May 8, 2008
NASA AWARDS CONTRACT FOR ARES I MOBILE LAUNCHER
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Kennedy Space Center has awarded a
contract to Hensel Phelps of Orlando, Fla., for the construction of
the Ares I mobile launcher for the Constellation Program. Ares I is
the rocket that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle,
its crew and cargo to low Earth orbit. The contract includes an
option for an additional Ares I mobile launcher. It is a firm
fixed-price contract with a value of $263,735,000, if all options are
exercised.
The mobile launcher will support the Ares I and the vehicle's
associated ground support equipment. It will be used in the assembly,
testing and servicing of the Ares I at existing Kennedy facilities.
The mobile launcher will transport the Ares I rocket to the launch
pad and provide ground support for launches. The mobile launcher
consists of the main support structure that comprises the base, tower
and facility ground support systems, which include power,
communications, conditioned air, water for cooling, wash-down, and
ignition over-pressure protection.
Hensel Phelps will supply all labor, materials and equipment necessary
for construction of the Ares I mobile launcher. Ground support
equipment, such as umbilicals, propellant and gases, instrumentation,
controls and communications, necessary to support the Ares I rocket
will be provided and installed under a separate contract or
contracts.
The tower of the mobile launcher will have multiple platforms for
personnel access and will be approximately 390 feet tall.
Construction will take place at the mobile launcher park site area
located north of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at the space
center in Florida.
For more information about NASA's Constellation Program, visit: www.nasa.gov/constellation
May 3, 2008
SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY ARRIVES AT LAUNCH PAD, COUNTDOWN TEST SET
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After safely reaching its launch pad at NASA's
Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery now awaits its next
major milestone for the upcoming STS-124 mission. A launch dress
rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test, is
scheduled to take place at Kennedy from May 6 to 9.
Discovery arrived at the pad at 4:25 a.m. EDT Saturday on top of a
giant crawler-transporter. The crawler-transporter left Kennedy's
Vehicle Assembly Building at 11:47 p.m. Friday, traveling less than 1
mph during the 3.4-mile journey. The shuttle was secured on the
launch pad at 6:06 a.m. Saturday.
Discovery is targeted to launch May 31 on a 13-day mission to the
International Space Station. The shuttle's seven crew members will
deliver the Kibo laboratory's large Japanese Pressurized Module, or
JPM, and its remote manipulator system to the International Space
Station. Three spacewalks will be conducted during the flight.
Mark Kelly will command the STS-124 mission. Ken Ham will be the
pilot. The mission specialists are Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike
Fossum, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. Chamitoff will remain on the station as a
resident crew member, replacing station Flight Engineer Garrett
Reisman, who will return home on Discovery.
The STS-124 astronauts and ground crews will participate in the
practice countdown. The terminal countdown demonstration test
provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to participate in
various simulated countdown activities, including equipment
familiarization and emergency training.
STS-124 is the 123rd shuttle flight, the 35th flight for Discovery and
the 26th flight to the station.
Video B-roll of the terminal countdown demonstration test will be
available on the NASA TV Video File. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: www.nasa.gov/ntv
For more information about the STS-124 mission and crew, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
April 30, 2008
NASA TV TO AIR 2008 U.S. ASTRONAUT HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Television will provide live coverage of the 2008 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, May 3, at 3 p.m. EDT. The ceremony will take place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joining the hall of fame this year are former astronauts John Blaha; Loren Shriver; Bryan O'Connor, NASA's chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washington; and Bob Cabana, center director of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
CNN correspondent John Zarrella will host the event. More than 25 hall-of-fame astronauts are scheduled to attend, including Scott Carpenter, John Young, Robert Crippen, Al Worden and Walt Cunningham.
For more information about the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, visit: www.kennedyspacecenter.com
For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: www.nasa.gov/ntv
April 29, 2008
NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY TO MOVE TO LAUNCH PAD SATURDAY
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to roll
out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on
Saturday, May 3, as preparations for the STS-124 mission move
forward. Discovery is targeted to lift off May 31 on a 13-day mission
to the International Space Station.
The first motion of the shuttle out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly
Building is scheduled for 12:01 a.m. EDT. The space shuttle vehicle,
consisting of the orbiter, external tank and twin solid rocket
boosters, was fully assembled on the mobile launcher platform and
will be delivered to the pad atop a crawler transporter. The crawler
slowly moves the shuttle out to the pad at less than 1 mph during its
3.4-mile journey. The process is expected to take approximately six hours.
NASA Television will provide live coverage of Discovery's rollout to
the launch pad starting at 6:30 a.m. Video highlights of the rollout
will air on the NASA TV Video File.
The mission will deliver the Kibo laboratory's large Japanese
Pressurized Module, or JPM, and its remote manipulator system to the
International Space Station. Three spacewalks will be conducted
during the flight.
Discovery will be commanded by Mark Kelly. Ken Ham will be the pilot.
The mission specialists are Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum,
Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut
Akihiko Hoshide. Chamitoff will remain on the station as a resident
crew member, replacing station Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who
will return home on Discovery.
For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: www.nasa.gov/ntv Ê
For more information about the STS-124 mission and crew, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
April 28, 2008
HOME FROM SPACE, IOWA ASTRONAUT PEGGY WHITSON SET FOR INTERVIEWS
HOUSTON-- NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson of Iowa, who returned to Earth
April 19 after approximately six months on the International Space
Station.
Whitson, the first female commander of the space station, has
accumulated more time in orbit than any U.S. astronaut in history.
She launched to the complex on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft Oct. 10,
2007, spending 192 days in space. Whitson previously spent 185 days
in space after serving as a flight engineer on Expedition 5, which
launched June 5, 2002, and returned to Earth Dec. 7. She conducted
five spacewalks on her recent mission and one on her previous flight,
totaling 39 hours and 46 minutes of spacewalking time, more than any
other female.
During Expedition 16, Whitson oversaw the first expansion of the
station's living and working space in more than six years. The
shuttle and station crews added the Harmony connecting node, the
European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory and the Japan Aerospace
Exploration Agency's Kibo logistics pressurized module.
Whitson was born in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, and considers nearby Beaconsfield
her hometown. She received a bachelor's degree in biology and
chemistry from Iowa Wesleyan College and a doctorate in chemistry
from Rice University. She was selected as an astronaut in 1996.
Whitson's biography is available at: www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/whitson.html
For information about the space station, visit: www.nasa.gov/station
April 22, 2008
NASA AWARDS LAUNCH SERVICES CONTRACT TO SPACEX
WASHINGTON -- NASA has awarded Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, a NASA Launch Services contract for the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles.
The NASA Launch Services contracts are multiple awards to multiple
launch service providers. Twice per year, there is an opportunity for
existing and emerging domestic launch service providers to submit
proposals if their vehicles meet the minimum contract requirements.
The contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
contract where NASA may order launch services through June 30, 2010,
for launches to occur through December 2012. Under the NASA Launch
Services IDIQ contracts, the potential total contract value is
between $20,000 and $1 billion, depending on the number of missions awarded.
The contract seeks a launch capability for payloads weighing 551
pounds or heavier into a circular orbit of 124 miles at an orbital
inclination of 28.5 degrees. Payloads would be launched to support
three NASA mission directorates: Science, Space Operations and Exploration Systems.
Because an IDIQ contract has been awarded to SpaceX, it can compete
for NASA missions using the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles as
specified by the NASA Launch Services contract process.
NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center is responsible
for program management. This award to SpaceX adds to the stable of
launch vehicles available to NASA under previously awarded contracts.
The original request for proposal was issued in 1999.
For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: www.nasa.gov
April 18, 2008
NASA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR AND FLORIDA GOVERNOR DISCUSS BENEFITS OF SPACE EXPLORATION AT MIAMI FUTURE FORUM
MIAMI -- NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale and Florida Gov. Charlie
Crist discussed Friday how space exploration gives Floridians a more
competitive economy and better quality of life during a NASA Future
Forum at the University of Miami.
As an example, Crist used the event to announce a partnership between
state-funded Space Florida and SPACEHAB of Webster, Texas. They plan
to use the International Space Station's national laboratory
designation and the Space Life Sciences Lab at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center, Fla., to carry out space-based biomedical and biotech research.
