Author Topic: STS-135 Press releases  (Read 73529 times)

Offline jacqmans

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STS-135 Press releases
« on: 03/09/2011 03:10 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-049

NASA HOLDS EVENTS TO PREVIEW FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE FLIGHTS

HOUSTON -- NASA will preview the final space shuttle missions during
media events on Wednesday, March 23, and Thursday, March 24, at the
agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

On March 23, reporters are invited to a media availability with three
of the four STS-135 crew members who will fly aboard Atlantis on the
final shuttle flight in June. STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot
Doug Hurley and Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus will demonstrate a
shuttle rendezvous and docking to the International Space Station in
Johnson's domed simulation facility. Reporters can film and
photograph the crew, instructors and engineering support teams, as
well as try the task first-hand.

On March 24, there will be a series of news briefings about shuttle
Endeavour's STS-134 mission targeted to launch on April 19. NASA
Television and the agency's website will broadcast the briefings
live. Reporters will be able to ask questions from participating NASA
locations. The schedule of briefings is (all times CDT):

8 a.m. -- Program Overview
9:30 a.m. -- STS-134 Mission Overview
11:30 a.m. -- STS-134 Spacewalk Overview
12:30 p.m. -- Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Briefing
2 p.m. -- STS-134 Crew News Conference

The STS-134 crew will be available for interviews at Johnson by phone
or in person after the briefings. To reserve an interview
opportunity, reporters must contact Gayle Frere at 281-483-8645 by 5
p.m. on March 18.

To attend the STS-134 events and the STS-135 availability at Johnson,
reporters must contact the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 by 5 p.m.
on March 14 for credentials. All required paperwork for international
journalists must be submitted to the newsroom by March 14.

STS-134's 14-day mission to the International Space Station will
deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a particle physics detector
designed to operate from the station and search for various types of
unusual matter. The shuttle crew also will deliver spare parts,
including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas
tank and additional parts for the Dextre robot. The crew also will
transfer Endeavour's orbiter boom sensor system to the station truss
as a permanent fixture to assist spacewalkers, if required.

STS-134 will include four spacewalks. As Endeavour undocks from the
station to return to Earth, Commander Mark Kelly and Pilot Greg H.
Johnson will ease the shuttle back toward the station to test new
sensor technologies that could make it easier for future space
vehicles to dock to the International Space Station.

Kelly and Johnson will be joined by Mission Specialists Michael
Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel and European Space Agency
astronaut Roberto Vittori.

The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 directs NASA to conduct the STS-135
mission, and the teams are preparing for the target launch date of
June 28. More information on mission preview briefings, which are
targeted for mid-June, will be forthcoming. Atlantis will carry the
Raffaello multipurpose logistics module to deliver supplies,
logistics and spare parts to the station. The mission also will fly a
system to investigate the potential for remote-controlled robot
refueling of satellites and spacecraft in orbit.

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



http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


For the latest information about the remaining shuttle missions and
crews, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle


For more information about the space station and its crew, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/station   

Jacques :-)

Offline Danderman

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #1 on: 03/09/2011 08:43 pm »
For those not following closely, does this mean that there will be an STS-135 mission?

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #2 on: 03/09/2011 08:51 pm »
For those not following closely, does this mean that there will be an STS-135 mission?


As we've known for about a month now, yes.

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #3 on: 05/12/2011 02:01 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-095

NASA'S SHUTTLE ATLANTIS MOVES FROM PROCESSING HANGAR TO VAB

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Reporters are invited to cover space shuttle
Atlantis' final planned move from its processing hangar to the
Vehicle Assembly Building, on Tuesday, May 17, at NASA's Kennedy
Space Center in Florida.

The first motion of Atlantis for rollover is scheduled for 8 a.m. EDT.
Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, Endeavour will be attached to
its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters, which already
are on a mobile launcher platform.

The date and start time for the move is subject to change depending on
shuttle Endeavour's scheduled launch on Monday, May 16. Call
321-867-2525 for updates about the rollover.

STS-134 media mission badges are valid for this photo opportunity.
Media representatives planning to attend must arrive at Kennedy's
news center by 7 a.m. for transportation to the event. Accreditation
for international journalists is closed. U.S. reporters without
STS-134 mission badges or permanent Kennedy credentials should submit
their requests online at:


https://media.ksc.nasa.gov


Highlights of the move will air on the NASA Television's Video File.
For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming
video, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


The STS-135 mission will carry the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics
module with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International
Space Station to help sustain station operations after the shuttles
are retired later this year.

For more information about the STS-135 mission and crew, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135   


-end-

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #4 on: 05/20/2011 03:48 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-096

NASA SETS LAUNCH DATE AND MEDIA CREDENTIAL DEADLINES FOR FINAL SHUTTLE FLIGHT

WASHINGTON -- NASA's final space shuttle flight is targeted to launch
July 8 at about 11:40 a.m. EDT from the agency's Kennedy Space Center
in Florida. Four veteran astronauts will fly aboard shuttle Atlantis
to deliver supplies and spare parts to the International Space
Station.

