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Delta 2 launches MiTEx
MiTEx -- an experimental U.S. military project to test whether the advanced technologies embedded in two miniature satellites and a new upper stage kick motor can operate through the rigors of spaceflight -- is launched from Cape Canaveral aboard a Boeing Delta 2 rocket.

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STS-121: The mission
Tony Ceccacci, the lead shuttle flight director for STS-121, provides a highly informative day-by-day preview of Discovery's mission using animation and other presentations. Then Rick LaBrode, the lead International Space Station flight director during STS-121, explains all of the activities occurring onboard and outside the outpost while Discovery visits.

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Detailing the EVAs
Discovery's STS-121 mission to the International Space Station will feature two scheduled spacewalks and perhaps a third if consumables permit. Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Piers Sellers will test whether the 50-foot inspection boom carried on the shuttle could be used as a work platform for repairing the heatshield and conduct maintenance chores outside the space station. Tomas Gonzalez-Torres, the mission's lead spacewalk officer, details all the three EVAs in this pre-flight news briefing.

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Lockheed Martin Atlas rocket on The History Channel
Posted: June 26, 2006

Update: Airing of this program has been rescheduled for July 11.

A new show on The History Channel's Mega Movers series follows the transport of the powerful and large 191-foot Lockheed Martin Atlas V rocket from production facilities in Denver, Colo., to the launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Fla. The show is scheduled to air July 4 at 10 p.m. EDT (check local listings).


Credit: Adam Mattivi/Lockheed Martin Corporation
 
Mega Movers follows the relocation of the biggest, heaviest and least mobile structures imaginable. Episodes have shown the move of a 500-ton oil rig, giant locomotives and an historic Victorian mansion.

The Mega Movers film crew was given close access to the delivery of Atlas vehicle components for the most recent launch of the Astra 1KR commercial satellite April 20. The show begins with packing of the Atlas booster at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, loading onto a Russian Antonov An-124 transport aircraft at Denver International Airport and unloading at the CCAFS Skid Strip. A second trip is required to transport the Centaur upper stage.

The film crew follows the major processing milestones as the Atlas team prepares the vehicle for launch including stacking operations and rollout to the launch pad. Throughout the program, interviews with Lockheed Martin employees describe the careful planning and extraordinary attention to detail that goes into the handling of complex flight hardware.

The program culminates in the ultimate mega move - a successful Atlas V launch of Astra 1KR on April 20.