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NASA'S Space Shuttle Endeavour Set For Final Trip To Launch Pad

2011-03-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Journalists are invited to cover space shuttle Endeavour's move from the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, to Launch Pad 39A on Wednesday, March 9, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Six astronauts are targeted to launch aboard the shuttle on April 19. The STS-134 mission to the International Space Station is the final scheduled flight for Endeavour before it

Leonardo attached to Space Station

2011-03-03T12:19:00.001-08:00

After a flawless launch last Thursday and a textbook docking on Saturday, the Space Shuttle today delivered the European-built Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module to the International Space Station. Read the whole article here: http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMHGVHSBKG_index_0.html

Permanent Multipurpose Module Successfully Grappled

2011-03-03T12:14:00.001-08:00

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 07:31:55 -0600 At 8:26 a.m. EST, Discovery Mission Specialists Mike Barratt and Nicole Stott inched the 58-foot-long space station robotic arm onto a grapple fixture on the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM). The arm will lift the fully-loaded 28,353 pound PMM from space shuttle Discovery's cargo bay and carry it to the Earth-facing port on the Unity node, where it will be

NASA Assessing New Launch Dates For The Glory Mission

2011-02-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

NASA Assessing New Launch Dates For The Glory Mission Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:00:00 -0600 Preparations for the launch of NASA's Glory mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California have been suspended temporarily. Spaceboosters Online Store

Crew Suits Up for Launch

2011-02-24T12:34:00.001-08:00

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:36:42 -0600 The crew of STS-133 is suiting up for launch. Commanded by Steve Lindsey, the team of six astronauts will head out to Launch Pad 39A after they get on their partial pressure suits. They are the familiar orange-colored ensembles that are also known as "pumpkin suits." Discovery's crew today is made up of all spaceflight veterans. Along with Lindsey are Pilot Eric

Countdown Resumes After Planned Hold

2011-02-24T12:33:00.001-08:00

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:56:57 -0600 It is T-3 hours and counting for space shuttle Discovery. Launch remains on track for 4:50 p.m. EST. There are periodic holds or pauses scheduled during the countdown. The astronauts, led by Commander Steve Lindsey, will head out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida shortly. For continuous coverage of the countdown, check out NASA's launch

Astronauts In Astrovan Heading to Launch Pad

2011-02-24T12:32:00.001-08:00

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:04:56 -0600 The six astronauts of STS-133 are riding in the Astrovan headed to Launch Pad 39A. The countdown is proceeding smoothly this afternoon for a liftoff at 4:50 p.m. EST. Weather forecasters call for a 90 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time. For continuous coverage of the countdown, check out NASA's launch blog at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/

Europe's ATV supply ship docks safely with Space Station

2011-02-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

Eight days after launch, ESA's latest Automated Transfer Vehicle, Johannes Kepler, completed a flawless rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station at 17:08 CET (16:08 GMT) to deliver essential supplies. The approach and docking were achieved autonomously by its own computers, closely monitored by ESA and French space agency (CNES) teams at the ATV Control Centre in Toulouse,

Ready for Launch

2011-02-24T09:58:00.000-08:00

Ready for Launch The space shuttle Discovery is seen shortly after the Rotating Service Structure was rolled back at launch pad 39A, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. Discovery, on its 39th and final flight, will carry the Italian-built Permanent Multipurpose Module, Express Logistics Carrier 4 and Robonaut 2, the first humanoid robot in space,

Countdown Progresses Toward Discovery's Launch

2011-02-22T09:52:00.000-08:00

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:10:08 -0600 Space shuttle Discovery continues to move toward launch Thursday, Feb. 24, as technicians put the finishing touches on the spacecraft and the launch team runs through the countdown checklist. Liftoff is scheduled for 4:50 p.m. EST. The weather forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time. A minor problem came up when a

Technicians Load Discovery's PRSD for Flight

2011-02-22T09:24:00.000-08:00

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:07:10 -0600 Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will be loaded into Discovery's Power Reactant Storage and Distribution system today as the countdown for the STS-133 mission continues. Discovery is to lift off Thursday, Feb. 24, at 4:50 p.m. EST. The system, known by its initials PRSD, holds the chemicals for use in the shuttle's three fuel cells to produce electricity in

Discovery, Weather Look Good for Thursday Launch

2011-02-21T09:03:00.000-08:00

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:49:53 -0600 The launch team at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida continues to set up space shuttle Discovery for its last flight into orbit, scheduled to begin with a liftoff Thursday at 4:50 p.m. EST. "She still has a few more miles before she sleeps," said Jeff Spaulding, NASA test director. Discovery has flown more than any other shuttle, including two

Launch Week Begins at Kennedy for STS-133

2011-02-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:58:15 -0600 Technicians at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A have completed pressurizing the tanks on space shuttle Discovery’s Orbital Maneuvering and Main Propulsion Systems. Crews now are removing quick disconnects used during the process and reinstalling flight caps in preparation for launch on Thursday, Feb. 24. All six astronauts for Discovery's final mission

Still Time to Send Your Name to Mars

2011-02-19T15:16:00.000-08:00

Follow this link and send your name to Mars. This offer has been on for quite a while now. Ideal to inspire individuals, your class or the whole school. Its also free and you can download a certificate of participation . Space Exploration - Get Involved. http://marsparticipate.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/participate/sendyourname/

NASA Announces STS-133 Prelaunch Events and Countdown Details

2011-02-19T03:56:00.000-08:00

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- News conferences, events and operating hours for the news center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., are set for the final scheduled launch of space shuttle Discovery. Lift off is targeted for 4:50 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 24, to begin the STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. A NASA blog will provide countdown updates beginning at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 24.

NASA And Partners Name Upcoming Space Station Crew Members

2011-02-19T03:54:00.000-08:00

HOUSTON -- NASA and its International Space Station partners named crew members for missions aboard the complex that begin in 2013. The crews include NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn of Statesville, N.C., who previously was announced as part of Expedition 34; Chris Cassidy, who was born in Salem, Mass., and considers York, Maine his hometown; Karen Nyberg, a native of Vining, Minn.; Michael

Discovery Launch Set for Feb. 24

2011-02-19T03:45:00.000-08:00

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:08:59 -0600 After a day-long flight readiness review at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, senior NASA and contractor managers voted unanimously to set space shuttle Discovery’s STS-133 launch date for Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST.NASA Television will air a news conference at 6 p.m. to discuss the meeting and preparations for Discovery’s mission to the International Space Station.

ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano assigned to 2013 Space Station mission

2011-02-19T03:43:00.000-08:00

ESA PR 08-2011 - ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano has been assigned to fly on the International Space Station from May to November 2013, serving as a flight engineer for Expeditions 36 and 37. Read the whole press release here: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM5J3PT1KG_index_0.html

Flight Readiness Review Today

2011-02-19T03:42:00.000-08:00

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:34:10 -0600 NASA managers will meet today at Kennedy Space Center for the STS-133 Flight Readiness Review, known as the FRR. Following the day-long session, managers will set space shuttle Discovery's official launch date. A news conference will be held live on NASA TV following the review. The proceedings inside the FRR will be periodically updated on NASA's twitter feed at

Spacewalking Suits Check Out Today

2011-02-15T12:38:00.000-08:00

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 07:31:52 -0600 At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, teams will continue preparations for next week's launch attempt. Technicians will check out the spacewalking suits, called extravehicular mobility units. The suits were installed into Discovery yesterday. Liftoff for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for Feb.

Watch the launch of ATV Johannes Kepler live

2011-02-14T08:49:00.000-08:00

14 February 2011 ESA's second Automated Transfer Vehicle will be launched tomorrow, 15 February, at 22:13:27 GMT (23:13:27 CET) by an Ariane 5 from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou to deliver essential supplies and reboost the International Space Station. http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ATV/SEM7VVLTRJG_0.html

Launch Preps for Shuttle and Crew

2011-02-14T08:08:00.000-08:00

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 07:32:29 -0600 At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, teams have begun preparations for next week's launch attempt. Liftoff for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST. ‪At NASA's Johnson Space Center, STS-133 crew will conduct a final integrated entry simulation today in the motion base

Mars500: Walking on 'Mars'

2011-02-14T08:05:00.000-08:00

Three crewmembers of the virtual flight to Mars have 'landed' on their destination planet and two of them today took their first steps on the simulated martian terrain. The highlight of the Mars500 mission lasted for one hour and 12 minutes, starting at 13:00 Moscow time. Read the whole article here: http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMRCFOT1KG_index_0.html SPACEBOOSTERS Online Store for Space

ESA tracks Ariane and ATV Johannes Kepler

2011-02-14T08:02:00.001-08:00

14 February 2011 Two ESA ground stations in Europe and Australia will provide crucial tracking support for the flight of Ariane 5, set for liftoff on 15 February with ATV-2 .Three more stations plus a central control team will stand by to provide back-up telecommanding during ATV's mission. http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Operations/SEMOWDOT1KG_0.html

NASA Schedules News Conference About Next Space Shuttle Launch

2011-02-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

NASA managers will hold a news conference on Friday, Feb. 18, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to discuss the status of the next space shuttle launch.