STS-125: Press Releases

#60 by jacqmans on 17 May, 2009 01:52
STS-125 MCC Status Report #11

Mission Specialists John Grunsfeld and Andrew Feustel completed the third spacewalk of Atlantis’ mission to the Hubble Space Telescope in 6 hours, 36 minutes, stepping smoothly through the difficult tasks of repairing a delicate camera and installing its most sensitive spectrograph ever.

Grunsfeld and Feustel began the spacewalk at 8:35 a.m., removing the telescope’s 16-year-old “contact lens,” the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR), and safely tucked it into the shuttle’s payload bay. The two then installed the new Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS), which will allow Hubble to peer farther into the universe than ever before in the near and far ultraviolet ranges.

Then, Grunsfeld and Feustel used specially designed tools to carry out a job never intended to be done on a spacewalk, repairing the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). The camera, known for some of the most famous imagery captured by Hubble, had stopped working in early 2007 when its backup power supply short circuited. The two removed 32 screws from an access panel to efficiently replace the camera’s four circuit boards and install a new power supply.

In a test conducted from the Space Telescope Operations Control Center at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., engineers powered up the 851-pound COS to make sure its power and data connection were operating. While the astronauts sleep, the team will conduct additional functional tests on each component to determine if the astronauts will need to perform additional work. The COS will be calibrated over the next several weeks.

The spacewalk was the 80th in space shuttle history. Grunsfeld now ranks fourth among all spacewalkers, with 51 hours, 28 minutes to his credit over seven excursions.

Tomorrow, astronauts Michael Good and Mike Massimino will repair the Space Telescope Imaging and Spectrograph (STIS) and install the New Outer Blanket Layer (NOBL).

The crew’s sleep period will begin at 8:31 p.m. and crew wake will be at 4:31 a.m. tomorrow. The next status report will be issued tomorrow morning or earlier, if events warrant.
#61 by jacqmans on 17 May, 2009 12:32
STS-125 MCC Status Report #12

The crew of Atlantis is preparing for the fourth spacewalk of the mission, which will begin today at 8:16 a.m. CDT. The crew awoke at 4:31 a.m. to “New York State of Mind” performed by Billy Joel. The song was played for Mission Specialist Mike Massimino.

Massimino and Mission Specialist Mike Good will focus on repairing the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) today. STIS was installed on the Hubble Space Telescope during the second servicing mission in 1997. STIS stopped functioning in August 2004 due to a power supply failure and is currently in a “safe mode.”

Just like on the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), Good and Massimino will overlay a fastener capture plate over the top of an access panel on the STIS. But this time, the astronauts will have to loosen 111 screws in order to remove the panel. Once repaired, the STIS will work in tandem with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph by allowing Hubble to see a full range spectrum. Each of the instruments will back each other up while offering unique capabilities to study black holes, stars and planets around other stars.

Massimino and Good also will install a New Outer Blanket Layer (NOBL) on the outside of bay 8 on the telescope. This is a stainless steel cover that protects the telescope from the extreme environment of space by providing thermal protection for the equipment bays. The existing insulation has degraded over time.

The crew’s sleep period will begin at 8:31 p.m., and the crew is due to wake up tomorrow at 4:31 a.m. and will conduct the fifth and final spacewalk of the mission. The next status report will be issued at the end of the crew’s day, or earlier if events warrant.
#62 by jacqmans on 18 May, 2009 14:02
STS-125 MCC Status Report #13

In the sixth longest spacewalk in history, Astronauts Mike Massimino and Michael Good tackled the intricate task of removing and capturing 111 screws to be able to revive the Hubble Space Telescope’s two-dimensional spectroscopy capability.

In the 8 hour, 2 minute spacewalk, Massimino and Good repaired the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) by replacing a power supply board. STIS, installed on the Hubble Space Telescope in 1997, stopped working in August 2004 due to a power supply failure and was in a “safe mode.”