"Today's announcement exemplifies why we're holding future forums in
cities such as Miami," Dale said. "It allows us to talk directly to
the public about the diverse ways America's long-term space
exploration goals lead to economic growth, scientific discoveries and
technological advancements for people right here on Earth, right in their own communities."
"Florida is committed to fostering a thriving aerospace industry and
is quickly becoming known as one of the nation's top biotech
centers," said Governor Crist. "The partnership reinforces our
dedication to the biotech industry. This is an exciting opportunity
to stimulate progress in this new market and in Florida's economy."
The forum was part of a yearlong series of events across the country
marking NASA's 50th anniversary.
Other NASA participants included astronauts Carl Walz and Steve Frick.
Walz, director of the Advanced Capabilities Division in NASA's
Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington, discussed the
agency's plans to return to the moon and travel beyond. Frick
commanded space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the
International Space Station in February.
Panel discussions among NASA representatives and Florida academic and
commercial groups highlighted the future of space exploration.
"To advance exploration and understanding of space is one of the most
ambitious human endeavors of our era," said Donna E. Shalala,
president of the University of Miami. "We are grateful for the
opportunity to connect space exploration, entrepreneurship and
education, as one of the selected sites to host a NASA Future Forum
in celebration of the agency's 50th anniversary."
On Thursday, engineers from NASA's Kennedy Space Center held a panel
discussion with engineering students from the University of Miami. It
included talk about what education and job skills will be needed from
future NASA engineers. The panel was followed by a workshop with
aerospace education specialists and education students.
The Miami Future Forum was sponsored, in part, by the University of
Miami; Space Florida; United Space Alliance, Houston; Raytheon,
Waltham, Mass.; Jacobs Engineering, Pasadena, Calif.; and ATK, Edina, Minn.
April 17, 2008
NASA TO BROADCAST EARTH VIEWS IN HIGH DEFINITION TELEVISION
HOUSTON -- Since humans first flew in space, nothing has captivated
astronauts more than the view of home out the window of their
spacecraft. In honor of Earth Day, April 22, NASA will make those
views available to people here on Earth with an event highlighting
imagery taken by astronauts and the science behind it.
For the first time ever, NASA Television will air a special hour-long
broadcast of views of Earth taken in High Definition, or HD, by
astronauts on past space shuttle and International Space Station missions.
The special HD broadcast will air between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. EDT on
Friday, April 18, and replay at the same time on Monday, April 21. It
will air every hour from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22.
The Friday HD broadcast will feature a silent version of the Earth
views. The broadcasts on Monday and Tuesday will include a discussion
of the views by Dr. Justin Wilkinson, a scientist with the Crew Earth
Observations Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The footage also will air on standard NASA TV during regularly
scheduled Video File broadcasts. For technical information on how to
receive the special broadcast in high definition, and for NASA TV
streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit: www.nasa.gov/ntv Ê
For more information about NASA's Earth Day events, and the space
shuttle and space station programs, visit: www.nasa.gov Ê
April 11, 2008
NASA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR VISITS MIAMI FOR FUTURE FORUM
WASHINGTON - On Friday, April 18, NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale
will present the keynote address to launch a daylong event at the
University of Miami's BankUnited Center celebrating the space
agency's 50th birthday.
NASA's Miami Future Forum focuses on how space exploration benefits
Florida's economy and is part of a yearlong series. Media are invited
to attend the day's events, as well as a media-only
question-and-answer session at 10:30 a.m. EDT.
Astronaut Carl Walz, director of the Advanced Capabilities Division in
NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, will provide an
overview of the agency's plans to return to the moon and explore
beyond. Astronaut Steve Frick, who commanded space shuttle Atlantis'
STS-122 mission to the International Space Station in February, will
deliver the luncheon address.
March 31, 2008
NASA UPDATES TARGET LAUNCH DATE FOR NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE FLIGHT
WASHINGTON -- NASA is targeting May 31 as the launch date for shuttle
Discovery's STS-124 mission to deliver the large Japanese Kibo
Pressurized Module to the International Space Station. The liftoff
time is approximately 5:01 p.m. EDT.
NASA decided to reschedule Discovery's target launch date from May 25
to May 31 after shipment of the mission's external fuel tank from its
assembly plant at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to
Florida was delayed by weather. The tank arrived at NASA's Kennedy
Space Center in Florida on March 26.
Additionally, NASA elected to move the liftoff date in order to avoid
having the launch team work through the Memorial Day weekend.
The official launch date for Discovery will be determined during the
standard Flight Readiness Review held approximately two weeks before launch.
Discovery's mission is the second of three flights that will launch
components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo
laboratory. The Japanese Pressurized Module will be the station's
largest science laboratory, measuring 37 feet long and 14 feet in
diameter, about the size of a large tour bus. The shuttle also will
deliver the lab's robotic arm system that support operations outside
of Kibo. The lab's logistics module, which was installed in a
temporary location during STS-123 in March, will be attached to the new lab.
Mark Kelly will command the seven-member crew, which includes Pilot
Ken Ham, Mission Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan Jr., Mike
Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide
and Greg Chamitoff. Chamitoff will replace Expedition 16/17 Flight
Engineer Garrett Reisman and remain aboard the station as a member of
the Expedition 17 crew. Reisman will return to Earth with the STS-124 crew.
For more information about the STS-124 mission and its crew, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle.
For more information about the space station, visit: www.nasa.gov/station.
March 28, 2008
NASA AWARDS EDUCATION GRANT
WASHINGTON -- NASA has awarded a cooperative agreement education grant to Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. The grant supports implementation of the Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating Research Experience, also known as INSPIRE, program at NASA.
The grant features a one-year basic period of performance with four one-year extension options. The estimated value of the agreement is $2.6 million with a potential value of $22 million if all options are exercised.
The program is designed to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as STEM. As part of NASA's education strategy to attract and retain students in STEM disciplines, students selected for INSPIRE will be given the opportunity to participate in unique summer experiences at NASA facilities, provided access to a variety of online resources and invited to participate in special videoconferences with NASA officials.
Oklahoma State University will provide administrative services for student recruitment, online resources, project logistics and program evaluation. NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida will manage the program with work being performed at each of NASA's ten field centers.
For information on NASA's education programs, visit:
www.nasa.gov
March 27, 2008
NASA AWARDS NITROGEN SUPPLY AND SERVICES CONTRACT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA has awarded Air Liquide Large Industries of Houston the Kennedy Space Center - Cape Canaveral Air Force Station gaseous nitrogen supply and services contract.
The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract has an estimated valued of $47.5 million during a five-year period, including a three-year base period and two, one-year option periods.
The contract will provide the continued supply of gaseous nitrogen for Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, including the continued op erations and maintenance of the Kennedy pipeline system.
The contract requires Air Liquide Large Industries to provide personnel, materials, and the gaseous nitrogen production facility necessary to support current and future NASA launch programs and activities at Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: www.nasa.gov
March 26, 2008
NASA'S SHUTTLE CREW RETURNS HOME AFTER SUCCESSFUL MISSION
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Station, Moon and Earth
Framed by components of the International Space Station, a full moon is visible in this view above Earth's horizon and airglow. This image was taken during the STS-123 mission while the space shuttle Endeavour was docked with the station for a 16-day mission.
Image Credit: NASA |
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour and its crew landed at
8:39 p.m. EDT Wednesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., after
completing a 16-day journey of nearly 6.6 million miles in space. The
first landing attempt at Kennedy was bypassed due to low clouds in
the area.
Endeavour's flight was the longest shuttle mission to the
International Space Station and included a record five spacewalks.
The shuttle's seven astronauts worked with the three-member station
crew and ground teams around the world to install the first section
of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the
Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, known as Dextre.
"The success of this mission makes the International Space Station
truly international," said NASA Associate Administrator for Space
Operations Bill Gerstenmaier. "Japan is now a full-time participant,
controlling the Kibo module from its center near Tokyo. We have teams
working around the clock in the United States, Russia, Germany and
Japan overseeing the crew's work and various elements of the station.
With the ATV scheduled to dock next week, Dextre ready to go, our
partners' modules operating, and the next Soyuz preparing to launch,
it's an exciting time to be in the space business."
