Sat, Oct 31, 2009
Flight Readiness Review Clears STS-129
NASA's space shuttle Atlantis is
targeted to begin an 11-day flight to the International Space
Station with a November 16th launch from the Kennedy Space Center
in Florida. Liftoff is scheduled for 1428 EST.
Atlantis' launch date was announced Thursday at the conclusion
of a flight readiness review at Kennedy. During the meeting, senior
NASA and contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the
mission and determined the shuttle's equipment, support systems and
procedures are ready.
The Nov. 16 target date depends on the planned November 14th
launch of an Atlas V rocket from nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station. The Atlas has reserved the Eastern Range on November 14th
and 15th. If the Atlas launch is delayed to November 15th, the
shuttle's liftoff will move to no earlier than 1402 on November
17th.
The STS-129 mission will focus on storing spare hardware on the
exterior of the space station. The flight will include three
spacewalks and install two platforms on the station's truss, or
backbone. The platforms will hold spare parts to sustain station
operations after the shuttle fleet is retired.
Commander Charlie Hobaugh and his crew of five astronauts are
scheduled to arrive at Kennedy at approximately 1700 on Thursday,
November 12th, for final launch preparations. Joining Hobaugh on
STS-129 will be Pilot Barry Wilmore and Mission Specialists Leland
Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Bobby Satcher. Nicole
Stott, an astronaut who currently resides on the station, will
return home with the Atlantis crew after living in space for more
than two months. Her return on the shuttle is slated to be the
final time it is used to rotate space station crew members.
STS-129 will be Atlantis' 31st mission and the 31st shuttle
flight dedicated to station assembly and maintenance.
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]