Updates ISS UPDATES

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Expedition 16 Awaits Arrival of Discovery, New Crew Member

Image Above: Space shuttle Discovery launches Tuesday morning to start STS-120. Image credit: NASA TV

With the successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery, the stage is set for changes at the International Space Station and for its crew.

Discovery lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.’s Launch Pad 39A at 11:38 a.m. EDT Tuesday to begin a two-day chase of the station. The STS-120 mission will continue the on-orbit construction of the station with the delivery and installation of the Harmony module. Also traveling with STS-120 is a new Expedition 16 crew member, astronaut Daniel Tani, who will replace Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Anderson will make final preparations for STS-120’s arrival. Docking is set for 8:35 a.m. Thursday. Tani and Anderson are scheduled to switch crews later that day.

 

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ISS UPDATE

Discovery Docks; Expedition 16 Set to Welcome Visitors

Image Above: The International Space Station is viewed from Discovery's orbiter docking ring several hundred feet away. Image credit: NASA TV

Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station at 8:40 a.m. EDT today, setting the stage for the on-orbit expansion of the outpost. Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Clay Anderson will welcome the seven-member STS-120 crew aboard the station after the hatches between the vehicles swing open about 10:30 a.m.

+ View docking animation
+ View rendezvous animation
+ View rendezvous pitch maneuver animation
+ View shuttle approaching the space station animation

One of the first major tasks is the station crew rotation. STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani will switch places with Anderson, who will be wrapping up a four-month tour of duty as an Expedition crew member. Tani is scheduled to stay on the station until he returns to Earth with STS-122 later this year.

Discovery also delivered the Harmony module, which will be attached to the station Friday. In addition, the crews will conduct the first of five scheduled spacewalks Friday.

STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page.

 

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ISS UPDATE

Expedition 16 Welcomes STS-120 Crew Aboard Station

Image Above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson (left) welcomes STS-120 crew members aboard the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA TV

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Clay Anderson welcomed the seven-member STS-120 crew aboard the station at 10:39 a.m. EDT. The STS-120 crew arrived at the station when Space Shuttle Discovery docked at 8:40 a.m. Attention now turns to a crew exchange and on-orbit construction work.

+ View docking animation
+ View rendezvous animation
+ View rendezvous pitch maneuver animation
+ View shuttle approaching the space station animation

One of the first major tasks is the station crew rotation. STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani will switch places with Anderson, who will be wrapping up a four-month tour of duty as an Expedition crew member. Tani is scheduled to stay on the station until he returns to Earth with STS-122 later this year.

Discovery also delivered the Harmony module, which will be attached to the station Friday. In addition, the STS-120 crew will conduct the first of five scheduled spacewalks Friday.

STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page.

 

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ISS Daily schedule

Space Station Grows With Addition of Harmony

Image Above: The Harmony module is attached to the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA TV

The International Space Station continued its on-orbit expansion with the addition of the Harmony module. Harmony was attached to the station at 11:38 a.m. EDT during STS-120’s first spacewalk. The addition of the Harmony module sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency during upcoming shuttle missions.

Four more spacewalks will take place during STS-120’s stay at the station. The two crews will also transfer cargo between Space Shuttle Discovery and the station.

STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page.

 

[Chipstone306]

Space Station Grows With Addition of Harmony

Image Above: The Harmony module is attached to the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA TV

The International Space Station continued its on-orbit expansion with the addition of the Harmony module. Harmony was attached to the station at 11:38 a.m. EDT Friday during STS-120’s first spacewalk. The addition of the Harmony module sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency during upcoming shuttle missions.

Four more spacewalks will take place during STS-120’s stay at the station. The two crews will also transfer cargo between Space Shuttle Discovery and the station.

STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to visit the station.

For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page.

 

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Members of the shuttle and station crews gathered in the new Harmonony module shortly after 2 p.m to discuss the mission in interviews with CBS News, FOX News, and WHAM-TV of Rochester, New York. The participants were Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko, and STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy, Pilot George Zamka, and mission specialists Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock and Clay Anderson.