Though the removal of the many screws was expected to be difficult, a handrail gave Good and Massimino trouble. The handrail was obstructing the path of a fastener capture plate and one stripped bolt prevented it from coming free. Massimino followed steps developed quickly at the Goddard Spaceflight Center to carefully bend and break the handrail free so that the fastener capture plate could be installed. At about three hours into the spacewalk, Massimino broke the handrail free allowing the spacewalkers to proceed with the day’s tasks.

The initial aliveness test reported the STIS as working properly. The initial functional test was ended when the telescope put itself into “safe mode,” having reached a low thermal limit. The STIS is believed to be in good shape. Ground controllers will start the functional tests over again, once the telescope reaches a good temperature.

The STIS separates light into its component colors to reveal information about the chemical content, temperature and motion of planets, comets, stars, interstellar gas and galaxies. The information it can provide will help scientists better understand the physical properties of the material universe – putting the physics in astrophysics.

Massimino and Good were unable to get to the installation of the New Outer Blanket Layer (NOBL) on the outside of the telescope’s bay 8. Mission managers have asked Mission Specialists John Grunsfeld and Andrew Fuestel to add the installation of a partial set of blankets on bay 8 during Monday’s spacewalk. If time permits, the two may get to install the full set.

The crew’s sleep period will begin at 8:31 p.m. CDT, and the crew is due to wake up tomorrow at 4:31 a.m. to conduct the fifth and final spacewalk of the mission. The next status report will be issued at the beginning of the crew’s day or earlier if events warrant.
#63 by jacqmans on 18 May, 2009 14:03
STS-125 MCC Status Report #14

As Atlantis’ crew begins their eighth day in space, astronauts Drew Feustel and John Grunsfeld are hours away from conducting the final spacewalk on the Hubble Space Telescope. The STS-125 crew awoke this morning to “Sound of Your Voice” performed by Barenaked Ladies. It was played for Commander Scott Altman.

There are two major focuses for today’s spacewalk. The first objective for Feustel and Grunsfeld is the removal of the battery module from Bay 3 on the telescope and the installation of a fresh module. Each battery module weighs 460 pounds and contains three batteries. Each of the nickel hydrogen batteries weighs 125 pounds, and they provide power to the telescope when it passes into orbital night and the solar arrays are not exposed to the sun. All of the batteries on Hubble are original equipment, and they were only designed to operate for five years. The batteries in Bay 2 were replaced earlier in the mission.

The second task is the removal and replacement of Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) 2. Hubble has three of these sensors, and FGS 2 has degraded over time. The three sensors are parked at 90 degree angles around the circumference of the telescope, and two are used to point and lock the telescope on its targets. The third can be used for astrometry, which is measuring the distances between different celestial objects. The refurbished FGS that will be installed today previously had been removed and returned on the third servicing mission in December 1999. It has since been enhanced and upgraded.

After these two tasks are accomplished, Feustel and Grunsfeld will turn their attention to the New Outer Blanket Layer (NOBL) on the outside of the telescope’s Bay 5. The NOBL on Bay 8 was due to be installed during yesterday’s spacewalk, but the crew was unable to accomplish it during the spacewalk. If time permits, Feustel and Grunsfeld may be asked to install a partial or full set of NOBLs on Bay 8.The team in Mission Control will make the decision in real time based on the progress of the spacewalk.

The crew’s sleep period will begin at 7:31 p.m. CDT, and the crew is due to wake up tomorrow at 3:31 a.m. to begin procedures to release Hubble. The next status report will be issued at the end of the crew’s day or earlier if events warrant.
#64 by jacqmans on 18 May, 2009 21:37
MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-086

HUBBLE SERVICING CREW TO HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE FROM SPACE

HOUSTON -- The seven astronauts aboard space shuttle Atlantis will
hold a news conference at 10:26 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 20, to
discuss their mission to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope.

Reporters may ask questions from NASA's Johnson Space Center in
Houston, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Goddard Space Flight Center
in Greenbelt, Md., and NASA Headquarters in Washington.

