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Watch Live NASA TV
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You can see the launch again here:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
This is certanily going to be one of the most challenging missions in years, installing the P3/P4 truss and more giant solar arrays. Watching it via NASA TV online will be great.
Atlantis' six crew members will install a second set of solar arrays on the space station, doubling the station’s ability to generate power from sunlight and adding 17.5 tons to its mass. It’s a mission they’ve had four years to train for
A major spacewalk task will be deployment of the two solar wings. When extended, each solar wing will be 115 feet by 38 feet. They are deployed in opposite directions and each is made up of a center mast supporting a solar "blanket" on either side. Each wing uses nearly 33,000 solar cells and on Earth would weigh more than 2,400 pounds. The two new wings are capable of generating enough power to meet the needs of 30 average homes, based on consumption of 2 kilowatts of power each.
The truss in its launch configuration is about 45 feet long, but once on orbit with the solar arrays deployed, it will have a wingspan of almost 240 feet," says Robbie Ashley, space station mission manager for the STS-115 mission.
On Earth, the P3/P4 segment weighs almost 35,000 pounds -- one of the heaviest station payloads. It will be weightless in orbit, allowing the astronauts to remove the segment from Atlantis' payload bay using the shuttle's remote arm and hand it off to the space station's remote arm. The astronauts will then maneuver the segment into place before attaching it to the P1 segment. The astronauts will need three spacewalks for the entire process.
Master flight plan:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts115/fdf/sts115flightplan.html
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
This is certanily going to be one of the most challenging missions in years, installing the P3/P4 truss and more giant solar arrays. Watching it via NASA TV online will be great.
Atlantis' six crew members will install a second set of solar arrays on the space station, doubling the station’s ability to generate power from sunlight and adding 17.5 tons to its mass. It’s a mission they’ve had four years to train for
A major spacewalk task will be deployment of the two solar wings. When extended, each solar wing will be 115 feet by 38 feet. They are deployed in opposite directions and each is made up of a center mast supporting a solar "blanket" on either side. Each wing uses nearly 33,000 solar cells and on Earth would weigh more than 2,400 pounds. The two new wings are capable of generating enough power to meet the needs of 30 average homes, based on consumption of 2 kilowatts of power each.
The truss in its launch configuration is about 45 feet long, but once on orbit with the solar arrays deployed, it will have a wingspan of almost 240 feet," says Robbie Ashley, space station mission manager for the STS-115 mission.
On Earth, the P3/P4 segment weighs almost 35,000 pounds -- one of the heaviest station payloads. It will be weightless in orbit, allowing the astronauts to remove the segment from Atlantis' payload bay using the shuttle's remote arm and hand it off to the space station's remote arm. The astronauts will then maneuver the segment into place before attaching it to the P1 segment. The astronauts will need three spacewalks for the entire process.
Master flight plan:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts115/fdf/sts115flightplan.html
1048 GMT (6:48 a.m. EDT)
CONTACT AND CAPTURE! Atlantis has arrived to 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.
CONTACT AND CAPTURE! Atlantis has arrived to 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.
First spacewalk is underway
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
