STS-122: NASA and ESA Press Releases

• STS-122: NASA and ESA Press Releases by jacqmans on 23 Oct, 2007 18:24
• MEDIA ADVISORY: 07-142
  
  NASA SETS BRIEFINGS TO PREVIEW NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION, STS-122
  
  HOUSTON - NASA will discuss the next space shuttle mission during a
  daylong series of media briefings from the Johnson Space Center
  beginning at 8 a.m. CST Friday, Nov. 9. Space shuttle Atlantis'
  11-day mission, designated STS-122, is targeted for launch Dec 6. The
  mission will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus Laboratory
  to the International Space Station.
  
  The schedule of briefings is (all times Central):
  
  8 a.m. -- Space Shuttle and Space Station Program Overview
  9 a.m. -- International Space Station Briefing to preview Expedition
  16 spacewalks
  10 a.m. -- STS-122 Mission Overview
  11:30 a.m. -- NASA TV Video File
  12 p.m. -- STS-122 Spacewalk Overview
  1 p.m. -- STS-122 Crew News Conference
  2 p.m. -- Crew Round-Robin Interviews
  5 p.m. -- Hans Schlegel News Conference for German media
  
  Media planning to attend or participate in the briefings or
  round-robin interviews must contact the Johnson newsroom at
  281-483-5111, by 5 p.m. on Nov. 7. Questions will be taken from
  participating NASA locations. Non-U.S. media planning to attend the
  briefings, regardless of citizenship, need to request credentials
  from Johnson by Friday, Oct. 26.
  
  All briefings, except the round-robin crew interviews, will be
  broadcast live on NASA Television and the Web at:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  Steve Frick will command the seven-member crew, which includes Pilot
  Alan Poindexter, mission specialists Rex Walheim, Stanley Love,
  Leland Melvin and European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel and
  Leopold Eyharts. Eyharts will replace Expedition 16 Flight Engineer
  Daniel Tani and remain aboard the station as a member of the
  Expedition 16 crew. Tani will return to Earth with the STS-122 crew.
  
  For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and its crew,
  visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
• #1 by jacqmans on 25 Oct, 2007 03:08
• MEDIA ADVISORY: 07-147
  
  NASA SETS MEDIA ACCREDITATION DEADLINES FOR NEXT SHUTTLE MISSION
  
  WASHINGTON - NASA has set media accreditation deadlines for the
  upcoming space shuttle mission, STS-122. Shuttle Atlantis is targeted
  to launch Dec. 6 to begin a 12-day mission to the International Space
  Station.
  
  All U.S. and international media 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. To be accredited, media must
  work for legitimate, verifiable news-gathering organizations.
  Reporters may need to submit requests for credentials at multiple
  NASA facilities.
  
  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, 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. If
  the STS-122 launch is delayed, the deadline for domestic media may be
  extended on a day-by-day basis.
  
  KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
  Media applying for credentials at Kennedy should submit requests via
  the Web at https://media.ksc.nasa.gov. Media must use work e-mail
  addresses, not personal accounts, when applying. Once accreditation
  is approved, applicants will receive confirmation via e-mail.
  
  Accredited media with mission badges will have access from launch
  through the end of the mission. Application deadlines for mission
  badges are Nov. 21 for U.S. media and Nov. 16 for foreign media.
  Access requests must be submitted separately for Atlantis' rollout to
  the launch pad and the launch dress rehearsal activities, known as
  the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, on Nov. 17-20.
  
  Media with special logistic requests for Kennedy Space Center, such as
  space for satellite trucks, trailers, electrical connections or work
  space, must contact Laurel Lichtenberger at
  [email protected] by Nov. 29.
  
  Work space in the NASA News Center and the News Center Annex is
  provided on a first-come basis - one space per organization. To set
  up temporary telephone, fax, ISDN or network lines, media must make
  arrangements with BellSouth at 800-213-4988. Media must have an
  assigned seat in the Kennedy newsroom prior to setting up lines. To
  obtain an assigned seat, contact Patricia Christian at
  [email protected]. Media must have a public affairs escort
  to any other Kennedy area except the Launch Complex 39 cafeteria.
  
  JOHNSON SPACE CENTER
  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. Deadlines for
  submitting Johnson Space Center accreditation requests are Nov. 14
  for non-U.S. media, regardless of citizenship, and Nov. 29 for U.S.
  media who are U.S. citizens.
  
  Media covering the mission from Johnson using Kennedy credentials also
  must contact the Johnson newsroom by Nov. 29 to arrange workspace,
  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. Deadlines for submitting Dryden Flight Research
  Center accreditation requests are Nov. 9 for non-U.S. media,
  regardless of citizenship, and Dec. 12 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.
  
  In addition to the above requirements, foreign media representatives,
  regardless of citizenship, must provide data including their
  citizenship, visa or passport number, expiration date, and alien
  registration number if applicable.
  
  Media should fax requests for credentials on company letterhead to
  661-276-3566. E-mailed requests to [email protected] 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: George Diller, 321-867-2468,
  [email protected]
  Johnson Space Center: James Hartsfield, 281-483-5111,
  [email protected]
  Dryden Flight Research Center: Leslie Williams, 661-276-3893,
  [email protected]
  
• #2 by jacqmans on 25 Oct, 2007 17:16
• MEDIA ADVISORY: 07-148
  
  NASA SHOWCASES NEXT INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION COMPONENT
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Kennedy Space Center will hold a media
  event at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Oct. 31, to highlight the next
  pressurized element to be launched to the International Space
  Station. The European Space Agency's Columbus module will fly aboard
  space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, targeted for launch
  Dec. 6.
  
  Columbus will expand the research facilities of the station, providing
  crew members and scientists around the world the ability to conduct a
  variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. It is
  the European Space Agency's largest single contribution to the
  orbiting outpost. The module is approximately 23 feet long and 15
  feet wide, allowing it to hold 10 large racks of experiments.
  
  During the event, reporters at the Space Station Processing Facility
  will have the opportunity to speak with mission managers involved in
  processing Columbus for flight. The module is scheduled to be
  transferred to Launch Pad 39A in early November, in preparation for
  its journey to the station.
  
  Media attending the event should arrive at Kennedy's News Center by
  1:30 p.m. for transportation to the processing facility. Media
  without permanent Kennedy credentials should submit their request via
  the online accreditation Web site at:
  
  https://media.ksc.nasa.gov
  
  The processing facility is an operational area. All participants must
  be properly dressed in full-length pants, flat shoes that entirely
  cover the feet, and shirts with sleeves.
  
  For the latest information about the STS-122 mission, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts122
  
  
• #3 by collectSPACE on 31 Oct, 2007 20:45
• Quote

  jacqmans - 23/10/2007  1:24 PM
  
  NASA will discuss the next space shuttle mission during a  daylong series of media briefings from the Johnson Space Center  beginning at 8 a.m. CST Friday, Nov. 9.

  These briefings have been moved:
  
  November 16, Friday
  9 a.m. - Space Shuttle and Space Station Program Overview Briefing
  10 a.m. - ISS Expedition 16 Spacewalk Preview Briefing
  11 a.m. - STS-122 Mission Overview Briefing
  1 p.m. - STS-122 Spacewalk Overview Briefing
  2 p.m. - STS-122 Crew News Conference
  6 p.m. - ESA News Conference to Germany with STS-122 Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel
  
• #4 by jacqmans on 01 Nov, 2007 21:54
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-152
  
  NASA UPDATES BRIEFING SCHEDULE TO PREVIEW NEXT SHUTTLE MISSION
  
  HOUSTON - NASA briefings on the next space shuttle mission have been
  rescheduled to Friday, Nov. 16. The daylong series of media briefings
  from the Johnson Space Center will begin at 8 a.m. CST. Shuttle
  Atlantis' 11-day mission, designated STS-122, is targeted for launch
  Dec 6. The mission will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus
  Laboratory to the International Space Station.
  
  The schedule of briefings is (all times Central):
  
  8 a.m. -- Space Shuttle and Space Station Program Overview
  9:30 a.m. -- STS-122 Mission Overview
  11 a.m. -- NASA Television Video File
  12 p.m. -- STS-122 Spacewalk Overview
  1 p.m. -- STS-122 Crew News Conference
  2 p.m. -- Crew Round-Robin Interviews (not televised)
  5 p.m. -- Hans Schlegel News Conference for German media
  
  Media planning to attend or participate in the briefings or
  round-robin interviews must contact the Johnson newsroom at
  281-483-5111, by 5 p.m. on Nov. 14. Reporters at other participating
  NASA locations will be able to ask questions. Non-U.S. media planning
  to attend the briefings, regardless of citizenship, need to request
  credentials from Johnson by Friday, Nov. 2.
  
  All briefings, except the round-robin crew interviews, will be
  broadcast live on NASA Television and the Web at:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  Steve Frick will command Atlantis' seven-member crew, which includes
  Pilot Alan Poindexter, mission specialists Rex Walheim, Stanley Love,
  Leland Melvin and European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel and
  Leopold Eyharts. Eyharts will replace Expedition 16 Flight Engineer
  Daniel Tani and remain aboard the station as a member of the
  Expedition 16 crew. Tani will return to Earth with the STS-122 crew.
  
  For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and its crew,
  visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
• #5 by jacqmans on 07 Nov, 2007 03:07
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-156
  
  NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS TO MOVE TO LAUNCH PAD SATURDAY
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to roll out
  to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday,
  Nov. 10, as preparations for the STS-122 mission move forward.
  Atlantis is targeted to lift off Dec. 6 on an 11-day mission to the
  International Space Station.
  
  The first motion of the shuttle out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly
  Building is scheduled for 4 a.m. EST. The 3.4-mile journey to the
  launch pad is expected to take about six hours.
  
  NASA Television will provide a live picture of Atlantis at the launch
  pad beginning at 6:30 a.m. Video highlights of the rollout will air
  on NASA TV's Video File segments.
  
  Media are invited to photograph Atlantis' move to the launch pad and
  interview Atlantis Flow Director Angela Brewer at 7 a.m. Saturday.
  Because dates and times of this event are subject to change, updates
  are available by calling 321-867-2525.
  
  Media must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 6 a.m. Saturday for
  transportation to the viewing area. Foreign news media accreditation
  for this event is closed. Foreign media with credentials must arrive
  at the Pass and Identification Building on State Road 3 by 5:30 a.m.
  for transportation to the news center. U.S. media without permanent
  Kennedy Space Center credentials must apply for accreditation online
  by 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 at:
  
  https://media.ksc.nasa.gov
  
• #6 by jacqmans on 11 Nov, 2007 05:37
• RELEASE: 07-290
  
  SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS ARRIVES AT LAUNCH PAD
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - After safely reaching its launch pad Saturday
  at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the space shuttle Atlantis now awaits
  its next major milestone for the upcoming STS-122 mission. The full
  launch dress rehearsal is scheduled from Nov. 18 to 20 at Kennedy.
  
  The shuttle arrived at the pad about 10 a.m. EST Saturday on top of a
  giant vehicle called the crawler-transporter. The crawler-transporter
  began carrying Atlantis out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at
  4:43 a.m., traveling less than 1 mph during the 3.4 mile journey.
  Atlantis achieved hard down and was firmly on the launch pad at 11:51
  a.m.
  
  Atlantis is targeted to launch Dec. 6 on an 11-day mission to the
  International Space Station. The shuttle's seven crew members will
  deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus Laboratory to the
  International Space Station and bring a new crew member to the
  station and return another to Earth.
  
  Atlantis' crew members are Commander Steve Frick, Pilot Alan
  Poindexter and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim,
  Stanley Love, and Hans Schlegel and LĂ©opold Eyharts of the European
  Space Agency. Eyharts will replace current Expedition 16 Flight
  Engineer Daniel Tani. Eyharts will return to Earth aboard STS-123,
  which is targeted to launch Feb. 14, 2008. Tani will return to Earth
  aboard Atlantis. He launched to the station with the STS-120 crew.
  
  The STS-122 astronauts and ground crews will participate in a launch
  dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test,
  or TCDT. The test provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to
  participate in various simulated countdown activities, including
  equipment familiarization and emergency training. STS-122 is the
  121st space shuttle flight, the 29th flight for space shuttle
  Atlantis and the 24th flight to the station.
  
  The following media events are associated with the test. All times are
  Eastern.
  
  * Nov. 17 - STS-122 Crew Arrival: The crew will arrive at 9 p.m. at
  the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. The arrival will
  not be broadcast live but will be part of the NASA TV Video File.
  * Nov. 19 - STS-122 Crew Media Q&A: The crew will take media questions
  at Launch Pad 39A at 9:35 a.m. The session will be carried on a delay
  on NASA TV.
  * Nov. 20 - STS-122 Crew Walkout Photo Opportunity: The astronauts
  will depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 a.m. in
  their flight entry suits in preparation for the countdown
  demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will not be
  broadcast live but will be part of the NASA TV Video File.
  
  Dates and times of events are subject to change. Schedule updates are
  available at 321-867-2525.
  
  New foreign media accreditation for these events is closed. U.S. media
  without permanent Kennedy Space Center credentials must apply for
  accreditation online by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15 at:
  
  https://media.ksc.nasa.gov
  
  To attend crew arrival, reporters must pick up badges by 4 p.m.
  Friday, Nov. 16, at the Pass & I.D. Building 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
  
  Video b-roll of the terminal countdown demonstration test will be
  available on the NASA TV Video File. For NASA TV downlink
  information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  For information about the STS-122 mission and crew, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
  
• #7 by jacqmans on 21 Nov, 2007 18:54
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-167
  
  NASA ANNOUNCES NEWS CONFERENCE ON STATUS OF NEXT SHUTTLE LAUNCH
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA managers have scheduled a news conference
  at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., no earlier than 4 p.m. EST,
  Friday, Nov. 30, to discuss the status of the upcoming space shuttle
  mission. The news conference will follow the Flight Readiness Review,
  which is chaired by NASA's Associate Administrator for Space
  Operations.
  
  The Space Shuttle Program completed its review for Atlantis' STS-122
  mission on Nov. 13, and the International Space Station Program will
  hold its readiness review Nov. 27. The Nov. 30 readiness review is
  expected to include the selection of an official launch date for the
  assembly mission that will deliver the European Space Agency Columbus
  Laboratory to the space station. The current targeted launch time is
  4:31 p.m. EST on Dec. 6.
  
  Briefing participants are:
  - Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier
  - Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale
  - International Space Station Program Manager Mike Suffredini
  - STS-122 Launch Director Doug Lyons
  
  The briefing will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the
  agency's Web site. Media may ask questions from participating NASA
  locations. Reporters should contact their preferred NASA center to
  confirm its participation.
  
