Author Topic: STS-134 Press releases  (Read 81615 times)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #40 on: 04/20/2011 07:55 pm »
Final Flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour:

Canada’s Contribution

Longueuil, Quebec, April 20, 2011- The final flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled for April 29, 2011, at 3:47 p.m. EDT. This is the second-to-last mission before the Space Shuttle program retires later this year.

This flight will mark Canadarm’s 89th mission since it first flew on Shuttle Columbia for STS-2 in 1981.  You can find Canadarm’s complete flight history on our website at: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/canadarm/


Canadian astronauts have flown 14 times on the Space Shuttle and once on the Soyuz.   Marc Garneau, Chris Hadfield, Dave Williams and Julie Payette are the only Canadians to have flown aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Julie Payette’s tribute to Endeavour can be viewed at: ftp://ftp.asc-csa.gc.ca/users/Medias/pub/20110418_end_of_shuttle_flights/

You will find a tribute from former CSA Astronaut Dave Williams on the Space Shuttle: ftp://ftp.asc-csa.gc.ca/users/Medias/pub/20110418_end_of_shuttle_flights/


Canadian content aboard Endeavour:

Dexter’s spare arm and computer

The Express Logistics Carrier 3 will carry several spare parts for Canadian robots to sustain operations once the Shuttle is retired from service, including: a spare arm for Dextre, remote power controller modules (large circuit breaker boxes), and an arm computer unit (the heart of Canadarm2’s computer subsystem).


Other spare parts for Canadian robotics include an additional grapple fixture, or anchor point, for Canadarm2.

Science:

HYPERSOLE

The last Canadian science experiment for the Space Shuttle, Hypersole will determine changes in skin sensitivity before and after spaceflight, and whether these changes are related to balance control. Changes in sensitivity will be measured on the foot sole, where skin receptors related to balance and maintaining balance while moving are located. The Principal Investigator for Hypersole is Dr Leah R. Bent of the University of Guelph. Hypersole was first conducted on STS-132 in May 2010.

Data from Hypersole are expected to make a significant contribution to existing studies of the aging process and reductions in information relayed by skin sensors that lead to a loss of balance control and, among the elderly especially, a greater incidence of falls. The data will also provide knowledge that benefits astronauts as they perform their flight and post-flight duties.


A backgrounder is available at: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/hypersole.asp

 

VASCULAR

Blood samples collected as part of the VASCULAR experiment will be returned to Earth aboard STS-134 for analysis. Health Consequences of Long-Duration Flight (VASCULAR) will conduct an integrated investigation of mechanisms responsible for changes in blood vessel structure with long-duration space flight and will link this with functional and health consequences that parallel changes with the aging process. Dr. Richard Hughson of the University of Waterloo leads the VASCULAR science team, which is funded by the Canadian Space Agency and supported by NASA.

 
For more information:
Media Relations

(450) 926-4370
www.asc-csa.gc.ca
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #41 on: 04/22/2011 05:32 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M17-11

AIRSPACE, ROAD, BRIDGE AND WATER CLOSURES FOR STS-134 LAUNCH

Launch Date: April 29, 2011
Launch Vehicle: Space shuttle Endeavour, STS-134 Mission
Launch Pad: 39A
Launch Window: 3:42 - 3:52 p.m. EDT
Targeted Launch Time: 3:47 p.m. EDT

NASA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA AVIATION FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS

What: Cape Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)

When: Friday, April 29, from 8:42 a.m. until no later than 4:23 p.m.
EDT. If postponed 24 hours to Saturday, April 30, from 8:20 a.m.
until no later than 4:01 p.m. EDT.

Where: General aviation and VFR operations are prohibited within a
30-nautical-mile radius of Launch Pad 39A from the surface to (but
not including) 18,000 feet (located on the Melbourne VOR/DME
004-degree radial at 30.6 nautical miles). Pilots should obtain NOTAM
information regarding affected airports.

Aeronautical Chart in Use: Orlando Class B terminal area and
Jacksonville sectional

Additional airspace restrictions: Within an airspace radius between 30
and 40 nautical miles of Pad 39A, a discrete transponder code must be
obtained and clearance granted from air traffic control before
entering this airspace. Continuous radio communications must be
maintained. All VFR aircraft are restricted to 180 knots or less
unless a variance is granted by air traffic control. Pilots should
obtain NOTAM information to determine the affected airports within
this radius before departure.

NOTAM Information: St. Petersburg Flight Service Station
Telephone: 1-800-992-7433
Radio frequencies: 123.6 MHz (Titusville), 122.6 MHz (Melbourne)

Radio Communications: FAA Orlando Approach Control
Titusville/Cocoa area: 134.950 MHz
Melbourne area: 132.650 MHz
South Volusia County: 125.350 MHz
Space Coast Regional Airport control tower: 118.9 MHz

PUBLIC ACCESS ROAD CLOSURES

- The Cape Canaveral National Seashore (Playalinda Beach) will close
for launch on Monday, April 25, at 6 p.m. and will reopen after
launch. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge will close on
Thursday, April 28, at 6 p.m. and will reopen after launch.

- State Road 406 east to State Road 3, and State Road 3 from the
Haulover Canal bridge south to County Road 402 leading to Titusville
will be open to badged personnel only beginning on Thursday, April
28, at 6 p.m. These roads will close to all vehicle traffic on
Friday, April 29, at 1:30 p.m. until after a successful launch is
confirmed.

