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Endeavour Crew Returns Home After Successful Mission
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 21 Aug '07

21 Aug '07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Endeavour and its crew are home after completing a 13-day journey of more than 5.2 million miles in space. Endeavour's STS-118 mission successfully added another truss segment, a new gyroscope and external spare parts platform to the International Space Station. Endeavour's Commander Scott Kelly, Pilot Charlie Hobaugh and mission specialists Tracy Caldwell, Rick Mastracchio, Barbara R. Morgan, Alvin Drew and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Dave Williams landed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday at 12:32 p.m. EDT. Williams, Mastracchio and station flight engineer Clayton Anderson, with the help of their crewmates, made four spacewalks to accomplish the construction tasks. The spacewalkers also completed work in preparation for upcoming assembly missions, such as relocating an equipment cart and installing support equipment and communication upgrades. During the mission, a new system that enables docked shuttles to draw electrical power from the station to extend visits to the outpost was activated successfully. Because the system worked, two additional days were added to Endeavour's mission. STS-118 was the 119th space shuttle flight, the 22nd flight to the station, the 20th flight for Endeavour and the second of four missions planned for 2007. Although managers addressed several issues with Endeavour's heat shield, including a small gouge in the protective tile on the orbiter's belly, inspections in orbit revealed no critical damage. Endeavour's thermal protection system was declared safe for re-entry on Monday. The orbiter will be processed immediately for its next flight, targeted for February 2008. With Endeavour and its crew safely home, the stage is set for the next phase of International Space Station assembly. Preparations continue for space shuttle Discovery's scheduled launch in October of the STS-120 mission to deliver the pressurized Node 2 connecting module to the station. For more on the STS-118 mission and the upcoming STS-120 mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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Astronauts Close Payload Bay Doors for Landing
by Arthur Rowe 21 Aug '07

21 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Astronauts Close Payload Bay Doors for Landing* Image above: The Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., awaits the return of Space Shuttle Endeavour today. Image: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html The STS-118 crew is making final preparations for its return to Earth aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour to complete a successful assembly mission to the International Space Station. Landing is scheduled for 12:32 p.m. EDT at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Endeavour's payload bay doors are now closed. If flight controllers decide to press ahead with landing, Commander Scott Kelly and Pilot Charles Hobaugh will fire Endeavour’s engines at 11:25 a.m. to begin the descent to Kennedy. If flight controllers choose to pass on the first opportunity a second one is available at the Florida spaceport. It calls for touchdown at 2:06 p.m., with the deorbit burn at 1 p.m. White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico will not be called up today as a possible site. Edwards AFB, Calif., will be staffed, but is not expected to be used. + View STS-118 landing ground tracks <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/landing.ht…> Weather forecasts at Kennedy generally are favorable. While at the station, the STS-118 crew continued the on-orbit construction with the addition of the Starboard 5 truss and conducted joint operations with the Expedition 15 crew. The crew conducted four spacewalks, which included the S5 installation and replacement of an attitude control gyroscope. The two crews also transferred several tons of cargo between the two spacecraft. Landing will also bring to an end the first flight for Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, an educator who was selected to become a mission specialist astronaut. She was first selected by NASA in 1985 as the backup to Teacher in Space Christa McAuliffe. Following the Challenger accident in 1986, Morgan continued to work with NASA on educational activities and returned to teaching elementary school in Idaho. She returned to NASA as an astronaut in 1998. *Hurricane Dean Information* On-orbit Hurricane Dean Video: + Real Video <http://mfile.akamai.com/18565/rm/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/real…> | + Windows Media <http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…> + NASA Hurricane Resource Page <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/main/index.html>

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STS-118 Set to Return Home Today
by Arthur Rowe 21 Aug '07

21 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *STS-118 Set to Return Home Today* Space Shuttle Endeavour and the STS-118 crew are scheduled to return home today, ending a successful assembly mission to the International Space Station. Landing is scheduled for 12:32 p.m. EDT(1632 UTC) at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The seven astronauts will make final preparations this morning for landing. The payload bay doors are scheduled to be closed at 8:45 a.m.(1245 UTC) If flight controllers decide to press ahead with landing, Commander Scott Kelly and Pilot Charles Hobaugh will fire Endeavour’s engines at 11:25 a.m.(1525 UTC) to begin the descent to Kennedy. If flight controllers choose to pass on the first opportunity a second one is available at the Florida spaceport. It calls for touchdown at 2:06 p.m., (1806 UTC)with the deorbit burn at 1 p.m.(1700 UTC) White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico will not be called up today as a possible site. Edwards AFB, Calif., will be staffed, but is not expected to be used. + View STS-118 landing ground tracks <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/landing.ht…> Weather forecasts at Kennedy generally are favorable. While at the station, the STS-118 crew continued the on-orbit construction with the addition of the Starboard 5 truss and conducted joint operations with the Expedition 15 crew. The crew conducted four spacewalks, which included the S5 installation and replacement of an attitude control gyroscope. The two crews also transferred several tons of cargo between the two spacecraft. Landing will also bring to an end the first flight for Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, an educator who was selected to become a mission specialist astronaut. She was first selected by NASA in 1985 as the backup to Teacher in Space Christa McAuliffe. Following the Challenger accident in 1986, Morgan continued to work with NASA on educational activities and returned to teaching elementary school in Idaho. She returned to NASA as an astronaut in 1998. *Hurricane Dean Information* On-orbit Hurricane Dean Video: + Real Video <http://mfile.akamai.com/18565/rm/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/real…> | + Windows Media <http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…> + NASA Hurricane Resource Page <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/main/index.html>

