Astronauts Move Supplies to Space Station
20 November 2009 12:12 p.m. EST

Astronauts aboard the linked shuttle Atlantis and International Space Station are hard at work moving supplies and equipment between their two spacecraft while one member of the crew awaits word on the birth of his daughter.  Watch the mission live!

Earlier today, the astronauts moved a massive carrier with tons of huge spare parts out of Atlantis’ cargo bay and attached it to the station’s main truss. Astronaut Randy Bresnik, meanwhile, is waiting to hear on the birth of his daughter today. His wife Rebecca is back on Earth with her family. The couple have one adopted son Wyatt from Ukraine, who is 3 1/2 years old.

Click here to read more about Bresnik’s day in space.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Astronauts Wake Up to Sister Sledge
20 November 2009 6:00 a.m. EST

Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis awoke to the song “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge early Friday, a tune selected for mission specialist Leland Melvin. Watch the mission live!

Today is Flight Day 5 for Atlantis’ 11-day mission. The astronauts are expected to spend to day moving cargo between the shuttle and space station.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Astronauts Wrap Up 1st Spacewalk
19 November 2009 4:05 p.m. EST

Astronauts Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. have started repressurizing the stations’ Quest airlock, officially ending today’s spacewalk outside the space station at 4:01 p.m. EST (2101 GMT). Watch it live!

Total spacewalking time: 6 hours, 37 minutes.

The spacewalk began at 9:24 a.m. EST (1424 GMT), with Foreman and Satcher working two hours ahead of schedule to finish their main chores.

Click here for SPACE.com’s wrap up of today’s orbital work.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Spacewalkers Return to Station Airlock
19 November 2009 3:57 p.m. EST

Spacewalkers Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. are back inside the Quest airlock as they near the end of today’s successful work outside the International Space Station. Watch it live!

The astronauts accomplished all their main goals to install a spare antenna, perform cable routing work and grease up robotic attachment points. They also deployed a spare parts platform, an extra chore, because they were so far ahead of schedule.

Today’s spacewalk will officially end once the due begins to repressurize the Quest airlock.

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Spacewalkers Deploy Spare Parts Platform
19 November 2009 3:43 p.m. EST

Spacewalkers Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. have successfully deployed a swing-out platform on the station’s starboard side that will ultimately be used to hold more spare parts. Watch it live!

The chore is the last task of the day for the astronauts, who began working outside the station at 9:24 a.m. EST (1424 GMT).

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Spacewalkers Tackle Tough Bolt in Extra Chore
19 November 2009 2:51 p.m. EST

After some frustrating work, spacewalkers Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. have finally freed a brace that is part of the payload attach system they’re deploying on the station’s starboard side. Foreman had to bang on it with a hammer while Satcher wiggled it in order to get it loose. They will now proceed to swing out the spare parts platform, before securing the brace back in place. Watch it live!

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Spacewalkers Get Extra Chores
19 November 2009 1:47 p.m. EST

Spacewalkers Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. have successfully completed all of their planned work outside the space station today and are way ahead of schedule, at times about 2 hours. Foreman has recharged his spacesuit’s life support supplies and will join Satcher for an extra chore, the deployment of a payload attachement system – a sort of orbital shelf for more spare parts. Watch it live!

Today’s spacewalk began at 9:24 a.m. EST (1424 GMT) and was slated to last 6 1/2 hours.

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Spacewalker Tackles Stubborn Cable on Station
19 November 2009 1:20 p.m. EST

As today’s spacewalk continues, astronaut Mike Foreman has connected a stubborn cable connector that refused to latch properly during a recent shuttle mission. Foreman used a specially designed connector adapter to secure the cable in place. Watch it live!

“You’ve just made a lot of people really happy,” crewmate Randy Bresnik said.

Meanwhile, crewmate Robert Satcher, Jr. is preparing for some get-ahead chores, one of which includes deploying an attachment point for a spare parts platform on the station’s starboard side.

