STS-125 Countdown to Launch
DaysHoursMinutesSeconds

Mission Highlights
(Times Approximate)
Wednesday, October 8
KSC Launch
1:34 a.m. EDT (0434 GMT)
Wednesday, October 8
Shuttle Heat Shield Survey
8:30 p.m. EDT (0030 Oct. 9 GMT)
Friday, October 10
Hubble Space Telescope Capture
12:10 a.m. EDT (0410 GMT)
Friday, October 10
First HST Spacewalk Begins
6:45 p.m. EDT (2245 GMT)
New Camera Install/Battery Swap
Docking Equipment Install
Saturday, October 11
Second Spacewalk Begins
6:45 p.m. EDT (2245 GMT)
Gyroscopes and Batteries replaced
Sunday, October 12
Third Spacewalk Begins
6:45 p.m. EDT (2245 GMT)
Cosmic Origins Spectrograph Install
ACS Camera Repair
Monday, October 13
Fourth Spacewalk Begins
6:45 p.m. EDT (2245 GMT)
STIS Repair/Thermal Blanket Install
Tuesday, October 14
Fifth Spacewalk Begins
6:45 p.m. EDT (2245 GMT)
Fine Guidance Sensor Fix/
Thermal Blanket Install
Wednesday, October 15
Hubble Space Telescope Release
7:55p.m. (2355 GMT)
Wednesday, October 15
Late Heat Shield Inspection
11:10 p.m. EDT (0310 Oct. 16 GMT)
Thursday, October 16
Crew News Conference
5:30 p.m. EDT (2130 GMT)
Crew Off Duty Time Follows
Friday, October 17
Shuttle-ISS Call
3:25 a.m. EDT (0735 GMT)
Friday, October 17
Prelanding Flight Systems Checks
5:35 p.m. EDT (2135 GMT)
Fri./Sat., Oct. 17-18
In-Flight Media Events
Oct. 17 - 10:20 p.m. EDT
Oct. 18 - 12:08 a.m. EDT
Saturday, October 18
KSC Landing
9:33 p.m. EDT (2133 GMT)
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Storms Delay Shuttle Missions to Hubble, Space Station
NASA delayed a shuttle launch to the Hubble Space Telescope by two days.  > Read More

Shuttle Atlantis Heads Toward Launch Pad
4 September 2008 10:10 a.m. EDT

NASA’s space shuttle Atlantis is on its way to the launch pad at NASA’s Florida spaceport after starting its slow move nearly an hour early.

The shuttle began moving toward Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., at 9:19 a.m. EDT (1319 GMT) and can be seen moving away from the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building. The move was initially slated to begin at 10:00 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT), but shuttle workers were ready to go earlier than planned, NASA officials told SPACE.com.

It should take Atlantis several hours to cross the 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of road out to the launch pad, where it will be shrouded in a Rotating Service Structure to protect against weather.

Atlantis is slated to launch on Oct. 8 on the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA is broadcasting the move live on NASA TV.

Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Atlantis to Move to Launch Pad Today
4 September 2008 8:33 a.m. EDT

The space shuttle Atlantis is set to move out to its Pad 39A launch site at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., today at 10:00 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT).

“NASA mission managers met at 5:30 a.m. EDT (0930 GMT) this morning and determined that the effects of Tropical Storm Hanna will be offshore and not close enough to prevent Atlantis from being moved to its launch pad or from remaining out there as the storm passes on Friday,” NASA spokesperson Allard Beutel said in a morning update.

Weather associated with Hanna prompted mission managers to hold Atlantis’ launch pad move earlier this week until they could better predict the storm’s path.

Atlantis will make the 3.5-mile (5.6-km) trek to Pad 39A atop NASA’s Apollo-era crawler carrier vehicle, a massive machine that moves at a top speed of 1 mph (1.6 kph).

NASA will broadcast the move live on NASA TV.

Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Atlantis Could Head to Launch Pad Thursday
3 September 2008 2:28 p.m. EDT

The forecast for the space shuttle Atlantis’ launch pad trek is improving, with the orbiter now set to make the 3-mile (4.8-km) Thursday morning, weather permitting, NASA officials said today.