 

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ISS UPDATE

The second spacewalk of the STS-120 mission began at 5:32 a.m. EDT. The spacewalkers are STS-120 Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani. Today’s excursion is scheduled to last 6 hours and 40 minutes.

The STS-120 and Expedition 16 crews entered the Harmony module for the first time at 8:24 a.m. Saturday after STS-120 Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli and Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson opened the hatches. Today’s spacewalk includes outfitting tasks for the new module.

 

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ISS UPDATE

Station, Shuttle Crews Working Together

Image Above: Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson (left), Expedition 16 commander, and Pam Melroy, STS-120 commander, take a moment for a photo in the Unity node of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station. Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew and the visiting STS-120 crew continue joint operations aboard the International Space Station.

Since the seven STS-120 astronauts arrived on Oct. 25, the station has grown in size. The addition of the Harmony module sets the stage for the arrival of new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency during upcoming shuttle missions.

The crews have performed two spacewalks so far, and three more spacewalks are planned during STS-120’s stay at the station.

STS-120’s stay at the station is slated to wrap up when Discovery undocks Nov. 4.

For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page.

 

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ISS UPDATE

The flight control team has just informed the crew that the mission's fourth spacewalk is now targeted for Friday. The spacewalk will be focused on the solar array wing.

The STS-120 and Expedition 16 crews are continuing cargo transfers. They took a break this morning to participate in the traditional joint crew news conference. They fielded questions from reporters in America, Italy and Russia.

Early this morning Mission Specialist and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli and STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy talked to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. The astronauts took questions from the Italian leader while they were inside the Harmony node. The newly delivered Harmony was U.S. funded and Italian built.

 

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ISS UPDATE

Joint Operations Continue, Spacewalk Rescheduled to Saturday

Image Above: Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Dan Tani works on the P6 truss during the second spacewalk of Discovery's mission. Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 and STS-120 crews continue to conduct joint operations aboard the International Space Station. STS-120’s fourth spacewalk has been pushed back again to Saturday allowing extra time for preparation. The International Space Station Program has changed the priority of the spacewalk from inspection of a rotary joint to repair of a solar array.

On Wednesday, the crews took time out to participate in a news conference with reporters from the United States, Italy and Russia. Early Wednesday morning, STS-120 Mission Specialist and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli and STS-120 Commander Pam Melroy talked to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano from inside the Italian built Harmony node.

For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page.

 

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ISS UPDATE

While the ground continued efforts to plan for Saturday’s spacewalk to repair a torn solar array, the space shuttle Discovery and International Space Station crews completed the initial outfitting of the Harmony node. It will remain at its temporary home on the Unity module until later this month when it will be permanently relocated to Destiny. It will serve as the docking port for future science laboratories supplied by the European Space Agency and Japan.

The crews also spent the day putting together tools and making preparations for Saturday’s spacewalk.

For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page.

 

[Chipstone306]

ISS update

Joint Operations End; Discovery to Undock Monday

Image Above: The Expedition 16 and STS-120 crews gather in the International Space Station's Destiny Lab for the farewell ceremony. Image credit: NASA TV

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Daniel Tani concluded joint operations with the STS-120 crew Sunday afternoon. STS-120’s stay at the station began Oct. 25 and featured four spacewalks to continue the on-orbit construction of the station.

The STS-120 crew exited the station before hatches closed at 3:03 p.m. EST Sunday in preparation for undocking. Discovery is slated to undock a little after 5:30 a.m. Monday.

Space Shuttle Discovery carried the Harmony Node 2 module and a new crew member, Daniel Tani, to the station.

The crews installed Harmony Oct. 26 and conducted four spacewalks during STS-120. During the third spacewalk, the crews installed the P6 truss and solar array pair in its permanent location outboard of the port truss. The fourth spacewalk was changed during the mission so that the crews could repair a torn solar array on the P6 truss. Following the successful repair work, the crews were able to fully deploy the solar array.