To participate in the news conference, U.S. journalists must call the
public affairs office at one of the NASA centers listed above by 2
p.m. Tuesday. Media representatives must be present at participating
locations at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the news
conference. NASA Television will provide live coverage of the
40-minute event. For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video
information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

During Atlantis' STS-125 mission, the crew has completed work to
improve Hubble's view of the universe with the addition of two new
science instruments, the repair of two others and the replacement of
other hardware that will extend the telescope's life at least through
2014.

For more information about the STS-125 mission and its crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

For more information about the Hubble Space Telescope, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/hubble
#65 by jacqmans on 19 May, 2009 01:50
STS-125 MCC Status Report #15

Human hands have touched the Hubble Space Telescope for the last time. Astronauts Andrew Feustel and John Grunsfeld spent seven hours and two minutes putting the finishing touches on the telescope in the final spacewalk from a space shuttle airlock.

During the STS-125 mission’s five spacewalks, Atlantis’ crew completed all of the mission objectives to improve Hubble's view of the universe.

Over the course of the mission’s five spacewalks, the crew added two new science instruments, repaired two others and replaced hardware that will extend the telescope's life at least through 2014. The five spacewalks lasted 36 hours and 56 minutes all together. There have been 23 spacewalks devoted to Hubble, totaling 166 hours and six minutes.

The spacewalkers began today’s work early and stepped quickly through the main focus, swapping a battery module from Bay 3 with a fresh module and removing and replacing the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) 2.

With that work complete, they installed New Outer Blanket Layers (NOBL) on three bays on the outside of the telescope, one of which was a leftover task from Sunday’s spacewalk and the third was a bonus task.

About four months of activities are planned for checking out and calibrating the instruments before scientific observations can begin again.

The crew’s sleep period will begin at 7:31 p.m. CDT, and the crew is due to wake up tomorrow at 3:31 a.m. to begin procedures to release Hubble. The next status report will be issued at the beginning of the crew’s day or earlier if events warrant.
#66 by jacqmans on 20 May, 2009 13:37
STS-125 MCC Status Report #16

The crew of Atlantis will bid farewell to the Hubble Space Telescope today. Atlantis’ crew woke up this morning at 3:31 a.m. CDT to “Lie in Our Graves” performed by the Dave Matthews Band. It was played for Mission Specialist Megan McArthur.

McArthur will operate the shuttle’s robotic arm today as she reaches out and grapples onto the telescope. She will then lift Hubble out of Atlantis’ payload bay and move it over the edge of the shuttle. Ground teams will command Hubble’s aperture door to open, which is the large shutter that protects the telescope’s primary and secondary mirrors. Final release of Hubble is scheduled for 7:53 a.m.

Atlantis will perform a final separation maneuver from the telescope at 8:29 a.m., which will take the shuttle out of the vicinity of Hubble. The berthing mechanism to which Hubble has been attached during the mission will then be stored back down into the payload bay.

The crew also will use the robotic arm to unberth the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) and will use it to perform a scheduled inspection of Atlantis’ heat shield to make sure that it remains in good shape for entry.

The crew’s sleep period will begin at 7:31 p.m. CDT, and the crew is due to wake up tomorrow at 3:31 a.m. The next status report will be issued at the end of the crew’s day or earlier if events warrant.
#67 by jacqmans on 20 May, 2009 13:38
STS-125 MCC Status Report #17

The crew of Atlantis bid farewell to the Hubble Space Telescope on behalf of NASA and the rest of the world today. The telescope was released back into space at 7:57 a.m. CDT. With its upgrades, the telescope should be able to see farther into the universe than ever before.

Astronaut Megan McArthur used the shuttle’s robotic arm to grab Hubble, lift it out of Atlantis’ payload bay and release it. Ground teams opened Hubble’s aperture door, which is the large shutter that protects the telescope’s primary and secondary mirrors.

Atlantis performed a final separation maneuver from the telescope at 8:28 a.m., which took the shuttle out of the vicinity of Hubble. The berthing mechanism to which Hubble has been attached during the mission was stored back down into the payload bay.

The rest of the day was focused on the scheduled inspection of Atlantis’ heat shield, searching for any potential damage from orbital debris. The crew used the shuttle robotic arm to operate the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) for the inspection. The crew worked ahead of schedule and returned the OBSS to the payload bay sill today instead of tomorrow.

