Endeavour in pursuit of space station
Wednesday, June 5, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. EDT

Shuttle Endeavour is safely in orbit, all seven astronauts are out of their launch and entry suits and the crew has officially moved into their formal flight plan timeline after getting a 'Go' for orbital operations.

NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe praised Launch Director Mike Leinbach and his team at a post-launch press conference, stating that Endeavour's launch after almost a week's delay was a "testimonial to the absolute dedication to safety."

Mission Control states the Orbiter is in good shape, the payload bay doors are open and the crew is now unstowing gear for their planned 12-day mission. The crew will begin a sleep period at about 11:30 p.m. EDT and awaken at 7:30 a.m. EDT Thursday.

Three rendezvous maneuvering burns of the shuttle's Reaction Control System engines will take place tomorrow - these small engine firings will adjust Endeavour's orbit to enable the shuttle to catch up with the International Space Station.

Shuttle Endeavour is closing-in on the International Space Station by 580 miles with orbit, in preparation for Friday’s scheduled 12:17 p.m. EDT link-up with the orbital complex.

Endeavour commander Ken Cockrell, pilot Paul Lockhart and mission specialists Philippe Perrin and Franklin Chang-Diaz spent the day checking out spacesuits, setting up television equipment used for the upcoming rendezvous as well as verifying the Orbiter's robotic arm. The astronauts also tested the shuttle's docking system and extended it into position for docking to the space station.

Three rendezvous maneuvering engine burns of the shuttle's Reaction Control System engines were performed today - these small engine firings adjusted Endeavour's orbit to enable the shuttle to catch up with the outpost. One additional firing - the Terminal Phase Initiation burn - will be conducted on Friday morning to close the gap between the shuttle and the station.

Shuttle Endeavour has closed the gap between it and the International Space Station to less than 900 miles, continuing its slow methodical approach to the orbiting outpost in advance of today's rendezvous and docking maneuvers. Docking is expected to occur at 12:17 p.m. EDT.

One additional engine firing, known as the Terminal Phase Initiation (TI) burn, will begin at about 9:57 a.m. EDT committing the Orbiter to its final approach, narrowing the distance between the shuttle and the station. Up to four additional smaller course correction burns may be conducted to fine-tune the shuttle's approach.

Endeavour's seven-member crew were awakened at about 5:30 a.m. EDT to the sounds of “American Woman,” performed by Lenny Kravitz, selected for incoming ISS Expedition 5 astronaut Peggy Whitson.

The hatches between Endeavour and the station will be opened approximately two hours after docking; after which, equipment and supplies will be transferred between the two vessels.

Shuttle Endeavour is less than 3 miles away from the International Space Station, closing the gap between the two at about 12 feet per second, on final approach to docking with the outpost. Docking is scheduled for about 12:18 p.m. EDT.

One additional engine firing, known as the Terminal Phase Initiation (TI) burn, was performed at about 9:57 a.m. EDT committing the Orbiter to a rendezvous with the station. Three additional course correction burns will fine-tune the shuttle's alignment for docking.

The hatches between Endeavour and the station will be opened approximately two hours after docking; after which, equipment and supplies will be transferred between the two vessels.

Announced by the now-traditional ringing of the ship's bell, shuttle Endeavour has arrived at the International Space Station carrying a replacement crew for the orbital outpost.

Closing the gap at an almost imperceptible one-tenth of a mile per hour, Commander Ken Cockrell docked Endeavour to the space station at 12:25 p.m. EDT - about 7 minutes later than expected - high above the south Pacific Ocean near New Zealand.

The hatches between Endeavour and the station will be opened in approximately two hours; after which, equipment and supplies will be transferred between the two vessels by all ten astronauts and cosmonauts - seven from Endeavour plus the three-member ISS Expedition Four crew.

The International Space Station's hatch has been opened to receive its new residents, as the ISS Expedition Four crew of Yury Onufrienko, Dan Bursch and Carl Walz greeted their replacements, the ISS Expedition 5 team of Valeri Korzun, Peggy Whitson and Sergei Treschev, along with the four astronauts from shuttle Endeavour.

