BY JUSTIN RAY
Follow the flight of space shuttle Atlantis to resume orbital construction of the International Space Station with delivery of the next solar array truss.
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SHEDDING FOAM MAY HAVE HIT ATLANTIS PLAY
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ASTRONAUTS EMERGE FROM CREW QUARTERS PLAY
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
The Atlantis astronauts will spend their early morning hours Wednesday using the shuttle's robot arm to examine the ship from top to bottom and stem to stern for any signs of damage or missing hardware that might explain the source of a mysterious object that apparently floated away from the orbiter earlier today.
Read our latest story.
2322 GMT (7:22 p.m. EDT)
The crew of space shuttle Atlantis will inspect their spaceship overnight to determine whether the mystery object seen early Tuesday is a piece of the heat shield.
Engineers do not have enough information from the video of the object downlinked from the shuttle to identify it or characterize its size.
A leading theory is the plastic shim used in the hangar to install tiles on the shuttle's belly but accidently not removed before flight. The item was seen dangling off the vehicle during inspections earlier in the mission.
Shuttle program manager Wayne Hale says thermal sensors throughout the vehicle have not registered any differences in temperatures before and after the object was seen.
The second object seen Tuesday, which the crew spotted out the window, is likely a simple plastic bag that floated out of the payload bay, Hale said.
The game plan calls for the astronauts to be awakened at 9:45 p.m. EDT. They will begin a five-hour survey of the shuttle using cameras on the robot arm beginning at 11:45 p.m. EDT. If those observations are insufficient, the Orbiter Boom Sensor System would be pulled out of the payload bay at 5:45 a.m. for the start of additional inspections. The crew would go to bed at 1:45 p.m.
Landing remains targeted for Thursday, pending the outcome of the inspections.
2300 GMT (7:00 p.m. EDT)
The management team meeting is over. The briefing to announce what officials have decided will begin in a few minutes.
2227 GMT (6:27 p.m. EDT)
Briefing time now no earlier than 7 p.m. EDT.
2200 GMT (6:00 p.m. EDT)
Mission managers continue to meet. A news conference will follow the meeting, now expected no sooner than 6:30 p.m. EDT.
1835 GMT (2:35 p.m. EDT)
The Atlantis astronauts have gone to bed. They are scheduled to be awakened at 9:45 p.m. EDT for the start of flight day 12. Before going to sleep, the crew reactivated the shuttle's robot arm and positioned it above the payload bay to examine the upper surfaces of Atlantis and allow flight controllers to remotely operate the crane's cameras this afternoon and evening.
1745 GMT (1:45 p.m. EDT)
NASA managers today ordered the Atlantis astronauts to stop their landing preparations and to delay re-entry 24 hours to Thursday to give flight controllers additional time to assess the implications of an unusual object spotted earlier today flying below the shuttle.
The object may have shaken off the shuttle earlier today, possibly due to vibrations associated with routine pre-landing tests of the shuttle's hydraulic system and maneuvering jets. The concern is the possibility of damage to the shuttle's heat shield or some other critical component that could cause problems during re-entry.
In what could be a coincidence, engineers monitoring data from sensors mounted behind the ship's carbon composite wing leading edge panels recorded eight "events" over a two-minute period earlier today. It's not yet clear whether the data indicates an actual impact event, vibrations associated with the entry tests or some other phenomenon. While the timing was coincidental, an impact event would not be expected to trigger multiple signatures. But engineers do not yet have an explanation.
Read our latest story.
1605 GMT (12:05 p.m. EDT)
In the news briefing now underway at Johnson Space Center, shuttle program manager Wayne Hale says the object could be a piece of ice, the plastic shim used during tile installation seen hanging off the belly of Atlantis during inspections earlier in the mission or something else. Officials are discussing further observations of Atlantis using the shuttle inspection boom. That would happen tomorrow, since the crew is nearing its bedtime for today.
The object was spotted this morning after the crew completed the pre-landing tests of the ship's thrusters and aerosurfaces. Those tests routinely impart large vibrations into the shuttle, which could have caused something to shake loose and float away, Hale said.
1601 GMT (12:01 p.m. EDT)
Read our initial story on the landing delay.
1544 GMT (11:44 a.m. EDT)
LANDING DELAYED. Atlantis will remain in orbit an extra day while NASA mission managers analyze footage of a mystery object seen floating near the shuttle this morning and determine whether more inspections of the heat shield will be required before re-entry.
A news conference is coming up at 12 noon EDT.
Thursday's first landing opportunity into Kennedy Space Center would be 6:22 a.m. EDT, with a backup option available one orbit later at 7:57 a.m. EDT.
1445 GMT (10:45 a.m. EDT)
Flight controllers have asked the crew of Atlantis to leave the shuttle's television and computer network activated while they investigate a mystery object seen floating alongside the shuttle.
Read our full story.
1420 GMT (10:20 a.m. EDT)
Mission control has instructed the astronauts not to stow the shuttle's Ku-band television antenna or pack away its computer network after an object was seen flying alongside the space shuttle. The object, which appeared against the Earth as a small black object, was seen in television views at around 2:45 a.m. EDT (0645 GMT) soon after a thruster firing. Controllers want to keep the shuttle's television system activated in the hope of seeing the object again and identifying it. Obviously it would be of concern if this object had broken away from the shuttle. We will post more information as it becomes available.
1330 GMT (9:30 a.m. EDT)
An approaching front is expected to bring high winds and possible thunder showers to Florida's Space Coast early Wednesday, threatening NASA's plans to bring the shuttle Atlantis back to Earth after a successful space station construction mission.
Read our full story.
0930 GMT (5:30 a.m. EDT)
The 12 men and women currently off the planet got a chance to chat this morning, thanks to a long-distance conference call connecting the space shuttle Atlantis, the international space station and a Russian Soyuz capsule carrying a space tourist and the station's next crew.
Read our full story.
0635 GMT (2:35 a.m. EDT)
The Atlantis astronauts tested the shuttle's re-entry systems today and began packing up for a Florida landing Wednesday, weather permitting, to close out a successful space station assembly mission.
Read our full story.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2006
1255 GMT (8:55 a.m. EDT)
The Atlantis astronauts carried out a final inspection of the shuttle's heat shield today, using a laser on the end of a long boom to look for signs of damage on the ship's nose cap and wing leading edge panels.
Read our full story.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2006
1720 GMT (1:20 p.m. EDT)
The shuttle Atlantis undocked from the international space station today, beaming down spectacular video of the lab complex and clearing the way for launch of the station's next full-time crew early Monday to kick off the 14th long-duration expedition.
Read our full story.
1420 GMT (10:20 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle is quickly departing the vicinity of the space station. The ship will stationkeep about 70 miles behind the outpost in case a re-rendezvous is needed.
The shuttle crew will be performing another series of heat shield inspections tomorrow, then packing up the cabin and testing flight controls Tuesday. The deorbit burn to begin reentry is scheduled for 4:56 a.m. EDT Wednesday, with a predawn touchdown on Kennedy Space Center's three-mile concrete runway at 5:58 a.m. EDT to conclude STS-115.
1400 GMT (10:00 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is back out in front of the station to complete a full loop around the complex. The shuttle is performing the first of two separation engine firings. Once at a point well above the station, the final burn is scheduled.
1355 GMT (9:55 a.m. EDT)
We have posted some pictures from the flyaround here.
1347 GMT (9:47 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle is beneath the station now, as its cameras look up the complex with a backdrop of black space.
1337 GMT (9:37 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis has reached a point directly behind the station in terms of the direction of travel of the two spacecraft around the Earth, which is known as the -V bar.
1324 GMT (9:24 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis has reaching a point directly above the space station.
The flyaround started with the shuttle in front of the station. It takes Atlantis to a point directly above the complex, then behind it, looping below and back out in front. After climbing above the station for a second time, the final separation engine firing will be performed. This burn will send Atlantis away from the vicinity of the station.
1314 GMT (9:14 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis' lap around the station is underway.
1311 GMT (9:11 a.m. EDT)
As the spacecraft move into an orbital sunrise, Atlantis' flyaround of the station is about to begin.
1309 GMT (9:09 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle is now 400 feet away.
1306 GMT (9:06 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is 350 feet from the station, separating at 0.35 feet per second.
1303 GMT (9:03 a.m. EDT)
Distance between the two spacecraft is now 200 feet.
1257 GMT (8:57 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is now 100 feet from the station, backing away at about 0.3 feet per second. The shuttle is headed to a point about 400 feet away where it will fire thrusters to begin an arc above the station.
1252 GMT (8:52 a.m. EDT)
The on-time undocking occurred in orbital darkness as the station and shuttle flew 220 miles southeast of Australia.
1250 GMT (8:50 a.m. EDT)
UNDOCKING! After six days of combined operations high above Earth, shuttle Atlantis is departing the International Space Station for return to Earth. The shuttle restarted construction of the orbiting complex by delivering the Port 3/Port 4 truss structure and activating two power-generating solar arrays.
The shuttle crew will be getting a great look at the fruits of their work over the next hour-and-a-half. Atlantis is set to make a full lap around the outpost so that the astronauts to thoroughly photograph the new configuration of the station.
1245 GMT (8:45 a.m. EDT)
Five minutes from undocking. The steering jets on Atlantis are inhibited for the period of physical undocking from the station. The separation occurs when large springs push the two craft apart. Once the shuttle is a couple feet away from the station and the docking devices are clear of one another, pilot Chris Ferguson will fire Atlantis' thrusters to continue the movement away.
1230 GMT (8:30 a.m. EDT)
All remains "go" for undocking of Atlantis from the space station at 8:50 a.m. EDT. Pressure and leak checks were successfully performed after hatch closure. And the Orbiter Docking System has been configured to release its grip on the station.
1130 GMT (7:30 a.m. EDT)
With hugs and handshakes, the Atlantis astronauts bid farewell to their space station colleagues today, signed the lab's logbook and closed hatches between the two spacecraft, setting the stage for undocking at 8:50 a.m.
Read our full story.
1028 GMT (6:28 a.m. EDT)
The joint shuttle and station crews have said their farewells. The hatchway between they two spacecraft is being closed right now in advance of today's departure by Atlantis.
1000 GMT (6:00 a.m. EDT)
The Atlantis astronauts are rigging the shuttle for undocking from the international space station this morning.
