Shuttle Crew Checks Out Equipment for Return To Flight Mission

From: Jacques van Oene (oene0072_at_planet.nl)
Date: 03/21/05 

Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2005 23:20:55 +0100

Melissa Mathews/Erica Hupp
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1272/4769)

Tracy Young
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 321/867-2468)

RELEASE: 05-80

SHUTTLE CREW CHECKS OUT EQUIPMENT FOR RETURN TO FLIGHT MISSION

The astronauts of the Space Shuttle Discovery got a chance today to
work with some of the equipment they will be taking to space. Flight
commander Eileen Collins and her crew were at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center, Fla., for the Payload Crew Equipment Interface Test.

The Return to Flight mission of the Space Shuttle (STS-114) is
targeted for launch during a window from May 15 to June 3. Returning
the Shuttle to flight and completing the International Space Station
are the first steps in the Vision for Space Exploration, a
stepping-stone strategy toward new exploration goals. STS-114 is the
first of two test flights following the Columbia accident. The
seven-member Discovery crew will fly to the Station to evaluate
procedures for flight safety, including orbiter inspection and repair
techniques, and will deliver much-needed supplies.

The astronauts performed tests today to ensure the equipment for the
mission's three spacewalks worked properly, and they inspected the
cargo containers installed in the Italian-built Multi-Purpose
Logistics Module, called Raffaello. They performed fit checks on the
Thermal Protection System (TPS) repair sample box, the Control Moment
Gyro (CMG), and the External Stowage Platform-2 (ESP2).

The sample box contains pieces of the Shuttle's heat-shielding tile.
The samples will enable the crew to test new on-orbit repair
techniques recommended by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

The new gyroscope will replace an inoperable one on the International
Space Station. CMGs provide attitude control for the Station, keeping
it properly positioned in space. The ESP2, similar to a large
toolbox, will carry replacement parts to the Station. The platform
will be deployed, attached to the Station's airlock and used as a
permanent spare parts facility.

Video b-roll of the crew's activities is airing on NASA TV, which is
available on the Web and via satellite in the continental U.S. on
AMC-6, Transponder 9C, C-Band, at 72 degrees west longitude. The
frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is
monaural at 6.80 MHz. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is available on
AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band, at 137 degrees west longitude. The
frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is
monaural at 6.80 MHz.

For NASA TV information and schedules on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Still photos of today's payload tests are available on the Internet
at:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/index.cfm

For information about NASA, agency programs and future missions on the
Web, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

-end- 

-- 
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info

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