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Astronauts Speed Through Spacewalk Chores
19 November 2009 12:42 p.m. EST

At the mid-point of their planned 6 1/2-hour spacewalk, astronauts Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. are well ahead of their schedule for today’s work outside the International Space Station. Watch it live!

Foreman is tackling some cable routing work on the station, while Satcher is lubricating the end of a Japanese robotic arm on the station’s Kibo laboratory. Today’s spacewalk began at 9:24 a.m. EST (1424 GMT).

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Spacewalkers Split Up Outside Station
19 November 2009 11:47 a.m. EST

Spacewalkers Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. have split up to work on different parts of the space station. Satcher is still perched at the tip of the station’s robotic arm and is adding some grease to a payload attachment point. Foreman, meanwhile, is routing some new cables outside the station. Watch it live!

The astronauts are more than an hour ahead of scheduled for their planned 6 1/2-hour spacewalk, which began at 9:24 a.m. EST (1424 GMT).

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Spacewalkers Install Spare Antenna on Station
19 November 2009 11:16 a.m. EST

Spacewalkers Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. are now working to install the bulky S-band antenna on the exterior of the International Space Station to serve as a spare. They are still well ahead of their work schedule for today’s 6 1/2-hour spacewalk. Watch it live!

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk. Today is Flight Day 4 of Atlantis’ 11-day STS-129 mission to the space station.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Spacewalkers Ahead of Schedule in Antenna Install
19 November 2009 10:24 a.m. EST

Spacewalkers Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. are nearly an hour ahead of schedule as they work to install a spare S-band antenna on the International Space Station. Watch it live!

Satcher is hauling the 265-pound antenna to a storage point on the station’s main truss. He is riding the station’s robotic arm. Foreman, meanwhile, is headed up to the main truss to help Satcher install the new antenna when he arrives. Today’s spacewalk began at 9:24 a.m. EST (1424 GMT) and is expected to last about 6 1/2-hours.

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk. Today is Flight Day 4 of Atlantis’ 11-day STS-129 mission to the space station.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Spacewalkers Tackle First Orbital Tasks
19 November 2009 9:54 a.m. EST

Spacewalkers Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. are tackling their first chores outside the space station. Watch it live!

Satcher is working to step into a perch at the tip of the space station’s robotic arm. Foreman, meanwhile, is preparing a spare S-band antenna for removal from the shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay. The two astronauts will work together to move the antenna to a storage point on the space station to serve as a spare.

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk. Today is Flight Day 4 of Atlantis’ 11-day STS-129 mission to the space station.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

First Spacewalk Begins for Shuttle Crew
19 November 2009 9:26 a.m. EST

Atlantis astronauts Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. have officially begun the first spacewalk of their mission after switching their NASA spacesuits to internal battery power at 9:24 a.m. EST (1424 GMT). They have opened the outer hatch of the station’s Quest airlock and are preparing to float outside for today’s 6 1/2-hour service call. Watch it live!

Chief among their chores – installing a spare S-band antenna, some cable work and greasy job to lubricate the grappling snares on the station’s Japanese robotic arm and an attachment point.

Satcher is making his first spacewalk and wearing an all-white NASA spacesuit. It is Foreman’s fourth spacewalk and he is wearing a spacesuit with a red stripe. It is the 134th spacewalk for station assembly and maintenance and the 228th U.S. spacewalk in history.

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk. Today is Flight Day 4 of Atlantis’ 11-day STS-129 mission to the space station.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Astronauts Depressurize Airlock for Spacewalk
19 November 2009 9:14 a.m. EST

Atlantis astronauts Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. are depressurizing the Quest airlock aboard the International Space Station as they prepare for today’s spacewalk, which is due to start at about 9:18 a.m. EST (1418 GMT).

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk. Today is Flight Day 4 of Atlantis’ 11-day STS-129 mission to the space station.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Astronauts Prepare to Begin 1st Spacewalk
19 November 2009 8:48 a.m. EST

Atlantis astronauts Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. are poised to begin today’s spacewalk outside the International Space Station, a 6 1/2-hour service call on the orbiting lab. Watch it live!

