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Technicians to Begin Discovery Strut Repairs
by Arthur Rowe 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Technicians to Begin Discovery Strut Repairs * 17 SEPTEMBER 2007 NASA technicians will begin repair work Wednesday on a leaking hydraulic seal in space shuttle Discovery’s right main-gear strut. The struts act as shock absorbers during the shuttle's landing. Shuttle managers made the decision to go ahead with the repairs during a meeting Monday afternoon. Discovery had been scheduled to roll over Wednesday from its processing hanger to the Vehicle Assembly Building. There it will be attached to its external fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters for its upcoming mission, STS-120, to the International Space Station. A new rollover date will be set after technicians begin work on the strut and determine what needs to be fixed and how long that will take. To remove the main landing gear strut and replace seals requires disconnecting and replacing the brakes and tires, disconnecting and reconnecting instruments and other requirements to allow access to the strut. Managers will assess the ongoing repair work to decide how it might affect Discovery’s Oct. 23 target launch date. At the same meeting, managers also officially decided to add an additional spacewalk, bringing the total to five. On the extra spacewalk, Missions Specialists Scott Parazynski and Douglas Wheelock will test tile heat shield repair techniques, extending the mission to 14 days.

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Expedition 15 Ready for Progress 25 Undocking
by Arthur Rowe 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Expedition 15 Ready for Progress 25 Undocking* 17 SEPTEMBER 2007 s118e09341 -- The International Space Station as seen from the space shuttleA Progress 25 (P25) cargo craft loaded with trash and unneeded items will undock at 8:37 p.m. EDT Tuesday then burn up over the Pacific Ocean. The crew is powering up the P25 today, removing air ducts and closing hatches. The International Space Station is pictured from Space Shuttle Endeavour shortly after undocking on Aug. 19, 2007. Credit: NASA . TOVIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html Managers were considering maneuvering the station Tuesday morning before the undocking to avoid an old Strela rocket body orbiting close by. The maneuver has been cancelled and the station is all clear. Next week on Sept. 24 the International Space Station will undergo an orbital reboost. The reboost will maximize rendezvous and docking opportunities for an upcoming Soyuz launch and the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-120 in late October. The Integrated Station LAN (ISL) was completely installed over the weekend and is up and running. The new ISL expands the station’s capability to send commands between the Russian and U.S. orbital segments. + 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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ARISS event - Mitchell Elementary School, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA Monday (Sep 17) 13:39 UTC
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

An International Space Station Expedition 15 ARISS school contact has been planned with participants at Mitchell Elementary School, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA on 17 Sep. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 13:39 UTC. The contact will be a direct between stations NA1SS and N0EFT. The contact should be audible in most of eastern North America. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. In addition, the audio should be available via IRLP and EchoLink. The participants are expected to conduct the conversation in English. Mitchell Elementary school is a NASA Explorer School located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Our science and math programs integrate units that are related to NASA projects. The radio contact with the space station will enhance and increase the relevance of our students' academic activities. The experience will help enable our students to see themselves as future scientists or astronauts. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What kind of food do you eat in space? 2. Is it hard to be in space for so long? 3. Have you ever taken a space walk? What was it like? 4. How long have you been on the space station and how many people can live there at the same time? 5. Do you miss your family, and how long have you been away from them? 6. Do you ever get scared being in space for so long? 7. What will you do when you come back to Earth? 8. What kinds of jobs do you do on the space station? 9. What is it like blasting off in the shuttle? 10. How do you keep from floating around while sleeping? 11. How long did it take you to train to be an astronaut? 12. What kinds of shoes do you wear on the space station? 13: Do you have a bedtime? 14. What do you do if you get sick? 15. What made you want to become an astronaut? 16. How do you keep yourself clean in space? 17. What is the temperature in space? 18. How do you exercise in space? 19. How do the Russian crew members get to the station? 20. What do you do in your spare time? 21. How do you communicate with your Russian crewmates? 22. Does the space station stay at the same altitude above Earth? Information about the next scheduled ARISS contact can be found at http://www.rac.ca/ariss/upcoming.htm#NextContact . Next planned event(s): Pueblo Magnet High School, Tucson, Arizona, direct via KD7RPP, Fri 2007-09-21 15:04 UTC Heidelberg University for Applied Sciences, Heidelberg, Germany, telebridge via WH6PN, Mon 2007-09-24 08:00 UTC 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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NASA Showcases Next Space Station Component
by Arthur Rowe 14 Sep '07

