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STS-127: The programs

In advance of shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission to the station, managers from both programs discuss the flight.

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STS-127: The mission

A detailed step-by-step preview of Endeavour's STS-125 mission to install an external exposure platform on the station's Kibo science facility.

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STS-127: The EVAs

The lead spacewalk officer provides indepth explanations of the EVAs on Endeavour's assembly mission to the station.

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STS-127: The crew

The seven astronauts launching on Endeavour meet the press in the traditional pre-flight news conference.

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Endeavour headed for linkup with space station today
BY WILLIAM HARWOOD
STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION
Posted: July 17, 2009


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The Endeavour astronauts are closing in on the International Space Station today in the final stages of a rendezvous that began with liftoff Wednesday. The terminal phase of the rendezvous will begin at 11:17 a.m. with a rocket firing to close the final 9.2 miles, setting up a docking at 1:55 p.m.


An artist's concept of Endeavour approaching the space station for docking. Credit: NASA TV
 
As with all post-Columbia station visits, commander Mark Polansky will position Endeavour 600 feet directly below the space station before beginning the final approach, guiding the shuttle through a slow back flip to expose the orbiter's belly to the station crew.

Using digital cameras equipped with 400 mm and 800 mm telephoto lenses, the station astronauts will photograph the protective tiles on the shuttle's belly to help engineers at the Johnson Space Center in Houston assess the health of the orbiter's heat shield.

Endeavour's external tank lost an unusual amount of foam insulation from its central "intertank" region during launch Wednesday, creating debris that struck the shuttle in at least two areas. Engineers do not believe the damage is serious, but the inspection later today will determine if there are any other areas of interest.

"Rendezvous is a busy day because besides the rendezvous, there's a spacewalk the next day," Polansky said in a NASA interview. "So what we'll wind up doing is we'll get up, we'll immediately do what we call a 'water dump' because our fuel cells, which generate our electricity, produce a lot of excess water. When we are docked to station, we are limited in the kind of water dumps that we can do because it might impinge upon the equipment up there so we need to go ahead and get a last water dump done. We'll do that early in the day.

"We'll do a series of what we call 'burns' to adjust our position in space so that we set ourselves up for a rendezvous. We'll go ahead then and manually fly the rendezvous. There's a team of four of us that work most of the flying and then other crew members come up to help with the docking system as well as taking some photography as we come on board.

"We'll dock, make sure that's everything's okay, get a good leak check of the area that we've docked to - to make sure that everything's working properly - and at that point, we'll finally open the hatches, the traditional meet and greet. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of emotion as you see your friends up there and it's always an exciting time to do that.

"And then after about five minutes of 'boy, this is really cool!' back to work. So now it's time to get the safety briefing to make sure that as we're docked everybody knows exactly what the layout is because we're not back in Houston and Building 9 in our little simulators any more. We're in a real living, breathing space station and, should anything go wrong, everybody needs to know immediately what they're supposed to do, where the fire bottles are, things like that.

"So we'll get a good safety brief and then we have (robotic arm work) right away for some of the folks. We have other folks taking equipment to the airlock, and people are going to do what we call 'camp out' that very night, where they're going to go and start pre-breathing oxygen, get themselves pressurized down to a 10.2 psi within their little airlock and get ready for the next day's spacewalk."

The goals of Endeavour's mission are to attach an experiment platform to the Japanese Kibo module, to replace aging solar array batteries and to transfer spare parts and supplies to the station. Astronaut Tim Kopra will join the station crew after docking and Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata will join Endeavour's crew for the trip back to Earth at the end of the mission.

Five spacewalks are planned, with the first on tap Saturday beginning at 11:58 a.m.

