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LIVE Soyuz 12S/TMA-8 docking - March 31/April 1
by
DaveS
on 31 Mar, 2006 22:08
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As the docking now is only a few hours away, I thought that I would start this live events thread a little bit in advance. NASA TV coverage begins at 10 pm EST (03:00 UTC April 1). Docking is scheduled for 11:19 pm EST(04:19 UTC April 1). Hatch opening at 12:30 am EST(05:30 UTC).
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#1
by
Chris Bergin
on 31 Mar, 2006 23:54
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Is there still an hour's difference between UTC and GMT, Dave?
Might get a few hours of shut eye and join you with this coverage.
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#2
by
jcm
on 01 Apr, 2006 01:22
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There's never any different between UTC and GMT, they are basically the same thing.
The UK switches betwen UTC/GMT in the winter and BST (British Summer Time) in the summer...
at least that was the story in ancient times when I lived there.
Over here in the colonies, we switch from EST = UTC/GMT-5 to EDT = UTC/GMT-4 on
Sunday morning. But I'll forget and show up for brunch at the wrong time as always...
Oh, but you're in York, right? So I think what you mean is "Is there still an hour's difference
between UK civil time and GMT?". I think you chaps switched last Sunday so there is
now an hour's difference: UK time is currently BST = GMT + 1 = EST - 6.
On Sunday you'll be BST = GMT + 1 = EDT - 5 and we'll be on EDT over here, so
you'll need to add 5 to East Coast US times. It's just for this week that we're 6 hours apart.
Cheers, Jonathan
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#3
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 02:13
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>Over here in the colonies< heh

GMT vs UK time - got it, thanks.
Ok, one hour until coverage starts on NASA TV (based on that). Coverage comes before sleep, so we'll give this live updates and aim to record some of this on video. ISS update on L2 coming.
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#4
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:11
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#5
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:17
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Soyuz TMA 8km away from the ISS. Trivia comment: The ISS has orbited the Earth 42,000 times since being in orbit.
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#6
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:26
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220 miles up.....never get bored of this images. About one hour from docking.
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#7
by
Mark Max Q
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:31
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Is it George Diller who's commentating on NASA TV? Fantastic information.
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#8
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:33
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No. I didn't catch his name, but he's NASA PAO for Russia - and is very good, as you mentioned.
Communications between the Soyuz TMA-8 and the ISS have been established. 6km seperate the two spacecraft. 57 minutes until docking.
There's out there somewhere!
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#9
by
psloss
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:38
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Chris Bergin - 31/3/2006 10:33 PM
No. I didn't catch his name, but he's NASA PAO for Russia - and is very good, as you mentioned.
Communications between the Soyuz TMA-8 and the ISS have been established. 6km seperate the two spacecraft. 57 minutes until docking.
There's out there somewhere! 
The PAO is Rob Navias; during the standdowns after STS-107, he's done a lot of "remotes" from various parts of the former U.S.S.R., though he's normally doing commentary from a Mission Control Center at JSC. Been around probably since the first shuttle flights or earlier, though he didn't join NASA until the late 80s or early 90s. I can't remember who he used to report for...UPI is a wild guess, though back in those days, I recall seeing him on TV (for whatever reason) at KSC.
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#10
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:47
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Thanks for that note. He's superb.
Soyuz closing in at 22m/s. 43 minutes until docking.
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#11
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:52
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Houston JSC ISS Mission Control:
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#12
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:53
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#13
by
Rocket Guy
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:56
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psloss - 31/3/2006 10:38 PM
The PAO is Rob Navias; during the standdowns after STS-107, he's done a lot of "remotes" from various parts of the former U.S.S.R., though he's normally doing commentary from a Mission Control Center at JSC. Been around probably since the first shuttle flights or earlier, though he didn't join NASA until the late 80s or early 90s. I can't remember who he used to report for...UPI is a wild guess, though back in those days, I recall seeing him on TV (for whatever reason) at KSC.
Yes, UPI. He was one of the few people doing a live broadcast for 51L from the press site. The recording used to be available online but I haven't seen it lately. He joined NASA soon after and has been one of the three prime Shuttle launch/landing commentators for JSC for the past several years. He also did a few of the Expedition launches from Baikonur.
He is probably the most articulate announcer they have, though he is jokingly known as 'mr. recap' sometimes.
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#14
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 03:58
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31 minutes until docking. Flyaround of the ISS to begin in around 12 minutes time.
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#15
by
astrobrian
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:00
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Hows this for a forum gift. Live docking. Happy birthday , and safe docking to the crews and controllers involved
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#16
by
David AF
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:02
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Did you see the view of JSC where one of the guys was helping himself to the largest sandwich I've ever seen!
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#17
by
psloss
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:04
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Ben - 31/3/2006 10:56 PM
Yes, UPI. He was one of the few people doing a live broadcast for 51L from the press site. The recording used to be available online but I haven't seen it lately. He joined NASA soon after and has been one of the three prime Shuttle launch/landing commentators for JSC for the past several years. He also did a few of the Expedition launches from Baikonur.
He is probably the most articulate announcer they have, though he is jokingly known as 'mr. recap' sometimes.
"So, to recap"...last bit on this tangent (I think): was that UPI radio? Back then, there were different broadcasts between TV and radio, particularly during the first couple of years. Sort of have my fingers crossed, but I still have a lot of audio mag tape from radio back then; I guess it's possible I have an audio report from Rob in the early/mid 80s.
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#18
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:04
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4km seperation. Not long until the flyaround.
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#19
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:08
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Highlighted area:
Top figure: Distance to ISS.
Below figure: Rate of closure.
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#20
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:10
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Visual on the ISS from the Soyuz. Showing up in the above image, which is an external camera - with data overlapping.
2km seperation. View from the ISS, showing the Soyuz approach. We should (Rob says) see RCS firings soon.
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#21
by
astrobrian
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:10
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David AF - 31/3/2006 10:02 PM
Did you see the view of JSC where one of the guys was helping himself to the largest sandwich I've ever seen!
thats the screenshot we need on here lol
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#22
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:12
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astrobrian - 1/4/2006 4:10 AM
David AF - 31/3/2006 10:02 PM
Did you see the view of JSC where one of the guys was helping himself to the largest sandwich I've ever seen!
thats the screenshot we need on here lol
Tough, it's 5am here and I don't have a sense of humour at this time of the morning
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#23
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:14
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"Wow, that's a big station. Beautiful, it's kinda dark, but beautiful" - not sure who said that, but it was translated.
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#24
by
DarthVader
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:16
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I think it was Vinogradov saying that.
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#25
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:16
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#26
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:17
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DarthVader - 1/4/2006 4:16 AM
I think it was Vinogradov saying that.
Thanks as I might use some of these quotes..so that's helpful.
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#27
by
Zachstar
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:18
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What a view!!!!!!!!
Good luck!
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#28
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:18
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Slightly higher (now saying lower) power usage being detected on the Russian side of the ISS (US side ok) - being evaluated.
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#29
by
DarthVader
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:19
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wow! view of the Soyuz RCS!!! neato!
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#30
by
Zachstar
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:19
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Woah there she is!
With the lens flare it gives it a fairy tale appearance!
I hope you are catching this on that recorder chris!
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#31
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:19
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#32
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:21
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Soyuz in a period of station keeping...less than two minutes remaing before docking proceedure.
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#33
by
DarthVader
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:22
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nice work on the coverage Chris! Thanks a lot.
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#34
by
Tahii
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:22
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Its fantastic getting to see the thruster fire.
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#35
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:23
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No cause for concern on the power levels on the Russian side of the ISS.
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#36
by
Rocket Guy
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:23
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Phil...was that UPI radio?
Yea, radio. If he was also on tv I do not know, but it was just audio that was online. To recap, yes radio. :-)
Nice views coming now...
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#37
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:24
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#38
by
Zachstar
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:24
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woot here we go 13!
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#39
by
psloss
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:24
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That's where they need to put high-def TV cameras -- out where ones are now on P1 and S1...and now they are pushing in to dock...the B/W camera on the Soyuz isn't too shabby, either, with this lighting...
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#40
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:25
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#41
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:25
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#42
by
Zachstar
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:26
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Man shes moving some
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#43
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:28
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#44
by
Zachstar
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:28
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amazing view of the station!
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#45
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:30
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#46
by
Zachstar
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:31
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few sec left!
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#47
by
DarthVader
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:31
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capture!
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#48
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:31
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7 metres...standby for contact and capture.
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#49
by
Zachstar
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:32
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DOCKING CONFIRMED!!
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#50
by
psloss
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:32
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Nice shot from P1 now...
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#51
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:34
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#52
by
astrobrian
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:37
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MAN that is an awesome view. Would love to see the docking from that angle
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#53
by
DarthVader
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:38
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it's coming, they replaying the view from the station ... or maybe not ... they switchec back to LIVE
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#54
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:38
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I taped the docking from 12 minutes out in two parts. They will be uploaded into the FTP and available for replay in about 10 minutes time.
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#55
by
Davros
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:44
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That was so cool.
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#56
by
astrobrian
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:45
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On top of things as usual Chris. Congrats to TMA13 for a most wonderful docking, great coverage
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#57
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:49
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#58
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 04:55
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Smile Bill, you're on the telly!
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#59
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 05:00
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#60
by
DarthVader
on 01 Apr, 2006 05:01
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Thanks a lot Chris. I got to said that the russian post-docking conference isn't as polished and organized as the US ones ... ;-)
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#61
by
Pointman 7
on 01 Apr, 2006 05:02
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Press conference's in Russia are intimidating as hell. Their PAO's look like hitmen!
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#62
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 05:10
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Brazilian reporters claim the launch of Soyuz TMA8 actually interupted a football (soccer) match on national TV......and that says a lot.
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#63
by
Polecat
on 01 Apr, 2006 05:12
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Missed the live coverage, but watching the replays of the videos (thank you) that was very fast. I think it looks like they docked while coming into the sun's light?
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#64
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 05:14
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Polecat - 1/4/2006 5:12 AM
Missed the live coverage, but watching the replays of the videos (thank you) that was very fast. I think it looks like they docked while coming into the sun's light?
That is correct. It started over the mid Atlantis (darkness) and the docking took place over China (in daylight).
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#65
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 05:18
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Wish I had taped this part of the post docking conference, but they talked about this:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?id=4376(Paraphrase): She has expressed her interest previously and we are not yet going to announce it as we are in final discussions on this and she is one of the candidates.
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#66
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 05:31
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#67
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 05:47
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Hatch opening set to take place before the top of the hour.
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#68
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 05:52
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#69
by
astrobrian
on 01 Apr, 2006 06:00
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If that is the docking port area they are in, it looks more cramped than what I am used to seeing in the ISS. More of a MIR type looking shot. Hopefully they will have the bell ringing still since its a different port
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#70
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 06:05
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Go for hatch opening... (recording it).
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#71
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 06:05
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#72
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 06:07
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Waiting to get into range with the KU band communication tracking station. Few minutes away.
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#73
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 06:10
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1 minute to go.
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#74
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 06:11
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#75
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 06:13
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And everyone is on board

(will get some better images from the video).
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#76
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 06:15
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#77
by
astrobrian
on 01 Apr, 2006 06:22
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The power of a nonstop Brazilian smaile
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#78
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2006 06:38
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Chris Bergin - 1/4/2006 6:13 AM
And everyone is on board
(will get some better images from the video).
Hatch opening video uploaded to the FTP site (same link as before).
And that concludes this live event thread.
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#79
by
Hotol
on 01 Apr, 2006 07:04
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Thanks for the excellent coverage and from 3am to 7:30am in the morning UK time! I don't think any amount of coffee would allow me to be able to do that!
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#80
by
Sergi Manstov
on 01 Apr, 2006 07:32
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I'm very glad it went smoothly.
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#81
by
John44
on 01 Apr, 2006 08:56
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#82
by
James Lowe1
on 01 Apr, 2006 15:41
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Moved back into the Russian section.
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#83
by
Justin Space
on 03 Apr, 2006 10:39
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I take it that it'll be a given that we'll have the return trip for Pontes and the Ex.12 crew in a few days time as a live thread?
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#84
by
Chris Bergin
on 03 Apr, 2006 10:48
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Justin Space - 3/4/2006 11:39 AM
I take it that it'll be a given that we'll have the return trip for Pontes and the Ex.12 crew in a few days time as a live thread?
Of course
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#85
by
publiusr
on 05 Apr, 2006 18:50
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Sergi Manstov - 1/4/2006 1:32 AM
I'm very glad it went smoothly.
I am also happy to see everything went well.