14 Sep '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > Sept. 12, 2007 > > Katherine Trinidad > Headquarters, Washington > 202-358-3749 > katherine.trinidad(a)nasa.gov > > Tracy Young > Kennedy Space Center, Fla. > 321-867-2468 > tracy.g.young(a)nasa.gov > > > NASA SHOWCASES NEXT SPACE STATION COMPONENT > > CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Kennedy Space Center will hold a media > event at 10 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, Sept. 18, to highlight the next piece > to be added to the International Space Station. The Node-2 module, > known as Harmony, will launch aboard space shuttle Discovery on > mission STS-120, targeted for launch Oct. 23. > > Harmony will act as an internal connecting port and passageway to > additional international science labs and cargo spacecraft. The > pressurized module will increase the living and working space inside > the station and serve as a work platform outside for the station's > robotic arm. The module is approximately 21 feet long and 14 feet in > diameter. > > During the event, reporters at the Space Station Processing Facility > will have the opportunity to speak with mission managers involved in > processing Harmony for flight. Harmony is scheduled to be transferred > at the end of the month to Launch Pad 39A, in preparation for its > journey to the station. > > > The processing facility is an operational area. All participants must > be properly dressed in full-length pants, flat shoes that entirely > cover the feet, and shirts with sleeves. > > For the latest information on the STS-120 mission, visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle > > > -end- > > > > > >

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Discovery Moves Toward October Liftoff
by Arthur Rowe 14 Sep '07

14 Sep '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Discovery Moves Toward October Liftoff* Next week, the launch of space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-120 moves one step closer as technicians are scheduled to roll the shuttle the short distance from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the giant Vehicle Assembly Building. Once inside, Discovery will be lifted and then joined to the waiting boosters and tank on the mobile launch platform. The main payload for the mission, the Italian-built U.S. Harmony module for the International Space Station, will be loaded inside Discovery at the launch pad. Work on Discovery in progress. Image above: In the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers secure the tool storage assembly unit into Discovery's payload bay. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller + View larger image <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170419main_opf-lg.jpg> *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/structure/harmony.html> + Space Shuttle Discovery <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-in…>

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-09-14 21:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 14 Sep '07

14 Sep '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-09-14 21:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Westbrook Intermediate, Friendswood, Texas, telebridge via W6SRJ Successful Fri 2007-09-14 18:48 UTC 25 deg (***) Mitchell Elementary School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, direct via NØEFT Mon 2007-09-17 13:39 UTC 67 deg Pueblo Magnet High School, Tucson, Arizona, direct via KD7RPP Fri 2007-09-21 15:04 UTC 90 deg Heidelberg University for Applied Sciences, Heidelberg, D-69123, Germany, telebridge via WH6PN Mon 2007-09-24 08:00 UTC 46 deg Goforth Elementary School, Clear Creek, Texas, via WH6PN Fri 2007-09-28 16:04 UTC 82 deg via WH6PN Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC., telebridge via WH6PN Contact is a go for: Sat 2007-09-29 16:28 UTC 16 deg Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 316. (***) Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 1. Special Congratulations to Beth (KD5CAA) and Kenneth Ransom (N5VHO ARISS/ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer) on the birth of their daughter Angela Hope on 2007-09-10! Everyone is reported doing well. (***) 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 2007-09-14 21:30 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 2007-09-14 21:30 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 ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