The crew’s sleep period is scheduled to begin at 7:31 p.m., although the crew will try to go to sleep 30 minutes early to help adjust for an earlier workday for the rest of the mission. The adjusted schedule allows the entry flight control team to consider an earlier landing opportunity at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Friday before the sea breeze adversely affects landing weather conditions later in the day.

The crew is due to wake up tomorrow at 3:01 a.m. for an off-duty day. The next status report will be issued at the beginning of the crew’s day or earlier if events warrant.
#68 by jacqmans on 20 May, 2009 13:38
STS-125 MCC Status Report #18

As the voyage of the space shuttle Atlantis boldly continued this morning, the crew woke up at 3:03 a.m. CDT to the theme from the television series “Star Trek,” which was composed by Alexander Courage. The song was played for the entire crew.

At 9:26 a.m., the crew will talk with members of the media at different NASA centers about the mission, the Hubble Telescope and the crew’s thoughts on being a part of this fifth and final servicing mission.

At 11:06 a.m., the crew will make a ship-to-ship call to their orbital neighbors, the crew of Expedition 19 on board the International Space Station.

The crew will spend the balance of the day enjoying some off duty time as they prepare for Friday’s entry and landing.

The crew is due to go to sleep at 6:01 p.m. The next status report will be issued at the end of the crew’s day or earlier if events warrant.
#69 by jacqmans on 21 May, 2009 07:34
STS-125 MCC Status Report #19

The space shuttle Atlantis crew enjoyed a day off, answered reporters’ questions and chatted with colleagues on the International Space Station today. They’ll switch gears on Thursday and get ready for landing.

Commander Scott Altman, Pilot Greg Johnson and Mission Specialists Michael Good, Megan McArthur, John Grunsfeld, Mike Massimino and Andrew Feustel fielded questions for about 40 minutes from reporters at NASA centers before lunch.

After lunch, the crew had a chance to talk with Expedition 19 Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineers Mike Barratt and Koichi Wakata on the International Space Station during a ship-to-ship call as the two vehicles circled the Earth in different orbits. Later in the day, the station crew toasted the first use of the station’s new water recycling system with fellow astronauts, engineers, flight controllers and program officials on the ground.

The Hubble Space Telescope servicing crew will turn their attention to landing tomorrow, stowing gear that has been used over the course of 10 days in orbit and five spacewalks. They’ll also check the reaction control system thrusters and flight control systems that will be used to control their reentry and descent through the atmosphere.

Mission managers completed their review of the late inspection of the shuttle’s wing leading edge and nosecap heat shield, and cleared the entire thermal protection system for safe entry. Landing is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. CDT Friday at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, weather permitting.

The crew is due to go to sleep at 6:01 p.m. The next status report will be issued after the crew awakens at 2:01 a.m., or earlier if events warrant.
#70 by jacqmans on 21 May, 2009 17:29
MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-090

HUBBLE SERVICING CREW SET TO RETURN TO EARTH FRIDAY

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The seven astronauts who upgraded NASA's
Hubble Space Telescope are expected to return to Earth aboard space
shuttle Atlantis on Friday after an 11-day mission. The two landing
opportunities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida are at 10
a.m. and 11:39 a.m. EDT.

NASA flight directors will evaluate weather conditions at Kennedy
before permitting Atlantis and its crew to land. If weather prevents
a return to Kennedy on Friday, the backup landing site at Edwards Air
Force Base in California will be activated Saturday for consideration
as well. For recorded updated information about landing, call
321-867-2525.

Approximately two hours after landing, NASA officials will hold a
media briefing to discuss the mission. The participants will be:
- Ed Weiler, associate administrator for the Science Mission
Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington
- Mike Moses, launch integration manager for NASA's Johnson Space
Center, Houston
- Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director, Kennedy

After touchdown in Florida, the astronauts will undergo physical
examinations and meet with their families. The STS-125 crew is
expected to hold a news conference about four and a half hours after
landing Friday. Both news events will be broadcast live on NASA
Television.