  For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information,
  visit:
  
  www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  For STS-122 crew and mission information, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
• #8 by on 21 Nov, 2007 20:11
• Why is Mike Leinbach not doing this launch?  The assistant launch director is going to be at the FFR conference.  Where is Mike, did he leave to go do something else?  Is Doug Lyons going to do this launch?
• #9 by tesheiner on 22 Nov, 2007 08:40
• Should we expect the Press Kit NET Friday, Nov. 30?
• #10 by Chandonn on 25 Nov, 2007 00:22
• Quote

  tesheiner - 22/11/2007  4:40 AM
  
  Should we expect the Press Kit NET Friday, Nov. 30?

  
  That was what I was expecting.  Of course, the STS-120 and Expedition 16 press kits were very late compared with previous flights (Expedition 16 came out literally hours before launch!)
• #11 by ChrisGebhardt on 25 Nov, 2007 00:29
• Quote

  Justin Wheat - 21/11/2007  4:11 PM
  
  Why is Mike Leinbach not doing this launch?  The assistant launch director is going to be at the FFR conference.  Where is Mike, did he leave to go do something else?  Is Doug Lyons going to do this launch?

  
  I asked this same question when the crew arrived for their TCDT. I was told that Mike Leinbach was still the launch director and that it was just a misprint in the KSC media gallary labeling Lyons as the LD.  However, seeing Lyons listed here again as the LD is making me wonder!  
  
  Can someone please answer this question!
• #12 by Endeavour118 on 25 Nov, 2007 00:40
• about lyons being the ld isn't he the guy who sits next to mike at the ALD console?
• #13 by ChrisGebhardt on 25 Nov, 2007 00:44
• Quote

  Endeavour118 - 24/11/2007  8:40 PM
  
  about lyons being the ld isn't he the guy who sits next to mike at the ALD console?

  
  Yes.
• #14 by jacqmans on 27 Nov, 2007 21:02
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-169
  
  NASA SETS INTERVIEWS WITH FLIGHT DIRECTOR FOR NEXT SHUTTLE MISSION
  
  HOUSTON - International Space Station Flight Director Sally Davis will
  be available for satellite interviews Monday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 8
  a.m. CST. Davis will lead NASA's Mission Control Center during the
  next space shuttle mission, which will expand the research capability
  of the station.
  
  Davis is a native of El Paso, Texas, and a graduate of Texas Tech
  University, Lubbock. She is the lead station flight director for
  shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission. The launch countdown is
  tentatively scheduled to begin Monday, Dec. 3. The launch is targeted
  for 3:31 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center,
  Fla. Atlantis will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus
  laboratory to the station.
  
  To participate in the interviews, media should contact producer Karen
  Svetaka at 281-483-8684 or pager 713-708-1024 by 2 p.m., Friday, Nov.
  30. B-roll of preparations for the mission will be broadcast starting
  at 5:30 a.m., immediately prior to the interviews.
  
  The NASA Television low-latency channel will be used to conduct the
  interviews with the least audio delay. The NASA TV low-latency
  channel is on satellite AMC 6, transponder 5C, located at 72 degrees
  west, downlink frequency 3785.5 Mhz, vertical polarity. The
  interviews also will be broadcast live on NASA TV.
  
  For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:
  
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and its crew,
  visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
• #15 by Chandonn on 29 Nov, 2007 02:54
• STS-122 Press Kit is now available: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
• #16 by OV-107 on 30 Nov, 2007 17:34
• It looks like Mike Leinbach is still the Nasa Launch Director but that Doug Lyons will perform this role in this mission.
  
  In the picture gallery "crew rehearses for launch" at nasas website in one photo Doug welcome the crew as the "STS 122 Launch Director".
  
  
  
  
  
  
• #17 by DaveS on 30 Nov, 2007 17:49
• Quote

  OV-107 - 30/11/2007  7:34 PM
  
  It looks like Mike Leinbach is still the Nasa Launch Director but that Doug Lyons will perform this role in this mission.
  
  In the picture gallery "crew rehearses for launch" at nasas website in one photo Doug welcome the crew as the "STS 122 Launch Director".
  

  Determined to be a PAO error. I seen similar mistakes before made by NASA PAO. Lyons is the Assistant Launch Director.
• #18 by jacqmans on 01 Dec, 2007 06:28
• RELEASE: 07-262
  
  NASA GIVES "GO" FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH ON DEC. 6
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA senior managers completed a thorough
  review Friday of space shuttle Atlantis' readiness for flight and
  selected Dec. 6 as the official launch date for mission STS-122.
  Commander Steve Frick and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off
  to the International Space Station at 4:31 p.m. EST.
  
  During the 11-day mission, the crew will install the European Space
  Agency's new Columbus laboratory. Columbus will expand the research
  facilities of the station and provide scientists around the world
  with the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials
  science experiments. The mission will include at least three
  spacewalks, delivery of a new crew member to the station and the
  return of another astronaut after nearly two months aboard the
  station.
  
  Atlantis' launch date was announced after the conclusion of Friday's
  Flight Readiness Review. During the one-day meeting, top NASA and
  contractor managers assessed any risks associated with the mission
  and determined whether the shuttle's equipment, support systems and
  procedures are ready for flight.
  
  Joining Commander Frick on STS-122 will be pilot Alan Poindexter and
  mission specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and
  European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts.
  Eyharts will replace current station crew member Dan Tani, who has
  lived on the outpost since October. Eyharts will return to Earth on
  shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission, currently targeted for launch on
  Feb. 14, 2008.
  
• #19 by jacqmans on 01 Dec, 2007 06:29
• RELEASE: 56-07
  
  AIRSPACE, BRIDGES AND WATERWAY RESTRICTIONS FOR STS-122 MISSION
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- For the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on
  the STS-122 mission, NASA managers are urging all aircraft pilots and
  boaters to fully comply with the airspace, bridges and waterway
  restrictions imposed around Kennedy Space Center prior to and during
  shuttle launches and landings.
  
  The first launch opportunity is Thursday, Dec. 6, with liftoff
  scheduled for 4:31 p.m. EST. This launch time is approximately in the
  middle of a 10-minute launch window. At NASA's request, U.S. Air
  Force and U.S. Coast Guard surveillance aircraft will patrol Eastern
  Range airspace boundaries on launch day. Violators will be
  intercepted by patrol forces, thoroughly investigated and subject to
  enforcement action by the Federal Aviation Administration. A number
  of restrictions remain in effect around Kennedy during the hours
  immediately following the launch of a space shuttle.
  
  The following are restrictions that apply to pilots, boaters and motor
  vehicle operators using the airspace, waterways, or roads and bridges
  that lead to Kennedy.
  
  KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS
  
  For the launch of Atlantis on mission STS-122, all restricted areas
  surrounding Kennedy will be active and the area covered by flight
  restrictions has once again been expanded for this launch.
  
  Due to international terrorist activities, heightened security is
  essential to protect the space shuttle as a national asset. An
  inadvertent unauthorized incursion into the area of the Cape
  Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR, could cause a scrub
  in the launch of Atlantis, the activation of airspace defenses and an
  FAA enforcement action. Local pilots are asked to help NASA by
  respecting these temporary but necessary restrictions so the launch
  can occur on time and without incident.
  
  The Eastern Range restricted airspace for Kennedy and Cape Canaveral
  Air Force Station is in effect on a continuous basis and is off
  limits to general aviation pilots. Access is limited to official
  aircraft only. The restricted airspace normally covers the area
  bounded by the Indian River to the west, Port Canaveral to the south,
  the city of Oak Hill to the north, and three miles over the Atlantic
  Ocean to the east. Pilots are encouraged to consult the current FAA
  aeronautical chart for Orlando Class B airspace.
  
  On launch day, these restricted areas will be expanded by the TFR and
  will be activated seven hours before the launch window opens. This
  will continue in effect until 30 minutes after launch, after which
  the standard restricted areas for Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air
  Force Station will remain in effect. On Thursday, Dec. 6, the TFR
  will be activated at 9:16 a.m. The launch is targeted to occur at
  4:31 p.m. within a launch window that extends from 4:26 to 4:36 p.m.
  The TFR will remain in effect until 5:17 p.m. If the launch is
  scrubbed, pilots should check NOTAMs for the hours the TFR will be in
  effect for the next launch attempt.
  
  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). Among the public-use
  general aviation airports affected within this area are Space Coast
  Regional Airport and Arthur Dunn Airpark, both in Titusville, and
  Merritt Island Airport on Merritt Island.
  
  Within an airspace radius between 30 and 40 nautical miles, a discrete
  transponder code must be obtained and clearance granted from air
  traffic control before entering this airspace. Continuous radio
  communications must be maintained.
  
  Among the public-use airports affected within the 30- to
  40-nautical-mile radius in which flight is permitted but under
  positive air traffic control are Orlando International Airport,
  Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando-Sanford International Airport, New
  Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, Melbourne International Airport,
  Valkaria Airport and Massey Ranch.
  
  Before flight, pilots should contact the St. Petersburg Flight Service
  Station at 1-800/WxBrief (1-800/992-7433) for details of the
  restrictions contained in the NOTAMs.
  
  In flight, outside Orlando Class B airspace, pilots should contact
  Orlando Approach control on 134.95. In the Melbourne area, contact
  Orlando Approach control on 132.65. In southern Volusia County,
  contact Orlando Approach control on 125.35. Flight Service can also
  be reached locally by radio on the Titusville RCO at 123.6 or the
  Melbourne RCO on 122.6. Advisories will also be available from the
  control tower at Space Coast Regional Airport at 118.9 megahertz.
  
  BRIDGES AND ACCESS HIGHWAYS CONTROLLED FOR LAUNCH
  
  The opening and closing of bridges over waterways surrounding Kennedy
  Space Center will be strictly controlled during the hours immediately
  before and after the launch period for each space shuttle mission.
  
  Bridges affected by the launch include:
  
  * Port Canaveral Barge Canal (State Road 401);
  
  * Indian River/NASA Causeway West (Intracoastal Waterway);
  
  * Merritt Island Barge Canal (Merritt Island State Road 3);
  
  * Haulover Canal (State Road 3, north of Kennedy Space Center).
  
  Restraints on bridge openings for boat traffic begin three hours
  before launch. The bridges may be opened for five minutes at the
  following points in the launch countdown: T-180 minutes, T-150
  minutes, T-120 minutes, T-90 minutes and T-65 minutes. Adding 20
  minutes to these times and then subtracting the total number of
  minutes from the opening of the 10-minute launch window (4:26 p.m.)
  will result in an approximate time of openings.
  
  Bridges will remain closed to boat traffic until 90 minutes after
  liftoff (T+90). They may then open for five minutes at T+90, T+120
  minutes and T+150 minutes. Bridge operations will return to normal
  three hours after launch (T+180 minutes).
  
  Should the shuttle be required to perform a return-to-launch-site
  landing at Kennedy, all bridges would remain closed to boat traffic
  from 45 minutes before landing until at least one hour after landing.
  
  State Road 3 from the Gate 2 Pass and Identification Building to State
  Road 405 (NASA Causeway) via Space Commerce Way will be closed on
  launch day, Dec. 6, beginning at 11 a.m. NASA Causeway between the
  Kennedy Visitor Complex and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame will also
  be closed starting at that time. Only badged employees and guests
  with passes will be permitted access. These roads will reopen
  approximately two hours after launch.
  
  Effective Dec. 3, the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge and the Cape
  Canaveral National Seashore will be closed until the day after
  launch.
  
  State Road 406 east to State Road 3, and State Road 3 south from the
  Haulover Canal bridge to State Road 402 leading to Titusville will be
  open to badged personnel. These roads will close to all vehicle
  traffic at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 until after a successful launch has
  occurred.
  
  KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS
  
  Waterways and boating near Kennedy will be strictly controlled prior
  to and during the launch of Atlantis on STS-122.
  
  Safety and security requirements, including Air Force range safety
  impact limit lines, will go into effect three days before launch.
  Other requirements will be phased into effect through sunset the
  night before launch. A general description of the area follows:
  
  ATLANTIC OCEAN: Beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3 (L-3 days)
  and continuing through launch, a general exclusion zone will be in
  effect three miles offshore from the Haulover Canal, near the north
  end of Kennedy, and southward to Port Canaveral. Four hours prior to
  launch, all ocean-going traffic will be restricted from entering an
  area measured from nine miles north and south of the launch pad and
  extending 64 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 the
  Haulover Canal and east of the Indian River's main channel.
  Restrictions begin 72 hours prior to launch.
  
  MOSQUITO LAGOON: This area south of the Haulover Canal in the Mosquito
  Lagoon is off limits to all boats beginning 72 hours prior to launch.
  
  BANANA RIVER: Security limits begin at the Banana River Barge Canal
  south of Kennedy at the State Road 528 crossing and extend north.
  This restriction is effective 72 hours prior to launch.
  
  All boating restrictions will be lifted approximately one hour after
  launch. Boating interests should monitor Coast Guard Channel 16
  broadcasting from Port Canaveral. The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.
  Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Florida Wildlife Commission,
  Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and NASA security forces share
  responsibility for enforcing the boating guidelines.
  
• #20 by jacqmans on 01 Dec, 2007 06:29
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-171
  
  NASA ANNOUNCES SHUTTLE PRELAUNCH EVENTS AND COUNTDOWN MILESTONES
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - News conferences, events and operating hours
  for the news center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are set for the
  upcoming launch of space shuttle Atlantis. The STS-122 mission to the
  International Space Station is set to lift off at 4:31 p.m. EST on
  Thursday, Dec. 6.
  
  On Monday, Dec. 3, the seven Atlantis crew members are scheduled to
  arrive at Kennedy at 12:30 p.m. Badged media planning to cover the
  crew arrival must be at Kennedy's news center by 10 a.m. for
  transportation to the Shuttle Landing Facility. Commander Steve Frick
  will make a brief statement to media. NASA Television will provide
  live coverage.
  
  The launch countdown begins at 7 p.m. Monday at T-43 hours. The
  countdown includes 26 hours and 31 minutes of built-in hold time
  leading to a preferred launch time of 4:31 p.m. The launch window
  extends an additional five minutes.
  
  Detailed lists of countdown milestones and news briefing times and
  participants, as well as hours of operation for Kennedy's news center
  and media credentialing office are available at:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news
  
  For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information,
  visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  For the latest information about the STS-122 crew and mission, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
  
• #21 by jacqmans on 02 Dec, 2007 15:46
• Press Release No.35-07
  Paris, 30 November 2007
  
  The European Columbus space laboratory set to reach the International Space Station; follow the  launch live.
  