The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at about 9:18 am EST (1418 GMT). The two astronauts will install spare parts and performing some maintenance chores on different parts of the space station.

It will be the first spacewalk for Satcher, who is making his spaceflight debut on this mission. But Foreman is a veteran, poised to begin his fourth career spacewalk.

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk. Today is Flight Day 4 of Atlantis’ 11-day STS-129 mission to the space station.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Astronauts Suit Up for 1st Spacewalk
19 November 2009 7:28 a.m. EST

Atlantis shuttle astronauts Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, Jr. have climbed into their NASA-issue spacesuits as they prepare for today’s spacewalk, the first of three for their 11-day mission to the International Space Station. The spacewalk is due to begin just after 9:18 am EST (1418 GMT). Watch it live!

Click here for a look at today’s spacewalk. Mission Control roused the crew with the song “In Wonder” performed by The Newsboys, a tune chosen for mission specialist Randy Bresnik by his wife Rebecca, who is expected to give birth to their second child – a baby girl – on Friday.

“Good morning Houston! Thanks to my wonderful wife Rebecca for that song and the wonder of creation that's going on inside of her and what's going to happen tomorrow,” Bresnik radioed Mission Control.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Cargo Platform Attached to Space Station
18 November 2009 3:28 p.m. EST

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have successfully installed a new spare parts carrier on the orbiting laboratory. The platform was delivered by the newly-arrived space shuttle Atlantis on a week-long resupply visit to the station.

The new carrier, the Express Logistics Carrier 1, holds extra hardware to outfit the station beyond when the space shuttles retire in a year or two.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Astronauts Lift Cargo Carrier From Shuttle to Station
18 November 2009 3:22 p.m. EST

STS-129 astronauts Randy Bresnik and Leland Melvin are in the process of transferring one of two giant cargo platforms from the shuttle Atlantis' cargo bay to the International Space Station. The astronauts have grabbed the carrier with the shuttle's robotic arm and plan to hand it off to the station robotic arm.

The platform is loaded with spare supplies to outfit the station beyond when the space shuttles retire in a year or two.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Hatches Open Between Shuttle and Station
18 November 2009 1:29 p.m. EST

The six STS-129 crewmembers were welcomed aboard the International Space Station with hugs and smiles after the astronauts on both vehicles opened the hatches between the shuttle and station at 1:29 p.m. EST (1829).

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Leak Checks Completed Between Shuttle and Space Station
18 November 2009 12:26 p.m. EST

Astronauts have finished checking for leaks between the docked space shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station. The next step is to pressurize the area between the two spacecraft before the crews open the hatches around 1:48 p.m. EST (1848 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Hard Mate Between Shuttle and Space Station
18 November 2009 12:06 p.m. EST

Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station have connected their vehicles in a hard mate, and plan to check for leaks between them before opening the hatches at around 1:48 p.m. EST (1848 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

DOCKING! Shuttle Atlantis Arrives at the International Space Station
18 November 2009 11:51 a.m. EST

The space shuttle Atlantis has arrived at the International Space Station after a two-day orbital chase to catch up. The astronauts will now check the seals between the two vehicles before opening the hatches.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Atlantis 50 Feet From Space Station
18 November 2009 11:45 a.m. EST

The space shuttle Atlantis is only 50 feet away from the International Space Station, where it is set to dock within the next 15 minutes or so.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Shuttle Atlantis Closing In on Station
18 November 2009 11:34 a.m. EST

The space shuttle Atlantis is closing in on the International Space Station — the two vehicles are now only 160 feet apart. Astronauts are still targeting a docking before noon, though it may be a couple minutes after the planned link-up time of 11:53 a.m. EST (1653 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Shuttle Atlantis 'Go' for Station Docking
18 November 2009 11:15 a.m. EST

NASA has given the space shuttle Atlantis a "go" to dock with the International Space Station, scheduled for 11:53 a.m. EST (1653 GMT). Atlantis is ferrying six astronauts and a huge load of spare parts to the orbiting laboratory.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Space Shuttle Completes Back Flip
18 November 2009 11:02 a.m. EST

The space shuttle Atlantis steered in a backward roll called the rendezvous pitch maneuver to give the station a detailed view of the shuttle's back side. From inside the space station NASA astronauts Williams and Nicole Stott captured several hundred photographs of the shuttle's heat shield to send down to the ground where engineers will analyze them for any signs of damage the orbiter may have suffered during launch.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Atlantis 'Go' For Back Flip Maneuver
18 November 2009 10:26 a.m. EST

Mission controllers gave the space shuttle Atlantis the go-ahead to proceed with docking preparations, including a back flip roll called a rendezvous pitch maneuver, which affords the station a detailed view of the shuttle's back side. That flip is scheduled to take place at 10:52 a.m. EST (1552 GMT).

From inside the ISS NASA astronauts Williams and Nicole Stott will capture several hundred photographs of the shuttle's heat shield to be sent down to the ground where engineers will analyze them for any signs of damage the orbiter may have suffered during launch.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Shuttle One Mile Away from Space Station
18 November 2009 10:17 a.m. EST

The space shuttle Atlantis is only a mile away from the International Space Station, where it is due to arrive at 11:53 a.m. EST (1653 GMT).

The shuttle completed another small course correction burn to keep it on track to intercept the orbiting laboratory.

"We're crashing the party," Atlantis Commander Charlie Hobaugh told the waiting station crew.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Shuttle and Station Within Sight of Each Other
18 November 2009 10:02 a.m. EST

Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis radioed the crew on the orbiting space station as the two craft get closer and closer to each other in preparation for docking.

"You're just a little dot" getting larger and larger, shuttle Commander Charlie Hobaugh said.

"We're looking forward to seeing you guys," radioed back NASA astronaut Jeff Williams from the station.

"Absolutely, catch you in a bit," Hobaugh responded.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Shuttle Burns Engines to Approach the Space Station
18 November 2009 9:05 a.m. EST

The space shuttle Atlantis fired its engines in a terminal initiation burn to put it on a direct approach course toward the International Space Station, where it is set to dock at 11:53 a.m. EST (1653 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Atlantis Astronauts Wake for Third Day in Space
18 November 2009 4:34 p.m. EST

The sound of Steve Wonder woke up the six astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis Wednesday to begin their third day in space, when they plan to dock with the International Space Station.

The song was Wonder's "Higher Ground," played especially for first-time spaceflyer Robert Satcher, Jr..

"Just wanted to thank my wife D'Juanna for that song," Satcher said. "That’s great wake-up music from Stevie Wonder. We're looking forward to a good day. Thanks a lot."

"And we're looking for a great day too," responded capcom Aki Hoshide from mission control in Houston.

The astronauts plan to catch up with the International Space Station at 11:53 a.m. EST (1653 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Shuttle Astronauts Complete Heat Shield Scan
17 November 2009 2:33 p.m. EST

The six astronauts on shuttle Atlantis have completed their day-long inspection of their orbiter’s heat shield. They have stowed away their sensor-tipped inspection pole (which doubles the reach of the shuttle’s robotic arm). Later today, they will work to grapple one of two massive cargo carriers Atlantis is hauling to the space station.  Watch live.

Today is Flight Day 2 of Atlantis’ 11-day mission to the International Space Station.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Atlantis Astronauts Survey Shuttle
17 November 2009 10:27 a.m. EST

Astronauts aboard the shuttle Atlantis are in the middle of a day-long inspection of their spacecraft’s vital heat shield. The standard inspection began early Tuesday and is expected to take up to six hours. Watch live.

The shuttle crew has used Atlantis’ sensor-tipped inspection boom to scan the orbiter’s starboard wing edges and will survey the nose cap. A scan of the port wing will round out the survey.

Click here for a look at today’s work in space.