With shuttle pilot Chris Ferguson at the controls, Atlantis is scheduled to undock from pressurized mating adapter No. 2 on the front of the Destiny laboratory module at 8:50 a.m. Ferguson will guide the shuttle to a point about 400 feet directly in front of the lab complex before beginning a 360-degree fly around for photo documentation.
Read our full story.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2006
1500 GMT (11:00 a.m. EDT)
The successful attachment and deployment of a huge new set of solar arrays on the international space station "bodes well" for a complex set of upcoming shuttle flights to build out the main power truss and ready the craft for attachment of European and Japanese research modules, Atlantis commander Brent Jett said today.
Read our full story.
1200 GMT (8:00 a.m. EDT)
The Atlantis astronauts, the major tasks of their space station assembly mission behind them, took a half-day off Saturday to relax and enjoy the view from 220 miles up. At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-9 spacecraft was rolled to the launch pad and erected for blastoff to ferry the Expedition 14 to the station.
Read our full story.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2006
The Atlantis astronauts successfully unfurled a second solar array today, giving the international space station a new set of wings stretching some 240 feet from tip to tip and completing the primary goal of the 116th shuttle mission.
Read our update story.
1642 GMT (12:42 p.m. EDT)
EVA ENDS. Repressurization of the Quest airlock module began at 12:16 p.m. EDT, marking the official conclusion of this third and final spacewalk during Atlantis' construction mission to the space station. Today's EVA lasted six hours and 42 minutes, bringing the total spacewalking time on STS-115 to 20 hours and 19 minutes.
1637 GMT (12:37 p.m. EDT)
The spacewalkers are back in the airlock. The hatch is closed. Standing by for repressurization.
1620 GMT (12:20 p.m. EDT)
Tanner has completed the infrared camera test. He is headed back to the airlock where Piper has already begun cleaning up in preparation for concluding today's EVA.
1556 GMT (11:56 a.m. EDT)
Piper reports the transponder replacement is complete.
1555 GMT (11:55 a.m. EDT)
Testing an infrared camera is Tanner's next task. He will be taking short movies of Atlantis' starboard wing RCC leading edge panels with the camera.
1538 GMT (11:38 a.m. EDT)
Tanner just completed wrapping a thermal blanket around part of the support holding the Ku-band antenna dish. Piper is now working on replacing the S-band transponder.
1528 GMT (11:28 a.m. EDT)
Piper has removed the S-band signal processor. She is installing the new one now.
1511 GMT (11:11 a.m. EDT)
With the spacewalk running behind the timeline, the crew was just told that the get-ahead task of installing an external instrumentation system antenna that had been added to the EVA is now being deleted.
1500 GMT (11:00 a.m. EDT)
Today's spacewalk has reached five hours in duration. The crew has clamped the old antenna support assembly at Z1 and covered it with some thermal material.
Next up will be Tanner placing a thermal shroud on the station's high-speed Ku-band antenna equipment while Piper changes out the S-band data system's signal processor and transponder on the S1 truss with upgraded units.
1443 GMT (10:43 a.m. EDT)
The spacewalkers are carrying the failed communications unit to the Z1 truss for stowage.
1425 GMT (10:25 a.m. EDT)
The new assembly has been bolted to the Starboard 1 truss. The spacewalkers will mate the connectors next.
1412 GMT (10:12 a.m. EDT)
Piper has disconnected the antenna support assembly from the station's S1 truss. Tanner is holding the new unit for its installation.
1345 GMT (9:45 a.m. EDT)
After some difficulty getting the S-band antenna positioned properly for removal of the faulty assembly, the spacewalkers are working on the swapout now.
1311 GMT (9:11 a.m. EDT)
The truss radiator has been unfurled successfully.
1305 GMT (9:05 a.m. EDT)
Deployment of the heat-dissipating radiator from the station's new Port 4 power truss is now underway.
1246 GMT (8:46 a.m. EDT)
Mission Control has decided to wait for radiator deploy. Controllers don't want to release the radiator during a time when the spacewalkers are standing on foot platforms attached to the station; they want the extension to be during a quiet, non-vibration period.
The spacewalkers have retrieved the spare S-band Antenna Support Assembly stowed on the Z1 truss. They are in the process of hauling it to the S1 truss for replacement of the failed unit.
1236 GMT (8:36 a.m. EDT)
While the spacewalkers are busy with the S-band hardware replacement, flight controllers in Houston are getting ready to send commands that will unfurl the Port 4 truss radiator at about 8:45 a.m.
1215 GMT (8:15 a.m. EDT)
Next up will be removal and replacement of the S-band Antenna Support Assembly (SASA) unit on the station's Starboard 1 truss. The spacewalkers are running only a few minutes behind the timeline.
1200 GMT (8:00 a.m. EDT)
Now passing the two-hour point in today's EVA. The spacewalkers are working together to finish preparing the Port 4 truss' radiator for extension. After relocating foot platforms for use by the next shuttle spacewalkers in December and cleaning up the Port 3 truss, Tanner and Piper will be departing this area of the station for good.
1140 GMT (7:40 a.m. EDT)
Piper has completed initial deploy work at the radiator and Tanner has wrapped up the P6 bolt clip installations. The spacewalk is going very smoothly today.
1108 GMT (7:08 a.m. EDT)
Piper has traveled to the newly installed Port 4 truss to begin releasing the restraints on the radiator, which will be deployed a little later this morning.
1052 GMT (6:52 a.m. EDT)
Tanner is now working to ensure a series of bolts have not backed out on the P6 truss. He has some retainers to install on the bolts. Meanwhile, Piper has stowed the MISSE-5 experiment package back in the airlock module.
1040 GMT (6:40 a.m. EDT)
The suitcase-like Materials for ISS Experiment-5 (MISSE-5) package has been closed by the spacewalkers and removed from atop the P6 truss for return to Earth.
Tanner reported having no luck fixing one of eight hinge locks on the solar wing support structure that did not engage during the STS-97 mission back in 2000.
1020 GMT (6:20 a.m. EDT)
The spacewalkers are heading up the P6 truss of the space station, which is the first solar array truss launched to the outpost in 2000. Tanner will be attempting to fix a balky latch and install eight retainers on some bolts; Piper will be retrieving a materials exposure science experiment package up there.
1001 GMT (6:01 a.m. EDT)
EVA BEGINS. Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper switched their spacesuits to internal battery power at 6:00 a.m. EDT, marking the official start time for today's spacewalk.
This is the 72nd spacewalk devoted to space station assembly and maintenance since construction began in December 1998.
0845 GMT (4:45 a.m. EDT)
Astronauts Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper are gearing up for a final spacewalk today to close out work on a new solar array truss and upgrade the international space station's communications system. An airlock circuit breaker tripped early today, but engineers did not see any signs of a short and the device was reset without incident.
The spacewalk is now expected to begin around 6 a.m. EDT.
Read our preview story.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2006
1338 GMT (9:38 a.m. EDT)
The Atlantis astronauts successfully unfurled a second solar array today, giving the international space station a new set of wings stretching some 240 feet from tip to tip and completing the primary goal of the 116th shuttle mission.
Read our update story.
1244 GMT (8:44 a.m. EDT)
Deployment of the International Space Station's new set of power-generating solar wings has been successfully completed! Extension of the starboard array completed at 8:44 a.m.
1238 GMT (8:38 a.m. EDT)
The starboard array is crunching toward full extension. Deploy restarted at 8:38 a.m.
1209 GMT (8:09 a.m. EDT)
Commander Brent Jett reports a good deploy to 49 percent. The crew will pause for 30 minutes to let the wing warm up before extending the rest of the array.
1203 GMT (8:03 a.m. EDT)
Now the starboard solar wing of the space station's new power truss is beginning to extend outward to the 49 percent mark. The station is flying over the Pacific, west of Peru.
1135 GMT (7:35 a.m. EDT)
With the international space station in free drift, the Atlantis astronauts unfurled the first of two new solar array wings today, beaming back spectacular video showing the gold-colored blankets extending like venetian blinds against the black backdrop of space.
"The international space station beginning to spread its wings," said NASA commentator Kyle Herring in mission control.
Read our full story.
1127 GMT (7:27 a.m. EDT)
Flight controllers are projecting a deploy start time of no sooner than 7:57 a.m. -- the point of orbital sunrise -- for the second array.
1111 GMT (7:11 a.m. EDT)
The crew reports a successful extension of the first array.
1109 GMT (7:09 a.m. EDT)
Mission Control says the port-side array achieved full deploy at 7:08 a.m.
1103 GMT (7:03 a.m. EDT)
Unfurling of the port array is underway again, headed for full extension.
1033 GMT (6:33 a.m. EDT)
The array has reached the 49 percent mark. The crew will wait a half-hour to let the panels warm up before proceeding to a full 100 percent.
1027 GMT (6:27 a.m. EDT)
Extension of the first wing is resuming. The array will be deployed to the 49 percent.
0946 GMT (5:46 a.m. EDT)
The other solar wing has just deployed out its first section. The shuttle/station complex will be maneuvering into a new orientation before the deploy sequence continues.
0910 GMT (5:10 a.m. EDT)
Running behind schedule because of software problems, flight controllers early today began a slow, careful process to unfurl a new set of solar arrays aboard the international space station. The plan called for first deploying the huge panels just a few feet to let them warm up and decompress after years in storage. Later today, the Atlantis astronauts will send commands to fully extend the new arrays.
Read our full story.
0900 GMT (5:00 a.m. EDT)
The first section of solar blanket on one of two solar arrays delivered to the space station by shuttle Atlantis just unfurled. This is the start of array deployment that will continue throughout the morning.
0236 GMT (10:36 p.m. EDT Wed.)
Flight controllers troubleshooting the problem with the solar array rotary joint have determined a software commanding issue prevented the drive assembly to engage properly. They resolved the problem tonight and have gotten the drive lock to engage. The rotary joint checkout is resuming.
Exactly when deployment of the solar arrays will commence has not yet been announced.
2355 GMT (7:55 p.m. EDT)
Engineers held up initial deployment of a new set of solar arrays aboard the international space station this evening after a possible gear train alignment problem was noticed inside a rotary joint that passed initial checkout earlier today.
Read our story.
