Shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 Mission, Part 1

by Space.com, staff

Date: 16 July 2009 Time: 02:29 PM ET

Shuttle Heat Shield Survey Under Way
16 July 2009 1:22 p.m. EDT

Astronauts aboard the shuttle Endeavour are hard at work for today?s hours-long survey of the shuttle heat shield using a sensor-tipped inspection pole and robotic arm. They will scan the heat-resistant reinforced carbon-carbon panels lining Endeavour?s leading wing edges and nose cap to record damage from launch debris.

Click here for SPACE.com?s look at today?s work in space.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast Endeavour?s STS-127 mission to the International Space Station live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left on this page.

Listen Shuttle Crew, Apollo 11 Launch Audio
16 July 2009 9:20 a.m. EDT

You can listen to the real-time audio of NASA?s historic Apollo 11 mission launch today by clicking here. Apollo 11 launched on July 16, 1969 to send three Americans to the moon. The mission made the first manned moon landing four days later.

Meanwhile, the Endeavour shuttle crew is working through its first full day in space after launching toward the International Space Station on Wednesday. The astronauts will scan their heat shield for any damage from launch debris using a sensor-tipped pole. Watch the mission live via SPACE.com?s NASA TV webcast.

Click here for SPACE.com?s look at today?s work in space.

-- Tariq Malik

Shuttle Astronauts Begin 1st Full Day in Space
16 July 2009 9:00 a.m. EDT

Astronauts aboard the shuttle Endeavour are tackling their first full day in space after launching toward the International Space Station on Wednesday. They will scan their heat shield for any damage from launch debris using a sensor-tipped pole. Watch the mission live via SPACE.com?s NASA TV webcast.

The seven astronauts on Endeavour awoke at 8:03 a.m. EDT (1103 GMT) to the tune ?These Are The Days? by the band 10,000 Maniacs. The song was selected for mission specialist Tim Kopra, who is beginning long-duration mission at the space station. Today is Flight Day 2 of Endeavour?s 16-day STS-127 mission to the space station.

Click here for SPACE.com?s look at today?s work in space.

-- Tariq Malik

Endeavour Engines Shut Down as Planned
15 July 2009 6:12 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? The rocket engines boosting Endeavour and its external tank towards orbit have shut down as planned about eight and a half minutes into flight. Watch the mission live via SPACE.com?s NASA TV webcast.

The milestone, known as Main Engine Cut Off (MECO), and will be swiftly followed by the jettison of Endeavour?s external tank. The spacecraft is flying towards its intended orbit. The next major milestone will be the opening of Endeavour?s payload bay at 7:28 p.m. EDT (2328 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA is broadcasting Endeavour?s STS-127 mission to the International Space Station live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left on this page.

Solid Rocket Boosters Separate
15 July 2009 6:06 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? The twin solid rocket boosters assisting Endeavour's launch into space have separated as planned from the shuttle's external tank.

The reusable boosters separate about two minutes and five seconds after liftoff and fall back toward the Atlantic Ocean, where they will land under parachutes and be retrieved by recovery ships. They are equipped with cameras to record the performance of Endeavour's external tank and any foam loss seen during today's ascent.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Liftoff! Shuttle Endeavour Launches Spaceward
15 July 2009 6:03 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Endeavour has cleared the launch tower and gaining altitude after lifting off at about 7:13 p.m. ES (2319 GMT).

Riding spaceward aboard Endeavour are STS-127 commander Mark Polansky, shuttle pilot Doug Hurley and mission specialists Chris Cassidy, Tom Marshburn, Dave Wolf, Tim Kopra - all of NASA - and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette. Polansky, Payette and Wolf are veteran spaceflyers. The rest are rookie astronauts making their first flight.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Shuttle Endeavour 'Go for Launch'
15 July 2009 5:54 p.m. EDT

Shuttle Endeavour has been cleared for launch from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39-A on its 23^rd mission - the 127^th space shuttle flight and the 29^th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

The countdown has just picked up following the planned T-9 minute hold as final launch preparations are rushed to completion.

Endeavour's preferred launch time is 6:03:10 p.m. EDT (2203:10 GMT) ? near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window that closes at 6:08:10 p.m. EDT (2208:10 GMT).

Stormy weather near the Florida launch site has dissipated and is now observed 'Go' on all fronts with no constraints to launch.

The mission management team has been polled and all have reported 'Go for launch.' The seven STS-127 astronauts, led by veteran mission commander Mark Polansky and pilot Doug Hurley, are strapped into their seats, running through their pre-launch checklists and are closely monitoring spacecraft systems for their ascent to orbit.

No technical or vehicle issues are being worked at this time, with very little chatter on the internal communication loops.

