Tue, Mar 22, 2005
The astronauts of the
Space Shuttle Discovery got a chance to work with some of the
equipment they will be taking to space. Flight commander Eileen
Collins and her crew were at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., for
the Payload Crew Equipment Interface Test.
The Return to Flight mission of the Space Shuttle (STS-114) is
targeted for launch during a window from May 15 to June 3.
Returning the Shuttle to flight and completing the International
Space Station are the first steps in the Vision for Space
Exploration, a stepping-stone strategy toward new exploration
goals. STS-114 is the first of two test flights following the
Columbia accident. The seven-member Discovery crew will fly to the
Station to evaluate procedures for flight safety, including orbiter
inspection and repair techniques, and will deliver much-needed
supplies.
The astronauts performed tests today to ensure the equipment for
the mission's three spacewalks worked properly, and they inspected
the cargo containers installed in the Italian-built Multi-Purpose
Logistics Module, called Raffaello. They performed fit checks on
the Thermal Protection System (TPS) repair sample box, the Control
Moment Gyro (CMG), and the External Stowage Platform-2 (ESP2).
The sample box contains pieces of the Shuttle's heat-shielding
tile. The samples will enable the crew to test new on-orbit repair
techniques recommended by the Columbia Accident Investigation
Board.
The new gyroscope will replace an inoperable one on the
International Space Station. CMGs provide attitude control for the
Station, keeping it properly positioned in space. The ESP2, similar
to a large toolbox, will carry replacement parts to the Station.
The platform will be deployed, attached to the Station's airlock
and used as a permanent spare parts facility.
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