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News Archive 2010: April
Shepherding a new era of GPS satellites to orbit
A cadre of military and industry workers at the Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station is readying the first-of-its-kind satellite for the Global
Positioning System, an advanced bird that will be shipped to the launch
pad and bolted atop a Delta 4 rocket next week.
FULL STORY LAUNCH EVENTS TIMELINE GROUND TRACK MAP DELTA 4 ROCKET OUR DELTA ARCHIVE
Satellites key to predicting Gulf oil spill's next move
The oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico has caught the eyes of orbiting satellites, which have collected wide-angle and high-resolution snapshots of the growing catastrophe for analysis by emergency responders. FULL STORY
Ground controllers open stuck valve on space station
After extended troubleshooting, space station flight controllers successfully coaxed open a stuck nitrogen tank valve Friday, finally re-pressurizing an ammonia coolant loop serviced during the shuttle Discovery's recently completed mission. FULL STORY
Making a Mars sample return mission affordable
Scientists are proposing splitting an ambitious multibillion-dollar mission to return samples from Mars into three pieces to ease budget concerns, officials said this week. FULL STORY
Latest cargo ship heads for International Space Station
A three-day orbital chase by a robotic cargo freighter to catch the International Space Station began today with successful launch of the Russian-made resupply ship. FULL STORY
Second SBSS satellite set for launch in 2014
The U.S. Air Force is planning a competition to acquire a second Space Based Space Surveillance satellite for launch in late 2014, according to a posting on the Federal Business Opportunities website.
FULL STORY
Russian military satellite successfully sent to orbit
A Kosmos 3M rocket launched from northern Russia overnight to place a military navigation satellite in orbit more than 600 miles above Earth. Liftoff was at 0105 GMT Tuesday.
FULL STORY
Russian payload nestled into Atlantis' bay for launch
A new Russian module for the International Space Station that will double as a docking compartment and a room for science has been loaded aboard the space shuttle Atlantis at the launch pad 39A for the scheduled May 14 blastoff.
FULL STORY
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
RUSSIAN ENGINEERS DISCUSS THEIR RASSVET MODULE PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Summer shuttle launch postponed to November
Work to replace a powerful magnet in a $1.5 billion physics experiment bound for the International Space Station has forced NASA to move a summer flight by the shuttle Endeavour to mid November, agency officials said Monday, delaying the planned end of the shuttle program.
FULL STORY
More challenges await Japan's asteroid mission
Japan's battered Hayabusa spacecraft must steer through several unprecedented course corrections using an improvised ion engine before reaching Earth on June 13.
FULL STORY
Proton launches satellite to serve North America
A Proton rocket lifted off from Kazakhstan Saturday and delivered a new communications satellite into orbit to replace two aging spacecraft serving North America. The 18-story rocket launched at 1119 GMT (7:19 a.m. EDT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
FULL STORY
Atlantis astronauts climb aboard for countdown test
Kennedy Space Center's launch control room and pad 39A were abuzz Saturday morning as the space shuttle team and the six Atlantis astronauts conducted a realistic countdown dress rehearsal for next month's flight.
FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY 1 PLAY VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY 2 PLAY VIDEO:
ROLLOUT TIME-LAPSE FROM EAST PLAY VIDEO:
ROLLOUT TIME-LAPSE FROM WEST PLAY VIDEO:
ROLLOUT TIME-LAPSE FROM CLOSE-UP PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Minotaur 4 rocket launches on suborbital mission
A new Minotaur launch vehicle derived from retired missile parts successfully blasted off from the California coast Thursday, but officials lost contact with a hypersonic glider testbed for a U.S. military quick-response global strike system.
FULL STORY
Solar Dynamics Observatory views sun for first time
Nearly 10 weeks after launching on a cold Florida morning, the Solar Dynamics Observatory has captured the most detailed images of the scorching surface of the sun. SDO will observe the sun for five years, returning unparalleled sums of data on how the star affects life on Earth.
FULL STORY
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
SHUTTLE DISCOVERY SAFELY LANDS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
POST-LANDING COMMENTS FROM THE CREW PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ASTRONAUTS WALK AROUND RUNWAY PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
NASA AND JAXA POST-LANDING BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
LANDING REPLAYS: INSIDE MISSION CONTROL PLAY VIDEO:
LANDING REPLAYS: RUNWAY NORTH PLAY VIDEO:
LANDING REPLAYS: RUNWAY SOUTH PLAY VIDEO:
LANDING REPLAYS: VAB ROOF PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LANDING REPLAYS: RUNWAY EAST PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LANDING REPLAYS: RUNWAY WEST PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LANDING REPLAYS: EDGE OF RUNWAY PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LANDING REPLAYS: RUNWAY MID-FIELD PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LANDING REPLAYS: PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LANDING REPLAYS: KENNEDY TRACKER PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
GO FOR THE DEORBIT BURN! PLAY VIDEO:
MORNING'S FIRST LANDING OPPORTUNITY WAVED OFF PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 12:
CELEBRATING THE MISSION PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 12:
A GROUP DINNER IN SPACE PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 12:
ASTRONAUT ACROBATICS PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 12:
LIFE ON THE MIDDECK PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 12:
FLYING BOTH ROBOT ARMS PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 9:
EXERCISING IN SPACE PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 9:
SPACEWALKERS STOW OLD TANK PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 9:
MISSION'S LAST SPACEWALKPLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 9:
LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 9:
PACKING UP LEONARDO PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Weather keeps Discovery in orbit for another day
Weather conditions simply not suitable for landing the powerless space shuttle precluded Discovery's voyage home to the Kennedy Space Center on Monday morning. The spacecraft will remain in orbit for an additional day and try again Tuesday.
FULL STORY EARLIER PREVIEW STORY GROUND TRACK:FIRST LANDING OPPORTUNITY GROUND TRACK:SECOND LANDING OPPORTUNITY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. N (.pdf download)
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SECOND LANDING OPPORTUNITY WAVED OFF PLAY VIDEO:
FIRST LANDING OPPORTUNITY WAVED OFF PLAY VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 14 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
SUNDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
BOSTON, ASSOCIATED PRESS AND OREGON INTERVIEWS PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Cork sticks to rocket during Falcon practice countdown
Top SpaceX officials say cork insulation that caused trouble during previous Falcon 9 rocket tanking tests performed well during a practice countdown Friday afternoon. Launch is targeted for no earlier than May 8, pending more tests of the booster's destruct system.
MISSION STATUS CENTER
One more look back at shuttle Discovery's launch
Onboard rocket camera footage always dazzles and the video from Discovery's external fuel tank and solid boosters didn't disappoint during the predawn blastoff April 5. The inspiring views of the spacecraft rocketing toward orbit are presented here for Spaceflight Now+Plus users with launch audio.
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
LEFT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING UPWARD PLAY VIDEO:
LEFT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING INBOARD PLAY VIDEO:
LEFT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING DOWNWARD PLAY VIDEO:
RIGHT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING UPWARD PLAY VIDEO:
RIGHT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING INBOARD PLAY VIDEO:
RIGHT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING DOWNWARD PLAY VIDEO:
EXTERNAL TANK CAMERA FROM LIFTOFF TO SEPARATION PLAY VIDEO:
JETTISONED FUEL TANK FALLS AWAY PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Satellites provide bird's-eye view of Iceland volcano
Observation satellites circling nearly 500 miles above Earth have captured views of the Iceland volcano and ash cloud disrupting European and trans-Atlantic air travel.
FULL STORY
Discovery leaves station stocked with supplies
The Discovery astronauts bid their station counterparts farewell early Saturday, sharing a final round of hugs and handshakes before moving back aboard the shuttle and undocking from the lab complex at 8:52 a.m. EDT. Discovery is scheduled to land in Florida on Monday morning, weather permitting. FULL STORY ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. M (.pdf download)
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 13 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
SATURDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
STATION FLYAROUND BY THE SHUTTLE PLAY VIDEO:
DISCOVERY UNDOCKS FROM THE STATION PLAY VIDEO:
SHUTTLE AND STATION CREWS BID FAREWELL PLAY VIDEO:
CREW'S HOME MOVIES FOR FLIGHT DAY 12 PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
SpaceX completes another Falcon rocket tanking test
SpaceX loaded propellants into the Falcon 9 rocket again Friday, one day after President Obama briefly toured the booster's launch pad during his visit to the Kennedy Space Center. Friday's tanking test was ordered to verify cork insulation will adhere to the rocket.
FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER
Soyuz rocket launches Russian military satellite
A Soyuz rocket launched a Russian military payload Friday on a secret mission, but observers believe the satellite carries a high-resolution camera to spy on other countries.
