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NASA Gives ‘Go’ for Space Shuttle Launch on Nov. 14

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

October 31, 2008

thomas

 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — NASA managers
completed a review Thursday of space shuttle Endeavour’s readiness for
flight and selected the official launch date for the STS-126 mission.
Commander Chris Ferguson and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off to
the International Space Station at 7:55 p.m. EST on Nov. 14.

Endeavour’s STS-126 flight will feature important repair work to the
station and prepare it for housing six crew members during long-duration
missions. The primary focus of the 15-day flight and its four planned
spacewalks is to service the station’s two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, which
allow its solar arrays to track the sun. Endeavour will carry about 32,000
pounds to orbit, including supplies and equipment necessary to double the
crew size from three to six members in spring 2009. The new station cargo
includes additional sleeping quarters, a second toilet and a resistance
exercise device.

Endeavour’s launch date was announced after the conclusion of
Thursday’s Flight Readiness Review. During the meeting, top NASA and
contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and
determined the shuttle’s equipment, support systems and procedures are
ready for flight.

Ferguson will be joined on STS-126 by Pilot Eric Boe and Mission
Specialists Donald Pettit, Steve Bowen, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Shane
Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus. Magnus will replace space station crew member
Greg Chamitoff, who has been aboard the station for more than five months.
She will return to Earth during the next shuttle mission, STS-119, targeted
to launch in February 2009.

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