The hatch opening occurred shortly after 3 p.m. EDT - while the vehicles were out of communications range - and much later than expected due to an hour-long wait for oscillations between Endeavour and the space station to damp out after docking. Contact and capture between the two vehicles occurred at 12:25 p.m. EDT following a successful series of docking maneuvers by Endeavour commander Ken Cockrell to link-up the Orbiter with the station but, due to the oscillations, the docking ring connecting the spacecraft was not fully engaged until 1:27 p.m. EDT.

A procession of astronauts can be observed floating in and out of the station now that the last of the hatches has been opened. A formal change-of-command ceremony for the Expedition 4 and 5 crews will be held on Monday.

A safety briefing will be conducted after the two crews greet each other, followed by the start of joint crew operations - primarily the unloading of supplies and equipment from Endeavour into the ISS. Three custom-made seat-liners and spacesuits for the Expedition 5 crew will also be transferred into the Soyuz "lifeboat" docked to the station.

Shuttle Endeavour is now connected to the forward docking port of the International Space Station's Destiny Laboratory following a textbook rendezvous and docking by Endeavour commander Ken Cockrell and pilot Paul Lockhart. Contact and capture between the two vehicles occurred at 12:25 p.m. EDT, 240 miles over the South Pacific and, after an hour's wait to allow oscillations between the two vehicle to damp out, the docking ring connecting the spacecraft was engaged at 1:27 p.m. EDT.

The ten astronauts and cosmonauts spent the day preparing for eight days of joint operations, including the unloading of supplies, equipment and experiments from Endeavour into the ISS along with the transfer of three custom-made seat-liners and spacesuits for the Expedition 5 crew for use in the Soyuz "lifeboat" docked to the station.

A problem has cropped up on Endeavour - the failure of the Flash Evaporator System Primary B controller for an as-yet unknown reason. The system has three redundant controllers and the failure of one controller will have no effect on mission operations. The Flash Evaporator System sprays excess supply water into the inside of a trash-can shaped vessel that is wrapped by Freon coils. The heat being carried in these coils causes the water to flash into vapor and be vented overboard, disposing of excess heat and excess supply water.

The Expedition 5 crew of Valeri Korzun, Peggy Whitson and Sergei Treschev has officially assumed command of the International Space Station, relieving the Expedition 4 crew of Yuri Onufrienko, Carl Walz and Dan Bursch after a 182-day stay. The Expediton 4 team will return to Earth with the crew of shuttle Endeavour on June 17.

This will be a busy day in orbit for the ten astronauts and cosmonauts who were awakened at 5:23 a.m. EDT to the sounds of Abba's "I Have a Dream," selected for Sergei Treschev.

The Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, filled with 3 tons of equipment and supplies, will be moved from the shuttle’s cargo bay to the nadir berthing port of the station's Unity module using Endeavour's Canadarm robotic arm. The Expedition 4 and 5 crews will continue their handover meetings and activities, while astronauts Phillippe Perrin and Franklin Chang-Diaz prepare for their Sunday spacewalk.

A problem has cropped up on Endeavour - the failure of the Flash Evaporator System Primary B controller for an as-yet unknown reason. The system has three redundant controllers and the failure of one controller will have no effect on mission operations. The Flash Evaporator System sprays excess supply water onto Freon coils, causing the water to flash into vapor, disposing both excess heat and excess supply water.

Shuttle Endeavour's Canadarm robotic arm, operated by commander Ken Cockrell and mission specialist Phillippe Perrin, have grappled the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and lifted it out of the orbiter's payload bay.

Leonardo, filled with 3 tons of equipment and supplies, will be slowly relocated to the nadir berthing port of the station's Unity module. Later, after a series of leak checks, the crew will open the hatch from the station to Leonardo and begin unloading its cargo.

This is a busy day in orbit for the ten astronauts and cosmonauts who were awakened at 5:23 a.m. EDT to the sounds of Abba's "I Have a Dream," selected for Sergei Treschev.