Dominic Gorie commanded the STS-123 flight and was joined by Pilot
Gregory H. Johnson, Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken, Mike
Foreman, Rick Linnehan, Garrett Reisman and Japan Aerospace
Exploration Agency astronaut Takao Doi. Reisman remained aboard the
space station, replacing Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Leopold
Eyharts, who returned to Earth on Endeavour after living on the
outpost since early February. Reisman will return on shuttle
Discovery's STS-124 mission, targeted to launch May 25.
With Endeavour and its crew safely home, the stage is set for the next
phase of station assembly. The STS-124 mission is the second of three
flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese Kibo
laboratory. Shuttle Discovery will deliver Kibo's large pressurized
module and robotics system to the station.
The European Space Agency's Automated Transfer Vehicle, or ATV, is
scheduled to dock with the space station on April 3. Russia's Soyuz
TMA-12 will launch the Expedition 17 crew to the station on April 8.
STS-123 was the 122nd space shuttle flight, the 21st flight for
shuttle Endeavour and the 25th shuttle flight to the station. For
more about the STS-123 mission and the upcoming STS-124 mission,
visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
For more about the International Space Station, visit: www.nasa.gov/station
March 24, 2008
NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR SET TO LAND WEDNESDAY
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Endeavour crew is expected to complete its 16-day flight to the International Space Station with a landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, March 26.
The STS-123 mission began March 11 and delivered the first segment of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, known as Dextre. The flight also brought a new crew member to the station and will return an astronaut who has spent nearly seven weeks aboard the complex.
NASA managers will evaluate weather conditions at Kennedy before permitting Endeavour to return to Earth. Wednesday landing opportunities at Kennedy are at 7:05 p.m. EDT and 8:39 p.m. The shuttle's backup sites for landing, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and White Sands Space Harbor, N.M., will not be activated Wednesday.
Two hours after landing, NASA officials will hold a media briefing to discuss the mission. The participants will be: Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for Space Operations Kaoru Mamiya, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency vice president Canadian Space Agency representative Mike Leinbach, NASA space shuttle launch director
After touchdown, the astronauts will undergo physical examinations and meet with their families. The STS-123 crew is expected to hold a news conference at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27. Both news events will be broadcast live on NASA Television.
For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: www.nasa.gov/ntv Ê
For the latest information about the STS-123 mission, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
For more on the International Space Station, visit: www.nasa.gov/station
March 14, 2008
NASA AWARDS INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT AT KENNEDY
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Kennedy Space Center has awarded
Rede-Critique of Metairie, La., the contract for Kennedy
institutional support services.
The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract has an estimated
valued of $45 million during a four-year, six-month performance
period, which includes a six-month base period and four one-year
option periods. The contract consolidates various current
institutional support service contracts.
The offices supported by the contract include the Space Shuttle,
International Space Station, Launch Services and Constellation
programs, as well as Engineering, External Relations and the Kennedy
center director.
Services will include non-technical administrative support such as
technical training, clerical support, financial management support,
personnel program activity, employee development and training,
employee benefits, personnel action processing, procurement
acquisition and administration support, business systems support,
technical training programs, and records management.
For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: www.nasa.gov
March 11, 2008
NASA'S SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR BEGINS MISSION TO THE SPACE STATION
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| Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off its launch pad at 2:28 a.m. EDT to start the STS-123 mission to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour brought an early sunrise to the East Coast Tuesday, launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 2:28 a.m. EDT and beginning the STS-123 mission to the International Space Station.
During the 16-day flight, Endeavour's seven astronauts will work with the three-member space station crew and ground teams around the world to install the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, known as Dextre. STS-123 is the longest shuttle mission to the station and will include a record five shuttle spacewalks at the orbiting laboratory, delivery of a new crew member to the complex and the return of another astronaut after nearly seven weeks aboard the station.
Shortly before launch, Commander Gorie thanked the teams that helped make the launch possible. "You've got seven smiling faces on board here," said Gorie. "God's truly blessed us with a beautiful night to launch so let's light 'em up and give them a show."
Joining Gorie on STS-123 are Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Rick Linnehan, Garrett Reisman and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takao Doi. Reisman will replace current station crew member Leopold Eyharts, who has lived on the outpost since early February. Reisman will return to Earth on shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission, targeted for launch on May 25, 2008.
Endeavour's cargo will help continue the station's assembly. The Japanese Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section, or ELM-PS, will hold experiment samples, maintenance tools and other spare items. Dextre can be attached to the station's robotic arm to handle smaller components typically requiring a spacewalking astronaut. At the tip of each arm is a "hand" that consists of retractable jaws used to grip objects.
NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of Endeavour's mission, which is the 122nd shuttle flight, the 21st for Endeavour and the 25th shuttle mission to the station.
NASA Television features live mission events, daily mission status news conferences and 24-hour commentary. NASA TV is webcast at: www.nasa.gov/ntv
NASA's Web coverage of STS-123 includes current mission information, interactive features, and news conference images, graphics and videos. Mission coverage, including the latest NASA TV schedule, also is available on the main space shuttle Web site at: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
Daily news conferences with STS-123 mission managers take place at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. Reporters may ask questions from participating NASA locations. Please contact your preferred NASA facility by its daily close of business to confirm its availability before each event.
For information about other NASA missions and activities, visit: www.nasa.gov
March 7, 2008
NASA AWARDS SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE CONTRACT AT KENNEDY
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Kennedy Space Center has awarded Millennium Engineering and Integration Company of Satellite Beach, Fla., a safety and mission assurance support services contract.
The cost-plus-award-fee contract is valued at approximately $45.2 million during a four-year performance period, which includes a two-year base period and two, one-year options. The new contract consolidates several contracted activities currently supporting Kennedy's Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate requirements into a single support contract.
Program offices that will be supported by the contract include the Space Shuttle Program, International Space Station Program, Launch Services Program, Constellation Program, Center Management Operations and NASA Headquarters.
Services include performing risk assessments, inspections, mishap investigations, analyses, independent assessments, evaluations of work performed by other contractors and NASA organizations and maintaining applications and databases of Safety and Mission Assurances Directorate-related activities.
For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: www.nasa.gov.
March 5, 2008
NASA ANNOUNCES SPACE SHUTTLE PRELAUNCH AND MISSION WEB COVERAGE
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A prelaunch webcast, live blogs, podcasts, pictures and videos will highlight NASA's Web coverage of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission to the International Space Station. NASA will provide continuous online updates at: www.nasa.gov/shuttle.
A live webcast featuring Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette will start the in-depth online coverage of the mission at 11:30 a.m. EDT on March 10. Payette, who flew on STS-96, is scheduled to fly on the STS-127 mission in 2009.
A blog will update the countdown beginning about six hours before Endeavour is scheduled to lift off on March 11 at 2:28 a.m. Originating from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the blog is the definitive Internet source for information leading up to launch.
The 16-day mission will allow Endeavour's crew to add science capabilities to the space station plus deliver equipment to aid in future maintenance operations. Astronauts will install the first section of Kibo, a Japanese-built laboratory, and the Canadian-made robotics system known as Dextre. STS-123 is the longest shuttle flight to the station so far and will feature five spacewalks.
Visitors to NASA's shuttle Web site can read about the crew's progress and watch the spacewalks live. As Endeavour's flight wraps up, NASA will offer a blog detailing the spacecraft's return to Earth.
March 4, 2008
GLAST SPACECRAFT ARRIVES IN FLORIDA TO PREPARE FOR LAUNCH
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| Artist's rendering of the GLAST spacecraft in orbit above Earth. Credit: General Dynamics |
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or
GLAST, arrived Tuesday at the Astrotech payload processing facility
near the Kennedy Space Center to begin final preparations for launch.
Liftoff of GLAST aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for
11:45 a.m. EDT on May 16.
GLAST is a collaborative mission with the U.S. Department of Energy,
international partners from France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Sweden,
and numerous academic institutions from the U.S. and abroad. The
spacecraft will explore the most extreme environments in the
universe, and answer questions about supermassive black hole systems,
pulsars and the origin of cosmic rays. It also will study the mystery
of powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.
