STS-122: NASA and ESA Press Releases

[shaula1247]

jacqmans - 4/12/2007  1:10 PM

The Columbus Blog is now online, and will run through to the end of the Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-122 mission. ESA's Columbus Blog will cover the intense activity supporting the delivery of the Columbus lab - Europe's cornerstone contribution to the ISS - to space.

More at:

http://www.esa.int/blog

Curently (2320Z) this appears to be broken with a database error. :frown:

[jacqmans]

RELEASE: 07-267

NASA RESCHEDULES SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The launch of NASA's space shuttle Atlantis
will take place no earlier than Saturday, Dec. 8, at 3:43 p.m. EST.
Thursday's scheduled liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla.,
was postponed because of a problem with a fuel cutoff sensor system
inside the shuttle's external fuel tank.

The fuel cutoff sensor system is one of several that protect the
shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs
unexpectedly low. Launch Commit Criteria require that three of the
four sensor systems function properly before liftoff.

Space Shuttle Program managers will hold a Mission Management Team
meeting Friday at 2 p.m. to discuss the issue and determine the steps
necessary to start a new launch countdown. A news conference will be
held at approximately 5 p.m. after the meeting's conclusion.

On Thursday morning, two of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors
inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank failed a routine
prelaunch check. Following the launch postponement, the tank's liquid
oxygen and liquid hydrogen were drained. While the tank was being
emptied, engineers monitored and collected data on the liquid
hydrogen sensors that failed. During that process, another sensor
gave a false reading, indicating that the tank was "wet," when it was
dry. All ECO sensors are now indicating dry as they should be.

During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station,
the shuttle and station crews will work with ground teams to install
and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory. The new
lab will expand the station's scientific research capabilities.

[jacqmans]

RELEASE: 07-270

NASA TO LAUNCH SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS NO EARLIER THAN SUNDAY

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA is targeting the launch of space shuttle
Atlantis no earlier than Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3:21 p.m. EST from the
Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Shuttle program managers made the decision
after a meeting Friday to review data on a problem with a fuel cutoff
sensor system inside the shuttle and its external fuel tank.

Because of the length of the meeting, the managers agreed that
targeting Sunday would allow the launch and management teams
appropriate time to rest and prepare. The Mission Management Team
will meet Saturday at 1 p.m. to decide whether to make a Sunday
attempt. A news conference will be held after the meeting's
conclusion.

Atlantis' scheduled launch Thursday was delayed after two ECO sensors
gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained
of fuel. The fuel cutoff sensor system is one of several that
protects the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if
fuel runs unexpectedly low.

During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station,
the shuttle and station crews will work with ground teams to install
and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory. The new
lab will expand the station's scientific research capabilities.

[jacqmans]

RELEASE: 07-271

NASA TO LAUNCH SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS SUNDAY

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch
Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3:21 p.m. EST, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center,
Fla. Shuttle program managers made the liftoff decision after three
days of reviewing data on a problem with fuel sensors.

Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday was delayed after two of the
four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors in the shuttle's external fuel
tank gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was
drained of fuel. The sensor system is one of several that protect the
shuttle's three main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel
runs unexpectedly low.

During a Mission Management Team meeting Saturday, NASA leaders
decided to fuel the tank Sunday and monitor the status of the sensor
system. If all four ECO sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of
the tank perform as expected, the countdown will proceed toward the
planned liftoff. NASA Television coverage of the tank loading will
start Sunday at 6 a.m., with launch coverage beginning at 10 a.m.

During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station,
the astronauts will install and activate the European Space Agency's
Columbus laboratory, which will expand the station's scientific
research capabilities. Crew members for the STS-122 mission are
Commander Steve Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter, mission specialists
Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and European Space Agency
astronauts Hans Schlegel from Germany and Leopold Eyharts from
France.

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

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

[jacqmans]

RELEASE: 07-272

NASA POSTPONES SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA has delayed Sunday's launch of space
shuttle Atlantis on its STS-122 mission to the International Space
Station. Shuttle program managers made the decision at 7:24 a.m. EST
after a failure occurred in a fuel sensor system while Atlantis'
external fuel tank was being filled.

One of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors inside the liquid
hydrogen section of the tank gave a false reading. NASA's current
Launch Commit Criteria require that all four sensors function
properly. The sensor system is one of several that protect the
shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs
unexpectedly low.

The Mission Management Team will meet at 9 a.m. Sunday to discuss the
issue and a possible future launch date. A news conference will be
held after the meeting's conclusion.

Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday was delayed after two liquid
hydrogen ECO sensors gave false readings. A third sensor failed after
the tank was drained of fuel.

The main objective of Atlantis' 11-day mission is to install and
activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will
provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety
of life, physical and materials science experiments.

For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and the ECO
sensor system, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

RELEASE: 07-273

NASA TARGETS SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LAUNCH ON JAN. 2

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the
International Space Station now is targeted to launch no earlier than
Jan. 2 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The liftoff date depends on
the resolution of a problem in a fuel sensor system.

Early Sunday, one of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors inside
the liquid hydrogen section of Atlantis' external fuel tank gave a
false reading while the tank was being filled. NASA's current Launch
Commit Criteria require that all four sensors function properly.

The sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's main
engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday, Dec. 6, was delayed after two
liquid hydrogen ECO sensors gave false readings.

The main objective of Atlantis' 11-day mission is to install and
activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will
provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety
of life, physical and materials science experiments.

For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and the ECO
sensor system, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

The launch of the European Columbus laboratory on board Space Shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station now is targeted to launch no earlier than 2 January 2008 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The liftoff date depends on the resolution of a problem in a fuel sensor system.

Read more:
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMQD829R9F_index_0.html

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-180

NASA ANNOUNCES TELECONFERENCE ABOUT SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH PLAN

Houston - NASA will host a media teleconference with Space Shuttle
Program Manager Wayne Hale at approximately 2:30 p.m. CST, Tuesday,
Dec. 11, to discuss the status of shuttle Atlantis' launch on the
upcoming STS-122 mission.

The teleconference will follow a meeting chaired by Hale that will lay
out options to better understand recurring problems with the
low-level engine cutoff, or ECO, sensor system in the shuttle and its
external fuel tank. Shuttle managers postponed Atlantis' planned
launches on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9 because of false readings from the
sensor system that monitors the liquid hydrogen section of the tank.
The system is one of several that protects the shuttle's main engines
by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.

NASA has formed a troubleshooting team to develop a forward plan of
action to address the problem. The team will present its findings and
recommendations to the Space Shuttle Program Tuesday morning.

To participate in the teleconference, reporters must R.S.V.P. by 1:30
p.m. Tuesday to NASA's Johnson Space Center newsroom at 281-483-5111.
Live audio of the event will be streamed online at:

http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

For STS-122 crew and mission information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[JMS]

Any chance this will be carried on NASA TV?
Haven't seen it added to the schedule.

[John44]

audio file  teleconference status of shuttle Atlantis
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3191&Itemid=2

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-183

NASA UPDATES MEDIA ACCREDITATION DEADLINES FOR NEXT SHUTTLE MISSION

WASHINGTON - With the launch of space shuttle Atlantis postponed until
no earlier than Jan. 2, NASA has updated its media accreditation
deadlines.

All U.S. and international media who are not already accredited for
Atlantis' launch and the STS-122 mission must apply for credentials
to attend the liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida or
to cover the mission from other NASA centers.

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, on the State Department's list of state sponsors of
terrorism, which are under U.S. sanction or embargo, or which raise
proliferation concerns. Please contact the accrediting NASA center
for details. Journalists should confirm they have been accredited
before they travel.

No substitutions of credentials are allowed at any NASA facility.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
All media credentials originally approved for the STS-122 mission will
be honored when the launch takes place. The mission badges will be
valid beginning four days before launch, known as L-4, through the
end of the mission. Please read the following carefully for your
specific circumstances:

- U.S. media who already have their STS-122 mission badge do not need
to take any further action.

- U.S. media who are approved but have not obtained their credentials
may pick them up beginning on L-4.

- U.S. media who do not have an STS-122 mission badge but would like
to obtain one now should apply by Dec. 20 to Kennedy's online
accreditation site at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov  

International media should note that while their STS-122 approvals
will carry over to the launch date, the Kennedy News Center still
needs to know in advance whether they still plan to attend launch.
International reporters should e-mail the accreditation manager at
laurel.a.lichtenberger@nasa.gov by Dec. 17 and let NASA know if they
plan to attend the launch. Media will receive an e-mail reply
confirming their status and giving detailed instructions for badging.
If media do not alert NASA by the deadline, your credentials will not
be good for the new launch date. No exceptions will be made.

Foreign media who have never had an STS-122 badge, or who never
received approval to attend the launch but wish to now, should apply
to Kennedy's online site by Dec. 17.

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER
Media credentials originally approved for the STS-122 mission will be
honored when the flight takes place. Media may obtain Johnson Space
Center credentials by calling the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 or
presenting Kennedy STS-122 mission credentials. Media planning to
cover the mission only from Johnson need apply for credentials only
at Johnson. The deadline for requesting Johnson credentials is Dec.
21 for U.S. media.

