TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010
The shuttle Discovery, delayed a day by cloudy Florida weather, blazed across the heartland of America Tuesday, gliding to a pinpoint landing at the Kennedy Space Center to close out an extended space station assembly mission.
Read our
full story.
Here's our landing day photo galleries:
2030 GMT (4:30 p.m. EDT)
Shuttle Discovery's 39th and final scheduled flight is scheduled for launch no earlier than September 16 carrying the Leonardo module once again. But instead of taking the Italian-made cargo vessel on another roundtrip to the International Space Station, the module will be attached to the outpost as a new permanent storage room.
2002 GMT (4:02 p.m. EDT)
Discovery was towed inside OPF bay 3.
1935 GMT (3:35 p.m. EDT)
The shuttle is now parked outside of its processing hangar.
1730 GMT (1:30 p.m. EDT)
Discovery is now being towed from the Shuttle Landing Facility back to its Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, where the ship will be processed to launch on the STS-133 mission this fall.
1555 GMT (11:55 a.m. EDT)
We've posted our
gallery of landing photos.
1545 GMT (11:45 a.m. EDT)
Reports from the Shuttle Landing Facility indicate that Discovery is in great shape. The towing of orbiter from the runway to its processing hangar is expected to begin between 1 and 1:30 p.m. EDT.
1508 GMT (11:08 a.m. EDT)
The astronauts climbed aboard the AstroVan to head for crew quarters where they will be reunited with family members and have some dinner.
They will spend the night here before returning to Houston for a welcome ceremony at about 4 p.m. local time Wednesday at Ellington Field's Hangar 990.
1451 GMT (10:51 a.m. EDT)
The 4-man, 3-woman crew looks to be in good shape after 15 days off the planet.
1448 GMT (10:48 a.m. EDT)
The seven astronauts have walked down the stairs from the Crew Transport Vehicle for the traditional walkaround look at the space shuttle on the runway. There to greet them is NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, KSC Center Director Bob Cabana, plus other space officials.
1443 GMT (10:43 a.m. EDT)
The time-critical experiments and samples brought home in the middeck of space shuttle Discovery have been offloaded for delivery to scientists.
1425 GMT (10:25 a.m. EDT)
We've posted a high definition video of Discovery's landing for Spaceflight Now+Plus users
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1423 GMT (10:23 a.m. EDT)
Discovery rolled to a stop 11,963 feet down the 15,000-foot long runway.
1402 GMT (10:02 a.m. EDT)
All seven astronauts have exited the space shuttle. They are inside the Crew Transport Vehicle -- a modified airport "People Mover" -- that pulled up to the side hatch for the astronauts to enter. The CTV features beds and comfortable seats for the astronauts to receive medical checks after returning to Earth's gravity from the weightless environment of space.
The hatch was opened at 9:39 a.m., the first crewmember exited at 9:43 a.m. and the crew egress was called complete at 9:59 a.m. EDT.
1357 GMT (9:57 a.m. EDT)
And now commander Alan Poindexter has turned the spacecraft over to the astronaut support personnel in preparation for his departure from Discovery.
1354 GMT (9:54 a.m. EDT)
Pilot Jim Dutton is signing off. He's about to climb out of the shuttle.
1343 GMT (9:43 a.m. EDT)
The astronauts are beginning to egress the orbiter.
1337 GMT (9:37 a.m. EDT)
The mobile steps have been positioned next to Discovery's hatch along with the Crew Transport Vehicle for the astronauts to enter.
1330 GMT (9:30 a.m. EDT)
The astronauts were just given permission to remove their entry spacesuits.
1329 GMT (9:29 a.m. EDT)
Ground technicians estimate the tow of Discovery off the runway will start between 1 and 1:30 p.m. EDT.
1328 GMT (9:28 a.m. EDT)
The safety inspections show no areas of concerns.
1325 GMT (9:25 a.m. EDT)
The APU shutdown has been completed by pilot Jim Dutton.
1323 GMT (9:23 a.m. EDT)
On the runway, technicians are using instruments to "sniff" the shuttle's exterior to check for any hazardous vapors.
1322 GMT (9:22 a.m. EDT)
The main engine nozzles have been repositioned, or gimbaled, to the "rain drain" orientation. And now the hydraulics are no longer required, so Discovery's three Auxiliary Power Units are being shut down.
1320 GMT (9:20 a.m. EDT)
Here are the landing times in Eastern Daylight Time and Mission Elapsed Time:
Main Gear Touchdown
9:08:35 a.m. EDT
MET: 15 days, 2 hours, 47 minutes, 10 seconds
Nose Gear Touchdown
9:08:47 a.m. EDT
MET: 15 days, 2 hours, 47 minutes, 22 seconds
Wheels Stop
9:09:33 a.m. EDT
MET: 15 days, 2 hours, 48 minutes, 8 seconds
1319 GMT (9:19 a.m. EDT)
The ship's flight computers are transitioning to the OPS-9 software package.
1318 GMT (9:18 a.m. EDT)
The crew has established radio contact with the landing convoy and began the post-landing procedures on Discovery.