This date was targeted based on NASA's current planning. An official
launch date will be announced following the June 28 Flight Readiness
Review.

There are several non-standard activities, including a tanking test
followed by an X-ray inspection of a section of the external fuel
tank, which may affect Atlantis' processing. The tank consists of
three sections. Mission managers want to X-ray aluminum support
beams, known as stringers, located where the liquid hydrogen tank
meets the intertank. Cracked intertank stringers were identified
during shuttle Discovery's first launch attempt in November 2010 and
delayed its launch until the problem was resolved. X-ray inspection
of the intertank stringers provides additional confidence that there
are no stringer cracks in Atlantis' tank. The stringers located where
the liquid oxygen tank meets the intertank were modified with extra
material to add strength and do not require inspection.

The 12-day mission also will deliver an experiment designed to
demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to
robotically refuel satellites in space -- even satellites not
designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump
that recently failed on the station. Engineers want to understand why
the pump failed and improve designs for future spacecraft.

Chris Ferguson, a veteran of two previous shuttle missions, will
command the flight. Doug Hurley will serve as the pilot, a role he
filled on STS-127 in 2009. Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim will be the
mission specialists. Magnus spent 4.5 months aboard the station
beginning in November 2008. Walheim flew on STS-110 in 2002 and
STS-122 in 2008.

STS-135 will be Atlantis' 33rd mission and the 37th shuttle flight
dedicated to station assembly and maintenance. It will be the 135th
and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program.

Reporters must apply for STS-135 media credentials to attend the
launch or cover the mission from other NASA centers. To be
accredited, reporters must work for verifiable news-gathering
organizations. No substitutions of credentials are allowed at any
NASA facility.

Journalists who are lawful permanent residents, have dual or multiple
U.S. citizenship or are U.S. citizens representing international
media outlets will have their credential applications processed in
the same manner as U.S. citizens who represent domestic media.

Additional time may be required to process accreditation requests by
journalists from certain designated countries. Designated countries
include those with which the United States has no diplomatic
relations, countries on the State Department's list of state sponsors
of terrorism, those under U.S. sanction or embargo and countries
associated with proliferation concerns. Please contact the
accrediting NASA center for details. Journalists should confirm they
have been accredited before traveling.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

Reporters applying for credentials at Kennedy should submit requests
via the Web at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Reporters must use work e-mail addresses, not personal accounts, when
applying. After accreditation is approved, applicants will receive
confirmation via e-mail.

Accredited media representatives with mission badges will have access
to Kennedy from launch through the end of the mission. The
application deadline for mission badges is June 26.

Reporters with special requests for Kennedy, such as space for
satellite trucks, trailers, electrical connections or workspace, must
contact Laurel Lichtenberger by June 26 at:
[email protected].

Wireless Internet access is available at Kennedy's news center.
However, access may be limited at times due to volume. Reporters
should have alternate wireless resources. Workspace in the news
center and the news center annex is provided on a first-come basis,
limited to one space per organization. To set up temporary telephone,
fax, ISDN or network lines, media representatives must arrange with
BellSouth at 800-213-4988.

Reporters must have an assigned seat in the Kennedy newsroom prior to
setting up lines. To obtain an assigned seat, contact Jennifer Horner
at: [email protected].

Journalists must have a public affairs escort to all other areas of
Kennedy except the Launch Complex 39 cafeteria.

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER

Reporters may obtain credentials for NASA's Johnson Space Center in
Houston by calling the center's newsroom at 281-483-5111 or by
presenting STS-135 mission credentials from Kennedy. Media
representatives planning to cover the mission only from Johnson need
to apply for credentials only at the center.

The application deadline for mission badges is June 26.

Journalists covering the mission from Houston using Kennedy
credentials must also contact Johnson's newsroom by June 26 to
arrange workspace, phone lines and other logistics. Johnson is
responsible for credentialing media if the shuttle lands at NASA's
White Sands Space Harbor, N.M. If a landing is imminent at White
Sands, Johnson will arrange credentials.

DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER

Notice for a shuttle landing at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center
in Edwards Air Force Base in California could be short. Media outlets
should consider accrediting Los Angeles-based personnel who could
travel quickly to Dryden.

Deadlines for submitting Dryden accreditation requests are June 10 for
international journalists and July 13 for U.S. citizens or
journalists who have permanent residency status, regardless of their
media affiliation.

For Dryden media credentials, U.S. citizens or permanent resident
aliens representing bona fide media outlets must provide their full
name, date of birth, place of birth, media organization, driver's
license number with the name of the issuing state and the last six
digits of their social security number.

In addition, international journalists must provide either their
passport or visa number, country of issue and expiration date.

Journalists should e-mail requests to: [email protected]. Requests
must include a phone number and business e-mail address for follow-up
contact.

NASA PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS:

Kennedy Space Center: Allard Beutel, 321-867-2468,
[email protected]
Johnson Space Center: Kylie Clem, 281-483-5111, [email protected]
Dryden Flight Research Center: Leslie Williams, 661-276-3893,
[email protected]

For information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

For information about the STS-135 mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #5 on: 05/20/2011 10:08 pm »
RELEASE: 11-160

NASA ANNOUNCES TWEETUP FOR FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH



WASHINGTON -- NASA will give 150 of its Twitter followers a front-row
seat at the historic final space shuttle launch. The agency's fifth
shuttle launch Tweetup, scheduled July 7-8 at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center in Florida.

Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to lift off from Kennedy on its mission
to the International Space Station at about 11:40 a.m. EDT on July 8.
The official launch date will be announced after a Flight Readiness
Review meeting on June 28.

Those selected to participate in the Tweetup will tour the center,
view the shuttle launch and speak with NASA managers, astronauts,
shuttle technicians and engineers from across the agency.

"Inviting people to attend the last shuttle launch and share it with
their friends, family and followers is one way NASA can enable more
people to experience this historic event," said Stephanie Schierholz,
social media manager at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "While the
Space Shuttle Program is drawing to a close, the NASA Tweetup also
will give our followers a broader view of the agency's diverse
activities."

Tweetup registration opens at noon on Wednesday, June 1, and closes at
noon on June 2. NASA will randomly select the 150 participants. For
more information about the Tweetup and to sign up, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/tweetup 

NASA will broadcast a portion of the July 7 event at:


http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasatelevision 

Find all the ways to connect and collaborate with NASA at:


http://www.nasa.gov/connect 

For more information about shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135 

To learn about other ways to view a shuttle launch, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/view 

       
-end-

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #6 on: 05/20/2011 10:08 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-097

NASA'S ATLANTIS MOVES TO LAUNCH PAD MAY 31 FOR FINAL SHUTTLE LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis will begin moving to
its launch pad at 8 p.m. EDT on May 31, at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center in Florida. The six-hour rollout from Kennedy's Vehicle
Assembly Building is a major milestone as Atlantis is prepared for
the final shuttle launch targeted for July 8.

Journalists are invited to cover the shuttle's 3.4-mile journey atop a
giant crawler-transporter. Activities include an 8 p.m. photo
opportunity, followed by a 9 p.m. interview availability with
Atlantis Flow Director Angie Brewer. Media representatives must
arrive at Kennedy's news center by 7:30 p.m. for the rollout photo
opportunity.

On June 1, NASA also will provide a sunrise photo opportunity at the
launch pad following Atlantis' arrival. Reporters must arrive at the
news center for transportation to the viewing area by 6 a.m. Updates
for the events will be available at 321-867-2525.

STS-134 mission badges are valid for rollout events. To attend rollout
and the sunrise pad photo opportunity, U.S. media representatives
without credentials must apply by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 26.
International media representatives must apply by Sunday, May 22. To
request accreditation, apply online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Credentials for rollout may be picked up starting at 6 a.m. May 31 at
the Kennedy Space Center Badging Office on State Road 405.

During the STS-135 flight to the International Space Station,
Atlantis' four astronauts will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose
logistics module filled with supplies and spare parts to sustain
station operations once the shuttles are retired.

NASA Television will provide live coverage of the shuttle's rollout.
Highlights of the move will air on NASA TV's Video File. For downlink
information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about the STS-135 mission and crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html

       
-end-

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #7 on: 05/23/2011 06:02 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M19-11

U.S. HONOR FLAG TO BE PRESENTED TO NASA FOR SHUTTLE ATLANTIS FLIGHT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Members of the news media are invited to
attend a presentation ceremony of the U.S. Honor Flag to NASA on
Thursday, May 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the Astronaut Memorial Mirror at
the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The flag will be presented
by James Loftus, director, Miami-Dade Police Department, to Robert
Cabana, Kennedy Space Center director, to be transferred for
preparation to fly aboard shuttle Atlantis on its final mission.

The U.S. Honor Flag has traveled throughout the world honoring heroes
who lost their lives while serving their community and country to
include police officers, firefighters, members of the Armed Forces
and astronauts. More than 100 honor guard members will travel to the
Space Coast to take part in the ceremony.

Media interested in covering the event should contact Jillian McRae at
321-449-4273 for access to the Visitor Complex.

For more information on the U.S. Honor Flag, visit:

http://www.ushonorflag.org

For information about the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, visit:

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com

For information on the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, visit:

http://www.amfcse.org

For more information on NASA and Atlantis' final mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #8 on: 05/27/2011 05:11 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-106

NASA'S STS-135 CREW AVAILABLE TO MEDIA AT FINAL SHUTTLE ROLLOUT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The four astronauts for the final space
shuttle mission, STS-135, will answer reporters' questions at 8:30
p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 31, as shuttle Atlantis is moved to its
launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The
question-and-answer session will air live on NASA Television and the
agency's website.

STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission
Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim will take questions outside
Kennedy's news center while Atlantis moves in the background from the
Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to Launch Pad 39A.

Atlantis' first motion out of the VAB is scheduled for 8 p.m. NASA TV
will provide live video of the start of the move, known as rollout,
and then switch to the crew media event. NASA TV's Video File will
broadcast highlights of the entire rollout. For NASA TV downlink
information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


STS-134 mission badges are valid for all rollout activities, including
an 8 p.m. photo opportunity of the move, the STS-135 crew event and
an interview availability with Atlantis Flow Director Angie Brewer at
about 9 p.m., which will not be shown on NASA TV. News media
representatives must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 7:30 p.m. for
the rollout photo opportunity.