In addition to the Leonardo activities, the Expedition 4 and 5 crews will continue their handover meetings and activities, and astronauts Phillippe Perrin and Franklin Chang-Diaz will make preparations for their Sunday spacewalk.

A problem has cropped up on Endeavour - the failure of the Flash Evaporator System Primary B controller for an as-yet unknown reason. The system has three redundant controllers and the failure of one controller will have no effect on mission operations. The Flash Evaporator System sprays excess supply water onto Freon coils, causing the water to flash into vapor, disposing both excess heat and excess supply water.

The Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, filled with 3 tons of equipment and supplies, is now firmly attached to the nadir berthing port of the International Space Station's Unity module. The operation was completed at 10:28 a.m. EDT.

Leonardo was unberthed from Endeavour's payload bay and swiftly moved to Unity by the shuttle's Canadarm robotic arm, flawlessly operated by commander Ken Cockrell and mission specialist Phillippe Perrin.

After a series of leak checks, the crew will open the hatch from the station to Leonardo at about 6 p.m. EDT and begin unloading its cargo.

This is a busy day in orbit for the ten astronauts and cosmonauts who were awakened at 5:23 a.m. EDT to the sounds of Abba's "I Have a Dream," selected for Sergei Treschev.

In addition to the Leonardo activities, the Expedition 4 and 5 crews will continue their handover meetings and activities, and astronauts Phillippe Perrin and Franklin Chang-Diaz will make preparations for their Sunday spacewalk.

A problem has cropped up on Endeavour - the failure of the Flash Evaporator System Primary B controller for an as-yet unknown reason. The system has three redundant controllers and the failure of one controller will have no effect on mission operations. The Flash Evaporator System sprays excess supply water onto Freon coils, causing the water to flash into vapor, disposing both excess heat and excess supply water.

One of the International Space Station's four control moment gyroscopes (CMGs), used to maintain the station's orientation in orbit, has failed.

Astronauts report hearing loud, grinding noises from the 800-pound CMG (located on the Z1 Truss) and were ordered by Mission Control to shut down the unit. The ISS requires two of the four CMGs to be functional; however, this GMC will require replacement by spacewalks on a future mission - shuttle Endeavour does not have a spare CMG on board.

The CMG failure follows an otherwise successful morning on the orbital outpost. The Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, filled with 3 tons of equipment and supplies, is now firmly attached to the nadir berthing port of the International Space Station's Unity module. The operation was completed at 10:28 a.m. EDT.

Leonardo was unberthed from Endeavour's payload bay and swiftly moved to Unity by the shuttle's Canadarm robotic arm, flawlessly operated by commander Ken Cockrell and mission specialist Phillippe Perrin.

After a series of leak checks, the crew will open the hatch from the station to Leonardo at about 6 p.m. EDT and begin unloading its cargo.

This is a busy day in orbit for the ten astronauts and cosmonauts who were awakened at 5:23 a.m. EDT to the sounds of Abba's "I Have a Dream," selected for Sergei Treschev.

Along with the Leonardo transfer, the Expedition 4 and 5 crews will continue their handover meetings and activities, and astronauts Phillippe Perrin and Franklin Chang-Diaz will make preparations for their Sunday spacewalk.

In addition to the CMG failure, a problem has cropped up on Endeavour - the failure of the Flash Evaporator System Primary B controller for an as-yet unknown reason. The system has three redundant controllers and the failure of one controller will have no effect on mission operations. The Flash Evaporator System sprays excess supply water onto Freon coils, causing the water to flash into vapor, disposing both excess heat and excess supply water.

The hatch has been opened to the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and the ten astronauts and cosmonauts are now beginning to transfer its 5,600 pounds of equipment and supplies into the International Space Station.

Leonardo, now firmly attached to the nadir berthing port of the station's Unity module, was unberthed from shuttle Endeavour's payload bay and swiftly moved to Unity by the shuttle's Canadarm robotic arm, flawlessly operated by commander Ken Cockrell and mission specialist Phillippe Perrin. This operation was completed at 10:28 a.m. EDT.