Today is Flight Day 2 of Atlantis’ 11-day mission to the International Space Station.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Atlantis Astronauts Discard Shuttle Fuel Tank
16 November 2009 2:40 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON – The STS-129 astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis have discarded the 15-story external tank that fed the orbiter's 8 1/2-minute launch into space.

With the tank jettisoned, Atlantis is now in orbit. Astronauts will photograph the departure of the external tank and prepare to open the shuttle's payload bay doors at about 3:53 p.m. EST (2053 GMT).

Analysts at Mission Control in Houston's Johnson Space Center will search for any signs of foam loss during launch, and its potential as a debris hazard to Discovery's heat shield.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Atlantis' Engines Shut Down as Planned
16 November 2009 2:39 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON – The five engines boosting Atlantis and its external tank towards orbit have shut down as planned about 8 1/2 minutes into flight.  

The milestone, known as Main Engine Cut Off (MECO) The spacecraft is flying towards its intended orbit, with the next major task aimed at discarding the shuttle's external tank. 

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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
16 November 2009 2:31 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON – The twin solid rocket boosters assisting Atlantis' 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 Atlantis' external tank and any foam loss seen during today's ascent.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Liftoff! Shuttle Atlantis Launches Toward Space Station
16 November 2009 2:28 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON – The space shuttle Atlantis launched into space and has cleared the launch tower as it heads toward the International Space Station. Liftoff occurred at 2:28 p.m. EST (1928 GMT). 

Riding spaceward aboard Atlantis are STS-129 commander Charlie Hobaugh, shuttle pilot Butch Wilmore and mission specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman, Robert Satcher, Jr.. It should take Atlantis about 8 1/2 minutes to ferry its six-astronaut crew into orbit.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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

Shuttle Atlantis 'Go for Launch'

16 November 2009 2:19 p.m. EST

 

Shuttle Atlantis has been cleared for launch from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39-A on its 31^st mission - the 129^th space shuttle flight and the 31^st 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.

Atlantis’ preferred launch time is 2:28:10 p.m. EST (1928:10 GMT) – near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window that closes at 2:32:38 p.m. EST.

The mission management team has been polled and all have reported 'Go for launch.' The six STS-129 astronauts, led by mission commander Charlie Hobaugh and pilot Barry Wilmore, 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.

Weather at the launch site is observed 'Green' or 'Go' on all fronts with no constraints to launch. Conditions at the Trans-Oceanic Abort Landing (TAL) sites in Spain and France are also 'Go' to support a launch.

The Eastern Range is reporting 'Clear for launch.' The two Solid Rocket Booster recovery ships are on-station about 140 miles northeast of Cape Canaveral, off the coast of Jacksonville and about 7 miles away from the predicted impact point of the spent boosters.

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, Atlantis' 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 Atlantis' STS-129 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.

Shuttle Atlantis Ready for Launch
16 November 2009 1:58 p.m. EST

Shuttle Atlantis' hatch has been closed and latched for flight, the six STS-129 astronauts are strapped into their seats and final preparations are progressing smoothly for this afternoon's launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39-A.

Launch is scheduled for 2:28:10 p.m. EST (1928:10 GMT) – near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window.

As the countdown enters its final 30 minutes, the launch team is not currently working any technical issues. The countdown clock is currently halted at the T-minus 9-minute mark – a scheduled built-in hold lasting approx. 45 minutes.

Weather conditions along Florida's Space Coast have improved as the countdown progressed; Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters has upgraded the official forecast to an 80 percent probability of acceptable conditions at launch time.  Weather at the three Trans-Oceanic Abort Landing (TAL) sites in Spain and France are also observed and forecast 'Green' or 'Go' to support a launch attempt.

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.

Veteran of two shuttle missions, astronaut Charlie Hobaugh is commander of STS-129 accompanied by rookie pilot Barry Wilmore. STS-129 mission specialists are Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik (who will serve as Atlantis' flight engineer), Mike Foreman and Robert “Bobby” Satcher. Atlantis will also return astronaut Nicole Stott to Earth following her three-month stint as Flight Engineer aboard the International Space Station.

