August 2007 - Sarex (INACTIVE)

STS-118 Crew Attaches New Truss to Station
by Arthur Rowe 11 Aug '07

11 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *STS-118 Crew Attaches New Truss to Station; Spacewalk Continues* Image above: Mission Specialist Rick Mastracchio participates in the first spacewalk of the STS-118 mission. Image: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html The STS-118 crew continued the on-orbit construction of the International Space Station with the addition of the Starboard 5 (S5) truss segment. With spacewalkers Rick Mastracchio and Dave Williams assisting, Pilot Charles Hobaugh used the station’s robotic arm to attach the S5 about 1:35 p.m. EDT. The spacewalkers are now focusing on the completion of the installation by bolting the S5 in place on the end of the Starboard 4 truss segment and making power and data connections. The next major task of the spacewalk is the retraction of a radiator on the Port 6 (P6) truss. After the radiator is folded, Mastracchio and Williams will secure it. The P6 will be relocated from atop the station to the end of the Port 5 truss during a future shuttle mission. Mastracchio and Williams kicked off STS-118’s first spacewalk at 12:28 p.m. EDT and are scheduled to wrap up at about 6:58 p.m. STS-118 Mission Specialist Tracy Caldwell is the spacewalk coordinator, and Expedition 15 Flight Engineer Clay Anderson is assisting Hobaugh at the controls of the station’s Canadian-built robotic arm. The Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System, which was activated after Friday’s docking, has been shut down as a precaution during the spacewalk. It will be brought back online after the conclusion of the excursion. The transfer system may allow Space Shuttle Endeavour and the STS-118 crew to stay at the station longer. A decision on a possible mission extension to 14 days is expected to be made Sunday. Animations: + S5 Truss Overview <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> | + S5 Truss Installation <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')>

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STS-118 Astronauts to Go Spacewalking Today
by Arthur Rowe 11 Aug '07

11 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *STS-118 Astronauts to Go Spacewalking Today * Image above: The International Space Station's robotic arm moves the S5 truss. Image: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html The STS-118 and Expedition 15 crews are preparing for today’s spacewalk to install the Starboard 5 (S5) truss onto the International Space Station. STS-118 Mission Specialists Rick Mastracchio and Dave Williams are slated to begin their orbital stroll at 12:31 p.m. EDT.(1631 UTC) The S5 will be attached to the Starboard 4 segment about 1:56 p.m. with the spacewalking duo guiding station robot arm operator Charles Hobaugh, STS-118’s pilot, as he moves the S5 to the attachment point. The spacewalkers will then bolt it into place and make power and data connections. The other major task during the spacewalk is the retraction of a radiator on the Port 6 (P6) truss. After the radiator is folded, Mastracchio and Williams will secure it. The P6 will be relocated from atop the station to the end of the Port 5 truss during a future mission. The excursion is scheduled to last 6.5 hours. Mission Specialist Tracy Caldwell is the spacewalk coordinator, and Expedition 15 Flight Engineer Clay Anderson is assisting Hobaugh at the controls of the station’s Canadian-built robotic arm. Meanwhile, the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System, which was activated after Friday’s docking, will be shut down during the spacewalk. The transfer system may allow Space Shuttle Endeavour and the STS-118 crew to stay at the station longer. A decision on a possible mission extension is expected to be made Sunday. Animations: + S5 Truss Overview <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> | + S5 Truss Installation <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> *Mission Information* + View Barbara Morgan Video <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('','http://mfile.akamai.com/18565/rm/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/real…','http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> + STS-118 Mission Overview <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/index.html> + STS-118 Fact Sheet (900 Kb PDF) <http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/184910main_sts118_factsheet4.pdf> + STS-118 NASA TV Schedule <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html> + STS-118 Briefing Animations <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/multimedia…> + STS-117 Mission Archive <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/main/index…>

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ISS NEW KEPS - DAY 223
by Arthur Rowe 11 Aug '07

11 Aug '07

ISS (ZARYA) 1 25544U 98067A 07223.35849883 .00011087 00000-0 73100-4 0 7587 2 25544 51.6321 178.9770 0008180 229.2731 233.7090 15.76204860499489

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Power Transfer System Activated
by Arthur Rowe 11 Aug '07