- The A. Max Brewer Causeway bridge on S.R. 406 in Titusville (north
bridge) will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic beginning two
hours prior to launch and will remain closed up to two hours after
launch.

- State Road 3 from the Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification
Building to State Road 405 (NASA Causeway) via Space Commerce Way
will be closed for launch to unauthorized vehicles beginning at 8:30
a.m. on Friday, April 29. NASA Causeway between the U.S. Astronaut
Hall of Fame and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will also
close starting at that time. The roads will reopen two hours after
launch.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday, April 25 (L-4 days),
and continuing through launch, a general exclusion zone will be in
effect three miles offshore from the Haulover Canal, on the northern
end of Kennedy Space Center, and southward to Port Canaveral. Four
hours prior to launch, all ocean-going traffic will be restricted
from entering an area measured from nine statute miles north and
south of the launch pad and extending 64 nautical miles east into the
ocean. An additional three-mile-wide exclusion zone will be extended
eastward along the flight path of the space shuttle.

INDIAN RIVER: Restrictions apply from the NASA Causeway north to
Haulover Canal and east of the Indian River's main channel.
Restrictions are in effect four days prior to launch beginning at 6
a.m. on Monday, April 25.

MOSQUITO LAGOON: This area south of Haulover Canal in the Mosquito
Lagoon is off limits to all boats four days prior to launch beginning
at 6 a.m. on Monday, April 25.

BANANA RIVER: Security limits begin at the Banana River Barge Canal
south of Kennedy which is located immediately above State Road 528
and extends north. The area includes KARS Park on Merritt Island.
This restriction is effective four days prior to launch beginning at
6 a.m. on Monday, April 25.

All boating restrictions will be lifted one hour after launch. Boating
interests should monitor U.S. Coast Guard Radio transmitting on
Marine Channel 16 from Port Canaveral.

For more information about Endeavour's STS-134 mission and crew,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle 

Jacques :-)

Offline theonlyspace

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #42 on: 04/23/2011 12:19 am »
Not sure where to post this for STS -134....The NASA PRESS KIT is now available on line at NASA SPACE SHUTTLE Web site....The Final Flight of space shuttle Endeavour.

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #43 on: 04/29/2011 03:26 am »
RELEASE: 11-129

NASA ASTRONAUTS CHALLENGE EARTHLINGS TO CHESS REMATCH

HOUSTON -- NASA astronauts Greg Chamitoff and Greg H. Johnson, who
will launch into space Friday, April 29, are challenging the people
of Earth to a chess rematch. NASA and the U.S. Chess Federation
(USCF) hosted the first Earth vs. space match in 2008 when Chamitoff
lived aboard the International Space Station.

The public won that match thanks to help from chess champions at
Stevenson Elementary School in Bellevue, Wash.

"Chess is a great game that challenges the mind and helps young people
develop critical thinking skills that will serve them well in math,
science, and all aspects of their future careers," Chamitoff said.

He and Johnson will play the game during their 14-day space shuttle
flight to the International Space Station. The USCF will facilitate
the match on its website at:



http://www.uschess.org/nasa2011/


At the site, the public can suggest or vote on a chess move. The USCF
will decide how to respond to the astronauts' moves. NASA and USCF
will use Twitter and Facebook to notify participants about the status
of the game and when to vote on moves.

"We hope the excitement and interest this game generates will inspire
students to become interested in chess," said USCF Executive Director
Bill Hall.

Chamitoff, who will conduct two spacewalks during the shuttle mission,
is a chess aficionado. He took a chess set when he launched to the
space station in May 2008, and brought it back when he returned home
in November 2008. He will be taking a different chess set for this
trip.

"We hope to do better in this Earth vs. space match," Chamitoff said.
"But, I have to admit it will be a challenge because we have an
extremely busy flight ahead of us."

Updates on the chess match will be posted on the USCF Twitter and
Facebook sites, Chamitoff's Twitter account and the International
Space Station's official Facebook page:



http://twitter.com/chessmagnet




http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-vs-Space-Chess-Match-2011




http://twitter.com/Astro_Taz




http://facebook.com/ISS/


For more about Chamitoff, the space shuttle and the space station,
visit:



http://www.nasa.gov

       
-end-

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #44 on: 04/30/2011 07:48 am »
RELEASE: 11-130

NASA RESETS SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR'S LAUNCH FOR NO EARLIER THAN MAY 2

WASHINGTON -- NASA managers met Friday to discuss the status of space
shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station. The
launch was postponed because of a heater issue associated with the
shuttle's hydraulic power system. The next launch attempt will be no
earlier than May 2.

The shuttle has three Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) that provide
hydraulic power to steer the vehicle during ascent and entry. NASA
launch commit criteria and flight rules require all three APUs to be
fully operational for launch.

Endeavour's external fuel tank was drained of more than 500,000
gallons of liquid hydrogen and oxygen so engineers can access the
area Saturday and evaluate the issue with APU 1.

For the latest information about the STS-134 mission and its crew,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

For information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

       
-end-

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #45 on: 05/01/2011 08:37 pm »
RELEASE: 11-131

SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR LAUNCH NO EARLIER THAN MAY 8

CAPE CANAVERAL -- NASA managers have determined space shuttle
Endeavour will not launch before Sunday, May 8, but will not
officially set a new launch date until early this week.

After Friday's launch scrub, Kennedy Space Center technicians searched
for the cause of a failure in a heater circuit associated with
Endeavour's hydraulic power system. The failure was found to be in a
power circuit in a switchbox in the shuttle's aft compartment.

Managers and engineers are developing a schedule to remove and replace
the switchbox and retest the new unit. That work will delay
Endeavour's launch until at least May 8.

The shuttle has three Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) that provide
hydraulic power to steer the vehicle during ascent and entry. The
hydrazine fuel lines on each APU have two heater circuits that
prevent the fuel from freezing while the shuttle is in space. NASA
launch commit criteria and flight rules require all three APUs and
heater circuits to be operational for liftoff.

Endeavour's six astronauts have returned to NASA's Johnson Space
Center in Houston for several days of additional training. For the
latest information about the shuttle mission and its crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Jacques :-)

Offline Ford Mustang

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #46 on: 05/06/2011 10:15 pm »
RELEASE: 11-145

SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR TO LAUNCH NO EARLIER THAN MAY 16

News Conference Scheduled for May 9

CAPE CANAVERAL -- NASA managers have retargeted space shuttle
Endeavour’s launch to no earlier than Monday, May 16. After a meeting
on Friday, they also extended the length of Endeavour's STS-134
mission to the International Space Station from 14 to 16 days. If
Endeavour launches on May 16, liftoff would be at 8:56 a.m. EDT.

At 3 p.m. on Monday, May 9, NASA Space Shuttle Program Launch
Integration Manager Mike Moses and Shuttle Launch Director Mike
Leinbach will hold a news conference at Kennedy Space Center in
Florida to discuss the progress of repairs since Endeavour's launch
postponement on April 29. The news conference will air live on NASA
Television and the agency's website. Reporters may ask questions from
participating NASA centers or by calling into a phone bridge.

Kennedy technicians are continuing work to resolve an issue in a
heater circuit associated with Endeavour’s hydraulic system that
resulted in the launch postponement. Technicians determined the
failure was inside an aft load control assembly, which is a switchbox
in the shuttle's aft compartment, and possibly its associated
electrical wiring.

Although the root cause of the failure in the switchbox has not been
found, technicians are replacing hardware that could have caused the
problem. The faulty box was changed Wednesday, and a test of nine
shuttle systems powered by the new box is under way.

This weekend, technicians will install and check out new wiring that
bypasses the suspect electrical wiring connecting the switchbox to
the heaters. They also will run the heaters for up to 30 minutes to
verify they are working properly and complete retesting of the other
systems powered by the switchbox.

The shuttle has three Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) that provide
hydraulic power to steer the vehicle during ascent and entry. The
hydrazine fuel lines on each APU have two heater circuits that
prevent the fuel from freezing while the shuttle is in space. NASA
launch commit criteria and flight rules require all APUs and heater
circuits to be operational for launch. On Endeavour’s first launch
attempt, one of two heaters for APU-1’s fuel line did not work.
Engineers confirmed the circuit in the original switchbox that
directed power to the heaters was shorted out.

Launch attempts are available through May 26. May 21 is the only day a
launch is not an option because it would lead to a May 23 docking
with the space station. May 23 is when three of the space station’s
Expedition 27 crew members undock and return home in their Soyuz
spacecraft. Managers reviewed the STS-134 mission timeline and
determined the Endeavour crew can accomplish all objectives even with
the departure of the three station crew members.

To use the phone bridge for the May 9 news conference, reporters must
have valid media credentials issued by a NASA center or for the
STS-134 mission. Journalists planning to use the phone bridge must
contact the NASA Johnson Space Center’s newsroom at 281-483-5111 no
later than 2:45 p.m. Newsroom personnel will verify credentials and
transfer reporters to the phone bridge. Capacity is limited and
available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming
video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv  Endeavour's six astronauts will return to
Kennedy on May 12. For the latest information about the shuttle
mission and its crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

   
-end-
« Last Edit: 05/06/2011 10:16 pm by Ford Mustang »

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #47 on: 05/09/2011 08:29 pm »
RELEASE: 11-134

NASA SETS MAY 16 FOR FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL -- NASA managers have set the liftoff of space shuttle
Endeavour for 8:56 a.m. EDT on Monday, May 16. Launch attempts are
available through May 26, except for May 21. The STS-134 mission to
the International Space Station is the penultimate shuttle flight and
the final one for Endeavour.

Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses and
Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach announced the date at a news
briefing Monday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They
also discussed the progress of repairs since Endeavour's launch
postponement on April 29.

A short in the heater circuit associated with Endeavour's hydraulic
system resulted in the launch postponement. Technicians determined
the most likely failure was inside a switchbox in the shuttle's aft
compartment and associated electrical wiring connecting the switchbox
to the heaters. The heater circuits prevent freezing of the fuel
lines providing hydraulic power to steer the vehicle during ascent
and entry.

The faulty box was replaced May 4. Since Friday, Kennedy technicians
installed and tested new wiring that bypasses the suspect electrical
wiring and confirmed the heater system is working properly. They also
are completing retests of other systems powered by the switchbox and
are closing out Endeavour's aft compartment.

STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly and his five crewmates are set to arrive
at Kennedy for prelaunch preparations on Thursday, May 12, at
approximately 11 a.m. NASA Television will broadcast the crew's
arrival live. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling
information, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


The crew will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and
critical supplies to the space station, including two communications
antennas, a high-pressure gas tank and additional parts for the
Dextre robot. AMS is a particle physics detector designed to search
for various types of unusual matter. The crew also will transfer
Endeavour's orbiter boom sensor system to the station, where it could
assist spacewalkers as an extension for the station's robotic arm.
For the latest information about the shuttle mission and its crew,
visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle   


-end-
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #48 on: 05/11/2011 07:54 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M18-11

AIRSPACE, ROAD, BRIDGE AND WATER CLOSURES FOR STS-134 MISSION

Launch Date: May 16, 2011
Launch Vehicle: Space shuttle Endeavour
Launch Pad: 39A
Launch Window: 8:56 - 9:01 a.m. EDT
Targeted Launch Time: 8:56:26 a.m.

All times are EDT.

NASA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA AVIATION FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS

What: Cape Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)

When: Monday, May 16, from 1:56 a.m. until no later than 9:35 a.m. If
postponed 24 hours to Tuesday, May 17, from 1:28 a.m. until no later
than 9:09 a.m.

Where: General aviation and VFR operations are prohibited within a
30-nautical-mile radius of Launch Pad 39A from the surface to (but
not including) 18,000 feet (located on the Melbourne VOR/DME
004-degree radial at 30.6 nautical miles). Pilots should obtain NOTAM
information regarding affected airports.

Aeronautical Chart in Use: Orlando Class B terminal area and
Jacksonville sectional

Additional airspace restrictions: Within an airspace radius between 30
and 40 nautical miles of Pad 39A, a discrete transponder code must be
obtained and clearance granted from air traffic control before
entering this airspace. Continuous radio communications must be
maintained. All VFR aircraft are restricted to 180 knots or less
unless a variance is granted by air traffic control. Pilots should
obtain NOTAM information to determine the affected airports within
this radius before departure.

NOTAM Information: St. Petersburg Flight Service Station
Telephone: 1-800-992-7433
Radio frequencies: 123.6 MHz (Titusville), 122.6 MHz (Melbourne)

Radio Communications: FAA Orlando Approach Control
Titusville/Cocoa area: 134.950 MHz
Melbourne area: 132.650 MHz
South Volusia County: 125.350 MHz
Space Coast Regional Airport control tower: 118.9 MHz

PUBLIC ACCESS ROAD CLOSURES

- The Cape Canaveral National Seashore (Playalinda Beach) will close
for launch on Thursday, May 12, at 6 p.m. and will reopen after
launch. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge will close on
Sunday, May 15, at 6 a.m. and will reopen after launch.

- State Road 406 east to State Road 3, and State Road 3 from the
Haulover Canal bridge south to County Road 402 leading to Titusville
will be open to badged personnel only beginning on Sunday, May 15, at
6 a.m. These roads will close to all vehicle traffic on Monday, May
16, at 6:45 a.m. until after a successful launch is confirmed.

- The A. Max Brewer Causeway bridge on S.R. 406 in Titusville (north
bridge) will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic beginning two
hours prior to launch on May 16 and will remain closed up to two
hours after launch.

- State Road 3 from the Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification
Building to State Road 405 (NASA Causeway) via Space Commerce Way
will be closed for launch to unauthorized vehicles beginning at 3
a.m. on Monday, May 16. NASA Causeway between the U.S. Astronaut Hall
of Fame and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will also close
starting at that time. The roads will reopen two hours after launch.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Beginning at 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 12 (L-4 days),
and continuing through launch, a general exclusion zone will be in
effect three miles offshore from the Haulover Canal, on the northern
end of Kennedy Space Center, and southward to Port Canaveral. Four
hours prior to launch, all ocean-going traffic will be restricted
from entering an area measured from nine statute miles north and
south of the launch pad and extending 64 nautical miles east into the
ocean. An additional three-mile-wide exclusion zone will be extended
eastward along the flight path of the space shuttle.

INDIAN RIVER: Restrictions apply from the NASA Causeway north to
Haulover Canal and east of the Indian River's main channel.
Restrictions are in effect four days prior to launch beginning at 6
a.m. on Thursday, May 12.

MOSQUITO LAGOON: This area south of Haulover Canal in the Mosquito
Lagoon is off limits to all boats four days prior to launch beginning
at 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 12.

BANANA RIVER: Security limits begin at the Banana River Barge Canal
south of Kennedy which is located immediately above State Road 528
and extends north. The area includes KARS Park on Merritt Island.
This restriction is effective four days prior to launch beginning at
6 a.m. on Thursday, May 12.

All boating restrictions will be lifted one hour after launch. Boating
interests should monitor U.S. Coast Guard Radio transmitting on
Marine Channel 16 from Port Canaveral.


-end-

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #49 on: 05/16/2011 01:27 pm »
Last Shuttle with ESA astronaut lifts off to Space Station to hunt 'dark matter'

Space Shuttle Endeavour lifted off today on her last mission to the International Space Station. Following launch of the STS-134 mission at 12:56 GMT (14:56 CEST), Endeavour is heading towards a docking with the Station at 10:15 GMT (12:15 CEST) on Wednesday, 18 May.

ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori and his five crewmates will spend 16 days in space on a mission to deliver highly sophisticated European instrument designed to identify the cosmic fingerprints left by antimatter and 'dark matter' in the Universe.

Welcoming him aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will be fellow Italian ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli, who has been working aboard since December.

Roberto's mission is named DAMA in reference to the search for the mysterious dark matter that will be conducted by the 6.9-tonne fundamental physics payload, the AMS-02 Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, probably the most ambitious science payload ever launched to the Station.

"The international science community has great expectations of the data to be collected by AMS-02 to understand key questions such as: what makes up the Universe's invisible mass?" said Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General of ESA.

"In this, it beautifully complements the observations of ESA's Planck space observatory, which is measuring the fraction of the invisible mass to a high degree of precision, and the Herschel satellite, which is for example observing its effects on young galaxies.


"AMS is a perfect example of the uniqueness of the ISS to promote fundamental scientific research in various disciplines, such as life sciences, Earth observation, material sciences and physics.

"With the recently approved extension of ISS to 2020, we now have the capability to offer an international laboratory to scientific communities around the world to push the frontier of knowledge."

Using a giant 1.2-tonne magnet that generates a field 4000 times stronger than Earth's own, AMS-02 will analyse high-energy cosmic rays with unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy to look for antimatter and dark matter.

Antimatter is believed to have been created on a par with normal matter but it seems to have disappeared from the Universe we know today. Dark matter is estimated to account for around 90% of our Universe's mass, but it has not been detected directly so far.

STS-134 is the 26th and last Shuttle mission to carry an ESA astronaut, marking the end of the close collaboration on the programme between the two agencies.

ESA astronauts have served on the crews of about one in five of all Shuttle missions over three decades, and has directly contributed to about two thirds of the missions. The major primary payloads include the Spacelab laboratories, the Ulysses solar probe, the Eureca free-flyer, and four of the Station modules - especially the Columbus laboratory.

Endeavour and Roberto Vittori are scheduled to return to Earth on 1 June.

Two other ESA astronauts are training for six-month missions to the ISS as part of the permanent crew. Next to go is André Kuipers, who will be launched on a Soyuz in November. Luca Parmitano, the first from ESA's 2010 class of astronauts to get a mission assignment, is preparing for his Soyuz launch in December 2013.


Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #50 on: 05/16/2011 01:27 pm »
RELEASE: 11-152

NASA'S SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR HEADS TO SPACE STATION ON ITS FINAL MISSION



CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Commander Mark Kelly and his
five crewmates are on their way to the International Space Station
after launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 8:56 a.m. EDT
Monday. The STS-134 mission is the penultimate orbiter flight and the
final one for shuttle Endeavour

"This mission represents the power of teamwork, commitment and
exploration," Commander Mark Kelly said shortly before liftoff. "It
is in the DNA of our great country to reach for the stars and
explore. We must not stop. To all the millions watching today
including our spouses, children, family and friends, we thank you for
your support."

The crew will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and
critical supplies to the space station, including two communications
antennas, a high-pressure gas tank and additional parts for the
Dextre robot. AMS is a particle physics detector designed to search
for various types of unusual cosmic matter. The crew also will
transfer Endeavour's orbiter boom sensor system to the station, where
it could assist spacewalkers as an extension for the station's
robotic arm.

"Today's final launch of Endeavour is a testament to American
ingenuity and leadership in human spaceflight," NASA Administrator
Charles Bolden said. "As we look toward a bright future with the
International Space Station as our anchor and new destinations in
deep space on the horizon, we salute the astronauts and ground crews
who have ensured the orbiter's successful missions. The presence of
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at the launch inspired us all, just
as America's space program has done for the past 50 years."

Kelly's crewmates are Pilot Greg H. Johnson and Mission Specialists
Mike Fincke, Drew Feustel, Greg Chamitoff and Roberto Vittori of the
European Space Agency. This is the first shuttle flight for Fincke
and Vittori. Vittori will be the last international astronaut to fly
aboard a shuttle.

Endeavour is scheduled to dock to the station at 6:15 a.m. on
Wednesday. The 16-day mission includes four spacewalks. After
undocking to return to Earth, Kelly and Johnson will ease the shuttle
back toward the station to test new sensor technologies that could
facilitate the docking of future space vehicles to the station.

The shuttle's first landing opportunity at Kennedy is scheduled for
2:32 a.m. on June 1. STS-134 is the 134th shuttle flight, the 25th
flight for Endeavour and the 36th shuttle mission dedicated to
station assembly and maintenance.

NASA's web coverage of STS-134 includes mission information, a press
kit, interactive features, news conference images, graphics and
videos. Mission coverage, including the latest NASA Television
schedule, is available on the main space shuttle website at:



http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle


NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of the
mission. NASA TV features live mission events, daily status news
conferences and 24-hour commentary. For NASA TV streaming video,
downlink and schedule information, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


Daily news conferences with STS-134 mission managers will take place
at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. To participate,
reporters must have valid media credentials issued by a NASA center or
issued specifically for the STS-134 mission.

Journalists not on site must contact the Johnson newsroom at
281-483-5111 no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of a
briefing to participate. Newsroom personnel will verify credentials
and transfer reporters to the phone bridge. Phone bridge capacity is
limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Live updates to the NASA News Twitter feed will be added throughout
the mission and landing. To access the feed, go to the NASA.gov
homepage or visit:



http://www.twitter.com/nasa


Kelly, Johnson, Fincke and Chamitoff are providing updates to their
Twitter accounts during the mission. They can be followed at:



http://www.twitter.com/shuttleCDRkelly




http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Box




http://www.twitter.com/AstroIronMike




http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Taz


For more information about the space station, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/station

       
-end-

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #51 on: 05/16/2011 02:03 pm »
News Release Issued: May 16, 2011 9:54 AM EDT

ATK Solid Rocket Boosters Help Launch Space Shuttle Endeavour's Final Mission
Over 250 ATK Solid Rocket Motors Have Powered Shuttle Launches
ATK Continues Development of Five Segment Solid Rocket Motor
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK's (NYSE: ATK) Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs) supported the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour today as they ignited at 8:56 a.m. EDT sending her crew on their 11-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).  A piece of history also launched on this flight as one of the cases on the left booster was previously used on STS-49, Endeavour's first flight.

The recovery and reuse of boosters after each flight enables NASA and ATK to collect vital post-flight information and performance data, confirming a safe and robust design. If the cases pass inspection they can be used up to 20 times; the ones used in today's launch have collectively flown on 59 previous shuttle missions and been used in 11 ground tests.

"The post-flight data we've gained from recovering the boosters over the past three decades has provided the knowledge to truly understand the motors' performance and make improvements throughout the program, leading to the most understood and most reliable human-rated solid propulsion system in existence," said Blake Larson, ATK Aerospace Systems Group president. "As we develop America's Space Launch System it is vital we leverage this expertise."

Since the inaugural flight of the space shuttle, 268 space shuttle solid rocket motors have been launched and 53 full-scale ground tests performed, enabling ATK and NASA to constantly improve safety, techniques and processes.

The 149-foot-tall solid rocket boosters each produced more than 15 million horsepower, safely launching the shuttle to approximately 28 miles in altitude in just over two minutes. After the flight, the RSRMs were jettisoned from the orbiter and external tank by ATK's 16 Booster Separation Motors (BSMs). Each booster has eight BSMs: four on the forward skirt and four on the aft skirt. The separation motors propelled the RSRMs to a safe distance from the shuttle orbiter, enabling the spent boosters to parachute down through the Earth's atmosphere where they splashed down into the ocean for recovery.

In addition, ATK supplied the titanium hydrazine propellant tanks for the space shuttle Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). Three APU tanks house the hydrazine fuel that generates power for the shuttle's hydraulic system. These tanks have performed perfectly for each of the shuttle's three decades of operations.

While continuing to safely fly the space shuttle, ATK is furthering the development of its upgraded five-segment solid rocket motor. Currently ATK is preparing to ground test the third full-scale Development Motor (DM-3) and to complete a 90 percent Design Review, both this year.

"We are extremely encouraged by the data we have collected from the first two ground tests of the five-segment motor," said Charlie Precourt, ATK's vice president and general manager, Space Launch Systems. "With this new motor we have been able to leverage the knowledge and hardware from the heritage shuttle program and upgrade to better materials to build a higher performing, more reliable solid rocket booster that can support NASA's heavy lift vehicle."

Modifications to the motor include an added fifth segment, changes to the propellant grain, a larger nozzle opening, and an upgraded liner and insulation material — all designed to meet performance requirements and increase reliability while lowering manufacturing costs.

"We were able to incorporate many design changes during the development of the five-segment motor that we identified during the shuttle program but were not able to make given the shuttle vehicle's operations tempo," said Precourt. "We also incorporated materials and streamlined processes that have been flight-proven in our commercial programs."

ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 23 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #52 on: 05/16/2011 07:35 pm »
STS-134 MCC Status Report #01   

HOUSTON -- With a new scientific instrument that could increase human understanding of our universe in its cargo bay, Endeavour launched to the International Space Station on its last mission on a breezy Florida Monday morning.

The shuttle with its crew of six lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center on its two-week mission at 7:56 a.m. CDT. Aboard were the 15,000-pound, $2 billion Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and a spare-parts carrier.

Several hundred thousand people came to the Kennedy area to see Endeavour lift off Monday. Officials estimate the number at a bit over half the crowd at the scheduled April 29 launch, on a Friday afternoon. That launch was scrubbed because of a technical problem.

Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Greg H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Mike Fincke, Roberto Vittori, Andrew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff are scheduled to rendezvous and dock with the station on Wednesday.

The spare parts carrier, Express Logistics Carrier 3, will be installed on the station shortly after docking using shuttle and station arms. Among items on it are a spare ammonia tank, a high-pressure oxygen tank, two S-band antennas and 10 circuit breakers.

The AMS is to be installed on the station robotically the day after Endeavour docks. It has a magnet and eight sophisticated detectors that provide information on charged particles. It could help answer questions about dark matter and antimatter.

During Endeavour’s almost 12 days at the station, Feustel, Chamitoff and Fincke will do four spacewalks for installation and maintenance. They will alternate to work on two-man teams for each of the spacewalks, scheduled to last about 6.5 hours.

Aboard the station waiting to welcome Endeavour and its crew are station Expedition 27 Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and flight engineers, Paolo Nespoli, Cady Coleman, Andrey Borisenko, Alexander Samokutyaev and Ron Garan.

STS-134 is the 134th shuttle flight, the 25th flight for Endeavour and the 36th shuttle mission dedicated to station assembly and maintenance.

The next shuttle status report will be issued after crew wakeup or earlier if warranted.
« Last Edit: 05/16/2011 07:35 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Offline bolun

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #53 on: 05/17/2011 12:48 pm »
Last Shuttle with ESA astronaut lifts off to Space Station to hunt ‘dark matter’

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMBERLSNNG_index_0.html

Space Shuttle Endeavour flies to the ISS for the last time

DLR supports research with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

http://www.dlr.de/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-1/117_read-30428/

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #54 on: 05/17/2011 09:03 pm »
STS-134 MCC Status Report #02   

HOUSTON – Endeavour’s six crew members are awake and ready for their mission’s first full day in space. The crew’s activities will focus on the standard inspection of the orbiter and preparations for docking with the International Space Station.

