AUTOMATED JULES VERNE CRAFT CARRIES CARGO, SPACE STATION RISK - Inside the International Space Station is a big red button with a plastic cover. It means only one thing if the astronauts press it: their lives are in danger. It's the button to abort the pending arrival of a new European-made cargo carrier, the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which is now hurtling toward the space station. How well that ship works is a life-or-death matter for the station's three residents. More (Source: USA Today - Apr 1)
NASA SETS MEDIA CREDENTIALS DEADLINES FOR NEXT SHUTTLE FLIGHT - NASA has set media accreditation deadlines for space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission, targeted to launch May 31. The 13-day flight to the International Space Station will include three spacewalks to continue assembly of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle's seven-member crew will work with the station crew and ground teams to install a new pressurized lab and a robotic arm for Kibo. More (Source: NewsBlaze - Apr 1)
ENDEAVOUR LANDS AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER - Heralded by its trademark twin sonic booms, space shuttle Endeavour returned to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:39 p.m. EDT, concluding the STS-123 mission with a smooth touchdown on Runway 15. Endeavour is being checked over by the landing convoy, a team of about 25 vehicles or units and 150 people who prepare the orbiter for towing and help the astronaut crew exit the winged spacecraft. The astronaut crew, commanded by astronaut Dominic Gorie, will leave Endeavour's crew module shortly for brief medical exams. More (Source: NASA - Mar 27)
STS-123 LANDING DELAYED - Flight controllers decided to pass on Endeavour’s first landing opportunity today. The next opportunity is at 8:39 p.m. EDT. STS-123 arrived at the station March 12, delivering the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section, the first pressurized component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory, to the station. More (Source: NASA - Mar 26)
SHUTTLE READY TO LAND AFTER 'TWO-WEEK ADVENTURE' - With fine weather expected for landing, the shuttle Endeavour and its crew of seven aimed for a touchdown right before sunset Wednesday to wrap up "a two-week adventure" at the international space station. "We think it's looking really nice to get you home," Mission Control informed the astronauts. More (Source: CNN.com - Mar 26)
SHUTTLE CREW PREPARES FOR LANDING - After a week and a half of complex orbital construction work, Endeavour's seven astronauts undocked from the international space station and began their journey home. The space shuttle is scheduled to land on Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center, ending a record-setting mission to the orbiting outpost. Endeavour's astronauts will spend Tuesday preparing their ship for touchdown. More (Source: CNN.com - Mar 25)
CREW USES BOOM TO CHECK SHUTTLE'S SKIN - Endeavour's astronauts inspected their ship's thermal skin Friday for any damage from orbital debris, using a laser-tipped boom that will be left behind at the international space station. The slow and meticulous survey normally is conducted after a space shuttle leaves the space station. This time, it was done with the shuttle still docked. That's because the 50-foot inspection boom will be left behind for the next shuttle crew. More (Source: CNN.com - Mar 22)
DIRECTV SATELLITE SET FOR LAUNCH - The postponed launch of DirecTV’s newest satellite is now set to go Wednesday, according to officials. Sea Launch Tuesday said it was proceeding with the liftoff of DirecTV 11 at 3:48 p.m. PDT tomorrow. The company had put a hold on the countdown for the launch, which was originally slated for Monday, “to allow the team to study an issue,” Sea Launch had said on its web site. More (Source: Multichannel News - Mar 19)
SPACEWALKERS RESORT TO BANGING, PRY BAR - Two spacewalking astronauts attached 11-foot arms to the international space station's huge new robot Sunday, preparing the giant machine for its handyman job on the orbital outpost. The Canadian-built robot, named Dextre, will stand 12 feet and have a mass of 3,400 pounds when it's fully assembled. More (Source: CNN.com - Mar 17)
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