1317 GMT (9:17 a.m. EDT)
The pyrotechnics for the crew module hatch, landing gear and drag chute have been safed, commander Alan Poindexter reports.
1314 GMT (9:14 a.m. EDT)
The external tank umbilical doors on the shuttle's belly have been opened and the body flap set by pilot Jim Dutton.
1310 GMT (9:10 a.m. EDT)
Discovery's penultimate trek to the space station brought literally tons of new research equipment, life-supporting provisions and spare hardware to stock the shelves of the orbiting outpost. The mission used the Leonardo delivery module to haul the cargo up and also bring some items back to Earth. Spacewalkers also exchanged a massive external ammonia tank to replenish the coolant reserves for the thermal control plumbing.
1309 GMT (9:09 a.m. EDT)
WHEELS STOP. Shuttle Discovery and crew have safely returned from their mission that stocked the International Space Station with new science and supplies.
1308 GMT (9:08 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is back home at the Kennedy Space Center some 15 days after launching from the Florida spaceport on a trip that spanned 238 orbits of the planet and 6,232,235 miles.
1308 GMT (9:08 a.m. EDT)
TOUCHDOWN! Main gear touchdown. Pilot Jim Dutton is putting out the drag chute as commander Alan Poindexter brings the nose gear to the surface of Runway 33.
1307 GMT (9:07 a.m. EDT)
Pilot Jim Dutton is deploying the landing gear. Standing by for touchdown at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility.
1307 GMT (9:07 a.m. EDT)
Wings are level on final approach.
1307 GMT (9:07 a.m. EDT)
Altitude 10,000 feet. The shuttle descending at a rate seven times steeper than that of a commercial airliner.
1306 GMT (9:06 a.m. EDT)
Now descending through 12,000 feet.
1306 GMT (9:06 a.m. EDT)
Field in sight. Commander Alan Poindexter reports he can see the runway as he guides Discovery to landing.
1306 GMT (9:06 a.m. EDT)
Less than 90 degrees left in this turn. Discovery is right on track.
1305 GMT (9:05 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle is in the Heading Alignment Cylinder, an imaginary circle to align with Runway 33. Commander Alan Poindexter is piloting Discovery through a 200-degree right overhead turn to loop around for landing on the southeast to northwest runway.
1305 GMT (9:05 a.m. EDT)
The twin sonic booms have rumbled across the Kennedy Space Center area, announcing the shuttle's arrival.
1304 GMT (9:04 a.m. EDT)
Commander Alan Poindexter has taken manual control of Discovery for landing.
1304 GMT (9:04 a.m. EDT)
Four minutes to landing.
1304 GMT (9:04 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is less than 10 miles in altitude, 68 miles from the runway, traveling at 800 mph.
1303 GMT (9:03 a.m. EDT)
The spacecraft remains on course. The crew has been given a "go" for normal deployment of the drag chute after main gear touchdown.
1302 GMT (9:02 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is 75,000 feet in altitude.
1301 GMT (9:01 a.m. EDT)
Seven minutes to go. Air data probes are being deployed from the shuttle's nose to feed air speed, altitude and angle of attack information to the computers for navigation.
1301 GMT (9:01 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is 19 miles in altitude, 123 miles from the runway, traveling at 2,600 mph.
1300 GMT (9:00 a.m. EDT)
Long-range cameras at the landing site have spotted the approaching spacecraft.
1300 GMT (9:00 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is 22 miles in altitude, 162 miles from the runway, traveling at 3,400 mph.
1259 GMT (8:59 a.m. EDT)
Nine minutes from landing. Discovery has reached Florida airspace to fly east of Gainesville and west of Jacksonville.
1258 GMT (8:58 a.m. EDT)
Ten minutes from touchdown. Mission Control computes Discovery will land 2,700 feet down the runway at 205 knots.
1257 GMT (8:57 a.m. EDT)
Now entering into Georgia to fly north of Albany, east of Valdosta and south of Columbus.
1256 GMT (8:56 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is 31 miles in altitude, 400 miles from the runway, traveling at 7,000 mph.
1255 GMT (8:55 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle is over Alabama, about to pass near Montgomery.
1254 GMT (8:54 a.m. EDT)
Discovery has gone over the border into Mississippi where it will pass above Oxford.
1253 GMT (8:53 a.m. EDT)
After crossing southwest Kansas and Oklahoma to the northeast of Tulsa, the shuttle has reached Arkansas to fly north of Little Rock.
1253 GMT (8:53 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is 36 miles in altitude, 900 miles from the runway, traveling at 11,000 mph.
1251 GMT (8:51 a.m. EDT)
The roll program puts Discovery out of communications for about four minutes.
1250 GMT (8:50 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle's course will pass above the southwestern corner of Nebraska and then over northeastern Colorado.
1249 GMT (8:49 a.m. EDT)
Now continuing into central Wyoming west of Casper.
1248 GMT (8:48 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is 43 miles in altitude.
1247 GMT (8:47 a.m. EDT)
The flight path is taking Discovery near Helena, Montana.