  With NASA's announcement today of the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on 6 December, ESA astronauts Hans Schlegel, from Germany, and Leopold Eyharts, from France, are set to carry ESA's Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station.
  
  Atlantis is now scheduled to lift off from launch pad 39-A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida at 22:31 CET. Docking with the ISS is scheduled for the third day of the mission (Saturday 8 December at 19:14 CET). Landing is currently  scheduled to take place on Monday 17 December at 18:29 CET.
  
  ESA's Columbus laboratory is the most important European mission to the ISS to date and the cornerstone of Europe's contribution to this international endeavour. Once Columbus is launched, assembled to the Space Station and verified, ESA will become an active partner in the operations and utilization of mankind's only permanent outpost in space.  As the first European laboratory devoted to long-term research in space, Columbus will further expand the science capabilities of the ISS. In its interior, the Columbus laboratory will provide accommodation for experiments in the field of multidisciplinary research into biology, physiology, material science, fluid physics, technology, life science and education. In addition, its external payload facility hosts experiments and applications in the field of space science, Earth observation and technology.
  
  Columbus will be transported into Earth orbit in the Shuttle's cargo bay, pre equipped with five internal rack. Two of its external experiment facilities will be stowed separately in the Shuttle's cargo bay and attached to the outside of the laboratory module structure in orbit. German ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel will play a key role in two of the three spacewalks or EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity) scheduled for the mission. During the mission's first EVA, Schlegel will help to install and power up the laboratory.
   
  
  During his long duration stay on the ISS, Eyharts will play a key part in the installation, activation and in-orbit commissioning of Columbus and of its experimental facilities. Once in orbit, Columbus will be monitored from ESA's Columbus Control Centre located within DLR's German Space Operations Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich.
  
  Eyharts is also likely to be onboard ISS for the launch of Jules Verne, Europe's first Automated Transfer Vehicle, an unmanned supply ship carrying cargo to the ISS, including food, air and water. Jules Verne ATV is scheduled for launch on an Ariane 5 launcher early next year.  Eyharts will return to Earth at the end of Shuttle mission STS-123 (currently manifested for launch not earlier than 14 February 2008).
  
  For the launch of this milestone mission, ESA and the German Space Agency,  DLR,  are organising a live video event at ESA's Columbus Control Centre located in DLR/GSOC premises in Oberfaffenhofen (near Munich). Other local events will also be held at ESA's establishments. ESA experts, and top representatives from national space agencies or organizations as well as industry representatives will be on hand for interviews. See accreditation from attached.
  
  The launch and the whole mission can also be followed on the web at: www.esa.int/ columbus. Media representatives wishing to follow the event at one of the locations listed below are requested to fill in the attached registration form and fax it back to the place of their choice.
  
  For further information, please contact :
  ESA Media Relations Office,
  Communication Department
  Tel: +33(0)1 53 69 7299
  Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690
  
• #22 by jacqmans on 03 Dec, 2007 13:38
• MEDIA ADVISORY: 57-07
  
  NASA ANNOUNCES WEB COVERAGE OF NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A prelaunch webcast, live blogs, podcasts,
  pictures and videos highlight NASA's Web coverage of space shuttle
  Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. NASA
  will provide continuous online updates at:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
  A live webcast featuring NASA astronaut Robert Satcher will start the
  in-depth coverage of the mission at 11:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec.
  5.
  
  A blog will update the countdown beginning about six hours before
  Atlantis is scheduled to lift off on Dec. 6 at 4:31 p.m. EST.
  Originating from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the blog is the
  definitive Internet source for information leading up to launch.
  
  During the 11-day mission, Atlantis' crew of seven astronauts will
  deliver the European Space Agency's new Columbus laboratory, setting
  the stage for expanded science capabilities on the orbiting outpost.
  Visitors to NASA's shuttle Web site can read about the crew's
  progress and watch the spacewalks live from the space station.
  
  As Atlantis' flight wraps up, NASA will offer a blog detailing the
  spacecraft's return to Earth.
  
• #23 by OV-107 on 03 Dec, 2007 17:34
• Quote

  DaveS - 30/11/2007  7:49 PM
  
  

  Quote

  OV-107 - 30/11/2007  7:34 PM
  
  It looks like Mike Leinbach is still the Nasa Launch Director but that Doug Lyons will perform this role in this mission.
  
  In the picture gallery "crew rehearses for launch" at nasas website in one photo Doug welcome the crew as the "STS 122 Launch Director".
  

  Determined to be a PAO error. I seen similar mistakes before made by NASA PAO. Lyons is the Assistant Launch Director.

  
  It is not a pao error this time. Check the launch team at nasas website. The assistant launch director lyons is performing as launch director for this mission.
  
  
  
  
• #24 by jacqmans on 04 Dec, 2007 03:10
• 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
  
• #25 by jacqmans on 06 Dec, 2007 15:22
• The European Columbus laboratory is scheduled to launch on board Space Shuttle Atlantis later today. The STS-122 mission to the International Space Station is due to lift-off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 22:31 CET (21:31 UT) - follow the launch live on NASA TV.
  
  Full story:
  http://www.esa.int/columbus
  
  You can follow our Columbus blog at:
  http://www.esa.int/blog
  
• #26 by rdale on 06 Dec, 2007 15:29
• jac - today's launch was scrubbed.
• #27 by jacqmans on 06 Dec, 2007 19:00
• Quote

  rdale - 6/12/2007  5:29 PM
  
  jac - today's launch was scrubbed.

  
  I know
  
  see below...
  
  
• #28 by jacqmans on 06 Dec, 2007 19:00
• NASA has announced that the launch is postponed. The next launch attempt is at 22:09 CET, Friday 7 December. For latest updates please consult the NASA website.
  
  ESA Columbus site:
  http://www.esa.int/columbus
  
• #29 by jacqmans on 06 Dec, 2007 19:01
• RELEASE: 07-266
  
  NASA POSTPONES SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LAUNCH; AIMS FOR FRIDAY
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA has delayed Thursday's planned launch of
  space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-122 mission to the International
  Space Station. The next liftoff opportunity is Friday at 4:09 p.m.
  EST.
  
  Shuttle program managers decided to postpone Atlantis' launch at 9:56
  a.m. because of an issue with a fuel cut-off sensor system inside the
  external fuel tank. This is one of several systems that protect the
  shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs
  unexpectedly low. During countdown activities Thursday morning, two
  sensors failed a routine prelaunch check. There are four engine
  cut-off, or ECO, sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the
  tank, and Launch Commit Criteria require three of the four sensor
  systems to be functioning properly.
  
  The tank's liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will be drained from the
  tank, and preparations will begin for a possible launch attempt
  tomorrow. NASA's launch rules have a preplanned procedure that states
  in the case of ECO sensor system failure, engineers need to drain the
  tank and verify all the sensors are working as they go dry. This and
  other data will be discussed at a Mission Management Team Meeting at
  2 p.m., when a decision will be made whether to attempt to launch on
  Friday. A news conference will follow that meeting at 4 p.m.
  
  During Atlantis' 11-day mission, the crew will 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.
  
  Atlantis' crew consists of 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 the latest information about the STS-122 mission and its crew and
  more information about engine cut-off sensors, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
• #30 by shaula1247 on 06 Dec, 2007 22:22
• Quote

  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:
• #31 by jacqmans on 07 Dec, 2007 03:06
• 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.
  
• #32 by jacqmans on 08 Dec, 2007 07:10
• 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.
  
• #33 by jacqmans on 09 Dec, 2007 07:34
• 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
  
• #34 by jacqmans on 09 Dec, 2007 20:44
• 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
  
• #35 by jacqmans on 09 Dec, 2007 20:45
• 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
  
• #36 by jacqmans on 09 Dec, 2007 20:45
• 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
  
• #37 by jacqmans on 11 Dec, 2007 16:41
• 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
  
  
• #38 by JMS on 11 Dec, 2007 17:56
• Any chance this will be carried on NASA TV?
  Haven't seen it added to the schedule.
• #39 by John44 on 11 Dec, 2007 20:23
• 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
• #40 by jacqmans on 12 Dec, 2007 21:34
• 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
  [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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,
  [email protected]
  Johnson Space Center: James Hartsfield, 281-483-5111,
  [email protected]
  Dryden Flight Research Center: Leslie Williams, 661-276-3893,
  [email protected]
  
  For information about the STS-122 mission, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
• #41 by jacqmans on 14 Dec, 2007 08:22
• 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
  
• #42 by jacqmans on 15 Dec, 2007 08:41
• 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
  
• #43 by jacqmans on 18 Dec, 2007 03:07
• 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
  
• #44 by jacqmans on 12 Jan, 2008 06:04
• 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-
• #45 by jacqmans on 12 Jan, 2008 06:04
• NASA has announced 7 February 2008 as the target launch date for Space Shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to carry the European Columbus laboratory into space.
  
  Full article:
  http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Columbus/SEMURC3MDAF_0.html
  
  Full coverage of the Columbus Mission on the ESA Portal at:
  http://www.esa.int/columbus
  and
  http://www.esa.int/blog
  
• #46 by jacqmans on 22 Jan, 2008 17:44
• Follow the launch of ESA’s Columbus space laboratory live at ESA and DLR
  
  http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMX4HEMKBF_index_0.html
   
  22 January 2008
  ESA PR 05-2008. With NASA’s recent confirmation of the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on Thursday 7 February, ESA astronauts Hans Schlegel, of Germany, and Leopold Eyharts, of France, are set to deliver ESA’s Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station.
   
  Atlantis is now scheduled to lift off from launch pad 39-A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida at 14:45 Eastern Standard Time (EST) / 20:45 Central European Time (CET).
  Docking with the ISS is scheduled for Saturday 9 February at 12:23 EST (18:23 CET). Landing is currently slated to take place at KSC on Monday 18 February at 09:57 EST (15:57 CET).  
  
• #47 by ckiki lwai on 22 Jan, 2008 22:22
• Quote

  jacqmans - 22/1/2008  7:44 PM
  
  Follow the launch of ESA’s Columbus space laboratory live at ESA and DLR
   
  

  
  It's press only... aargh, it would have been cool to follow a shuttle launch on a big screen...
  
• #48 by jacqmans on 24 Jan, 2008 21:46
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-018
  
  NASA SETS STATION, SHUTTLE BRIEFINGS AND SPACEWALK COVERAGE
  
  HOUSTON - NASA will hold four media briefings next week to discuss
  International Space Station activities and provide a status of launch
  preparations for space shuttle mission STS-122. NASA Television also
  will provide live coverage of a Jan. 30 space station spacewalk,
  featuring Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer
  Dan Tani.
  
  The first briefing at 1 p.m. CST on Monday, Jan. 28, will preview the
  spacewalk. NASA TV coverage of the spacewalk will begin at 3 a.m. on
  Jan. 30 and after its completion, a briefing will be held at
  approximately 1 p.m. During the spacewalk astronauts will replace a
  motor that enables one of the station's solar arrays to pivot toward
  the sun. The motor experienced electrical failures in early December
  2007.
  
  Also on Jan. 30, space shuttle managers will hold a briefing no
  earlier than 2 p.m., following a meeting that will set an official
  launch date for shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 flight. Liftoff currently
  is targeted for Feb. 7.
  
  On Thursday, Jan. 31, officials from NASA and the European Space
  Agency will preview the maiden launch and docking of the new European
  "Jules Verne" Automated Transfer Vehicle. The ATV is an unmanned
  cargo ship for the space station. It is scheduled to lift off on an
  Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, no earlier than Feb. 22.
  The Jan. 31 briefing will follow an ATV readiness review by officials
  gathered at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The ATV will
  augment the Russian Progress ships that deliver supplies to the space
  station.
  
  All of the space station briefings will originate from Johnson. The
  space shuttle status briefing on Jan. 30 will originate from NASA
  Headquarters in Washington. Questions will be taken from media at
  participating NASA locations.
  
  Briefing schedule, all times CST:
  
  Monday, Jan. 28:
  1 p.m. Spacewalk preview briefing
  Kirk Shireman, International Space Station deputy program manager
  Holly Ridings, Expedition 16 lead flight director
  Kieth Johnson, International Space Station spacewalk officer
  
  Wednesday, Jan. 30:
  3 a.m. Expedition 16 spacewalk coverage begins
  
  1 p.m. Post-spacewalk briefing
  Kwatsi Alibaruho, International Space Station flight director
  Kieth Johnson, International Space Station spacewalk officer
  
  2 p.m. Space shuttle status briefing
  Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for Space Operations
  Wayne Hale, Space Shuttle Program manager
  
  Thursday, Jan. 31:
  3 p.m. Automated Transfer Vehicle preflight briefing
  Mike Suffredini, International Space Station Program manager
  Alan Thirkettle, ESA International Space Station Program manager
  John Ellwood, ESA ATV mission manager
  Bob Chesson, head, ESA Human Spaceflight and Exploration Operations
  
  For NASA TV streaming video, schedules, and downlink information,
  visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  For information about the upcoming STS-122 mission and its crew,
  visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
  For information about the space station and the Expedition 16 crew,
  visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/station
  
• #49 by jacqmans on 28 Jan, 2008 19:24
• ISS, ATV and Shuttle briefings on NASA TV
  
  28 January 2008
  NASA will hold four media briefings this week to discuss International Space Station activities and to provide a status of launch preparations for the STS-122 Shuttle mission. The final briefing will preview the launch and docking of the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle.
  
  http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMF5Q22VBF_index_0.html
  
• #50 by jacqmans on 31 Jan, 2008 04:30
• RELEASE: 08-29
  
  NASA GIVES 'GO' FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH
  
  WASHINGTON - NASA senior managers completed a review Wednesday of
  space shuttle Atlantis' readiness for flight. Pending closure of an
  issue with a shuttle radiator hose, the STS-122 mission will launch
  Feb. 7 at 2:45 p.m. EST.
  
  During an inspection of Atlantis Tuesday, one of four hoses that carry
  Freon to the shuttle radiators in the payload bay was found bent and
  not properly retracted in its storage box. The others were fully
  retracted into their storage boxes, as expected. Teams are continuing
  to gather data and assess any potential forward work. Managers will
  convene Saturday to further review and analyze what, if any,
  remaining work is required before launch.
  
  During the 11-day mission, Commander Steve Frick and his six crewmates
  will install the European Space Agency's new Columbus laboratory on
  the International Space Station. Columbus will expand the research
  facilities of the station and provide scientists around the world
  with the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials
  science experiments. The mission will include three spacewalks,
  delivery of a new crew member to the station and the return of
  another astronaut after nearly four months aboard the complex.
  