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Crew Setting up New Network
by Arthur Rowe 13 Sep '07

13 Sep '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Crew Setting up New Network* 13 September 2007 ISS015-E-27279 : NASA astronaut Clay Anderson Image above: Flight Engineer Clay Anderson poses for a photo near the Earth observation window in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. Credit: TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html The Expedition 15 crew aboard the International Space Station Thursday continued setting up a new local area network (LAN) and gathering trash for disposal in a Progress cargo craft. Flight Engineer Clay Anderson completed a check of the station's emergency lighting system and installed handrail fasteners in the Unity node early Thursday. After lunch, Anderson returned to work on the Integrated Station LAN (ISL) network system. He installed network cables, connected the router and worked on the External Wireless Instrumentation System. The ISL provides network connections between the Destiny lab, the Unity node, the Quest airlock and the service module. It eliminates drag-through cables in hatches, will be up to ten times faster than the current LAN and has provisions for future expansion. Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov continue to stow unneeded hardware and trash in the docked ISS Progress 25 cargo craft. The Progress will undock from the station on Sept. 18 and burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. + Read more about Expedition 16 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition16/index.ht…> + View Hurricane Felix imagery <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/multimedia/exp15_hurricane_felix.…> + Read about the PMA-3 relocation <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/pma3move…> + 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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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-09-13 20:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 13 Sep '07

13 Sep '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-09-13 20:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Westbrook Intermediate, Clear Creek, Texas, telebridge via W6SRJ Fri 2007-09-14 18:48 UTC 25 deg Mitchell Elementary School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, direct via NØEFT Mon 2007-09-17 13:39 UTC 67 deg Pueblo Magnet High School, Tucson, Arizona, direct via KD7RPP Fri 2007-09-21 15:04 UTC 90 deg Heidelberg University for Applied Sciences, Heidelberg, D-69123, Germany, telebridge via WH6PN (***) Mon 2007-09-24 08:00 UTC 46 deg (***) Goforth Elementary School, Clear Creek, Texas, via WH6PN ***) Fri 2007-09-28 16:04 UTC 82 deg via WH6PN (***) Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC., telebridge via WH6PN (***) Contact is a go for: Sat 2007-09-29 16:28 UTC 16 deg (***) Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 315. (***) Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 1. Special Congratulations to Beth (KD5CAA) and Kenneth Ransom (N5VHO ARISS/ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer) on the birth of their daughter Angela Hope on 2007-09-10! Everyone is reported doing well. (***) 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 2007-09-13 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 2007-09-12 21:30 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 ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-09-12 21:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 12 Sep '07

12 Sep '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-09-12 21:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: M.L. King Academy (formerly Alexander Macomb Academy), Mount Clemens, MI, direct via N8LC Successful Wed 2007-09-12 14:59 UTC 31 deg (***) Westbrook Intermediate, Clear Creek, Texas, telebridge via W6SRJ Fri 2007-09-14 18:48 UTC 25 deg Mitchell Elementary School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, direct via NØEFT Mon 2007-09-17 13:39 UTC 67 deg Pueblo Magnet High School, Tucson, Arizona, direct via KD7RPP Fri 2007-09-21 15:04 UTC 90 deg Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 315. (***) Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 1. Special Congratulations to Beth (KD5CAA) and Kenneth Ransom (N5VHO ARISS/ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer) on the birth of their daughter Angela Hope on 2007-09-10! Everyone is reported doing well. (***) 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 2007-09-12 21:30 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 2007-09-12 21:30 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 ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

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Astronauts Bring NASA's Magic to Disney
by Arthur Rowe 12 Sep '07

