posted 02-14-2008 12:12 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Kirsten:
One of the local newspaper journalists asked the crew: "So you went WHERE?"

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quote:

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Media Note: Please ensure media has done at least basic research (i.e. reviewing the information on this site under his bio) before being referred to Gen Anders for interviews. Questions like "I understand you were involved with the space program, what did you do?" rapidly diminishes Gen Anders' interest in doing interviews with anyone. This question opened a newspaper interview as recently as August 2002, so for the sake of your colleagues, please, at a minimum, review the web site before you seek an interview.

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posted 02-14-2008 09:32 AM               

The swatch tool is in the great spirit of Apollo 13's make-shift carbon dioxide scrubber, STS-51D's flyswatter and STS-120's space station saving cufflinks.

Here is the description of the tool as was uplinked to the crew early this morning:

quote:

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Build a tool to use for performing a sharp edge swatch test on the ISS Airlock Handrail impact crater. One overglove will be donned on the crewmember's dominant hand during EVA to perform a swatch test. A second overglove will be wrapped around an EVA socket to provide a harder surface behind the swatch. Both tools will remain in the airlock until the swatch test is performed.

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• Two (2) old, damaged EMU overgloves
  
• One (1) 7/16 x 9-in rigid socket
  
• Two (2) aqua-color, 7.31-in zip ties
  
• One (1) RET w/pip pin, or
  
• One (1) Socket caddy

1. Remove any loose or hanging RTV pads from overgloves.
   
2. Photograph condition of both overgloves to document pre-test status.
   
3. Set aside one overglove (dominant hand) - it will be donned during EVA to perform swatch test.
   
4. With other overglove palm facing you, turn overglove thumb inside out.
   
5. Fold velcro wrist strap to backside of overglove (will end up inside of the swatch tool, out of the way).
   
6. Insert socket into pinky side of overglove until tip just protrudes.
   
7. Roll overglove tightly around socket until tip of socket aligns with opening into overglove forefinger. Ensure overglove tether point is accessible.
   
8. Insert socket into overglove forefinger; align overglove tether loop with pip pin hole in socket.
   
9. Wrap Velcro strap tightly around base of tool.
   
10. Install Zip Ties (2) approximately 3-in apart, folding excess material under zip tie as required to keep the roll tight.
    
11. Trim off loose ends of zip ties, ensuring no sharp edges remain.
    
12. Install pip pin (from RET or socket caddy) through overglove tether point and into socket.
    
13. Configure Overglove and Swatch Tool with RETs in airlock for EVA 3. Inform Mission Control-Houston of the config used (socket caddy or RET, number of RETs).

posted 02-14-2008 11:33 AM               

The astronauts and specialists are no doubt brave and highly trained individuals but I am following this with a "so-what" attitude.

They load up the truck, leave for their trip, they are playing Mr. Goodwrench meets Buck Rogers, they will herald it as yet anther magnificent milestone in space exploration and in a month or two the new module will break down and be added to the "to-do" list.

Does anything truly new, exciting or even exploration take place any longer in the US manned space program?

posted 02-14-2008 01:05 PM               

Responding to the song, he thanked his parents and family "and people who may be feeling there's one fewer Love on Earth this Valentine's Day."

But the Valentine's Day puns didn't end there. In today's execute package (printed version only), flight controllers suggested a list of "top space Valentines" ever received. Among them:

• Wrap your RMS's around me
  
• You are #1 in my star catalog
  
• I'm barberpole over you!
  
• Will you join me on my CEVIS built for two?
  
• Meet me at the Galley for a rehydrated date
  
• Come run the Docking Sequence Cue Card with me
  
• Let's make some CO2 together...
  
• True love stays tethered
  
• Command to my module, from your COL-CC...
  
• Your eyes sparkle brighter than a waste dump at sunrise
  
• Meet me by airlock handrail, at the Crater of Love

  ...and the #1 space valentine ever received:

• EV3, you complete me!

posted 02-15-2008 12:08 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
But the Valentine's Day puns didn't end there. In today's execute package (printed version only), flight controllers suggested a list of "top space Valentines" ever received.