Here is an updated timeline of today's activity (in EDT and mission elapsed time; includes revision E of the NASA television schedule):


EDT........DD...HH...MM...EVENT

07/17
07:03 AM...01...13...00...STS/ISS crew wakeup
08:08 AM...01...14...05...Group B computer powerup
08:18 AM...01...14...15...ISS daily planning conference
08:23 AM...01...14...20...Rendezvous timeline begins
09:42 AM...01...15...39...NC-4 rendezvous rocket firing
10:08 AM...01...16...05...Spacesuits removed from airlock
11:17 AM...01...17...14...TI burn
11:53 AM...01...17...50...Sunset
12:10 PM...01...18...07...ISS in attitude
12:15 PM...01...18...12...Range: 10,000 feet
12:24 PM...01...18...21...Range: 5,000 feet
12:26 PM...01...18...23...Sunrise
12:30 PM...01...18...27...Range: 3,000 feet
12:34 PM...01...18...31...MC-4 rendezvous burn
12:38 PM...01...18...35...Range: 1,500 feet
12:40 PM...01...18...37...RPM start window open
12:43 PM...01...18...40...Range: 1,000 feet
12:46 PM...01...18...43...KU antenna to low power
12:47 PM...01...18...44...+R bar arrival directly below ISS
12:52 PM...01...18...49...Range: 600 feet
12:54 PM...01...18...51...Start pitch maneuver
12:55 PM...01...18...52...Noon
01:02 PM...01...18...59...End pitch maneuver
01:03 PM...01...19...00...RPM full photo window close
01:04 PM...01...19...01...Initiate pitch up maneuver (575 ft)
01:11 PM...01...19...08...RPM start window close
01:16 PM...01...19...13...+V bar arrival; range: 310 feet
01:17 PM...01...19...14...Range: 300 feet
01:21 PM...01...19...18...Range: 250 feet
01:24 PM...01...19...21...Sunset
01:25 PM...01...19...22...Range: 200 feet
01:28 PM...01...19...25...Range: 170 feet
01:29 PM...01...19...26...Range: 150 feet
01:33 PM...01...19...30...Range: 100 feet
01:36 PM...01...19...33...Range: 75 feet
01:41 PM...01...19...38...Range: 50 feet
01:44 PM...01...19...41...Range: 30 feet; start stationkeeping
01:49 PM...01...19...46...End stationkeeping; push to dock
01:53 PM...01...19...50...Range: 10 feet

01:55 PM...01...19...52...DOCKING

01:58 PM...01...19...55...Sunrise
02:08 PM...01...20...05...Leak checks
02:08 PM...01...20...05...Post docking laptop reconfig
02:28 PM...01...20...25...Group B computer powerdown
02:38 PM...01...20...35...Orbiter docking system prepped for ingress
02:58 PM...01...20...55...Hatch open
03:43 PM...01...21...40...Welcome aboard!
03:48 PM...01...21...45...Safety briefing
04:18 PM...01...22...15...Spacesuits transferred to ISS
04:18 PM...01...22...15...Soyuz seatliner transfer/installation
04:53 PM...01...22...50...REBA checkout
04:48 PM...01...22...45...EVA-1: Tools configured
05:28 PM...01...23...25...Playback ops
05:30 PM...01...23...27...Mission status/post-MMT briefing
06:13 PM...02...00...10...Equipment lock preps
06:48 PM...02...00...45...ISS: Sokol suit leak checks
06:58 PM...02...00...55...EVA-1: Procedures review
08:03 PM...02...02...00...ISS: Sokol suit drying
08:03 PM...02...02...00...ISS evening planning conference
09:28 PM...02...03...25...EVA-1: Mask pre-breathe
10:33 PM...02...04...30...ISS crew sleep begins
10:08 PM...02...04...05...EVA-1: 10.2 airlock depress
11:03 PM...02...05...00...STS crew sleep begins

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Additional coverage for subscribers:
VIDEO: NARRATED PREVIEW OF RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING PLAY

VIDEO: TUESDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW ANIMATION OF HEAT SHIELD INSPECTIONS PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: THE FULL STS-127 LAUNCH EXPERIENCE PLAY
VIDEO: INSIDE MISSION CONTROL DURING LAUNCH PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: VAB ROOF PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PRESS SITE PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD PERIMETER PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: BEACH TRACKER PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: UCS-23 TRACKER PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PLAYALINDA BEACH PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: BANANA CREEK VIP SITE PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD FRONT CAMERA PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: WEST TOWER PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 070 PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 071 PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA CS-1 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA CS-2 PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA CS-6 PLAY