The Kennedy news center will open for landing activities at 6 a.m.
Friday and close at 5 p.m. or one hour after the last media event.

The STS-125 media badges are in effect through landing. The media
accreditation building on State Road 3 will be open Friday from 5:30
a.m. to 8 a.m. The last bus will depart from the news center for the
Shuttle Landing Facility one hour before landing.

If the landing is diverted to Edwards, news media should call the
Dryden public affairs office at 661-276-3449. Dryden has limited
facilities available for use by previously accredited journalists.

The NASA News Twitter feed is updated throughout the shuttle mission
and landing. To access the NASA News feed and other agency Twitter
feeds, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate

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

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
#71 by jacqmans on 21 May, 2009 17:32
STS-125 MCC Status Report #20

The crew of Atlantis will spend the day preparing the shuttle for tomorrow’s return home. The crew woke up this morning at 2:04 a.m. CDT to “Cantina Band,” one of composer John Williams’ songs from the soundtrack to “Star Wars.” The song was played for the entire crew.

Commander Scott Altman, Pilot Greg Johnson and Mission Specialist Megan McArthur will check out the flight control surfaces of Atlantis, including the rudder and the wing flaps at 5:11 a.m. Those surfaces will guide the shuttle’s unpowered flight through the atmosphere to a landing. Immediately afterward, at 6:21 a.m., the astronauts will test fire Atlantis’ reaction control system thrusters. The thrusters will control the shuttle’s orientation as it descends and begins its re-entry through the atmosphere.

Mission Specialists Mike Good, John Grunsfeld, Mike Massimino and Drew Feustel will begin stowing away everything inside Atlantis and preparing the shuttle for the return trip. Landing is targeted for 9:01 a.m. tomorrow at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

After lunch, the crew will talk with Senator Barbara Mikulski and other members of the U.S. Senate at 11:31 a.m. At 1:41 p.m., the crew will talk with reporters from ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC and CNN.

The crew is due to go to sleep at 5:01 p.m. and will wake at 1:01 a.m. to begin the procedures for landing. The next status report will be issued at the end of the crew’s day or earlier if events warrant.
#72 by jacqmans on 22 May, 2009 09:47
STS-125 MCC Status Report #21

As Atlantis’ crew prepares for landing Friday, mission managers are closely monitoring a low pressure system that has brought 16 inches of rain in three days to the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Forecasters report the system is slowly moving away but it could still bring more rain, possible thunderstorms and winds that could violate the shuttle’s flight rules into the Florida spaceport area. The two Friday landing opportunities are at 9:00 and 10:39 a.m. CDT.

Should mission managers wave off landing the next four opportunities will be Saturday with two at Kennedy and two at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The opportunities at Kennedy are at 8:16 and 9:54 a.m. With a favorable California forecast, the opportunities there are at 9:46 and 11:24 a.m.

In another first for spaceflight, the STS-125 crew testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, chaired by Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland. She, and former astronaut Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, talked with the crew.

The STS-125 crew is the first to testify live from space in a Senate hearing. Astronaut John Phillips gave the first congressional testimony live from space on June 14, 2005, during Expedition 11, when he testified before the House Science Committee, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.

The crew also talked with reporters from ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC and CNN.

In preparation for landing, Atlantis’ crew tested the ship’s flight control surfaces and reaction control system thrusters. Both systems functioned well and are ready to support entry activities.

Tomorrow, the crew should begin deorbit preparations at 3:50 a.m. and close the payload bay doors at 5:10 a.m. Here are predicted times for tomorrow and Saturday’s landing opportunities (all CDT):

ORBIT SITE D/O BURN LANDING

FRIDAY 165 KSC 7:49:16 a.m. 9:00:31 a.m.
166 KSC 9:33:41 a.m. 10:39:18 a.m.

SATURDAY 180 KSC 7:02 a.m. 8:16 a.m.
181 EDW 8:29 a.m. 9:46 a.m.
181 KSC 8:46 a.m. 9:54 a.m.
182 KSC 10:12 a.m. 11:24 a.m.