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quote:

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Originally posted by blacklion1:
Yesterday evening NASA released video from the cameras mounted on the SRBs for STS-122. They were truly breathtaking!

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posted 02-15-2008 08:33 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by cspg:
Couldn't find them online...

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posted 02-15-2008 08:51 AM               

The two are installing two payloads on the exterior of the Columbus laboratory. The first, SOLAR, is an observatory that will monitor the sun for two years. The second is the European Technology Exposure Facility, which will carry nine experiments requiring exposure to the space environment.

The spacewalkers also are putting handrails and worksite interfaces on Columbus.

posted 02-15-2008 08:55 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
NASA doesn't seem to have them online, but Space Multimedia has it to watch and download.

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Funny that NASA doesn't have it because I've seen such a video from a previous launch. Really cool stuff!

(If you're prone to sea sickness, you might not want to drink/eat something while watching! ...or have a bucket nearby...)

posted 02-15-2008 09:46 AM               

"Just to let you know that you are finishing the installation of the first European payload of Columbus while we're arriving over Europe in the opposite direction of Christopher Columbus." – Expedition 16 flight engineer Leopold Eyharts speaking to spacewalkers Rex Walheim and Stan Love as they finished installation of SOLAR.

posted 02-15-2008 10:48 AM               

Stan Love, riding the station's robotic arm, moves a failed control moment gyroscope (CMG) past Columbus down into Atlantis' payload bay.

posted 02-15-2008 01:40 PM               

...the spacewalkers are moving onto the first of two get ahead tasks, inspecting damage from an impact near the station's airlock. Discovered by Stan Love during the first EVA, the damage has come to be known as "Love crater".

posted 02-15-2008 02:16 PM               

With assistance by guest capcom Jerry Ross, Rex Walheim completed the inspection of "Love crater" using both his overglove and the swatch tool.

At the start, the velcro on the tool snagged a bit, but as Walheim continued, he reported that the impact area was being smoothed and by the end of the test, he could slide his overglove and the tool across the region without problem.

posted 02-15-2008 02:35 PM               

STS-122's three spacewalks logged a total time of 22 hours and 8 minutes.

posted 02-15-2008 04:54 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by NavySpaceFan:
I can't wait to see the high resolution picture that was taken from this perspective.

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posted 02-15-2008 05:19 PM               

Deorbit Opportunities for STS-122 (all times are EST)
Updated: February 15, 2008

posted 02-15-2008 05:44 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by NavySpaceFan:
Did anyone see what was on it?

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posted 02-15-2008 06:20 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:

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posted 02-16-2008 07:20 AM               

It was easily the brightest thing in the sky other than the Moon. I've been watching ISS overflights since almost the beginning of construction and it's really amazing how much that dot in the sky has changed over the years.

These are 20 second time exposures, shot with a Canon 40D, at about F8 and an ISO of 400.

Rising in the northwest sky about 7:30 p.m...

Flying overhead, with the Moon in the lefthand corner...

posted 02-16-2008 09:46 AM               

The crews gathered in the new European Columbus science laboratory, installed and activated during this flight.

collectSPACE asked space station commander Peggy Whitson, 48, and Leland Melvin, 44, about their recent birthdays, having both occurred during the still on-going STS-122 mission.

Any special gifts or surprises?

"We got a great one... we're floating in it right now!" said Whitson. "It's a beautiful module and it was great to have company come up and celebrate with me.

"We've had a good time... and I got loads of salsa and chocolate to keep me happy!"

Whitson then handed the radio handset to Melvin.

"When I flew in from the shuttle on the morning of my birthday, I had a happy birthday sign that Peggy put up in Node 2 and then I had some cake, some really good chocolate cake last night, and we celebrated in the shuttle. So, it was a very good time," he said.

