"Back to the future": countdown to Shuttle return to flight
From: Jacques van Oene (oene0072_at_planet.nl)
Date: 03/25/05
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 12:09:05 +0100
Press Release
N°16-2005
Paris, 24 March 2005
"Back to the future": countdown to Shuttle return to flight
Launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida will soon see the Shuttle
blasting off again for a new exciting mission in space. According to NASA's
current schedule, this will be between 15 May and 3 June (the precise date
will be set once the flight readiness review process has been completed at
the end of April).
The success of this mission will secure the future of the International
Space Station (ISS), as the Shuttle is the only spacecraft capable of
transporting new modules from the USA, Europe and Japan to continue its
construction. ESA needs the Shuttle to deliver its Columbus laboratory to
the ISS, where it will enable international crews to conduct a variety of
experiments in material sciences, medicine, biology and technology.
Through the nationally-funded European Soyuz missions with ESA astronauts to
the ISS, today Europe has become the largest scientific user of the Space
Station, while ESA has developed sophisticated multi-purpose experimental
facilities for the Columbus laboratory to further enhance the ISS
utilisation programme.
Since the Columbia accident on 1 February 2003, NASA has made steady
progress in addressing key safety issues and preparing the Shuttle fleet for
spaceflight. Improvements include:
· a redesigned external tank, which reduces the risk of foam hitting the
orbiter during lift-off;
· new sensors at the leading edges of the wings to detect debris impact
using accelerometers and real-time transmission of data;
· more and improved cameras on the Shuttle and on the ground to detect
debris;
· an extension boom to the Shuttle's Canadian robotic arm that will allow
astronauts to inspect the spacecraft for any damage.
The seven-strong Discovery crew will fly to the ISS to test and evaluate the
new technologies and procedures for Shuttle inspection and in-orbit repair.
The crew are: Commander Eileen Collins - this is only the second ever
Shuttle mission headed by a woman - Pilot James Kelly, Mission Specialists
Soichi Noguchi from Japan, Steve Robinson, Andy Thomas, Wendy Lawrence and
Charles Camarda.
Steve Robinson and Soichi Noguchi will make three spacewalks outside the
Shuttle. STS-114 will be the third trip to the ISS for the European-built
multi-purpose logistics module (MPLM), now named "Raffaello". It's
essentially a "removal van" that transports supplies to the Station.
Raffaello will deliver consumables and supplies, notably food, water and
air, and of particular interest to the media, batteries and a photo and TV
resupply kit with new camera lenses and videotapes.
Twelve days after lift-off, Discovery is scheduled to re-enter the
atmosphere and land at the Kennedy Space Center.
Successful completion of this flight will open the door to further missions
by ESA astronauts to the ISS. With the Shuttle's return to flight, the size
of the permanent expedition crews on the ISS can be brought back to three,
leading to resumption of the full experimental programme. In 2006 ESA's
unmanned Automatic Transfer Vehicle (ATV) will make its maiden flight,
having been put into orbit by an Ariane 5 launcher, carrying equipment,
propellant, food, water and air for the crew on board the ISS, after which
it will be performing similar missions every 12 to 18 months.
Return to flight media accreditation
Media representatives wishing to obtain Kennedy Space Center (KSC)
credentials for NASA's Space Shuttle return to flight mission (STS-114) can
submit requests via the new online accreditation website at:
Non-US citizens must submit requests at least two weeks prior to events.
Access is granted on a first-come first-served basis.
The following strict accreditation deadline applies: 22 April 2005 for the
STS-114 launch during the 15 May to 3 June launch window. Requests filed
after that date will not be considered.
Once accreditation is approved, media will receive confirmation via e-mail.
Badges will be available for collection from 19 April. Credentials will be
honoured for the terminal countdown demonstration test through to STS-114
landing. News organisations will be limited to minimal numbers for Shuttle
launch day activities.
Media with special logistic needs or requests, such as space for production
or administration trucks, electrical connections or workstations in the
newsroom, should contact Kandy Warren (kandy.t.warren@nasa.gov) by 15 April.
Production space in the press area is provided on a first-come first-served
basis.
Media wishing to set up temporary telephone, fax, ISDN or network lines
should make arrangements with the US telephone company Bell South at: +1 800
213 4988. Media must have an assigned seat in the KSC newsroom prior to
setting up lines. Media are required to have a NASA public affairs escort to
access any area at KSC, except the Launch Complex 39 cafeteria. For the
latest information on NASA's return to flight, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight
European media coverage
Media can also follow the STS-114 mission from Europe at the Erasmus User
Centre for the International Space Station, located at ESA's ESTEC
establishment in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. The Erasmus User Centre
receives data, images and video from the ISS and has the capability to
receive NASA Television via satellite or teleconference lines. The Centre
also features a newsroom with computer workstations for the media, a
television recording studio and a satellite TV broadcast facility, so that
media can conduct and broadcast live interviews with ESA staff without the
need to bring in their own production equipment and support staff.
Key mission events
Early April 2005 Discovery roll-out to pad 39B at KSC
Late April 2005 Terminal countdown demonstration test (rehearsal for flight)
from 15 May 2005 Launch from KSC
from 27 May 2005 Landing at KSC
For further media information please contact:
Franco Bonacina
ESA Communication Department
Paris (France)
Tel: +33 1 5369 7155
Fax: +33 1 5369 7690
Dieter Isakeit
Erasmus User Centre and Communication Office
Directorate of Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration
Noordwijk (the Netherlands)
Tel: +31 71 565 5451
Fax: +31 71 565 8008
e-mail: dieter.isakeit@esa.int
-- -------------- Jacques :-) www.spacepatches.info
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