FIRST STS-126 SPACEWALK PLANNED FOR TODAY - The STS-126 and Expedition 18 crews woke up today at 8:55 a.m. EST. Shuttle astronauts Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper and Steve Bowen are scheduled to perform their mission's first spacewalk today at 1:45 p.m. They "camped out" in the station's Quest airlock overnight to reduce their preparation time. More (Source: NASA - Nov 18)
CREWS PREPARE FOR SPACEWALK - The STS-126 and Expedition 18 crew members reviewed spacewalk procedures to prepare for the first of four spacewalks planned during the mission. The spacewalkers, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper and Steve Bowen, are following a proven protocol known as the “campout”. This consists of spending the night in the Quest airlock to lessen the preparatory time before beginning the spacewalk scheduled for 1:45 p.m. EST. More (Source: NASA - Nov 18)
LEONARDO ATTACHED TO STATION - The Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module has been attached to the space station. Inside the MPLM are systems to be installed in the U.S. Destiny lab and Harmony node, such as: two water recovery systems racks for recycling urine into potable water, a second toilet system, new galley components, two new food warmers, a food refrigerator, an experiment freezer, a combustion science experiment rack, two separate sleeping quarters and a resistance exercise device. More (Source: NASA - Nov 17)
SHUTTLE ARRIVES AT STATION, DELIVERS NEW FLIGHT ENGINEER - The hatches between the International Space Station and space shuttle Endeavour are now open. Expedition 18 welcomed the STS-126 crew members inside the Harmony Node at 7:16 p.m. EST on Sunday. Sandra Magnus, who arrived aboard Endeavour, swapped Soyuz seatliners with station astronaut Greg Chamitoff at 9:50 p.m. replacing him as Expedition 18 Flight Engineer. Chamitoff is now an STS-126 mission specialist and will return home on Endeavour in two weeks. More (Source: NASA - Nov 17)
HEAT SHIELD INSPECTIONS COMPLETE, STATION AWAITS SHUTTLE - Saturday's shuttle heat shield inspections are complete. The astronauts used the Orbiter Boom Sensor System attached to the shuttle's robotic arm to scan the heat shield. They also scanned an area beneath the left Orbital Maneuvering System pod for further analysis on the ground. On Sunday, space shuttle Endeavour will approach the International Space Station for a docking at 5:04 p.m. EST. Just before docking Endeavour will perform a backflip so station astronauts can photograph the heat shield for more analysis. More (Source: NASA - Nov 16)
INSPECTION DAY ABOARD THE SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR - STS-126 crew members will use the shuttle’s robotic arm and its extension to look at the spacecraft’s thermal protection system. They also will prepare for Sunday afternoon's docking with the station by installing the Orbiter Docking System centerline camera and extending the system’s docking ring. A checkout of the spacesuits to be used during the four spacewalks by Endeavour crewmembers outside the International Space Station also is on the agenda. More (Source: NASA - Nov 15)
ENDEAVOUR SOARS INTO THE NIGHT SKY! - Space shuttle Endeavour roared off Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on a spectacular tower of smoke and flames. The STS-126 mission is an extremely ambitious undertaking, highlighting four spacewalks and delivering the heaviest payload in shuttle history. NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson commands the seven-member crew, which includes Pilot Eric Boe, Mission Specialists Donald Pettit, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus. More (Source: NASA - Nov 15)
SPIDERS, URINE RECYCLER ABOARD FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH - The space shuttle Endeavor is set to launch this evening with an odd assortment of cargo—including live spiders, butterflies, and new technology to turn urine into drinking water. Besides seven astronauts, Endeavor's cargo includes two new sleeping chambers, a second toilet, and a water-purification system, all of which will let NASA double the occupancy of the International Space Station to six. More (Source: National Geographic - Nov 14)
NASA BEGINS COUNTDOWN FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH - Countdown clocks at the Kennedy Space Centre began ticking down on Tuesday towards Friday's launch of space shuttle Endeavour on a mission to outfit the International Space Station for an expanded live-aboard crew. Liftoff is targeted for 7:55 p.m. EST (12:55 a.m. Saturday British time). At a news conference on Tuesday, managers said the shuttle was in good shape for launch. More (Source: Reuters UK - Nov 12)
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