  Atlantis' launch date was announced at the conclusion of Wednesday's
  executive-level Flight Readiness Review. The one-day video
  teleconference meeting was led from NASA Headquarters in Washington.
  Top NASA and contractor managers assessed any risks associated with
  the mission and determined whether the shuttle's equipment, support
  systems and procedures are ready for flight. The first
  executive-level Flight Readiness Review for STS-122 was held Nov. 30.
  
  The STS-122 mission was delayed in December 2007 after failures
  occurred in a fuel sensor system while Atlantis' external fuel tank
  was being filled. A tanking, or fueling, test on Dec. 18, 2007,
  revealed that open circuits in the external tank's feed-through
  connector were the most likely cause of false readings in the system
  during launch attempts on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9. A modified connector was
  designed with pins and sockets soldered together. Both the original
  and modified connector configurations were subjected to testing that
  verified that the new design corrects the open circuits found in the
  original connector.
  
  The sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's main
  engines by triggering their shutdown if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
  NASA's current Launch Commit Criteria require that three of the four
  engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors function properly before liftoff from
  the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
  
  Joining Commander Frick on STS-122 will be pilot Alan Poindexter and
  mission specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and
  European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts.
  Eyharts will replace current station crew member Dan Tani, who has
  lived on the outpost since October. Eyharts will return to Earth on
  shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission, currently targeted for launch on
  March 11, 2008.
  
  For more information about the STS-122 mission, including images and
  interviews with the crew, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
• #51 by jacqmans on 01 Feb, 2008 15:19
• RELEASE: 01-08
  
  AIRSPACE, BRIDGES AND WATERWAY RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT FOR STS-122
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - For the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the
  STS-122 mission, NASA managers are urging all aircraft pilots and
  boaters to fully comply with the airspace, bridges and waterway
  restrictions imposed around Kennedy Space Center prior to and during
  shuttle launches and landings.
  
  The first launch opportunity is Thursday, Feb. 7, with liftoff
  scheduled for 2:45 p.m. EST. This launch time is approximately in the
  middle of a 10-minute launch window. At NASA's request, U.S. Air
  Force and U.S. Coast Guard surveillance aircraft will patrol Eastern
  Range airspace boundaries on launch day. Violators will be
  intercepted by patrol forces, thoroughly investigated and subject to
  enforcement action by the Federal Aviation Administration. A number
  of restrictions remain in effect around Kennedy during the hours
  immediately following the launch of a space shuttle.
  
  The following are restrictions that apply to pilots, boaters and motor
  vehicle operators using the airspace, waterways, or roads and bridges
  that lead to Kennedy.
  
  KSC AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS
  
  For the launch of Atlantis on mission STS-122, all restricted areas
  surrounding Kennedy will be active and the area covered by flight
  restrictions has once again been expanded for this launch.
  
  Due to international terrorist activities, heightened security is
  essential to protect the space shuttle as a national asset. An
  inadvertent unauthorized incursion into the area of the Cape
  Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR, could cause a scrub
  in the launch of Atlantis, the activation of airspace defenses and an
  FAA enforcement action. Local pilots are asked to help NASA by
  respecting these temporary but necessary restrictions so the launch
  can occur on time and without incident.
  
  The Eastern Range restricted airspace for Kennedy and Cape Canaveral
  Air Force Station is in effect on a continuous basis and is off
  limits to general aviation pilots. Access is limited to official
  aircraft only. The restricted airspace normally covers the area
  bounded by the Indian River to the west, Port Canaveral to the south,
  the city of Oak Hill to the north, and three miles over the Atlantic
  Ocean to the east. Pilots are encouraged to consult the current FAA
  aeronautical chart for Orlando Class B airspace.
  
  On launch day, these restricted areas will be expanded by the TFR and
  will be activated seven hours before the launch window opens. This
  will continue in effect until 30 minutes after launch, after which
  the standard restricted areas for Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air
  Force Station will remain in effect. On Thursday, Feb. 7, the TFR
  will be activated at 7:30 a.m. The launch is targeted to occur at
  2:45 p.m. within a TFR launch period that extends from 2:30 to 3:01
  p.m. If launch were to occur at the end of the period, then the TFR
  would remain in effect until 3:31 p.m. If the launch is scrubbed,
  pilots should check NOTAMs for the hours the TFR will be in effect
  for the next launch attempt.
  
  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). Among the public-use
  general aviation airports affected within this area are Space Coast
  Regional Airport and Arthur Dunn Airpark, both in Titusville, and
  Merritt Island Airport on Merritt Island.
  
  Within an airspace radius between 30 and 40 nautical miles, a discrete
  transponder code must be obtained and clearance granted from air
  traffic control before entering this airspace. Continuous radio
  communications must be maintained.
  
  Among the public-use airports affected within the 30 to
  40-nautical-mile radius in which flight is permitted but under
  positive air traffic control are Orlando International Airport,
  Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando-Sanford International Airport, New
  Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, Melbourne International Airport,
  Valkaria Airport and Massey Ranch.
  
  Before flight, pilots should contact the St. Petersburg Flight Service
  Station at 1-800/WxBrief, 800-992-7433, for details of the
  restrictions contained in the NOTAMs.
  
  In flight, outside Orlando Class B airspace, pilots should contact
  Orlando Approach control on 134.95. In the Melbourne area, contact
  Orlando Approach control on 132.65. In southern Volusia County,
  contact Orlando Approach control on 125.35. Flight Service can also
  be reached locally by radio on the Titusville RCO at 123.6 or the
  Melbourne RCO on 122.6. Advisories will also be available from the
  control tower at Space Coast Regional Airport at 118.9 megahertz.
  
  BRIDGES AND ACCESS HIGHWAYS CONTROLLED FOR LAUNCH
  
  The opening and closing of bridges over waterways surrounding Kennedy
  will be strictly controlled during the hours immediately before and
  after the launch period for each space shuttle mission.
  
  Bridges affected by the launch include:
  
  - Port Canaveral Barge Canal (State Road 401);
  
  - Indian River/NASA Causeway West (Intracoastal Waterway);
  
  - Merritt Island Barge Canal (Merritt Island State Road 3);
  
  - Haulover Canal (State Road 3, north of Kennedy Space Center).
  
  Restraints on bridge openings for boat traffic begin three hours
  before launch. The bridges may be opened for five minutes at the
  following points in the launch countdown: T-180 minutes, T-150
  minutes, T-120 minutes, T-90 minutes and T-65 minutes. Adding 20
  minutes to these times and then subtracting the total number of
  minutes from the opening of the 10-minute launch window (2:40 p.m.)
  will result in an approximate time of openings.
  
  Bridges will remain closed to boat traffic until 90 minutes after
  liftoff (T+90). They may then open for five minutes at T+90, T+120
  minutes and T+150 minutes. Bridge operations will return to normal
  three hours after launch (T+180 minutes).
  
  Should the shuttle be required to perform a return-to-launch-site
  landing at Kennedy, all bridges would remain closed to boat traffic
  from 45 minutes before landing until at least one hour after landing.
  
  State Road 3 from the Gate 2 Pass and Identification Building to State
  Road 405 (NASA Causeway) via Space Commerce Way will be closed on
  launch day, Feb. 7, beginning at 11 a.m. NASA Causeway between the
  Kennedy Visitor Complex and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame will also
  be closed starting at that time. Only badged employees and guests
  with passes will be permitted access. These roads will reopen
  approximately two hours after launch.
  
  Effective Monday, Feb. 4, the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge and the
  Cape Canaveral National Seashore will be closed until the day after
  launch.
  
  State Road 406 east to State Road 3, and State Road 3 south from the
  Haulover Canal bridge to State Road 402 leading to Titusville will be
  open to badged personnel. These roads will close to all vehicle
  traffic at 12:40 p.m. on Feb. 7 until after a successful launch has
  occurred.
  
  KSC AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS
  
  Waterways and boating near Kennedy will be strictly controlled prior
  to and during the launch of Atlantis on STS-122.
  
  Safety and security requirements, including Air Force range safety
  impact limit lines, will go into effect three days before launch.
  Other requirements will be phased into effect through sunset the
  night before launch. A general description of the area follows:
  
  ATLANTIC OCEAN: Beginning at 2:40 p.m. on Monday, Feb 4 (L-3 days) and
  continuing through launch, a general exclusion zone will be in effect
  three miles offshore from the Haulover Canal, near the north end of
  Kennedy, and southward to Port Canaveral. Four hours prior to launch,
  all ocean-going traffic will be restricted from entering an area
  measured from nine miles north and south of the launch pad and
  extending 64 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 the
  Haulover Canal and east of the Indian River's main channel.
  Restrictions begin 72 hours prior to launch.
  
  MOSQUITO LAGOON: This area south of the Haulover Canal in the Mosquito
  Lagoon is off limits to all boats beginning 72 hours prior to launch.
  
  BANANA RIVER: Security limits begin at the Banana River Barge Canal
  south of Kennedy at the State Road 528 crossing and extend north.
  This restriction is effective 72 hours prior to launch.
  
  All boating restrictions will be lifted approximately one hour after
  launch. Boating interests should monitor Coast Guard Channel 16
  broadcasting from Port Canaveral. The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.
  Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Florida Wildlife Commission,
  Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and NASA security forces share
  responsibility for enforcing the boating guidelines.
  
  
  -end-
  
• #52 by jacqmans on 01 Feb, 2008 19:45
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-023
  
  NASA ANNOUNCES SHUTTLE PRELAUNCH EVENTS AND COUNTDOWN DETAILS
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - News conferences, events and operating hours
  for the news center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are set for the
  upcoming launch of space shuttle Atlantis. The STS-122 mission to the
  International Space Station is set to lift off at 2:45 p.m. EST on
  Thursday, Feb. 7.
  
  On Monday, Feb. 4, the seven Atlantis crew members are scheduled to
  arrive at Kennedy at 10:30 a.m. NASA Television will provide live
  coverage as Commander Steve Frick makes a brief statement to media.
  Badged journalists planning to cover the event must be at Kennedy's
  news center by 8 a.m. for transportation to the Shuttle Landing
  Facility.
  
  The launch countdown begins at 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 4, at T-43 hours.
  The countdown includes 26 hours and 31 minutes of built-in hold time
  leading to a preferred launch time of 2:45 p.m. The launch window
  extends an additional five minutes.
  
  Detailed lists of countdown milestones, news briefing times and
  participants, as well as hours of operation for Kennedy's news center
  and media credentialing office are available at:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/
  
  For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information,
  visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  For the latest information about the STS-122 crew and mission, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
• #53 by jacqmans on 06 Feb, 2008 17:52
• Countdown to Columbus launch
  
  http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM5VGPR4CF_index_0.html
  
  6 February 2008
  
  The countdown continues towards Thursday’s launch of the European Columbus laboratory on board Space Shuttle Atlantis. Weather forecasts for the launch site in Florida currently predict a 70 percent chance of unfavourable weather at launch time. Atlantis is scheduled for liftoff at 20:45 CET (19:45 UT).
  
• #54 by jacqmans on 07 Feb, 2008 09:37
• Columbus to launch today
   
  7 February 2008
  
  The European Columbus laboratory is scheduled to launch on board Space Shuttle Atlantis later today. The STS-122 mission to the International Space Station is due to lift-off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 20:45 CET (19:45 UT) - follow the launch live on NASA TV and in ESA's Columbus Blog.
  
  http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Columbus/SEMVRHPR4CF_0.html
  
  
• #55 by jacqmans on 07 Feb, 2008 21:00
• RELEASE: 08-035
  
  NASA'S SHUTTLE ATLANTIS BEGINS MISSION TO THE SPACE STATION
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis and its seven-member
  crew lifted off at 2:45 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 7 from NASA's
  Kennedy Space Center to begin the STS-122 mission to the
  International Space Station.
  
  During the 11-day flight, Commander Steve Frick and his six crewmates
  will install the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory on the
  station. Columbus will expand the research facilities of the station
  and provide scientists around the world with the ability to conduct a
  variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. The
  mission will include three spacewalks, delivery of a new crew member
  to the station and the return of another astronaut after nearly four
  months aboard the complex.
  
  Shortly before launch, Frick thanked the teams that helped make the
  launch possible.
  
  "We're looking forward to a great flight and coming back to see our
  families in two weeks," Frick said. "It looks like today's a good
  day, and we're ready to go fly."
  
  Joining Frick on STS-122 are pilot Alan Poindexter and mission
  specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and European
  Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts. Eyharts
  will replace current station resident Dan Tani, who has lived on the
  outpost since October. Eyharts will return to Earth on shuttle
  Endeavour's STS-123 mission, which is currently targeted for launch
  on March 11, 2008.
  
  During the countdown, a newly-designed connector in the shuttle's fuel
  sensor system performed normally. The STS-122 mission was twice
  delayed in December 2007 after false readings occurred in that system
  while Atlantis' external fuel tank was being filled. Tests revealed
  that open circuits in the external tank's feed through connector were
  the most likely cause. A modified connector, designed with pins and
  sockets soldered together, was installed for the mission. The sensor
  system is one of several that protects the shuttle's main engines by
  triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
  
  NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of
  Atlantis' mission, which is the 121st shuttle flight, the 29th for
  Atlantis and the 24th shuttle mission to the station.
  
  NASA Television features live mission events, daily mission status
  news conferences and 24-hour commentary. NASA TV is webcast at:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv  
  
  NASA Web coverage of STS-122 includes current mission information,
  interactive features, and news conference images, graphics and
  videos. Mission coverage, including the latest NASA TV schedule, also
  is available on the main space shuttle Web site at:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
  Daily news conferences with STS-122 mission managers take place at
  NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. Reporters may ask questions
  from participating NASA locations. Please contact your preferred NASA
  facility by its daily close of business to confirm its availability
  before each event.
  
  For information about other NASA missions and activities, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov
  
• #56 by jacqmans on 07 Feb, 2008 21:30
• Europe’s Columbus laboratory leaves Earth
  
  http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Columbus/SEMAK729R9F_0.html
  
  7 February 2008
  
  ESA PR 7-2008. Columbus, ESA’s advanced science laboratory in space, has just been launched into orbit and is now on its way to dock with the International Space Station (ISS).
   
  Columbus was onboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Atlantis when it lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida at 20:45 CET today. For this one-way trip to Earth orbit, Columbus is in the expert hands of a crew of seven astronauts, including two members of the European astronaut corps: Léopold Eyharts of France and Hans Schlegel of Germany.
• #57 by jacqmans on 07 Feb, 2008 21:46
• Boeing and NASA Start New Year with Space Shuttle Atlantis Liftoff
  
  ST. LOUIS, Feb. 07, 2008 -- With today's successful liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis, The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and NASA are starting off 2008 with renewed focus following three successful missions last year for the shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) programs.
  