11 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Power Transfer System Activated* Image above: The STS-118 and Expedition 15 crews greet each other after hatch opening. Image: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html The STS-118 and Expedition 15 crews are conducting joint operations aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station. Also, the crew activated the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS) at 5:17 p.m. EDT Friday. These activities began within hours of STS-118’s arrival at the space station. Endeavour docked with the station at 2:02 p.m. and the STS-118 was welcomed aboard the station at 4:04 p.m. Animations: + Approach to Station <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> | + Backflip <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> | + Docking <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> The SSPTS is designed to reroute power from the station to a visiting shuttle. If the transfer system works as expected, mission managers could elect to extend STS-118’s mission from 11 to 14 days and increase the number of spacewalks from three to four. A decision on a possible extension could occur Sunday. The two crews are preparing for STS-118's first spacewalk, which is set to begin at 12:31 p.m.(1631 UTC) Saturday. The spacewalkers will assist in the installation and activation of the Starboard 5 (S5) truss. Friday’s preparations included transfer of spacewalk equipment and the review of procedures. Also, the two crews used the shuttle robot arm to lift the S5 out of the payload bay and hand it off to the station robotic arm. The two spacewalkers, Mission Specialists Rick Mastracchio and Dave Williams, will enter the station’s Quest airlock where they will spend the night. This procedure is performed to help prevent decompression sickness. *Mission Information* + View Barbara Morgan Video <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('','http://mfile.akamai.com/18565/rm/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/real…','http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> + STS-118 Mission Overview <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/index.html> + STS-118 Fact Sheet (900 Kb PDF) <http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/184910main_sts118_factsheet4.pdf> + STS-118 NASA TV Schedule <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html> + STS-118 Briefing Animations <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/multimedia…> + STS-117 Mission Archive <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/main/index…>

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LATEST KEPS
by Arthur Rowe 10 Aug '07

10 Aug '07

ISS (ZARYA) 1 25544U 98067A 07222.35368700 .00011045 00000-0 72917-4 0 7523 2 25544 51.6321 184.1545 0008259 224.3028 293.2274 15.76181303499324 STS 118 1 32008U 07035A 07222.35432815 .00038640 00000-0 20205-3 0 109 2 32008 51.6328 184.1633 0018368 166.4893 350.9981 15.80197263 220

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Endeavour Docks; Expedition 15 set to Welcome Visitor
by Arthur Rowe 10 Aug '07

10 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C#31468 *Endeavour Docks; Expedition 15 set to Welcome Visitors* Space Shuttle Endeavour docked with the International Space Station at 2:02 p.m. EDT today, setting the stage for the on-orbit expansion of the outpost. Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineers Oleg Kotov and Clay Anderson will welcome the seven-member STS-118 crew aboard the station after the hatches between the vehicles open at about 3:21 p.m. Endeavour delivered the Starboard 5 (S5) truss, which will be attached to the station Saturday. The STS-118 crew also will conduct a spacewalk Saturday to assist in the installation and activation of the S5. In addition to the construction work, the two crews will conduct at least two more spacewalks. One of the spacewalking tasks includes the replacement of a faulty attitude control gyro. The two crews also will transfer cargo between the shuttle and station. STS-118 is the 22nd shuttle mission to visit the station. + 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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STS-118 Arrives at Space Station
by Arthur Rowe 10 Aug '07

10 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C#31468 *STS-118 Arrives at Space Station* The seven STS-118 crew members reached their destination today when Space Shuttle Endeavour docked with the International Space Station at 2:02 p.m. EDT. STS-118 will continue the on-orbit construction of the station with the addition of the Starboard 5 (S5) truss segment. The astronauts will enter the station for the first time about 3:21 p.m., following the completion of leak and pressure checks between the two spacecraft. The STS-118 crew and the station’s Expedition 15 crew will then begin joint operations, including preparations for Saturday’s installation of the S5 truss and spacewalk. The two crews will also begin cargo transfers between Endeavour and the Station. At 5:51 p.m. EDT, the crew will activate the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System, which is designed to reroute power from the station to a visiting shuttle. If the transfer system works as expected, mission managers could elect to extend STS-118’s mission from 11 to 14 days and increase the number of STS-118 spacewalks from three to four. A decision on a possible extension could occur Saturday or Sunday. Endeavour and the station linked up while flying over the South Pacific. Animations: + Approach to Station <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> | + Backflip <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> | + Docking <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> Kelly and Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan wrapped up a long day of work Thursday with a quick message from orbit. Kelly said he felt privileged to be there and that everything was going well. Morgan said that she was having a great time and was looking forward to docking tomorrow and seeing the Expedition 15 crew. "When we first came to orbit it took a little getting used to," Morgan said. "I felt like I was upside down the whole time." She joked that when you put something aside, it floats off and you have no idea where it went. "We’ll have to do a treasure hunt later." + View Video <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('','http://mfile.akamai.com/18565/rm/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/real…','http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')>

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STS-118 KEPS REVISED DAY 222
by Arthur Rowe 10 Aug '07

10 Aug '07

STS 118 1 32008U 07035A 07222.16836806 -.00263197 00000-0 -13754-2 0 93 2 32008 51.6300 185.1238 0018873 168.3605 10.5742 15.80439384 198

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KEPS - REVISED
by Arthur Rowe 09 Aug '07

09 Aug '07

ISS (ZARYA) 1 25544U 98067A 07221.88994881 .00010652 00000-0 70505-4 0 7507 2 25544 51.6327 186.5423 0008301 221.6349 182.7599 15.76169438499254 STS 118 1 32008U 07035A 07221.83723351 -.03755315 00000-0 -22775-1 0 77 2 32008 51.6287 186.8286 0028306 166.3220 287.3260 15.80348673 140