Meanwhile, mission managers are assessing the short and long-term ramifications of the mechanical of one of the station's four control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) used to maintain the station's orientation in orbit.

Astronauts report hearing loud, grinding noises from the 800-pound CMG (located on the Z1 Truss) and were ordered by Mission Control to shut down the unit. The ISS requires two of the four CMGs to be functional; however, this GMC will require replacement by spacewalks on a future mission. Shuttle Endeavour does not have a spare CMG on board and there is not sufficient room in the shuttle's cargo bay to carry a replacement CMG on the next two space station missions, meaning that it may not be replaced until early 2003.

Along with the Leonardo transfer, the Expedition 4 and 5 crews are continuing their handover meetings and activities while astronauts Phillippe Perrin and Franklin Chang-Diaz prepared for their Sunday spacewalk.

Mission managers are assessing the short and long-term ramifications of the mechanical failure of one of the International Space Station's four control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) on Saturday.

Astronauts reported hearing loud, grinding noises from the 800-pound CMG - located on the Z1 Truss and used to maintain the outpost's orientation in orbit - and were ordered by Mission Control to shut down the unit.

The ISS requires two of the four CMGs to be functional; however, this GMC will require replacement by spacewalks on a future mission. Shuttle Endeavour does not have a spare CMG on board and there is not sufficient room in the shuttle's cargo bay to carry a replacement CMG on the next two space station missions, meaning that it may not be replaced until early 2003.

On the agenda for Sunday is the mission's first spacewalk by Franklin Chang-Diaz and Phillippe Perrin who will install a Power and Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) to the station’s P6 solar array truss, temporarily store some Russian meteoroid/debris shields and remove thermal blankets from the Mobile Base System (MBS) in Endeavour’s cargo bay. Chang-Diaz has also been assigned the added task of inspecting and photographing the failed control moment gryoscope at the end of his spacewalk.

Astronauts Franklin Chang-Diaz and Phillippe Perrin are making final preparations for the mission's first spacewalk or EVA - Extra Vehicular Activity.

Chang-Diaz and Perrin are scheduled to exit the International Space Station's Quest airlock just after 11 a.m. EDT to begin their planned 5 1/2 hour EVA. The pair of first-time spacewalkers are scheduled to install a Power and Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) to the station’s P6 solar array truss, temporarily store some Russian meteoroid/debris shields and remove thermal blankets from the Mobile Base System (MBS) in Endeavour’s cargo bay. Chang-Diaz has also been assigned the added task of inspecting and photographing the failed control moment gryoscope at the end of his spacewalk.

Endeavour commander Ken Cockrell will manipulate the shuttle's Canadarm robotic arm cameras to monitor Chang-Diaz and Perrin's progress, while Peggy Whitson and Carl Walz will transport Chang-Díaz on the end of the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm during the EVA.

The seven Endeavour astronauts were awakened at 5:23 a.m. EDT to the sounds of "Drops of Jupiter," performed by Train, selected for commander Ken Cockrell.

Endeavour astronauts Franklin Chang-Diaz and Phillippe Perrin have just opened the hatch from the International Space Station's Quest airlock to begin a planned 6-hour spacewalk or EVA. The spacewalk officially began at 11:27 a.m. EDT when the two astronauts switched over to internal battery power in their spacesuits.

Chang-Diaz, wearing the spacesuit with the red stripes, and Perrin are scheduled to first install a Power and Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) to the station’s P6 solar array truss. The spacewalking pair will then temporarily store some Russian meteoroid/debris shields on the station's pressurized mating adapter (PMA) and remove thermal blankets from the Mobile Base System (MBS) in Endeavour’s cargo bay. Chang-Diaz has also been assigned the added task of inspecting and photographing the failed control moment gryoscope at the end of his spacewalk.

Commander Ken Cockrell is manipulating Endeavour's Canadarm robotic arm cameras to monitor Chang-Diaz and Perrin's progress, while Expedition 5 crew members Valeri Korzun and Peggy Whitson are at the controls to transport Chang-Díaz on the end of the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm during the EVA.

Spacewalkers Franklin Chang-Diaz and Phillippe Perrin have completed about one-third of a planned six-hour excursion outside the International Space Station. The spacewalk, or EVA, officially started at 11:27 a.m. EDT - about 20 minutes behind schedule - and, at this point, the astronauts seem to be holding to their timeline for this EVA.

The spacewalking pair are in the process of installing a Power and Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) on the station's P6 solar array truss - the PDGF will needed next year when the solar array is relocated to another position on the station.

Chang-Diaz, wearing the spacesuit with the red stripes, and Perrin are also scheduled to temporarily store some Russian meteoroid/debris shields on the station's pressurized mating adapter (PMA) and remove thermal blankets from the Mobile Base System (MBS) in Endeavour’s cargo bay. Chang-Diaz has also been assigned the added task of inspecting and photographing the failed control moment gryoscope at the end of his spacewalk.

Commander Ken Cockrell is manipulating Endeavour's Canadarm robotic arm cameras to monitor Chang-Diaz and Perrin's progress, while Expedition 5 crew members Valeri Korzun and Peggy Whitson are at the controls to transport Chang-Díaz on the end of the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm during the EVA.

Spacewalkers Franklin Chang-Diaz and Phillippe Perrin are now about two-thirds into planned six-hour excursion outside the International Space Station. The spacewalk, or EVA, officially started at 11:27 a.m. EDT - about 20 minutes behind schedule - and, at this point, the astronauts are right on the timeline for this EVA.

The spacewalking pair have already succeeded in installing a Power and Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) on the station's P6 solar array truss - the PDGF will needed next year when the solar array is relocated to another position on the station - and stored some Russian meteoroid/debris shields on the station's pressurized mating adapter (PMA). Chang-Diaz, wearing the spacesuit with the red stripes, has inspected and photographed the failed control moment gryoscope.

Chang-Diaz and Perrin are about to remove thermal blankets from the Mobile Base System (MBS) in Endeavour’s cargo bay and assist in the grappling of the MBS by the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm.

Commander Ken Cockrell is manipulating Endeavour's Canadarm robotic arm cameras to monitor Chang-Diaz and Perrin's progress, while Expedition 5 crew members Valeri Korzun and Peggy Whitson are at the controls to transport Chang-Díaz on the Canadarm2 as well as for the grapple and extraction of the MBS.

Endeavour astronauts Franklin Chang-Diaz and Phillippe Perrin have re-entered the International Space Station's Quest airlock following their successful 7 hour 14 minute-long spacewalk. The spacewalk officially started at 11:27 a.m. EDT and just ended at 6:41 p.m. EDT, about 1 1/2 hours longer than expected.

The spacewalking pair succeeded in installing a Power and Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) on the station's P6 solar array truss, stored some Russian meteoroid/debris protection panels on the station's pressurized mating adapter (PMA), removed thermal blankets from the Mobile Base System (MBS) in Endeavour’s cargo bay and assisted in the grappling of the MBS by the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm.

Chang-Diaz also inspected and photographed the failed control moment gryoscope (CMG-1) located on the station's Z1 Truss.

Expedition 5 flight engineer Peggy Whitson manipulated the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm to grapple and extract the MBS from Endeavour's payload bay, positioning it for Tuesday's planned spacewalk.

Spacewalkers Franklin Chang-Diaz and Phillippe Perrin and the Endeavour crew are now in a sleep period following a busy day in orbit, including the mission's first spacewalk.

Chang-Diaz and Perrin completed a successful 7 hour 14 minute-long spacewalk outside of the International Space Station, accomplishing all of their assigned tasks. The Sunday spacewalk officially started at 11:27 a.m. EDT and concluded at 6:41 p.m. EDT, about 1 1/2 hours longer than expected.

The pair succeeded in installing a Power and Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) on the station's P6 solar array truss, stored some Russian meteoroid/debris protection panels on the station's pressurized mating adapter (PMA), removed thermal blankets from the Mobile Base System (MBS) in Endeavour’s cargo bay and assisted in the grappling of the MBS by the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm.