Endeavour Crew Busy on Day Two

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison. The crew of Endeavour is spending this afternoon inspecting the ship's thermal protection system, also known as the tiles and blankets which cover the ship, and the spacesuits which will be needed for four spacewalks this week.

Meanwhile, the three member crew of the international space station also prepared for tomorrow afternoon's docking of the two craft for 10 days of joint docked operations. The ISS crew is ensuring they will have both their still and movie cameras ready for Endeavour's approach and docking beginning at 4pm ET, with docking slated for 5:13 pm.

At 4:57 pm today, crew on the flight deck continued with the tile inspection focusing on the nose cap region. On the orbiter's middeck, crew members worked on step 99 on the spacesuit and EVA checklist.

During this time, Endeavour was flying 160 statue miles above western Europe; while the international space station was 220 sm over northern Australia.

At 5:04 pm ET today, space shuttle manager Leroy Cain confimed what we have been reporting here at spacelaunchnews.com that there will likely be a one day extension to this mission. Comfirmation will come around the conclusion of the fourth spacewalk on Nov. 24.

+ Turn here for Live coverage of the docking operations beginning at 4 pm tomorrow. Click on the NASA-TV link at upper, right. +

At a MET+21 hrs, 15 minutes into the flight of Endeavour, this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Endeavour's Timeline for Today

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison. As the flight crew sleeps this morning following a busy launch night, we at spacelaunchnews.com wanted to post the latest mission timeline as of now. All times are EST:

10:55 am: Crew wakes to begin Day 2

02:15 pm: Crew uses robotic arm to survey Endeavour's tile surface.

02:45 pm: Space suits are checked out by mission specialists Piper & Bowen.

Today will be spent setting up the orbiter for Sunday afternoon's rendezvous and docking with the international space station. Docking set for 5:13 pm tomorrow followed by station hatch opening at 6:55 pm ET.

On Tuesday at 1:45 pm ET, mission specialists Piper and Bowen will begin the first of four planned spacewalks on this mission.

Currently, at 7:55 am, Endeavour is flying in an orbital altitude of 151 x 131 nm midway through orbit 9.

The orbiter's attitude has the tail flying in direction of travel with the payload bay facing earth. At a MET+12 hours, this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Great KSC Endeavour Launch Images

A few NASA / KSC launch images we just received in... what a beautiful autumn evening launch of Endeavour just hours ago at 7:55:39 pm ET. The entire ascent was clean with no issues.

At a MET+ 5 hrs, 6 mins, this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Endeavour OnOrbit; Racing to Space Station

Endeavour rises above pad 39-A at 7:55:53 pm ET.

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison. Endeavour just successfully performed her OMS-2 burn in which her twin large jets fire for two minutes to help circularize her orbit.

+ Turn into NASA-TV at upper right for Live video. +

MET+50:00 minutes post-launch.

SLN Video: Endeavour's Launch Tonight

SLN: Up to the Minute has tonight's launch video to watch. Liftoff occurred at 7:55:39 pm ET. Download Window's Media Player for viewing.

Endeavour Launches to Space Station

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison. A beautiful night launch of the space shuttle Endeavour occurred tonight at 7:55 pm ET from here at the Kennedy Space Center to begin 15-days of orbital operations and a visit to the international space station.

"It's our turn to take home improvement to a new level after ten years of international space station construction," Commander Chris Ferguson stated to launch control just before flight. "Endeavour is ready to go!"

Endeavour will dock to the space station on Sunday evening to begin ten+ days of docked operations. On tap will be four spacewalks, installation of a second toliet, a water purification system, two extra beds, and more supplies in an effort to begin having six crew members live on the space station beginning this spring.

The seven crew members are commander Ferguson and Pilot Eric Boe, mission specialists Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough, Don Pettit, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Sandrea Mangus. Mangus will stay behind after Endeavour undocks and live aboard the station for four months.

Following a Thanksgiving Day station seperation by Endeavour, touchdown is currently scheduled for November 29th. However, most at the Johnson Space Center feel a one to two day mission extension could be placed into the timeline to allow for extra work to be performed.

At a mission elapse time of 10 minutes into the 22nd flight of Endeavour, this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Launch Team all Go for Launch

Endeavour at 7:42 pm ET tonight

Endeavour Crew Heads to Pad as Launch Nears

Endeavour via NASA-TV at 3:54 pm ET today.