The milestones to be accomplished over the next two months include
attaching the Ku-band communications antenna and the two sets of
solar arrays, a complete checkout of GLAST's scientific instruments,
installing the spacecraft's battery, and loading aboard the
observatory's propellant. These activities will be performed by
General Dynamics, builder of the spacecraft for NASA. GLAST currently
is scheduled to be transported to Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station on May 1.
The rocket that will launch GLAST is a Delta II 7920-H, manufactured
and prepared for launch by United Launch Alliance. It is a
heavier-lift model of the standard Delta II that uses larger solid
rocket boosters. The first stage is scheduled to be erected on Pad
17-B the week of March 17.
The following week, the nine strap-on solid rocket boosters will be
raised and attached. The second stage, which burns hypergolic
propellants, will be hoisted atop the first stage in late March.
Next, the fairing that will surround the spacecraft will be hoisted
into the clean room of the mobile service tower.
Engineers will perform several tests of the Delta II. In late April,
the first stage will be loaded with liquid oxygen and checked for
leaks. The following day, a simulated flight test will be performed,
testing the vehicle's post-liftoff flight events without fuel aboard.
The electrical and mechanical systems of the entire Delta II will be
exercised during this test.
Once the GLAST payload is atop the launch vehicle, a final major test
will be performed. The combined minus count and plus count test
simulates all events as they will occur on launch day, but without
propellants aboard the vehicle.
The NASA Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center is
responsible for the countdown and launch management of the Delta II
GLAST mission.
For more information about GLAST, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/glast
Feb. 29, 2008
NASA GIVES "GO" FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH ON MARCH 11
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA senior managers completed a review Friday of space shuttle Endeavour's readiness for flight and selected March 11 as the official launch date for the STS-123 mission. Commander Dominic Gorie and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off to the International Space Station at 2:28 a.m. EDT.
During the 16-day mission, the crew will deliver and install the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, Dextre. Five spacewalks will be conducted during the flight.
Endeavour's launch date was announced after the conclusion of Friday's Flight Readiness Review. During the two-day 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.
Gorie will be joined on STS-123 by Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Rick Linnehan, Garrett Reisman and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi. Reisman will remain on the station as a resident crew member, replacing station flight engineer Leopold Eyharts of the European Space Agency, who will return home on Endeavour.
For more information about the STS-123 mission, including images and interviews with the crew, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
Feb. 22, 2008
NASA SELECTS NEW DEPUTY ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM MANAGER
HOUSTON - NASA announced the selection of N. Wayne Hale, Jr. as NASA's
deputy associate administrator for strategic partnerships on Friday.
John Shannon, a Mission Management Team chairman and Hale's deputy
since November 2005, will succeed him as the Space Shuttle Programmanager.
"Wayne has done so much for the human spaceflight program and built a
strong team. The momentum he created will continue," said Bill
Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations, NASA
Headquarters, Washington. "We know John will do an outstanding job as
the program manager after his tremendous leadership as Wayne's deputy."
Hale has served as the manager of the Space Shuttle Program since
September 2005. In his new position, he will work in Houston as a
senior NASA official in the Space Operations Mission Directorate,
providing strategic leadership to foster cooperative partnerships
that help achieve NASA goals, build alliances across the public and
private sectors, and improve U.S. competitiveness and economic growth.
As the Space Shuttle Program manager, Hale led the shuttle's Return to
Flight missions, along with six subsequent flights that successfully
continued construction of the International Space Station.
"John Shannon is completely ready to take the reins in NASA's most
critical program," Hale said. "His leadership skills are well
established, and the shuttle program will do well under his care."
As the manager of the shuttle program, Shannon will be responsible for
overall management, integration, and operations. He began his NASA
career as a flight control officer in the Mission Control Center in 1988.
Shannon was selected as the head of Space Shuttle Guidance, Navigation
and Flight Control in 1992 and became a space shuttle flight director
in 1993, supporting 58 shuttle missions. He holds the distinction of
being the youngest flight director in NASA history. After serving as
deputy director of the Columbia Task Force in 2003, Shannon was
selected to create the Space Shuttle Program's Flight Operations and Integration Office.
Hale's new job is the latest in a career of more than three decades at
NASA. Before becoming the manager of Space Shuttle Program, Hale
served as the program's deputy manager following the Columbia
accident and chaired the program's Mission Management Team. Before
that, he was the launch integration manager at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Hale began his career with NASA in the Propulsion Systems Section of
Flight Operations at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, in 1978.
He became a lead propulsion systems officer in Mission Control and
later headed the Propulsion Systems Section from 1985 to 1988. Hale
also oversaw flight control teams in Mission Control during all
aspects of 40 space shuttle missions, including 28 overseeing the
critical ascent and entry phases. His last two years as a flight
director were spent as deputy chief flight director for shuttle operations.
For more information about the Space Shuttle Program and shuttle missions, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
Feb. 18, 2008
SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR ARRIVES AT LAUNCH PAD, COUNTDOWN TEST SET
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - After safely reaching its launch pad Monday at
NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the space shuttle Endeavour now awaits
its next major milestone for the upcoming STS-123 mission. A full
launch dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration
test, is scheduled to take place at Kennedy from Feb. 23 to 25.
The shuttle arrived at the pad at approximately 4:45 a.m. EST Monday
on top of a giant vehicle called the crawler-transporter. The
crawler-transporter began carrying Endeavour out of Kennedy's Vehicle
Assembly Building at 11:24 p.m. Sunday, traveling less than 1 mph
during the 3.4 mile journey. Endeavour was secured and firmly on the
launch pad at 6:22 a.m.
Endeavour is targeted to launch March 11 on a 16-day mission to the
International Space Station. The shuttle's seven crew members will
deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's
Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic
system, Dextre. Five spacewalks will be conducted during the flight.
Dominic Gorie will command the STS-123 mission. Gregory H. Johnson
will be the pilot. Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Rick Linnehan,
Garrett Reisman and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi make up the rest of
the crew. Reisman will remain on the station as a resident crew
member, replacing station Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts of the
European Space Agency, who will return home on Endeavour. Eyharts
launched to the station with the STS-122 crew Feb. 7.
The STS-123 astronauts and ground crews will participate in the
terminal countdown demonstration test. The test provides each shuttle
crew with an opportunity to participate in various simulated
countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and
emergency training. STS-123 is the 122nd space shuttle flight, the
21st flight for shuttle Endeavour and the 25th flight to the station.
Video b-roll of the terminal countdown demonstration test will be
available on the NASA TV Video File. For NASA TV downlink
information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: www.nasa.gov/ntv
For information about the STS-123 mission and crew, visit: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts123/index.html
Feb. 18, 2008
NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS SET TO LAND WEDNESDAY
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Atlantis crew is expected to
complete a 13-day mission to the International Space Station with a
landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
The STS-122 mission began Feb. 7 and delivered the European Space
Agency's Columbus laboratory to the station. Columbus expands the
station's research facilities and provides scientists around the
world with the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and
materials science experiments. The mission also included three
spacewalks, the delivery of a new crew member to the station and the
return of another astronaut after his nearly four month stay aboard
the complex.
NASA managers will evaluate weather conditions at Kennedy before
permitting Atlantis to return to Earth. Wednesday landing
opportunities at Kennedy are at 9:07 a.m. and 10:42 a.m. EST. There
are additional opportunities at 12:12 p.m. and 1:47 p.m. at Edwards
Air Force Base, Calif., a backup landing site. The shuttle's other
backup site for landing, White Sands Space Harbor, N.M., will not be
activated Wednesday.
After touchdown, the astronauts will undergo physical examinations and
meet with their families. Some crew members are expected to hold a
news conference no earlier 4.5 hours after returning to Earth.
For the latest information about the STS-122 mission, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
For more on the International Space Station, visit: www.nasa.gov/station
Feb. 14, 2008
NASA UPDATES SHUTTLE TARGET LAUNCH DATES
HOUSTON - NASA officials on Thursday revised the target launch dates for space shuttle flights during the second half of 2008. The space shuttle and International Space Station programs agreed to the changes during a meeting at NASA's Johnson Space Center to evaluate options following the STS-122 mission delay.
