STS-122: NASA and ESA Press Releases

#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.