  "The successful liftoff is a testament to everyone who supports the shuttle program and their commitment to working together to make human space flight achievable for our nation," said former astronaut Brewster Shaw, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space Exploration. "We have a challenging mission ahead of us that will require the best of Boeing in helping NASA get one step closer to completing the International Space Station, the most complex engineering project ever attempted in space."
  
  The ISS will receive its newest addition when the STS-122 crew delivers the European Space Agency's (ESA) Columbus Research Laboratory, ESA's largest on-orbit contribution to the station. As ISS prime contractor, Boeing participated in design and verification reviews to ensure that Columbus works properly with the Harmony utility module, the connecting point for the research laboratory
  
  The STS-122 crew will attach Columbus to the Harmony module, which NASA delivered to the space station in October 2007 and now joins three other U.S. modules on the station, including the Boeing-built Destiny Laboratory. Boeing also built many of Harmony's subsystem components.
  
  During the 11-day mission, Atlantis will use new microchip technology mounted within panels that control nitrogen and oxygen pressure in the crew module to maintain a habitable environment. The microchips measure the amount of supplied oxygen and nitrogen and provide early insight into cabin atmosphere changes.
  
  Other recent ISS improvements include the integration of Boeing-built Starboard 3, 4 and 5 truss segments as well as the Boeing installation of the U.S. Oxygen Generation System in Destiny. The S3 and 4 truss segments' batteries and extra solar arrays ensure continuous electrical power to the outpost, even when the station is eclipsed by the Earth's shadow. The S5 truss segment is a short spacer that connects the Starboard 4 and 6 power modules while maintaining a preferred distance between deployed arrays to maximize power generation.
  
  Supporting United Space Alliance, NASA's prime contractor for space shuttle operations, Boeing also upgraded both Space Shuttle Discovery and Endeavour, adding its Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System to help extend shuttle missions. The space shuttle orbiters also received Boeing-designed, damage-resistant heat shield tiles around the nose and main landing doors.
  
  The space shuttle fleet is scheduled to retire in 2010 after the ISS is assembled to make way for a new human-rated spacecraft that will return humans to the moon by 2020. Technological advancements and lessons-learned from the space shuttle and ISS will facilitate future lunar missions and other space exploration pursuits.
  
  
• #58 by jacqmans on 07 Feb, 2008 21:46
• Feb 7, 2008
  
  ATK Solid Rocket Motors Help Propel the Successful Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis
  The Redesigned ATK Booster Separation Motors Make Their Inaugural Flight
  
  MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK) Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRM) and redesigned Booster Separation Motors (BSM) performed flawlessly today as NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis launched into orbit.
  
  The motors provide the main thrust -- more than 6 million pounds -- to overcome the force of the Earth's gravity allowing the shuttle to reach orbit. The flight will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus science laboratory module to the International Space Station (ISS), expanding its science capabilities.
  
  This flight marks the first launch of ATK's redesigned Booster Separation Motors (BSMs). As a result of vendor viability and manifest support issues, ATK was requested to assume the responsibility for the manufacture of the separation motors for NASA in 2003. Eight of these small motors are found on each booster; four on the forward section and four on the aft skirt. Once the RSRMs have finished their flight, the eight BSMs are fired to jettison the boosters away from the orbiter and external tank allowing the solid rocket motors to parachute back down to Earth and be reused.
  
  A design change ATK made to the BSMs was a complete redesign of the igniter. Other changes included material upgrades driven by obsolescence issues and improvements to process and inspection techniques. The redesign effort also took advantage of ATKs state-of-the-art production systems to maintain the overall safety and reliability of the motors not only for the Space Shuttle but for Ares I as well. ATK's redesigned BSMs are flying on the forward section of the solid rocket boosters on this flight.
  
  STS-122 is the 121st shuttle flight and the 24th U.S. flight to the ISS. ATK solid rocket motors have flown on each Space Shuttle mission since the inception of the program in 1981, and today are the only human-rated solid rocket motors produced in the U.S.
  
  
• #59 by jacqmans on 08 Feb, 2008 07:38
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #01
  
  
  Thursday, February 7, 2008 - 4:30 p.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON -- Seven years to the day after the first laboratory was launched to the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle Atlantis roared into space this afternoon with the second, the European Space Agency's Columbus lab.
  
  Atlantis lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center on mission STS-122 at 1:45 p.m. CST. Aboard the shuttle are Commander Steve Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love, Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts. Schlegel and Eyharts are European astronauts.
  
  Atlantis is in excellent condition. The shuttle is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station on Saturday. On Friday, the crew will use the shuttle's robotic arm to inspect Atlantis' heat shield on the wing leading edges and nose. They also will check the spacesuits that will be used for three spacewalks during the mission.
  
  After Atlantis arrives at the station, Eyharts will become a member of the Expedition 16 crew, joining Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko. Flight Engineer Dan Tani, who has been aboard the station since October 2007, will return to Earth on Atlantis.
  
  The launch of Atlantis is the 121st space shuttle launch and the 29th flight of Atlantis. The Columbus module is Europe's primary contribution to the space station. Columbus will host experiments in life, physical and earth sciences.
  
  The shuttle crew will begin a sleep period at 7:45 p.m. CST and awaken at 3:45 a.m. CST Friday to begin their first full day in space.
  
  
• #60 by jacqmans on 08 Feb, 2008 20:34
• Friday, February 8, 2008 - 5 a.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
  
  STS-122 MCC Status Report #02  
  
  The seven member crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis has begun its first full day in space on an 11-day mission that delivers the newest research module, the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory, to the International Space Station.
  
  Installing the laboratory, named for Christopher Columbus, is the primary goal of this 121st space shuttle mission. It will add 2,648 cubic feet of pressurized volume, four science experiment racks and one storage rack to the space station.
  
  This morning’s wakeup song, “The Book of Love,” performed by Peter Gabriel, was played for European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts at 3:45 a.m. CST. Eyharts will become a member of the Expedition 16 crew, replacing Flight Engineer Dan Tani, after Atlantis arrives at the space station Saturday.
  
  Today Atlantis Commander Steve Frick and his crewmates, Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love, Hans Schlegel and Eyharts will perform an inspection of Atlantis’ heat shield using the shuttle’s robotic arm and the Orbiter Boom Sensor System. They’ll also check out the tools they need for Saturday’s rendezvous and docking to the station and install a centerline camera in the shuttle’s orbiter docking system.
  
  Spacewalkers Walheim, Schlegel and Love will prepare spacesuits that they will wear during the mission’s three spacewalks; two by Walheim and Schlegel and one by Walheim and Love.
  
  The International Space Station’s Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Tani started their day at 4 a.m. CST. Today they will conduct a leak check of the Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 where Atlantis will dock to the station Saturday morning at 11:25 a.m. CST.
  
• #61 by jacqmans on 09 Feb, 2008 07:23
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #03
  
  Friday, February 8, 5:00 p.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON - The seven-member crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis is ready for tomorrow's rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station, planned for 11:25 a.m. CST.
  
  Commander Steve Frick and his crewmates, Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love, Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts, today completed a five-hour inspection of Atlantis' heat shield using the shuttle's robotic arm and the Orbiter Boom Sensor System. Imagery analysts and engineers on the ground will add today's three-dimensional sensor images to imagery and accelerometer data collected at launch and during the climb to orbit and continue their analysis of the shuttle's heat shield.
  
  Also today, the crew checked out the tools that will be used during tomorrow's rendezvous and docking to the station, installed the centerline camera that will be used during docking and extended the outer ring of the Orbiter Docking System.
  
  Spacewalkers Walheim, Schlegel and Love checked out the spacesuits that they will wear during the mission's three spacewalks. At 2:02 p.m. Walheim reported that the suits had been fully prepared for transfer to the space station.
  
  On board the space station, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Dan Tani readied the station for the arrival of Atlantis' crew by conducting a leak check of Pressurized Mating Adapter-2, Atlantis' docking point.
  
  Tomorrow, Frick will perform the rendezvous pitch maneuver, an orbiter back-flip 600 feet below the space station that will allow Whitson and Malenchenko to take hundreds of detailed images of the orbiter's underside. With the pitch maneuver complete, Frick will fly the shuttle ahead of the station and slowly ease the orbiter back to a docking with the space station.
  
  Tomorrow also marks Whitson's 48th birthday. She commented today that she was looking forward to Atlantis' arrival as her birthday present.
  
  The STS-122 crew is on an 11-day mission that will deliver a new research module to the International Space Station, the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory. Columbus will be Europe's largest contribution to the construction of the station, adding 2,648 cubic feet of pressurized volume, four science experiment racks and one storage rack to the orbiting complex.
  
  Atlantis' crew is scheduled to go to sleep at 7:45 p.m. and will awaken at 3:45 a.m.
  
• #62 by jacqmans on 09 Feb, 2008 13:55
• MCC Status Report #04
  Saturday, February 9, 2008 - 5 a.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
  
   The International Space Station’s newest scientific laboratory, the European Space Agency’s Columbus research module, is just hours from completing its journey to the station.
  
  Space shuttle Atlantis will deliver the new module and a new crew member to the station when it docks at 11:25 a.m. CST to begin 6 days of docked operations.
  
  Today’s wakeup song, played for Commander Steve Frick, at 3:45 a.m. CST was the theme song from Garrison Keillor’s radio variety show “A Prairie Home Companion.” The song is the Spencer Williams composition "Tishomingo Blues," but with lyrics written especially for the show.
  
  Frick and his shuttle crewmates begin rendezvous operations at 5:30 a.m. CST. At 10:23 a.m., at a range of 600 feet below the station, Frick will command Atlantis to perform a back flip so ISS Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko can photograph the thermal tiles on the shuttle’s underside. Those digital images will be sent to Mission Control for analysis.
  
  With the pitch maneuver complete, Frick will then fly the shuttle ahead of the station and slowly ease the orbiter back to a docking with the space station.
  
  After hatch opening, the crew members will begin moving spacewalking equipment into the Quest airlock to prepare for the first excursion on Sunday. Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Hans Schlegel will go outside to prepare the Columbus module to be grappled by the station’s robotic arm, lifted from Atlantis’ payload bay, and installed on the starboard side of Harmony.
  
  The official exchange of Atlantis crewmember Léopold Eyharts with space station Flight Engineer Dan Tani, who arrived at the station in October, is planned for 6 a.m. CST Sunday. The transfer becomes official with the installation of Eyharts’ customized seat liner in the Soyuz.
  
  The STS-122 crew is on an 11-day mission to install and activate Columbus. The new laboratory is Europe's largest contribution to the construction of the station, adding 2,648 cubic feet of pressurized volume, four science experiment racks and one storage rack to the orbiting complex.
  
• #63 by jacqmans on 10 Feb, 2008 08:21
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #05
  
  Saturday, February 9, 2008 - 5:30 p.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON - Space shuttle Atlantis delivered the European Space Agency's Columbus science laboratory to the International Space Station today, but the actual installation of the module will be delayed by one day.
  
  What wasn't delayed, however, was the official crew rotation of ESA Astronaut Leopold Eyharts and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Dan Tani, which was completed at 5:20 p.m. Eyharts now is a member of Expedition 16 and Tani is an STS-122 mission specialist.
  
  Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Tani welcomed the seven-man Atlantis crew into the space station at 12:40 p.m., following an 11:17 a.m. docking, following a flawless rendezvous throughout the morning.
  
  They'll have 24 extra hours to finish preparing for the mission's next major milestone, however, due to a crew medical issue. The mission's first spacewalk originally was scheduled for Sunday, but has been postponed until Monday. Mission Specialist Rex Walheim will be joined for the spacewalk by Mission Specialist Stanley Love, rather than Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel, as originally planned.
  
  Space Shuttle Program Deputy Manager John Shannon said ground teams are currently reworking the mission timeline and there should be no impact to the completion of the mission's objectives, despite being shifted one day later.
  
  To make up for the delay, Shannon said the crew will conserve enough power to spend an additional day in space. Atlantis went into orbit with the option of adding one day to its mission, which was to be used for additional work commissioning the new Columbus module. By adding a second day, the crew could shift their activities by one day and still have time for more Columbus work after the module is installed.
  
  Before docking, Commander Steve Frick flew the shuttle through a backflip to allow the space station crew a good view of Atlantis' heat shield. Whitson and Malenchenko took about 300 photos of the shuttle's thermal protection system and sent them down to teams on the ground for analysis.
  
  The teams also are paying close attention to photos sent down by the crew Friday of minor damage to a thermal blanket over the shuttle's right Orbital Maneuvering System pod. A similar condition occurred on the left pod last year on STS-117 and was repaired during a spacewalk.
  
  Shannon said this case does not seem to be as much of a concern, because this particular blanket location does not experience as much heat during the shuttle's reentry.
  
  Docking went smoothly with the exception of a hiccup with one of the station's five general purpose computers. After experiencing some problems with guidance and navigation software on the computer, the crew opted to use other computers for the shuttle's rendezvous with the station. Only one computer is needed to perform the rendezvous, with one computer required for backup. Mission Control will review the computer's software to ensure its health.
  
• #64 by jacqmans on 10 Feb, 2008 19:36
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #06  
  
   HOUSTON – The seven-member crew of Atlantis will spend today preparing for the mission’s first spacewalk on Monday and take a closer look at a small tear on a thermal blanket over the shuttle’s right Orbital Maneuvering System pod.
  
  Mission managers added a day to the mission Saturday after delaying the first spacewalk because of a crew medical issue. Plans were finalized last night for a focused inspection of Atlantis’ thermal protection system today beginning at 1:15 p.m. CST. The crew also will ready Harmony for the Columbus research module and transfer cargo to the space station.
  
  Today’s wakeup song at 3:45 a.m. CST was “Maenner” by German musician Herbert Groenemeyer for astronaut Hans Schlegel. “Maenner” translated is “Men.” Groenemeyer is also known for his portrayal of Lieutenant Werner in Wolfgang Petersen’s movie “Das Boot.”
  
  Mission Specialists Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and Schlegel will spend time today reviewing procedures for Monday’s spacewalk. Love is replacing Schlegel on the mission’s first spacewalk. Love and Walheim will assist robotic arm operators in attaching the newly arrived Columbus module to the starboard side of the Harmony module.
  
  Walheim and Love will spend tonight "camped out" inside the Quest airlock with air pressure lowered to help purge nitrogen from their bodies in preparation for tomorrow’s spacewalk, the first of three planned for this mission. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 8:35 a.m. CST Monday.
  