The next two shuttle flights,
- STS-123 on Endeavour targeted for March 11 and
- STS-124 on Discovery targeted for April 24,
are being assessed and coordinated with NASA's international partners. Any decision on those launch dates will take place after the current STS-122 mission lands.
Late 2008 shuttle mission target launch dates are:
- Aug. 28 - Atlantis (STS-125) to service the Hubble Space Telescope
- Oct. 16 - Endeavour (STS-126) to deliver equipment to the International Space Station
- Dec. 4 - Discovery (STS-119) to deliver the final set of solar arrays to the station.
Flights beyond 2008 have not been assessed. Both shuttle and station program officials are considering options for scheduling the remainder of the shuttle flights.
The shuttle launch manifest is available at: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/iss_manifest.html
For details on upcoming shuttle missions and their crews, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
Feb. 12, 2008
NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR TO MOVE TO LAUNCH PAD MONDAY
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to roll
out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on
Monday, Feb. 18, as preparations move forward for the STS-123
mission. Endeavour is targeted to lift off March 11 on a 16-day
mission to the International Space Station.
The first motion of the shuttle out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly
Building is scheduled for 7 a.m. EST. The fully assembled space
shuttle, consisting of the orbiter, external tank and twin solid
rocket boosters, will be mounted on a mobile launcher platform and
delivered to the pad on top of a crawler transporter. The crawler
will travel slower than 1 mph during the 3.4-mile journey. The
process is expected to take approximately six hours.
NASA Television's media channel will air live coverage of Endeavour's
rollout to the launch pad beginning at 6:30 a.m. Live coverage of
space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission will continue to air on NASA
TV's public channel. Video highlights of the rollout will air on the
NASA TV Video File.
The mission will deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace
Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's
two-armed robotic system, Dextre. Five spacewalks will be conducted
during the flight.
Dominic Gorie will command the mission. Gregory H. Johnson will be the
pilot. Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Rick Linnehan, Garrett
Reisman and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi make up the rest of the
crew. Reisman will remain on the station as a resident crew member,
replacing station Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts of the European
Space Agency, who will return home on Endeavour.
For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming
video, visit: www.nasa.gov/ntv
February 7, 2008
NASA'S SHUTTLE ATLANTIS BEGINS MISSION TO THE SPACE STATION
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis and its seven-member
crew lifted off at 2:45 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 7 from NASA's
Kennedy Space Center to begin the STS-122 mission to the
International Space Station.
|
Atlantis climbs toward space.
Photo credit: NASA TV
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During the 11-day flight, Commander Steve Frick and his six crewmates
will install the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory on the
station. Columbus will expand the research facilities of the station
and provide scientists around the world with the ability to conduct a
variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. The
mission will include three spacewalks, delivery of a new crew member
to the station and the return of another astronaut after nearly four
months aboard the complex.
Shortly before launch, Frick thanked the teams that helped make the
launch possible.
"We're looking forward to a great flight and coming back to see our
families in two weeks," Frick said. "It looks like today's a good
day, and we're ready to go fly."
Joining Frick on STS-122 are pilot Alan Poindexter and mission
specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and European
Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts. Eyharts
will replace current station resident Dan Tani, who has lived on the
outpost since October. Eyharts will return to Earth on shuttle
Endeavour's STS-123 mission, which is currently targeted for launch
on March 11, 2008.
During the countdown, a newly-designed connector in the shuttle's fuel
sensor system performed normally. The STS-122 mission was twice
delayed in December 2007 after false readings occurred in that system
while Atlantis' external fuel tank was being filled. Tests revealed
that open circuits in the external tank's feed through connector were
the most likely cause. A modified connector, designed with pins and
sockets soldered together, was installed for the mission. The sensor
system is one of several that protects the shuttle's main engines by
triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of
Atlantis' mission, which is the 121st shuttle flight, the 29th for
Atlantis and the 24th shuttle mission to the station.
NASA Television features live mission events, daily mission status
news conferences and 24-hour commentary. NASA TV is webcast at: www.nasa.gov/ntv
NASA Web coverage of STS-122 includes current mission information,
interactive features, and news conference images, graphics and
videos. Mission coverage, including the latest NASA TV schedule, also
is available on the main space shuttle Web site at: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
Daily news conferences with STS-122 mission managers take place at
NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. Reporters may ask questions
from participating NASA locations. Please contact your preferred NASA
facility by its daily close of business to confirm its availability
before each event.
For information about other NASA missions and activities, visit: www.nasa.gov
Feb. 6, 2008
NASA SELECTS FLORIDA SCHOOL TO FLY PROJECT ON 'WEIGHTLESS WONDER'
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA has selected South Plantation High School
of Plantation, Fla., to fly a student-designed experiment aboard the
agency's reduced-gravity aircraft, the "Weightless Wonder."
South Plantation will join 13 other NASA Explorer School teams
selected for this unique learning experience to test science and math
concepts in a weightless laboratory aboard the Weightless Wonder this
month. The modified McDonnell Douglas DC-9 jetliner will fly a series
of parabolic maneuvers -- steep climbs followed by sharp descents.
Each climb will produce about 30 seconds of hyper gravity, ranging
from 1.8 to 2 G's. When the C-9 "noses over," each free fall will
produce 18 to 25 seconds of weightlessness. The teams will fly about
32 parabolas.
The school's immediate mission is to finalize the concept of its
experiment and work with a NASA mentor to get the experiment
flight-ready. The team decided which educators will execute and
accompany the experiment aboard the aircraft. They traveled to NASA's
aircraft facility at Ellington Field and the Johnson Space Center in
Houston.
"The goal of the NASA Explorer School Program is to equip the next
generation of explorers. These flights are an illustration of how
NASA can connect space, math and science to classrooms on Earth,"
said Rob Lasalvia, program manager.
South Plantation was selected as a NASA Explorer School in 2005,
giving the school an opportunity to propose a reduced-gravity
experiment. The program enables schools and their communities to work
with NASA in a three-year partnership to develop the nation's future
science, technology, engineering and mathematics work force. There
are now 200 teams, representing all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
With this program, NASA continues the agency's tradition of investing
in the nation's education programs. It is directly tied to the
agency's major education goal of attracting and retaining students in
science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM,
disciplines. To compete effectively for the minds, imaginations, and
career ambitions of America's young people, NASA is focused on
engaging and retaining students in STEM education programs to
encourage their pursuit of educational disciplines critical to NASA's
future engineering, scientific and technical missions.
For more information on NASA Explorer Schools on the Internet, go to: explorerschools.nasa.gov/portal/site/nes/
For more information on other NASA reduced-gravity programs, visit the
Web at: microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov
February 1, 2008
NASA ANNOUNCES SHUTTLE PRELAUNCH EVENTS AND COUNTDOWN DETAILS
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - News conferences, events and operating hours
for the news center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are set for the
upcoming launch of space shuttle Atlantis. The STS-122 mission to the
International Space Station is set to lift off at 2:45 p.m. EST on
Thursday, Feb. 7.
On Monday, Feb. 4, the seven Atlantis crew members are scheduled to
arrive at Kennedy at 10:30 a.m. NASA Television will provide live
coverage as Commander Steve Frick makes a brief statement to media.
Badged journalists planning to cover the event must be at Kennedy's
news center by 8 a.m. for transportation to the Shuttle Landing
Facility.
The launch countdown begins at 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 4, at T-43 hours.
The countdown includes 26 hours and 31 minutes of built-in hold time
leading to a preferred launch time of 2:45 p.m. The launch window
extends an additional five minutes.
Detailed lists of countdown milestones, news briefing times and
participants, as well as hours of operation for Kennedy's news center
and media credentialing office are available at: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/
For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information,
visit: www.nasa.gov/ntv
For the latest information about the STS-122 crew and mission, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
January 30, 2008
NASA GIVES 'GO' FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH
WASHINGTON - NASA senior managers completed a review Wednesday of space shuttle Atlantis' readiness for flight. Pending closure of an issue with a shuttle radiator hose, the STS-122 mission will launch Feb. 7 at 2:45 p.m. EST.
During an inspection of Atlantis Tuesday, one of four hoses that carry
Freon to the shuttle radiators in the payload bay was found bent and
not properly retracted in its storage box. The others were fully
retracted into their storage boxes, as expected. Teams are continuing
to gather data and assess any potential forward work. Managers will
convene Saturday to further review and analyze what, if any,
remaining work is required before launch.
During the 11-day mission, Commander Steve Frick and his six crewmates
will install the European Space Agency's new Columbus laboratory on
the International Space Station. Columbus will expand the research
facilities of the station and provide scientists around the world
with the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials
science experiments. The mission will include three spacewalks,
delivery of a new crew member to the station and the return of
another astronaut after nearly four months aboard the complex.
Atlantis' launch date was announced at the conclusion of Wednesday's
executive-level Flight Readiness Review. The one-day video
teleconference meeting was led from NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Top NASA and contractor managers assessed any risks associated with
the mission and determined whether the shuttle's equipment, support
systems and procedures are ready for flight. The first
executive-level Flight Readiness Review for STS-122 was held Nov. 30.
The STS-122 mission was delayed in December 2007 after failures
occurred in a fuel sensor system while Atlantis' external fuel tank
was being filled. A tanking, or fueling, test on Dec. 18, 2007,
revealed that open circuits in the external tank's feed-through
connector were the most likely cause of false readings in the system
during launch attempts on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9. A modified connector was
designed with pins and sockets soldered together. Both the original
and modified connector configurations were subjected to testing that
verified that the new design corrects the open circuits found in the
original connector.
The sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's main
engines by triggering their shutdown if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
NASA's current Launch Commit Criteria require that three of the four
engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors function properly before liftoff from
the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Joining Commander Frick on STS-122 will be pilot Alan Poindexter and
mission specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and
European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts.
Eyharts will replace current station crew member Dan Tani, who has
lived on the outpost since October. Eyharts will return to Earth on
shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission, currently targeted for launch on March 11, 2008.
For more information about the STS-122 mission, including images and
interviews with the crew, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
Jan. 24, 2008
NASA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER TO HOST INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADORS
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA and the U.S. State Department will welcome ambassadors from more than 45 countries to the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. on January 31. The visit, one of the largest tours undertaken by the diplomatic corps, is part of the State Department's new Experience America program. It host tours of cities and towns across the United States in an effort to make exploring America more accessible to the Washington, D.C., diplomatic corps.
The international dignitaries will be provided an overview of the United States' space exploration programs and NASA's international cooperation in pursuit of exploration and scientific discovery. They will visit various locations at Kennedy, including the Space Station Processing Facility and Launch Pad 39A where space shuttle Atlantis is being prepared for its upcoming mission to the International Space Station.
For more information about the State Department's Experience America program, visit: www.state.gov
NASA TV TO AIR COLUMBIA CREW REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA Television will provide live coverage of
the Astronauts Memorial Foundation's remembrance service honoring
space shuttle Columbia's STS-107 crew. The ceremony will be held at
the Space Mirror Memorial on the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor
Complex at 10 a.m. EST on Feb. 1, the fifth anniversary of the
Columbia accident.
Speakers at the memorial include: NASA Administrator Michael Griffin;
Evelyn Husband-Thompson, widow of Colonel Rick Husband; Kennedy Space
Center Director Bill Parsons; NASA Associate Administrator for Space
Operations William Gerstenmaier; Shuttle Commander for the Return to
Flight mission, STS-114, Eileen Collins; Shuttle Commander and former
NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Readdy and
G. Madhavan Nair, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization.
Astronauts Memorial Foundation President Stephen Feldman will lead the service.
The public is invited to attend the service. Kennedy Space Center
Visitor Complex will provide flowers for all ceremony guests and
visitors throughout the day to place at the memorial. For more
information, visit: www.kennedyspacecenter.com
Columbia's seven astronauts were lost during re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003,
following a 16-day science mission. The crew members were Commander
Rick Husband, Pilot William McCool, Payload Commander Michael
Anderson, Mission Specialists David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Laurel
Clark, and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon.
The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, a private, not-for-profit
organization, built and maintains the Space Mirror Memorial. It was
dedicated in 1991 to honor all astronauts who lost their lives on
missions or during training and since has been designated a National
Memorial by Congress.
For information about Columbia's STS-107 crew, visit: www.nasa.gov/columbia
January 11, 2008
NASA ANNOUNCES SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH TARGETS
HOUSTON - NASA Friday announced Feb. 7 as the target launch date for shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station and mid-March for the launch of Endeavour on STS-123. Liftoff of Atlantis from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., will be at 2:47 p.m. EST.
A decision by the Russian Federal Space Agency to move up its Progress launch from Feb. 7 to Feb. 5 enables both STS-122 and STS-123 to launch before the next Russian Soyuz mission in early April. This allows astronauts assigned to the space station's Expedition 16 crew to complete the tasks they have trained for, including support of the launch and docking of Jules Verne, the first European Space Agency Automated Transfer Vehicle. Targeting Feb. 7 also allows time to complete modifications to the engine cutoff sensor system that postponed two shuttle launch attempts in December.
Atlantis' main objective during its STS-122 mission to the station is to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of experiments in life, physical, and materials science, Earth observation and solar physics.
Shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission will deliver Kibo, the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's laboratory module, and Dextre, Canada's new robotics system to the space station.
NASA managers will meet in the coming weeks to address the schedule of remaining shuttle flights beyond STS-123.
For the latest shuttle information, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
Dec. 27, 2007
Shuttle Team to Modify Fuel Sensors
Jan. 10 launch off
The Space Shuttle Program met Thursday to assess the progress made to troubleshoot an issue with the engine cutoff sensor circuit that occurred during the recent launch attempts and tanking test. Instrumentation installed for the tanking test indicate that there are one or more intermittent open circuits in the area of the feed through connector on the external tank's liquid hydrogen tank.
The external parts of the connector will be removed and replaced with others that have been strategically soldered to ensure pin-to-socket connectivity and allow continuous electrical flow from sensors inside the external tank to the shuttle's computers.
This work will take some time to properly accomplish and to certify the redesigned configuration before flight. While a launch on Jan. 10 is no longer achievable, no launch date has been discussed. The program will take time to assess progress of the work before setting a target launch date.
December 21, 2007
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER CELEBRATES 2007 ACHIEVEMENTS
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The workers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center can
reflect on 2007 as a year that celebrated the agency's rich history
while adding new chapters to it.
In July, Kennedy marked the 45th year as NASA's launch operations
center. Its workers and managers focused on the center's diverse
missions, including launching the space shuttle and spacecraft atop
expendable launch vehicles, gearing up for the Constellation Program
and working toward completing the International Space Station.
Even though a hailstorm caused a late start, Kennedy launched three
space shuttle missions this year. Atlantis' STS-117 mission brought
the second and third starboard truss segments and another pair of
solar power arrays to the station in June. In August, shuttle
Endeavour's STS-118 mission installed a third starboard truss
segment, the S5 truss, and shuttle Discovery's STS-120 mission
delivered the Italian-built U.S. Harmony connecting module in October.
Kennedy's employees also can be proud of the four expendable launch
vehicles that lifted off this year. This includes three Cape
Canaveral launches: Dawn's voyage through the inner solar system that
began in September, Phoenix's journey to examine soil on Mars that
launched in August, and February's THEMIS mission to study Earth's
auroras. Kennedy also supported the AIM mission in April, which
launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to learn about
high cloud formations.
Work at Kennedy for the Constellation Program began moving from
concept to construction. This included installing the new lightning
protection system at Launch Pad 39B to support future launches of the
Ares rocket and Orion spacecraft. Also, a developmental heat shield
for the Orion crew exploration vehicle arrived in November at the
center and will undergo testing and evaluation.
Kennedy Space Center made advances on the "green power" front. NASA
and BMW teamed up to test a fleet of liquid hydrogen-fueled cars that
were used throughout the center during an eight-week period in the
spring. And in December, NASA and Florida Power and Light signed a
memorandum of understanding to study potential renewable energy
projects that would be done at the center.
Another first for Kennedy was hosting the World Space Expo in
November. The four-day event brought together thousands of people
from all over the world to celebrate the past, present and future of space exploration.