Media covering the mission from Johnson using Kennedy credentials also
must contact the Johnson newsroom by Dec. 21 to arrange work space,
phone lines and other logistics. Johnson is responsible for
credentialing media if the shuttle lands at 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 space shuttle landing at Dryden Flight Research Center on
Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., could be short. National media should
consider accrediting Los Angeles-based personnel who could travel
quickly to Dryden. The deadline for submitting Dryden Flight Research
Center accreditation requests is Jan. 7 for U.S. media who are U.S.
citizens.

For Dryden media credentials, U.S. citizens representing domestic
media must provide their full name, date of birth, place of birth,
media organization, the last six digits of their social security
number and driver's license number, including the name of the issuing
state.

Media should fax requests for credentials on company letterhead to
661-276-3566. E-mailed requests to alan.brown@nasa.gov are acceptable
for media who have been accredited at Dryden within the past year.
Requests must include a phone number and business e-mail address for
follow-up contact.

NASA PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS:
Kennedy Space Center: Candrea Thomas, 321-867-2468,
candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov
Johnson Space Center: James Hartsfield, 281-483-5111,
james.a.hartsfield@nasa.gov
Dryden Flight Research Center: Leslie Williams, 661-276-3893,
leslie.a.williams@nasa.gov

For information about the STS-122 mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

RELEASE: MO7-185

NASA TARGETS SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LAUNCH ON JAN. 10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Space Shuttle Program managers have
targeted Jan. 10 for the launch of shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission
to the International Space Station.

"The workforce has stepped up to and met every challenge this year,"
said Wayne Hale, Space Shuttle Program manager at NASA's Johnson
Space Center. "Moving the next launch attempt of Atlantis to Jan. 10
will allow as many people as possible to have time with family and
friends at the time of year when it means the most. A lot has been
asked of them this year and a lot will be asked of them in 2008."

The liftoff date from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, depends on
the resolution of a problem in a fuel sensor system. The shuttle's
planned launches on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9 were postponed because of false
readings from the part of the system that monitors the liquid
hydrogen section of the tank.

Atlantis' main objective during its STS-122 mission to the
International Space Station is to install and activate the European
Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists
around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical
and materials science experiments.

For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and the ECO
sensor system, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-187

NASA TV COVERAGE SET FOR SHUTTLE FUELING TEST

WASHINGTON - NASA Television will provide simultaneous live coverage
of a spacewalk by the International Space Station crew and a shuttle
fueling test at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Tuesday, Dec.
18.

At 7 a.m. EST, Tuesday, NASA TV's media channel will begin coverage of
a fueling test of space shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy's Launch Pad 39A.
The fueling test will assist engineering efforts to resolve a problem
with an engine cutoff sensor system that prevented Atlantis' launch
attempts earlier this month. Reporters will be notified of any plans
to hold a news briefing following the test's conclusion.

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

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-188

NASA TO HOLD BRIEFING TUESDAY AFTER SHUTTLE FUELING TEST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA will hold a briefing no earlier than 4:30
p.m. EST, on Tuesday, Dec. 18, to discuss the results from a fueling
test of the space shuttle Atlantis.

The briefing will originate from NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston.
Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale will be the briefer.

The fueling test will be broadcast on NASA Television's media channel
starting at 7 a.m. EST Tuesday. The briefing will air on NASA TV's
public channel, with questions taken from reporters at participating
NASA locations.

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

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming STS-122
mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

[jacqmans]

NASA ANNOUNCES SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH TARGETS

HOUSTON - NASA Friday announced Feb. 7 as the target launch date for
shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station
and mid-March for the launch of Endeavour on STS-123. Liftoff of
Atlantis from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., will be at 2:47 p.m.
EST.

A decision by the Russian Federal Space Agency to move up its Progress
launch from Feb. 7 to Feb. 5 enables both STS-122 and STS-123 to
launch before the next Russian Soyuz mission in early April. This
allows astronauts assigned to the space station's Expedition 16 crew
to complete the tasks they have trained for, including support of the
launch and docking of Jules Verne, the first European Space Agency
Automated Transfer Vehicle. Targeting Feb. 7 also allows time to
complete modifications to the engine cutoff sensor system that
postponed two shuttle launch attempts in December.

Atlantis' main objective during its STS-122 mission to the station is
to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus
laboratory, which will provide scientists around the world the
ability to conduct a variety of experiments in life, physical, and
materials science, Earth observation and solar physics.

Shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission will deliver Kibo, the first
section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's laboratory
module, and Dextre, Canada's new robotics system to the space
station.

NASA managers will meet in the coming weeks to address the schedule of
remaining shuttle flights beyond STS-123.

For the latest shuttle information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

       
-end-