With Tropical Storm Hanna weakening in the Atlantic Ocean and expected to pass further off shore from NASA’s Florida-based spaceport than previously thought, mission managers are targeting a 10:00 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) move for Atlantis, said Kennedy Space Center spokesperson Candrea Thomas at NASA’s Cape Canaveral, Fla.-based launch site.

NASA officials were skeptical of a Thursday move for Atlantis yesterday, but Hanna’s decrease in strength and its evolving path gave mission managers more confidence. A final decision will be made tomorrow during a 5:30 a.m. EDT (0930 GMT) weather briefing, Thomas said.

-- Tariq Malik


NASA Weighs Storm Concerns for Shuttle Rollout
2 September 2008 1:01 p.m. EDT

NASA’s space shuttle Atlantis will not head out to its Florida launch pad until Thursday at the earliest, with additional delays possible, as the agency weighs the potential impact from Tropical Storm Hanna.

The agency’s Kennedy Space Center spaceport in Cape Canaveral, Fla., is now under a Hurricane Condition 4 - the lowest hurricane alert status - to prepare for Hanna-related weather, NASA spokesperson Allard Beutel told SPACE.com this morning.

NASA initially targeted a Monday launch pad rollout for Atlantis, but postponed a day to track Hanna. Beutel said mission managers were weighing plans to wait out the storm, which could push rollout to later in the week.

As of 11:00 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT), Hanna’s center was located about 20 miles (35 km) west-southeast from Great Inagua Island in the Atlantic Ocean and moving at about 6 mph (9 kph). The storm was reported to have maximum wind speeds of about 70 mph (110 kph) with higher gusts, according to a National Hurricane Center update.

NASA and U.S. Air Force weather trackers are also watching the development of Tropical Storm Ike behind Hanna and what is now Tropical Storm Josephine behind Ike, Beutel said.

-- Tariq Malik


NASA Delays Space Shuttle’s Launch Pad Move
2 September 2008 8:42 a.m. EDT

NASA’s space shuttle Atlantis is now slated to move out to its Pad 39A launch pad no earlier than Wednesday 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT), a day later than planned, as mission managers track what is now Tropical Storm Hanna.

Mission managers decided Monday afternoon to postpone Atlantis’ 3-mile trek to the launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., in order to be sure Hanna would pose no threat to the shuttle.

As of Tuesday morning, Hanna was headed toward the southeastern Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of about 70 mph (110 kph). The storm had weaked to a tropical storm after reaching hurricane strength earlier, and could regain its hurricane status later today or tomorrow, according to the National Hurricane Center.

-- Tariq Malik


NASA Watches Weather for Shuttle Move
22 August 2008 12:42 p.m. EDT

Stormy fallout from Tropical Storm Fay continues to hinder efforts to move Atlantis from its hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where it can be attached to an external tank and twin solid rocket boosters.

“We’ve been having bands of torrential rain coming through,” NASA spokesperson Allard Beutel told SPACE.com from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Engineers need at least two full hours of clear weather to move Atlantis, and will wait until 9:00 p.m. EDT (0100 Aug. 23 GMT) before standing down for the day.

Work crews are busy clearing the short drive between the two buildings and securing loose panels on the VAB to ensure they don’t blow free and hit the shuttle during the move. Atlantis’ move has been delayed due to Fay since Monday. The shuttle is slated to launch at 1:34 a.m. EDT (0534 GMT) on Oct. 8 to visit the Hubble Space Telescope for one final service call.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Crew Disembarks Discovery
14 June 2008 12:42 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The seven-astronaut crew of NASA’s shuttle Discovery have exited their spacecraft and are now in a mobile welcome room on the tarmac of the Shuttle Landing Facility here at the Kennedy Space Center.

They’re expected to inspect Discovery to see how it fared during its successful landing today in a short while.

NASA will hold a post-landing press conference in about an hour, with the astronauts themselves slated to speak about their mission later this afternoon.