VIDEO: SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR BLASTS OFF! PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: STS-127 POST-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
VIDEO: FOOTAGE OF FUEL TANK AFTER JETTISON PLAY
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS REACH PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW DEPARTS QUARTERS FOR LAUNCH PAD PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS DON SPACESUITS FOR LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: WEATHER SCRUBS LAUNCH AGAIN PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW ARRIVES AT PAD 39A ON MONDAY PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW DEPARTS QUARTERS ON MONDAY PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS SUIT UP ON MONDAY PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: THUNDERSTORMS SCRUB SUNDAY'S ATTEMPT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW DEPARTS QUARTERS ON SUNDAY PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS SUIT UP ON SUNDAY PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: NARRATED SUMMARY SHUTTLE'S PREPARATIONS PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: NARRATED SUMMARY PAYLOADS' PREPARATIONS PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LIGHTNING STRIKES POSTPONE ENDEAVOUR LAUNCH PLAY
VIDEO: FRIDAY'S PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
VIDEO: THURSDAY'S STATUS REPORT ON THE COUNTDOWN PLAY
VIDEO: COUNTDOWN PREVIEW AND WEATHER BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS RETURN TO CAPE FOR LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: NO LEAKS FOUND DURING SPECIAL TEST PLAY
VIDEO: EXPLANATION OF THE HYDROGEN LEAK AND THE REPAIR PLAY

VIDEO: POST-SCRUB NEWS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: FIRING ROOM UPDATE WITH LAUNCH DIRECTOR PLAY
VIDEO: SCRUB NO. 2 DECLARED DUE TO HYDROGEN LEAK PLAY

VIDEO: SUNDAY'S UPDATE FROM MISSION MANAGEMENT TEAM PLAY
VIDEO: LEAK POSTPONES SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR LAUNCH PLAY

VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE OF SUN SETTING OVER PAD 39A PLAY
VIDEO: ANOTHER TIME-LAPSE OF GANTRY RETRACTION PLAY
VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE OF LAUNCH PAD TOWER ROLLBACK PLAY

VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH MARK POLANSKY PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH DOUG HURLEY PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS CASSIDY PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH JULIE PAYETTE PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH TOM MARSHBURN PLAY
VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH DAVE WOLF PLAY

VIDEO: THE STS-127 MISSION PREVIEW MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: THURSDAY'S PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
VIDEO: JAPANESE SCIENCE FACILITIES ABOARD STATION PLAY
VIDEO: COUNTDOWN BEGINS TICKING FOR SATURDAY'S LAUNCH PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH COUNTDOWN PREVIEW BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: CREW ARRIVES JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: GET TO KNOW ENDEAVOUR'S ASTRONAUTS PLAY

VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS PRACTICE EVACUATION OF SHUTTLE PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW BOARDS SHUTTLE FOR PRACTICE COUNT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS SUIT UP FOR DRESS REHEARSAL PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW INSPECTS CARGO IN THE PAYLOAD BAY PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: TRAINING SESSIONS AT LAUNCH PAD AND BUNKER PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: INFORMAL CREW NEWS CONFERENCE AT LAUNCH PAD PLAY
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE FOR PRACTICE COUNTDOWN PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW SETS LAUNCH DATE PLAY

VIDEO: PAD 39A GANTRY ENCLOSES SHUTTLE PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ROLLAROUND MOVES ENDEAVOUR TO PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR IS HAULED OFF LAUNCH PAD 39B PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE OF SHUTTLE'S LAUNCH PAD SWITCH PLAY

VIDEO: SHUTTLE AND STATION PROGRAM UPDATE PLAY
VIDEO: THE STS-127 MISSION OVERVIEW BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW BRIEFING ON MISSION'S SPACEWALKS PLAY
VIDEO: THE ASTRONAUTS' PRE-FLIGHT NEWS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: PAD 39B AND ITS LAST SPACE SHUTTLE PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR'S SUNRISE ARRIVAL AT PAD 39B PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: MIDNIGHT ROLLOUT FROM ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR HOISTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO TANK PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CRANE ROTATES ENDEAVOUR VERTICALLY PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR MOVES TO ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ORION AND ARES ROCKET PROGRESS REPORT PLAY
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