With at least five space shuttle flights and 10 expendable launch
vehicle missions, Kennedy's work force is preparing for an aggressive
launch schedule in 2008 while continuing construction and other
transition work for the new Constellation Program.
For more information about NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit: www.nasa.gov/kennedy
December 20, 2007
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AIRSPACE ADVISORY FOR SANTA FLYBY DEC. 24
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA has granted permission to Santa Claus to access Kennedy Space Center's airspace on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
The jolly fellow, in his reindeer-propelled sleigh, is expected to fly over the center sometime between 10 p.m. and midnight to take a close look at the ongoing construction at Launch Pad 39B. Workers are installing a new lightning protection system as part of the efforts to transition the pad from a space shuttle facility into the launch site for the Constellation Program's Ares I crew launcher.
North Pole officials are interested in the weather safety upgrades at the launch pad because they may install a similar system around Santa's workshop. The new system at Pad 39B will feature large cables strung between three 594-foot-tall steel and fiberglass towers. The towers will be the tallest structures on KSC property when completed, surpassing the 52-story Vehicle Assembly Building.
"We're always concerned about safety, so following NASA's lead is always a good idea," said chief toymaker Buzz Elfrin. He added that Space Coast residents and families living in surrounding areas may be able to catch a glimpse of Santa during his flyby of the center, depending on the sleigh's altitude.
The launch pad will be the site of the first Ares test flight, called Ares I-X, scheduled for 2009. NASA's Constellation Program is developing a new space transportation system that will carry humans back to the moon in the next decade and enable them to stay.
The automated landing systems will be left on in the automatic mode at the Shuttle Landing Facility during Christmas Eve to support any emergency Santa may experience while in the Central Florida area. No government expense is involved in leaving these landing systems on.
Although it has never been confirmed that Santa has made a pit stop at Kennedy, a routine sweep of the runway to remove debris after the holidays last year produced one ripped stocking, a broken toy truck and what appeared to be reindeer tracks.
For more information about NASA's exploration program, visit: www.nasa.gov/constellation
Dec. 21, 2007 - Headquarters, Washington
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NASA Spinoff 2007 Highlights Space Innovation in Everyday Life
WASHINGTON - NASA's Spinoff 2007, an annual online and print publication featuring NASA space technologies that provide practical, tangible benefits to society, is now available.
Spinoff 2007 highlights 39 new examples of how NASA innovation can be transferred to the commercial market place and applied to areas such as health and medicine, transportation, public safety, consumer goods, homes and recreation, environmental and agricultural resources, computer technology and industrial productivity.
"NASA's science, aeronautics and space exploration drives inspiration, innovation and discovery which in turn keep this nation at the forefront of technology advancements at a global level," NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale said.
An example of NASA innovation helping to better lives today is a method for non-invasive, painless, ultrasound examination of the carotid artery, which carries blood from the heart to the brain. The test helps to identify risk for atherosclerosis, a major cause of heart attacks and strokes. The test uses software based on a program NASA uses to interpret spacecraft imagery from Mars.
Spinoff 2007 also profiles NASA's education efforts and other partnership successes, and provides reference and resource information available through the agency's programs.
NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program produces the NASA Spinoff series. The program fosters technology partnerships, commercialization and innovation in support of NASA's overall mission and national priorities. For more information about the program, visit: ipp.nasa.gov
To request a free printed copy of Spinoff 2007, call 301- 286-5979. To access Spinoff 2007 and a searchable database of previous Spinoff editions on the Web, visit: www.sti.nasa.gov/tto
For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: www.nasa.gov
December 13, 2007
NASA TARGETS SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LAUNCH ON JAN. 10
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Space Shuttle Program managers have
targeted Jan. 10 for the launch of shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission
to the International Space Station.
"The workforce has stepped up to and met every challenge this year,"
said Wayne Hale, Space Shuttle Program manager at NASA's Johnson
Space Center. "Moving the next launch attempt of Atlantis to Jan. 10
will allow as many people as possible to have time with family and
friends at the time of year when it means the most. A lot has been
asked of them this year and a lot will be asked of them in 2008."
The liftoff date from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, depends on
the resolution of a problem in a fuel sensor system. The shuttle's
planned launches on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9 were postponed because of false
readings from the part of the system that monitors the liquid
hydrogen section of the tank.
Atlantis' main objective during its STS-122 mission to the
International Space Station is to install and activate the European
Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists
around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical
and materials science experiments.
For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and the ECO sensor system, visit: www.nasa.gov/shuttle
NASA AND FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT EXPLORE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA and Florida Power and Light, also known
as FPL, are studying potential renewable energy projects that would
be done at Kennedy Space Center. Kennedy and FPL managers signed a
memorandum of understanding Thursday at the space center that
establishes the framework for determining how technically and
financially possible it would be to carry out various ‘green power'
plans.
"Kennedy Space Center is pleased to partner with our electric power
provider to explore ways we can jointly improve the use of renewable
energy in Florida," said Center Operations Director Michael J. Benik.
"We are looking forward to identifying projects that can help reduce
our nation's and state's dependence on fossil fuels."
"FPL has long been a clean energy and conservation leader. We now have
an exciting opportunity to work with NASA to bring more renewable
energy to Florida," said Armando Olivera, president of FPL. "This
fits right in with our goal to meet the challenge of reducing
greenhouse gases while providing our customers with clean, reliable
power at an affordable price," he added.
NASA and FPL will jointly work to explore developing renewable energy
projects. These include solar energy power generation concepts, using
biomass for energy production and wind power generation. One plan
under consideration is a solar photovoltaic power generation system
that would occupy about 50 acres of Kennedy's approximately 140,000
acres and would be capable of producing up to 10 megawatts of
electrical power. That is enough energy to serve roughly 3,000 homes.
Details of the projects under consideration still are being formulated
and will be fully evaluated before moving into development.
For information about Florida Power and Light and its programs, visit: www.fpl.com/
For more information about the NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit: www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html
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| Kicking up dust as its wheels touch down, the orbiter Discovery lands on Runway 15 at NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility, completing mission STS-121 to the International Space Station. Discovery traveled 5.3 million miles, landing on orbit 202. Mission elapsed time was 12 days, 18 hours, 36 minutes and 54 seconds. Main gear touchdown occurred on time at 9:14:43 EDT. Wheel stop was at 9:15:49 EDT. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
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| Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, the International Space Station moves away from Space Shuttle Discovery. Undocking of the two spacecraft occurred at 5:08 a.m. (CDT) on July 15, 2006. Photo Credit: NASA |
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| July 9, 2006: ISS013-E-49464 --- European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Reiter, new Expedition 13 crewmember, and the STS-121 crew gather for an in-flight portrait in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. From the left (front row) are Reiter, astronauts Steven W. Lindsey, commander; and Mark E. Kelly, pilot. From the left (middle row) are astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson and Lisa M. Nowak, both mission specialists. From the left (back row) are astronauts Piers J. Sellers and Michael E. Fossum, both mission specialists. Reiter launched on the Space Shuttle Discovery with the STS-121 crew and officially became an Expedition 13 crewmember after the shuttle docked with the station. NASA photo. |
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| July 6, 2006: ISS013-E-48787 --- The Space Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station for docking but before the link-up occurred, the orbiter "posed" for a thorough series of inspection photos. Leonardo Multipurpose Logistics Module can be seen in the shuttle's cargo bay. Discovery docked at the station's Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 at 9:52 a.m. CDT. NASA photo. |
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| July 4, 2006: Discovery lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA |
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| Viewed from the top of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Space Shuttle Discovery kicks off the Fourth of July fireworks with its own fiery display as it rockets over the blue Atlantic Ocean and into the blue sky, spewing foam and smoke over the ground, on mission STS-121. Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods |
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| Space Shuttle Discovery kicks off the Fourth of July fireworks with its own fiery display as it rockets into the blue sky, spewing foam and smoke over the ground, on mission STS-121. It was the third launch attempt in four days; the others were scrubbed due to weather concerns. Liftoff was on-time at 2:38 p.m. EDT. During the 12-day mission, the STS-121 crew of seven will test new equipment and procedures to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the International Space Station. Landing is scheduled for July 17 at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. Photo credit: NASA/Sandy Joseph, Robert Murray |
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| Like a roman candle shooting through the blue sky, the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121 kicks off the fireworks for the U.S. holiday in its third launch attempt in four days. Liftoff was on-time at 2:38 p.m. EDT. The countdown clock on the grounds of the NASA News Center shows 7 seconds into the launch. Media crowd the banks of the turn basin to capture the sight of the launch. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
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May 18, 2006
NASA TV's Public, Education and Media channels
NASA TV's Public, Education and Media channels are available on an MPEG-2 digital C-band signal accessed via satellite AMC-6, at 72 degrees west longitude, transponder 17C, 4040 MHz, vertical polarization. In Alaska and Hawaii, they're on AMC-7 at 137 degrees west longitude, transponder 18C, at 4060 MHz, horizontal polarization. For digital downlink information, visit: www.nasa.gov/ntv
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NASA REQUESTS PROPOSALS FOR EXPLORATION PARK DEVELOPER
NASA today issued a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) for the
selection of a master developer for a 320-acre technology and
commerce park at Kennedy Space Center.
The RFP seeks offers from qualified firms interested in leading the
development and long-term operation of Exploration Park, which NASA
has established to enable and grow private sector participation in
space exploration, support commercial space transportation and
promote commercial development of technologies for application in
space and on earth.
NASA plans to negotiate a 50-year lease and development agreement,
which could extend for up to 99 years, with the selected master
developer.
NASA has also invited prospective tenants that desire occupancy in the
initial phase of the park to formally express their interest to the
agency.
The entire solicitation can be viewed at: prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=76
For additional information, visit: www-ss.ksc.nasa.gov/exploration%20park/default.html
July 12. 2006
NASA SEEKS MASTER DEVELOPER FOR KSC'S EXPLORATION PARK
NASA today issued a solicitation to attract offers for the development
and long-term operation of Exploration Park at Kennedy Space Center.
The agency posted a draft request for proposals and seeks comments
from industry on the draft by Aug. 17. A briefing for potential
developers and a site tour is planned at KSC for Aug. 10.
NASA envisions Exploration Park as a unique technology and commerce
park development, featuring trend-setting, sustainable design
features while hosting cutting-edge technology and space
exploration-related activities at the nation's primary spaceport.
NASA's primary objectives in establishing Exploration Park at KSC are to:
- Enable and grow private sector participation and contribution to the long-range exploration of space by the U.S. and its international partners;
- Promote the development and use of technologies that contribute to space exploration and preservation of Earth's environment;
- Attract tenants who advance the mission of NASA and KSC with an emphasis on commercial, academic and governmental synergy;
- Expand access to and use of the capabilities of KSC and neighboring space launch and landing sites.
NASA also seeks through this project to accomplish a federal
government goal of improved asset management by obtaining increased
value from underutilized property.
Through the solicitation, NASA aims to select a forward-looking,
creative and highly capable developer who is adept at planning and
delivering projects that foster entrepreneurial opportunity while
honoring the environment. NASA intends to select a master developer
of Exploration Park whose role and responsibility will be to:
- Define a master development plan for the entire park, including planned phasing;
- Define and implement detailed development plans to integrate all of the initial infrastructure and building projects and those of any subsequent phases;
- Provide full financial, management and project integration resources to design and deliver the site improvements for initial and any subsequent phase projects, including any build-to-suit projects and/or spec buildings to be constructed and owned by the master developer;
- Assure that all development in Exploration Park is consistent with design standards and implementation approaches proposed by the master developer and accepted by NASA;
- Establish and sustain an Exploration Park operations and management structure that ensures a well maintained, quality development.
NASA plans to negotiate a long-term lease and development agreement,
up to 75 years in term, and offer immediate and future development
rights consistent with the site boundaries and conditions defined for
the Exploration Park project.
The master developer selection is a two-step process. NASA intends to
use the responses to the first step to establish a list of
approximately five most highly qualified candidates. Step two
responses to this request for proposals will be accepted only from
those developers on the short list.
Prospective tenants and/or site developers with a specific project
interest who wish to participate in Exploration Park -- but who do
not wish to be considered as the master developer -- are encouraged
to express their interest, and NASA will accept such information for
the master developer ultimately selected. The master developer will
have the right to sublease space in multi-tenant projects or improved
sites for the development and use of improvements built by others.
The entire solicitation can be viewed at: prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=76
In addition, NASA has posted information at: www-ss.ksc.nasa.gov/exploration%20park/default.html
April 17, 2006
NASA, BREVARD COUNTY PARTNER TO PRESERVE HISTORIC SCHOOLHOUSE
NASA Kennedy Space Center and Brevard County of Florida are set to
take a major step in preserving the Clifton School, a 116-year-old
schoolhouse used by the children of early black homesteaders in North
Brevard. On Saturday, April 22 at 8:30 a.m., KSC Director Jim Kennedy
and Chairwoman of the Brevard County Board of Commissioners Helen
Voltz are scheduled to meet at the school's site to signify its
transfer of ownership from NASA to Brevard County.
The school, built in 1890, was discovered in 2003 in a remote wooded
area north of Kennedy Space Center. Under a Space Act Agreement, NASA
and Brevard County formed a partnership to have the remnants of the
school removed from its current location for reconstruction. Upon
completion, the restored school will become part of the Heritage Park
Complex at the Chain of Lakes Project in Titusville, Fla.
Media interested in attending the event should contact Tracy Young at
(321) 867-2468 by close of business Thursday, April 20.
For more information on the Clifton School on the Web, visit: www.pritchardhouse.com
EXPLORATION PARK TO HOST SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE
NASA's Kennedy Space Center announced Thursday its plan to seek
private-sector partners to develop a space technology and commerce
park to be named "Exploration Park at John F. Kennedy Space Center."
The park is expected to attract tenants engaged in space technology,
space commerce, space education and otherwise involved in promoting
and implementing the Vision for Space Exploration. Exploration Park
will be located along Space Commerce Way, behind the KSC Visitor Complex.
"Exploration Park will be a site where the private sector brings both
traditional and non-traditional work to Kennedy Space Center in
support of both our NASA programs and commercial space initiatives
that find value in locating their operations here," said KSC Director Jim Kennedy.
KSC expects to formally solicit development proposals soon. "This
concept offers a front door at Kennedy Space Center for organizations
that expect to be involved in NASA's exploration activities, or for
commercial ventures that seek to support the vision and develop low
earth orbit," said Spaceport Development Manager Jim Ball. "It's also
an ideal site for support services and other uses that require close
proximity to KSC facilities and personnel."
NASA SOLICITS INTEREST IN USE OF SHUTTLE LANDING FACILITY
NASA today issued a formal request for expressions of interest by
non-NASA organizations, including commercial space companies, for use
of the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at the Kennedy Space Center
(KSC), Fla.
The announcement is the first step in considering how and when NASA
can expand access to available capacity at the SLF by government,
commercial, and academic organizations.
NASA's use of the SLF to support the Space Shuttle Program and other
agency activities has precedence over prospective users through the
remaining operational life of the orbiter and beyond. NASA is seeking
to accommodate conditional access by additional users.
NASA is investigating the potential to support research and technology
demonstration flights of piloted, unpiloted, and spaceflight
vehicles; parabolic research and demonstration flights; academic and
commercial space flight research and demonstration flights;
logistical support, and others. Uses that can be readily accommodated
at nearby airports, such as executive aircraft flights and
conventional commercial passenger aircraft flights, will not be
considered. Areas of interest are described in the Request For
Information (RFI) published on today's Federal Business Opportunities
Website.
The RFI is a part of NASA's ongoing efforts to support the President's
Management Agenda and the U.S. Space Transportation Policy. "The SLF
is a unique facility, and we would like to see its full use by the
nation's aerospace community," said NASA's Associate Administrator
for Space Operations William Readdy.
Organizations have until August 30 to respond with detailed
expressions of interest. Based on those responses, NASA will
determine what uses can be accommodated on the SLF. NASA anticipates
developing policies, plans, and procedures in coordination with the
Air Force and FAA to enable SLF access to non-NASA users.
For information about the RFI on the Web, visit: prod.nais.nasa.gov
Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 