Click here to see SPACE.com’s landing wrap story.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Touchdown! Discovery Lands Safely in Florida
14 June 2008 11:15 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Shuttle Discovery and its crew of seven astronauts has safely landed at Florida's Kennedy Space Center, following a two-week mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and the successful installation of Japan's Kibo science laboratory module. After a journey of 5.7 million miles, Discovery touched down on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) to complete its 35th space voyage.

Veteran commander Mark Kelly and rookie pilot Ken Ham guided the Orbiter on its fiery plunge through the atmosphere and hour-long free-fall descent back to Earth, then precisely executed a series of turns and banking maneuvers that bled-off excess speed and slowed the 203,320-pound spaceplane for its powerless landing on the 3-mile long paved runway. All spacecraft systems performed as expected.

Discovery's STS-124 crew included flight engineer Ronald Garan, mission specialists Karen Nyberg and Michael Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and returning ISS Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman who returns to earth after a 95-day tour of duty on the orbiting outpost. During re-entry and descent, Reisman was strapped into a special recumbent seat in the orbiter’s middeck, which kept him in a reclined position during the ride home to ease his body’s re-acclimation to gravity.

A convoy of landing support vehicles is now approaching Discovery and technicians will soon begin to 'safe' the vehicle – purging the spacecraft of its toxic propellants – to be followed by the astronauts' egress and traditional 'walkaround' of the spacecraft.

Discovery's return marks the 69th space shuttle landing at the Kennedy Space Center and the 5th consecutive mission to land in Florida.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery's STS-124 mission live on NASA TV. 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 left.

-- Roger Guillemette


Shuttle Discovery Flying Over Gulf of Mexico
14 June 2008 11:02 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Shuttle Discovery is crossing over the Gulf of Mexico, just west of Cuba, as it continues its long, gliding approach to Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Touchdown at the Shuttle Landing Facility is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT).

Mission Control confirms all spacecraft systems are performing as expected.

The Orbiter will soon enter U.S. airspace over the Florida's Gulf Coast, near Naples and Marco Island, on its cross-peninsula landing approach. Commander Mark Kelly and pilot Ken Ham are piloting the 203,320-pound spaceplane through a series of turns and banking maneuvers to slow the vehicle and expend excess energy in preparation for its powerless landing, culminating with left overhead turn of 245 degrees to precisely align with Runway 15 – the northwest-to-southeast landing strip.

Weather conditions at the landing site are near-perfect for Discovery's homecoming, with scattered clouds at 3,000 feet and light sea breezes. NASA chief astronaut Steve Lindsey is flying the Shuttle Training Aircraft on practice approaches to Runway 15 and relaying his observations to flight controllers.

Discovery's crew includes flight engineer Ronald Garan, mission specialists Karen Nyberg and Michael Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and returning ISS Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman who is returning to earth after a 95-day tour of duty on the orbiting outpost. During re-entry and descent, Reisman is strapped into a special recumbent seat in the orbiter’s middeck, keeping him in a reclined position during the ride home to ease his body’s re-acclimation to gravity.

Discovery's touchdown will mark the 69th space shuttle landing at the Kennedy Space Center and the 5th consecutive mission to land in Florida.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery's STS-124 mission live on NASA TV. 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 left.

-- Roger Guillemette


Discovery Re-entering Earth's Atmosphere  
14 June 2008 10:43 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Shuttle Discovery is now transitioning from spacecraft to aircraft, encountering the upper fringes of Earth's atmosphere - known as 'Entry Interface' - at about 400,000 feet above the southern Pacific Ocean as it begins its fiery descent and a long, gliding approach to the 3-mile long landing strip at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

Landing on Runway 15 - the northwest-to-southeast runway - at the Shuttle Landing Facility is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT). All spacecraft systems are performing as expected.

With the heat on its Thermal Protection System tiles building to 2,500 degrees F, Discovery will be flying south to north, across Mexico, Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula, crossing over the Gulf of Mexico west of Cuba and then descending over Florida's Gulf Coast near Naples and Marco Island on its final cross-peninsula approach for landing.