12 Sep '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 Astronauts Bring NASA's Magic to Disney 09.11.07 "Five... Four... Three... Two... One..." A voice over the loudspeakers counted down as the crowd waited in anticipation outside the "Mission: SPACE" attraction at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center in Orlando. Finally, with a thundering /whoosh/ and an explosion of smoke and confetti, a glass plaque bearing the inspirational words of astronaut Barbara R. Morgan was unveiled as onlookers cheered. "Reach for your dreams...the sky is no limit," states the plaque outside the ride that takes guests on a simulated journey into space. Mission Specialist Barbara R. Morgan (left) helps dedicate a plaque outside the Mission: Space attraction.The plaque dedication was part of Disney World's "NASA Space Day" celebration on Sept. 10, 2007, in which the seven astronauts who flew aboard space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-118 mission were honored for their hard work in space with a visit to "the happiest place on Earth." Throughout the day, students and theme park guests gathered to listen as the blue-suited astronauts answered questions and shared stories of their spaceflight experiences. Image right: Mission Specialist Barbara R. Morgan (left) helps dedicate a plaque outside the Mission: Space attraction. At right are Vice President of Epcot Jim MacPhee and NASA Assistant Administrator for Education Joyce Winterton. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton TO VIEW IMAGES GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/disney.html A special education session gave students from Orlando-area schools the opportunity to speak with 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. Local fourth- and fifth-graders joined students from the Oak Ridge High School Aviation and Aerospace Academy Magnet Program, and the Osceola High School Aviation Academy. One student asked which was the most difficult and challenging obstacle the astronauts faced. "Everybody has a different challenge or obstacle that they have to overcome," answered Mastracchio. "One of the things that I ran into is when I graduated from college I wanted to be a military pilot, so I went to join the Air Force or the Navy or the Marines." Mastracchio went on to explain that because he has to wear glasses or contacts to improve his vision, he couldn't be a pilot, so he decided instead to work for NASA as an engineer. The astronauts answer questions from the student audience."I kept putting in astronaut application after astronaut application, and eventually got selected as an astronaut and got to fly in space two times," Mastracchio said. "So even though you meet obstacles, there are always ways around those obstacles to achieve your goals and make your dreams come true." Image left: The crew members of space shuttle mission STS-118 answer questions from the student audience. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton Education has been a strong focus for the STS-118 crew members, who participated in a series of question-and-answer sessions with students on Earth during the 13-day mission in August 2007. The assembly flight to the International Space Station was highlighted by the installation of the two-ton S5 truss segment, a high-tech girder that extends the length of the station's backbone by 11 feet. The astronauts also activated the new Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System, which allows a docked shuttle to draw power from the outpost, making more time for station construction. While at Disney, the astronauts also took the time to answer questions from enthusiastic park guests. Five-year-old Kaitlyn Brown was visiting the theme park with her father, Clyde, who happens to be a NASA contractor employee at the agency's Langley Research Center in Virginia. Kaitlyn asked how long it takes to adapt to space. "It's different for every person," Morgan answered, remembering that she felt upside-down at first. "But I got used to it, and that's when the fun starts." The STS-118 crew members march down Main Street at Walt Disney World in Orlando.As the day drew to a close, the crew members served as honorary grand marshals of the Magic Kingdom's afternoon parade. Families gathered on the sidewalks in a drizzling rain along the park's famed Main Street to watch and applaud as the astronauts waved. Image right: With Cinderella's castle in the background, the seven STS-118 crew members march down Main Street at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton Ariel Katz, a 7-year-old visiting from Brooklyn, N.Y., watched with excitement as the crew passed by. "I was out of my mind when I saw the astronauts!" the second-grader exclaimed breathlessly afterward. The boy's mother, Helene Feit-Katz, said they were simply visiting the Magic Kingdom on vacation when they found out the STS-118 crew was there. "It's a pleasant surprise. I never expected this," she said. "It's amazing. You don't know what this does for Ariel." As it turns out, one of the major highlights of the family's trip to Florida was a visit to Kennedy Space Center, which is only about an hour away from Orlando. It's a small world, after a

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