- Sarex (INACTIVE) - mailman.amsat.org

Space Shuttle Crew Arrives in Florida
by Arthur Rowe 19 Oct '07

19 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Space Shuttle Crew Arrives in Florida* The Shuttle Training Aircraft carrying the STS-120 astronauts touched down on Friday at the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. "There's something special about showing up in Florida," said Commander Pam Melroy. "There's a time when you need to talk, and the Flight Readiness Review was a time to talk. Then there's a time when you need to go do it. And I'm happy to say we're really here, and ready to go do it." Melroy said she and her crew are "totally confident" that Discovery's reinforced carbon-carbon heat shield is capable of protecting them on the ride home. Discovery's crew.Image Above: Commander Pam Melroy, with her crew behind her, greets the press upon touch down at the Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida. Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett + View larger image <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170419main__DSC0056.jpg> The crew's arrival follows the detailed flight readiness review on Tuesday, after which NASA senior managers announced Oct. 23 as the official launch date. Discovery is scheduled to lift off at 11:38 a.m. EDT on its mission to the International Space Station. The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks – four by shuttle crew members and one by the station’s Expedition 16 crew. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Looking ahead to launch-day weather, there is a 40% probability that weather could prohibit liftoff.

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[sarex] ARISS event - Giosuè Carducci, Santa Marinella, Italy, Tuesday (Oct 23) 10:52 UTC
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 19 Oct '07

19 Oct '07

An International Space Station Expedition 16 ARISS school contact has been planned with participants at Giosuè Carducci, Santa Marinella, Italy on 23 Oct. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:52 UTC. The contact will be a direct between stations NA1SS and IZØLRI. The contact should be audible in most of Europe. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The participants are expected to conduct the conversation in English. The GIOSUE' CARDUCCI secondary school is located in the town of Santa Marinella, 60 km northwest of Rome. The classes having the ARISS QSO are composed of students (boys and girls) aged between 12 and 15 years. The ARISS activity is well integrated into the school curriculum. The project called "Guglielmo Marconi" is about the research and experiments done by the town of Guglielmo Marconi at the National Radioelectric Centre. Marconi carried out experiments on microwaves, RADAR, radio mobile telephone and the use of the moon as a natural satellite. Marconi sent waves from Santa Marinella to the moon and received their reflections. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How long can you stay in Space without getting any injuries to your body? 2. What should I do to become an astronaut? 3. When will you finish assembling the International Space Station? 4. What was the most exciting thing during your mission? 5. Is there any risk of being infected by an unknown virus? 6. How do you wash yourself on board the ISS? 7. Why do you have zero gravity on the International Space Station and what is the experience like? 8. What does the landscape look like watching out of the window? 9. Do you regularly get news and updates from Earth? 10. Is the ISS's orbit pre-programmed or does it occur that astronauts have to steer it manually? If so, how is it done? 11. How much did you train to get ready for Space? 12. Do you miss your family and how do you deal with your homesickness? 13. Do you take turns sleeping? Do you float when you sleep? 14. If there are any damages on the International Space Station, can you repair them? 15. How do you spend your free time? 16. What time is it now on the International Space Station? 17. What is the amount of your food and oxygen reserve? 18. What kind of disadvantages does zero-gravity cause? 19. Where does the electric power come from on the International Space Station? 20. How long does an astronaut usually stay on board the International Space Station? Information about the next scheduled ARISS contact can be found at http://www.rac.ca/ariss/upcoming.htm#NextContact . Packet is occasionally active on 145.825 simplex. 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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A SAFER Way To Space Walk
by Arthur Rowe 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