Commander Mark Kelly and pilot Ken Ham completed a 2-minute, 35-second firing of Discovery's twin Orbital Maneuvering System engines that began at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT), reducing the Orbiter's velocity sufficiently to drop it out of orbit and begin its hour-long free-fall descent back to Earth. Kelly and Ham will pilot the 203,320-pound spaceplane through a series of turns and banking maneuvers, known as 'roll reversals', to slow the vehicle for its powerless touchdown at the Kennedy Space Center.

Weather conditions at the landing site are described as "very stable" and well within acceptable limits for landing, with just scattered clouds at 3,000 feet and negligible sea breezes. NASA chief astronaut Steve Lindsey continues to fly the Shuttle Training Aircraft on practice landing approaches to Runway 15 and relaying his observations to flight controllers.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery's STS-124 mission live on NASA TV. 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 left.

-- Roger Guillemette


Discovery Heading Home to Florida  
14 June 2008 10:13 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Shuttle Discovery has ignited its braking rockets to start a fiery plunge through Earth's atmosphere and a long, gliding descent to the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. Weather conditions are near-perfect for the spaceplane's return with just scattered clouds at 3,000 feet and negligible sea breezes.

Touchdown on Runway 15 – the northwest to southeast landing strip - is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT).

Commander Mark Kelly and pilot Ken Ham just completed a 2-minute, 35-second firing of Discovery's twin Orbital Maneuvering System engines that began at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT) to reduce the shuttle's velocity sufficiently to drop it out of orbit and begin the hour-long free-fall descent back to Earth. The de-orbit burn slowed Discovery's velocity by about 289 feet/second (approx. 197 miles/hour).

Discovery and its crew of seven astronauts will first encounter the upper fringes of the atmosphere at about 400,000 feet above the southern Pacific Ocean, flying north across Mexico, Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula, crossing over the Gulf of Mexico to the west of Cuba and then descending over Florida's Gulf Coast near Naples and Marco Island on its final approach for landing.

NASA chief astronaut Steve Lindsey has been flying landing approaches in the Shuttle Training Aircraft – a specially modified Gulfstream jet that simulates the shuttle's handling characteristics – closely monitoring the scattered clouds and evaluating the weather conditions that Discovery will encounter on its approach and landing.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery's STS-124 mission live on NASA TV. 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 left.

-- Roger Guillemette


Discovery 'Go' for Florida Landing  
14 June 2008 9:50 a.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Mission managers have cleared shuttle Discovery for an 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) landing at the Kennedy Space Center where weather conditions are near-ideal for the spaceplane's return to Earth. Discovery will touch down on the first of today's two Florida landing opportunities – a thickening deck of scattered clouds over the Space Coast was of little concern to flight controllers as they are not producing any precipitation.

Visibility is excellent and the oft-troubling sea breeze is negligible this morning – alleviating any crosswind issues as the Orbiter makes its landing approach.

Commander Mark Kelly and pilot Ken Ham have been given the 'Go' to initiate the de-orbit burn at 10:10:12 a.m. EDT (1410:12 GMT), culminating in a landing on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Discovery's twin Orbital Maneuvering System engines will be fired for 2 minutes and 35 seconds, high above the Indian Ocean, to slow the Orbiter's velocity sufficiently to begin its fiery descent through Earth's atmosphere and a long, gliding approach to the 3-mile long landing strip at the Kennedy Space Center.

Discovery will first encounter the upper fringes of the atmosphere at about 400,000 feet above the southern Pacific Ocean, flying across Mexico, Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula, crossing over the Gulf of Mexico to the west of Cuba and then descending over Florida's Gulf Coast near Naples and Marco Island on its final approach for landing.

NASA chief astronaut Steve Lindsey has been flying landing approaches in the Shuttle Training Aircraft – a specially modified Gulfstream jet that simulates the shuttle's handling characteristics – closely monitoring the scattered clouds for any signs of precipitation and evaluating the weather conditions that Discovery will encounter on its approach and landing.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery's STS-124 mission live on NASA TV. 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 left.

-- Roger Guillemette


Shuttle Crew Checks Systems for Landing
14 June 2008 9:41.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Discovery shuttle commander Mark Kelly and his crew are preparing their orbiter for its planned descent through the Earth’s atmosphere for today’s landing at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) at the Kennedy Space Center here.

They were slated to check the gimbals for Discovery’s aft-mounted Orbital Maneuvering System engines and start the Auxiliary Power Unit that will power the spacecraft’s flight control surfaces for the hour-long glide to landing.

Some scattered clouds have broken out above Discovery’s Shuttle Landing Facility here at the Kennedy Space Center, but pose no threat to today’s landing, NASA said.

Entry flight director Richard Jones is polling his team for a ‘go’ or ‘no go’ for the 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT) deorbit engine burn that will propel Discovery back down to Earth.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Astronauts Suit up for Landing
14 June 2008 9:00 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The seven astronauts aboard NASA’s space shuttle Discovery are donning their bright orange pressure suits for today’s 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) landing here at the Kennedy Space Center.

At about 9:10 a.m. EDT (1310 GMT), they are slated to strap themselves into the seats for today’s descent through the Earth’s atmosphere. The 2-minute, 36-second engine burn to leave orbit is set for 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT).

The weather continues to look good for today’s landing, with NASA’s chief astronaut Steve Lindsey flying recon approaches on Discovery’s Runway 15 strip.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Weather Near Perfect for Shuttle Landing
14 June 2008 8:26 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The weather continues to be pristine on this clear Saturday morning for today’s shuttle landing here at the Kennedy Space Center.

With just a few clouds, light winds and virtually non-existent crosswinds, the stage is set for the shuttle Discovery’s 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) landing on Runway 15 – commander Mark Kelly’s preferred approach.

Visibility on the runway is now 10 miles, though rain showers are still expected later today during a second landing opportunity at 12:50 p.m. EDT (1650 GMT).

Kelly and his six-astronaut crew are set to don their bright orange launch/entry pressure suits at about 8:45 a.m. EDT (1245 GMT) for today’s landing.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Runway Set for Shuttle Landing
14 June 2008 8:07 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After a detailed discussion, entry flight director Richard Jones has settled on Runway 15 here at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for today’s planned landing of the space shuttle Discovery.

The runway, a northwest to southeast approach on NASA’s 3-mile Shuttle Landing Facility here, is the preferred site for shuttle commander Mark Kelly.

Flight controllers were debating whether to switch to Runway 33, a southeast to northwest approach on the same strip, due to sun glare concerns, but chief astronaut Steve Lindsey found the original approach acceptable during practice runs.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Astronauts Close Payload Bay Doors
14 June 2008 7:30 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Astronauts aboard the shuttle Discovery have closed the shell-like payload bay doors of their spacecraft, a major milestone for today’s planned landing at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) here at the Kennedy Space Center.

Meanwhile, NASA’s chief astronaut Steve Lindsey has reported good weather conditions at Discovery’s runway here at the space center. He is flying a NASA T-38 jet on landing approaches and will later switch to a Shuttle Training Aircraft designed to mimic a landing orbiter.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Space Shuttle on Track for Landing Today
14 June 2008 7:00 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The space shuttle Discovery is on track for its planned landing here at the Kennedy Space Center today, with touchdown set for 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT).

With an encouraging forecast ahead, shuttle commander Mark Kelly and his crew are due to fire their spacecraft’s engines at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT) to begin the long descent back to Earth.

The next major milestone is payload bay door closing, where the Kelly and his crew will shut the shell-like doors of Discovery’s cargo bay, at about 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 GMT).

Returning to Earth with Kelly are shuttle pilot Kenneth Ham and mission specialists Karen Nyberg, Ronald Garan, Michael Fossum, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and returning space station crewmember Garrett Reisman. They are wrapping up a 14-day mission deliver a new crewmember and Japan’s $1 billion Kibo lab to the International Space Station.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Weather Looks Good for Shuttle Landing
14 June 2008 6:00 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The weather looks good for the first landing opportunity today for NASA’s space shuttle Discovery.

Aside from light winds and a few clouds, the runways at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center are pristine for today’s planned landing at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT). There is the slight possibility of glare on Runway 15 at the center, though the Runway 33 approach appears to be fine.

NASA’s chief astronaut Steve Lindsey will be flying landing approaches on both runways to check the sun glare conditions later today.