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Endeavour Cleared for Landing
by Arthur Rowe 20 Aug '07

20 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Endeavour Cleared for Landing* Mission specialists Barbara Morgan, Dave Williams and Commander Scott KellyImage above: (From left) STS-118 mission specialists Barbara Morgan, Dave Williams and Commander Scott Kelly talk to schoolchildren from the La Ronge, Saskatchewan area. Image: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html Mission managers announced today that Space Shuttle Endeavour is cleared for landing. The decision came after a thorough review of imagery and data collected during late inspection of the orbiter on Sunday. In space, the seven-member STS-118 crew is preparing for its return to Earth aboard Endeavour after a successful stay at the International Space Station. The crew completed tests this morning of Endeavour’s systems and engines that will be used for re-entry and landing. Other preparations include stowing equipment and a 30-minute deorbit briefing. The crew will also have some off-duty time to prepare for Tuesday's landing opportunities. In other activities, crew members took time out of their schedule at 11:46 a.m. today to field questions from Canadian schoolchildren from the La Ronge, Saskatchewan, area. Endeavour’s first landing opportunity on Tuesday is at 12:32 p.m. (1632 UTC)EDT at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., with the deorbit burn occurring at 11:25 a.m (1525 UTC). A second opportunity is available at the Florida spaceport at 2:06 p.m. (1806 UTC)The deorbit burn would occur at 1 p.m. (1700 UTC) + View STS-118 landing ground tracks <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/landing.ht…> Three opportunities are available Tuesday at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The first calls for landing at 3:37 p.m., with the deorbit burn at 2:30 p.m. The second calls for the deorbit burn to occur at 4:06 p.m. and landing at 5:11 p.m. The third opportunity would have the deorbit burn at 5:43 p.m. and landing at 6:48 p.m. White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico will not be called up for a possible Tuesday landing there. Meanwhile, mission managers continue to monitor Hurricane Dean as it moves westward in the Caribbean Sea. The STS-118 crew members spent almost nine days at the international outpost. They continued the on-orbit construction of the station and transferred tons of cargo between the two spacecraft. The STS-118 crew conducted four spacewalks at the station. The two major objectives were the installation of the S5 and the replacement of a failed attitude control gyroscope. *Hurricane Dean Information* On-orbit Hurricane Dean Video: + Real Video <http://mfile.akamai.com/18565/rm/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/real…> | + Windows Media <http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…> + NASA Hurricane Resource Page <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/main/index.html> *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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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-08-20 15:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 20 Aug '07

20 Aug '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-08-20 15:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Nanjing No. 3 High School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R.China, direct via BY4RRR Sun 2007-08-26 10:50 UTC 44 deg (***) Amagasaki Child Science Hall, Amagasaki, Hyogo, Japan, direct via 8N3AMA Tue 2007-08-28 08:27 UTC 77 deg (***) Ashland Greenwood High School, Ashland, Nebraska, via K0ASH Wed 2007-08-29 16:03 UTC 55 deg (***) Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 310. 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 2007-08-20 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 2007-08-16 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 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 15 future: Daniel Tani KD5DXE STS-118 undocked Scott Kelly, Charles Hobaugh, Dave Williams, Barbara Morgan KD5VNP, Richard Mastracchio KC5ZTE, Tracy Caldwell, Benjamin Drew ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

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Astronauts to Prepare for Tuesday Landing
by Arthur Rowe 20 Aug '07

20 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Astronauts to Prepare for Tuesday Landing * Image above: Astronaut Barbara R. Morgan, mission specialist, is surrounded by supplies in SPACEHAB, located in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Image: NASA TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html The seven-member STS-118 crew will spend the day preparing for its return to Earth aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour after a successful stay at the International Space Station. The astronauts will stow equipment and test Endeavour’s systems that will be used for re-entry and landing. Endeavour’s first landing opportunity is at 12 32 p.m. EDT at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., with the deorbit burn occurring at 11:25 a.m. A second opportunity is available at the Florida spaceport at 2:06 p.m. The deorbit burn would occur at 1 p.m. White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico will not be called up for a possible Tuesday landing there. A decision on whether to call up Edwards AFB, Calif., is expected this morning. + View STS-118 landing ground tracks <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/landing.ht…> Mission managers continue to monitor Hurricane Dean. Early Monday Dean, with winds near 150 mph, was about 150 miles southeast of Grand Cayman, moving west at about 20 mph. Crew members will take time out of their schedule today to participate in an education event with the Canadian Space Agency. The STS-118 crew members spent almost nine days at the international outpost. They continued the on-orbit construction of the station and transferred tons of cargo between the two spacecraft. The STS-118 crew conducted four spacewalks at the station. The two major objectives were the installation of the S5 and the replacement of a failed attitude control gyroscope.

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ISS - STS-118 KEPS DAY 231
by Arthur Rowe 19 Aug '07

19 Aug '07

ISS (ZARYA) 1 25544U 98067A 07231.34738624 -.00017018 00000-0 -10283-3 0 8119 2 25544 51.6329 137.8213 0008073 260.9650 203.1201 15.76039501500741 STS 118 1 32008U 07035A 07231.71693693 .00004676 00000-0 33326-4 0 260 2 32008 51.6337 135.9163 0009802 251.8863 150.6099 15.76139009 1697

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ISS + Shuttle visible pass
by Stefano Bravi 19 Aug '07

19 Aug '07

Nice view of ISS and Shuttle Endeavour crossing the sky over my location! Both perfectly visible.. :) (Max elevation 84.5°, range 351.5 Km at 19:03 GMT). Stefano -- _________________________________________ Stefano Bravi <stefano.bravi(a)rcm.inet.it> SWL station 43.5285°N/13.554°E - Camerano - ITALY

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Crew Completes Final Heat Shield Inspection
by Arthur Rowe 19 Aug '07

19 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 19 AUGUST 2007 *Crew Completes Final Heat Shield Inspection* The STS-118 crew began its trip home today when Space Shuttle Endeavour undocked from the Space Shuttle Endeavour at 7:56 a.m. EDT. Shortly after the final separation burn, the crew began preparations for the return to Earth by conducting the final inspection of the orbiter’s heat shield. The astronauts used Endeavour’s robot arm and a 50-foot-long Orbiter Boom Sensor System to inspect the nose cap and the leading edges of the wings. This process is conducted after undocking from the station to make sure the orbiter is ready for re-entry on landing day. STS-118's first landing opportunity on Tuesday is at 12:32 p.m. at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Undocking was moved up a day in preparation for landing on Tuesday. The earlier landing opportunity was selected in the event Hurricane Dean threatens the Houston area. It allows an opportunity for the shuttle to land before Mission Control, Houston, would be shut down in preparation for a storm. Mission managers are continuing to monitor the situation and assess their options. The seven STS-118 astronauts are scheduled to enjoy some well deserved off-duty time after a busy stay at the station, which began Aug. 10. The STS-118 crew installed the Starboard 5 (S5) truss segment and transferred tons of cargo between the shuttle and the station. The STS-118 crew conducted four spacewalks at the station. The two major objectives were the installation of the S5 and the replacement of a failed attitude control gyroscope. Animations: + Endeavour undocking from station <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> | + Shuttle wings and nose cap survey <javascript:watchNASAOnDemandTV('http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…')> *Hurricane Dean Information* On-orbit Hurricane Dean Video: + Real Video <http://mfile.akamai.com/18565/rm/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/real…> | + Windows Media <http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.…> + NASA Hurricane Resource Page <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/main/index.html>

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Joint Operations End; Endeavour Undocks
by Arthur Rowe 19 Aug '07

19 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C#31468 *Joint Operations End; Endeavour Undocks* International Space StationImage above: A camera aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour captured this view of the International Space Station shortly after undocking. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineers Oleg Kotov and Clay Anderson concluded joint operations with the STS-118 crew Saturday afternoon. STS-118’s stay at the station began Aug. 10 and featured four spacewalks to continue the on-orbit construction of the station. The STS-118 crew exited the station before hatches closed at 5:10 p.m. EDT Saturday in preparation for Sunday's undocking, which occurred at 7:56 a.m. In addition to the seven STS-118 astronauts, Space Shuttle Endeavour carried the Starboard 5 (S5) truss segment to the station and STS-118 spacewalkers installed it Aug. 11. The S5 truss segment is part of the station’s Integrated Truss Structure that will eventually be the length of a football field and contain four sets of solar arrays. The station received a new control moment gyroscope (CMG) on Monday during the second spacewalk. The station has four CMGs that are used to control its attitude in orbit. The new CMG replaced a faulty gyroscope that will return to Earth on a future shuttle mission. On Tuesday, the International Space Station’s first component to go into space, the Zarya control module, passed the 50,000th orbit mark at 11:17 a.m. EDT. Zarya, which is Russian for “Sunrise,” was funded by the United States and built by Russia. It launched atop a Proton rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Nov. 20, 1998. The third spacewalk occurred Wednesday. It featured preparations for the relocation of the Port 6 truss from atop the station to the end of the Port 5 truss when STS-120 visits later this year. A fourth spacewalk took place Saturday in which an antenna was installed and two materials science experiments were retrieved for return to Earth. In other activities, the two crews transferred cargo between Endeavour and the station.

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