* 9-12:A SAFER Way To Space Walk* TOVIEW IMAGES GO TO: http://www.nasaexplores.com/show2_912a.php?id=03-050&gl=912 space walk using safer and the robotic armIt’s a science fiction movie nightmare situation. An astronaut is working outside his spacecraft in the vacuum of space when something happens—his tether breaks, a satellite hits him, or an evil computer pushes him away from the ship. However it happens, the end result is the same. The astronaut ends up floating away from his spacecraft into the endless void of space, with no way to rescue himself. It’s a horrible fate, but a new device for space walking will ensure that it only happens in the movies. Space walks, or *extravehicular activities* (EVAs), are an important part of the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS). By the time the Station is complete, its construction will have required more than twice as many space walks as were previously performed in the entire history of spaceflight. Unlike the Space Shuttle, the Space Station cannot maneuver to rescue a free-floating EVA crew member. NASA is determined to make sure that none of the over 150 ISS assembly space walks ends up like the movie nightmare. One of the ways the agency is doing this is with a device called Simplified Aid For EVA Rescue (SAFER). Essentially a “life jacket” for space walks, SAFER is a self-contained maneuvering unit worn by astronauts like a backpack. The system relies on small nitrogen-jet thrusters to let an astronaut move around in space. safer is worn on the back of a space suit like a backpackIts relatively small size and weight allow for convenient storage on the Station, and let EVA crew members put it on in the Station’s airlock. However, the small size was achieved by limiting the amount of propellant it carries, meaning that it can only be used for a limited time. That is why SAFER is intended primarily for emergency rescue, and not as an alternative to tethers, safety grips, and the Canadarm2 robot arm as a means of getting around the Station. Astronauts control the SAFER device using a hand controller attached to the front of their space suits, and computers assist in its operation. The system has an automatic attitude hold function, in which the onboard computer helps the wearer maintain course. SAFER's propulsion is provided by 24 fixed-position thrusters that expel nitrogen gas and have a thrust of 3.56 Newtons (0.8 pounds) each. SAFER was first tested in 1994 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, when astronaut Mark Lee became the first person in 10 years to float freely in space. space walk using a tetherSpace walking has come a long way since the early days. In June 1965, astronaut Ed White became the first American to conduct a space walk. His space suit was smaller than later EVA suits, since it did not carry its own oxygen supply. Instead, a hose to an oxygen supply on the Gemini capsule connected White. Bundled with the oxygen hose were electrical and communication wires and a safety tether. While outside the spacecraft, White was able to maneuver himself outside the spacecraft using a handheld air-pressure gun. However, it quickly expended its supply of gas. On Gemini 10 and 11, a hose to a nitrogen tank aboard the spacecraft connected a modified version of the handheld device. This allowed the astronauts to use it for a longer period of time. Another maneuvering unit was developed for the Gemini program, but was never used during an EVA. This larger device would have been worn like a backpack. Astronauts conducted extensive EVAs during the Apollo program. Most of that time was spent on the surface of the Moon, rather than in the free fall of space. Walking on the Moon meant that astronauts had to be able to leave their craft, untethered, in self-contained space suits. It also meant that the astronauts did not require microgravity-maneuvering units. Such devices were tested inside the Skylab space station. Among them were “jet shoes,” a foot-controlled maneuvering unit designed to leave the astronaut’s hands free. Backpack and handheld units were also tested. spacewalk using saferThe next extravehicular space walks were not until the Space Shuttle era began in the early 1980s. The Shuttle features cargo bay doors that allow astronauts easy access to the vacuum of space. The Gemini and Skylab research led to the development of a Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) for Space Shuttle astronauts. The nitrogen-jet-powered MMU was essentially a self-contained spacecraft that an astronaut wore like a backpack. The MMU was first used on the 10^th flight of the Space Shuttle. Astronaut Bruce McCandless became the first person to fly freely, untethered in space in February 1984. The MMU was used a total of nine times on three Space Shuttle missions in 1984, but has not been used since. Tethers, grips, and other restraints proved more than adequate for space walks in a Shuttle cargo bay. The Canadarm robot arm proved itself ideal for recovery of satellites and other tasks outside the Shuttle. SAFER, which has been described as a simplified version of the MMU, has two advantages over the earlier system. It is a more convenient size and weight and ideal for an astronaut rescue device outside the Space Station. SAFER is a rare type of technology—the kind that is built hoping that it won’t be used. So far, tethers, safety grips, and the robot arm have proved adequate to safely keep astronauts where they are supposed to be during space walks. But if they ever fail, SAFER will be ready. Courtesy of NASA's Space Operations Missio

