Heat Shield Survey Complete

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:51:28 -0500

Atlantis’ crew completed a planned survey of the shuttle heat shielding today, noting a few dings in tiles that experts will continue to analyze. Flight Director Tony Ceccacci said that upon an initial look, damage found during the inspection appeared to be minor and likely not a concern, but he said experts would analyze it as is normal to be certain the shuttle’s heat shielding is in good shape. The damage included small dings along an area of about 21 inches spanning four of the shuttle’s thermal tiles located on the starboard side of the spacecraft where the wing blends into the forward fuselage.

Heat Shield Survey Continuing

Tue, 12 May 2009 13:19:51 -0500

The inspection of the shuttle's heat shield is continuing. Today's mission status briefing with Lead Flight Director Tony Ceccaci is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. EDT on NASA TV. Afterward, NASA TV will air the ISS Progress 33 docking to the International Space Station, expected at 3:23 p.m. The post-MMT briefing with MMT Chair Leroy Cain is set for 5 p.m.

Ground Crews Inspecting Flame Trench Damage

Tue, 12 May 2009 08:11:01 -0500

During preliminary inspections of launch pad 39A following yesterday's Atlantis launch, 25 square feet of Fondue Fyre from the North side of the solid rocket booster flame deflector was found to be liberated. The liberated Fondue Fyre appears to be next to a section of the of the solid rocket booster flame deflector that was repaired after STS-120. Some pneumatic lines (gaseous nitrogen, pressurized air) in the area were damaged and will need to be repaired. Preliminary indications are that there will not be an impact to Endeavour's June launch from pad 39A and this does not impact in any way our ability to launch Endeavour from Pad B should the need arise.

STS-125 Crew Begins First Full Day in Space

Tue, 12 May 2009 04:04:38 -0500

A busy day is ahead for the crew of space shuttle Atlantis as they continue to close in on the Hubble Space Telescope. Today's wake-up music was "Kryptonite" performed by 3 Doors Down. It was played shortly after 5 a.m. EDT for STS-125 Pilot Greg Johnson.

STS-125 MCC Status Report #01

The Hubble Space Telescope’s final house call is on its way, as the space shuttle Atlantis roared into orbit through a clear blue Florida sky this afternoon.

The STS-125 crew – Commander Scott Altman, Pilot Gregory C. Johnson and mission specialists Michael Good, Megan McArthur, John Grunsfeld, Mike Massimino and Andrew Feustel – lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 1:01:56 p.m. Central time as Hubble flew directly overhead. Less than nine minutes later, the crew reached its preliminary orbit and began making its way toward the telescope. Atlantis is scheduled to rendezvous with the orbiting observatory on Wednesday.

Atlantis is carrying equipment that will extend Hubble’s lifetime and enhance its scientific capabilities. Grunsfeld, Massimino, Good and Feustel will install the new equipment during five spacewalks planned for the 11-day mission. Later today, the crew will check out the shuttle’s robotic arm and use it to survey the equipment in Atlantis’ payload bay. The arm will be used Wednesday to capture Hubble and secure it to the shuttle bay for servicing.

The STS-125 crew will begin its sleep period at 8:01 p.m. and awaken at 4:01 a.m. Tuesday. The next shuttle status report will be issued after crew wakeup, or earlier if events warrant.

Atlantis Begins Pursuit of Hubble Space Telescope

Mon, 11 May 2009 14:46:45 -0500

After a smooth countdown and picture-perfect liftoff, space shuttle Atlantis and a crew of seven astronauts are in space, beginning their 11-day mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis lifted off Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida today at 2:01 p.m. EDT.

Atlantis Lifts Off!

Sun, 10 May 2009 23:00:00 -0500

Under a dry, hot, cloud-washed Florida sky, space shuttle Atlantis roars off Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida with its crew of...

Main Engine Cutoff: Atlantis Reaches Orbit

Mon, 11 May 2009 13:11:10 -0500

After a smooth countdown and picture-perfect liftoff, space shuttle Atlantis and a crew of seven astronauts are in space, ready to begin their 11-day mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis lifted off Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:01 p.m. EDT.

From the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the booster officer confirmed Atlantis' trio of main engines cut off on time at 2:10 p.m. With Atlantis safely in orbit, its giant external fuel tank was jettisoned. Onboard cameras recorded the tank's condition as it fell away from Atlantis and descends toward Earth.

Liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis!

Mon, 11 May 2009 13:02:11 -0500

With its main engines burning and solid rocket boosters roaring, space shuttle Atlantis is blazing a trail through cloudless afternoon skies over NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after an on-time liftoff at 2:01 p.m. EDT.

Atlantis and its crew of seven astronauts are picking up speed as they begin an 11-day mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope one last time. The climb to orbit takes about 8 1/2 minutes. Stand by for main engine cutoff at 2:10 p.m.

Atlantis and Crew are 'Go' for Launch

Mon, 11 May 2009 12:50:18 -0500

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis and crew are nearing liftoff at Launch Pad 39A. They're ready to begin the final mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

There are no constraints to launch. An ice formation on the liquid hydrogen umbilical is cleared for liftoff and weather remains favorable. Stand by for release of the T-9 minute hold.

Launch remains scheduled for 2:01 p.m. EDT.

T-9 Minutes and Holding

Mon, 11 May 2009 12:13:59 -0500

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis and crew are nearing liftoff at Launch Pad 39A. They're ready to begin the final mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

The countdown clock is holding at T-9 minutes. This is the last built-in hold today and is scheduled to last about 40 minutes.

A five-person "Red Team" is at the launch pad to check ice formation on the liquid hydrogen umbilical.

The weather forecast remains "go" at the launch site and the Transoceanic Abort Landing site in Moron, Spain, as the countdown clock ticks backward toward an on-time launch at 2:01 p.m. EDT.

T-9 Minutes and Counting; Atlantis and Crew Poised for Launch

Mon, 11 May 2009 12:53:05 -0500

Excitement is building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as the countdown continues toward the liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis and seven astronauts on the STS-125 mission.

The countdown has resumed following today's final planned hold. At Launch Pad 39A, Atlantis and crew await liftoff at 2:01 p.m. EDT, ready to begin the 11-day mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope for the final time.

T-20 Minutes and Counting

Mon, 11 May 2009 12:01:12 -0500

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis and crew are nearing liftoff at Launch Pad 39A. They're ready to begin the final mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The countdown has resumed. The only remaining planned hold in today's countdown will take place at T-9 minutes. A five-person "Red Team" is at the launch pad to check ice formation on the liquid hydrogen umbilical. Meanwhile, with the seven STS-125 astronauts safely strapped into space shuttle Atlantis, the launch pad Closeout Crew has confirmed the crew module's side hatch is properly closed and latched for flight. The Closeout Crew members will gather their equipment and depart Launch Pad 39A, retreating to a fallback area a safe distance away. The weather forecast remains "go" at the launch site and the Transoceanic Abort Landing site in Moron, Spain, as the countdown clock ticks backward toward an on-time launch at 2:01 p.m. EDT.

T-20 Minutes and Holding

Mon, 11 May 2009 11:55:18 -0500

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis and crew are nearing liftoff at Launch Pad 39A. They're ready to begin the final mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

The countdown clock is holding at T-20 minutes for 10 minutes. This is one of only two remaining built-in holds.

A five-person "Red Team" is on its way to the launch pad to check ice formation on the liquid hydrogen umbilical. Meanwhile, with the seven STS-125 astronauts safely strapped into space shuttle Atlantis, the launch pad Closeout Crew has confirmed the crew module's side hatch is properly closed and latched for flight. The Closeout Crew members will gather their equipment and depart Launch Pad 39A, retreating to a fallback area a safe distance away.

The weather forecast remains "go" at the launch site and the Transoceanic Abort Landing site in Moron, Spain, as the countdown clock ticks backward toward an on-time launch at 2:01 p.m. EDT.

STS-125 Astronauts All On Board

Mon, 11 May 2009 11:04:37 -0500

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-125 astronauts are all on board space shuttle Atlantis and their communications checks are complete. Weather remains favorable, with a 90 percent chance of good conditions at launch time.

Today's countdown continues to go smoothly and liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis remains on schedule for 2:01 p.m. EDT. Atlantis and crew are embarking on an 11-day mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

STS-125 Astronauts are Boarding Atlantis

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:44:54 -0500

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-125 have arrived at Launch Pad 39A and have started boarding space shuttle Atlantis in preparation for launch on this 11-day mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Today's countdown continues to go smoothly and liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis remains on schedule for 2:01 p.m. EDT. Weather remains favorable, with a 90 percent chance of good conditions at launch time.

Flight Crew Departs for Launch Pad 39A

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:17:33 -0500

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-125 astronauts are on their way to Launch Pad 39A in the silver Astrovan. Upon their arrival at the launch pad, they will begin boarding space shuttle Atlantis in preparation for launch on this 11-day mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

Today's countdown continues to go smoothly and liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis remains on schedule for 2:01 p.m. EDT. Weather remains favorable, with a 90 percent chance of good conditions at launch time.

T-3 Hours and Counting

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:12:17 -0500

The countdown has resumed as planned at the T-3-hour mark. Today's countdown to launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope continues to go smoothly this morning at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The STS-125 astronauts are scheduled to depart their crew quarters shortly for the ride to Launch Pad 39A, where Atlantis awaits their arrival. Liftoff remains scheduled for 2:01 p.m. EDT.

STS-125 Astronauts are Suiting Up

Mon, 11 May 2009 08:50:33 -0500

The countdown to launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope continues to go smoothly this morning at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The mission's seven astronauts are in their crew quarters, climbing into their orange launch-and-entry suits. They're scheduled to depart at 10:16 a.m. EDT for the ride to Launch Pad 39A, where Atlantis awaits their arrival.

Liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis is on schedule for 2:01 p.m. The weather forecast is excellent, with a 90 percent chance of favorable conditions at launch time.

STS-125 Astronauts are Suiting Up

Mon, 11 May 2009 08:50:33 -0500

The countdown to launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope continues to go smoothly this morning at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The mission's seven astronauts are in their crew quarters, climbing into their orange launch-and-entry suits. They're scheduled to depart at 10:16 a.m. EDT for the ride to Launch Pad 39A, where Atlantis awaits their arrival.

Liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis is on schedule for 2:01 p.m. The weather forecast is excellent, with a 90 percent chance of favorable conditions at launch time.