Shuttle Discovery Launching Today, May 31st!

[Rico]

May 31
The external tank of space shuttle Discovery has been loaded with about 500,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as the countdown toward a 5:02 p.m. EDT liftoff continues smoothly. The hydrogen fuel and its oxidizer that are in the external tank will power Discovery's three main engines during the 8 1/2-minute launch into orbit from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The twin solid rocket boosters are shipped to the space center with propellant already packed inside the cylinder segments.

The weather is looking promising for launch day, according to Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters. Isolated coastal showers may be in the area during the morning hours, but a sea breeze will develop in the afternoon, clearing the coast and causing any showers to move inland. There is an 80 percent chance of favorable weather at launch time.

The Japanese Pressurized Module for the Kibo space laboratory also is prepared for its ride to the International Space Station aboard Discovery during the STS-124 mission.

Seven astronauts, commanded by Mark Kelly, will step into their orange pressure suits shortly before riding to the launch pad to take their places inside the spacecraft. Kelly, Ken Ham, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Karen Nyberg, Gregory Chamitoff and Japan's Akihiko Hoshide will make the trip into space and then install the Kibo segment to the space station. Chamitoff will remain onboard the space station, taking the place of astronaut Garrett Reisman.

More here:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

[Rico]

Picture perfect launch!  Docking on Monday with the I.S.S.

[Rico]

Here's a great shot!  Go baby!!!

[Rico]

Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at 1:54 p.m. EDT.

About an hour before docking, STS-124 Commander Mark Kelly and Pilot Kenneth Ham will guide the shuttle through a Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver, or back-flip, giving the Expedition 17 crew the opportunity to take pictures of the orbiter's protective heat-resistant tiles. These photos will be sent to engineers on Earth for analysis.

The STS-124 and Expedition 17 crews are slated to conduct pressure and leak checks to prepare for the opening of the hatches between the two spacecraft, which is scheduled for about 3:50 p.m. They will then greet each other to begin nine days of joint operations.

Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff is joining the Expedition 17 crew by trading places with Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman. The crew members are also preparing for the first of three STS-124 spacewalks, which Mission Specialists Mike Fossum and Ron Garan are scheduled to begin at 11:32 a.m. Tuesday.

[Rico]

This is a cool picture....

[Rico]

Another very cool picture as an astronaut installs some TV cameras outside the new module they brought up on the Shuttle.  They are due to land tomorrow, June 14th at Kennedy at 11:15 am EDT.

[Rico]

Safe landing yesterday.  Welcome home Discovery!

Space Shuttle Discovery touches down on runway 15 of the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, concluding the 14-day STS-124 mission to the International Space Station. Onboard are NASA astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Karen Nyberg, Garrett Reisman and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists.

The main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. (EDT) on June 14, 2008. The nose landing gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. and wheel stop was at 11:16:19 a.m. During the mission, Discovery's crew installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities.