posted 10-03-2008 12:24 PM               

Endeavour Launch Targeted for Nov. 14

Space Shuttle Program managers advanced the target launch date for Endeavour's STS-126 mission by two days to Nov. 14 at 7:55 p.m. EST.

Endeavour will carry new equipment to the International Space Station that will allow the orbiting laboratory to double its current resident crew from three to six. One Endeavour crew member, Sandra Magnus, will remain on the station for a long-duration mission when Endeavour returns. She will take the place of current station resident crewman Greg Chamitoff.

Endeavour will be moved from Pad 39B to Pad 39A on Oct. 25.

posted 10-22-2008 12:46 PM               

The STS-126 payload, the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Leonardo, was loaded into a cargo canister on Tuesday in preparation for its move earlier today to Pad 39A.

posted 10-22-2008 03:37 PM               

Shuttle Endeavour Moves to Launch Pad, Practice Liftoff Set

Space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to move from Launch Pad 39B to Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., as early as 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, as preparations for the STS-126 mission move forward. Endeavour is targeted to lift off Nov. 14 to the International Space Station.

Early Thursday morning, NASA managers will decide when to move the shuttle based on the progress of removing the payload canister from the pad following installation into the pad's changeout room.

The payload was delivered to Pad A early Wednesday morning. Endeavour had been scheduled to move Saturday, Oct. 25, but possibly severe weather now is forecast for the area.

NASA Television will provide live video of Endeavour's rollaround beginning at 8 a.m. Video highlights of the rollout will air on the NASA TV Video File.

The move will take approximately seven hours. After reaching its launch pad, Endeavour will await its next major milestone. A launch dress rehearsal, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, is scheduled to take place at Kennedy from Oct. 27 to 29.

During Endeavour's 15-day mission, the shuttle's seven crew members will deliver supplies and equipment necessary to double the station crew size from three to six members and during four spacewalks, service the station's two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, which allow its solar arrays to track the sun. The shuttle also will deliver Expedition 18 crew member Sandra Magnus and return Expedition 17 flight engineer Greg Chamitoff, who has been aboard the station for more than five months.

Chris Ferguson will command Endeavour. Eric Boe is the pilot. Mission specialists are Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Donald Pettit and Magnus.

The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training.

The following media events are associated with the test. All times are Eastern.

• Oct. 26: STS-126 crew arrival. The crew will arrive between 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. Arrival will be broadcast live on NASA TV.

• Oct. 28: STS-126 crew media availability. The astronauts will take questions from reporters at Launch Pad 39A at 8:30 a.m. The session will be carried live on NASA TV.

• Oct. 29: STS-126 crew walkout photo opportunity. The astronauts will depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 a.m. in their flight entry suits in preparation for the countdown demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will not be broadcast live but will be part of the NASA TV Video File.

Video b-roll of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test will also be available on the NASA TV Video File.

posted 10-23-2008 03:27 PM               

Space shuttle Endeavour completed its 3.46 mile rollaround on Thursday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39B to Pad 39A. The move began at 7:28 a.m. CDT. The vehicle was "hard down" on 39A just before 3:40 p.m.

posted 10-27-2008 12:14 AM               

From left to right: Mission specialists Shane Kimbrough and Stephen Bowen, pilot Eric Boe, commander Chris Ferguson, mission specialists Don Pettit, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, and ISS flight engineer Sandy Magnus.

The astronauts will check over the equipment they will use in space during their mission and will practice several emergency procedures. Ferguson and Boe also will take to the skies over the Shuttle Landing Facility to practice landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft.

posted 10-30-2008 05:40 PM               

NASA Gives "Go" for Space Shuttle Launch on Nov. 14

NASA managers completed a review Thursday of space shuttle Endeavour's readiness for flight and selected the official launch date for the STS-126 mission. Commander Chris Ferguson and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off to the International Space Station at 7:55 p.m. EST on Nov. 14.

Endeavour's STS-126 flight will feature important repair work to the station and prepare it for housing six crew members during long-duration missions. The primary focus of the 15-day flight and its four planned spacewalks is to service the station's two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, which allow its solar arrays to track the sun. Endeavour will carry about 32,000 pounds to orbit, including supplies and equipment necessary to double the crew size from three to six members in spring 2009. The new station cargo includes additional sleeping quarters, a second toilet and a resistance exercise device.

Endeavour's launch date was announced after the conclusion of Thursday's Flight Readiness Review. During the meeting, top NASA and contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and determined the shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for flight.

Ferguson will be joined on STS-126 by Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Donald Pettit, Steve Bowen, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Shane Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus. Magnus will replace space station crew member Greg Chamitoff, who has been aboard the station for more than five months. She will return to Earth during the next shuttle mission, STS-119, targeted to launch in February 2009.