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Crews Prepare for Arrivals and Departures
by Arthur Rowe 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 18 October 2007 *Crews Prepare for Arrivals and Departures* Peggy Whitson and Yuri Malenchenko with SAFERImage above: Commander Peggy Whitson (foreground) and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko work with a Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) unit Wednesday in the Quest airlock of the International Space Station. Credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html As the Expedition 15 crew prepares for departure on Sunday, the Expedition 16 crew is getting ready for the arrival of space shuttle Discovery next week. The Expedition 15 crew, Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov, conducted Soyuz descent training Wednesday. Joining them was Malaysian spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, who arrived on the station Friday, Oct. 12, with the Expedition 16 crew, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko. Yurchikhin, Kotov and Shukor will depart aboard their Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft Sunday. Flight Engineer Clay Anderson, who joined Expedition 15 in June, will remain onboard as a member of Expedition 16, until his replacement, astronaut Dan Tani, arrives on the STS-120 shuttle mission later this month. The two crews will participate in a change of command ceremony on Friday, as Expedition 15 formally hands over command of the station to Expedition 16. Throughout the week, Whitson and her crewmates have been preparing the spacesuits and hardware for use during U.S. spacewalks scheduled for the STS-120 mission and afterwards. On Wednesday, Whitson and Malenchenko checked out the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) hardware. Essentially a “life jacket” for spacewalks, SAFER is a self-contained maneuvering unit worn by astronauts like a backpack. + Read more about the docking <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition16/exp16_ad…> + View crew daily timelines <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html> + Read more about Expedition 15 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/index.ht…> + Read more about Expedition 16 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition16/index.ht…>

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NASA Announces Web Coverage of Next Space Shuttle Mission
by Arthur Rowe 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > Oct. 18, 2007 > > Katherine Trinidad > Headquarters, Washington > 202-358-3749 > katherine.trinidad(a)nasa.gov > > Jeanne Ryba > Kennedy Space Center, Fla. > 321-867-2468 > jeanne.m.ryba(a)nasa.gov > > > > NASA ANNOUNCES WEB COVERAGE OF NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION > > CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A prelaunch webcast, live blogs, podcasts, > pictures and videos highlight NASA's Internet coverage of space > shuttle Discovery's STS-120 mission to the International Space > Station. Discovery is scheduled to lift off on Oct. 23 at 11:38 a.m. > EDT. NASA will provide continuous online updates at: > > http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle > > A live webcast featuring STS-112 astronaut Sandra Magnus will start > the in-depth coverage of the mission at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. > 22. > > A blog will update the countdown beginning about six hours before > Discovery's launch. Originating from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, > Fla., the blog is the definitive Internet source for prelaunch > information. > > During the 14-day mission, Discovery's seven astronauts will add a > module called Harmony to the International Space Station. The > Italian-built segment will become a connecting point for future > laboratories built by the European and Japanese space agencies. > Discovery's crew includes astronaut Daniel Tani, who will move into > the orbiting laboratory as part of the Expedition 16 crew. He will > replace Clayton Anderson, who launched to the station in June and > will return to Earth aboard Discovery. Tani will live and work on the > station until returning to Earth aboard space shuttle Atlantis on the > STS-122 mission, targeted to launch Dec. 6. Visitors to NASA's > shuttle Web site can read about the crew's progress and watch the > spacewalks live from the space station. > > As Discovery's flight concludes, the NASA blog will detail the > spacecraft's return to Earth. > > > -end- > > > > > >

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-10-18 20:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 18 Oct '07

