Endeavour ready for 27th ISS Flight
Andrew Zaback
Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Space Technology
With Space Shuttle Atlantis safely stored in the Vehicle Assembly Building, NASA is preparing for the next shuttle mission to the International Space Station.
On October 23, Endeavour made a historical "roll around" to launch pad 39A. This is the third time in NASA history that this event has occurred. A "roll around" is when a space shuttle is moved from one launch pad to the other. In this case, Endeavour was moved from Pad 39B to 39A.
Since Pad 39B has already been handed over to Constellation program directors, the complex can only support a limited amount of space shuttle operations. Now that Endeavour will launch as STS-126 to the ISS, it will have a new module in its payload bay. Pad 39B no longer supports the moving of payloads.
Endeavour will bring the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) to the ISS on the 27th flight to the orbiting science lab. This module, however, is different than most other components brought to the station.
The MLPM will be attached to the ISS on mission day 4 and then returned to the shuttle's payload bay on mission day 13. The module will have a variety of components to be installed on pre-existing modules on the space station.
Systems onboard Leonardo will be installed on the American Destiny Lab and Harmony Node. An experiment freezer and combustion science experiment rack will be installed. Among the new science equipment, new amenities will be brought onboard to make the resident astronauts lives easier.
New food systems will be installed in the living area of the space station, including two food warmers, a refrigerator, and other galley components. Another toilet and two water systems will be installed as well. The water recovery systems will work to recycle urine into clean, potable water. Finally, a new exercise system will also be brought to the ISS.
The MLPM is a result of an Italian-American partnership to build storage containers for the ISS. Leonardo is one of three of these modules with the other two being called Rafaello and Donatello. The modules are named in honor of the famous Italian painters and sculptors.
Original plans called for Endeavour to be a rescue ship for Atlantis during STS-125, the Hubble Service Mission 4. Due to failures onboard the space telescope, the mission was delayed until mid-February of 2009.
This mission will mark several milestones in NASA's Space shuttle program. STS-126 will be the 124th shuttle mission since STS-1 and the 22nd flight of OV-105 Endeavour.
This flight will be 11th since the Columbia tragedy and 99th post-Challenger Disaster flight.
Currently, Endeavour is slated to launch November 14th at 7:55 p.m. The shuttle will be docked at the station for its 10th anniversary in orbit, November 20th. Endeavour will land at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 29 at 2:18 p.m.
On October 23, Endeavour made a historical "roll around" to launch pad 39A. This is the third time in NASA history that this event has occurred. A "roll around" is when a space shuttle is moved from one launch pad to the other. In this case, Endeavour was moved from Pad 39B to 39A.
Since Pad 39B has already been handed over to Constellation program directors, the complex can only support a limited amount of space shuttle operations. Now that Endeavour will launch as STS-126 to the ISS, it will have a new module in its payload bay. Pad 39B no longer supports the moving of payloads.
Endeavour will bring the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) to the ISS on the 27th flight to the orbiting science lab. This module, however, is different than most other components brought to the station.
The MLPM will be attached to the ISS on mission day 4 and then returned to the shuttle's payload bay on mission day 13. The module will have a variety of components to be installed on pre-existing modules on the space station.
Systems onboard Leonardo will be installed on the American Destiny Lab and Harmony Node. An experiment freezer and combustion science experiment rack will be installed. Among the new science equipment, new amenities will be brought onboard to make the resident astronauts lives easier.
New food systems will be installed in the living area of the space station, including two food warmers, a refrigerator, and other galley components. Another toilet and two water systems will be installed as well. The water recovery systems will work to recycle urine into clean, potable water. Finally, a new exercise system will also be brought to the ISS.
The MLPM is a result of an Italian-American partnership to build storage containers for the ISS. Leonardo is one of three of these modules with the other two being called Rafaello and Donatello. The modules are named in honor of the famous Italian painters and sculptors.
Original plans called for Endeavour to be a rescue ship for Atlantis during STS-125, the Hubble Service Mission 4. Due to failures onboard the space telescope, the mission was delayed until mid-February of 2009.
This mission will mark several milestones in NASA's Space shuttle program. STS-126 will be the 124th shuttle mission since STS-1 and the 22nd flight of OV-105 Endeavour.
This flight will be 11th since the Columbia tragedy and 99th post-Challenger Disaster flight.
Currently, Endeavour is slated to launch November 14th at 7:55 p.m. The shuttle will be docked at the station for its 10th anniversary in orbit, November 20th. Endeavour will land at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 29 at 2:18 p.m.
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