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STS-118: Build the Station. Build the Future
by Arthur Rowe 09 Aug '07

09 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 STS-118: Build the Station. Build the Future. sts118s001 -- STS-118 Insignia Like all shuttle missions, STS-118 is about the future: putting the International Space Station a step closer to completion and gathering experience that will help people return to the moon and go on to Mars. But this mission also will see a two decade-old dream realized and a vision of inspiration completed. Twenty-two years after first being selected as Christa McAuliffe’s backup in the Teacher in Space Project, Barbara Morgan will strap into space shuttle Endeavour as a fully-trained astronaut. She is one of five mission specialists in the seven-member crew. “The mission has lots of angles,” Matt Abbott, lead shuttle flight director, said. “There’s a little bit of assembly; there’s some resupply; there’s some repairs. And there are some high-visibility education and public affairs events. It’s a little bit of everything.” The little bit of assembly – as in assembly of the International Space Station – refers to the next segment that will be attached to the right side of the station's backbone, or truss. The new segment, known as the S5, is relatively small and weighs about 5,000 pounds. The piece provides clearance between sets of solar arrays on the truss structure. That doesn’t mean, however, that installing it will be easy. Every crew member will play a part. Pilot Charles Hobaugh and space station Flight Engineer Clay Anderson will operate the station robotic arm that moves the segment into place, while spacewalkers David Williams and Richard Mastracchio provide guidance from the outside and finish the installation. Commander Scott Kelly and mission specialists Tracy Caldwell and Benjamin Alvin Drew will help out inside. Morgan will operate the shuttle robotic arm to provide television views of the operation. “It’s less than two inches from some critical electronic components that we want to make sure we don’t come in contact with,” Kelly said. “So that’s a very tight clearance.” jsc2007e15871 -- STS-118 Mission Specialist Barbara MorganThe resupply is not so little, either. This will be the last dedicated shuttle mission providing cargo to the station for 12 to 15 months. Russian Progress vehicles and the European Space Agency's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) will bring cargo to the station in the interim. So Endeavour will carry enough supplies to last the station residents for awhile. “I think right now the manifest has us bringing up about 5,000 pounds and then bringing down about 5,000 pounds,” Kelly said. “So it’s a lot of spare parts, food, clothing, scientific experiments. We’ll unload that and then reload it with stuff that needs to come home – garbage, spare parts that are no longer needed on the station.” Then there’s the repair work, which Lead Station Flight Director Joel Montalbano expects to be one of the most difficult parts of the mission. One of the station’s control moment gyroscopes – a spinning wheel used to control the space station’s orientation – experienced problems and was shut down in October. Program managers determined that it needed to be replaced during STS-118. Kelly’s crew had less than a year to train for the task. “The other stuff is a challenge, but we’ve known it was coming,” Montalbano said. “We’ve developed procedures, we’ve trained the crew – it’s all known. The gyroscope, it’s a little bit new to us. We’re putting a major task in when we’re well into training.” jsc2007e18263 -- STS-118 Mission Specialist David WilliamsLuckily, it’s not new to NASA. The crew of STS-114 replaced a faulty gyroscope in 2005, and Montalbano said learning from their experience should help the team overcome the time crunch. Added all together, it’s a lot of stuff to get done in one mission – but thanks to an electrical boost from the space station, the 118 crew could have a little more time than most missions to get it all done. Endeavour will be the first to try out a new system designed to let the shuttle use electrical power from the station. The extra juice will allow Endeavour to stay in space for an extended period of time while docked to the station. STS-118 currently is an 11-day mission with three spacewalks planned. Mission managers could add three more days and an additional spacewalk after the Station-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS) is activated and checked out. Future missions could gain as many as six extra days once all the station’s solar arrays are installed and providing power to the SSPTS. This will become more important as the construction of the station continues. “I’m really excited about going up and doing our jobs and doing them well,” Morgan said. “I’m excited about experiencing the whole spaceflight, seeing Earth from space for the very first time and experiencing weightlessness and what that’s all about. I am excited about seeing what it’s like living and working onboard the International Space Station.” Morgan trained side by side with McAuliffe and witnessed the 1986 Challenger accident in which McAuliffe and her six fellow crew members died. The Teacher in Space Project was suspended then, but Morgan held on to her NASA ties. In the months following that tragedy, she went on the visits McAuliffe would have made, talking to children and teachers all over the country. Then, when she was selected in 1998 to become a full-fledged astronaut, she jumped at the opportunity. In 2002, Morgan was chosen as the first educator to become a mission specialist astronaut. The Educator Astronaut Project evolved from the Teacher in Space Project. Both aimed to engage and attract students to explore the excitement and wonder of spaceflight and to inspire and support educators. Morgan's primary duty is the same as it is for the entire crew -- accomplish the planned objectives of the station assembly mission. But she also will take part in several education-related activities.

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