At the time of launch, the International Space Station will be orbiting about 220 miles above the South Pacific Ocean, east of New Zealand.

-- Roger Guillemette

NASA will broadcast Atlantis' STS-129 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 Improves For Atlantis Launch

16 November 2009 1:13 p.m. EST

The countdown is proceeding smoothly for this afternoon's launch of shuttle Atlantis on a mission to the International Space Station. The countdown clock has just entered the T-minus 20-minute hold - a planned built-in hold to allow the launch team to catch up on any final preparations.

Launch is scheduled for 2:28:10 p.m. EST (1928:10 GMT) – the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window. A final adjustment may be made at the T-9 minute hold to more precisely align with the orbit of the International Space Station.

The launch team is not currently working any technical issues as the countdown enters its final hour and Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters has just upgraded the official forecast to an 80 percent probability of acceptable conditions at launch time.

The close-out crew is breaking down the 'white room' access platform that surrounds the Orbiter's hatch and will soon depart from the launch pad.

Atlantis' hatch has been closed and latched for flight, the six STS-129 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.

-- Roger Guillemette

NASA will broadcast Atlantis' STS-129 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.

 Atlantis' Hatch Closed for Launch
16 November 2009 12:32 p.m. EST

Shuttle Atlantis' hatch has been closed and latched for flight, the six STS-129 astronauts are strapped into their seats and final preparations are progressing smoothly for this afternoon's launch attempt from pad 39-A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

Launch is scheduled for 2:28:11 p.m. EST (1928:11 GMT) – the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window. A final adjustment may be made at the T-9 minute hold to more precisely align with the orbit of the International Space Station.

The STS-129 crew - led by veteran mission commander Charlie Hobaugh and rookie pilot Barry Wilmore – 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.

Atlantis'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. The official weather forecast remains pegged at an optimistic 70 percent probability of acceptable conditions at launch time – the primary concern is for a low cloud ceiling.

Weather conditions at the three Trans-Oceanic Abort Landing (TAL) sites in Spain and France are observed and forecast 'Green' or 'Go' to support a launch attempt.

STS-129 will be the 31^st shuttle mission to the International Space Station and the 11-day flight will include three spacewalks.

-- Roger Guillemette

NASA will broadcast Atlantis' STS-129 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.

 Atlantis Astronauts Strapped-in for Launch
16 November 2009 11:59 a.m. EST

The six STS-129 astronauts are now securely strapped into their seats onboard shuttle Atlantis and are beginning final preparations for this afternoon's launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39-A..

Launch is scheduled for 2:28:11 p.m. EST (1928:11 GMT) – the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window.

Led by veteran commander Charlie Hobaugh (making his third spaceflight) and rookie pilot Barry Wilmore, the STS-129 mission specialists are Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik (who will serve as Atlantis' flight engineer), Mike Foreman  and Robert “Bobby” Satcher.

STS-129 will be Melvin and Foreman's second spaceflight; Bresnik and Satcher will be making their first trips to space. Atlantis will also return astronaut Nicole Stott to Earth following her three-month stint as Flight Engineer aboard the International Space Station.

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

The official weather forecast remains pegged at an optimistic 70 percent probability of acceptable conditions at launch time – the primary concern is the possible formation of a low cloud ceiling that may violate Return-To-Launch-Site (RTLS) abort constraints.

-- Roger Guillemette

NASA will broadcast Atlantis' STS-129 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.

Shuttle Astronauts Board Spacecraft
16 November 2009 11:40 a.m. EST

Five astronauts are already strapped onboard the space shuttle Atlantis, with the remaining sixth astronaut, Randy Bresnik, preparing to board now. STS-129 commander Charlie "Scorch" Hobaugh and mission specialists Barry "Butch" Wilmore, Mike Foreman, Leland Melvin and Robert Satcher, Jr. are already inside the spacecraft.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast Atlantis' STS-129 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.

