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  STS-118: Endeavour docks at the International Space Station, August 10, 1:02 pm. CDT

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Author Topic:   STS-118: Endeavour docks at the International Space Station, August 10, 1:02 pm. CDT
Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-10-2007 01:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

The seven STS-118 crew members reached their destination today when space shuttle Endeavour docked with the international space station at 1:02 p.m. CDT. STS-118 will continue the on-orbit construction of the station with the addition of the Starboard 5 (S5) truss segment.

The astronauts will enter the station for the first time about 2:21 p.m., following the completion of leak and pressure checks between the two spacecraft. The STS-118 crew and the station's Expedition 15 crew will then begin joint operations, including preparations for Saturday's installation of the S5 truss and spacewalk. The two crews will also begin cargo transfers between Endeavour and the station.

At 4:51 p.m. CDT, the crew will activate the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS), which is designed to reroute power from the station to a visiting shuttle. If the transfer system works as expected, mission managers could elect to extend STS-118’s mission from 11 to 14 days and increase the number of STS-118 spacewalks from three to four. A decision on a possible extension could occur Saturday or Sunday.

irish guy
Member

Posts: 287
From: Kerry Ireland
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 08-10-2007 01:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for irish guy   Click Here to Email irish guy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
ISS and shuttle docking, live on Sky TV... Just press the red button. Thanks again, Sky.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-10-2007 03:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
After a short delay while the shuttle's robotic arm was used to grapple the S5 truss in Endeavour's payload bay, the hatches were opened at 3:04 p.m. CDT and the STS-118 astronauts entered the ISS, where they were greeted by the Expedition 15 crew.

The schedule for the remainder of the day is busy for the two crews as they prepare for Saturday’s installation of the Starboard 5 (S5) truss onto the station and the first STS-118 spacewalk. The S5 will be attached to the end of the Starboard 4 truss to set the stage for the addition of the Starboard 6 truss and its solar arrays during a future shuttle mission.

In other activities today, the two crews will transfer supplies and equipment between Endeavour and the station.

NavySpaceFan
Member

Posts: 655
From: Norfolk, VA
Registered: May 2007

posted 08-13-2007 05:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NavySpaceFan   Click Here to Email NavySpaceFan     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just watched my TiVo recording of the welcoming ceremony for STS-118, and I did not hear CDR Kelly rung on board as "ENDEAVOUR, arriving!" Are the ISS crews moving away from that great maritime tradition? I hope not!

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-13-2007 05:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As I understand it, whether or not the bell is rung is the prerogative of the ISS commander and has typically been a tradition kept going by the U.S. Navy astronauts who have been aboard. While Scott Kelly is a naval aviator, the ISS 15 commander is a Russian and the only American crew member, Clay Anderson is a civilian.

Another consideration however, specific to STS-118, is that the arrival ceremony was among the events being filmed for Barbara Morgan's educational videos to be distributed post-flight to students and teachers. It may have been that the ringing of the bell didn't fit into the script for Morgan's lessons.

All times are CT (US)

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