The Eastern Range is reporting 'Clear for launch.' The two Solid Rocket Booster recovery ships are on-station, about 140 northeast of Cape Canaveral and about 7 miles away from the predicted impact point of the spent boosters. Conditions at the primary Trans-Oceanic Abort Landing (TAL) site in Moron, Spain are 'Green' or 'Go' for launch.

Over the next nine minutes, the Orbiter's access arm will be retracted, the hydraulic power system (APU) started, the liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks pressurized, Endeavour's internal flight computers will take control of the countdown and a booster steering test will be conducted. The three space shuttle main engines will ignite at T-minus 6.6 seconds and the twin solid rockets boosters will light at T-minus zero resulting in liftoff.

All spacecraft systems are reported 'Go'. 9 minutes to launch.

-- Roger Guillemette

NASA will broadcast Endeavour's STS-127 mission to the International Space Station live on NASA TV during launch and the flight. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the upper left on this page.

Weather Cooperating, Endeavour Ready for Launch
15 July 2009 5:35 p.m. EDT

The storm clouds have cleared, shuttle Endeavour's hatch has been closed and latched for flight, the seven STS-127 astronauts are strapped into their seats and final preparations are progressing smoothly for this evening's launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39-A. This is the sixth attempt to launch Endeavour on mission STS-127. Watch the launch live via SPACE.com?s NASA TV webcast.

The countdown clock is currently halted at the T-minus 9-minute mark ? a scheduled built-in hold lasting approx. 45 minutes. Launch is scheduled for 6:03:10 p.m. EDT (2203:10 GMT) ? near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window that closes at 6:08:10 p.m. EDT (2208:10 GMT).

Stormy weather conditions along Florida's Space Coast have been slowly dissipating ? Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters has just upgraded the forecast to an 80-percent probability of acceptable conditions for launch.

As the countdown enters its final 30 minutes, the launch team is not currently working any technical issues. Weather at two of the primary Trans-Oceanic Abort Landing (TAL) sites in Moron and Zaragoza, Spain is both observed and forecast 'Green' or 'Go' to support a launch attempt this evening.

Veteran of two shuttle missions, astronaut Mark Polansky is commander of STS-127 accompanied by rookie pilot Doug Hurley. STS-127 mission specialists are Christopher J. Cassidy, Thomas H. Marshburn, David A. Wolf and Canadian astronaut Julie Payette who also serves as Endeavour's flight engineer.

Endeavour will deliver astronaut Timothy L. Kopra to the International Space Station as flight engineer and science officer and return Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata to Earth.

The astronauts are running through their pre-launch checklists and are closely monitoring their spacecraft systems in preparation for their ascent to orbit. The close-out crew has finished breaking down the 'White Room' access platform surrounding the Orbiter's hatch and departed the launch pad.

At the time of launch, the International Space Station will be orbiting about 220 miles above the central Pacific Ocean.

The 16-day STS-127 mission will include five spacewalks and the installation of two platforms outside of the Japanese Kibo module. One platform is permanent and will serve as a type of porch for experiments that require direct exposure to space. The other is an experiment storage pallet that will be detached and returned with the shuttle. During the mission, Kibo?s robotic arm will exchange three experiments from the palette to the platform. Future experiments also can be transferred to the platform from the inside using the laboratory?s airlock.

-- Roger Guillemette

?Weather Improves, Countdown Proceeding Smoothly
15 July 2009 5:00 p.m. EDT

The countdown is proceeding smoothly for this evening's launch attempt of shuttle Endeavour on a mission to the International Space Station; however, persistent stormy weather surrounding Florida's Space Coast remains a concern for launch. Watch the launch live via SPACE.com?s NASA TV webcast.

Launch is scheduled for 6:03:10 p.m. EDT (2203:10 GMT) ? near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window that closes at 6:08:10 p.m. EDT (2208:10 GMT). A final adjustment may be made at the T-9 minute hold to more precisely align with the orbit of the International Space Station.

Chief astronaut Steve Lindsey is flying weather reconnaissance and landing approaches in the Shuttle Training Aircraft to monitor conditions around the Kennedy Space Center. Forecasters remain concerned about the possible formation of showers and thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility. Two previous launch attempts on Sunday and Monday were scrubbed due to weather-related launch safety violations.

Endeavour's hatch has been closed and latched for flight, the seven STS-127 astronauts are strapped into their seats and final preparations are progressing for this afternoon's launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39-A. The countdown clock has just restarted following the planned T-minus 20-minute hold and will tick down to T-minus 9-minute hold - a planned, built-in hold to allow the launch team to catch up on any final preparations.

The launch team is not currently working any technical issues as the countdown enters its final hour. The close-out crew has broken down the 'white room' access platform that surrounds the Orbiter's hatch and has departed from the launch pad.

Endeavour is about to sail on its 23^rd mission to deliver the final components of the Japan's Kibo laboratory to the ISS. The lab will provide a type of "front porch" for experiments in the exposed environment, and a robotic arm that will be attached to the Kibo Pressurized Module and used to position experiments outside the station.

?-- Roger Guillemette

Endeavour's Hatch Secured for Launch
15 July 2009 3:55 p.m. EDT

Shuttle Endeavour's hatch has been closed and latched for flight, the seven STS-127 astronauts are strapped into their seats and final preparations are progressing smoothly for this evening's launch attempt from pad 39A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Watch the launch live via SPACE.com?s NASA TV webcast.

The STS-127 crew - led by veteran mission commander Mark Polansky and rookie pilot Doug Hurley - just completed the final series of air-to-ground communications checks to ensure that the astronauts can talk to flight controllers and each other during the spacecraft's ascent to orbit.

Endeavour's massive External Tank is now filled with a half-million gallons of super-chilled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen and will continue to be topped-off until launch.

The launch team is not working any technical issues at this time. Stormy weather conditions along Florida's Space Coast, typical for mid-July, have persisted throughout the countdown ? at this time, conditions are 'Red' or 'No Go' for launch due to cumulus and anvil clouds, lightning and field mills (electrically charged atmospheric conditions).

The official weather forecast remains unchanged at an optimistic 60 percent probability of acceptable conditions for launch ? the primary concern is showers and thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility and the formation of a storm cell with anvil clouds that is slowly migrating toward the space center from the northeast.

STS-127 will be the 29^th shuttle mission to the International Space Station and the 16-day flight will include five spacewalks

-- Roger Guillemette

Endeavour Astronauts Onboard for Launch
15 July 2009 3:25 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? For the third time in four days, the seven STS-127 astronauts are now securely strapped into their seats onboard shuttle Endeavour and are beginning final preparations for this evening's launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A. Watch the launch live via SPACE.com?s NASA TV webcast.

Launch is scheduled for 6:03:10 p.m. EDT (2203:10 GMT) ? near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window that closes at 6:08:10 p.m. EDT (2208:10 GMT).

Led by veteran commander Mark Polansky (making his third spaceflight) and rookie pilot Doug Hurley, the STS-127 mission specialists are Christopher J. Cassidy, Thomas H. Marshburn, David A. Wolf and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette.

Endeavour will deliver astronaut Timothy L. Kopra to the International Space Station as flight engineer and science officer and return Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata to Earth.

Wolf is making his fourth spaceflight and previously spent 128 days aboard the Russian Mir space station; Payette is making her second spaceflight, having previously flown on mission STS-99 in 1999, and will serve as Endeavour's flight engineer. Cassidy, Marshburn and Kopra will be making their first trips to space. By virtue of his seat location on Endeavour's upper flight deck, Chris Cassidy will become the 500^th human to fly into space.

The astronauts are now engaged in a series of communications checks between the spacecraft, the launch team and Mission Control in Houston.

Stormy weather conditions along Florida's Space Coast, typical for mid-July, are continuing through today's countdown ? at this time, a lightning advisory has been issued for Launch Complex 39. The official weather forecast remains pegged at an optimistic 60 percent probability of acceptable conditions for launch ? the primary concern is the potential formation of showers and thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

-- Roger Guillemette

Endeavour Commander Enters Spacecraft
15 July 2009 2:37 p.m. EDT

NASA's STS-127 mission commander Mark Polansky has climbed onboard shuttle Endeavour for this afternoon's planned launch attempt at 6:03:10 p.m. EDT (2203:10 GMT). STS-127 will be Polansky's third spaceflight. Watch the launch live via SPACE.com?s NASA TV webcast.

No technical issues are currently being worked for this evening's launch attempt and the stormy weather conditions along Florida's Space Coast are gradually improving. Meteorologists are closely watching for the formation of showers and thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

At this time, shuttle Endeavour is fully fueled for launch and the vehicle is in "stable replenish" mode, with propellants being topped-off until launch time. Earlier today, technicians loaded Endeavour's 15-story external fuel tank with the super-chilled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that will feed its three main engines during the 8.5-minute ascent into space. Fueling operations ended at 11:39 a.m. EDT (1539 GMT) with more than 500,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant loaded into the fuel tank.

Endeavour will set sail on its 23rd mission to deliver the final components of the Japan's Kibo laboratory to the ISS. The lab will provide a type of "front porch" for experiments in the exposed environment, and a robotic arm that will be attached to the Kibo Pressurized Module and used to position experiments outside the station. The mission will include five spacewalks.

STS-127 is the 29th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

-- Roger Guillemette

?Endeavour Astronauts Arrive at Launch Pad
15 July 2009 2:30 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? The seven STS-127 astronauts have arrived at Pad 39A where shuttle Endeavour awaits a 6:03:10 p.m. EDT (2203:10 GMT) liftoff. Watch the launch attempt live via SPACE.com?s NASA TV webcast.

The astronauts will enter Endeavour one by one, beginning with veteran shuttle commander Mark Polansky, to prepare for this evening's launch attempt.

The launch team is not working any technical issues and the countdown so far has been smooth and uneventful. The Final Inspection Team, also known as the "Ice Team", has not found any unusual build-up of ice or damage to the External Tank.

The official weather forecast remains pegged at an optimistic 60 percent probability of acceptable conditions for launch ? the primary concern is the possible formation of showers and thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility. The current weather conditions at the launch site are improving, although conditions are currently 'No Go' due to cumulus clouds and electrically charged atmosphere (field mills).

Weather conditions at all three Trans-Oceanic Abort Landing (TAL) sites in Zaragoza and Moron, Spain and Istres, France are both observed and forecast 'Green' or 'Go' to support a launch attempt this evening.

-- Roger Guillemette

?Endeavour Astronauts Depart for Launch Pad
15 July 2009 2:13 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. ? For the third time in four days, the crew of space shuttle Endeavour, clad in their bright orange launch-and-entry pressure suits, has departed the Operations & Checkout (O&C) Building at the Kennedy Space Center. The seven astronauts, riding in their silver 'Astro Van', are now en route to the seaside pad 39A where the shuttle is poised for launch, framed by puffy clouds and blue skies. Watch the launch attempt live via SPACE.com?s NASA TV webcast.

After a 25-minute ride to the launch pad, the STS-127 astronauts will enter Endeavour one by one, beginning with veteran shuttle commander Mark Polansky, to prepare for this evening's launch attempt.

Launch is scheduled for 6:03:10 p.m. EDT (2203:10 GMT).

The launch team is not currently working any technical issues and the 'ice team' has just departed the launch pad without finding anything of concern. Stormy weather at the Kennedy Space Center just cleared in time for the astronauts to depart on-schedule.

-- Roger Guillemette

Astronauts Don Launch Suits
15 July 2009 1:45 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Endeavour's seven-astronaut crew is suiting up in their orange launch-and-entry flight suits in preparation for tonight's planned launch.

The astronauts are in good spirits despite having gone through this routine before, NASA said. Today will be Endeavour's sixth attempt to lift off.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA Eyes Weather for Tonight's Launch
15 July 2009 1:00 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The weather outlook is slightly more promising than in recent days, but Florida's dynamic conditions still pose a risk to launch.

"It's looking a little bit better than what we saw the last couple of days," said launch weather forecaster Scott McCormick of the 45th weather squadron. "The southwesterly flow has really lightened quite a bit, so that actually bodes a little bit better for us. It will allow the sea breeze to push inland farther, hopefully with it the showers and thunderstorms. We're still going with a 40 percent chance of weather prohibiting launch."

Endeavour is slated to lift off this evening at 6:03 p.m. EDT (2203 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

Launch Preparations Proceeding Smoothly
15 July 2009 12:35 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA is on track so far to launch the space shuttle Endeavour this evening at 6:03 p.m. EDT (2203 GMT).

The main concern remains the weather, with a 60 percent chance of clear skies predicted. Florida's volatile weather has swooped in at the last minute to foil previous launch attempts.

Mission managers are also examining a power-generating fuel cell on the shuttle that may be malfunctioning. While this issue would not be a concern for launch, a broken fuel cell could mean shortening a mission for lack of power.

An investigation this morning suggests the fuel cell may be fine.

"The preliminary indications were within limits," NASA spokeswoman Candrea Thomas said. Mission managers are set to discuss and possibly clear the issue during a meeting at around 2:30 p.m. EDT.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Shuttle Tanking Completed
15 July 2009 11:38 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Fueling of the space shuttle Endeavour's external tank is completed and has entered a phase called "stable replenish" when fuel is only added to replace what naturally boils off of the super-chilled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants.

NASA aims to lift off Endeavour tonight at 6:03 p.m. EDT (2203 GMT), with only a 40 percent chance of bad weather intervening as in past launch attempts. The launch countdown has gone into a planned hold at the T-3 hour mark.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Astronauts Hope Today is the Day
15 July 2009 10:05 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Tanking is proceeding smoothly for the space shuttle Endeavour, set to launch this evening at 6:03 p.m. EDT (2203 GMT) from Launch Pad 39A here at Kennedy Space Center.

The shuttle's seven member crew, led by commander Mark Polansky, hope today is the day they successfully lift off into s