2320 GMT (7:20 p.m. EDT)
Initial deployment of the solar arrays, originally targeted for 7 p.m. EDT, has been delayed while flight controllers examine a possible problem with the drive assembly on the truss' rotation joint. That joint is what will allow the truss to turn and track the Sun. A NASA spokeswoman says the problem could be anything from a sensor glitch to a misalignment in the drive system.
1930 GMT (3:30 p.m. EDT)
A 2,500-pound rotary joint seeing its first use aboard the international space station, successfully rotated a new set of still-stowed solar arrays today in a key test before array deployment early Thursday.
Read our story.
1747 GMT (1:47 p.m. EDT)
The Solar Alpha Rotary Joint is in motion. Controllers are checking out this new system, which will be used to keep the solar arrays aimed at the sun as the outpost circles the globe.
1616 GMT (12:16 p.m. EDT)
EVA ENDS. Repressurization of the Quest airlock module began at 12:16 p.m. EDT, marking the official conclusion of this second of three spacewalks during Atlantis' construction mission to the space station. Today's EVA lasted seven hours and 11 minutes, bringing the total spacewalking time on STS-115 to 13 hours and 37 minutes.
1553 GMT (11:53 a.m. EDT)
Both astronauts are climbing back into the airlock. Standing by for hatch closure and repressurization.
1518 GMT (11:18 a.m. EDT)
The spacewalkers are gathering up their tools and bags to begin making their way back to the airlock for the conclusion of today's EVA.
1505 GMT (11:05 a.m. EDT)
Astronauts Dan Burbank and Steve MacLean, using their combined muscle power, a big wrench and lots of grunts and groans, finally freed an overly tight bolt today that threatened to prevent a massive rotating joint from operating properly.
The bolt secured one of six large launch restraints on the 2,500-pound solar alpha rotary joint at the heart of the new port 3 truss that was attached to the space station Tuesday. The SARJ was launched with 16 launch locks on the main gear assembly and larger launch restraints, all of which had to be removed to permit rotation of the new solar array making up the outboard P4 truss.
Read our update story.
1457 GMT (10:57 a.m. EDT)
The spacewalkers have stowed the keel pin. They are relocating some other small items and spacewalk foot platforms to clear the station railcar tracks on the face of the newly installed truss.
1439 GMT (10:39 a.m. EDT)
The keel pin is being unbolted as the spacewalkers prepare to remove the structure. They will be stowing it inside the new truss. It has to be relocated because its current position blocks the station's railcar tracks along the truss backbone of the complex.
This task had been scheduled for the third spacewalk. But time is available today to get ahead.
1401 GMT (10:01 a.m. EDT)
The next activity will be removing and stowing the triangular keel pin that supported the truss in Atlantis' payload bay.
1356 GMT (9:56 a.m. EDT)
The final launch restraint on the rotary joint has been removed.
1348 GMT (9:48 a.m. EDT)
Burbank and MacLean have managed to free that stubborn launch restraint. They have one more restraint left to remove today.
1330 GMT (9:30 a.m. EDT)
The spacewalkers are now working together to try free a tough bolt on one of the launch restraints.
1318 GMT (9:18 a.m. EDT)
Three of the six launch restraints have been removed by the spacewalkers so far. They completed the lock removals earlier.
1305 GMT (9:05 a.m. EDT)
Four hours and counting for spacewalkers Dan Burbank and Steve MacLean. This is the first career EVA for both.
Both are working to release the truss launch restraints. MacLean had to get a new socket after his first one broke.
The restraints hold together the inner and outer rotary joint bulkheads. Others are holding the forward face nadir and zenith joint stub rails to the inboard bulkhead and on aft truss beams.
1220 GMT (8:20 a.m. EDT)
Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean ran into the same problem today that spacewalker Joe Tanner encountered Tuesday: a lost bolt from a thermal cover on a newly installed solar array truss. Unlike Tanner, MacLean never saw the spring-loaded bolt separate from its retaining clip and float away. One minute it was there, the next it was gone.
"OK, on cover eight, a bolt is missing," MacLean radioed. "Bolt alpha. I did not see it go."
"OK, Steve, I copy that, bolt 1 alpha is missing," Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper replied from inside the shuttle-station complex.
Read our update story.
1145 GMT (7:45 a.m. EDT)
Once all of the launch locks are unbolted, the spacewalkers will move on to remove several additional restraints on the rotary joint structure. All of this work is leading toward activation of the system and first rotation of the truss later today.
1111 GMT (7:11 a.m. EDT)
Spacewalker Steve MacLean is reporting he has lost a bolt.
1105 GMT (7:05 a.m. EDT)
Passing the two-hour mark. The spacewalk continues smoothly and without any significant problems. The astronauts are completing the tenth launch lock removal of the day.
1025 GMT (6:25 a.m. EDT)
So far, the spacewalkers have each completed two of their seven launch lock removals.
1005 GMT (6:05 a.m. EDT)
One hour into the spacewalk. Burbank and MacLean remain busy releasing the launch locks holding the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint.
0945 GMT (5:45 a.m. EDT)
The spacewalkers have traveled down the length of the port-side trusses of the space station backbone to reach their worksites. The bulk of this EVA will be spent removing covers and launch locks on the solar array truss rotation joint.
0915 GMT (5:15 a.m. EDT)
Astronauts Dan Burbank and Canadian Steve MacLean, floating in the space station's Quest airlock module, switched their spacesuits to internal battery power at 5:05 a.m. today to kick off a planned six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk. The goal of the outing is to complete work on a massive rotary joint that will slowly turn a new set of solar arrays to keep them face on to the sun.
This is the 71st spacewalk devoted to space station assembly and maintenance since construction began in 1998 and the second of three planned by the Atlantis astronauts. Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper completed the initial setup of a new solar array truss Tuesday and will carry out a final spacewalk Friday, the day after the new arrays are unfurled.
Read our preview story.
0908 GMT (5:08 a.m. EDT)
EVA BEGINS. Dan Burbank and Steve MacLean switched their spacesuits to internal battery power at 5:05 a.m. EDT, marking the official start time for today's spacewalk.
0904 GMT (5:04 a.m. EDT)
The Quest airlock module has been depressurized and the outer hatch just opened in preparation for the start of today's spacewalk by Atlantis astronauts Dan Burbank and Steve MacLean.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2006
NASA's Mission Management Team today gave the shuttle Atlantis' heat shield a clean bill of health, formally clearing the ship and its crew for a normal re-entry Sept. 20 if no other problems develop.
Read our full story.
1630 GMT (12:30 p.m. EDT)
Astronauts Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper sucessfully wired in a new solar array truss segment today, removed launch restraints and deployed stowed appendages during a nearly flawless six-hour 26-minute spacewalk, the first of three complex excursions planned for the shuttle Atlantis' space station assembly mission.
The only problem of any significance came late in the spacewalk when Tanner, removing one of 16 launch locks around a massive rotating joint, lost a bolt, spring and washer.
Read our full story.
1544 GMT (11:44 a.m. EDT)
EVA ENDS. Repressurization of the Quest airlock module began at 11:43 a.m. EDT, marking the official conclusion of this first spacewalk during Atlantis' construction mission to the space station. Today's EVA lasted six hours and 26 minutes.
1537 GMT (11:37 a.m. EDT)
Tanner, having climbed into the airlock, is closing the hatch now.
1525 GMT (11:25 a.m. EDT)
Piper is first to enter the airlock.
1457 GMT (10:57 a.m. EDT)
The get-ahead work is essentially complete now. The spacewalkers are starting the cleanup chores to bring this EVA to a close.
1440 GMT (10:40 a.m. EDT)
The spacewalkers have removed the launch locks and covers to get a jump start on tomorrow's EVA tasks. Tanner is now deploying brace beams on the P3 inboard side of the rotary joint. Piper has been removing some shroud covers on truss equipment.
1418 GMT (10:18 a.m. EDT)
Tanner has lost a bolt, washer and spring from part of the launch lock (the cover) he was removing from the rotary joint.
1400 GMT (10:00 a.m. EDT)
Each spacewalker will be removing some covers and two launch locks on the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint to prepare the device for rotation. These was a task planned for tomorrow's EVA, but there is time to get started today.
1349 GMT (9:49 a.m. EDT)
Since the spacewalkers are so far ahead of schedule, they've been asked to do some of the tasks originally planned for tomorrow's EVA.
1345 GMT (9:45 a.m. EDT)
The spaewalkers are relocating some foot restraint work platforms.
1317 GMT (9:17 a.m. EDT)
Noow passing the four hour mark in today's spacewalk -- the first of three EVA planned for Atlantis' mission. Piper and Tanner are working to place thermal covers on the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint's drive lock assemblies.
1307 GMT (9:07 a.m. EDT)
Mission Control just radioed the spacewalkers that power has been configured to the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, the device that allows the P4 solar array truss to rotate and track the Sun. Piper has completed engaging the second drive lock assembly.
The EVA is running about an hour ahead of the timeline. Controllers are looking at what get-ahead tasks Tanner and Piper could accomplish to take advantage of the extra time now available in the spacewalk.
1240 GMT (8:40 a.m. EDT)
Piper is preparing to deploy the second of the two drive lock assemblies that control the alpha rotary joint. Tanner has traveled to the Z1 truss atop the Unity module to remove a circuit interrupt device -- circuit breakers in the station's electrical system -- as a get-ahead task for the next assembly mission. He'll also remove another circuit interrupt device on the S0 truss.
1223 GMT (8:23 a.m. EDT)
Tanner has just completed connecting the station power and video cables on the upper side of the new truss. Piper is finishing up with the deploy and rigidizing of the four Alpha Joint Interface Structure struts on the rotary joint.
1215 GMT (8:15 a.m. EDT)
Floating at the far end of a newly attached truss, astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper rotated solar array blanket boxes into position today, appearing in spectacular video against the backdrop of the Brazilian rain forest and the Amazon River 220 miles below.
Read our update story the spacewalk's progress.
1158 GMT (7:58 a.m. EDT)
After completing his initial work with the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, Tanner is moving to the interface between the Port 1 and Port 3 trusses to mate the second series of cables from the station to the new truss. He connected six cables on the lower side of the truss earlier in the EVA; this current job involves seven cables on the upper side.