The crew is due to go to sleep at 5:01 p.m. and will wake at 1:01 a.m. to begin the procedures for landing. The next status report will be issued at the beginning of the crew’s day or earlier if events warrant.
#73 by jacqmans on 22 May, 2009 09:48
STS-125 MCC Status Report #22

The crew of Atlantis is making preparations on board the shuttle this morning for the first of two landing attempts at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew woke up this morning at 1:01 a.m. CDT to “The Galaxy Song” from “Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life.” It was played for the entire crew.

Mission managers continue to monitor the weather in Florida for today’s landing. There is a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico that is causing rain and thunderstorms around Kennedy. Forecasters are expecting broken clouds, thunderstorms and winds that could violate landing criteria around the time of both Friday landing opportunities. The first landing option is at 9:00 a.m. and the second is at 10:39 a.m.

Should mission managers wave off landing, the next four opportunities will be Saturday with two at Kennedy and two at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The opportunities at Kennedy are at 8:16 and 9:54 a.m. With a favorable California forecast, the opportunities there are at 9:46 and 11:24 a.m.

If mission managers feel the weather is improving in Florida today and decide to target the first opportunity, the crew will be given instructions to close Atlantis’ payload bay doors at 5:10 a.m., and the crew will begin suiting up at 6:28 a.m.

The next status report will be issued after landing today or at the end of the crew’s day if landing is waived off.
#74 by jacqmans on 22 May, 2009 12:47
RELEASE: 09-118

NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE LANDING DELAYED BY WEATHER

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis and its crew will stay
in space another day after bad weather prevented them from landing
Friday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA Flight Director Norm Knight and the entry team will evaluate
weather conditions at Kennedy before permitting Atlantis and its crew
to land at 9:16 a.m. Saturday. A second Kennedy landing opportunity
is at 10:54 a.m. The shuttle also has landing opportunities at
Edwards Air Force Base in California at 10:46 a.m. and 12:24 p.m.

If Atlantis does not land Saturday, there are multiple landing
opportunities Sunday at Kennedy, Edwards, or White Sands Space Harbor
in New Mexico. The Kennedy news center will open for landing
activities. For recorded updated information about landing and news
center hours, call 321-867-2525.

If the landing is diverted to Edwards, reporters should call the
Dryden public affairs office at 661-276-3449. Dryden has limited
facilities available for use by previously accredited journalists.

The landing times below are approximate and subject to change. All
times are EDT:

Saturday Landing Opportunities
9:16 a.m. Orbit 180 landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 8:02 a.m.)
10:46 a.m. Orbit 181 landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 9:29 a.m.)
10:54 a.m. Orbit 181 landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 9:46 a.m.)
12:24 p.m. Orbit 182 landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 11:12 a.m.)

Sunday Landing Opportunities
10:01 a.m. Orbit 196 landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 8:42 a.m.)
10:04 a.m. Orbit 196 landing at White Sands (deorbit burn at 8:46
a.m.)
10:10 a.m. Orbit 196 landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 8:57 a.m.)
11:39 a.m. Orbit 197 landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 10:24 a.m.)
11:42 a.m. Orbit 197 landing at White Sands (deorbit burn at 10:29
a.m.)
11:48 a.m. Orbit 197 landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 10:42 a.m.)

The NASA News Twitter feed is updated throughout the shuttle mission
and landing. To access the NASA News feed and other agency Twitter
feeds, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate
#75 by jacqmans on 23 May, 2009 00:45
STS-125 MCC Status Report #23

Thunderstorms, low clouds and showers prevented Atlantis’ astronauts from landing today at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew was waved off from its second and final Friday landing attempt about 7 a.m. CDT, when Mission Control sent word that the weather was too unstable to permit a safe landing.

Shortly after the weather wave off, Entry Flight Director Norm Knight called up support for the backup landing site Saturday at Edwards Air Force Base.

There are three landing opportunities available for Atlantis at both Kennedy and Edwards on Saturday. The Kennedy weather forecast is expected to improve somewhat, but there is a good chance weather in the vicinity of the Shuttle Landing Facility will be unfavorable. The Edwards forecast is generally favorable for all three opportunities.

The crew will awaken at 12:01 a.m. CDT, and resume landing preparations at 3 a.m. For the first landing opportunity Saturday, the crew would close the payload bay doors at 4:22 a.m.

For the first Kennedy opportunity, the crew would execute a deorbit burn at 7:01 a.m. and land at 8:15 a.m. The second Kennedy opportunity calls for a deorbit burn at 8:45 a.m. and landing at 9:54 a.m. The third Florida opportunity would begin with a deorbit burn at 10:29 a.m. and result in landing at 11:33 a.m.

The first California landing opportunity would start with a deorbit burn at 8:29 a.m., and result in landing at 9:45 a.m. The second Edwards opportunity would begin with a deorbit burn at 10:11 a.m. and culminate in an 11:23 a.m. landing. The third opportunity would require a deorbit burn at 11:55 a.m. and end with landing at 1:02 p.m.

The crew officially began its sleep shift tonight at 4:01 p.m. today. The next status report will be issued at the beginning of the crew’s day or earlier if events warrant.
#76 by jacqmans on 23 May, 2009 06:52
STS-125 MCC Status Report #24

After the weather in Florida prevented Atlantis from landing yesterday, the crew is readying for another attempt today. The crew woke up at 12:01 a.m. CDT to “Where My Heart Will Take Me” performed by Russell Watson. It was played for the entire crew.

There are three landing opportunities available for Atlantis at both Kennedy and Edwards today. The Kennedy weather forecast is expected to improve somewhat, but there is a chance that weather in the vicinity of the Shuttle Landing Facility will be unfavorable. The Edwards forecast is generally favorable for all three opportunities.

Landing preparations will begin at 3 a.m. The closing of the payload bay doors is scheduled to occur at 4:22 a.m.

For the first Kennedy opportunity, the crew would execute a deorbit burn at 7:01 a.m. and land at 8:15 a.m. The second Kennedy opportunity calls for a deorbit burn at 8:45 a.m. and landing at 9:54 a.m. The third Florida opportunity would begin with a deorbit burn at 10:29 a.m. and result in landing at 11:33 a.m.

The first California landing opportunity would start with a deorbit burn at 8:29 a.m., and result in landing at 9:45 a.m. The second Edwards opportunity would begin with a deorbit burn at 10:11 a.m. and culminate in an 11:23 a.m. landing. The third opportunity would require a deorbit burn at 11:55 a.m. and end with landing at 1:02 p.m.

The next status report will be issued after landing today or at the end of the crew’s day if landing is waived off.
#77 by jacqmans on 24 May, 2009 10:00
RELEASE: 09-119

NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE LANDING DELAYED BY WEATHER

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis and its crew will stay
in space another day after bad weather prevented them from landing
Saturday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA Flight Director Norm Knight and the entry team will evaluate
weather conditions at Kennedy before permitting the shuttle to land.
If the weather is not acceptable for a return to Kennedy, the team
will look to land at the secondary landing site, Edwards Air Force
Base in California. White Sands Space Harbor is not expected to be
activated tomorrow. For recorded updated information about landing,
call 321-867-2525.

If the landing is diverted to Edwards, reporters should call the
public affairs office at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in
Edwards at 661-276-3449. Dryden has limited facilities available for
use by previously accredited journalists.

The landing times below are approximate and subject to change. All
times are Eastern:

Sunday Landing Opportunities
10:11 a.m., Orbit 196, landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 8:58 a.m.)
11:40 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 10:25 a.m.)
11:49 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 10:31 a.m.)
1:19 p.m., Orbit 198, landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 12:08 p.m.)

The NASA News Twitter feed is updated throughout the shuttle mission
and landing. To access the NASA News feed and other agency Twitter
feeds, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate

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

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For the latest information about the STS-125 mission and
accomplishments, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

For information about the Hubble Space Telescope, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/hubble
#78 by jacqmans on 24 May, 2009 10:01
STS-125 MCC Status Report #25

Weather in Florida did not cooperate again for Atlantis’ return to Earth today. There are two additional landing opportunities being considered Sunday on both U.S. coasts.