FULL STORY
Obama vows commitment to manned space exploration
President Barack Obama flew to the Kennedy Space Center Thursday to sell his new
space policy, a radical change of course for NASA that would cancel the
Constellation moon program and shift manned launches to private industry while NASA studies options for future deep space exploration. FULL STORY
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AIR FORCE ONE ARRIVES AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER PLAY VIDEO:
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S SPACE ADDRESS PLAY VIDEO:
OTHER OFFICIALS OFFER THEIR THOUGHTS PLAY VIDEO:
PRESIDENT DEPARTS THE SPACE COAST PLAY VIDEO:
RECAP OF THE SPACE CONFERENCE PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Discovery crew puts away module, scans heat shield
The Discovery astronauts parked the Leonardo cargo module in the shuttle's payload bay Friday and carried out a final heat shield inspection to set the stage for undocking Saturday from the International Space Station.
FULL STORY ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. L (.pdf download)
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 12 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
FRIDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
LEONARDO PLACED INTO SHUTTLE BAY FOR LANDING PLAY VIDEO:
THURSDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Russian station module moves to shuttle launch pad
While shuttle Atlantis was inside the Vehicle Assembly Building getting hooked up with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, the mission's payloads drove by the landmark facility Thursday evening en route to the launch pad.
FULL STORY
Leonardo module leaves station after day-long wait
The Leonardo cargo module was detached from the International Space Station late Thursday after a lengthy delay due to problems with a berthing mechanism controller. It was parked overnight in a "low hover" position just above the shuttle's payload bay and the astronauts plan to complete the installation early Friday.
FULL STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. K (.pdf download)
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 11 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
ROBOTIC ARM PLUCKS LEONARDO OFF THE STATION PLAY VIDEO:
SEALING LEONARDO FOR DETACHMENT FROM HARMONY PLAY VIDEO:
THURSDAY AFTERNOON'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Indian rocket tumbles back to Earth during test launch
A new hydrogen-fueled third stage tumbled out of control during the launch of India's most powerful rocket Thursday, dooming the $74 million test flight and dealing a blow to the country's burgeoning space program.
FULL STORY PREVIEW STORY
NASA rules out extra EVA for Discovery's spacewalkers
Flight controllers have decided not to add a fourth spacewalk to the shuttle
Discovery's mission to replace a nitrogen tank in the International Space Station's ammonia coolant system, concluding the system can safely operate for an extended period despite a stuck valve preventing normal pressurization. FULL STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. J (.pdf download)
Hang 'em high: Atlantis goes for crane ride inside VAB
Hours after it rolled into the Vehicle Assembly Building, the shuttle Atlantis was lifted off its transporter and hoisted high into the landmark facility for mating with a waiting fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Spaceflight Now captured the overnight operation in these breathtaking photo galleries.
IMAGES:ATLANTIS HOISTED FROM TRANSPORTER IMAGES:SHUTTLE GOES VERTICAL IMAGES:HANGING INSIDE VAB
Station glitch could prompt spacewalk repair this week
NASA planners are considering adding an unscheduled fourth spacewalk to shuttle Discovery's mission to replace a nitrogen tank assembly that has a stuck valve impeding the International Space Station's critical cooling system. FULL STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. I (.pdf download)
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FLIGHT DAY 10 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR POSSIBLE FOURTH EVA PLAY VIDEO:
EDUCATIONAL EVENT WITH NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL PLAY VIDEO:
WEDNESDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
JOINT SHUTTLE AND STATION CREW NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY VIDEO:
TUESDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Heavy-lift rocket, scaled Orion in Obama's plans
As part of a sweeping post-shuttle change of direction for NASA, the Obama administration's shift to private-sector rockets and spacecraft will include government development of a new heavy-lift rocket for eventual manned flights to a variety of deep space targets including, ultimately, Mars, an administration official said Tuesday.
FULL STORY
Spacewalking duo wraps up station coolant tank swap
Discovery astronauts Rick Mastracchio and Clay Anderson have completed their three arduous spacewalks for the mission to replace a spent ammonia coolant reservoir on the International Space Station and stow the old tank aboard the shuttle for return to Earth. They encountered some frustrating struggles with troublesome bolts along the way but got the job done. Over 20 hours of EVA time was accumulated to complete the tank exchange, plus other maintenance chores outside the outpost and "get-ahead" tasks for future missions.
ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER STUCK VALVE IN COOLING SYSTEM SPACEWALK NO. 3 COMPLETED OLD TANK STOWED IN SHUTTLE BAY PREVIEW STORY
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 9 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
CREW'S HOME MOVIES FOR FLIGHT DAY 9 PLAY VIDEO:
TUESDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
ROBOT ARM MOVES OLD TANK SHUTTLE PAYLOAD BAY PLAY VIDEO:
SPACEWALKERS REMOVE HANDLING BAR FROM OLD TANK PLAY VIDEO:
UMBILICALS HOOKED UP TO NEW AMMONIA TANK PLAY VIDEO:
PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 9 ACTIVITIES PLAY VIDEO:
MONDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Atlantis rolls to assembly building for flight preps
Space shuttle Atlantis departed the orbiter processing facility at Kennedy Space Center Tuesday morning. Mounted atop a trailer-like transporter, Atlantis was moved over to the Vehicle Assembly Building for mating to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in preparation to launch next month.
IMAGES:ATLANTIS LEAVES HANGAR IMAGES:ORBITER ROLLS INTO VAB
This Week In Space
Discovery takes its next-to-last flight, Obama prepares to face the music on the Space Coast, SpaceX outlooks a May launch for Falcon 9, the price goes up for a seat on a Soyuz, space fans the world over gear up for Yuri's Night, auroras on Saturn, WISE images the "hidden galaxy", Spitzer spies Orion, Phoenix is almost certainly dead, and Buzz gets the boot.
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Earlier News
Pad 39B demolition paves way for uncertain transition
Although its once-planned tenant is being scrapped, the servicing towers at the Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39B will be demolished this summer to ready the complex for an uncertain future.
FULL STORY
Herschel sees massive stars still in the celestial womb
Making good on its promise to detect unseen reaches of the universe, the Herschel telescope has unveiled a tapestry of majestic colors in a nebulous cloud of forming stars 5,000 light years from Earth.
FULL STORY
Russian president calls ISS for Cosmonautics Day
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called the International Space Station early Monday to mark the 49th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic flight, suggesting an international space summit to discuss ongoing and future cooperative ventures on the high frontier.
FULL STORY
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT CALLS THE SPACE STATION PLAY VIDEO:
SPACE STATION CREW MARKS COSMONAUTICS DAY PLAY VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 8 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
MONDAY AFTERNOON'S MISSION STATUS UPDATE PLAY VIDEO:
ABC, MSNBC, FOX NEWS AND KUSA-TV INTERVIEWS PLAY VIDEO:
JAXA EVENT WITH JAPANESE ASTRONAUTS PLAY VIDEO:
SUNDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Astronauts take a breather at mission's half-way mark
The Discovery astronauts looked forward to a half day off early Monday to relax, share a meal with their space station counterparts and enjoy the view from 220 miles up. Later in the day, they will resume cargo transfer work before gearing up for a third and final spacewalk early Tuesday.
MORNING STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. H (.pdf download)
Additional coverage for subscribers: HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7:
MEAL TIME IN ZVEZDA PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7:
GRUELING 7.5-HOUR EVA FINSHES PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7:
VENTURING OUTSIDE THE STATION PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7:
GETTING READY FOR ANOTHER EVA PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7:
OLD CREW SLEEP BUNK REMOVED PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7:
TRANSFERS AND MORE TRANSFERS PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 6:
LIFE OF A SHUTTLE ASTRONAUT PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 6:
"BUCKET BRIGADE" ON THE STATION PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 6:
WORF INSTALLED IN DESTINY LAB PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Spacewalkers replenish station's coolant supply
A pair of experienced spacewalkers went outside the International Space Station on Sunday morning to remove a spent ammonia coolant tank and install a reservoir of fresh coolant for the outpost's network of thermal plumbing. Lengthy struggles to get the 1,700-pound structure bolted down, however, put the astronauts well behind schedule and caused Mission Control to postpone hooking up the fluid lines to the new tank until a future EVA.
ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER NEW TANK INSTALLED AFTER BOLT TROUBLES OLD TANK REMOVED FROM STATION PREVIEW STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. F (.pdf download)
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 7 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
CREW'S HOME MOVIES FOR FLIGHT DAY 7 PLAY VIDEO:
SUNDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
FINALLY WINNING THE BATTLE WITH TANK BOLTS PLAY VIDEO:
NEW COOLANT TANK MANEUVERED INTO POSITION PLAY VIDEO:
DEPLETED AMMONIA TANK REMOVED FROM STATION PLAY VIDEO:
STEP-BY-STEP WALKTHROUGH OF EVA NO. 2 PLAY VIDEO:
PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 7 ACTIVITIES PLAY VIDEO:
SATURDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Crew discusses upcoming spacewalks, space summit
Spacewalkers Rick Mastracchio and Clay Anderson, along with robot arm operator Stephanie Wilson, fielded questions from reporters early Saturday, taking a few moments to discuss the crew's upcoming spacewalks, a "space summit" next week and the 40th anniversary of Apollo 13.
FULL STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. E (.pdf download)
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 6 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
CREW'S HOME MOVIES FOR FLIGHT DAY 6 PLAY VIDEO:
SATURDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
SCIENCE RACK INSTALLED BY JAPANESE ASTRONAUTS PLAY VIDEO:
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL EVENT PLAY VIDEO:
CBS AND NEBRASKA MEDIA INTERVIEWS WITH CREW PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Extra day added to space shuttle Discovery's mission
The shuttle Discovery's mission to the International Space Station has been extended one day to give the astronauts more time to conduct a final heat shield inspection while docked to the lab complex. Landing is now expected on April 19.
FULL STORY TRANSFERS THE FOCUS TODAY ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER
Additional coverage for subscribers: HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 5:
SPACEWALKERS RETURN TO AIRLOCK PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 5:
UNLOADING THE LEONARDO MODULE PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 5:
STATION'S NEW EXERCISE MACHINE PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 5:
OPERATORS OF THE ROBOTIC ARM PLAY HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 5:
SPACEWALKERS FREE AMMONIA TANK PLAY VIDEO:
MISSION EXTENSION NEWS FROM FLIGHT DIRECTOR PLAY VIDEO:
SMOKE ALARM IN THE ZVEZDA SERVICE MODULE PLAY VIDEO:
PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 6 ACTIVITIES PLAY VIDEO:
STOWAGE RACKS MOVED INTO STATION PLAY VIDEO:
NEW LABORATORY FREEZER FOR KIBO PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Postponement called for Ariane 5 rocket launch
The planned launch of the 50th Ariane rocket carrying a commercial satellite to distribute television programs to Europe and a German military communications bird was scrubbed Friday evening after a technical problem with the pressurization system stopped the countdown just 42 seconds before ignition. Arianespace said troubleshooting will be performed before a new launch date is announced.
PREVIEW STORY OUR ARIANE ARCHIVE
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 5 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
CREW'S HOME MOVIES FOR FLIGHT DAY 5 PLAY VIDEO:
FRIDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
RATE GYRO ASSEMBLY REMOVED FROM STATION PLAY VIDEO:
NEW AMMONIA TANK STOWED IN TEMPORARY SPOT PLAY VIDEO:
ANCHORING FIXTURE ATTACHED TO AMMONIA TANK PLAY VIDEO:
EXPERIMENT RETRIEVED FROM JAPAN'S SCIENCE DECK PLAY VIDEO:
STATION'S ROBOTIC ARM LIFTS TANK FROM SHUTTLE PLAY VIDEO:
NEW AMMONIA COOLANT TANK UNBOLTED FROM CARRIER PLAY VIDEO:
SPACEWALKER PREPS AMMONIA TANK IN SHUTTLE BAY PLAY VIDEO:
THE START OF MISSION'S FIRST SPACEWALK PLAY VIDEO:
STEP-BY-STEP WALKTHROUGH OF EVA NO. 1 PLAY VIDEO:
PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 5 ACTIVITIES PLAY VIDEO:
THURSDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY VIDEO:
THURSDAY AFTERNOON'S MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
NASA unveils programs to implement Obama plan
One week before President Obama attends a major "space summit" in Florida, NASA unveiled sweeping new programs Thursday designed to implement the administration's proposed shift to commercial manned rockets and development of new technologies to enable eventual deep space exploration.
FULL STORY 'SPACE SUMMIT' TO DISCUSS PLANS
Europe launches satellite to observe polar ice caps
After a brief ride atop a converted Soviet-era ballistic missile, a $187 million European satellite arrived in orbit Thursday to spend more than three years measuring Earth's eroding polar ice caps. The Dnepr rocket lifted off at 1357 GMT (9:57 a.m. EDT) and placed the spacecraft into orbit about 16 minutes later.
FULL STORY PREVIEW STORY COUNTDOWN AND LAUNCH TIMELINE
Delivery van pulls up to the International Space Station
The Italian-made Leonardo module rose from shuttle Discovery's payload bay and merged with the International Space Station on Thursday, kicking off the hectic work to unload tons of new equipment, science gear and provisions out of the cargo-delivery vessel.
FULL STORY GO TO INSTALL INSPECTION DATA DOWNLINKING ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. C (.pdf download)
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FLIGHT DAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
RADIO AND TV INTERVIEWS WITH CREW PLAY VIDEO:
THURSDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
LEONARDO MODULE ATTACHED TO SPACE STATION PLAY VIDEO:
STATION'S ARM GRAPPLES THE LEONARDO MODULE PLAY VIDEO:
NARRATED PREVIEW OF LEONARDO'S INSTALLATION PLAY VIDEO:
WEDNESDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY VIDEO:
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON'S MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 3 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Shuttle Discovery docks to space station right on time
Commander Alan Poindexter, manually flying Discovery from the shuttle's aft flight deck, guided the spaceplane to a picture-perfect docking with the International Space Station early Wednesday after performing a flawless, "radar failed" rendezvous.
FULL STORY PREVIEW STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. B (.pdf download) ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER
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WEDNESDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
SHUTTLE CREW WELCOMED ABOARD THE STATION PLAY VIDEO:
POST-DOCKING OF THE SHUTTLE BAY AND TAIL PLAY VIDEO:
DISCOVERY DOCKS TO THE SPACE STATION PLAY VIDEO:
SHUTTLE PERFORMS 360-DEGREE BACKFLIP PLAY VIDEO:
PREVIEW OF RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING ACTIVITIES PLAY VIDEO:
OBJECT LOST FROM SHUTTLE TAIL DURING LAUNCH PLAY VIDEO:
TUESDAY AFTERNOON'S MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY VIDEO:
THE FULL STS-131 LAUNCH EXPERIENCE PLAY MORE:STS-131 VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Crew inspects shuttle, but data downlink has to wait
The Discovery astronauts carried out a detailed inspection of the shuttle's carbon composite nose cap and wing leading edge panels early Tuesday, storing video files on board because of a Ku-band antenna failure that is preventing high-speed data transmission to mission control.
FULL STORY NASA TV SCHEDULE REV. A (.pdf download) ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER
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FLIGHT DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY VIDEO:
TUESDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Discovery's Ku-band antenna likely lost for the mission
The shuttle Discovery's Ku-band antenna system, used as a radar dish during rendezvous operations and to transmit video and data to and from the ground through NASA communications satellites, suffered a malfunction of some sort after the shuttle reached orbit Monday. FULL STORY CREW WAKEUP STORY IMAGES:PHOTOS FROM PAD CAMERAS
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DESCRIPTION OF KU-BAND ANTENNA PROBLEM PLAY VIDEO:
PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 2 ACTIVITIES PLAY VIDEO:
NARRATED TOUR OF DISCOVERY'S PAYLOAD BAY PLAY VIDEO:
FLIGHT DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO:
SHUTTLE DISCOVERY BLASTS OFF! PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
GO INSIDE MISSION CONTROL DURING LAUNCH PLAY VIDEO:
POST-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: VAB ROOF PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: PRESS SITE PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: PATRICK AFB PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD PERIMETER PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: BEACH TRACKER PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD CAMERA 070 PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD CAMERA 071 PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: PLAYALINDA BEACH PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD FRONT CAMERA PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
LAUNCH REPLAY: KSC WEST TOWER PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ASTRONAUTS LEAVE CREW QUARTERS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
CREW FINISHES GETTING SUITED UP PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
NARRATED REVIEW OF SHUTTLE'S PREPARATIONS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
NARRATED REVIEW OF PAYLOADS' PREPARATIONS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
STS-131 MISSION PREVIEW MOVIE PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
PREPARING AN EXTERNAL TANK FOR LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
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This Week In Space
Discovery astronauts prep for a resupply mission to the space station, Spirit takes a nap, the Expedition 23 crew blasts off - and breaks into song, NASA steps on the gas to help out with the runaway Toyota investigation and is it Saturn's moon Mimas or Pac-Man?
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Shuttle mission preview: Trucking cargo to space
The shuttle Discovery, carrying a crew of seven and 10 tons of supplies and equipment bound for the International Space Station, is poised for blastoff Monday on a three-spacewalk mission to deliver ammonia coolant, experiment hardware, a darkroom, a crew hygiene station and an experiment sample freezer.