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison. The seven member flight crew is heading to launch pad 39-A right now. All systems remain "Green" for launch tonight at 7:55:30 pm ET, to begin a 15-day mission to the international space station.

Stay tune for new updates soon...At T-3 hrs, 48 minutes until launch of Endeavour, this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Endeavour Set to Fly Tonight!

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison. Shuttle Endeavour and her seven member flight crew remain set to fly in less than 12 hours now; and the launch control center is currently not working any issues.

In this image at left recorded via NASA-TV at 7:48 am ET, it's a beautiful morning here at the Kennedy Space Center and Launch Pad 39-A.

At 10:30 am ET this morning, controlers will being loading liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen fuels into the huge rust-colored external tank. This fuel will be used for the nine minute ride to space to power the orbiter's main engines.

At 4:05 pm, the flight crew will leave the operations and checkout building for the astrovan ride to Pad 39-A.

+ Catch complete live coverage via NASA-TV. Tune in beginning at 2:30 pm ET, and click the NASA-TV link at upper right. +

Come back soon for new updates and flight day images from here at KSC. At T-11 hours, 55 minutes until launch, this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Endeavour Poised for Friday Night Launch

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison. Space shuttle Endeavour remains on schedule for her launch tomorrow evening from her seaside launch pad here at the Kennedy Space Center.

STS-126 Commander Chris Ferguson and Pilot Eric Boe [above] posed for this image after practicing shuttle landings on Wednesday night. Launch and landing will take place at night and the shuttle training aircraft handles similar to the orbiter. They took the STA up for several touch-and-go's from either end of the runway near the vehicle assembly building.

+ Tune in right here for Live Launch Coverage beginning at 2:30 pm ET on Friday by clicking on the NASA-TV link at the right. +

As of this morning, there are no technical issues being worked and the team in firing room #4 have completed loading preflight fuels into Endeavour's on board tanks in support of her on orbit operations.

At about 11:20 pm ET this evening, the rotating service structure, which wraps around the shuttle stack, will be rolled away to expose Endeavour for flight. The RSS acts as a weather protector and allows technicians to work around different height levels of the space shuttle stack.

Liftoff of Endeavour remains set for 7:55:30 pm ET tomorrow night to begin a 15-day mission in support of the international space station. A possible one to two day mission extension is likly based on an on time launch.

Stay tune for new updates as we follow the flight of mission STS-126. At T-1 day, 13 hours until launch, this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Endavour Countdown Underway for Friday Launch

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison... At 10:00:00 pm ET last evening, Call to Stations was issued here at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center and Firing Room #4, as the launch countdown began for space shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-126.

This countdown will see several planned holds between now and T-09:00 minute point as NASA aims for a 7:55 pm ET night time launch on the final mission of 2008. The holds are sections of time to allow the countdown to stay on schedule should an issue arise - technical or weather related.

Also, the seven member flight crew arrived here at KSC at just before 4pm ET for flight. Today, they will receive mission updates to their timeline; the commander & pilot will practice evening touch and go's at the shuttle landing facility in the Gulfstream II jet; and simply adjust their sleep times to the mission's time.

Currently, there is a weather forecast "go" of 60% for Friday, and 40% "go" for Saturday, stated Cape Weather on Monday.

At T-2 days, 12 hours until the launch of shuttle Endeavour toward the international space station, this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Countdown Begins & Flight Crew Arrives Today

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison... The seven member crew of this weeks space shuttle flight will arrive later today here at the Kennedy Space Center, just hours prior to the start of the launch countdown.

At about 4pm today, crew members led by Commander Chris Ferguson, pilot Eric Boe, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Stephen Bowen, Donald Pettit, Robert "Shane" Kimbrough and space station flight engineer Sandra Magnus will arrive in T-38A jets at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility runway.

You can watch the crew arrival here via the NASA-TV link at the right.

Six-hours later, at 10PM ET, focus will turn to the Launch Control Center as the countdown for mission STS-126 begins.

Also on tap for today is a 10AM launch status briefing, which you can watch also via NASA-TV.

An ontime launch will see space shuttle Endeavour leave her seaside launch pad this Friday evening at 7:55 pm, for a two week mission to the international space station.

SLN will start our live launch coverage at 2:30 pm ET with live NASA-TV, and post updates during the aftternoon into the evening.

As of this morning, Cape Weather is forcasting a 30% chance of rain in the late afternoon and a high near 83 degrees.

At T-3 days, 12 hours until the launch of Endeavour, this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Latest Space Shuttle Launch Manifest for 2009

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison. On Tuesday, Nov 4th, NASA space shuttle program managers released an updated launch manifest for America's space shuttle fleet through 2009.

Following this month's launch of Endeavour on STS-126 on November 14th, the KSC area will begin to focus on a busy 2009, and the first year under the new Obama presidential administration.

Vehicle ......................Planned Date ..... Payload

Discovery STS-119 ........ Feb. 12 ......... truss segment, solar arrays

Endeavour STS-127 ...... May 15 .......... Japan's Kibo Experiments

Atlantis STS-128 .......... July 30 .......... Multipurpose logistics module

Discovery STS-129 ....... Oct. 15 .......... EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 1 & 2

Atlantis STS-125 .......... Fall '09 ......... Hubble Servicing Mission #4

Endeavour STS-130 ..... Dec. 10 ......... Node 3

The fourth Hubble space telescope servicing mission will not fly before this July; and with the need of another space shuttle on the adjacent launch pad, this might mean that the HST flight could fly on another orbiter or fly around November following Atlantis' July-Aug. flight.

Engineers at Goddard space flight center are testing hardware needed for Hubble, and that will not be complete until June possibly - thus the mission delay.

Live from Cape Canaveral at T-9 days, 11 hours until the launch of Endeavour... this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Next Shuttle Flight to Help Increase Station Operations

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison... Engineers and launch pad support personel remain ahead of schedule in processing the space shuttle Endeavour for launch in 12 days here at Kennedy Space Center.

Currently, there are no technical issues being worked. The 60-foot long payload bay doors were closed for flight late last week, and will not be opened again until Endeavour arrives on orbit.

Lift-off of Endeavour on the last shuttle flight of 2008 remains set for November 14th at about 7:55:34 pm ET.

Key milestones will be the flight crew arrival late on Nov. 10th, and the countdown's start at the T-48 hour point the following day.

An ontime launch will see Endeavour dock with the international space station on Nov. 16th. This will be followed by four space walks, removing trash and loading new equipment and supplies to enhance the station from the Leonardo module embeded inside Endeavour's payload bay.

Commanding Endeavour on her 22nd flight will be Chris Ferguson. He will be joined on the flight deck with pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Donald Pettit, Steve Bowen, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Shane Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus. Magnus will replace current station member Greg Chamitoff. Magnus will live aboard the orbiting space station until Discovery picks her up in late-February 2009.

Also, this shuttle flight will bring additional beds and a second toliet so that NASA and the station global community can expand the station crew size from 3 to 6 beginning this May 2009.

After a successful timeline, Endeavour is set to land back here at KSC, 15 days later, on Nov. 30th - however, a possible one day extension may be asked for given this being the last shuttle flight for nearly 3 months.

... At T-12 days, 11 hours and counting down until the launch of STS-126 Endeavour, this is spacelaunchnews.com.

Cool STS-126 Flight Crew Images from Today

SLN: Up to the Minute. I'm Charles Atkeison... During emergency escape training at launch pad 39A here at Kennedy Space Center today, STS-126 Endeavour crew members learned about emergency escape drills and took a few questions from the media on a rather chilly morning.

NASA states that the crew will wrap up here at KSC after taking part in tomorrows Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, which includes equipment familiarization, emergency exit training and a simulated launch countdown.

Enjoy a few digital images from this morning's activites here at KSC. Lift-off remains planned for 7:55pm ET on November 14th.

Endeavour Crew Trains at KSC this Week

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison... The seven member crew of the next space shuttle flight spent Monday at the launch pad area here at KSC practicing emergency procedures in preperation for their launch in November.

Today, the crew will hold a new conference at pad 39-A this morning, followed by training flights by the commander and pilot in the shuttle trainer aircraft (a Gulfstream II jet).

Commanding Endeavour will be Chris Ferguson. Seated next to him on the climb to orbit will be pilot Eric Boe. Mission specialists Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough, Don Pettit and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Sandra Magnus round out the flight crew.

On Wednesday, the crew will simulate launch day as they dress in their orange pressure suits which they will wear on launch day, climb aboard Endeavour and run through a mock countdown.