1140 GMT (7:40 a.m. EDT)
Tanner is working to deploy one of the two drive lock assemblies that control the alpha rotary joint on the interface between the P3 and P4 truss segments. And Piper will be engaging "stiffeners" needed to provide additional structural support.
1123 GMT (7:23 a.m. EDT)
Piper is now unfolding the two solar array blanket boxes on the forward wing assembly.
1112 GMT (7:12 a.m. EDT)
The spacewalkers are making swift progress in today's EVA timeline. The aft wing assembly is extended and the two boxes containing the solar arrays have been rotated into the deploy position. The arrays will be unfurled on Thursday.
The forward wing assembly is being pushed out of its launch position by Piper right now. Once that is completed, she will rotate out those array boxes too.
Meanwhile, Tanner has moved on to the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint to begin preparing it for activation.
1034 GMT (6:34 a.m. EDT)
The structure containing the aft solar array wing -- called the Beta Gimbal Assembly -- is being pushed out of its launch position by spacewalker Joe Tanner now. Meanwhile, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper is finishing up releasing the restraints holding the forward wing in the stowed position.
1025 GMT (6:25 a.m. EDT)
In a pre-flight interview, Joe Tanner explains the early activities of this spacewalk:
"Heide starts to work using her foot restraint and a torque multiplier tool and pistol grip tool, releasing the solar array blanket box restraints. While she's doing that I'm connecting one of the two sets of cables that connect the P3 to P1 for transfer of secondary power, for activation, and for commands to the computers that are on P4. When I finish that I sort of join Heide -- we're pretty much separated during that whole phase -- on P4; we're working independently at this point but in the same geographical area. While I deploy the aft solar array wing she is still preparing the forward for deploy. She's already finished on the aft so I can actually swing the blanket boxes out, and then she will do the same thing on the forward."
1008 GMT (6:08 a.m. EDT)
Tanner reports his first task has been completed -- hooking up six power and data cables between the station and the new truss.
1005 GMT (6:05 a.m. EDT)
Tanner is busy making a series of umbilical cable connections between the station's existing Port 1 truss launched in November 2002 and the Port 3 truss section installed this morning. Meanwhile, Piper is out on the end of the new truss section releasing the solar array blanket box launch locks.
0955 GMT (5:55 a.m. EDT)
Astronauts Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper are outside the space station today to prepare the new solar array truss installed earlier this morning for activation.
Read our update story.
0940 GMT (5:40 a.m. EDT)
The spacewalkers are en route to their respective worksites for the first tasks of this spacewalk. Tanner will begin cable routing while Piper removes launch restraints on the solar array blanket containers.
0918 GMT (5:18 a.m. EDT)
EVA BEGINS. Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper switched their spacesuits to internal battery power at 5:17 a.m. EDT, marking the official start time for today's spacewalk.
This is the 70th spacewalk devoted to space station assembly and maintenance since construction began in December 1998. Going into today's excursion, 43 NASA astronauts, 13 Russians and four astronauts representing Japan, Canada, France and Germany had logged 418 hours and 17 minutes of spacewalk time building and maintaining the international outpost.
Tanner, veteran of a Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission, logged 33 hours and 21 minutes of EVA time in five previous spacewalks. Piper, a former Navy diver, is flying for the first time.
0915 GMT (5:15 a.m. EDT)
The airlock's hatchway to space has been opened.
0905 GMT (5:05 a.m. EDT)
The fourth bolt has driven on the truss mating system. Meanwhile, the station's robot arm has ungrappled the truss and backed away.
0852 GMT (4:52 a.m. EDT)
The airlock depress is underway.
0846 GMT (4:46 a.m. EDT)
Mission Control has given a "go" for airlock depressurization in advance of today's spacewalk. The EVA is anticipated to begin within an hour.
0835 GMT (4:35 a.m. EDT)
At 4:35 a.m. EDT, the third of four electrically driven bolts was tightened to connect the Port 3/Port 4 truss to the space station. That completes the minimum required mating of the truss and gives the OK for the crew to press forward with today's planned spacewalk. Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper are suited up in the airlock and set to begin the EVA.
The station has now grown from 432,000 pounds in mass to 467,000 pounds. This is the first large expansion of the complex since November 2002, just before the Columbia accident suspended station construction.
0727 GMT (3:27 a.m. EDT)
The 35,000-pound solar array truss, being maneuvered by the station's robotic arm, just triggered the ready-to-latch indicators during this morning's installation. Four bolts will be driven to physically connect the truss to the station over the next 90 minutes.
0645 GMT (2:45 a.m. EDT)
The Atlantis astronauts are gearing up to install a $372 million set of solar arrays on the international space station today, setting the stage for a complex spacewalk to make critical electrical connections.
Read our full story
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2006
High-resolution photographs of the shuttle Atlantis' underbelly shot today during final approach to the international space station show the orbiter's heat shield tiles are in good shape with no obvious signs of damage.
Agency engineers decided late today that additional heat shield inspections, a move that would have triggered a one-day mission extension, were not required.
Read our full story
2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT)
A gallery of images from this morning's unberthing of the solar array truss from the shuttle's payload bay is available here.
1930 GMT (3:30 p.m. EDT)
Atlantis astronauts Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper are "camping out" in the space station's Quest airlock module to prepare for their spacewalk tomorrow. This is a new procedure that will help spacewalkers get ready for excursions outside the station.
Tanner explains the campout in this pre-launch interview:
"Before any EVA, because we go from a pressure of in the station 14.7 psi, which is the same atmospheric pressure at sea level here, we need to scrub as much of the nitrogen out of our bloods as we can before we go down to a suit pressure of about 4.3 psi, 100 percent oxygen. There are a number of ways to do that. We have done it by breathing 100 percent oxygen for four hours in the suit; that takes a lot of time. We also have a protocol referred to as the exercise protocol that accelerates this denitrogenation process by use of exercise, and that is a bit cumbersome on the crew and the ground to monitor the protocol. And you were exercising a little bit before you go out and do more exercise, so we wanted to try a protocol that has been around for quite a while but never really used referred to as campout.
"It's a modification of the type of protocol we've used on the shuttle for years, where we depress the shuttle down to 10.2 psi from 14.7 and leave the crew at that pressure for up to days. In the one case of the Hubble missions, they stayed at 10.2 the whole mission until landing. That reduced pressure helps purge some of the nitrogen without any extra effort other than just your normal breathing and sleeping activities.
"So we are going to try this new protocol, and for each EVA the EVA crew will camp out, if you will, in the station airlock and depress the airlock only -- you cannot depress the entire station to 10.2; it's not certified to go to that pressure -- but you can depress the airlock down to that pressure, and the crew sleeps overnight. As long as you're in the airlock at 10.2 for eight hours and 40 minutes, I believe the number is, then you have met the requirement to, to be at that lower pressure long enough to purge nitrogen.
"Now, that's the upside. The downside is that you probably have to go to the bathroom in the morning, and so we will do what we refer to as a hygiene break. For that break you must put on an oxygen mask. We repressurize the station airlock so that we can open the hatch, and then while wearing this oxygen mask, you go to the bathroom and come back in and the total amount on the mask is 70 minutes, I believe.
"Once you get back in the airlock, depress it again down to, to 10.2, and if you've achieved your 70 minutes on the mask. Then you can take the mask off and do a normal suit-up, just like you would if it was a, a shuttle 10.2 protocol. We do this primarily to save time in the day. We think we can get out the door and start the EVA at least an hour sooner than we could on the exercise protocol, a couple of hours sooner than the four-hour-in-suit protocol.
"EVA day is a hugely long day: it's like getting up at six in the morning and, and doing all the activities that you need to do to get ready to go to work, but you don't go to work until noon, and then, you work, work until about seven in the evening, and then have another couple of hours of activities to, to finish up from what you did at work before you can relax and go to bed, so that's a very long day. We are trying to shorten the morning time a little bit, get out to work sooner, and give ourselves a little bit more leeway on the back side of that day for things that might go wrong or other activities that we want to try to get done early."
1620 GMT (12:20 p.m. EDT)
With only four inches or so of clearance, astronauts Dan Burbank and Chris Ferguson, operating the shuttle Atlantis' 50-foot-long robot arm, carefully lifted a 35,000-pound solar array truss from the orbiter's cargo bay today, maneuvered it safely past the ship's heat shield inspection boom and out over the shuttle's left wing.
Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean, operating the space station's more massive Canadarm 2 from inside the Destiny laboratory module, then grappled the massive payload in a high-flying handoff, setting the stage for attachment to the station's unfinished solar array truss Tuesday.
"There you have it, the great Canadian handshake," MacLean called. Both robot arms were built in Canada and both were critical to today's operation.
Read our full story.
1503 GMT (11:03 a.m. EDT)
The handoff has been accomplished. Atlantis' 50-foot robot arm has released its grip on the truss, leaving the $372 million structure in the hand of the station's arm for installation tomorrow. The truss will remain secured on the station arm overnight.
1455 GMT (10:55 a.m. EDT)
Steve MacLean, from the robotics work station inside the Destiny lab module, just radioed to Atlantis' flight deck that Dan Burbank can release the shuttle arm from the truss and back the crane away.
1452 GMT (10:52 a.m. EDT)
Station's Canadarm2 has grappled the Port 3/Port 4 truss.
1448 GMT (10:48 a.m. EDT)
The space station's arm, operated by Expedition astronaut Jeff Williams and Atlantis astronaut Steve MacLean, is moving forward to capture the truss's second grapple fixture. Once the station arm has a firm lock on the truss, the shuttle's arm can let go.
1435 GMT (10:35 a.m. EDT)
The truss, riding on the end of Atlantis' robot arm, has arrived in the handoff location for the station's arm to grab it.
1415 GMT (10:15 a.m. EDT)
The truss is up and out of the payload bay now. The arm will be maneuvering the structure over the shuttle wing and then upward to the station's arm.
In a pre-flight interview, Atlantis pilot Chris Ferguson talked about this busy day:
"Traditionally space shuttle crews have kind of taken the day off after docking. It's typically a very long and very busy day. They might do some general transfer operations after docking but they would kind of pause and take the night off and begin the heavy construction the next day. I think what we've elected to do, and the Space Shuttle Program has agreed, is to get right into the, into the payload operations shortly after docking.