• #65 by jacqmans on 11 Feb, 2008 13:13
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #07  
  
  HOUSTON – Atlantis’ crew spent the day performing a detailed inspection of the shuttle’s thermal blanket over the right Orbital Maneuvering System pod as well as preparing for tomorrow’s spacewalk.
  
  Mission Specialists Rex Walheim, Stanley Love, Alan Poindexter and Hans Schlegel focused most of the day on finalizing the checklists for the spacewalk, which is scheduled to begin at 8:35 a.m. CST tomorrow. In advance of tomorrow’s activities, Love and Walheim will “camp out” inside the Quest airlock tonight in order to purge nitrogen from their bodies.
  
  Tomorrow’s events will focus on installing the Columbus laboratory by mating it to the Harmony module. Walheim and Love will first install a grapple fixture onto Columbus while it rests inside the shuttle’s payload bay. Astronauts will then use the space station’s robotic arm to attach to Columbus and move it into place on the starboard side of Harmony.
  
  Once the detailed inspection is complete and all images are captured, analysts at Mission Control in Houston will examine the data to ensure there are no issues with the shuttle’s thermal protection system.
  
  The crew is scheduled to wake at 3:45 a.m. tomorrow morning.
  
• #66 by jacqmans on 11 Feb, 2008 13:13
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #08  
  
  HOUSTON – Installation and activation of the European Space Agency’s science laboratory highlights the day as the crews of space shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station prepare for the first of three spacewalks.
  
  The day began at 3:46 a.m. CST. The wakeup song “Fly Like an Eagle,” written by Steve Miller, was played for Mission Specialist Leland Melvin on the day he will use the station’s robotic arm to lift the Columbus research module from Atlantis’ payload bay.
  
  Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Stanley Love will leave the Quest airlock at 8:35 a.m. CST for a 6.5-hour spacewalk to mate Columbus to the Harmony module. Inside the space station, Melvin will operate the station’s arm and Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel will assist the two spacewalkers.
  
  Walheim and Love will first install a grapple fixture on Columbus while it rests inside the shuttle’s payload bay. The two spacewalkers will then prepare to replace a large nitrogen tank used for pressurizing the station's ammonia cooling system.
  
  Meanwhile, Melvin will use the station’s robotic arm to grasp Columbus and move it into place on the starboard side of Harmony. Motorized bolts will lock Columbus in place. Once Columbus is attached, crew members will do an initial leak check.
  
  Columbus is the cornerstone of the European Space Agency’s contribution to the International Space Station and is the first European laboratory to be dedicated to long-term research in space.
  
• #67 by jacqmans on 12 Feb, 2008 12:50
• STS-122 Report #09  
  
  Monday, February 11, 2008 - 6:30 p.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON - After an almost eight-hour spacewalk by astronauts Stanley Love and Rex Walheim, the Columbus module officially became a part of the International Space Station.
  
  "The European Columbus module is now part of the ISS," Expedition 16 astronaut Leopold Eyharts radioed to Mission Control in Houston at 3:44 p.m. CST.
  
  Mission Specialists Love and Walheim worked during the day to install a grapple fixture on Columbus while it rested inside the shuttle's payload bay. They also worked to prepare electrical and data connections on the module. Once this work was complete, astronauts Leland Melvin, Dan Tani and Eyharts operated the space station's robotic arm to grab on to Columbus, lift it out of the orbiter and begin the 42-minute journey to its final attachment onto the starboard side of the station.
  
  As Columbus was moving into place, Walheim and Love began work to replace a large nitrogen tank used for pressurizing the station's ammonia cooling system. This work will be completed during the second EVA, which will take place on Wednesday.
  
  Columbus is the cornerstone of Europe's contribution to the International Space Station. With this addition, the station is now 57 percent complete in terms of mass.
  
  The crew will wake at 3:45 a.m. tomorrow and will spend the day completing the initialization of Columbus, once all leak checks are complete.
  
  
• #68 by jacqmans on 12 Feb, 2008 15:55
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #10  
  
  HOUSTON – With the Columbus module safely installed, outfitting of the European Space Agency’s new laboratory can begin.
  
  Atlantis' crew started its day at 3:45 a.m. CST. The wakeup song, “Dream Come True” by Jim Brickman, was played for Mission Specialist Rex Walheim.
  
  The main activity of the day will be getting the International Space Station’s newest international module ready for business. The crew will begin outfitting the station’s newest science module at 6:40 a.m.
  
  During a partial ingress of the module at 7:50 a.m., European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts will start ventilation between Columbus and the rest of the station. Then the rest of the shuttle and station crew members are scheduled to take their first steps into Columbus at 1:55 p.m. Soon afterward, the Columbus Control Center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, will take over command of the module.
  
  Between Columbus work and transfer operations, some members of the shuttle crew will take time out to talk with reporters. At 7:53 a.m., Commander Steve Frick and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Stanley Love and Walheim will talk with FOX News’ Fox and Friends, KGO-TV in San Francisco and The Tavis Smiley Show on PBS. And at 3:35 p.m., Frick, along with Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel, will be interviewed by CBS News and Pittsburgh television stations KDKA-TV and WPXI-TV.
  
• #69 by jacqmans on 13 Feb, 2008 12:51
• STS-122 Report #11
  
  Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008 - 5 p.m. CDT
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  Astronauts took their work inside the European Space Agency's new Columbus laboratory today.
  
  Station Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts and Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel, both European Space Agency astronauts, opened the hatches to the new Columbus laboratory at 8:08 a.m. CST.
  
  "This is a great moment and Hans and I are very proud to be here and to ingress for the first time the Columbus module," Eyharts said.
  
  The crew remained ahead of schedule throughout the activation of Columbus, working inside to bring computers, ventilation and cooling systems online. While integrating the cooling system into that of the station's, temperature fluctuations caused the system to partially shutdown as a precaution. The system was brought back up and connected without incident later.
   
  With the activation of the new lab, the Columbus Control Center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, began supporting mission operations.
  
  Late today, STS-122 Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Schlegel will begin a camp out in the station's Quest Airlock in preparation for Wednesday's spacewalk. The spacewalk is scheduled to start at 8:35 a.m.
  
  The crews will awaken at 3:45 a.m. Wednesday.
  
• #70 by jacqmans on 13 Feb, 2008 12:51
• European scientists have developed the most accurate method yet for predicting the doses of radiation that astronauts will receive aboard the orbiting European laboratory module, Columbus, attached to the ISS this week.
  
  
  Read more at:
  
  http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMYYHUHJCF_index_0.html
  
• #71 by jacqmans on 14 Feb, 2008 11:48
• STS-122 Report #12
  
  Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 5:30 a.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON - By the end of the day, the International Space Station should have a new nitrogen tank assembly.
  
  The crews of the station and space shuttle Atlantis are preparing for the second spacewalk of Atlantis' mission. Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Hans Schlegel will replace a nitrogen tank used to pressurize the station's ammonia cooling system.
  
  The astronauts' day began at 3:45 a.m. CST. The wakeup song "Oysters and Pearls," by Jimmy Buffet, was played for Pilot Alan Poindexter. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 8:35 a.m., after Walheim and Schlegel finish their preparations in the Quest airlock, where they spent the night.
  
  At 8:55 a.m., the space station's robotic arm will remove the new nitrogen tank from Atlantis' cargo bay. The removal of the old tank will take the spacewalkers about two and a half hours, and the installation of its replacement is scheduled to take another two hours.
  
  The spacewalkers are scheduled to return to the space station at 3 p.m.
  
  This will be the fourth spacewalk for Walheim, who also took part in the mission's first spacewalk on Monday and the first for Schlegel. It is the 103rd spacewalk devoted to space station assembly and maintenance.
  
  
• #72 by jacqmans on 14 Feb, 2008 11:48
• STS-122 Report #13
  
  Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 5:30 p.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON - The second spacewalk of the STS-122 mission was completed today by astronauts Rex Walheim and Hans Schlegel.
  
  Walheim and Schlegel stepped outside the International Space Station's Quest airlock at 8:27 a.m. CST, and during the next six hours and 45 minutes they worked to replace a nitrogen tank used to pressurize the station's ammonia cooling system. Once the tank was replaced, Walheim, mounted on the station's robotic arm, maneuvered the spent tank into Atlantis' payload bay for return.
  
  Once the task was completed, Walheim and Schlegel made some minor repairs to the Destiny laboratory's debris shield and worked on some tasks in advance of the third and final spacewalk of the mission, which will take place on Friday.
  
  While Walheim and Schlegel were finishing up their tasks 210 miles above the earth, mission managers on the ground decided to extend Atlantis' mission by one extra day to continue activation of the new Columbus laboratory. They also cleared the shuttle's thermal protection system for re-entry based on inspections completed thus far. Additional inspections are scheduled following Atlantis' departure from the station.
  
  Atlantis is now scheduled to land at 8:06 a.m. CST on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
  
  
• #73 by jacqmans on 14 Feb, 2008 12:17
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #14  
  
  HOUSTON – After a busy day of spacewalking on Wednesday, the space shuttle Atlantis and International Space Station crews have a light day ahead of them, with off-duty time, interviews and preparations for Friday.
  
  The shuttle crew woke up at 2:45 a.m. to “Consider Yourself at Home.” The song, which is from the musical “Oliver!”, was played for Mission Specialist Stanley Love.
  
  The first major event of the day will begin at 8:55 a.m., when shuttle Commander Steve Frick, Mission Specialists Hans Schlegel and Daniel Tani, station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Leopold Eyharts speak with Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany. Schlegel, a European Space Agency astronaut, is from Germany.
  
  Tani, Whitson and Malenchenko will then speak with reporters from NBC News, WOI-TV and WBBM radio at 10:10 a.m. WOI-TV is in Des Moines, Iowa, capital of Whitson’s home state. WBBM will be calling from Chicago, near Tani’s hometown of Lombard, Ill.
  
  Before the day is over, the crews will also go over the plan for the mission’s third and final spacewalk. Love and Mission Specialist Rex Walheim will be installing experiment platforms on the outside of the new Columbus laboratory and storing a failed control moment gyroscope in the shuttle’s cargo bay. They will also take a closer look at some damage to a handrail on the Quest Airlock that may be the cause of cuts to spacesuit gloves on recent missions.
  
  Part of today’s preparations will involve building a tool that will be used in the inspection. Astronauts will wrap an overglove around a socket, then run the tool over the damaged handrail to see if there are any edges sharp enough to cut the material.
  
  
• #74 by jacqmans on 14 Feb, 2008 14:24
• Take your classroom into space
   
  14 February 2008
  With Europe's Columbus laboratory safely attached to the International Space Station, this is a good time to come up with new ideas for experiments that can be carried out onboard the station to demonstrate the effects of weightlessness to young students.
  
  http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMLGRUHJCF_index_0.html
  
• #75 by jacqmans on 14 Feb, 2008 16:28
• Schlegel completes first spacewalk
   
  13 February 2008
  ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel today completed his first ever spacewalk. The second spacewalk of the STS-122 Shuttle mission lasted six hours 45 minutes.
  
  http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM98YUHJCF_index_0.html
  
• #76 by jacqmans on 14 Feb, 2008 16:29
• German Chancellor Merkel calls ISS
   
  14 February 2008  
  "We are proud as Germans and Europeans that we could contribute to the ISS with Columbus. Europe now has a permanent basis for research in space," highlighted German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the beginning of her in-flight call with ESA astronauts Hans Schlegel and Léopold Eyharts in Berlin earlier today.
  
  http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMT11VHJCF_index_0.html
  
• #77 by jacqmans on 15 Feb, 2008 15:12
• STS-122 Report #15
  
  Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 5:00 p.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON - The crew of Atlantis, along with the Expedition 16 crew aboard the International Space Station, spent the day preparing for tomorrow's third and final spacewalk and talking with the media.
  
  This morning, Shuttle Commander Steve Frick and Mission Specialists Hans Schlegel and Daniel Tani, station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Leopold Eyharts spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.  Also participating were European Space Agency Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and former astronaut Thomas Reiter of the German Space Agency.
  
  The astronauts then spoke with NBC News, WOI-TV and WBBM radio. WOI-TV is in Des Moines, Iowa, capital of Whitson's home state. WBBM is in Chicago, near Tani's hometown of Lombard, Ill.
  
  Tonight, Mission Specialists Stanley Love and Rex Walheim will camp out inside the Quest airlock. This will purge the nitrogen from their bodies in advance of tomorrow's spacewalk.
  
  During the 6.5-hour spacewalk that is scheduled to start at 7:40 a.m. CST, Love and Walheim will install two experiment platforms on the outside of the Columbus module. If time allows, they also will take a closer look at some damage to a handrail on the Quest airlock. The astronauts have built a special tool that will be used during the inspection, which comprises an overglove material wrapped around a socket. They will run the tool over the damaged handrail to see if there are any edges sharp enough to cut the material.
  
• #78 by jacqmans on 15 Feb, 2008 15:13
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #16  
  
  HOUSTON – The seven-member crew of space shuttle Atlantis is just one spacewalk away from finishing the installation of the new Columbus research module and its exterior experiment facilities.
  
  The crew’s day started at 2:45 a.m. Their wake up call from the Mission Control Center featured Drafi Deutscher’s song “Marmor Stein und Eisen Bricht.” The song’s title translates as “Marble Breaks and Iron Bends.” It was played for Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel, a European Space Agency astronaut from Germany.
  
  The mission’s third spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 7:40 a.m. At that time, the space station’s robotic arm will transfer the first of two external experiment facilities – an observatory used to monitor the sun, called SOLAR – to the Columbus module for installation. That task should take Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Stanley Love about three hours.
  
  On its way back to the shuttle’s cargo bay to retrieve the second experiment facility to be installed, the robotic arm will pick up a failed control moment gyroscope that was replaced in August and take it back to Atlantis to be returned to Earth.
  
  After dropping that gyroscope off, the robotic arm will pick up the European Technology Exposure Facility – or EuTEF, a facility that will allow scientists to expose experiments to space. Love and Walheim are scheduled to spend about an hour and 45 minutes on that task, which should begin around 11:50 a.m.
  
  If there’s any time left in the 6 hour and 25 minute-long spacewalk, the astronauts will inspect a damaged handrail on the Quest Airlock that may be the source of recent spacesuit glove cuts and take another look at the station’s right Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, which began experiencing problems last fall. The spacewalk is scheduled to end at 2:05 p.m.
  
• #79 by jacqmans on 15 Feb, 2008 16:55
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-032
  
  NASA SETS ATLANTIS, SPACE STATION CREW NEWS CONFERENCE
  
  HOUSTON - The 10 crew members flying aboard space shuttle Atlantis and
  the International Space Station will hold a news conference at 7:40
  a.m. CST on Saturday, Feb. 16.
  
  Media may ask questions from NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston;
  NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla.; and NASA Headquarters in
  Washington. News media in France, Germany and Russia also will be
  able to ask questions during the news conference. To participate,
  U.S. journalists must RSVP by calling the public affairs office at
  their preferred NASA center by 6 p.m. CST Friday, Feb. 15.
  
  NASA Television will provide live coverage of the 40-minute news
  conference. For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video
  information on the Web, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  During Atlantis' STS-122 mission, astronauts have installed the
  European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory to the space station,
  expanding the outpost's research facilities. The lab provides crew
  members and scientists around the world the ability to conduct a
  variety of life, physical and materials science experiments.
  
  For more information about STS-122 and its crew, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
• #80 by jacqmans on 16 Feb, 2008 06:32
• STS-122 Report #17
  
  Friday, February 15, 2008 - 5:00 p.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON - Astronauts Rex Walheim and Stan Love today spent seven hours and 25 minutes completing the third and final spacewalk of the STS-122 mission. Walheim and Love worked to transfer the first of two external experiment facilities - an observatory used to monitor the sun, called SOLAR - to the Columbus module for installation. Pilot Alan Poindexter worked to guide Walheim and Love from inside the International Space Station, while Mission Specialist Leland Melvin operated the station's robotic arm to guide the astronauts and experiments to the proper locations.
  
  After the installation of SOLAR, the crew transferred a failed gyroscope that controls the orientation of the ISS into Atlantis' payload bay so it can be returned to Earth. The two astronauts completed the final major objective of the mission by installing a second experiment onto the outside of Columbus, the European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF). This experiment will allow scientists to expose experiments to the vacuum and elements of space.
  
  Once this work was completed, Walheim and Love examined a damaged handrail on the outside of the station's Quest airlock. They used an improvised tool covered with spacewalk overglove material to rub the area to see if it could be the source of some glove abrasions that have been noticed on recent activity outside the station. Mission managers in Houston will discuss the results to determine if the area is indeed the source of the issue.
  
  Tomorrow at 6:17 a.m., the shuttle will fire its propulsion system for 31 minutes and 13 seconds in order to re-boost the orbit of the ISS. This will allow the station to achieve the proper alignment needed in advance of next month's arrival of Endeavour on the STS-123 mission.
  
  A crew news conference is scheduled for 7:40 a.m. tomorrow, with all 10 crew members participating in a question-and-answer session with media from the United States and Europe.
  
  The next STS-122 status report will be issued after crew wake-up tomorrow morning, which is scheduled for 1:45 a.m.
  
• #81 by jacqmans on 16 Feb, 2008 12:59
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #18  
  
  HOUSTON – The 10 crew members aboard the International Space Station/space shuttle Atlantis complex today will continue with the outfitting of the new Columbus research module, give the station a reboost to get it ready for its next visitors and spend some time talking with reporters on Earth.
  
  The crew was allowed to sleep in about 30 minutes after Friday’s long spacewalk. This morning's wake-up call – “I Believe I Can Fly,” performed by Yolanda Adams and Kenny G and played for Mission Specialist Leland Melvin – came at 2:20 a.m. CST.
  
  Columbus outfitting and transfer operations will continue throughout the day, and the crew will be reconfiguring the tools and suits used during Friday’s spacewalk.
  
  At 6:16 a.m., the shuttle will fire its propulsion system for 36 minutes to reboost the orbit of the space station. This will allow the station to achieve the proper alignment needed in advance of next month’s arrival of Endeavour on the STS-123 mission.
  
  And then at 7:40 a.m., all 10 members of the shuttle and station crews will participate in the traditional joint crew news conference. Reporters at Johnson Space Center in Texas, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the European Space Agency's European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, and the French Space Agency Headquarters in Paris will be participating in the question-and-answer session.
  
  Toward the end of the day, Pilot Alan Poindexter and mission specialists Rex Walheim and Stanley Love will have some off-duty time. Walheim and Love performed Friday’s spacewalk, and Poindexter worked inside as their intravehicular officer.
  
  
• #82 by jacqmans on 17 Feb, 2008 06:51
• STS-122 Report #18
  
  Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 6 a.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  CORRECTION
  
  HOUSTON - The 10 crew members aboard the International Space Station/space shuttle Atlantis complex today will continue with the outfitting of the new Columbus research module, give the station a reboost to get it ready for its next visitors and spend some time talking with reporters on Earth.
  
  The crew was allowed to sleep in about 30 minutes after Friday's long spacewalk. This morning's wake-up call - "I Believe I Can Fly," performed by Yolanda Adams and Kenny G and played for Mission Specialist Leland Melvin - came at 2:20 a.m. CST.
  
  Columbus outfitting and transfer operations will continue throughout the day, and the crew will be reconfiguring the tools and suits used during Friday's spacewalk.
  
  At 6:16 a.m., the shuttle will fire its propulsion system for 36 minutes to reboost the orbit of the space station. This will allow the station to achieve the proper alignment needed in advance of next month's arrival of Endeavour on the STS-123 mission.
  
  And then at 7:40 a.m., all 10 members of the shuttle and station crews will participate in the traditional joint crew news conference. Reporters at Johnson Space Center in Texas, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the European Space Agency's European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, and the French Space Agency Headquarters in Paris will be participating in the question-and-answer session.
  
  Toward the end of the day, Pilot Alan Poindexter and mission specialists Rex Walheim and Stanley Love will have some off-duty time. Walheim and Love performed Friday's spacewalk, and Poindexter worked inside as their intravehicular officer.
  
• #83 by jacqmans on 17 Feb, 2008 06:51
• STS-122 Report #19
  
  Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 1:00 p.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON - Outfitting of the International Space Station Columbus module experiment racks continued today with all 10 crew members working to complete the activation and initialization of the newest addition to the station.
  
  Earlier in the day, space shuttle Atlantis' propulsion system was used to reboost the station's altitude by about 1.4 miles (2.2 kilometers) - the first reboost of the station using shuttle thrusters since 2002.
  
  The altitude adjustment lasted 36 minutes and used four of the shuttle's vernier jets that produced about 28 pounds of thrust each to gently raise the orbit. The increased altitude will allow the station to be in the proper orbit for next month's arrival of Endeavour on the STS-123 mission.
  
  Early Saturday, all 10 members of the shuttle and station crews held their traditional news conference with media in the United States and Europe. Today set the stage for the final transfer of cargo between the shuttle and station early on Sunday. The crews will bid farewell to one another and close the hatches between the shuttle and station shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday.  Atlantis' departure remains scheduled for early Monday.
  
  
• #84 by jacqmans on 17 Feb, 2008 16:50
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #20  
  
  HOUSTON – The seven-member crew of Atlantis will complete the final cargo transfers, wrap up their part in the installation and activation of the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory, and then bid farewell to the Expedition 16 crew this morning.
  
  Farewells are scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m., followed by hatch closing at 11:30 a.m.
  
  The wakeup call for the crew’s final docked day came at 12:45 a.m. Mission Specialist Stan Love was treated with “Hail Thee, Harvey Mudd,” the Harvey Mudd College anthem written by Amy Lewkowicz. Love is a 1987 graduate of the Claremont, Calif., private math, science and engineering college.
  
  Overnight Atlantis’ transferred 92 pounds of oxygen to the station’s Quest airlock tank. In addition, a final leak check of the vestibule between the Harmony and Columbus modules was done.
  
  The most important transfer completed is the return of astronaut Dan Tani. Tani, who joined the station’s Expedition 16 crew in October, is being replaced by European Space Agency Astronaut Leopold Eyharts, who arrived at the station with the STS-122 crew. Eyharts will finish commissioning Columbus.
  
  In addition to delivering the Columbus laboratory to the orbital outpost, Atlantis’ astronauts performed three spacewalks to prepare the module for its scientific work, replaced an expended nitrogen tank on the station and retrieved a failed control moment gyroscope for return to Earth.
  
  Atlantis’ crew is scheduled to leave the space station on Monday, with undocking slated for 3:26 a.m. that day.
  
• #85 by jacqmans on 18 Feb, 2008 07:22
• STS-122 Report #21
  
  1 p.m. CST Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON -The ten spaceflight crew members parted ways to their respective spacecraft today. After farewells were said, hatches between the space shuttle Atlantis and International Space Station were closed at 12:03 p.m. CST.
  
  Atlantis' crew is scheduled to leave the space station on Monday, with undocking slated for 3:27 a.m. The departure sets up Atlantis for its scheduled landing at the Kennedy Space Center, Wednesday at 8:07 a.m.
  
  Before closing hatches, the seven-member crew of Atlantis completed the final cargo transfers between the two spacecraft. Atlantis launched with one of heaviest middecks in the history of the shuttle program and will land with the heaviest middeck ever, weighing 2040 pounds.
  
  The most important transfer completed is the exchange of astronaut Daniel Tani for European Space Agency Astronaut Leopold Eyharts. Tani joined the station's Expedition 16 crew in October and is being replaced by Eyharts, who arrived at the station with the STS-122 crew. Eyharts will finish commissioning the Columbus laboratory.
  
  In addition to delivering Columbus to the orbital outpost, Atlantis' astronauts performed three spacewalks to prepare the module for its scientific work, replaced an expended nitrogen tank on the station and retrieved a failed control moment gyroscope for return to Earth.
  
• #86 by jacqmans on 18 Feb, 2008 07:23
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #22  
  
  HOUSTON – Space shuttle Atlantis is set to undock from the International Space Station at 3:27 a.m. after nine days of joint operations carrying the seven-member crew that successfully commissioned the European Space Agency’s new Columbus science laboratory.
  
  Today’s wake-up song, played for STS-122 crew member Dan Tani, at 11:53 p.m. was “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World,” sung by Hawaiian-Japanese vocalist Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, accompanied by his ukulele.
  
  With their delivery of the new laboratory, Atlantis' STS-122 astronauts will leave a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. The Columbus Research Module adds nearly 1,000 cubic feet of habitable volume and affords room for 10 experiment racks, each an independent science lab.
  
  Atlantis also left behind new Expedition 16 crew member Leopold Eyharts, 95 pounds of oxygen and nearly 1,400 pounds of water.
  
  After undocking, Atlantis will move in front of the station to a range of 400 feet, and then Pilot Alan Poindexter will begin a full one lap fly around so his crewmates can get video and digital still imagery of Columbus docked to Harmony’s right-side port.
  
  When the shuttle again crosses directly in front of the station, Poindexter will fire the reaction control system jets to begin Atlantis’ separation. He’ll make the final separation jet firing at 5:10 a.m. to start the crew’s trip home.
  
  The crew will conduct a final inspection of the shuttle’s thermal protection system using the Orbiter Boom Sensor System at 7:20 a.m. The crew will re-examine the reinforced carbon-carbon panels on both wings and the nose cap for any evidence of damage from orbital debris.
  
  As the other crew members prepare for landing, Tani, who has been in space since his launch to the space station in October, is scheduled for exercise to help prepare his body to feel the pull of gravity again. Atlantis is targeted to land at the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday at 8:07 a.m.
  
• #87 by jacqmans on 18 Feb, 2008 15:17
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-036
  
  NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS SET TO LAND WEDNESDAY
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Atlantis crew is expected to
  complete a 13-day mission to the International Space Station with a
  landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
  
  The STS-122 mission began Feb. 7 and delivered the European Space
  Agency's Columbus laboratory to the station. Columbus expands the
  station's research facilities and provides scientists around the
  world with the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and
  materials science experiments. The mission also included three
  spacewalks, the delivery of a new crew member to the station and the
  return of another astronaut after his nearly four month stay aboard
  the complex.
  
  NASA managers will evaluate weather conditions at Kennedy before
  permitting Atlantis to return to Earth. Wednesday landing
  opportunities at Kennedy are at 9:07 a.m. and 10:42 a.m. EST. There
  are additional opportunities at 12:12 p.m. and 1:47 p.m. at Edwards
  Air Force Base, Calif., a backup landing site. The shuttle's other
  backup site for landing, White Sands Space Harbor, N.M., will not be
  activated Wednesday.
  
  Two hours after landing, NASA officials will hold a briefing to
  discuss the mission. The participants will be:
  
  - NASA Administrator Michael Griffin
  - NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier
  - NASA Space Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach
  
  After touchdown, the astronauts will undergo physical examinations and
  meet with their families. Some crew members are expected to hold a
  news conference no earlier 4.5 hours after returning to Earth.
  
  The Kennedy press site will open for landing activities at 5 a.m.
  Wednesday and close one hour after the crew news conference. The
  STS-122 accreditation badges are in effect through landing. The press
  accreditation building on State Road 3 will be open on Wednesday from
  5 to 7:30 a.m. The last bus will depart from the press site for the
  Shuttle Landing Facility one hour before landing. For updated
  information about the landing, call 321-867-2525.
  
  For information about the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force
  Base, journalists should call the Dryden Public Affairs Office at
  661-276-3449.
  
  For the latest information about the STS-122 mission, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
  For more on the International Space Station, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/station
  
  
• #88 by jacqmans on 18 Feb, 2008 22:19
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #23   Space shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station at 3:24 a.m. CST after nine days of joint operations.
  
  Atlantis and the seven-member crew left behind the station’s new European Space Agency (ESA) Columbus laboratory and ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts to prepare science experiments inside for operation.
  
  After undocking, Atlantis Pilot Alan Poindexter completed a full fly around so his crewmates could obtain video and digital still imagery of Columbus docked to Harmony’s right-side port.
  
  The crew is performing a final inspection of the shuttle’s thermal protection system in preparation for return to Earth. The Orbiter Boom Sensor System is used to search for any evidence of damage from orbital debris. That data will be reviewed by engineers over the next day.
  
  Astronaut Daniel Tani, who has been in space since his launch to the space station in October, exercised to help prepare his body to feel the pull of gravity again.
  
  Atlantis is targeted to land at the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday at 8:07 a.m. The weather forecast is favorable.
  
  
• #89 by jacqmans on 19 Feb, 2008 08:09
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #24  
  
  Atlantis’ seven-member crew will complete the final preparations today for their return home, wrapping up their 13-day mission with a scheduled early Wednesday morning landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
  
  The crew’s 11:45 p.m. CST Monday wake-up call was the Spamalot rendition of “Always Look on the Bright Side” played for STS-122 Commander Steve Frick.
  
  The crew is expected to begin routine de-orbit preparations and cabin stowage at 2:45 a.m. Then, at 4:10 a.m., Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialist Rex Walheim will power up an auxiliary power unit to check out the orbiter’s flight control surfaces. At 5:20 a.m. they will start a test firing of each of the shuttle’s reaction control system jets.
  