Discovery commander Mark Kelly just said he prefers a landing on Runway 15 if the glare is minor, but will opt for Runway 33 if required.  

A second landing opportunity at 12:50 p.m. EDT (1650 GMT) does have a slight chance of nearby rain showers.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Crew Set up Seats for Landing
14 June 2008 5:30 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The seven-astronaut crew of NASA’s shuttle Discovery have set up the seats they will use for today’s planned 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) landing.

Returning to Earth aboard the shuttle are shuttle commander Mark Kelly, pilot Kenneth Ham and mission specialists Karen Nyberg, Ronald Garan, Michael Fossum, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and returning space station crewmember Garrett Reisman.

The astronauts are ahead of schedule and the weather is looking good for their initial landing attempt, which calls on them to fire their spacecraft’s engines at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT) over the southern Indian Ocean, then fly over Central America on approach to its Florida landing site here at the Kennedy Space Center.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Crew Awakes for Landing Day
14 June 2008 3:00 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The seven astronauts of NASA’s space shuttle Discovery are awake for what is expected to be their last day in orbit as they prepare for a planned 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) landing today.

NASA’s Mission Control in Houston roused the shuttle’s STS-124 crew at about 2:32 a.m. EDT (0732 GMT) with the song “Life on an Ocean Wave” by the Merchant Marine Academy band, a tune selected for shuttle commander Mark Kelly and the entire crew.

“Good morning Houston, I want to thank the staff, midshipmen and alumni Merchant Marine Academy for that song,” Kelly said. “The mission’s coming to an end but it’s going to be good to get home today.”

Today is Flight Day 15 of Discovery’s planned 14-day mission deliver a new crewmember and Japan’s $1 billion Kibo lab to the International Space Station.

Click here for a look at today’s landing day plan for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle’s Lost Metal Clip no Risk for Landing
13 June 2008 11:36 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A lost metal clip drifting away from the space shuttle Discovery poses no risk to the orbiter’s planned landing tomorrow, Mission Control told the seven astronauts aboard the spacecraft.

“We’re confident that this is going to be no impact for entry,” NASA astronaut Terry Virts radioed the crew, adding that similar clips have been lost on previous shuttle missions all the way back to the first flight, STS-1, in 1981.

The clip is one of three used to protect Discovery’s tail-mounted rudder speed brake against heat during launch, and not required for landing, he said.

A small bump thought to be loose insulation on the shuttle’s tail is actually just an artifact of lighting, Virts added.

Neither problem poses any concern for tomorrow’s planned Saturday landing at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) here at the Kennedy Space Center.

Click here for a look at today’s day in space for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Debris Appears to Pose No Problem
13 June 2008 10:55 a.m. EDT


Based on preliminary examination of photos taken this morning showing a piece of debris floating away from the space shuttle Discovery, NASA mission managers think it will pose no threat to the shuttle.

The debris appears to be one of three small metallic thermal clips that reside in the shuttle's tail-mounted rudder speed break. The roughly 1 to 1.5 foot piece of debris was spotted floating away early this morning after the shuttle test fired its thrusters.

"[It's not] considered to be a critical item… So far it doesn’t appear to pose any concern for the safe return of the astronauts to the Kennedy Space Center tomorrow," said NASA commentator Rob Navias.

Mission managers also think the small protuberance that was seen on the rudder this morning is a small piece of thermal insulation associated with that clip. They also think this is unlikely to cause problems for the shuttle.

Click here for a look at today’s day in space for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Clara Moskowitz


Astronauts Spot Debris Leaving Shuttle
13 June 2008 8:00 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Discovery astronauts have completed their flight control systems checks, but spotted bit of debris departing the departing the shuttle after test firing its thrusters.

The small, rectangular object was seen floating away from the aft starboard wing of Discovery and appeared to be about 1-1.5 feet long and shiny in nature.

“It is not yet known what that object might be,” said NASA commentator Rob Navias, adding that it’s not uncommon for objects to drift out of shuttle payload bay during flight control systems checks.

Shuttle commander Mark Kelly later reported the debris appeared to be leaving the orbiter at a rate of about 1 foot per second.

Astronauts noted a protrusion of what appeared to be thermal insulation on Discovery’s tail-mounted speed brake. They have sent images to Mission Control of the protrusion to Earth, though flight controllers do not believe it represents a concern.

Click here for a look at today’s day in space for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Astronauts Wake for Last Full Space Day
13 June 2008 4:00 a.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Astronauts aboard NASA’s shuttle Discovery are up and working through what they plan to be their last full day in space as they gear up for a planned Saturday landing.

NASA’s Mission Control in Houston roused the crew at about 3:02 a.m. EDT (0702 GMT) with the song “Baby Won’t You Please Come Home” by Louis Prima and Keely Smith, a tune selected for returning space station astronaut Garrett Reisman by his wife Simone. Reisman is returning to Earth aboard Discovery after three months aboard the International Space Station.

"Good morning to you Houston and a special good morning to Simone, my favorite Earthling," Reisman said. "Get ready doll face, Discovery's

Discovery astronauts will test shuttle systems for landing, stow final bits of cargo and set up a special seat to help Reisman endure the return to Earth’s gravity today. They’ll also discuss their mission with reporters at about 11:52 a.m. EDT (1552 GMT).

Today is Flight Day 14 of Discovery’s planned 14-day mission to deliver a new crewmember and Japan’s Kibo lab to the space station.

Click here for a look at today’s day in space for the shuttle crew.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Astronauts Stow Shuttle’s Robotic Arm
12 June 2008 2:23 p.m. EDT


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  — After taking the morning off, astronauts aboard NASA’s space shuttle Discovery are working to stow the orbiter’s 50-foot (15-meter) robotic arm as well as its inspection pole as they prepare for a Saturday landing.

Mission specialists Karen Nyberg and Ronald Garan will place the arm in its sill-mounted cradle, where it will stay for the remainder of NASA’s STS-124 mission. First, though, they are stowing the orbiter’s sensor-tipped heat shield inspection boom on the other side of the payload bay.

Earlier, all seven astronauts spoke with reporters on Earth during a series of televised interviews.

“The whole experience turned out to be more emotional than I’d expect,” shuttle pilot Ken Ham. “Seeing space station out the window and realizing that it’s all very real and we’re part of it, it’s a great time to be part of this country. It’s a pretty incredible feeling.”

Click here for a look Discovery’s day off in space.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Crew Set for Orbital Day Off
12 June 2008 4:00 a.m. EDT


HOUSTON — The seven astronauts aboard the shuttle Discovery are up and eager a few hours to themselves today as they prepare for a Saturday landing.

NASA’s Mission Control here at the Johnson Space Center roused the astronauts at 3:32 a.m. EDT (0732 GMT) with the song “Crystal Frontier” by the band Calexico, a tune chosen for shuttle commander Mark Kelly by his wife Gabrielle Giffords, a U.S. Congresswoman from Arizona, and his two daughters.

“Good morning, and it’s a very good morning in space,” Kelly radioed Mission Control. “I’d like to thank my wonderful wife Gabriele and kids Bonnie and Claire.”

Today is Flight Day 13 of Discovery’s planned 14-day mission to deliver Japan’s Kibo lab and a new astronaut to the International Space Station.

Click here for a look Discovery’s day off in space today.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Crew Begins to Inspect Heat Shield
11 June 2008 11:12 a.m. EDT


HOUSTON — The seven astronauts aboard the shuttle Discovery are beginning to use their laser-tipped inspection boom to scan the vital heat-resistant panels along the orbiter’s wing edges and nose cap.

The heat shield survey is identical to scans typically conducted on the second day of every shuttle mission, but Discovery’s tour bus-sized cargo – Japan’s $1 billion Kibo lab – was so massive the orbiter had to leave its inspection boom at home. A previous shuttle crew left a storage boom aboard the station for Discovery’s crew.

Today’s survey is begin at about 11:12 a.m. EDT (1512 GMT) and last about five hours.

Discovery undocked from the International Space Station at about 7:42 a.m. EDT (1142 GMT).

Click here for a look Discovery’s undocking earlier today.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle to Pull Away from Space Station
11 June 2008 9:04 a.m. EDT


HOUSTON — The shuttle Discovery is set to fire its engines to make the final separation away from the International Space Station after today’s successful undocking earlier today.

The maneuver is set for about 9:25 a.m. EDT (1325 GMT). Discovery undocked at 7:42 a.m. EDT (1142 GMT).

Shuttle pilot Ken Ham is still at the helm.

“Discovery departing after a successful mission to the International Space Station, leaving behind great memories and a new hope with Kibo,” said station astronaut Gregory Chamitoff, as he rang the station’s bell in a naval tradition. “We’re sad to see you guys go, but we look forward to seeing you guys on the ground.”

Click here for a look the Tuesday farewell between the two crews.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle’s Space Station Lab Passes Halfway Mark
11 June 2008 8:32 a.m. EDT


HOUSTON — The shuttle Discovery has passed the halfway mark of today’s lap around the International Space Station, moving behind and now under the orbiting lab.

Shuttle pilot Ken Ham will return to his starting point, a waypoint ahead of the station’s bow, before pulling Discovery above and away from the space station for a final departure.

Cameras aboard both spacecraft are returning stunning views of the other.

Ham is reportedly using less propellant than predicted with his deft handling of the shuttle, NASA commentator Rob Navias reports.

Click here for a look the Tuesday farewell between the two crews.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Begins Lap Around Space Station
11 June 2008 8:12 a.m. EDT


HOUSTON —NASA astronaut Ken Ham has begun flying shuttle Discovery on a lap around the station.

The shuttle pilot backed Discovery to a point 400 feet away from the station before beginning the so-called flyaround, and will guide the orbiter to a point 600 feet above the station before flying behind, under and then back in front of the orbiting lab while his crewmates snap photos.

“This is a great tradition that started somewhere back in the early days of rendezvous-type missions with the space shuttle,” Ham told reporters of the flyaround before flight. “And whoever thought of it was brilliant.”

Click here for a look the Tuesday farewell between the two crews.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Discovery Backs Away from Space Station
11 June 2008 8:02 a.m. EDT


HOUSTON — With shuttle pilot Ken Ham at the helm, the shuttle Discovery is backing away from the International Space Station to a point about 400 feet in front of the orbiting lab.

The shuttle more than 243 feet away from the station’s bow and pulling away after its on time 7:42 a.m. EDT (1142 GMT) undocking from the station.

Discovery launched May 31 and docked June 2 to deliver Japan’s massive Kibo laboratory, attach its attic-like storage module and swap out one member of the station’s crew.

Click here for a look the Tuesday farewell between the two crews.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


UNDOCKING! Shuttle Discovery Departs Space Station
11 June 2008 7:42 a.m. EDT


HOUSTON — After nine days of construction work, the seven-astronaut crew of NASA’s shuttle Discovery has undocked from the International Space Station.
“Houston and station from Discovery, physical separation,” shuttle commander Mark Kelly said as the shuttle undocked on time at 7:42 a.m. EDT (1142 GMT).

Shuttle pilot Ken Ham is in control of the shuttle and it and the station fly 213 miles above the southern Pacific Ocean, east of Australia.

Discovery’s crew delivered Japan’s Kibo lab during three spacewalks and swapped out one member of the station’s three-man crew.

“Okay, bye Mark, see you,” station commander Sergei Volkov told Kelly.

“Sayonara,” Kelly said.

Discovery is set to land on Saturday at 11:14 a.m. EDT (1614 GMT).

Click here for a look the Tuesday farewell between the two crews.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Poised to Depart Space Station
11 June 2008 7:32 a.m. EDT


HOUSTON — Just minutes remain before today’s planned undocking of the shuttle Discovery from the International Space Station.

Shuttle pilot Ken Ham is at the helm and will guide the shuttle away from the station at 7:42 a.m. EDT (1142 GMT), backing off to a distance of about 400 feet before beginning a victory lap of sorts around the orbiting lab to allow his crewmates to photograph its exterior.

Click here for a look the farewell between the two crews.

NASA is broadcasting Discovery’s mission live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Tariq Malik


Shuttle Commander: ‘Sayonara, S