NASA also will provide a sunrise photo opportunity at the launch pad
on June 1, after Atlantis' early morning arrival. Reporters must be
at the news center by 6 a.m. for transportation to the pad viewing
areas. Updates for events are available at 321-867-2525.

Journalists who applied only for STS-135 rollout events, may begin
picking up their badges starting at 6 a.m. on May 31 at the Kennedy
Space Center Badging Office on State Road 405. Journalists who have
been approved for STS-134 mission badges, but have not picked them up
yet, may do so at NASA's Pass and Identification Building on State
Road 3 on May 31 from 4 - 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on June
1.

Atlantis' astronauts are targeted to launch to the International Space
Station on July 8. For more information about the mission and crew,
visit:



http://go.nasa.gov/STS-135

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #9 on: 06/01/2011 07:49 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-108

NASA'S SHUTTLE ATLANTIS AT LAUNCH PAD, LIFTOFF PRACTICE SET

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After safely reaching its launch pad at NASA's
Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis awaits the
next major milestone for its upcoming STS-135 mission to the
International Space Station, the final flight of the Space Shuttle
Program. The mission with four veteran astronauts is targeted to
launch July 8.

Atlantis arrived at the pad early Wednesday morning on top of a giant
crawler-transporter. The crawler-transporter left Kennedy's Vehicle
Assembly Building at 8:42 p.m. EDT Tuesday, May 31, and travelled
less than 1 mph during the 3.4-mile journey. The shuttle was secured
on the launch pad at 3:29 a.m. Wednesday.

Reporters are invited to cover a launch dress rehearsal, known as the
Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), scheduled at Kennedy
from June 20 to 23. The TCDT provides Atlantis' astronauts and ground
crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated
countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and
emergency training.

During the TCDT, media will have the opportunity to tour shuttle
Discovery and interview experts from inside the spacecraft on June
21. Discovery currently is being decommissioned and prepared for
display at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy
Center.

The following media events are associated with the TCDT. All times are
Eastern Daylight Time.

-- June 20: STS-135 crew arrival: The astronauts will arrive at
approximately 4:45 p.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a
statement. NASA Television will broadcast the arrival live.
-- June 21: Discovery Media Day: Interview and photo opportunities
will be held throughout the day in Orbiter Processing Facility-2.
Shuttle experts will be available for interviews from Discovery's
crew compartment. Spaces are limited. To sign up for this
opportunity, contact Candrea Thomas at [email protected].
-- June 22: STS-135 crew media availability: The crew will take media
questions at Launch Pad 39A at 8:40 a.m. NASA TV will carry the
session live.
-- June 23: STS-135 crew walkout photo opportunity: The astronauts
will depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 a.m. in
their launch entry suits in preparation for the countdown
demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will be part of the
NASA TV Video File, but not covered live.

Updates for all events are available at 321-867-2525. To attend the
TCDT, international journalists must apply by 5 p.m. on June 12, to
allow time for processing. U.S. media representatives must apply by
June 16. Reporters requesting accreditation must apply online at:










https://media.ksc.nasa.gov


To attend crew arrival, reporters must pick up badges between 6 a.m.
and 3 p.m. on June 20, at the Kennedy Space Center Badging Office on
State Road 405. For information about covering these events,
including proper attire and meeting locations, credentialed media
should visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/media.html


During the 12-day flight, Atlantis and its crew will deliver the
Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module filled with supplies and
spare parts to sustain station operations once NASA's shuttle fleet
is retired.

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



http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


For more information about the STS-135 mission and crew, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #10 on: 06/02/2011 06:13 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-110

LAST FEMALE SHUTTLE ASTRONAUT AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS

HOUSTON -- NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus, who will fly on the last
space shuttle mission next month, is available for live satellite
interviews from 7 to 9 a.m. CDT on Monday, June 6. Shuttle Atlantis
is targeted to launch July 8 with Magnus, Commander Chris Ferguson,
Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialist Rex Walheim to deliver
supplies and spare equipment to the International Space Station.

After her first spaceflight in 2002, Magnus became the 34th out of 47
woman to fly aboard the shuttle, which launched the first American
woman into space, Sally Ride, in 1983. With the upcoming STS-135
launch, Magnus will be the last female astronaut to fly on the
storied vehicle.

Magnus is a native of Belleville, Ill. She earned a bachelor's and a
master's from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a doctorate from
the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a veteran of two shuttle
flights and a 4.5-month stay aboard the station as a member of the
Expedition 18 crew. Her first spaceflight was aboard shuttle Atlantis
on the STS-112 mission in October 2002. She later flew to the station
aboard shuttle Endeavour on STS-126 in November 2008 and returned to
Earth aboard shuttle Discovery on STS-119 in March 2009.

