SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468
*One Up, One to Go* The deployment of the International Space Station’s new set of solar arrays reached the halfway point about 7:08 a.m. EDT today when the left wing was fully extended. The arrays will span 240 feet when the right wing is completely unfurled about 8:30 a.m.
Full deployment is occurring in stages to allow the arrays to warm up, which prevents them from sticking while being deployed. The first stage began about 6:27 a.m. EDT. The arrays were installed on to the station Tuesday and will eventually double the orbital outpost’s power capabilities.
Earlier this morning, flight controllers deployed only one bay mast on the right and left wings. This step was done to confirm a new procedure designed to avoid large motion that occurred during the P6 array deployment in 2000.
The deployment activities started later than planned due to a software problem with the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint. The Mission Control Center team developed a workaround and proceeded with the checkout and deployment activities.
In other activities today, STS-115 crewmembers will command the International Space Station’s robot arm to move from the Mobile Base System to the Destiny Laboratory Module. The STS-115 and the Expedition 13 crews will prepare for Friday’s spacewalk.
Space Shuttle Atlantis and station crewmembers will take time out of their schedules to talk with reporters and officials. Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Steve MacLean is scheduled to talk with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at 11:25 a.m. STS-115 Commander Brent Jett, Expedition 13 Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Expedition Astronaut Thomas Reiter are scheduled to talk with National Public Radio and CNN at 11:50 a.m. These events will be aired on NASA T