In other activities, the two crews transferred cargo between Discovery and the station.

For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page.

 

[Chipstone306]

ISS update

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Daniel Tani concluded joint operations with the STS-120 crew Sunday afternoon. STS-120’s stay at the station began Oct. 25 and featured four spacewalks to continue the on-orbit construction of the station.

The STS-120 crew exited the station before hatches closed at 3:03 p.m. EST Sunday in preparation for undocking. Discovery is slated to undock a little after 5:30 a.m. Monday.

Space Shuttle Discovery carried the Harmony Node 2 module and a new crew member, Daniel Tani, to the station.

The crews installed Harmony Oct. 26 and conducted four spacewalks during STS-120. During the third spacewalk, the crews installed the P6 truss and solar array pair in its permanent location outboard of the port truss. The fourth spacewalk was changed during the mission so that the crews could repair a torn solar array on the P6 truss. Following the successful repair work, the crews were able to fully deploy the solar array.

In other activities, the two crews transferred cargo between Discovery and the station.

For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page.

 

[Chipstone306]

ISS UPDATE

Discovery Leaves Newly Configured Station

Image Above: The International Space Station as seen from space shuttle Discovery after undocking. Image credit: NASA TV

Discovery undocked from the International Space Station at 5:32 a.m. today. The shuttle and station crews ended joint operations when the hatches closed at 3:03 p.m. EST Sunday.

STS-120’s stay at the station began Oct. 25 and featured four spacewalks to continue the on-orbit construction of the station. Discovery also carried the Harmony Node 2 module and a new crew member, Daniel Tani, to the station.

The crews installed Harmony Oct. 26 and conducted four spacewalks during STS-120. During the third spacewalk, the crews installed the P6 truss and solar array pair in its permanent location outboard of the port truss. The fourth spacewalk was changed during the mission so that the crews could repair a torn solar array on the P6 truss. Following the successful repair work, the crews were able to fully deploy the solar array.

For the latest news and information on the STS-120 mission, visit the main shuttle page.

 

[Chipstone306]

ISS UPDATE

The International Space Station’s crew enjoyed a day off duty Tuesday before starting a heavy schedule of spacewalks and robotics activities, which kick off with a spacewalk by Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko Friday morning. The goal of the work is the relocation of the Harmony module so the station will be ready to receive the European laboratory module on the next shuttle flight, targeted to launch in early December.

On Monday at 5:32 a.m. EST, space shuttle Discovery undocked from the station. The shuttle and station crews ended joint operations when the hatches closed at 3:03 p.m. Sunday.

STS-120’s stay at the station began Oct. 25 and featured four spacewalks to continue the on-orbit construction of the station. Discovery also carried the Harmony Node 2 module and a new crew member, Daniel Tani, to the station.

The crews installed Harmony Oct. 26 and conducted four spacewalks during STS-120. During the third spacewalk, the crews installed the P6 truss and solar array pair in its permanent location outboard of the port truss. The fourth spacewalk was changed during the mission so that the crews could repair a torn solar array on the P6 truss. Following the successful repair work, the crews were able to fully deploy the solar array.

 

[Chipstone306]

ISS update

A spacewalk to prepare for the relocation of Pressurized Mating Adaptor 2 and the subsequent move of the new Harmony node to its permanent International Space Station home is scheduled to begin about 6 a.m. EST on Friday.

Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko will be in U.S. spacesuits and use the Quest airlock. Whitson, the lead spacewalker, will wear the suit with the red stripes. Cosmonaut Malenchenko's suit will be all white. Newly arrived Flight Engineer Dan Tani will be the spacewalk choreographer.

Image to left: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson works with an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in the Quest Airlock of the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA

Their first task will be to disconnect the Station to Shuttle Power Transfer System cables between the U.S. laboratory Destiny and PMA-2. Next they'll disconnect eight other cables between PMA-2 and the lab.