To arrange an interview, news media representatives must contact Karen
Svetaka at 281-483-8684, no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, June 3.
Participating media must tune into NASA Television's Live Interview
Media Outlet channel. The channel is a digital satellite C-band
downlink by uplink provider Americom.

It is on satellite AMC 3, transponder 9C, located at 87 degrees west,
downlink frequency 3865.5 MHz based on a standard C-band, horizontal
downlink polarity. FEC is 3/4, data rate is 6.0 Mbps, symbol rate is
4.3404 Msps, transmission DVB-S, 4:2:0. NASA TV will air the Magnus
interviews live. Video b-roll of STS-135 flight preparations will air
June 6 at 6:30 a.m. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and
scheduling information, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/ntv   

For Magnus' complete biography, visit:


http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/magnus.html   

To follow Magnus on Twitter, visit:


http://www.twitter.com/astro_sandy   

For more information about the STS-135 mission and crew, visit:


http://go.nasa.gov/STS-135   


-end-

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #11 on: 06/03/2011 04:35 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-111

MEDIA EVENTS TO HIGHLIGHT CARGO ON NASA'S LAST SHUTTLE FLIGHT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida will
host two media events to highlight the hardware flying aboard the
final space shuttle mission, targeted to launch July 8.

At 1 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 10, managers and team members involved
in processing the elements for flight will be available for media
interviews at Kennedy's Space Station Processing Facility. During its
STS-135 mission, shuttle Atlantis will carry the multi-purpose
logistics module Raffaello, filled with a variety of spare parts and
supplies for the International Space Station. Atlantis also will
deliver the Robotic Refueling Mission system, which will investigate
the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft in orbit.


At 6 a.m. on Friday, June 17, news media representatives are invited
to attend a sunrise photo opportunity at Launch Pad 39A. Atlantis'
payloads are scheduled to arrive at the launch pad during the evening
on June 16. The rotating service structure, which protects Atlantis
from inclement weather and provides access while at the pad, will be
open to support the lifting of the payload canister for eventual
transfer into the shuttle's payload bay.

Reporters without permanent Kennedy credentials should submit their
requests online at:



https://media.ksc.nasa.gov


For the June 10 event, U.S. reporters must apply by 4:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, June 8. Accreditation for international journalists for
this event is closed. For the June 17 event, international
journalists must apply for credentials by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday,
June 8. U.S. reporters must apply by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15.


Journalists planning to attend the June 10 event must arrive at
Kennedy's news center by 12:15 p.m. for transportation to the Space
Station Processing Facility. For the June 17 event, journalists must
arrive at Kennedy's news center by 5:30 a.m. for transportation to
the launch pad.

To attend both events, news media representatives must be dressed in
full-length pants, flat shoes that entirely cover the feet and shirts
with sleeves. Wireless microphones and cell phones are not permitted
at the launch pad.

For information about the STS-135 mission, visit:



http://go.nasa.gov/STS-135


Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #12 on: 06/08/2011 05:24 am »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-115

NASA ANNOUNCES FINAL SHUTTLE MISSION PREVIEW EVENTS

HOUSTON -- NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston has scheduled
briefings, interview opportunities and demonstrations to highlight
the final space shuttle mission, targeted to launch on July 8.

On June 30, NASA will hold news media briefings to preview the STS-135
mission and a news conference with the shuttle crew: Commander Chris
Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and
Rex Walheim. NASA Television and the agency's website will carry the
news briefings live.

Round-robin interview opportunities will be available with each crew
member on June 30, but direct participation may be limited to
networks, wire services and other major news outlets. Decisions
regarding participation in the interviews will be based on the number
of requests received and finalized about one week before the event.
Remote participation in news briefings and round-robin interviews is
permitted; however, priority will be given to reporters in attendance
at Johnson.

On July 1, journalists can tour the shuttle simulators and mockups
that are being used to train the astronauts for the shuttle's final
flight to the International Space Station. Journalists also can tour
a mockup of NASA's Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, the spacecraft that is
being developed to carry humans into deep space. The deadline to
participate in the June 30 and July 1 events, and to request a
round-robin crew interview, is 5 p.m. June 20. For credentials,
reporters must call the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111.

On June 16 and 17, news outlets can document the shuttle crew and
mission control teams during their training exercises. To attend,
U.S. reporters must apply by 5 p.m. CDT on Monday, June 13.
International journalists must apply for credentials and return all
required paperwork by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8.

The schedule of activities includes (all times CDT):

-- June 16: STS-135 crew and ascent flight control team training
Journalists will have a behind-the-scenes look at the crew and Mission
Control Center team training. There will be a photo opportunity of
the crew getting into the motion-based simulator in launch and entry
suits. Broadcast outlets can film on the floor of mission control for
two launch simulations, with access to air-to-ground and flight
director loop audio feeds. The training will be followed by a
question-and-answer session with the crew, flight director, mission
control team and trainers. Accredited journalists must be at the
badging office, bldg. 110, by 7 a.m. for transportation to the event.
The badging office opens at 6 a.m.

-- June 17: STS-135 crew; shuttle and station flight control team
rendezvous training
Journalists will be allowed into the shuttle flight control room and
the training version of the space station control room during a
simulation of the shuttle's final docking to the International Space
Station. Limited opportunities will be available to film the crew in
the stationary shuttle simulator. Media representatives again will
have access to air-to-ground and flight director loop audio feeds.
Accredited journalists must be at the badging office, bldg. 110, by
11 a.m. for transportation to the event.

-- June 30: Mission overview, crew news conference, interviews
7 a.m. STS-135 video b-roll feed on NASA TV
8 a.m. Shuttle Program Overview
9:30 a.m. STS-135 Mission Overview
12 p.m. STS-135 Spacewalk Overview
1 p.m. STS-135 Crew News Conference
2-6 p.m. Individual crew round robin interviews (not on NASA TV)

-- July 1: Hands-on experience with shuttle mockups
Journalists can tour shuttle mockups and simulators and meet mission
support and training team members. Journalists will have access to
the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility, motion and fixed based trainers at
the Jake Garn Training Facility, Shuttle Engineering Simulator dome,
Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory and Virtual Reality Lab.
Activities will be available throughout the day. The Multi-Purpose
Crew Vehicle mockup will again be available for touring.

A switched video and audio feed of the training events, including
video inside the simulator and mission control, will air on NASA TV.
For downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:






http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


For more information about the mission and crew, visit:



http://go.nasa.gov/STS-135

Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #13 on: 06/09/2011 05:33 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-117

THREE MEMBERS OF NASA'S FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE CREW AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS

HOUSTON -- Three NASA astronauts who will fly aboard the last space
shuttle mission in July are available for live satellite interviews
next week. STS-135 mission Commander Chris Ferguson is available from
3 - 4:50 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, June 15. Pilot Doug Hurley is
available from 10 - 11:50 a.m. and Mission Specialist Rex Walheim
from 1 - 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14.

Shuttle Atlantis is targeted for launch July 8 with Ferguson, Hurley,
Walheim, and Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus to deliver supplies and
spare equipment to the International Space Station.

This will be Ferguson's third shuttle flight and his second as
commander. He is a native of Philadelphia and earned a Bachelor of
Science in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in 1984 and
a Master of Science in aeronautical engineering from the Naval
Postgraduate School in 1991.

A colonel in the Marine Corps, Hurley will make his second trip to
space. In July 2009, he completed his first spaceflight as pilot on
STS-127. Born in Endicott, N.Y., Hurley considers Apalachin, N.Y.,
his hometown. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from
Tulane University.

STS-135 will be Walheim's third trip to space. He previously served as
a mission specialist and spacewalker on STS-110 in April 2002 and
STS-122 in 2008. Born in Redwood City, Calif., Walheim considers San
Carlos, Calif., his hometown. He is a retired Air Force colonel and
received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the
University of California, Berkeley, in 1984, and a master's degree in
industrial engineering from the University of Houston in 1989.

To arrange an interview with Ferguson, news media representatives must
contact Stephanie Stoll by sending an email to
[email protected], no later than 3 p.m. on June 14. To
arrange an interview with Hurley or Walheim, news media
representatives must contact Stoll no later than 3 p.m. on Monday,
June 13.

Participating media must tune into NASA Television's Live Interview
Media Outlet channel. The channel is a digital satellite C-band
downlink by uplink provider Americom. It is on satellite AMC 3,
transponder 9C, located at 87 degrees west, downlink frequency 3865.5
MHz based on a standard C-band, horizontal downlink polarity.

FEC is 3/4, data rate is 6.0 Mbps, symbol rate is 4.3404 Msps,
transmission DVB-S, 4:2:0. NASA TV will air the interviews live.
Video b-roll of STS-135 flight preparations will air at 9:30 a.m. and
12:30 p.m. on June 14 and at 2:30 p.m. on June 15. For NASA TV
streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


For complete biographies of Ferguson, Hurley and Walheim, visit:


http://www11.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/ferguson.html   



http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/hurley-dg.html   



http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/walheim.html


To follow Ferguson, Hurley and Walheim on Twitter, visit:


http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Ferg   



http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Doug   



http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Rex


For more information about the STS-135 mission and crew, visit:


http://go.nasa.gov/STS-135   

Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #14 on: 06/15/2011 03:48 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-122

NASA GIVES NEWS MEDIA ACCESS TO FINAL SHUTTLE SIMULATIONS

HOUSTON -- As the final space shuttle training simulations take place
at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the agency is giving
journalists an unprecedented view of the crew and Mission Control
team training for the upcoming STS-135 mission.

On Thursday, June 16, news media representatives can witness one of
the final launch and ascent simulations conducted by the STS-135
crew, flight controllers and simulation and training teams. The
Johnson badging office opens at 6 a.m. CDT and journalists should
arrive early to be ready for transportation to the training site at 7
a.m.

Reporters will be able to photograph the crew getting into the
motion-based shuttle simulator and gather behind-the-scenes
interviews and footage with the teams that train the astronauts
before launch. Flight controllers who oversee the shuttle's
performance from the ground also will be available.

Filming and photographs will be allowed using only available light
inside both the simulation control rooms and the space shuttle flight
control room in the Mission Control Center. Reporters also will be
able to listen to and record conversations between the crew and
mission control, as well as between the flight director and his team
as they work through mock shuttle launches.

Following the simulation, STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug
Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim and
STS-135 Ascent Flight Director Richard Jones will be available for a
question-and-answer session in mission control. NASA Television will
air the event live at 1 p.m. The training team will be available for
interviews afterward.

On Friday, June 17, the space shuttle and space station flight
controllers will practice the shuttle's final rendezvous and docking
with the International Space Station. Reporters should arrive at
Johnson's badging office by 10:30 a.m. for transportation to the
training facility.
Journalists will have access to Johnson's fixed-based shuttle
simulator and can witness the STS-135 crew preparing for a mock
terminal initiation burn and getting the shuttle ready for docking
with the station. At noon, news media representatives will be
escorted to mission control to tour the space shuttle flight control
room and the space station training version. The flight control team
will be practicing the shuttle's backflip as it approaches the
station and the docking. Reporters will have access to the front of
the room and can listen to the flight director's audio and the
air-to-ground transmissions from the shuttle crew. The simulated
docking is expected to begin at 2 p.m.

Both training events will be recorded for broadcast on NASA TV. The
schedule is below.

June 16
1 p.m. - Question-and-answer session with STS-135 crew and flight
control team in space shuttle flight control room
2 p.m. - Replay of STS-135 ascent simulation

June 17
3:30 p.m. - Replay of STS-135 rendezvous simulation with shuttle and
station flight control teams

For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


For more information about the mission and crew, visit:



http://go.nasa.gov/STS-135

Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #15 on: 06/22/2011 04:24 am »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-128

NASA SCHEDULES NEWS CONFERENCE ABOUT FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA managers will hold a news conference on
Tuesday, June 28, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to
discuss the status of the final space shuttle launch.

The briefing will begin after the Flight Readiness Review, or FRR, a
meeting to assess preparations for shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission
to the International Space Station.

Live status updates, including the start time for the news conference,
will be provided during the meeting via the NASA News Twitter feed.
To access the feed, go to the nasa.gov home page or visit:

http://www.twitter.com/NASA

NASA expects to announce an official launch date at the conclusion of
the review. Atlantis and four veteran astronauts are targeted to lift
off at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8.

The briefing participants are:
-- Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations
-- Mike Moses, Space Shuttle Program launch integration manager
-- Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director

NASA Television and the agency's website will broadcast the briefing
live. Reporters may ask questions from participating NASA locations,
and should contact their preferred NASA center to confirm
participation. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling
information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For STS-135 crew and mission information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #16 on: 06/23/2011 06:42 pm »
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-130

NASA TO HIGHLIGHT ROBOTIC REFUELING MISSION PAYLOAD, COMMUNICATION SUPPORT ON FINAL SHUTTLE FLIGHT

GREENBELT, Md. -- NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt,
Md., will host a media event to highlight its role in the final space
shuttle flight, currently targeted for launch on July 8. The media
day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon EDT on Tuesday, June 28.

At 9 a.m., Goddard managers and engineers will give an overview of the
Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) module, which shuttle Atlantis will
deliver to the International Space Station. RRM will use the
station's two-armed robotic system, known as Dextre, to investigate
the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft in orbit.
The Canadian Space Agency built the Special Purpose Dexterous
Manipulator, or Dextre, to perform intricate maintenance and
servicing tasks on the station.

Reporters also will visit Goddard's Exploration and Space
Communications area to learn how Goddard provides tracking, data and
voice communications for every shuttle mission. Reporters then will
have the opportunity to see the Network Integration Center and the
Flight Dynamics Facility, which also support shuttle flights.

To attend, reporters must contact Dewayne Washington at 301-286-0040
or [email protected] or Malissa Reyes at 301-286-0918 by
June 27 to reserve space and provide names for security badges.
Reporters should meet at the Goddard Visitor's Center, located off
Greenbelt Road (State Route 193) and ICESat Road no later than 8:45
a.m. on June 28 to allow sufficient time for everyone to receive
badges. A shuttle will take reporters to the various sites.

For information about NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/goddard


For information about RRM, visit:



http://ssco.gsfc.nasa.gov


For information about ESC, visit:



http://esc.gsfc.nasa.gov


For information about the STS-135 mission, visit:



http://go.nasa.gov/STS-135


Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #17 on: 06/28/2011 04:21 am »
RELEASE: 11-207

NASA TWITTER FOLLOWERS WILL FLY SHUTTLE SIMULATOR DURING TWEETUP AT JOHNSON SPACE CENTER

HOUSTON -- So you think you can pilot the space shuttle? NASA will
give 30 of its Twitter followers a chance to test their skills at
space shuttle ascent, rendezvous or landing aboard the same simulator
astronauts use to train for their missions.

NASA's Johnson Space Center is hosting a daylong Tweetup on July 19,
during space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission to the International
Space Station. Participants will get a behind-the-scenes tour at
Johnson and a hands-on opportunity aboard the shuttle simulator to
take control in a training scenario. The tour includes a look at the
Mission Control Center and astronauts' training facilities. Visitors
also will have the opportunity to speak with flight directors,
trainers, astronauts and managers.

Atlantis is targeted to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in
Florida at 10:26 a.m. CDT on July 8. If it launches as planned, the
Tweetup will take place one day before the last orbiter of the
shuttle fleet makes its final landing.

Tweetup registration opens at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28, and closes
24 hours later at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29. NASA will select 30
individuals randomly from the online registrants.

Reporters are invited to cover the Tweetup from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Media
representatives planning to attend should contact Tammie
Letroise-Brown at 281-483-4942.

For more information about the Tweetup and to register, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/tweetup


To follow NASA programs and astronauts on Twitter, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/connect


For more information about space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 mission,
visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #18 on: 06/28/2011 07:11 pm »
RELEASE: 11-193

NASA SETS LAUNCH DATE FOR FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis' Commander Chris
Ferguson and his three crewmates are scheduled to begin a 12-day
mission to the International Space Station with a launch at 11:26
a.m. EDT on July 8, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The
STS-135 mission is the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program.

The launch date was announced Tuesday at the conclusion of a flight
readiness review at Kennedy. During the meeting, senior NASA and
contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission
and determined the shuttle and station's equipment, support systems
and personnel are ready.

Atlantis' STS-135 mission will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose
logistics module filled with supplies and spare parts to sustain
space station operations after the shuttles are retired.

The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an
experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies
and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space -
even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will
return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. Engineers
want to understand why the pump failed and improve designs for future
spacecraft.

The crew consists of Commander Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, and
Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim. They are scheduled
to arrive at Kennedy on Monday, July 4, for final launch
preparations.
STS-135 is the 135th shuttle mission, Atlantis' 33rd flight and the
37th shuttle mission to the station.

For more information about the STS-135 mission, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle


For more information about the space station, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/station   

Jacques :-)

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Re: STS-135 Press releases
« Reply #19 on: 06/28/2011 07:13 pm »
End of the Shuttle Program Final Flight of Atlantis:

Canada’s Contribution

 
Longueuil, Quebec, June 28, 2011- The final flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for July 8, 2011, at 11:26 a.m. EDT. This will be the last mission of the Space Shuttle program.

Atlantis will carry equipment for a new joint NASA-CSA robotic refueling test. The Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) is an external International Space Station (ISS) experiment that will use Dextre, a space robot, to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques engineers on Earth would need to robotically refuel satellites in space—even satellites not designed to be serviced. The test is expected to take place approximately six months after STS-135.


Canadian content aboard Atlantis:

 

Technology

The TriDAR technology will undergo further testing on board the Space Shuttle. The Triangulation and LIDAR Automated Rendezvous and Docking system provides critical guidance information that can be used to position a vehicle during rendezvous and docking operations. Unlike current technologies, TriDAR does not rely on any reference markers, such as reflectors, positioned on the target spacecraft. It counts on a laser-based 3D sensor and a thermal imager. The TriDAR technology is developed by Neptec Design group with funding from the CSA and NASA.


The TriDAR system’s capabilities were successfully demonstrated on previous test flights (STS-128 and STS-131). The third flight of the system is set to continue demonstration of the system’s capabilities.


Science:

The last Canadian science experiment for the Space Shuttle, Hypersole, will determine changes in human skin sensitivity before and after spaceflight, and whether these changes are related to balance control.


Data from Hypersole is 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.


Education:

STS-135 will carry tomato seeds as part of the Tomatosphere project. The seeds, sealed in a plastic bag, will be left on the International Space Station for up to 36 months in order to be exposed to the on-orbit environment. The tomato seeds will then be brought back to Earth and distributed to participating classrooms so that students can plant them and observe their germination rates.


This project has reached 83,285 classrooms, or approximately 2,040,000 Canadian students, since the seeds were first distributed in 2001.

 

Fast Facts

·         STS-134 would have marked the end of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, but Atlantis’s STS-135 flight was added in order to haul cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) and definitively close the Program.

·         This will be the 37th shuttle mission to the ISS and the 135th and final scheduled shuttle flight.

·         STS-135 will mark Canadarm2’s 30th shuttle mission since its installation on the ISS, in 2001. By the time STS-135 is over, Canadarm2 will have assisted in 100 spacewalks and unloaded 45 payloads and hundreds of tons of supplies and equipment ferried by the Space Shuttle.

·         Canada has flown nearly 50 science experiments on the Space Shuttle since STS-09 (41A), in 1983, which produced over 220 scientific papers on subjects like: bone loss; back pain; eye-hand coordination; blood pressure; ageing; plant cells development; optics; the ozone layer; machine vision systems; crystal growth; metal diffusion; composite materials resistance and thin film formation.

·         This flight will mark the Canadarm’s 90th mission since it first flew on Shuttle Columbia on STS-2, in 1981.

·         Canadian astronauts have flown 14 times on the Space Shuttle.

·         Chris Hadfield and Steve MacLean are the only Canadian Space Agency Astronauts that have flown on Shuttle Atlantis.

 

Jacques :-)

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