18 Oct '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-10-18 20:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Malaysian Group of Schools #4 National Planetarium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, direct via 9M2RPN Successful Thu 2007-10-18 15:39 UTC 88 deg (***) Malaysian Group of Schools #5 National Planetarium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, direct via 9M2RPN Sat 2007-10-20 14:50 UTC 84 deg Giosuè Carducci, Santa Marinella, I- 00058, Italy, direct via IZØLRI Tue 2007-10-23 10:51 UTC 89 deg JOTA 2007 operation by the crew is going to be circumspect. The crew is really busy during the shuttle docked time and so free time will be limited. So monitor the 145.80 MHz downlink. You just never know! Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 328. (***) 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 complete schedule page has been updated as of 2007-10-18 20:30 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 2007-10-18 20:30 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 have been rumors in the past indicating 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 15 on orbit: Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI Dr. Oleg Kotov Clayton Anderson KD5PLA Expedition 16 on orbit: Peggy Whitson KC5ZTD Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP Space Flight Participant on orbit: Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor 9W2MUS Expedition 16 future: Daniel Tani KD5DXE ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

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Expedition Crews Working Together
by Arthur Rowe 17 Oct '07

17 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Expedition Crews Working Together* 19 October 2007 Image above: The Expedition 15 and 16 crews, along with spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, take a break from their activities to talk to the press. Credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html The newly arrived Expedition 16 crew members continue to familiarize themselves with life aboard the International Space Station as Expedition 15 nears the end of its mission. Expedition 16 crew members Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Clay Anderson reviewed spacewalk hardware and systems in the Quest airlock Tuesday in preparation for the arrival of space shuttle Discovery next week and the upcoming spacewalks. Whitson and Anderson also continued their review of the medical equipment aboard the station, checking out the defibrillator stowed onboard for emergencies. Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko completed another session of shuttle photography training. The station crew will use digital cameras to take high-resolution images of space shuttle Discovery's thermal protection system when it approaches the station for docking later this month. Whitson, Malenchenko and spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor arrived at the station aboard their Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft Friday, Oct 12. The Expedition 15 crew, Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov and Anderson, welcomed the new crew aboard the station when the hatches were opened at 12:22 p.m. Friday. Afterwards, Anderson, who joined Expedition 15 in June, became an Expedition 16 crew member when his seatliner was moved from the Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft to Soyuz TMA-11. + Read more about the docking <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition16/exp16_ad…> + View launch day images <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/multimedia/exp16_TMA11_launch.html> Both crews will work together until Oct. 21, when Yurchikhin, Kotov and Shukor depart aboard Soyuz TMA-10. Anderson will remain with Expedition 16 and return to Earth with the Discovery crew on the STS-120 mission. + View crew daily timelines <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html> + Read more about Expedition 15 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/index.ht…> + Read more about Expedition 16 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition16/index.ht…>

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NASA Set To Begin Space Shuttle Discovery Countdown Oct. 20
by Arthur Rowe 17 Oct '07

17 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C 31468 Oct. 17, 2007 > Katherine Trinidad > Headquarters, Washington > 202-358-3749 > katherine.trinidad(a)nasa.gov > > George Diller > Kennedy Space Center, Fla. > 321-867-2468 > george.h.diller(a)nasa.gov > > > > NASA SET TO BEGIN SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY COUNTDOWN OCT. 20 > > CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA will start the launch countdown for space > shuttle Discovery's STS-120 mission at 2 p.m. EDT Saturday, Oct. 20, > at T-43 hours. The countdown includes 26 hours and 38 minutes of > built-in hold time leading to a preferred launch time of > approximately 11:38 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23. The launch window > extends an additional five minutes. > > During the 14-day mission to the International Space Station, > Discovery's crew will add the Node 2 module to the expanding station. > Node 2, known as Harmony, will provide attachment points for European > and Japanese laboratory modules to be installed later this year and > early in 2008, respectively. The Discovery crew also will move the > station's Port 6 segment of the station's backbone, or truss, and its > solar arrays to a permanent position at the very end of the left side > of the truss. The flight will include five spacewalks. > > A detailed list of launch countdown milestones and times is available > at: > > http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/index.html > > This mission is the 120th space shuttle flight, the 34th flight for > Discovery and the 23rd U.S. flight to the International Space > Station. This mission includes the most number of spacewalks ever > conducted while the shuttle is docked to the station. > > For more information about the STS-120 crew and the mission to the > space station, visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle > > > -end- > > > > > >