For the first opportunity in Florida at Kennedy Space Center, the crew would execute a deorbit burn at 7:58 a.m. and land at 9:11 a.m. The second Kennedy opportunity calls for a deorbit burn at 9:31 a.m. and landing at 10:49 a.m.

The first landing opportunity targeted in California at Edwards Air Force Base would start with a deorbit burn at 9:25 a.m. and culminate in a 10:40 a.m. landing. The second opportunity would begin with a deorbit burn at 11:08 a.m. and result in landing at 12:19 p.m.

The Kennedy weather forecast is expected to improve slightly, but there is a chance that weather in the vicinity of the Shuttle Landing Facility will continue to be unfavorable. The Edwards forecast is generally favorable.

The crew is scheduled to go to sleep at 4:01 p.m. and awaken at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. The next status report will be issued after landing or earlier if events warrant.
#79 by Ford Mustang on 24 May, 2009 17:02
RELEASE: 09-120

NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE RETURNS TO EARTH AFTER HUBBLE MISSION

EDWARDS, Calif. -- Space shuttle Atlantis and its crew landed at 8:39
a.m. PDT Sunday at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., completing the
final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis'
astronauts conducted five successful spacewalks during their STS-125
flight to enhance and extend the life of the orbiting observatory.

"This mission highlights what the challenges of spaceflight can bring
out in human beings," said Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator
for Space Operations at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "This
mission required the absolute best from the shuttle team, the Hubble
science and repair teams, and the crew. The results are a tribute to
the entire team and the years of preparation."

Atlantis' nearly 13-day mission of almost 5.3 million miles
rejuvenated Hubble with state-of-the-art science instruments designed
to improve the telescope's discovery capabilities by as much as 70
times, while extending its lifetime through at least 2014.

"This is not the end of the story but the beginning of another chapter
of discovery by Hubble," said Ed Weiler, associate administrator for
Science at NASA Headquarters. "Hubble will be more powerful than
ever, continue to surprise, enlighten, and inspire us all and pave
the way for the next generation of observatories."

Scott Altman commanded the shuttle flight and was joined by Pilot
Gregory C. Johnson and Mission Specialists Megan McArthur, John
Grunsfeld, Mike Massimino, Andrew Feustel and Michael Good. McArthur
served as the flight engineer and lead for robotic arm operations,
while the remaining mission specialists paired up for challenging
spacewalks on Hubble.

Weather concerns prevented the crew from returning to NASA's Kennedy
Space Center in Florida, the primary end-of-mission landing site. In
seven to 10 days, Atlantis will be transported approximately 2,500
miles from California to Florida on the back of a modified 747 jumbo
jet. Once at Kennedy, the shuttle will be separated from the aircraft
to begin processing for its next flight, targeted for November 2009.

The STS-125 mission was the 126th shuttle flight, the 30th for
Atlantis and the second of five planned for 2009. Hubble was
delivered to space on April 24, 1990, on the STS-31 mission.
Atlantis' landing at Edwards was the 53rd shuttle landing to occur at
the desert air base.

Hubble has enabled a number of ground-breaking discoveries during its
time in orbit. They include determining the age of the universe to be
13.7 billion years; finding that virtually all major galaxies have
black holes at their center; discovering that the process of
planetary formation is relatively common; detecting the first-ever
organic molecule in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting another star;
and providing evidence the expansion of the universe is accelerating
because of an unknown force that makes up approximately 72 percent of
the matter-energy content in the universe.

With Atlantis and its crew safely home, the focus will shift to the
launch of STS-127, targeted for June 13. Endeavour's 16-day flight
will deliver a new station crew member and complete construction of
the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. Astronauts
will attach a platform to the outside of the Japanese module that
will serve as a type of "back porch" for experiments that require
direct exposure to space.

For information about NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/hubble

For more about the STS-125 mission and the upcoming STS-127 flight,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle