CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Astronaut Tom Jones hopes to set foot outside a space shuttle this time.
During his last shuttle mission in 1996, Jones and his spacewalking partner, Tammy Jernigan, were all suited up and ready to float outside. Unfortunately a loose screw prevented the airlock hatch from opening.
The STS-98 Atlantis crew meet the press at the base of Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A in this NASA image you can click to enlarge.
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The result: two scheduled spacewalks to try out new station construction methods were cancelled.
The crew did release two satellites from shuttle Columbia and tested some station tools.
"I don't think I'm worried about that much at all," Jones said Friday at the base of Launch Pad 39A. "We've been through four years of experience and training since (that mission), and that's all stood me in good stead. So if anything, I've overtrained for opening the hatch at this point."
During Atlantis' mission, set to lift off no earlier than Jan. 19, Jones and astronaut Bob Curbeam will help attach the 32,000-pound science laboratory-- dubbed Destiny -- to the International Space Station during three spacewalks.Astronaut Marsha Ivins will assist, operating the robotic arm from inside the shuttle.
"We hope to do a little better in the (spacewalking) department than we did at that time," said Atlantis commander Ken Cockrell, who also headed the 1996 Columbia mission. "It shouldn't be hard."
The spacewalks are critical to activating the laboratory, which will be the hub of U.S. research efforts at the space station. Destiny also will provide control for the station's orientation and communications with Earth.
The space station is a $60 billion joint effort between 16 countries. When the station is completed in 2006, Destiny will be one of at least three pressurized laboratories at the complex.
The five-person crew will go through a practice launch on Saturday.
Meanwhile, KSC employees will work weekends to get the shuttle ready for this month's launch, said KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham.
Published under license from FLORIDA TODAY. Copyright © 2001 FLORIDA TODAY. No portion of this material may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of FLORIDA TODAY.
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