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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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Cargo freighter makes automated docking to station
BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: June 26, 2006


File image of a Progress freighter in vicinity of the space station. Credit: NASA
 
A supply ship reached the International Space Station today, delivering over 5,000 pounds of fuel, water, spare parts and science gear.

The unpiloted Progress M-57 spacecraft made its automated linkup with the Pirs docking module high above northern Africa at 12:25 p.m. EDT (1625 GMT) -- a few minutes ahead of schedule.

"OK, guys, congratulations. Everything is fine," a Russian flight controller radioed the space station crew of commander Pavel Vinogradov and flight engineer Jeff Williams.

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The Russian-made Progress spacecraft, known in the station's assembly matrix as mission 22P, was launched Saturday atop a Soyuz booster from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The 24-foot long freighter carried out a two-day trek filled with precise engine firings to rendezvous with the station.

This 22nd Progress launched to the International Space Station is loaded with 5,090 pounds of supplies. The "dry" cargo amounts to 2,800 pounds in the form of spare parts, life support gear and experiment hardware for Russian, American and European science studies.

The refueling module carries 1,918 pounds of propellant for transfer into the Russian segment of the station to feed the outpost's maneuvering thrusters.

To replenish the station's oxygen supply, the Progress is bringing 108 pounds of oxygen and air. And the vessel has 264 pounds of water.

The Expedition 13 crewmembers Vinogradov and Williams are nearing the half-way point in their planned six-month mission aboard the station.