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NASA Gives "Go" for Space Shuttle Launch on Oct. 23
by Arthur Rowe 17 Oct '07

17 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > Oct. 16, 2007 > > Katherine Trinidad > Headquarters, Washington > 202-358-3749 > katherine.trinidad(a)nasa.gov > > George Diller > Kennedy Space Center, Fla. > 321-867-2468 > george.h.diller(a)nasa.gov > > > > NASA GIVES "GO" FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH ON OCT. 23 > > CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA senior managers Tuesday completed a > detailed review of space shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight and > selected Oct. 23 as the official launch date. Commander Pam Melroy > and her six crewmates are scheduled to lift off at 11:38 a.m. EDT on > the STS-120 mission to the International Space Station. > > Tuesday's meeting included a discussion about concerns raised by the > NASA Engineering and Safety Center regarding the reinforced carbon > carbon on three of Discovery's wing leading edge panels. This issue > initially was brought before the Space Shuttle Program during a > two-day, preliminary review held last week to assess preparations for > Discovery's mission. > > "After a thorough discussion and review of all current engineering > analysis, we have determined that Discovery's panels do not need to > be replaced before the mission," said Associate Administrator for > Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, who chaired Tuesday's meeting. > > During the shuttle's 120th mission, the shuttle and station crews will > work with flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, > to add a module to the station that will serve as a port for > installing future international laboratories. The Harmony module will > be the first expansion of the living and working space on the station > since 2001. The upcoming mission also will move the first set of > solar arrays installed on the station to a permanent location on the > complex and redeploy them. > > The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks - four by shuttle crew > members and one by the station's Expedition 16 crew. Discovery is > expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on > Nov. 6. > > Joining Commander Melroy on STS-120 will be Pilot George Zamka and > mission specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug > Wheelock, Daniel Tani and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency. > Tani will remain aboard the station and return with the STS-122 crew, > which is targeted to launch Dec. 6. Current Flight Engineer Clayton > Anderson will return to Earth on Discovery after nearly five months > on the station. > > For more information about the STS-120 mission, including images and > interviews with the crew, visit: > > www.nasa.gov/shuttle > > > -end- > > > > > >

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STS-120 Final Flight Readiness Review Today
by Arthur Rowe 16 Oct '07

16 Oct '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Final Flight Readiness Review Today* 16 October 2007 NASA managers are gathered at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida today for a final readiness review for the upcoming flight of space shuttle Discovery. The STS-120 mission to the International Space Station is currently targeted for launch on Oct. 23. At the conclusion of today's review, agency managers will announce an official launch date at a live news conference on NASA TV <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html>. The conference is scheduled to begin no earlier than 6 p.m. EDT. Image at Left: Discovery stands bathed in sunlight at its seaside launch pad on the day it rolled out from the Vehicle Assembly Building. Since then, it has been enclosed by the rotating service structure as launch preparations continue. Image credit: NASA/George Shelton + View larger image <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170419main_pad-lg.jpg> Last week, the STS-120 astronauts capped off three days of exercises and training at Kennedy by boarding Discovery for a simulated countdown on Oct. 10. After the rehearsal concluded, the crew members flew back to their home base at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to complete their final preparations for liftoff. While the astronauts practiced for launch, shuttle program managers held two days of meetings in advance of today's review. One of the topics discussed before the conclusion of last week's program review involved the reinforced carbon-carbon, or RCC, on Discovery's wing leading edge panels. In the past, there have been post-flight indications that the edges of a couple of panels have lost small amounts of their upper-level coating. Thermography, or thermal imagery, has been used to inspect the panels in order to identify any internal defects that could lead to coating loss. The NASA Engineering and Safety Center has been working with shuttle engineers to better understand the potential causes of coating loss. At last Wednesday's meeting, the center recommended replacing three of Discovery's 44 panels. Discovery has flown at least twice with these panels in the current condition, and with no indications of degradation based on thermography. At this point, the Space Shuttle Program has determined that Discovery's astronauts can safely carry out their mission without having to replace the panels. *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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