  Late Monday afternoon, the heaters on Atlantis’ four aft vernier engines, part of the reaction control system, failed. Those jets, located near the Orbiter Maneuvering System pods, are the small attitude control jets used to tweak a shuttle’s position in orbit and are not used during de-orbit maneuvers.
  
  The shuttle astronauts will take a break from packing at 7:35 a.m. to talk about the flight with ABC News, CNN and WRIC-TV in Richmond, Va., near the home of Mission Specialist Leland Melvin.
  
  At 12:15 p.m. Walheim and returning Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Dan Tani will set up a recumbent seat on the middeck for Tani to use during entry and landing. Melvin and Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel will stow the Ku-band communications antenna at 12:35 p.m.
  
  The International Space Station’s crew is enjoying a day off-duty before starting a heavy schedule. They are preparing for the delivery of the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency’s multi-armed dexterous robotic system, Dextre, on the STS-123 mission targeted for launch March 11.
  
  Atlantis is scheduled to land at the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday at 8:07 a.m. The weather forecast is favorable. Today the crew is scheduled to go to sleep at 3:45 p.m. and awaken at 11:45 p.m.
  
• #90 by jacqmans on 20 Feb, 2008 07:48
• STS-122 Report #25
  Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008 - 5 p.m. CST
  Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
   
  HOUSTON - After a check of all of the systems they will use for a return to Earth, Atlantis' seven-member crew packed up today in preparation for landing Wednesday.
  
  Atlantis is planned to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:07 a.m. CST with the forecast of near perfect weather at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The shuttle would fire its engines to begin a descent to Florida at 7 a.m.
  
  Atlantis has three additional opportunities to land Wednesday if needed. A second opportunity to land in Florida would begin with an engine firing at 8:35 a.m. leading to touchdown at 9:42 a.m.
  
  Opportunities also are available to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The first opportunity to land at Edwards would begin with an engine firing at 10:05 a.m. leading to an 11:12 a.m. touchdown. A second opportunity to land in California would begin with an engine firing at 11:41 a.m. leading to a 12:47 p.m. touchdown.
  
  Atlantis crew - Commander Steve Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stan Love, Hans Schlegel and Dan Tani - began a sleep period at 3:45 p.m. and will awaken at 11:45 p.m. Tani is returning home after a four-month stay aboard the International Space Station.
  
  The next STS-122 status report will be issued Wednesday morning.
  
• #91 by jacqmans on 20 Feb, 2008 07:50
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #26  
  
  HOUSTON – The seven astronauts on space shuttle Atlantis are only hours away from a landing in Florida that will conclude a successful 13-day mission that delivered the European Space Agency’s science laboratory Columbus to the International Space Station. The wakeup song, “Hail to the Spirit of Liberty” by John Philip Sousa, was played at 11:55 p.m. Tuesday for Pilot Alan Poindexter. Deorbit preparations begin at 3:05 a.m. Then the crew will ready their seats and should get the okay to close the payload bay doors at 4:19 a.m. If the near perfect weather continues, Commander Steve Frick will conduct the deorbit burn at 6:59 a.m.
  
  That will slow Atlantis enough to fall out of orbit to begin its descent toward a landing at the Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility at 8:07 a.m. Atlantis has three additional opportunities to land today if needed. A second opportunity to land in Florida would begin with an engine firing at 8:35 a.m. leading to touchdown at 9:42 a.m. Opportunities also are available to land at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The first opportunity to land at Edwards would begin with an engine firing at 10:05 a.m. leading to an 11:12 a.m. touchdown.
  
  A second opportunity to land in California would begin with an engine firing at 11:41 a.m. leading to a 12:47 p.m. touchdown. Atlantis’ crew – Commander Steve Fricke, Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stan Love, Hans Schlegel and Dan Tani – installed Columbus Feb. 11 and conducted three spacewalks to prepare the lab for its scientific work. They also replaced an expended nitrogen tank on the station’s P1 truss and retrieved a failed control moment gyroscope for return to Earth.
  
  The next STS-122 status report will be issued following landing.
  
• #92 by jacqmans on 20 Feb, 2008 14:39
• RELEASE: 08-061
  
  SHUTTLE ATLANTIS CREW RETURNS HOME AFTER SUCCESSFUL MISSION
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis and its crew landed at
  9:07 a.m. EST Wednesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., after
  completing a 13-day journey of nearly 5.3 million miles in space. The
  STS-122 mission expanded the size and research capabilities of the
  International Space Station with the delivery of the European Space
  Agency's Columbus laboratory.
  
  Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier
  described STS-122 as one of the program's most successful space
  station construction missions.
  
  "These missions are extremely challenging, and a great deal of
  preparation and teamwork are required to get these vehicles ready to
  fly," Gerstenmaier said. "We're focused on completing assembly and
  moving into the full utilization phase of the station. This mission
  opens the door for another one of our international partners to join
  in the important work and science on the space station."
  
  Steve Frick commanded the flight and was joined by 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. Eyharts remained aboard the space
  station, replacing Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Dan Tani, who
  returned to Earth on Atlantis after nearly four months on the
  station. Eyharts will return on shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission,
  currently targeted for launch on March 11, 2008.
  
  The mission included three spacewalks to outfit Columbus with power,
  data and cooling cables, installation of two science experiments on
  the lab's exterior, replacement of an expended nitrogen tank on the
  space station's cooling system, and retrieval of a failed space
  station control moment gyroscope -- a device that helps control the
  orientation of the station -- for its return to Earth.
  
  Several inspections in orbit revealed no damage to Atlantis, and the
  shuttle's thermal protection system was declared safe for re-entry on
  Tuesday. Workers immediately will begin processing the Atlantis for
  its next flight to service the Hubble Space Telescope, targeted for
  Aug. 28.
  
  STS-122 was the 121st space shuttle flight, the 29th flight for
  shuttle Atlantis and the 24th flight to the station.
  
  With Atlantis and its crew safely home, the stage is set for the next
  phase of station assembly. The STS-123 mission will deliver the Japan
  Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo logistics module and Canada's new
  robotics system, Dextre, the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator,
  to the station.
  
  For more about the STS-122 mission and the upcoming STS-123 mission,
  visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
  
         
  
• #93 by jacqmans on 20 Feb, 2008 14:40
• Press Release No.10-2008
  Paris, 20 February 2008
  
  
  After successfully delivering Columbus, Atlantis is back on earth
  
  NASA’s space shuttle Atlantis, which successfully delivered ESA’s Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station, has safely returned to earth with its crew of seven. Landing took place at 15:07 CET on 20 February on the shuttle landing strip of Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
  
  On this STS-122 mission, the shuttle spent nearly 13 days in space, including 9 days docked to the Station to conduct a major ISS assembly task: delivery of Europe’s first permanent manned outpost in orbit. The 7-m long 12.8-tonne Columbus module, a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary laboratory, was attached to the Harmony (Node 2) module on 11 February. Once leak checks and initial electrical, fluid and data connections were completed, the module’s hatch was opened on 12 February, marking Europe’s new status as a full partner and co-owner of the ISS. Outfitting work inside Columbus began only a few hours later, as the laboratory entered its commissioning phase, which was commanded and controlled by the Columbus Control Centre (Col-CC) located in Oberpfaffenhoffen near Munich, Germany.
  
  Two ESA astronauts, Hans Schlegel of Germany and Léopold Eyharts of France, were ferried to the Station by Atlantis and both contributed directly to this success. As a member of the STS-122 crew, Hans Schlegel performed one of the three spacewalks during the mission with fellow astronaut Rex Walheim of NASA. He also coordinated the other two spacewalks, supporting the Columbus module’s transfer from the shuttle payload bay to the ISS, plus the transfer of two payload suites, SOLAR and EuTEF, to external platforms on the Columbus module. Hans Schlegel returned to Earth with Atlantis.
  
  After formal crew responsibility hand-over tasks following the docking of Atlantis with the Station, Léopold Eyharts became part of the resident ISS crew (Expedition 16), trading places with NASA astronaut
  Dan Tani. He provided support for Columbus docking from inside the Harmony module, activating the motorised bolts to secure the junction, and assisted the third spacewalk by operating the station’s robotic arm. Unlike Schlegel, Eyharts remained on the ISS when Atlantis undocked two days ago. He will spend the next month in space to complete the Columbus module’s commissioning and to perform a series of experiments, both in the laboratory and in the other science facilities already operating in the Station. Léopold Eyharts is scheduled to return to earth with the next shuttle ISS mission (Endeavour/STS-123), at the end of March.
  ESA builds up its contribution to the ISS
  
  With the addition of Columbus, the pressurised volume of the Space Station was increased by a mere 15%, but its science capacity was nearly doubled. Two modules of the Japanese laboratory will be added in March and May, and a Russian Multi-Purpose Laboratory Module (MLM) will follow in 2011.
  
  A new era is also beginning for ESA’s activities onboard. As a fully-fledged partner of the ISS programme, ESA will now not only enjoy the benefits of Columbus but will also have to contribute to ISS operations. This will be achieved through the launch of unmanned servicing missions carried out by the Automated Transfer Vehicle, designed to deliver spares, scientific experiments, crew support equipment (food, clothing), fluids and propellant and to perform reboost to compensate for orbital decay of the ISS. The first ATV, Jules Verne, will be launched by an Ariane 5 on 8 March.
  
  But ESA will also benefit from the Station by conducting experiments within its many science facilities, and by regularly sending European astronauts to perform long-duration stays onboard as members of the resident crew. Two ESA astronauts are already training for such missions: Frank de Winne of Belgium who will fly as a member of the ISS Expedition 19 crew in 2009; and André Kuipers of the Netherlands who will be his backup. More will follow.
  
  Further European-built ISS elements are still under preparation to be launched to the ISS within the decade, such as the Material Science Laboratory (MSL), the Muscle Atrophy Resistive Exercise System (MARES), the European Robotic Arm (ERA), the Node 3 module and the Cupola observation deck.
  
  As Columbus is coming to life, so too is the network of nine User Support and Operations Centres (USOCs), which has been set up all over Europe to facilitate the interface between researchers and the science payloads onboard, and to allow investigators to control their experiments and receive real-time data on their results, through an interconnection provided via the Columbus Control Centre. Commissioning of the European laboratory has proceeded well and faster than planned. The two external payloads SOLAR and EuTEF have been deployed outside Columbus and already provide data. WAICO, the first experiment to be conducted inside the lab, will start this week inside Biolab. The Geoflow experiment will start up in early March inside the Fluid Science Laboratory. Over the coming weeks and months, the USOC network’s activity will increase dramatically as the science equipment and experiments already onboard Columbus are commissioned and switched to operational status, and as more science payloads are delivered to the module by the upcoming logistics missions. Columbus was designed to support some 500 experiments per year for ten years, in cell and plant biology, astrobiology, human physiology, fluid and material sciences, fundamental physics, astronomy, remote sensing and technology. For the European science community and industrial R&D, a new era of research has just begun.
  
  
  For further information:
  ESA Media Relations Office
  Communication and Knowledge Department
  Tel: + 33 1 5369 7299
  Fax: + 33 1 5369 7690
  
• #94 by jacqmans on 20 Feb, 2008 18:22
• STS-122 MCC Status Report #27  
  
  Space shuttle Atlantis and its seven-member crew landed on Runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center at 8:07 a.m. CST today, completing a 13-day journey of more than 5,296,842 miles. Atlantis touched down at exactly 8:07:10 a.m. with the nose gear touching down at 8:07:20 a.m. Wheels stop occurred at 8:08:08 a.m.
  
  During 202 orbits of Earth, the crew of Atlantis, which includes Commander Steve Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Hans Schlegel, Stan Love and Dan Tani, installed the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory on the International Space Station. Columbus, Europe’s largest contribution to the station, adds more than 2,600 cubic feet to the station and a wide variety of experiments and research.
  
  The astronauts conducted three spacewalks to install and set up Columbus. They also removed a spent nitrogen tank assembly and a failed gyroscope, both of which were returned to Earth. During the final spacewalk, the astronauts examined an area outside of the station’s air lock, where a small divot was discovered. The astronauts used an improvised tool comprising some material from an unused overglove to see if this area could be causing cuts and abrasions on the astronauts’ gloves. Engineers in Houston will examine the results.
  
  Atlantis delivered European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts to the station, replacing Tani as a flight engineer aboard the complex. Tani spent 107 days in space as a resident of the station. He launched on Oct. 23, 2007, aboard space shuttle Discovery on the STS-120 mission.
  
  Atlantis will be towed to its orbiter processing facility this afternoon, where it will begin preparations for its next mission, STS-125, which is targeted to launch Aug. 28 to service the Hubble Space Telescope for the final time.
  
  As Atlantis landed, the astronauts saw out their left window space shuttle Endeavour standing ready at launch pad 39-A. Endeavour’s launch on mission STS-123 is scheduled for March 11. The crew of Atlantis is scheduled to return to Houston on Thursday. An arrival ceremony is planned for about 4 p.m. at NASA Hangar 276 at Ellington Field.
  
• #95 by jacqmans on 29 Feb, 2008 08:49
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-043
  
  HOME FROM SPACE, CHICAGO ASTRONAUT DANIEL TANI SET FOR INTERVIEWS
  
  HOUSTON - NASA astronaut Daniel Tani of Chicago, who returned to Earth
  Feb. 20 after approximately four months on the International Space
  Station, will be available for satellite interviews from 6 - 8 a.m.
  CST on Wednesday, March 5.
  
  Tani was part of the station's Expedition 16 crew. He launched to the
  complex on space shuttle Discovery Oct. 23, 2007. During his stay in
  orbit, Tani conducted five spacewalks and saw the first expansion of
  the station's living and working space in more than six years. The
  crew added the Harmony connecting node and the European Space
  Agency's Columbus laboratory.
  
  To participate in the interviews, reporters should contact producer
  Michael Hare at 281-483-8631 no later than 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 4.
  B-roll featuring highlights of Tani's mission will air at 5:30 a.m.,
  before the start of the interviews.
  
  Tani was born in Pennsylvania and considers the Chicago suburb of
  Lombard, Ill., his hometown. He received bachelor's and master's
  degrees in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of
  Technology in Cambridge. He was selected as an astronaut in 1996.
  Tani's biography is available at:
  
  http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/tani.html
  
  NASA's live interview media outlet channel will be used to conduct the
  interviews. The channel is located on satellite AMC 6, transponder
  5C, located at 72 degrees west, downlink frequency 3785.5 Mhz,
  vertical polarity, FEC of 3/4th, symbol rate 4.3404 Mbaud.
  
  For information about the space station, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/station