1246 GMT (8:46 a.m. EDT)
The space shuttle is soaring over northeastern Washington.
1245 GMT (8:45 a.m. EDT)
At altitude of 46 miles, Discovery has reached the Canadian skies to fly over Vancouver before crossing the border into the U.S.
1244 GMT (8:44 a.m. EDT)
Time to touchdown now 25 minutes. The space shuttle is approaching landfall on the western coast of Canada.
1243 GMT (8:43 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle is in the midst of the four banks to scrub off speed as it descends into the atmosphere. These turns basically remove the energy vehicle built up during launch.
1241 GMT (8:41 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is continues its plunge over the Pacific Ocean just south of Alaska.
1239 GMT (8:39 a.m. EDT)
Now 30 minutes from touchdown as Discovery plunges into the upper atmosphere. The path will take the spacecraft from Canada to Florida on a southeasterly trajectory toward the landing site. See
ground track.
1236 GMT (8:36 a.m. EDT)
ENTRY INTERFACE. Discovery's thermal protection system is feeling heat beginning to build as the orbiter enters the top fringes of the atmosphere -- a period known as entry interface.
The shuttle is flying at Mach 25 with its nose elevated 40 degrees, wings level, at an altitude of 400,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean.
Touchdown remains set for 9:08 a.m. EDT in Florida.
1234 GMT (8:34 a.m. EDT)
Now 35 minutes left to go. This will be the 74th shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center.
The Florida spaceport's Shuttle Landing Facility was built in 1975. The concrete strip is 300 feet wide and 15,000 feet long with 1,000-foot overruns at each end. The runway is located about three miles northwest of the 525-foot tall Vehicle Assembly Building.
Discovery is targeting Runway 33, which is the southeast to northwest approach. The shuttle will make a 200-degree right overhead turn to align with the runway.
1233 GMT (8:33 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is 209 miles above the northern Pacific, traveling at 16,900 mph.
1229 GMT (8:29 a.m. EDT)
Now 40 minutes to touchdown. Onboard guidance has maneuvered Discovery from its heads-down, tail-forward position needed for the deorbit burn to the re-entry configuration of heads-up and nose-forward. The nose will be pitched upward 40 degrees. In this new position, the black tiles on the shuttle's belly and the reinforced carbon-carbon panels on the wing leading edges and nose cap will shield the spacecraft during the fiery plunge through the Earth's atmosphere with temperatures reaching well over 2,000 degrees F. Discovery will begin interacting with the upper fringes of the atmosphere above the South Pacific at 8:36 a.m. EDT.
1224 GMT (8:24 a.m. EDT)
All three Auxiliary Power Units are up and running now.
1222 GMT (8:22 a.m. EDT)
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1219 GMT (8:19 a.m. EDT)
Now 50 minutes from touchdown at the Kennedy Space Center to conclude Discovery's 15-day, 2-hour, 47-minute flight.
1209 GMT (8:09 a.m. EDT)
Sixty minutes to touchdown. Discovery is maneuvering to the orientation for entry. The shuttle will hit the upper atmosphere at 8:36 a.m.
1206 GMT (8:06 a.m. EDT)
DEORBIT BURN COMPLETE. Discovery has successfully completed the deorbit burn for the trip back home. Landing is scheduled for 9:08 a.m. EDT at the Cape to conclude this mission to the space station and Discovery's penultimate flight.
1204 GMT (8:04 a.m. EDT)
Both engines continue to fire, each producing about 6,000 pounds of thrust.
1203 GMT (8:03 a.m. EDT)
DEORBIT BURN IGNITION. Flying upside down and backwards above the Southern Ocean, Discovery has begun the deorbit burn. The firing of the twin Orbital Maneuvering System engines on the tail of the shuttle will last two minutes and 57 seconds, slowing the craft by about 200 mph to slip from orbit. The retro-burn will send Discovery to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a touchdown at 9:08 a.m. EDT.
1201 GMT (8:01 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is in the proper configuration for the deorbit burn, Mission Control has confirmed for the crew.
1158 GMT (7:58 a.m. EDT)
Pilot Jim Dutton is activating one of three Auxiliary Power Units in advance of the burn, now four minutes away. The other two APUs will be started later in the descent to provide pressure needed to power shuttle's hydraulic systems that move the wing flaps, rudder/speed brake, drop the landing gear and steer the nose wheel. NASA ensures that at least one APU is working before conducting to the deorbit burn since the shuttle needs only a single unit to make a safe landing.
1143 GMT (7:43 a.m. EDT)
GO FOR THE DEORBIT BURN! After waiting an extra day and one additional orbit, the weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center are going to cooperate for landing the space shuttle. Entry flight director Bryan Lunney in Mission Control just gave final approval for Discovery to perform the deorbit burn at 8:02:59 a.m. EDT that will commit the spacecraft for the journey back to Earth.
Touchdown in Florida on Runway 33 is set for 9:08 a.m. EDT, completing a mission that delivered tons of new equipment, science and supplies to the International Space Station.
1141 GMT (7:41 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle is getting maneuvered into the proper orientation for the deorbit burn.
