. "These flights are providing the needed confidence > so that some day in the near future we can depart low Earth orbit and > head on out to Mars." > > Williams was born in Euclid, Ohio, and grew up in Needham, Mass., near > Boston. She is a commander in the U.S. Navy and was selected as an > astronaut candidate in 1998. > > Williams' biography is available on the Internet at: > > http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/williams-s.html > > For more information about NASA, visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov > > > -end- > > > > > >

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Shuttle Atlantis Crew Returns Home After Successful Mission
by Arthur Rowe 23 Jun '07

23 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A./C #31468 > > :June 22, 2007 >> John Yembrick >> Headquarters, Washington 202-358-0602 >> >> George Diller >> Kennedy Space Center, Fla. >> 321-867-2468 >> >> >> SHUTTLE ATLANTIS CREW RETURNS HOME AFTER SUCCESSFUL MISSION >> >> EDWARDS, Calif. -- The space shuttle Atlantis and its crew are home >> after completing a 14-day journey of more than 5.8 million miles in >> space. Atlantis' STS-117 mission successfully increased the power >> capability of the International Space Station, preparing for the >> future delivery of European and Japanese laboratories. >> >> Atlantis' Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and mission >> specialists Jim Reilly, Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John >> "Danny" Olivas and Sunita Williams landed at Edwards Air Force Base, >> Calif., Friday at 3:49 p.m. EDT. >> >> Atlantis' crew attached the new S3/S4 solar array truss segment on >> the right side of the station's backbone, deployed a new set of solar >> arrays, and retracted the Port 6 starboard solar array back into its >> box. The station has a new look with two symmetrical solar panels >> mounted on each end of the station's truss. >> >> Reilly, Olivas, Swanson and Forrester, with the help of crewmates, >> made four spacewalks to complete the construction tasks. They >> activated the truss segment and the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, which >> allows the new arrays to track the sun, and helped fold the Port 6 >> array. During the third spacewalk, the crew repaired a 4-by-6 inch >> raised corner of a thermal blanket on the port side Orbital >> Maneuvering System pod. Aerodynamic forces during Atlantis' ascent >> lifted the blanket. >> >> While the crew worked in space, ground teams were troubleshooting a >> problem with Russian computers that help control the station's >> attitude. Russian specialists worked closely with teams in the United >> States to recover the computer capabilities. >> >> NASA astronaut and station Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson, who >> launched with the crew aboard Atlantis, remained on the station. He >> is scheduled to return home aboard space shuttle Discovery on a >> mission targeted for launch in October. Anderson replaced Williams, >> who set a new record for a single, long-duration spaceflight by a >> woman with 195 days. She arrived at the station in December 2006 >> aboard space shuttle Discovery. >> >> STS-117 was the 118th space shuttle flight, the 21st flight to the >> station, the 28th flight for Atlantis and the first of four missions >> planned for 2007. >> >> Several inspections in orbit revealed no critical damage, and >> Atlantis' thermal protection system was declared safe for re-entry on >> flight day 13. Weather concerns prevented the crew from returning to >> NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., the primary end-of-mission landing >> site. In 7-10 days, Atlantis will be transported approximately 2,500 >> miles from California to Florida on the back of a modified 747 jumbo >> jet. Once at Kennedy, Atlantis will be separated from the aircraft to >> begin immediate processing for its next flight, targeted for December >> 2007. >> >> With Atlantis and its crew safely home, the stage is set for the next >> phase of International Space Station assembly. Preparations continue >> for space shuttle Endeavour's launch, targeted for August, on the >> STS-118 mission to deliver the S5 truss segment to the station. >> >> For more on the STS-117 mission and the upcoming STS-118 mission, visit: >> >> http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle >> >> >> -end- >> >> >> >> >> >> >

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Atlantis Lands in California
by Arthur Rowe 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Atlantis Lands in California* Space shuttle Atlantis descended to a smooth landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., concluding a successful assembly mission to the International Space Station. With Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Lee Archambault at the controls, Atlantis landed at 3:49 p.m. EDT. The STS-117 crew began its mission June 8 and arrived at the station June 10. They quickly began work to install the Starboard 3 and 4 (S3/S4) truss structure to the outpost and retracted a set of arrays on the Port 6 (P6) truss. The (S3/S4) contains a new set of solar arrays that increases station power-generation capabilities. The P6 will be relocated during a future assembly mission. Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester, John “Danny” Olivas, Jim Reilly and Steven Swanson conducted a total of four spacewalks to activate the S3/S4 and to retract the P6 arrays. During the third spacewalk, Olivas repaired an out of position thermal blanket on the left orbital maneuvering system pod. Landing also marked the end of a record-setting spaceflight by Mission Specialist Suni Williams. She broke the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman early in the morning on June 16. Williams’ journey began in December with the launch of STS-116. She lived on the space station for six months before switching places on the STS-117 crew with Clayton Anderson, who is now a flight engineer on the station. When Atlantis landed, she had accumulated 194 days, 18 hours and 58 minutes during her spaceflight. STS-117 is the 118th shuttle mission and 21st mission to visit the space station. The next mission, STS-118, is slated to launch in August.

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STS-117 MISSION COMPLETED
by Arthur Rowe 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A//C #41468 ATLANTIS LANDS SAFELY AT EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA

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Atlantis En Route to California
by Arthur Rowe 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Atlantis En Route to California* Shuttle Training AircraftImage above: Astronaut Scott Altman approaches the runway at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in a Shuttle Training Aircraft to assess landing conditions. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.htm STS-117 Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Lee Archambault fired space shuttle Atlantis’ engines at 1843 UTC to begin the descent for a 1949 UTC landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Atlantis’ flight path will bring it over San Diego and just east of Los Angeles before it touches down at Edwards where it will be greeted by fair skies and light winds. Rain showers forced flight controllers to wave off two landing opportunities at Kennedy. Landing will bring to an end a successful construction mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis launched June 8 and arrived at the station on June 10. While at the orbital outpost, the crew installed the Starboard 3 and 4 truss segment and conducted four spacewalks to activate it. During the third spacewalk, the crew repaired an out of position thermal blanket on the left orbital maneuvering system pod. Atlantis also delivered a new station crew member, Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson. He replaced astronaut Suni Williams, who is the new record holder for a long-duration single spaceflight for a woman. She arrived at the station in December with STS-116. STS-117 is the 118th shuttle mission and 21st mission to visit the space station. The next mission, STS-118, is slated to launch in August.

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Controllers Turn Eyes to California for Shuttle Landing
by Arthur Rowe 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Controllers Turn Eyes to California for Shuttle Landing* Shuttle Training AircraftImage above: Astronaut Scott Altman approaches the runway at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in a Shuttle Training Aircraft to assess landing conditions. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: *http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html* Flight controllers decided to try landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., after weather failed to improve at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. STS-117 Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Lee Archambault are scheduled to perform the deorbit engine burn at 1843 UTC. to begin the descent for a 1949 UTC landing at Edwards. Rain showers were the reason for the wave off of the first landing attempt at Kennedy. Flight controllers and forecasters with the Spaceflight Meteorology Group continue to monitor the weather at both landing facilities. Two more opportunities – 5:23 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. -- are available to today at Edwards. Landing will bring to an end a successful construction mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis launched June 8 and arrived at the station on June 10. While at the orbital outpost, the crew installed the Starboard 3 and 4 truss segment and conducted four spacewalks to activate it. During the third spacewalk, the crew repaired an out of position thermal blanket on the left orbital maneuvering system pod. Atlantis also delivered a new station crew member, Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson. He replaced astronaut Suni Williams, who is the new record holder for a long-duration single spaceflight for a woman. She arrived at the station in December with STS-116. STS-117 is the 118th shuttle mission and 21st mission to visit the space station. The next mission, STS-118, is slated to launch in August. + Landing Blog <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/launch/ind…> *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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Controllers Wave Off First Landing Attempt, Turn Hopes to Next Orbit
by Arthur Rowe 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Controllers Wave Off First Landing Attempt, Turn Hopes to Next Orbit* Image above: Flight controllers at Mission Control in Houston assess conditions for Atlantis' landing. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html Uncooperative weather at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., forced flight controllers to pass on STS-117’s first landing attempt today. The crew and the Mission Control team have turned their attention to the next orbit, which has opportunities available in Florida and at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Kennedy is the primary site and the next landing opportunity at the Florida spaceport is at 3:55 p.m. EDT. If flight controllers select this option, Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Lee Archambault will perform the deorbit engine burn at 2:50 p.m. to begin the descent to Florida. The Edwards landing opportunity is at 3:49, with the deorbit occurring at 2:43. Rain showers were the reason for the wave off of the first landing attempt at Kennedy. Flight controllers and forecasters with the Spaceflight Meteorology Group continue to monitor the weather at both landing facilities. Two more opportunities – 5:23 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. -- are available to today at Edwards. Landing will bring to an end a successful construction mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis launched June 8 and arrived at the station on June 10. While at the orbital outpost, the crew installed the Starboard 3 and 4 truss segment and conducted four spacewalks to activate it. During the third spacewalk, the crew repaired an out of position thermal blanket on the left orbital maneuvering system pod. Atlantis also delivered a new station crew member, Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson. He replaced astronaut Suni Williams, who is the new record holder for a long-duration single spaceflight for a woman. She arrived at the station in December with STS-116. STS-117 is the 118th shuttle mission and 21st mission to visit the space station. The next mission, STS-118, is slated to launch in August. + Landing Blog <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/launch/ind…>

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STS-117 LANDING STATUS
by Arthur Rowe 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 Atlantis’ first landing opportunity is at 2:18 p.m. EDT on orbit 218, HAS BEEN ABORTED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.

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STS-117 Crew Looks to End Mission Today
by Arthur Rowe 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *STS-117 Crew Looks to End Mission Today* Landing opportunity 1 at Kennedy Space CenterImage above: Atlantis' first landing opportunity is at the Kennedy Space Center at 1828 UTC.. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html Five landing opportunities are available today for space shuttle Atlantis and the STS-117 crew. Flight controllers and forecasters continue to monitor the weather at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Atlantis’ first landing opportunity is at 2:18 p.m. EDT on orbit 218. If controllers elect to take it, Commander Rick Sturckow will perform the deorbit burn at 1:12 p.m. to begin the descent to Kennedy. Orbit 219 provides opportunities at both landing sites – a 3:49 p.m. landing at Edwards and a 3:55 p.m. landing at Kennedy. The second opportunity for the California base is on Orbit 220. The deorbit burn would occur at 4:18 p.m. with the landing at 5:23 p.m. The final opportunity is on Orbit 221 and it calls for the deorbit burn to occur at 5:56 p.m. with the landing at 6:59 p.m. Thunderstorms in the vicinity of Kennedy forced flight controllers to wave off both opportunities Thursday. Today’s weather forecast for Kennedy calls for the threat of thunderstorms in the area and high winds are a possibility at Edwards. Opportunities are also available Saturday. Atlantis launched June 8 and arrived at the International Space Station on June 10. While at the orbital outpost, the crew installed the Starboard 3 and 4 truss segment and conducted four spacewalks to activate it. During the third spacewalk, the crew repaired an out of position thermal blanket on the left orbital maneuvering system pod. Atlantis also delivered a new station crew member, Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson. He replaced astronaut Suni Williams, who is the new record holder for a long-duration single spaceflight for a woman. She arrived at the station in December with STS-116. STS-117 is the 118th shuttle mission and 21st mission to visit the space station. The next mission, STS-118, is slated to launch in August. *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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Commander Helps Managers Plan for Future Computer Repairs
by Arthur Rowe 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 International Space Station Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin carried out troubleshooting efforts on Russian segment’s central computer and terminal computer on Thursday. This procedure will not impact operation of the two channels of each computer that have been in control of Russian system operation since the restart on June 15. The troubleshooting procedure is designed to help Russian mission managers further assess their plans for repair of the computer systems, including possible replacement of components with new hardware to be flown on the next Progress supply ship due to arrive at the station on July 24. Meanwhile, the space shuttle crew that left the station Tuesday received an extra day in space. Bad weather forced flight controllers to wave off Thursday attempts. STS-117 is scheduled to land at 2:18 p.m. EDT at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. STS-117 left the International Space Station bigger and more powerful than it was when they arrived. Atlantis also delivered a new Expedition 15 crew member to the orbital outpost. Expedition 15 welcomed its visitors onto the station June 10 shortly after Atlantis docked. A few hours later Astronaut Clayton Anderson replaced Suni Williams as a flight engineer on the Expedition 15 crew. Williams will return to Earth with STS-117, wrapping up a six-month-plus stay in space during which she became the new record holder for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. On June 11, the STS-117 crew installed the Starboard 3 and 4 truss segment onto the station. The visiting astronauts conducted four spacewalks to activate the new truss and its solar arrays. The S3/S4 also contains a rotary joint that will allow its arrays to track the sun. The S3/S4 arrays increase the station’s power generation capabilities. The STS-117 crew also assisted with the retraction of the Port 6 (P6) truss array. The P6 will be relocated from atop the station to the end of the Port 5 truss by a future shuttle crew. The next shuttle mission scheduled to visit the International Space Station is STS-118 in August. + Read more about Expedition 15 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/index.ht…> + View crew daily timelines <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html>

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