"So about two hours after we're together, hard-mated and the hatches are open, Dan (Burbank) and I are going to extract the payload from the payload bay. Once again, this payload is, is huge: it occupies the entire payload bay and weighs about 36,000 pounds, so it's no small operation. There are some areas where the clearances get rather tight. So it's going to be a rather focused evolution to squeeze it between these areas that we need to squeeze it between, but once we're outside of the payload bay with it, it's a fairly easy translation over to just above the left wing. And there, the space shuttle, space station's robotic arm will grapple it, and we will ungrapple -- we'll essentially give it to them -- and there the truss will spend the night in preparation for the installation that will occur the following morning."
1348 GMT (9:48 a.m. EDT)
Astronaut Dan Burbank is operating the robot arm to slowly and gently lift the truss from the payload bay.
1235 GMT (8:35 a.m. EDT)
WELCOME ABOARD! Expedition 13 crewmembers Pavel Vinogradov, Jeff Williams and Thomas Reiter are welcoming the Atlantis astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The hatchway was officially opened about five minutes ago.
1230 GMT (8:30 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis' arm has a grasp on the Port 3/Port 4 solar array truss structure. Latches holding the truss in the payload bay will be released, allowing the arm to raise the 35,000-pound station piece out of the shuttle for handoff to the station's robotic arm.
1222 GMT (8:22 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle's 50-foot robot arm is in en route to pick up the solar array truss for unberthing from the payload bay this morning.
1215 GMT (8:15 a.m. EDT)
Hatch opening and the welcome ceremony are coming up shortly. Meanwhile, members of the shuttle crew are preparing to power up Atlantis' robot arm for grappling the truss in the payload bay.
1130 GMT (7:30 a.m. EDT)
Commander Brent Jett guided the shuttle Atlantis to a gentle docking with the international space station today after a spectacular end-over-end flip across Africa, Italy and the Balkans to let the lab crew photograph the spaceplane's heat shield.
While the rotational pitch maneuver is a now-standard part of every post-Columbia flight, the lighting today was ideal and video beamed down from the space station provided crystal clear views of the orbiter as it slowly pirouetted some 600 feet below against the backdrop of northern Africa and the Mediterranean Sea.
Read our full story.
1125 GMT (7:25 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle crew reports a successful leak check has been performed on the docking interface between Atlantis and station. Everything continues to go very well this morning.
1105 GMT (7:05 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is taking over attitude control of the combined shuttle-station complex.
1100 GMT (7:00 a.m. EDT)
The docking ring between the two craft has been retracted into Atlantis' Orbiter Docking System, pulling the station to a tight mating. Now, the hooks and latches will drive shut to firmly connect the two spacecraft.
Pressure and leak checks will be performed by the crews before the hatchway is opened.
1050 GMT (6:50 a.m. EDT)
Docking occurred 220 miles above the Pacific west of Chile as the spacecraft moved into an orbital sunrise.
1048 GMT (6:48 a.m. EDT)
CONTACT AND CAPTURE! Atlantis has arrived at the International Space Station, docking with the outpost to resume orbital construction by installing a 35,000-pound solar array truss that will double the station's electrical power.
The relative motions of the shuttle and station will be allowed to damp out over the next few minutes by the spring-loaded docking system. Later, the hooks and latches will be closed to firmly join the two craft and Atlantis' Orbiter Docking System docking ring will be retracted to form a tight seal.
The opening of hatches between the station and shuttle is expected in about two hours. That will be followed by a welcoming ceremony and safety briefing. Then the joint crews will get down to business and use the shuttle robot arm to hoist the truss out of Atlantis' payload bay for handoff to the station's arm.
1046 GMT (6:46 a.m. EDT)
Ten feet separating the shuttle from the station. Atlantis' thrusters are programmed to fire in a post-contact maneuver to force the two docking ports together. That procedure is now armed and ready.
1043 GMT (6:43 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is 25 feet from docking.
1042 GMT (6:42 a.m. EDT)
The alignment between docking ports on Atlantis and the space station is acceptable and no "fly out" maneuver by the shuttle is necessary.
1039 GMT (6:39 a.m. EDT)
Now 50 feet to go. Meanwhile, station flight engineer Jeff Williams has begun downlinking the pictures of Atlantis' heat shield taken a little while ago. Some of those images should be released by NASA later today.
1035 GMT (6:35 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is at 75 feet and continuing to slowly close.
1031 GMT (6:31 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle is approaching to the station's front docking port along the velocity vector. Distance is less than 100 feet.
1024 GMT (6:24 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle has closed within 150 feet of the space station.
1019 GMT (6:19 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis now 207 feet out, closing at a tenth of a foot per second.
1015 GMT (6:15 a.m. EDT)
The spacecraft are moving into orbital sunset above Indonesia now.
1014 GMT (6:14 a.m. EDT)
Now 250 feet from docking.
1009 GMT (6:09 a.m. EDT)
Flight director Paul Dye has given the "go" for docking.
1008 GMT (6:08 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle crew is powering up the orbiter's docking mechanism in the payload bay.
1005 GMT (6:05 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis has reached the point directly in front of the station along the imaginary line called the velocity vector, or +V bar. The shuttle is 380 feet from the station.
1003 GMT (6:03 a.m. EDT)
Space station flight director John McCullough has passed his "go" for docking to the shuttle flight controllers.
0958 GMT (5:58 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle is about halfway through its trek from below the station to a point directly in front of the orbiting complex.
0951 GMT (5:51 a.m. EDT)
The spacecraft are flying over western Russia now.
0950 GMT (5:50 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is beginning the arc from the point beneath the station to a point roughly 400 feet in front of the complex to align with the docking port on the Destiny module.
0946 GMT (5:46 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is back in the orientation where it started, with the payload bay looking up at the station. The pitch maneuver has been completed, as the shuttle crosses the coastline of Italy. Docking is 60 minutes away.
0945 GMT (5:45 a.m. EDT)
The RPM flip is nearing completion as Atlantis soars above the Mediterranean.
0944 GMT (5:44 a.m. EDT)
The main engine nozzles of Atlantis are facing the station now as the shuttle points its tail upward.
0942 GMT (5:42 a.m. EDT)
This 360-degree, nose-first pirouette by Atlantis has rotated the belly of the shuttle into view of the space station for the ISS crew to snap detailed pictures of the orbiter's black tiles in the search for any launch impact damage.
0941 GMT (5:41 a.m. EDT)
The two craft are flying 220 miles above northeastern Africa.
0939 GMT (5:39 a.m. EDT)
The rendezvous pitch maneuver has begun.
0935 GMT (5:35 a.m. EDT)
The Atlantis crew says the rendezvous pitch maneuver -- the 360-degree flip -- will begin in about five minutes.
0933 GMT (5:33 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is now 800 feet below the station, closing at one foot per second. The shuttle is the under the control of commander Brent Jett, who is flying the ship from the aft flight deck.
0929 GMT (5:29 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is arriving on the R-bar, the imaginary line from the station down to Earth. The shuttle is 1,100 feet from station, closing at less than 2 mph.
0925 GMT (5:25 a.m. EDT)
The spacecraft are flying about 1,600 feet apart. Time to docking is about 80 minutes now.
On final approach, at a distance of about 600 feet directly below the station, commander Brent Jett will carry out a slow 360-degree rendezvous pitch maneuver, or RPM, that will point the belly of the shuttle at the station.
As the shuttle's underside rotates into view, the station's two residents, Expedition 13 commander Pavel Vinogradov and flight engineer Jeff Williams, shooting through windows at opposite ends of the station, will photograph Atlantis' belly with handheld digital cameras equipped with 400- and 800-millimeter lenses.
The 800mm images should provide one-inch resolution for examination of landing gear door seals and protruding tile gap fillers. The 400mm will yield three-inch resolution.
After completing the RPM maneuver, Jett will fly Atlantis directly ahead of the space station with the shuttle's nose facing deep space and its cargo bay pointed at the lab complex. He then will guide the spacecraft to a docking with a pressurized mating adapter attached to the Destiny lab module.
0923 GMT (5:23 a.m. EDT)
The final course correction burn was just conducted. It was a seven-second burn.
0921 GMT (5:21 a.m. EDT)
Less than 2,500 feet between the two spacecraft now.
0914 GMT (5:14 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle is now 4,500 feet from the station, closing at about 4 mph. That closure rate will gradually slow and then be stopped once Atlantis gets to a point inside 1,000 feet directly below the station for the pitch maneuver to present the belly to the station crew for photography.
0912 GMT (5:12 a.m. EDT)
The third course correction burn has been performed successfully. This was a two-second firing to change Atlantis' speed by 0.4 mph.
0856 GMT (4:56 a.m. EDT)
Another course maneuver was just performed. This provided a small, half-mile per hour change in speed. Atlantis is 16,000 feet from the station, closing at about 10 mph.
0845 GMT (4:45 a.m. EDT)
The latest revision of the NASA Television schedule is available here.
Also, the master flight plan has been updated here. And today's rendezvous day timeline has been posted.
0840 GMT (4:40 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis is now 31,500 feet from space station, closing at almost 10 mph.
0830 GMT (4:30 a.m. EDT)
NASA's Mission Management Team has refined the timing of a handful of launch debris events noted during the shuttle Atlantis' climb to space Saturday. As mission managers reported Sunday, no impacts occurred during the first 135 seconds of flight, the period when atmospheric density is high enough to give debris enough energy to cause heat shield damage.
Read our full story.
0828 GMT (4:28 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis has performed the first of several mid-course correction burns available during the approach this morning. This was a three-second burn of reaction control system jets about 40,000 feet from the station.
0808 GMT (4:08 a.m. EDT)
TI burn. With about 44,000 feet separating Atlantis and the space station, the shuttle has performed the Terminal Initiation maneuvering burn to begin the final phase of this morning's rendezvous.
The TI burn puts the shuttle on a trajectory to directly intercept the orbiting station over the next orbit and a half. This burn is the latest in a series of maneuvers performed by Atlantis during its two days of chasing the station since launch Saturday.
Docking remains set for 6:46 a.m. EDT.
0800 GMT (4:00 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle Atlantis is closing in on the interational space station this morning for a linkup that will kick off a busy week of work to attach and deploy a $372 million set of solar arrays. Docking is expected around 6:46 a.m. EDT (1046 GMT).
