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Countdown Proceeds Smoothly
by Arthur Rowe 08 Aug '07

08 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Countdown Proceeds Smoothly; First Lady Calls Barbara Morgan* *Launch Date:* Aug. 8 *Launch Time:* 6:36 p.m. EDT Image above: Pilot Charlie Hobaugh exits the shuttle training aircraft after a training session at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. He and STS-118 Commander Scott Kelly were at the facility to practice landings for their upcoming mission. Photo credit: NASA + View Full Size Image <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170419main_07pd2186.jpg> *08.07.07 - 10:20 a.m. EDT* On the morning before the scheduled liftoff of Space Shuttle Endeavour on the STS-118 mission, launch officials confirmed once again that the countdown is continuing as planned and no issues have surfaced. Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters provided an updated forecast, which has improved even further to only a 20% chance that isolated rain showers could prohibit launch on Wednesday afternoon. + L-1 Weather Forecast <http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/185067main_sts118wx_080707.pdf> Mission STS-118 will be the first for Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. First Lady Laura Bush called Morgan Tuesday morning to offer congratulations "one schoolteacher to another," and to thank her for her commitment to the space program and to education. + White House News Release <http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070807.html> On Monday night, workers finished loading the reactants for the orbiter's three power-producing fuel cells. Checks of the space shuttle main engine's avionics and pneumatic systems are planned today, along with inspections of the external tank, activation of ground support equipment, and crew equipment stowage in the crew module. Orbiter and ground communications systems will be powered up Tuesday afternoon prior to retraction of the pad's rotating service structure, scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. EDT. The 22nd flight to the International Space Station, STS-118 will be the first flight for Endeavour since 2002. Launch remains on target for Aug. 8 at 6:36 p.m. EDT

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Docks to Station
by Arthur Rowe 07 Aug '07

07 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *ISS Progress 26 Docks to Station* iss015e08028 -- An unpiloted Progress supply vehicle approaches the stationImage above: Backdropped by the blackness of space, an unpiloted Progress supply vehicle approaches the International Space Station . Credit: NASA TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html The ISS Progress 26 (P26) arrived at the International Space Station docking to the Pirs docking compartment at 2:40 p.m. EDT Sunday. The station crew members, Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineers Oleg Kotov and Clay Anderson had a busy day Sunday. Yurchikhin and Kotov monitored the approach of P26 carefully in case it would have been necessary to have manually docked the new cargo craft. Meanwhile, Endeavour's launch was pushed back from Tuesday to Wednesday at 6:36 p.m. That was done to give workers additional time to complete routine prelaunch activities. Station crew members held a conference by radio Friday morning with their future visitors of the Endeavour crew. Progress 26 launched Thursday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 1:34 p.m. It was loaded with 5,111 pounds of food, fuel, air, water and supplies. + Read more about the ISS Progress 26 docking <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/exp15_pr…> + 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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NASA Develops Wireless Tile Scanner for Space Shuttle Inspection
by Arthur Rowe 07 Aug '07

07 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > Aug. 7, 2007 > > Katherine Trinidad > Headquarters, Washington > 202-358-4769 > katherine.trinidad(a)nasa.gov > > John Bluck > Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. > 650-604-5026 > john.g.bluck(a)nasa.gov > > > NASA DEVELOPS WIRELESS TILE SCANNER FOR SPACE SHUTTLE INSPECTION > > MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. - A new space shuttle tile inspection method > using NASA-built, wireless scanners is replacing manual inspection. > The new process begins with the upcoming shuttle mission, STS-118. > Endeavour is scheduled to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in > Florida on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 6:36 p.m. EDT. > > Technicians have been using six new scanners to look for cracks and > other imperfections in some of the 24,000 tiles that cover space > shuttle Endeavour. The agency designed and built the new tools at > NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. In the past, > workers at Kennedy visually analyzed tiles and measured dings and > cracks with small hand-held scales. > > "The new method is much faster and more accurate because the depth and > volume measurements of the flaws and their locations are wirelessly > transmitted into a computer database," said Joe Lavelle, a senior > engineer and project manager at Ames. "This tool allows the > inspectors to determine with very high confidence whether a shuttle > tile needs to be replaced or just repaired." > > "When they made the measurements manually with the scales, they had to > estimate the volume of flaws to a worst-case value because they could > not precisely measure the volume with any accuracy," Lavelle > explained. "With this scanner, they will actually save tiles and the > time-consuming process of replacing them." > > The thermal tiles on the space shuttle protect it from the extreme > heat generated during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. After > each shuttle lands, technicians go through a very rigorous and > lengthy process to assess the surface of the tiles for any damage. > > Each scanner weighs approximately 2.9 pounds and is about the size and > shape of a small teapot. Technicians place the machine on the tile's > flaw to scan it. In about three seconds, the data are computerized > and archived. > > Engineers can scrutinize computerized 3-D pictures of the flaws. The > images show the length, width and depth of the flaws on the surface > of the tiles. Although engineers designed the instrument to scan > space shuttle tiles, it also could scan reinforced carbon-carbon > material used on the leading edges of the shuttle's wings. > > Engineers developing a heat shield system for NASA's new spaceship > Orion already are using a larger, desktop version of the scanner to > study heat shield samples tested at Ames. NASA is building a second > desktop scanner for use at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. > The unit should be completed in about two months. > > For high-resolution images of the scanner, visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/wireless_scanner.html > > For more information and the space shuttle and upcoming mission, > visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle > > > -end- > > > > > >

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

07 Aug '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-08-07 15:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center, Richmond Hill, New York, Telebridge via WH6PN Successful Tue 2007-08-07 13:25 UTC 88 deg (***) School in Russia (***) Thu 2007-08-09 15:12 UTC (***) Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 308. (***) 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 2007-08-07 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 2007-08-07 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 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 ***************************************************************************** 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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NASA, Microsoft Launch Collaboration With Immersive Photography
by Arthur Rowe 06 Aug '07

06 Aug '07

> SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > > >> Aug. 6, 2007 >> >> Allard Beutel >> Headquarters, Washington >> 202-358-4769 >> allard.beutel(a)nasa.gov >> Jonas Dino >> Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. >> 650-604-5612/207-3280 >> jdino(a)mail.arc.nasa.gov >> Kathy Gill >> Microsoft Live Labs, Redmond, Wash. >> 503-443-7000 >> grey.hautaluoma-1(a)nasa.gov >> >> >> >> NASA, MICROSOFT LAUNCH COLLABORATION WITH IMMERSIVE PHOTOGRAPHY >> >> WASHINGTON - On Monday, NASA and Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, >> Wash., released an interactive, 3-D photographic collection of the >> space shuttle Endeavour preparing for its upcoming mission to the >> International Space Station. Endeavour is scheduled to launch from >> NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 6:36 >> p.m. EDT. >> >> For the first time, people around the world can view hundreds of high >> resolution photographs of Endeavour, Launch Pad 39A, and the Vehicle >> Assembly Building at Kennedy in a unique 3-D viewer. NASA and >> Microsoft's Live Labs team developed the online experience using >> hundreds of photographs and a photo imaging technology called >> Photosynth. Using a click-and-drag interface, viewers can zoom in to >> see intimate details of the shuttle booster rockets or zoom out for a >> more global view of the launch facility. The software uses >> photographs from standard digital cameras to construct a 3-D view >> that can be navigated and explored online. The NASA images can be >> viewed at Microsoft's Live Labs at: >> >> http://labs.live.com >> "This collaboration with Microsoft gives the public a new way to >> explore and participate in America's space program," said William >> Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for Space Operations, >> Washington. "We're also looking into using this new technology to >> support future missions." >> >> "With Photosynth, we take pictures of an environment and knit them >> together into an experience that people can move through like a 3-D >> video game," said Microsoft Live Labs Architect Blaise Aguera y >> Arcas. "NASA provided us with some outstanding images, and the result >> is an experience that will wow anyone wanting to get a closer look at >> NASA's missions." >> >> The NASA collections were created in collaboration between >> Microsoft's Live Lab, Kennedy and NASA's Ames Research Center, >> Moffett Field, Calif. >> "We see potential to use Photosynth for a variety of future mission >> activities, from inspecting the International Space Station and the >> Hubble Space Telescope to viewing landing sites on the moon and >> Mars," said Chris C. Kemp, director of Strategic Business Development >> at Ames. >> >> Photosynth was created in collaboration between Microsoft and the >> University of Washington. The software combines hundreds or thousands >> of regular digital photos of a scene to present a detailed 3-D model >> of a subject, giving viewers the sensation of smoothly gliding around >> the scene from every angle. A collection can be constructed using >> photos from a single source or multiple sources. The NASA Photosynth >> collection also includes the return of the space shuttle Atlantis to >> the Kennedy Shuttle Landing Facility from Edwards Air Force Base, >> Calif., in July. >> >> Microsoft Live Labs is an applied research organization focused on >> the incubation of innovative, Internet technologies to improve and >> accelerate the next evolution of Microsoft's Internet products and >> services. >> For more information about space shuttle Endeavour's STS-118 mission, >> visit: >> >> http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle >> >> -end- >> >> >> >> >> >> >

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Re: Average time between applying for ARISS and getting a contact date
by AJ9N＠aol.com 06 Aug '07

06 Aug '07

Morry, Plan on a waiting time of 1 to 2 years. We have had some that waited longer but the average wait is about 1.5 years. At the present time we have over 45 schools on the list. We shoot for 1 school per week but actually it ends up less than that; closer to 0.7 average. We are off limits for about 3 weeks after a crew handover (handovers are roughly every 6 months), during the week of an EVA, during a shuttle docking, and during heavy workload periods. Hope this helps. Welcome to ARISS. 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS mentors In a message dated 8/6/2007 2:10:27 A.M. Central Daylight Time, morry(a)tekinnovations.com.au writes: Hi all, I'm trying to get a rough idea of how long it takes to get a contact with the ISS. We have been told 400+ days, but considering the current list and assuming there are no unforseen delays, it would really help to know if we are looking at two, four, six years... Regards, Morry Clark ---- Sent via sarex(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/sarex ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

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Average time between applying for ARISS and getting a contact date
by Morry Clark 06 Aug '07

06 Aug '07

Hi all, I'm trying to get a rough idea of how long it takes to get a contact with the ISS. We have been told 400+ days, but considering the current list and assuming there are no unforseen delays, it would really help to know if we are looking at two, four, six years... Regards, Morry Clark

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Video from UK Scout Centenary ISS contact 4 Aug 2007
by Howard Long 05 Aug '07

05 Aug '07

Folks Video & audio: http://www.g6lvb.com/GB100JISSHiPAL.wmv (124Mb) http://www.g6lvb.com/GB100JISS.wmv (21Mb) Audio only is here: http://www.g6lvb.com/GB100JISS.mp3 (7.6Mb) Howard

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-08-05 01:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 05 Aug '07

05 Aug '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-08-05 01:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: 21st. World Scout Jamboree, Chelmsford, England, direct via GB100J Successful Sat 2007-08-04 21:10 UTC 38 deg (***) One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center, Richmond Hill, New York, Telebridge via WH6PN (***) Tue 2007-08-07 13:25 UTC 88 deg (***) Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 307. (***) 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 2007-08-05 01:00 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 2007-08-05 01:00 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 ***************************************************************************** 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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Launch Postponed 24 Hours; Crew Arrives at Kennedy
by Arthur Rowe 04 Aug '07

04 Aug '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Launch Postponed 24 Hours; Crew Arrives at Kennedy* *Launch Date:* Aug. 8 *Launch Time:* 6:36 p.m. EDT Image above: The STS-118 crew members pause for a photo at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility after arriving for their upcoming launch. Photo credit: NASA + View Full Size Image <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170419main_118crewarrival2_lg.jpg> *08.03.07 - 5 p.m. EDT* The launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-118 has been postponed 24 hours to allow the shuttle processing team additional time to complete routine work before liftoff. The new launch is targeted for Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 6:36 p.m. EDT. (2236 UTC) The additional day will provide time to complete the processing and allow the countdown to begin at 8 p.m.(0000 UTC) Sunday. Led by Commander Scott Kelly, the STS-118 flight crew has arrived at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility aboard a NASA jet. The seven astronauts will spend the remaining days until launch undergoing final prelaunch preparations, including suit fit checks, briefings, medical exams and landing practice in the shuttle training aircraft. "I would like to congratulate all the orbiter teams here at the Kennedy Space Center for the really outstanding effort they gave trying to get Endeavour ready to go for a Tuesday launch," said Commander Scott Kelly upon arriving at the spaceport. An earlier leak in Endeavour's crew cabin has been fully resolved. The problem was traced to one of two positive pressure-relief valves that ensure that the cabin does not become over-pressurized. The suspect valve was removed and replaced with a valve from Atlantis. Another round of testing was successfully completed last night, with no leakage detected. The 22nd flight to the International Space Station, STS-118 will be the first flight for Endeavour since 2002, and the first mission for Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago.

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