The crew was awakened at 10:56 p.m. CDT Monday to “Beautiful Day” performed by U2. The song was played for Commander Mark Kelly.

The six-hour inspection of critical parts of the shuttle’s thermal protection system will look at the reinforced carbon-carbon leading edges of Endeavour’s wings and nose cap. The Orbiter Boom Sensor System, the 50-foot extension of the shuttle’s robotic arm, was to be unberthed for the inspection by Mission Specialists Mike Fincke and Roberto Vittori.

Fincke, Pilot Greg Johnson and Mission Specialist Andrew Feustel were to begin their look at the starboard wing at about 2:40 a.m. The nose cap survey with Fincke, Feustel and Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff at the arm controls comes next, and the process will wind up with a look at the port wing with Johnson, Vittori and Chamitoff. The arm extension is scheduled to be berthed a little before 8 a.m.

Endeavour is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at about 5:15 a.m. on Wednesday. Today’s activities included preparations for the rendezvous and docking, including installation of the centerline camera in the orbiter docking system, extension of the orbiter docking system ring and a checkout of rendezvous tools.

The crew is scheduled to begin its sleep period just before 2 p.m. The next shuttle status report will be issued at the end of the crew’s day or earlier if warranted.
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #55 on: 05/17/2011 09:03 pm »
STS-134 MCC Status Report #03   

HOUSTON – Endeavour’s astronauts performed an inspection of the orbiter’s thermal protection system. They also checked out spacesuits and rendezvous tools in preparation for Wednesday’s docking with the International Space Station, scheduled for 5:16 a.m. CDT.

The shuttle and its crew of six, Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Greg H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Mike Fincke, Roberto Vittori, Andrew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff are delivering the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2, other experiments and critical spare parts to the station.

The crew members took turns monitoring and using the shuttle’s robotic arm and its orbiter boom sensor system to look at the reinforced carbon-carbon on the spacecraft’s nose and wing leading edges, and some of its heat-resistant tiles.

Vittori and Johnson then latched the shuttle robotic arm onto the Express Logistics Carrier 3 to prepare for its installation shortly after arrival at the station.

Fincke and Feustel spent several hours preparing spacesuits for transfer to the station’s Quest airlock, where the mission’s four spacewalks will originate. The spacewalks are aimed at getting the International Space Station in the best possible shape for the retirement of the space shuttle fleet, through a variety of different tasks.

Feustel completed a checkout of the Sensor Test for Orion Rel-nav Risk Mitigation, or STORRM, equipment. The system is flying aboard Endeavour to examine sensor technologies that could make it easier for future space vehicles to dock to the International Space Station. It will gather data during the initial rendezvous and docking to the station, during the nominal undocking, and again during a dedicated re-rendezvous.

The next shuttle status report will be issued after crew wake up, or earlier if warranted. The crew is scheduled to be awakened at 9:56 p.m.
Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #56 on: 05/18/2011 07:49 am »
STS-134 MCC Status Report #04   

HOUSTON – STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly will guide Endeavour through its final rendezvous to a docking with the International Space Station today, and after being welcomed by their space station colleagues the combined crew will install a spare parts platform on the station’s backbone.

Endeavour’s crew was awakened at 9:56 p.m. CDT to the sounds of “Drops of Jupiter,” a song by the band Train played for Pilot Greg Johnson, who will assist Kelly with the rendezvous and docking.

The Endeavour crew – which includes Mission Specialists Greg Chamitoff, Drew Feustel, Mike Fincke and Roberto Vittori – spent the previous day checking out instruments they’ll use for the rendezvous, installing a centerline camera that will be used by Kelly for final targeting of the Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 docking port, and extending the shuttle’s shock-absorbing Orbiter Docking System. The crew also conducted two maneuvering system burns to refine Endeavour’s approach to the station.

Rendezvous operations will resume at 11:36 p.m. today, with the start of the final phase of the rendezvous beginning at 2:37 a.m. Wednesday when the terminal initiation burn is performed.

Kelly will guide Endeavour through a slow back-flip at a distance of 600 feet from the station before making his final approach, and Expedition 27 Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and Flight Engineers Paolo Nespoli and Cady Coleman will snap about 500 photos of the shuttle’s thermal protection tiles before it flies ahead of the station and backs into the docking port.

Docking is scheduled for 5:16 a.m., and after a solid linkage is established and pressures are equalized, the two crews will open hatches at 7:36 a.m. and join forces for the extensive robotic activities and four spacewalks of the mission.

The first robotic activity will be a handoff of Express Logistics Carrier 3, which was grappled by the shuttle’s robotic arm on Tuesday, to the station’s robotic arm. ELC3 then will be installed on the port side of the station’s truss structure. On the following day, the astronauts will install the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the opposite side of the station’s truss structure.

Mission Specialists Fincke and Feustel will transfer space suits that will be used for the spacewalks to the station’s Quest airlock. The first spacewalk is scheduled for Friday.

Expedition 27’s Ron Garan is adjusting his sleep shift to match that of the shuttle crew, as Kondratyev, Coleman and Nespoli share time supporting the shuttle mission activities and getting ready to undock and return home to Earth on May 23. Before departing, Kondratyev will hand over command of the station to Andrey Borisenko, who will remain on the station with Alexander Samokutyaev and Garan as a trio until the remainder of the Expedition 28 crew arrives June 9.

The next shuttle status report will be issued before the shuttle crew goes to sleep at 1:56 p.m., or earlier if warranted.
Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #57 on: 05/18/2011 12:35 pm »
Endeavour docks with Space Station
 
18 May 2011

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMZG4MSNNG_index_0.html

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #58 on: 05/18/2011 09:51 pm »
STS-134 MCC Status Report #05   

HOUSTON – Endeavour docked with the International Space Station at 5:14 a.m. CDT Wednesday, bringing an advanced scientific instrument that could answer basic questions about our universe, perhaps shedding light on dark matter and antimatter.

Also in the payload bay was Express Logistics Carrier 3 (ELC3), a cargo platform loaded with spare parts for the station. The shuttle Endeavour also brought additional equipment, experiments and supplies for the orbiting laboratory.

Hatches between the two vehicles were opened at 6:38 a.m. allowing Endeavour crew members, Commander Mark Kelly, Pilot Greg H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Mike Fincke, Roberto Vittori, Andrew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff, to go into the station.

After a welcoming ceremony by the Expedition 27 station crew, Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and Flight Engineers Paolo Nespoli, Cady Coleman, Andrey Borisenko, Alexander Samokutyaev and Ron Garan, the Endeavour astronauts got the required station safety briefing.

The docking had gone just as planned. As the shuttle slowly approached the station, with both spacecraft moving at 17,500 mph, it paused about 600 feet below it to do the standard back flip, beginning at 4:15 a.m. Nespoli, Coleman and Kondratyev used cameras with 400 mm, 800 mm and 1,000 mm lenses to take numerous pictures of the shuttle’s thermal protection system.

Over 500 images have been received in mission control. Experts are continuing to analyze the images and determine if any further inspection is required.

Fincke and Vittori used the shuttle’s robotic arm to lift the ELC3 cargo carrier from Endeavour’s cargo bay and hand it off to the station’s Canadarm2, operated by Johnson and Chamitoff. They installed it robotically on the station’s port 3 truss. That task was completed at 11:18 a.m.

Meanwhile, Fincke and Feustel transferred the spacesuits that will be used on the four spacewalks scheduled during Endeavour’s stay at the station. They and Chamitoff will alternate in two-man teams for the 6.5-hour excursions for installation and maintenance. Kelly transferred oxygen from Endeavour to the station and then began moving cargo to the orbiting laboratory.

Kelly, with help from Johnson and other crew members, then maneuvered the shuttle to a point about 300 feet ahead of the station. He slowly maneuvered Endeavour to its 12th and final International Space Station docking.

During the process an advanced system called STORMM (Sensor Test for Orion Rel-nav Risk Mitigation) gathered data that could help future spacecraft dock to the station. It also will be used again during undocking and a subsequent test rendezvous.

On Thursday astronauts are scheduled to install the $2 billion, 15,251- pound Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2, an advanced particle physics detector, atop the starboard 3 truss. There it is expected to automatically send information to scientists on Earth for the life of the station.

Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-134 Press releases
« Reply #59 on: 05/19/2011 07:34 am »
STS-134 MCC Status Report #06   

HOUSTON – On tap today is the top scientific priority of the STS-134 mission, installing Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS-2) on the International Space Station’s truss, where it can sift through cosmic particles, seeking the answers to fundamental questions of physics.

The $2 billion, 15,251- pound instrument will be plucked from Endeavour’s payload bay by Mission Specialists Andrew Feustel and Roberto Vittori using the space shuttle’s robotic arm. They’ll hand it off to the space station’s Canadarm2 at 2:01 a.m. CDT Thursday, and Pilot Greg Johnson and Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff will then install it on the starboard side of the station’s truss.

From its new perch on top of the station’s truss, it will begin observations of the cosmos and automatically send information to scientists on Earth for the life of the station.

Endeavour’s crew and Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan, who is matching schedules with the shuttle crew, were awakened at 9:56 p.m. The wake-up song “Luna,” performed by Jose Serrano for his friend Chamitoff, was transmitted about 30 minutes later after a communications drop-out cleared.

Endeavour docked with the International Space Station at 5:14 a.m. CDT Wednesday, and installed Express Logistics Carrier, a cargo platform loaded with spare parts for the station. Overnight, robotics experts in Mission Control moved the station’s Mobile Transporter from a worksite on the far end of the port side of the truss to a site on the far starboard side to prepare for the AMS-2 handoff. Installation should be complete by 2:41 a.m.

The combined crew also will begin preparations for the first spacewalk of the mission by Feustel and Chamitoff, which is scheduled for Friday. The team will review plans for the spacewalk, which will involve retrieval of one materials experiment and installation of another, installation of a floodlight, some cooling loop fill equipment and a wireless communications antenna.

Feustel and Chamitoff will camp out in the Quest airlock overnight to prepare their bodies for action in the reduced pressure of their spacesuits on the following day. The spacesuits were among the first items transferred from the shuttle to the station after docking and hatch opening.

Meanwhile, mission managers are continuing to review more than 500 images taken by Expedition 27’s Dmitry Kondratyev, Paolo Nespoli and Cady Coleman. Several areas of thermal protection tile were shown to be damaged, and managers are waiting for analysis to be completed before deciding whether to seek additional focused inspection of those areas later in the mission.

Jacques :-)

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