Read our full story.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2006
An initial assessment of the shuttle Atlantis' heat shield gives mission managers "high confidence" the spaceplane completed its climb to space Saturday without any potentially dangerous debris impacts, officials said Sunday.
Read our full story.
1830 GMT (2:30 p.m. EDT)
The Atlantis astronauts inspected the shuttle's wing leading edge panels and nose cap today as part of a now-standard post-Columbia checkout and while additional observations and analysis will take several more days to complete, no obvious signs of damage were seen.
Read our full story.
1500 GMT (11:00 a.m. EDT)
The inspection boom has been stowed back in the payload bay of Atlantis by the shuttle's robotic arm. The arm is now free to its own cameras to observe the upper surfaces of the shuttle to spot any launch damage, as these now-routine inspections continue.
1405 GMT (10:05 a.m. EDT)
The Orbiter Boom Sensor System, a 50-foot long pole with a package of lasers and cameras, is being used to inspect the carbon-carbon wing leading edge panels and nose cap of space shuttle Atlantis this morning. There's been no obvious signs of damage in the views downlinked live to Mission Control. NASA says the crew is running ahead of schedule and that the checks are going well.
0518 GMT (1:18 a.m. EDT)
The astronauts were just awakened for the start of their first full day in space. Mission Control played the song "Moon River" for commander Brent Jett, requested by his wife, to begin the crew's Flight Day 2. Sunday will be spent inspecting the shuttle's wing leading edges and nose cap for any launch damage and preparing the spacewalking suits for the upcoming space station assembly EVAs on the mission.
Docking of Atlantis to the station remains set for Monday morning.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2006
1835 GMT (2:35 p.m. EDT)
The shuttle's 50-foot robotic arm has come to life. The astronauts are flexing the Canadian-made arm as part of post-launch tests to ensure it will be ready for tomorrow's inspections of Atlantis' heatshield and Monday's unberthing of the solar array truss from the payload bay.
1814 GMT (2:14 p.m. EDT)
Atlantis has just completed another firing of its Orbital Maneuvering System engines. This is one of many maneuvers planned over of the next two days to guide the shuttle to the space station.
1725 GMT (1:25 p.m. EDT)
A camera mounted on the side of the shuttle Atlantis' external tank showed several pieces of what appeared to be foam insulation separating from the tank about four minutes after liftoff. But that was well above the denser atmospheric regions where debris poses a major threat to the shuttle's heat shield. In any case, there were no obvious signs of damage.
Read our full story.
1702 GMT (1:02 p.m. EDT)
The shuttle's high-speed Ku-band communications antenna has been deployed successfully.
1654 GMT (12:54 p.m. EDT)
The payload bay doors have been opened and Mission Control has just given the astronauts a "go" for on-orbit operations. Deployment of the Ku-band antenna is upcoming.
1638 GMT (12:38 p.m. EDT)
Mission Management Team chairman LeRoy Cain says the very preliminary look at the onboard video from the external fuel tank shows some small pieces of debris coming off the tank at T+plus 4 minutes, 7 seconds. But the events occurred after the time debris striking the orbiter could cause damage because the vehicle was out of the atmosphere.
1624 GMT (12:24 p.m. EDT)
Today's official liftoff time was 11:14:55.066 a.m. EDT.
1615 GMT (12:15 p.m. EDT)
The space shuttle Atlantis took off today on its fifth try, kicking off a long-awaited flight to restart assembly of the international space station three years after the Columbia disaster derailed construction.
Considered one of the most complex flights in shuttle history, commander Brent Jett and his five crewmates, with help from the station's three-man crew, will attach a 35,000-pound 45-foot-long solar array truss to the lab complex and stage three spacewalks to make critical electrical connections, hook up the array's cooling system and deploy the giant panels.
Read our full story.
1604 GMT (12:04 p.m. EDT)
A quick review of video from the external tank-mounted camera shows a couple of very small pieces of debris shedding from the tank well after solid rocket booster separation. So far, it looks like Atlantis had a clean ascent.
1555 GMT (11:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 40 minutes, 30 seconds. The twin Orbital Maneuvering System engines on the tail of Atlantis have been fired successfully to propel the shuttle the rest of the way to orbit.
1553 GMT (11:53 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 38 minutes, 30 seconds. The maneuvering engines have ignited for the two-minute orbit raising burn.
1541:55 GMT (11:41:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 27 minutes. Atlantis is orienting itself into the upcoming OMS engine firing attitude.
1539:55 GMT (11:39:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 25 minutes. The two flapper doors on the belly of Atlantis are being swung closed to shield the umbilicals that had connected to the external fuel tank.
1530:55 GMT (11:30:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 16 minutes. The OMS engine burn to insert Atlantis into the higher orbit will begin at T+plus 37 minutes and 16 seconds.
1529:55 GMT (11:29:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 15 minutes. The "go" has been given to the crew for Auxiliary Power Unit shutdown as planned.
1528:55 GMT (11:28:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 14 minutes. Atlantis has reached a preliminary sub-orbital trajectory with a high point of 137 statute miles and low point of 36 miles. Coming up, the Orbital Maneuvering System engines will be fired to raise the orbit to 143 by 116 miles.
1524 GMT (11:24 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 9 minutes, 45 seconds. Atlantis has returned to space for the first time in four years. The shuttle is 1,200 miles northeast of the launch pad, traveling 17,000 mph.
1524 GMT (11:24 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 9 minutes, 30 seconds. Commander Brent Jett is maneuvering the orbiter so digitial and film cameras embedded in the umbilical well on the belly of Atlantis can photograph the discarded fuel tank. In a few minutes, two of the mission specialists will shoot still photos and camcorder video out the cockpit windows.
1523:55 GMT (11:23:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 9 minutes. The emptied external tank has been jettisoned from the belly of space shuttle Atlantis. The tank will fall back into the atmosphere where it will burn up harmlessly.
1523 GMT (11:23 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 8 minutes, 34 seconds. MECO! Confirmation that Atlantis' main engines have cutoff as planned, completing the powered phase of the launch.
1521:55 GMT (11:21:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 7 minutes. Main engines continue to perform well as Atlantis nears the completion of powered ascent.
1520:55 GMT (11:20:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 6 minutes. The shuttle has started rolling to a heads-up position to improve communications with the TDRS satellite network.
1519:55 GMT (11:19:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 5 minutes. Atlantis is 225 miles northeast of the launch pad at an altitude of 65 miles, traveling at 7,000 mph.
1519 GMT (11:19 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 5 seconds. Negative return. The shuttle is traveling too fast and is too far downrange so it can no longer return to the launch site in the event of a main engine problem.
1518 GMT (11:18 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 3 minutes, 45 seconds. Atlantis traveling over 4,000 mph.
1517:55 GMT (11:17:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 3 minutes. The twin Orbital Maneuvering System engines on the ship's tail are burning for an extra boost in thrust. Atlantis' main engines continue to fire, guzzling a half-ton of propellant per second.
1517 GMT (11:17 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 2 minutes, 20 seconds. Guidance is converging as programmed. Atlantis' engine nozzles are swiveling to steer the ship for a precise point for main engine cutoff about six minutes from now.
1517 GMT (11:17 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 2 minutes, 8 seconds. The twin solid rocket boosters have cleanly separated from the space shuttle Atlantis. The shuttle continues its climb to space on the power generated by the three liquid-fueled main engines.
1516 GMT (11:16 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 90 seconds. A smooth ride for Atlantis and the six astronauts. Commander Brent Jett, pilot Chris Ferguson, flight engineer Dan Burbank and Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean are seated on the flight deck, with mission specialists Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper down on the middeck.
1516 GMT (11:16 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 80 seconds. Atlantis' engines have revved back to full throttle. Mission Control has given the "go" at throttle call and commander Brent Jett has roger'ed that. No problems have been reported in today's ascent.
1515 GMT (11:15 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 35 seconds. Atlantis' three main engines are throttling down to reduce the aerodynamic stresses on the vehicle as it powers through the dense lower atmosphere.
1515 GMT (11:15 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 20 seconds. Atlantis has completed the roll maneuver, placing the ship on a trajectory to rendezvous with the International Space Station on Monday. The outpost with its three-man crew is currently flying 220 miles over the North Atlantic.
1514:55 GMT (11:14:55 a.m. EDT)
LIFTOFF! Liftoff of Atlantis -- launching solar wings to harness the Sun's energy and power our international station in space. And the shuttle has cleared the tower!
1514:24 GMT (11:14:24 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 31 seconds. AUTO SEQUENCE START! The handoff has occurred from the Ground Launch Sequencer to the space shuttle. Atlantis' computers now controlling.
In the next few seconds, the solid rocket booster hydraulic steering system will be started, the orbiter's body flap and speed brake moved to their launch positions, the firing chain armed. Main engine ignition begins at T-minus 6.6 seconds.
1513:55 GMT (11:13:55 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 1 minute. Computers are verifying that the main engines are ready for ignition. Sound suppression water system is armed. The system will activate at T-minus 16 seconds to suppress the sound produced at launch. And the residual hydrogen burn ignitors are armed. They will be fired at T-minus 10 seconds to burn off hydrogen gas from beneath the main engine nozzles.
Shortly, the external tank strut heaters will be turned off; Atlantis will transition to internal power; the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen outboard fill and drain valves will be closed; the payload bay vent doors will be positioned for the launch; and the gaseous oxygen vent arm will be verified fully retracted.
1512:55 GMT (11:12:55 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 2 minutes. The astronauts are being instructed to close and lock the visors on their launch and entry helmets.
At T-minus 1 minute, 57 seconds the replenishment to the flight load of liquid hydrogen in the external tank will be terminated and tank pressurization will begin.
1512:25 GMT (11:12:25 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 2 minutes, 30 seconds. The external tank liquid oxygen vent valve has been closed and pressurization of the LOX tank has started.
Atlantis' power-producing fuel cells are transfering to internal reactants. The units will begin providing all electricity for the mission beginning at T-50 seconds.
And pilot Chris Ferguson has been asked to clear the caution and warning memory system aboard Atlantis. He will verify no unexpected errors in the system.
In the next few seconds, the gaseous oxygen vent hood will be removed from atop the external tank. Verification that the swing arm is fully retracted will be made by the ground launch sequencer at the T-minus 37 second mark.