1139 GMT (7:39 a.m. EDT)
Mission Control says the team will watch the weather a few more minutes before making the final "go/no go" call.
1134 GMT (7:34 a.m. EDT)
The current KSC weather conditions are observed "go" and forecast "go" for landing at 9:08 a.m. EDT.
1133 GMT (7:33 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is crossing the North Atlantic on orbit 238. The upcoming engine firing will happen over the Southern Ocean.
1130 GMT (7:30 a.m. EDT)
Just a few more minutes remain until entry flight director Bryan Lunney will have to decide whether Discovery can perform the deorbit burn that puts the shuttle on its glide back to Earth for landing at 9:08 a.m. EDT.
1127 GMT (7:27 a.m. EDT)
The radar is looking good now and no fog has developed at the runway. So far, so good for this upcoming Florida landing opportunity.
1120 GMT (7:20 a.m. EDT)
There are no technical concerns in Mission Control. It's just a question of the weather.
1104 GMT (7:04 a.m. EDT)
The latest data from Mission Control shows the upcoming deorbit burn ignition time will be 8:02:59 a.m. EDT. The twin braking rockets will fire for two minutes and 57 seconds, slowing the shuttle by about 205 mph, just enough to slip out of orbit.
Once in range of the Kennedy Space Center, commander Alan Poindexter will perform a 200-degree right overhead turn to align with Runway 33 for touchdown at 9:08 a.m. EDT.
The total mission duration would be 15 days, 2 hours and 47 minutes.
1056 GMT (6:56 a.m. EDT)
CAPCOM Rick Sturckow says there's cause for optimism on the Florida weather as the morning continues. The KSC landing opportunity is the main focus right now, not diverting to Edwards.
1011 GMT (6:11 a.m. EDT)
ONE ORBIT DELAY. The fickle Florida weather is just too uncertain to commit space shuttle Discovery for re-entry during today's first landing opportunity into the Kennedy Space Center. A line of showers has developed east of the Cape and there's also worries about ground fog forming at the runway.
So Mission Control has waved off the upcoming 6:28 a.m. deorbit option and will keep Discovery in space for an additional orbit of the planet.
The next orbit will have the ability to land at either Edwards Air Force Base in California or Kennedy Space Center. The Edwards deorbit burn would begin at 7:56 a.m., leading to touchdown at 9:01 a.m. EDT. The KSC burn time starts at 8:02 a.m. for touchdown at 9:08 a.m. EDT.
Here's the re-entry tracks for those two opportunities:
1000 GMT (6:00 a.m. EDT)
Entry flight director wants to watch the weather for a few more minutes before making the final call on this orbit.
0950 GMT (5:50 a.m. EDT)
The showers offshore popped up out of nowhere. There's one cell about 15 miles away. Fog still lingers around the area too, although not at the runway itself.
0934 GMT (5:34 a.m. EDT)
Now two hours from touchdown, weather permitting. Some more rain is beginning to pop up on radar off the coast, due east of the runway.
0929 GMT (5:29 a.m. EDT)
The weather is "far from a slam dunk" due to fog concerns and the shower offshore, CAPCOM Rick Sturckow says, but preparations are proceeding toward the first landing opportunity of the day.
The crew has been given a "go" to start the "fluid loading" protocol. That involves drinking large amounts of liquids and salt tablets to assist in the readaptation to Earth's gravity.
This "go" from Mission Control is seen as a good step toward an on time landing. Houston typically doesn't force the crew into fluid loading unless deorbit looks at least possible.
On the menu today:
- Commander Alan Poindexter: 24 oz of water and 24 oz of lemonade
- Pilot Jim Dutton: 8 oz of water, 8 oz of lemonade, 16 oz of orange drink
- Rick Mastracchio: 24 oz of water and 16 oz of tropical punch
- Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger: 40 oz of water
- Stephanie Wilson: 32 oz of orange ade
- Naoko Yamazaki: 24 oz of water
- Clay Anderson: 16 oz of water, 16 oz of tropical punch and 16 z of orange drink
0928 GMT (5:28 a.m. EDT)
The weather aircraft just completed a dive into Runway 15. The pilot reported a thin cloud around 3,500 feet.
0925 GMT (5:25 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle's toilet has been deactivated for landing. And now the crew is completing an alignment of the inertial measurement units for the orbiter's navigation system.
0917 GMT (5:17 a.m. EDT)
Ground fog development continues to be watched around the Cape this morning. So far conditions are OK here locally. But visibility is down to a half-mile in Orlando and currently three miles in Daytona.
There's also one rain cell that's formed over the Atlantic right on the edge of the 30-mile circle around the runway.
0912 GMT (5:12 a.m. EDT)
NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson is once again airborne at the Kennedy Space Center in the Shuttle Training Aircraft to fly weather reconnaissance around the Florida spaceport today. Earlier this morning, he was flying in a T-38 jet to examine how the weather situation was developing.
The Shuttle Training Aircraft is a modified Gulfstream jet that offers a close simulation to the flying characteristics of a space shuttle during landing.