Atlantis Commander Enters Spacecraft
16 November 2009 11:07 a.m. EST

NASA mission commander Charlie ‘Scorch’ Hobaugh has climbed onboard shuttle Atlantis for this afternoon's planned launch attempt at 2:28:11 p.m. EST (1728:11 GMT). STS-129 will be Hobaugh's third spaceflight.

No technical issues are currently being worked and the official weather forecast remains an optimistic 70 percent probability of acceptable conditions for launch; however, conditions at the launch site are currently ‘Red’ or ‘No Go’ for low clouds.

At this time, shuttle Atlantis 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 Atlantis' 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 8:00 a.m. EST (1300 GMT) with more than 500,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant loaded into the fuel tank.

Atlantis' 31^st mission will include three spacewalks and the installation of two platforms to the station’s truss, or backbone. The platforms will hold spare parts to sustain station operations after the shuttles are retired.

-- Roger Guillemette

NASA will broadcast Atlantis' STS-129 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.

Astronauts Arrive At Launch Pad
16 November 2009 10:55 a.m. EST

The six STS-129 astronauts, led by commander Charlie Hobaugh, have arrived at Launch Pad 39A. Soon they will begin entering the space shuttle Atlantis in preparation for their planned launch this afternoon.

Click here for SPACE.com's launch preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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.

Atlantis Astronauts Depart for Launch Pad
16 November 2009 10:38 a.m. EST

The crew of space shuttle Atlantis, clad in their bright orange launch-and-entry pressure suits, has departed the Operations & Checkout (O&C) Building at the Kennedy Space Center. The six 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 blue skies with streaks of white clouds.

After a 25-minute ride to the launch pad, the STS-129 astronauts will enter Atlantis one by one, beginning with veteran shuttle commander Charlie Hobaugh, to prepare for this afternoon's launch attempt.

Atlantis' mid-afternoon launch is scheduled for 2:28:11 p.m. EST (1728:11 GMT).

No technical issues are currently being worked and the final inspection or 'ice' team has departed the launch pad without finding any conditions that might be cause for concern.

The official weather forecast remains an optimistic 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions for launch.

-- Roger Guillemette

NASA will broadcast Atlantis' STS-129 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.

Astronauts Suit Up for Shuttle Launch
16 November 2009 10:15 a.m. EST

The six astronauts slated to launch aboard the space shuttle Atlantis today are donning their orange launch and entry space suits. The spaceflyers, led by commander Charlie Hobaugh, are scheduled to walk out of the Operations and Checkout Building in about 15 minutes and ride down the road to Launch Pad 39A.

Click here for SPACE.com's launch preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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.

Clouds Hover Over Shuttle Launch Pad
16 November 2009 10:02 a.m. EST

Preparations for the space shuttle Atlantis' planned launch this afternoon are going well, though NASA is watching the weather very closely in hopes that a ceiling of clouds currently hovering over the launch pad will move off before liftoff time.

NASA plans to send aircraft into the sky starting at around 11:30 a.m. EST to monitor the cloud situation from the air and to measure how thick the clouds are. There is still a 70 percent chance that a break in the clouds will appear to let the shuttle fly.

"We're hopeful that things will improve and we'll have a successful launch today," said Lt. Colonel Patrick Barrett of the 45th Weather Squadron.

Click here for SPACE.com's launch preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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.

Shuttle Launch Countdown Going Smoothly
16 November 2009 9:30 a.m. EST

The space shuttle Atlantis is fully fueled, and the countdown toward launch is proceeding on schedule.

The main threat now is the weather, with forecasters predicting a 30 percent chance that a cloud ceiling will move in over the launch pad to thwart a liftoff, planned for 2:28 p.m. EST (1928 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com's launch preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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.

Space Shuttle Fueling Almost Complete
16 November 2009 7:27 a.m. EST

Ground crews are almost finished filling the external fuel tank on the space shuttle Atlantis in preparation for launch today.