1511:55 GMT (11:11:55 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 3 minutes. Orbiter steering check is now complete; the main engine nozzles are in their start positions.
1511:25 GMT (11:11:25 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 3 minutes, 30 seconds. The main engine nozzles now being moved through a computer controlled test pattern to demonstrate their readiness to support guidance control during launch today.
1510:55 GMT (11:10:55 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 4 minutes. Activation of the APUs is complete. The three units are up and running normally.
And the final helium purge sequence is underway in the main propulsion system. This procedure readies fuel system valves for engine start. In the next few seconds, the aerosurfaces of Atlantis will be run through a pre-planned mobility test to ensure readiness for launch. This is also a dress rehearsal for flight of the orbiter's hydraulic systems.
1509:55 GMT (11:09:55 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 5 minutes. The "go" has been given for for Auxiliary Power Unit start. Pilot Chris Ferguson is now flipping three switches in Atlantis' cockpit to start each of the three APU's. The units, located in the aft compartment of Atlantis, provide the pressure needed to power the hydraulic systems of the shuttle. The units will be used during the launch and landing phases of the mission for such events as moving the orbiter's aerosurfaces, gimbaling the main engine nozzles and deploying the landing gear.
Over the course of the next minute, the orbiter's heaters will be configured for launch by commander Brent Jett, the fuel valve heaters on the main engines will be turned off in preparation for engine ignition at T-6.6 seconds and the external tank and solid rocket booster safe and arm devices will be armed.
1509:25 GMT (11:09:25 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 5 minutes, 30 seconds. APU pre-start is complete and the units are ready for activation. The orbiters flight data recorders have gone into the record mode to collect measurements of shuttle systems performance during flight.
1508:35 GMT (11:08:35 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 6 minutes, 20 seconds. Pilot Chris Ferguson has been asked by Orbiter Test Conductor Jeff Lauffer to pre-start the orbiter Auxiliary Power Units. This procedure readies the three APU's for their activation after the countdown passes T-minus 5 minutes.
1507:25 GMT (11:07:25 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 7 minutes, 30 seconds. The Ground Launch Sequencer has started pulling the orbiter access arm away from the crew hatch on the port side of the vehicle. The arm was the passage way for the astronauts to board Atlantis a few hours ago. The arm can be re-extended very quickly should the need arise later in the countdown.
1506:55 GMT (11:06:55 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 8 minutes and counting. Pilot Chris Ferguson has flipped the switches in the cockpit of Atlantis to directly connect the three onboard fuel cells with the essential power buses. Also, the stored program commands have been issued to the orbiter for the final antenna alignment and management for today's launch.
1505:55 GMT (11:05:55 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 9 minutes and counting! The Ground Launch Sequencer is now actively running this final phase of today's countdown to launch space shuttle Atlantis at 11:14:55 a.m. EDT.
1504:55 GMT (11:04:55 a.m. EDT)
Now 10 minutes from launch of Atlantis. All remains ready for liftoff.
1503:55 GMT (11:03:55 a.m. EDT)
Countdown clock will resume in two minutes.
Once the countdown picks up, the Ground Launch Sequencer will be initiated. The computer program is located in a console in the Firing Room of the Complex 39 Launch Control Center. The GLS is the master of events through liftoff. During the last 9 minutes of the countdown, the computer will monitor as many as a thousand different systems and measurements to ensure that they do not fall out of any pre-determine red-line limits. At T-minus 31 seconds, the GLS will hand off to the onboard computers of Atlantis to complete their own automatic sequence of events through the final half minute of the countdown.
1502 GMT (11:02 a.m. EDT)
NASA launch director Mike Leinbach has finished his final poll. He has wished commander Brent Lindsey and crew good luck and God speed. Launch is set for 11:14:55 a.m.
1502 GMT (11:02 a.m. EDT)
Mission Management Team chairman LeRoy Cain polled his team for a readiness call to proceed with the countdown. No constraints were reported.
1501 GMT (11:01 a.m. EDT)
Weather is "go."
1501 GMT (11:01 a.m. EDT)
NASA launch director Mike Leinbach is conducting his poll.
1501 GMT (11:01 a.m. EDT)
The final readiness poll of the launch team by NASA test director confirms there are no technical issues being addressed. Range has given its clear to launch as well.
1457 GMT (10:57 a.m. EDT)
The weather aircraft is taking a look at the clouds around the Shuttle Landing Facility to ensure the conditions don't constitute a low ceiling that would violate launch rules. A low ceilings could be a problem for both launch tracking optics as well as the Return to Launch Site emergency landing capability at the runway.
1455 GMT (10:55 a.m. EDT)
Coming up in the next few minutes will be the final readiness polls of the management and launch teams to clear Atlantis for liftoff.
1445 GMT (10:45 a.m. EDT)
Space shuttle Atlantis stands 30 minutes from liftoff to resume construction of the International Space Station.
1437 GMT (10:37 a.m. EDT)
Weather conditions are observed "go" currently and forecast to be acceptable at launch time.
1435 GMT (10:35 a.m. EDT)
Now a third of the way through this quiet hold period.
1425 GMT (10:25 a.m. EDT)
The International Space Station is orbiting 220 miles above Earth. Right now, the outpost is flying south of Australia. At launch, it will be over the North Atlantic. Liftoff is timed to place Atlantis on course to dock with the station Monday at 6:45 a.m.
1420 GMT (10:20 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 9 minutes and holding. Countdown clocks have gone into the planned 45-minute, 55-second built-in hold. Today's launch remains set for 11:14:55 a.m. EDT.
1417 GMT (10:17 a.m. EDT)
The Main Propulsion System helium system has been reconfigured by pilot Chris Ferguson. Soon the gaseous nitrogen purge to the aft skirts of the solid rocket boosters will be started.
1415 GMT (10:15 a.m. EDT)
Now one hour away from launch of Atlantis.
And Mission Control in Houston is loading Atlantis' onboard computers with the proper guidance parameters based on the projected launch time.
1412 GMT (10:12 a.m. EDT)
Pilot Chris Ferguson is configuring the displays inside Atlantis' cockpit for launch while commander Brent Jett enables the abort steering instrumentation.
1409 GMT (10:09 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 20 minutes and counting. The countdown has resumed after a 10-minute hold. Clocks will tick down for the next 11 minutes to T-minus 9 minutes where the final planned hold is scheduled to occur. The hold length will be adjusted to synch up with today's preferred launch time of 11:14:55 a.m.
Atlantis' onboard computers are now transitioning to the Major Mode-101 program, the primary ascent software. Also, engineers are dumping the Primary Avionics Software System (PASS) onboard computers. The data that is dumped from each of PASS computers is compared to verify that the proper software is loaded aboard for launch.
1406 GMT (10:06 a.m. EDT)
The launch team has been briefed on today's launch window and countdown procedures. The window opens at 11:10:39 and closes at 11:19:36 a.m. EDT. The target liftoff time remains 11:14:55 a.m.
1400 GMT (10:00 a.m. EDT)
The weather aircraft reports the area of cloud cover to the west is thin and doesn't appear to be developing into anything yet.
1359 GMT (9:59 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 20 minutes and holding. The countdown has paused for a 10-minute built-in hold. Launch remains scheduled for 11:14:55 a.m. EDT.
During this built-in hold, all computer programs in Firing Room 4 of the Complex 39 Launch Control Center will be verified to ensure that the proper programs are available for the countdown; the landing convoy status will be verified and the landing sites will be checked to support an abort landing during launch today; the Inertial Measurement Unit preflight alignment will be verified completed; and preparations are made to transition the orbiter onboard computers to Major Mode 101 upon coming out of the hold. This configures the computer memory to a terminal countdown configuration.
1354 GMT (9:54 a.m. EDT)
The Orbiter Closeout Crew is leaving the launch pad now.
1349 GMT (9:49 a.m. EDT)
Commander Brent Jett is pressurizing the gaseous nitrogen system for Atlantis' Orbital Maneuvering System engines, and pilot Chris Ferguson is activating the gaseous nitrogen supply for the orbiter's Auxiliary Power Units' water spray boilers.
1345 GMT (9:45 a.m. EDT)
Astronauts Kent Romginer and Steve Lindsey aboard the Shuttle Training Aircraft are flying weather reconnaissance around the Kennedy Space Center today. Right now, they are heading westward to examine an area of clouds that could be developing into a storm.
1341 GMT (9:41 a.m. EDT)
The ground pyro initiator controllers (PICs) are scheduled to be powered up around this time in the countdown. They are used to fire the solid rocket hold-down posts, liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tail service mast and external tank vent arm system pyros at liftoff and the space shuttle main engine hydrogen gas burn system prior to engine ignition.
The shuttle's two Master Events Controllers are being tested. They relay the commands from the shuttle's computers to ignite, and then separate the boosters and external tank during launch.
1336 GMT (9:36 a.m. EDT)
Ground Launch Sequencer main line activation is complete.
1319 GMT (9:19 a.m. EDT)
Now passing the T-minus 1 hour mark in the countdown. Two scheduled holds are planned at T-minus 20 minutes and T-minus 9 minutes, leading to the target liftoff time of 11:15 a.m., if the hydrogen fuel sensor issue is deemed not a violation of NASA rules.
1307 GMT (9:07 a.m. EDT)
The crew hatch is confirmed to be closed and latched for flight.
1302 GMT (9:02 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle's crew compartment hatch has swung shut.
1259 GMT (8:59 a.m. EDT)
The "go" was just given to close Atlantis' crew module hatch for launch.
1250 GMT (8:50 a.m. EDT)
A series of routine communications checks between the Atlantis crew on various audio channels is underway.
1249 GMT (8:49 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 90 minutes and counting. Countdown clocks continue to tick down to T-minus 20 minutes where the next hold is planned. Countdown activities remain on track for liftoff at 11:15 a.m.
At this point in the count, the ground launch sequencer software that will control the final nine minutes of the countdown has been initialized. Also, the solid rocket boosters' gas generator heaters in the hydraulic power units are turned on, the aft skirt gaseous nitrogen purge is starting and the rate gyro assemblies (RGAs) are being activated. The RGAs are used by the orbiter's navigation system to determine rates of motion of the boosters during the first stage of flight.