Subsequently they will demate connectors on the rigid umbilicals on the side of the lab, temporarily stowing them on the lab and elsewhere. That is so they will be accessible once fluid umbilical trays are installed there after the Harmony move. Malenchenko also will install caps on his side of the lab on receptacles left open by the PMA cable demates.

Whitson also will remove a Crew Equipment Translation Aid light on the lab to make way for the trays. She will take the light to the airlock. It will be reinstalled later. Malenchenko will move to the truss and configure the port Squib firing unit.

The next task takes them to the outboard end of the Harmony node, where PMA-2 will be installed. There they will remove the active Common Berthing Mechanism cover. The cover is held on by a strap that goes around the circumference. They'll bundle the cover and secure it with wire ties. It will be put in a Progress cargo carrier for disposal.

While Whitson completes connections for a power and data grapple fixture on the bottom of Harmony that will provide a base for the station's robotic arm, Malenchenko will move back behind the Z-1 truss to reconfigure a power system, removing an electrical jumper. Next Whitson will work at the right side of the "rats' nest," at the base of Z-1 on another reconfiguration.

Then she'll retrieve a box called the base-band signal processor and return it to the airlock. It will be returned to Earth for refurbishment. Malenchenko will remove and replace a failed electrical circuit box called a remote power controller module. They'll transfer tools between two bags and move a bag to the S0 truss for later spacewalks.

PMA-2 is scheduled to be removed from Destiny and placed on Harmony, using the station's robotic arm, on Monday, Nov. 12. Harmony, brought to the station by Discovery, is to be moved from its temporary position on the left side of the Unity node to the front of Destiny, again using Canadarm2, on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

 

[Tex]

Thank you again Chipstone for all your updates over here, they are so great to read all in 1 place. More rep added!

 

[Chipstone306]

ISS UPDATE

Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko began today's spacewalk at 4:54 a.m. EST. The goal of the work is to ready the PMA-2 docking adapter for relocation to the newly installed Harmony Module on Monday. Harmony will be relocated at a later date from the Unity Node to the forward end of the Destiny laboratory.

The International Space Station’s crew enjoyed a day off duty Tuesday before starting a heavy schedule of spacewalks and robotics activities.

 

[Chipstone306]

ISS spacewalk update

Station Spacewalk Underway

Image Above: Station spacewalkers are at the end of the Harmony module preparing to remove a cover from the Common Berthing Mechanism. Image credit: NASA

Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko began today's spacewalk at 4:54 a.m. EST. The goal of the work is to ready the PMA-2 docking adapter for relocation to the newly installed Harmony module on Monday. On Wednesday, Harmony will be relocated from the Unity Node to the forward end of the Destiny laboratory.

The International Space Station’s crew enjoyed a day off duty Tuesday before starting a heavy schedule of spacewalks and robotics activities.

 

[Chipstone306]

iss update

Expedition 16’s First Spacewalk Complete

Image Above: Station spacewalkers are at the end of the Harmony module preparing it for the attachment of a docking adapter. Image credit: NASA

Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko completed their increment’s first spacewalk Friday at 10:49 a.m. EST. Their 6-hour, 55-minute spacewalk began just over an hour early at 3:54 a.m.

The two spent early Friday morning disconnecting and stowing cables, removing a light on one of the station’s transport carts and taking a cover off the Harmony node’s Common Berthing Mechanism, or CBM. On Monday, the Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA-2) will be moved from the Destiny lab and attached to Harmony’s CBM.

The spacewalkers also removed a base-band signal processor that will later be refurbished and a remote power controller module that will be replaced. They then transferred tools in preparation for upcoming spacewalks.

On Wednesday, Harmony with the newly attached PMA-2 will be moved to the forward end of the U.S. Destiny laboratory. Harmony was temporarily attached to the Unity node during space shuttle Discovery’s STS-120 mission.

+ Read more about Friday's spacewalk