MISSION PREVIEW STORY
Discovery's pilot is ready to achieve life-long aspiration
Growing up in a generation that's known only the space shuttle, Jim Dutton's life dream of becoming an astronaut will rocket him to orbit aboard Discovery in one of the final voyages of the iconic spaceplanes.
FULL STORY ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER
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PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH COMMANDER POINDEXTER PLAY VIDEO:
PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH PILOT JIM DUTTON PLAY VIDEO:
PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH RICK MASTRACCHIOPLAY VIDEO:
PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH METCALF-LINDENBURGER PLAY VIDEO:
PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH STEPHANIE WILSON PLAY VIDEO:
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Soyuz capsule arrives at International Space Station
On the eve of the shuttle Discovery's launch on a space station resupply mission, a Russian Soyuz spacecraft completed a smooth docking with the international lab complex early Sunday, boosting the station's crew from three to six.
FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER
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Air Force spaceplane is an odd bird with a twisted past
More than a decade after its conception in the halls of NASA, and having snaked its way through multiple Pentagon bureaucracies, an unmanned military spaceplane is finally on the verge of launching on an unprecendented test flight.
FULL STORY X-37B FACT SHEET (.pdf download)
Shuttle Discovery's launch countdown going smoothly
NASA's Mission Management Team reviewed the shuttle Discovery's launch processing Saturday, discussed two recent booster issues and received a favorable weather forecast, giving engineers a unanimous "go" to proceed with launch Monday on a space station resupply mission. FULL STORY IMAGES:SATURDAY MORNING AT PAD 39A
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First Falcon 9 launch pushed back to early May
The earliest the Falcon 9 rocket could take off on its first flight is May 8, SpaceX announced Friday. The company says it is still testing parts of the rocket's self-destruct system that would protect the public if the booster flew off course during launch.
MISSION STATUS CENTER
Atlas 5 rocket undergoes practice countdown
After rolling to the Complex 41 launch pad Thursday, the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket that will propel the U.S. military's X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle into space was fueled for a countdown dress rehearsal Friday. MISSION STATUS CENTER OUR ATLAS ARCHIVE
Soyuz crew transport capsule launches to orbit
Aiming for a six-month mission at the International Space Station, two rookie Russian cosmonauts and a former American space shuttle astronaut launched aboard a Soyuz capsule Friday at 12:04 a.m. EDT.
FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER
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FULL EXPERIENCE FROM LIFTOFF TO ORBIT PLAY VIDEO:
CREW DEPARTS SITE 254 FOR LAUNCH PAD PLAY VIDEO:
VIPS MEET THE CREW ON LAUNCH MORNING PLAY VIDEO:
CREW MEMBERS DON THEIR SOKOL SPACESUITS PLAY VIDEO:
LAUNCH MORNING TRADITIONS AT CREW QUARTERS PLAY VIDEO:
SOYUZ ROCKET ROLLED TO THE LAUNCH PAD PLAY VIDEO:
ASSEMBLY OF SOYUZ COMPLETED IN THE HANGAR PLAY VIDEO:
HIGHLIGHTS OF CREW'S ACTIVITIES AT BAIKONUR PLAY VIDEO:
BIOS OF SKVORTSOV, KORNIENKO AND CALDWELL DYSON PLAY VIDEO:
PREVIEW OF NEXT SIX MONTHS AT SPACE STATION PLAY VIDEO:
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Countdown clocks begin ticking for Discovery launch
With good weather expected, the shuttle Discovery's countdown began early Friday, setting the stage for a pre-dawn Monday launch to kick off a space station science and resupply mission. FULL STORY
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Space shuttle crew comes to town for Monday's launch
With their training in Houston now complete, the seven space shuttle Discovery astronauts flew to the Florida spaceport Thursday morning in preparation for Monday's predawn blastoff to the International Space Station.
FULL STORY IMAGES:ASTRONAUTS GREET MEDIA
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Delta 4 rocket now on the launch pad for GPS satellite
The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket that will deploy the first satellite in a new generation of Global Positioning System satellites was placed atop its Cape Canaveral pad Thursday morning. FULL STORY
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RUSSIAN ENGINEERS DISCUSS THEIR RASSVET MODULE 
Shuttle mission preview: Trucking cargo to space
Discovery's pilot is ready to achieve life-long aspiration