1247 GMT (8:47 a.m. EDT)
With the astronauts strapped all aboard, the Orbiter Closeout Crew is beginning work to remove access platforms and equipment inside the crew module in preparation for shutting the hatch.
1243 GMT (8:43 a.m. EDT)
Initialization of the Ground Launch Sequencer has been performed. The GLS is the master computer in the Firing Room that runs the final nine minutes of the countdown.
1235 GMT (8:35 a.m. EDT)
Dan Burbank, the flight engineer for Atlantis' mission, is now climbing aboard the ship for today's launch to take the flight deck's center seat. He is the sixth and final astronaut to enter the shuttle this morning.
The 45-year-old, a native of Connecticut, is a commander in the Coast Guard with more than 3,500 flight hours, primarily in helicopters, and has flown over over 300 search and rescue missions. His space career includes the STS-106 space station assembly mission in 2000. On STS-115, Burbank will perform the second spacewalk with Steve MacLean. Read his biography here.
And a video interview with Burbank is available here.
1222 GMT (8:22 a.m. EDT)
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Steve MacLean, Atlantis' mission specialist No. 4, has climbed to the flight deck aft-right seat.
MacLean, 51, was born in Ottawa, Ontario. Selected as one of the first six Canadian astronauts in 1983, he flew as a payload specialist aboard shuttle Columbia in 1992. His role on STS-115 includes conducting the mission's second spacewalk along with Dan Burbank and becoming the first Canadian to operate the space station's Canadarm2 robotic arm. Read MacLean's biography here.
And a video interview with MacLean is available here.
1215 GMT (8:15 a.m. EDT)
Now three hours from the launch of Atlantis. The launch team in Firing Room 4 of the Complex 39 control center is not reporting any problems and weather still looks good for liftoff at 11:15 a.m. this morning.
1204 GMT (8:04 a.m. EDT)
Now climbing through the hatch is mission specialist No. 3, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper. She is assigned the right seat on the middeck.
Piper, a Navy commander, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. The 43-year-old is a space rookie. She will be performing the first and third spacewalks of Atlantis' mission along with Joe Tanner. Read her biography here.
And a video interview with Piper is available here.
1203 GMT (8:03 a.m. EDT)
Pilot Chris Ferguson, the next crewmember to enter the shuttle, is making his way to the flight deck's front-right seat.
Ferguson is a spaceflight rookie. The 45-year-old Navy captain was born in Philadelphia. He has three childen, and when not preparing to fly in space he plays drums in the astronaut band Max Q. Read his biography here.
And a video interview with Ferguson is available here.
1153 GMT (7:53 a.m. EDT)
Joe Tanner, mission specialist No. 1, just climbed aboard Atlantis to take the seat closest to the hatch on the left side of the middeck.
This will be Tanner's fourth trip to space. The Illinois native is 56 years old. His flight history includes the STS-66 atmospheric science mission in 1994, the second Hubble Space Telescope servicing in 1997 and the 2000 space station construction flight, STS-97, that launched the first solar array truss. His experience from that mission has proved valuable in planning STS-115. He will conduct the first and third spacewalks along with Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper. Read his biography here.
And a video interview with Tanner is available here.
1151 GMT (7:51 a.m. EDT)
Commander Brent Jett is the first astronaut to board the shuttle. He is taking the forward-left seat on the flight deck.
Jett, 48, calls Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, his hometown. The Navy captain has flown in space on three earlier missions, including serving as the pilot on STS-72 in 1996 to retrieve a Japanese science satellite, pilot on the STS-81 mission to the Russian space station Mir a year later, and commander of STS-97 in 2000 that delivered the first set of U.S. solar arrays to the International Space Station. Read his biography here.
And a video interview with Jett is available here.
1146 GMT (7:46 a.m. EDT)
Commander Brent Jett has made his way across the catwalk-like Orbiter Access Arm to the White Room positioned against the side of Atlantis. The closeout crew is helping him don other survival gear.
1145 GMT (7:45 a.m. EDT)
The Atlantis astronauts have ascended up to the 195-foot level of the tower.
1143 GMT (7:43 a.m. EDT)
The astronauts are taking a few moments to gaze up at the shuttle before heading to the tower.
1142 GMT (7:42 a.m. EDT)
Atlantis' crew arrived at launch pad 39B at 7:41 a.m. The AstroVan came to a stop on the pad surface near the Fixed Service Structure tower elevator that will take the six-person crew to the 195-foot level to begin boarding the shuttle.
1135 GMT (7:35 a.m. EDT)
The AstroVan just passed the 52-story Vehicle Assembly Building where Atlantis was attached to its external tank and solid rocket boosters and the adjacent Launch Control Center. The Press Site is located across the street, and reporters went outdoors to watch at the passing convoy. This is a launch day tradition to say farewell and good luck to the astronaut crews.
1124 GMT (7:24 a.m. EDT)
The astronauts are en route to launch pad 39B. They just walked out of the Kennedy Space Center crew quarters to board the AstroVan for the 20-minute ride from the Industrial Area to launch pad 39B on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
Veteran commander Brent Jett leads the STS-115 crew, and rookie astronaut Chris Ferguson serves as pilot. The four mission specialists are paired up as the spacewalking teams that will activate the new solar arrays. Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper are scheduled to perform the first and third spacewalks; Dan Burbank and Canadian Steve MacLean will do the second EVA.
1119 GMT (7:19 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 3 hours and counting. The countdown has resumed on schedule from this planned three-hour built-in hold. Clocks will now tick down to T-minus 20 minutes when the next hold is planned. A final hold is scheduled at the T-minus 9 minute mark to synch up with the 11:15 a.m. EDT launch time.
1107 GMT (7:07 a.m. EDT)
The Final Inspection Team is departing launch pad 39B, having finished its work. The team will be returning to the Firing Room to give a briefing to management on their observations. But there were no problems reported in real-time during the inspections this morning.
1055 GMT (6:55 a.m. EDT)
The crew has donned the day-glow orange launch and entry partial pressure spacesuits. After final adjustments and pressure checks, the astronauts will depart the suit-up room and take the elevator down to the ground level of the Operations and Checkout Building to board the AstroVan for the trip to launch pad 39B.
1050 GMT (6:50 a.m. EDT)
The astronauts' weather briefing just occurred. Moron, Spain appears to have the best weather of the three overseas abort landing sites available to receive Atlantis if the shuttle has has an emergency during launch.
1019 GMT (6:19 a.m. EDT)
The countdown continues holding at the T-minus 3 hour mark. Clocks are slated to resume ticking in an hour.
0955 GMT (5:55 a.m. EDT)
The Final Inspection Team is not reporting any areas of concern during their observations of Atlantis this morning. And the team says the one thruster on the shuttle's nose, which lost its protective cover during a storm Thursday evening, looks just fine.
The team is responsible for checking Atlantis and the launch pad one last time prior to liftoff. The team is comprised of engineers and safety officials from NASA, United Space Alliance and tank-builder Lockheed Martin. At the conclusion of their two-hour tour-of-duty, the team will have walked up and down the entire fixed service structure and mobile launcher platform.
The team is on the lookout for any abnormal ice or frost build-up on the vehicle and integrity of the external tank foam insulation.
The team uses a portable infrared scanner that gathers temperature measurements on the surface area of the shuttle and can spot leaks. The scanner will be used to obtain temperature data on the external tank, solid rocket boosters, space shuttle orbiter, main engines and launch pad structures. The scanner can also spot leaks of the cryogenic propellants, and due to its ability to detect distinct temperature differences, can spot any dangerous hydrogen fuel that is burning. The team member also is responsible for photo documentation.
The team wears the highly visible day-glow orange coveralls that are anti-static and flame resistant. Each member also has a self-contained emergency breathing unit that holds about 10 minutes of air.
0950 GMT (5:50 a.m. EDT)
The Air Force-controlled Eastern Range at the Cape is performing checks of the hold-fire system. This allows the Range to stop the countdown if a safety problem arises.
0940 GMT (5:40 a.m. EDT)
The six astronauts, laughing and appearing in great spirits this morning, just posed for the traditional launch morning photo opportunity in the crew quarters' dining room.
In a few minutes, commander Brent Jett, pilot Chris Ferguson and flight engineer Dan Burbank will receive a briefing on the weather forecast for KSC and abort landing sites in California, New Mexico, Spain and France. Then they will join their crewmates -- Joe Tanner, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Steve MacLean -- in the suit-up to don the launch and entry spacesuits in preparation for heading to pad 39B just before 7:30 a.m.
0910 GMT (5:10 a.m. EDT)
The countdown is in the midst of a three-hour planned hold at the T-minus 3 hour mark. The hold lasts through 7:19 a.m. Activities are going very well this morning, NASA says, and no problems are being worked by the launch team. The weather isn't a major concern either.
0857 GMT (4:57 a.m. EDT)
All four hydrogen cutoff sensors are working today, including the one that didn't function normally yesterday.
Filling of Atlantis' external fuel tank was called complete at 4:16 a.m. EDT. The tank has been pumped full with a half-million gallons of supercold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The process started at 1:15 a.m.
But given the cryogenic nature of the oxidizer and propellant, the supplies naturally boil away. So the tanks are continuously topped off until the final minutes of the countdown in a procedure called "stable replenishment."
With the hazardous tanking operation completed, the Orbiter Closeout Crew and Final Inspection Team headed to the pad to perform their jobs. The closeout crew are readying Atlantis' crew module for the astronauts' ingress in a couple of hours; and the inspection team is giving the entire vehicle a check for any ice formation following fueling.
0521 GMT (1:21 a.m. EDT)
Shuttle Atlantis is being fueled up again for launch to the International Space Station. Loading of the external tank with 528,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen began around 1:15 a.m. for this second countdown attempt. Controllers will be carefully monitoring the engine cutoff sensors in the tank as fueling proceeds. As long as the three hydrogen sensors that worked normally yesterday remain good today, NASA will meet its rules governing the hardware and expect to press forward with 3-of-4 sensors for liftoff at 11:15 a.m.
The weather outlook remains favorable with an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions. There are no other technical issues being worked by the team.
Read our earlier status center coverage.
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The official crew patch for the STS-115 mission of space shuttle Atlantis to resume orbital construction of the International Space Station.
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