Super-chilled liquid hydrogen propellant is 98 percent fully loaded, and liquid oxygen is nearing the full point as well. The tanking process has passed the point where some gas leak issues occurred during earlier launches this year.

"That is not the case this morning," spokesman Allard Beutel said. "The launch team is not working any issues right now that would prevent us from launching on time."

Click here for SPACE.com's launch preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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.

Space Shuttle Tanking Proceeding Smoothly
16 November 2009 6:40 a.m. EST

Fueling of the space shuttle Atlantis is about halfway through, and is proceeding smoothly.

"The launch team is not working any issues that would prevent us from launching on time," a NASA spokesperson said.

The main concern for liftoff now is a chance of cloud ceilings above the launch pad. The weather forecast predicts a 70 percent chance of favorable conditions at launch time, 2:28 p.m. EST (1928 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com's launch preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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.

Fueling Begins on the Space Shuttle Atlantis
16 November 2009 5:05 a.m. EST

Technicians have started filling the space shuttle Atlantis' massive orange external fuel tank with its super-chilled liquid propellants in preparation for the vehicle's planned launch today.

The weather outlook for liftoff has been downgraded from a 90 percent chance of good conditions to a 70 percent chance of clear skies. The possibility of low cloud ceilings poses the main risk for preventing a launch.

Atlantis is set to lift off from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. at 2:28 p.m. EST (1928 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com's launch preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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.

Countdown Still on Track For Monday Shuttle Launch
15 November 2009 11:11 a.m. EST

The countdown toward launch of the space shuttle Atlantis on Monday at 2:28 p.m. EST (1928 GMT) is proceeding smoothly.

"After many, many months of hard work, STS-129 Atlantis and her crew are nearly ready to fly," said NASA test director Steve Payne Sunday. "We've had a clean countdown to date and are currently on schedule with no problems to report."

The rotating service structure that shields the shuttle from bad weather while sitting on the launch pad is set to be removed this evening at around 5:30 p.m. EST (2200 GMT). Ground teams plan to begin filling the shuttle's massive external fuel tank with its super-cooled liquid propellants Monday morning at around 5:00 a.m. EST (1000 GMT).

SPACE.com will begin providing live coverage of the launch on Monday at 9:30 a.m. EST.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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.

NASA Clears Space Shuttle Atlantis for Monday Launch
14 November 2009 12:00 p.m. EST

NASA gave the space shuttle Atlantis a "go" for launch on Monday as planned. Mission managers met this morning and gave the final approval after an unmanned Atlas V rocket failed to lift off early Saturday, clearing the way for Atlantis to proceed.

"It was a really smooth meeting … Atlantis is ready to go," said Mike Moses, chair of the shuttle mission management team. The managers gave "a unanimous vote to proceed with the launch countdown," he said.

Atlantis is slated to lift off on its STS-129 mission Nov. 16 at 2:28 p.m. EST (1928 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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.

Astronauts Gear Up for Shuttle Launch
13 November 2009 9:30 a.m. EST

The STS-129 astronauts are gearing up for their planned shuttle launch Monday. Commander Charlie "Scorch" Hobaugh and pilot Barry Wilmore practiced landing at Kennedy Space Center this morning in a Shuttle Training Aircraft — a Gulfstream II jet modified to simulate the shuttle controls and handling.

Meanwhile ground crews are making final preparations on the orbiter, and plan to close Atlantis' payload bay doors today. Liftoff is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 2:28 p.m. EST (1928 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 mission 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.

Shuttle Astronauts Due to Arrive in Florida Today
12 November 2009 10:00 a.m. EST

The six astronauts set to fly aboard the space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-129 mission Nov. 16 are due to arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. today. The crew, led by commander Charles Hobaugh, is slated to fly in on Shuttle Training Aircraft at about 12 p.m. EST (1700 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the STS-129 astronauts' arrival 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.