Launch remains targeted for November 14th at about 7:55 pm ET. A formal launch time will be announced by Friday of this week.

Watch it Live here! Click on the NASA-TV link at right for new live video, and stay up to the minute.

Live at Cape Canaveral: Delta IV & Atlas V Nears

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison.... Engineers at Cape Canaveral Air Station are gearing up for two ELV unmanned rocket launches between mid-November and December as they ready the Cape for the pre-Holiday season closeure.

A Delta IV and an Atlas V rockets are hoping to leave the Cape with their satellite payloads prior to the multiweek closeure of the Eastern Test Range prior to the Christmas Holidays. During the shutdown period, computers are upgraded and personel take holiday leave.

First up is a Delta IV-H carrying a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office - NROL-26. Lift-off is slated for the evening of November 16th.

Second, an Atlas V's is scheduled for launch on December 13th, carrying a military spacecraft for the DOD.

note: Endeavour has the range from Nov. 14th. If there is a day or two launch delay, the Delta IV will also be delayed for 24 to 48 hrs.

STS-126: Launch Day minus 23 Days Update

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison ... Space shuttle Endeavour's flight crew of Commander Chris Ferguson, pilot Eric Boe, Stephen Bowen, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Donald Pettit, Robert Shane Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus will depart Houston this Sunday on a trip to KSC and the traditional TCDT or countdown dress rehersal.

Tomorrow morning, the Endeavour space shuttle stack atop a mobile launcher platform will move from Pad 39-B to Pad 39-A to begin final launch preperations. The crew will board Endeavour this Wednesday to review orbiter entry and launch countdown procedures.

Currently, Endeavour is in a planned launch attempt for 7:55:28 p.m. ET on November 14th from Pad 39-A. An on-time launch will see the orbiter return to KSC on November 29th.

Atlantis in VAB; Endeavour Prepares for STS-126

SLN: Up to the Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison... The space shuttle Atlantis returned back to her bay inside the massive Vehicle Assembly Building yesterday afternoon, as she stands down due to recent Hubble trouble.

Meanwhile, sistership Endeavour is being readied for her move from launch pad 39-B to 39-A this Saturday in preperation for her launch in mid-November. Endeavour will fly mission STS-126 to the international space station on the last flight of the year. Launch is currently targeted for November 14th.

Atlantis' mission STS-125 is being delayed due to recent Hubble space telescope equipment issues. Thus, the whole flight is being retooled in support of the new equipment needed in support of this last HST servicing mission. The Atlantis stack will be housed in Bay 3 of the VAB through January.

Look for new data and info related to Endeavour's flight soon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In the orbiter processing facility here at KSC, the orbiter Discovery is being readied for her February flight to ISS. In January, shuttle program managers will decide if Discovery or Atlantis will fly first during February - most likely Discovery.

Shuttle Shuffle; Delta IV Launch Nears

[October 11, 2008] -- SLN: Up To The Minute, I'm Charles Atkeison... Space Shuttle program managers will soon move shuttle Atlantis back to the Vehicle Assembly Building from launch pad 39-A, and then place shuttle Endeavour at 39-A now that the Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission will not fly before February.

On Sept. 28th, a critical computer in Hubble's science control failed, and the Hubble Team in Maryland needs a few months to get a back-up which had been used for testing upgraded for flight. Also needed is crew training and mission planning in support of replacing the new unit. Atlantis will return to the vehicle assembly building on Oct. 20th.

NASA's shuttle shuffle of flights now sees Endeavour flying mission STS-126 next to the international space station around November 14th. This will be a resupply flight which will also support four spacewalks, and return a space station crew member home. Next, shuttle program managers both here at KSC and at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, will decide if a critical computer needed for Hubble will be ready to make a mid-February target date; or if Discovery will be next in early February on a solar array delivery mission to the ISS.
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KSC has a New Director -- KSC director Bill Parsons is departing, and four-time shuttle veteran Robert Cabana will become the center's new director in a few days.

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CCAS Prepares for Delta 4 -- A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 ELV rocket, with a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office NROL-26, is targeted to launch on November 16th from launch complex 37 at Cape Canaveral. A formal launch window will be announced the day prior to flight.

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Last, welcome to a new chapter for spacelaunchnews.com and spacelaunchnews magazine, as we continue with a newer version of live blogging related to space news from Cape Canaveral.