0857 GMT (4:57 a.m. EDT)
The latest data from Mission Control shows the upcoming deorbit burn ignition time will be 6:28:50 a.m. EDT. The twin braking rockets will fire for two minutes and 57 seconds, slowing the shuttle by about 205 mph, just enough to slip out of orbit.
Once in range of the Kennedy Space Center, commander Alan Poindexter will perform a 210-degree left overhead turn to align with Runway 33 for touchdown at 7:34 a.m. EDT.
0848 GMT (4:48 a.m. EDT)
The crew has verified the correct positions of switches in the cockpit.
0830 GMT (4:30 a.m. EDT)
In a pre-flight interview, Discovery astronaut Jim Dutton talked about his time spent as an Air Force test pilot and getting to watch the space shuttle return from orbit.
"I think my best memories of the shuttle before coming to NASA were while I was at Edwards Air Force Base," Dutton said.
"When I first showed up at Edwards people said that the shuttle doesn't land here any more and I guess it hadn't landed there for quite a long time, so people said, 'Don't expect it,' and 'We know you've heard about it but it's not going to happen.' And in the four-and-a-half years I was there it landed there three or maybe even four times and every time that happened it was a really big deal. The base would shut down essentially and people would get their families in and there were some tall structures out near the flight line that we could run up on top.
"I remember taking my kids up on top of those and watching and saying, 'You watch boys, this airplane coming back in just came from space.' And that really, I remember looking over at my wife and Erin saying, 'I just can't believe that thing was in space just a few minutes ago.' So it really is a tremendous accomplishment that you have a reusable launch vehicle that launches into space as a rocket, comes back as an airplane, turns around and does it again."
0805 GMT (4:05 a.m. EDT)
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0757 GMT (3:57 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is beginning to maneuver into a new orientation in space to improve the communications link with NASA's orbiting data relay satellite network.
0753 GMT (3:53 a.m. EDT)
Mission Control has given the crew a "go" to transition the onboard computers from the OPS-2 software used during the shuttle's stay in space to OPS-3, which is the software package that governs entry and landing.
0752 GMT (3:52 a.m. EDT)
Space shuttle Discovery's 60-foot-long payload bay doors have been closed and locked in preparation for today's descent into Earth's atmosphere and landing at Kennedy Space Center. The deorbit burn remains scheduled for 6:28 a.m., with touchdown at 7:34 a.m. EDT (1134 GMT).
0742 GMT (3:42 a.m. EDT)
Mission Control has given the "go" to the astronauts for payload bay door closing.
The crew completed the steps to bypass the shuttle's radiators on the insides of the payload bay doors and checked out of the ship's flash evaporator cooling system for entry.
0730 GMT (3:30 a.m. EDT)
Work is progressing aboard Discovery to ready the shuttle for its trek through the atmosphere to landing this morning. Weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center are looking good at this hour, but meteorologists will be keeping tabs on possible development of fog at the runway.
0640 GMT (2:40 a.m. EDT)
"Good news, there's a 'go' forecast at KSC," CAPCOM Rick Sturckow radioed from Mission Control. "No precipitation concern inside of 30 miles, all the shower activity's kind of to the east of that 30-mile circle. The main concern is going to be fog. Fog is not in the forecast, but that's what we're having Fergie (astronaut Chris Ferguson) look at for the T-38 (weather assessment) flight."
"So it's going to be few (clouds) at 2,000 (feet), scattered 5,000, scattered
12,000, seven miles vis and the winds are zero-eight-zero (at) four, peak six
knots," Sturckow said. "So that's all good news. We'll keep an eye on the fog for the first opportunity."
"We understand, Houston, thanks a lot," commander Alan Poindexter replied from Discovery. "That sounds like a great forecast."
0322 GMT (11:22 p.m. EDT Mon.)
Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again" was this morning's musical wakeup song to get Discovery's Flight Day 16 underway.
The crew has a couple of hours to eat breakfast and go about their morning routine before beginning the deorbit preparation timeline at 2:41 a.m. EDT.
The ship's 60-foot-long payload bay doors are scheduled to be closed at 3:48 a.m., followed by the transition of onboard computers to the software for entry and the crew donning its spacesuits.
A final decision whether to land on time will come around 6:08 a.m., leading to ignition of Discovery's braking rockets at 6:28 a.m. for three minutes to start the trek home. The shuttle would hit the upper atmosphere at 7:01 a.m.
Landing at the Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for 7:34 a.m. EDT, weather permitting.
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2010
NASA has generated and released maps showing Discovery's ground track for the five landing opportunities available on Tuesday:
1630 GMT (12:30 p.m. EDT)
The latest version of the NASA Television schedule (Rev. O) can be downloaded
here.
1540 GMT (11:40 a.m. EDT)
NASA has updated the shuttle Discovery's deorbit and landing times for Tuesday and Wednesday at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and Edwards Air Force Base in California (all times Eastern). Both sites will be active and ready to support both days.
ORBIT...SITE..DEORBIT.......LANDING
Tuesday
237.....KSC...06:28:50 AM...07:34:08 AM
238.....EDW...07:56:29 AM...09:01:17 AM
........KSC...08:02:59 AM...09:08:37 AM
239.....EDW...09:30:59 AM...10:35:57 AM
240.....EDW...11:05:39 AM...12:11:06 AM
Wednesday
253.....KSC...06:52 AM...07:53 AM
254.....EDW...08:19 AM...09:21 AM
........KSC...08:27 AM...09:28 AM
255.....EDW...09:54 AM...10:56 AM
1257 GMT (8:57 a.m. EDT)
NO LANDING TODAY. Weather conditions simply not suitable for landing the powerless space shuttle will preclude Discovery's voyage home to the Kennedy Space Center this morning.
The seven astronauts now get a bonus day in orbit to watch the world turn before setting their sights on returning to Earth on Tuesday morning at either the Florida spaceport or possibly the alternate landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
There will be five landing opportunities available on Tuesday beginning with an orbit 237 shot into KSC, then both sites on orbit 238 and two subsequent trajectories to Edwards on orbits 239 and 240.
The soonest Discovery would brake from space would be the 6:31 a.m. EDT deorbit burn to land in Florida at 7:33 a.m. EDT.
Meteorologists are predicting a "slight chance" of showers at the Cape tomorrow, scattered low- and mid-level clouds, a broken high deck of clouds and breezy crosswinds.
At this point, the formal decision to call up Edwards' support on Tuesday has not yet been announced. The weather outlook for California is within limits.
All times Eastern:
ORBIT...SITE..DEORBIT.......LANDING
Tuesday
237.....KSC...06:31 AM...07:33 AM
238.....EDW...07:59 AM...09:00 AM
........KSC...08:07 AM...09:08 AM
239.....EDW...09:34 AM...10:36 AM
240.....EDW...11:09 AM...12:11 AM
1253 GMT (8:53 a.m. EDT)
Standing by for the final call from flight director Bryan Lunney.
1245 GMT (8:45 a.m. EDT)
The current observations at the runway shows clouds at 200 feet, a broken deck at 2,700 feet and visibility of just 2 miles.
1242 GMT (8:42 a.m. EDT)
The low-level clouds coming and going over the runway are described as sporadic by weather Chris Ferguson
1238 GMT (8:38 a.m. EDT)
Pilot Jim Dutton has completed the OMS engine gimbal check. The Auxiliary Power Unit prestart is underway.
1235 GMT (8:35 a.m. EDT)
Another wall of low clouds is moving over the runway.
1233 GMT (8:33 a.m. EDT)
It is estimated at Mission Control will watch the weather for another 20 minutes or so before making a decision on this upcoming landing opportunity.
1231 GMT (8:31 a.m. EDT)
Weather pilot Chris Ferguson is out scouting the clouds to the west looking for any breaks. Although the visibility improved from earlier, there remains clouds all around the Cape.
1223 GMT (8:23 a.m. EDT)
Now two hours from touchdown.
The crew has been given a tentative approval to slowly start the "fluid loading" protocol just to keep the options open for landing today. Rain remains a constraint at the current time.
"Fluid loading" involves drinking large amounts of liquids and salt tablets to assist in the readaptation to Earth's gravity. Water, orange, lemonade, lemon-lime, grape and tropical punch drinks are on the menu for the astronauts to pick from.
1215 GMT (8:15 a.m. EDT)
CAPCOM Rick Sturckow says Mission Control has "not completely given up" on the next landing opportunity for today. Visibility at the runway was reduced to just 1.5 miles when those low clouds rolled in. But the conditions have improved now.
The main concern at present is the showers within the restricted 30-mile zone around the runway.
1210 GMT (8:10 a.m. EDT)
Ferguson is flying out to the east to evaluate the showers and weather buildups noted on radar.
1205 GMT (8:05 a.m. EDT)
NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson is once again airborne at the Kennedy Space Center in the Shuttle Training Aircraft to fly weather reconnaissance around the Florida spaceport today. Earlier this morning, he was flying in a T-38 jet to examine how the weather situation was developing.
The Shuttle Training Aircraft is a modified Gulfstream jet that offers a close simulation to the flying characteristics of a space shuttle during landing.
1155 GMT (7:55 a.m. EDT)
The clouds cover is beginning to break apart directly overhead here at KSC. But there's still rain showers just off the coastline.
1120 GMT (7:20 a.m. EDT)
These very low clouds continue to drift into the Complex 39 area at the Kennedy Space Center. In fact, the top of the 52-story Vehicle Assembly Building is disappearing.
1105 GMT (7:05 a.m. EDT)
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1100 GMT (7:00 a.m. EDT)
ONE ORBIT DELAY. The return of shuttle Discovery has been postponed at least one orbit due to unacceptable weather conditions at Kennedy Space Center this morning. Low-hanging clouds and rain showers at the Florida spaceport have left entry flight director Bryan Lunney no choice but to scrub today's first landing opportunity.
Shuttle Discovery will remain in space for at least another orbit of the planet while Mission Control monitors the weather for signs of improvement. The second and final landing opportunity for today would begin with a 9:17 a.m. EDT deorbit burn and a touchdown at 10:23 a.m. EDT.
A map showing the ground track for an orbit 223 landing is posted here.
If the weather does not clear, Discovery would stay in orbit until Tuesday morning when the next landing options are available for both KSC and the backup site at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
All times Eastern:
ORBIT...SITE..DEORBIT.......LANDING
Monday
223.....KSC...09:17 AM...10:23 AM
Tuesday
237.....KSC...06:31 AM...07:33 AM
238.....EDW...07:59 AM...09:00 AM
........KSC...08:07 AM...09:08 AM
239.....EDW...09:34 AM...10:36 AM
240.....EDW...11:09 AM...12:11 AM
1054 GMT (6:54 a.m. EDT)
After some earlier optimism from the meteorologists, the current weather situation appears pretty unstable.
1049 GMT (6:49 a.m. EDT)
CAPCOM Rick Sturckow says "we haven't made a final decision" on the first landing opportunity for today but the weather picture is not looking good.
1036 GMT (6:36 a.m. EDT)
Meteorologists say the overcast cloud cover is forming a ceiling at 2,200 feet.
1025 GMT (6:25 a.m. EDT)
The latest data from Mission Control shows the upcoming deorbit burn ignition time will be 7:43:15 a.m. EDT. The twin braking rockets will fire for two minutes and 59 seconds, slowing the shuttle by about 300 feet per second, just enough to slip out of orbit.
Once in range of the Kennedy Space Center, commander Alan Poindexter will perform a 190-degree right overhead turn to align with Runway 33 for touchdown at 8:48 a.m. EDT.
The runway choice has been changed from the earlier plan to use Runway 15.
1016 GMT (6:16 a.m. EDT)
The crew confirms switches in Discovery's cockpit are configured for re-entry activities.
0957 GMT (5:57 a.m. EDT)
Forecasters briefing entry flight director Bryan Lunney say they see an improving weather trend around Cape Canaveral. An upper level disturbance producing rain showers should be past the shuttle runway in about a half-hour and clear of the coast within about 45 minutes.
0914 GMT (5:14 a.m. EDT)
Mission Control has given the crew a "go" to transition the onboard computers from the OPS-2 software used during the shuttle's stay in space to OPS-3, which is the software package that governs entry and landing.
0906 GMT (5:06 a.m. EDT)
Discovery is beginning to maneuver into a new orientation in space to improve the communications link with NASA's orbiting data relay satellite network.
0903 GMT (5:03 a.m. EDT)
Space shuttle Discovery's clam-shell payload bay doors have been closed and locked in preparation for today's descent into Earth's atmosphere and landing at Kennedy Space Center. The deorbit burn remains scheduled for 7:43 a.m., with touchdown at 8:48 a.m. EDT (1248 GMT).
0857 GMT (4:57 a.m. EDT)
The latest weather update given to the astronauts:
"We are currently observed 'no go' and forecast 'no go,'" CAPCOM Rick Sturckow just told the crew. "But just looking at the weather picture on the map on the scene, there is some cause for optimism for both the first and the second KSC opportunities. The weather is in the southeast quadrant. It's generally kinda moving east and we'll continue to monitor."
"Hey, thanks for the update, C.J. We appreciate it," Poindexter replied. "Looking forward to landing in Florida today if the weather works out."
0855 GMT (4:55 a.m. EDT)
The "go" has been radioed to the astronauts for payload bay door closing.
The crew completed the work to bypass the shuttle's radiators on the insides of the payload bay doors and checked out of the ship's flash evaporator cooling system for entry.
0840 GMT (4:40 a.m. EDT)
Commander Alan Poindexter and pilot Jim Dutton are getting suited up a little head of the timeline, they report. Landing at the Kennedy Space Center to conclude this spaceflight is scheduled for 8:48 a.m. EDT, weather permitting. There is a backup opportunity available an orbit later at 10:23 a.m. EDT.
Check out the re-entry ground tracks:
first orbit and
second orbit.
0830 GMT (4:30 a.m. EDT)
The crew has re-installed the mission specialists' seats in the crew module and started the early preps for closing the payload bay doors.
0815 GMT (4:15 a.m. EDT)
The astronauts are marching through the deorbit preparation timeline. Commander Alan Poindexter loaded the "cold soak" attitude into Discovery's computers. This orientation for the shuttle has proven over the years to help keep the avionics' temperatures in check during the landing. The crew also began going across the cockpit and verifying switches are in the proper positions for entry.
0745 GMT (3:45 a.m. EDT)
CAPCOM Rick Sturckow in Mission Control just offered an update on the weather situation to commander Alan Poindexter. Light rain is falling within the restricted 30-mile circle around Kennedy Space Center's landing facility right now, but the system is moving offshore.
The landing time specifics include a continued chance of showers at the runway, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken deck at 8,000 feet and overcast skies at 12,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, and north-northeasterly winds from 020 degrees at 7 peaking to 11 knots, equating to an 8-knot crosswind.
"We got two good opportunities today, hopefully things will clear out," Sturckow said, "and tomorrow looks even better, but a little more crosswind."
"Copy, Houston, we appreciate those words. We know you guys will be working it hard and we thank you in advance for that," Poindexter replied.
0600 GMT (2:00 a.m. EDT)
The entry team of flight controllers is arriving on console in the Mission Control Center to take a handover from the planning shift that oversaw shuttle systems while the crew slept today. Bryan Lunney and his team will be on duty for today's activities to bring Discovery back to Earth.
0422 GMT (12:22 a.m. EDT)
Space shuttle Discovery will be heading back to Earth today and the seven astronauts just received a musical wakeup call from Mission Control -- the National Anthem -- to get the day started.
"It's a great day to be in space, and we're hopefully looking to have some good weather and perhaps get home today. Good morning," commander Alan Poindexter radioed Mission Control.
The crew has a couple of hours to eat breakfast and go about their morning routine before beginning the deorbit preparation timeline at 3:43 a.m. EDT.
The ship's 60-foot-long payload bay doors are scheduled to be closed at 5:03 a.m., followed by the transition of onboard computers to the software for entry and the crew donning its spacesuits.
A final decision whether to land on time will come around 7:23 a.m., leading to ignition of Discovery's braking rockets at 7:43 a.m. for three minutes to start the trek home. The shuttle would hit the upper atmosphere at 8:17 a.m.
Landing on Runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for 8:48 a.m. EDT.
If the weather or a problem forces entry flight director Bryan Lunney to scrub the day's first re-entry opportunity and keep Discovery in space, there is a backup landing option available one orbit later. That would begin with a deorbit engine firing at 9:17 a.m. and a touchdown in Florida at 10:23 a.m. EDT.
NASA is not calling up support today from the alternate landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert of California. So if the weather prevents a landing in Florida, the spacecraft would have to remain in orbit for an additional day.
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2010
1740 GMT (1:40 p.m. EDT)
The Discovery astronauts tested the shuttle's re-entry systems Sunday and packed up for landing Monday at the Kennedy Space Center, weather permitting, to close out a space station resupply mission with a fiery dawn plunge across the heartland of America.
Read our
full story.
1732 GMT (1:32 p.m. EDT)
Discovery just completed an orbital adjust burn using both OMS engines for 11 seconds and changing its speed by 18 feet per second.
1510 GMT (11:10 a.m. EDT)
Here's an updated look at the available landing opportunities for space shuttle Discovery at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the backup site at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Only KSC will be called up Monday. But both sites plan to be activated and ready to support a landing on Tuesday. (all times EDT)
ORBIT...SITE..DEORBIT.......LANDING
Monday
222.....KSC...07:43:20 AM...08:48:36 AM
223.....KSC...09:17:48 AM...10:23:30 AM
Tuesday
237.....KSC...06:31:00 AM...07:33:00 AM
238.....EDW...07:59:00 AM...09:00:00 AM
........KSC...08:07:00 AM...09:08:00 AM
239.....EDW...09:34:00 AM...10:36:00 AM
240.....EDW...11:09:00 AM...12:11:00 AM
Wednesday
253.....KSC...06:52:00 AM...07:53:00 AM
254.....EDW...08:19:00 AM...09:21:00 AM
........KSC...08:27:00 AM...09:28:00 AM
255.....EDW...09:54:00 AM...10:56:00 AM
1320 GMT (9:20 a.m. EDT)
The latest version of the NASA Television schedule (Rev. N) can be downloaded
here.
0815 GMT (4:15 a.m. EDT)
The hot-fire test has been accomplished with no problems reported.
0803 GMT (4:03 a.m. EDT)
The flight control system checkout went well. The astronauts are getting ready to perform the reaction control system hot-fire. The thrusters on the nose and tail of the shuttle will be pulsed as part of the continuing entry and landing checks for tomorrow's homecoming by Discovery.
0750 GMT (3:50 a.m. EDT)
The astronauts are checking out the onboard suite of sensors and navigation devices. Upcoming on the list of activities will be checking the entry-critical switches in the cockpit, testing the nose wheel steering system and evaluating the heads-up displays used during landing.
0735 GMT (3:35 a.m. EDT)
The crew has successfully completed the flight control system checkout, starting up one of the Auxiliary Power Units for the orbiter's hydraulics and moving the aerosurfaces through a planned test pattern.
0730 GMT (3:30 a.m. EDT)
Auxiliary Power Unit No. 1 has been fired up for the flight control system checkout.
0423 GMT (12:23 a.m. EDT)
Discovery's astronauts have awakened to begin their final full day in space, weather permitting. They are due to land Monday morning at the Kennedy Space Center, if the forecast for rain showers doesn't materialize.
But today will be spent testing the ship's reaction control system and aerosurfaces for entry and landing, stowing away equipment for the homecoming and holding one more round of live media interviews.
There will be back-to-back orbits available for Discovery to fire its braking rockets and re-enter the atmosphere for landing in Florida at 8:51 and 10:26 a.m. EDT on Monday.
NASA is not calling up support from the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday.
Read our earlier status center coverage.