Melvin also received a special call, as described by his hometown newspaper:

quote:

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Leland Melvin was in Space Shuttle Atlantis, orbiting the Earth somewhere over Australia on Friday afternoon, when an audio/video hook-up brought his face and voice into a room at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton. There, about 25 family members and friends celebrated the Lynchburg native's 44th birthday, said Jim Hodges of NASA Langley's News Media Office, who recounted the action to The News & Advance.

Melvin could see and hear, too, albeit after a few seconds delay, given the distance.

...

Finally, the camera at Langley panned out, giving Leland Melvin a view of the whole room, the people and a cake.

Melvin had been expecting to make a phone connection with his family in Lynchburg, Hodges said.

Melvin's sister said what her brother had not been expecting was an audio/video connection or a party. And he certainly did not expect a party at Langley, where he had worked doing research before becoming an astronaut and where he still has friends.

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posted 02-16-2008 04:58 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by NavySpaceFan:
I can't wait to see the high resolution picture that was taken from this perspective.

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posted 02-17-2008 10:55 AM               

Schlegel's list of targets include:

1. Outside views of the ISS and the Earth through a well-located illuminator with daylight. (For better 3D effect, it is preferred that the pictures taken include both parts of the ISS and Earth view in the background)
   
2. RS and Russian facilities of the ISS
   
3. American segment and facilities of the ISS
   
4. European experiments
   
5. Astronauts at work

posted 02-17-2008 11:03 AM               

Today marks the last shift for Cassini Flight, flight director Sally Davis. During the STS-122 mission, Davis marked her 400th shift in Mission Control. She will be moving to a position in shuttle engineering.

The ISS flight controllers marked her departure with a countdown to Cassini Flight at the front of the room, a cake and standing ovation by her colleagues (including ISS Expedition 12 commander Bill McArthur).

posted 02-17-2008 11:16 AM               

Deorbit Timeline for the First KSC Landing Opportunity February 20
(all times are EST)

posted 02-17-2008 12:24 PM               

Before parting ways, the 10 crew members gathered in the Harmony Node 2 to bid farewell to each other and share some words with the ground.

"A few words," began ISS Expedition 16 commander Peggy Whitson, "first off, I would like to acknowledge that this is Sally Davis' last shift and earlier in the week I acknowledged that she had 400 shifts, more than 400 shifts, which is more than any other ISS flight director. And so, we're not only very pleased and happy to have her as the lead for this particular mission, but also for all those other shifts she has pulled over the years. Unfortunately for us, I guess, she's leaving but only going a short distance and going to work in the shuttle office and so we're happy to have her expertise around although we will definitely miss her in the flight control room.

"And Steve wanted to say a few words," she said while passing the headset to STS-122 commander Steve Frick.

"We were lucky enough to have Sally as our lead station flight director. We were privileged to have her as our lead. She did a tremendous job for the crew making sure that we had everything we need to train properly, to see that the procedures were in place and that we dealt with anything that came up during the preparations for flight and during the execution of the flight. So, the success that we've been able to have and the fact that Columbus is over here, successfully activated and outfitted and virtually ready for science is I think due to Sally. So, we really really appreciated her efforts and it was a pleasure and treat to train and fly with her."

Whitson continued, introducing what flight controllers had labeled in the execute package as transfer items 809 and 810.

"And also on this mission were some important transfer and return items. They were listed and we were asked if it was okay to have Dan Tani for Leo Eyharts. So today we are transferring the reigns of the flight engineer from Dan to Leo. And Dan has done a phenomenal job over the last several months. He was here a few months more than he had originally planned on but he's really made up for it and has done an incredible job while he was here. And Leo, we are looking forward to his expertise in the Columbus module and a very busy next month or two coming up for him. So, Leo looking forward to the future and we really have appreciated Dan so much in the past."

"I just had a few things I wanted to say," said ISS flight engineer-turned-STS-122 crew member Dan Tani. "Today I feel very optimistic about our program and about our world and about everything. It's a great day for me. And I just wanted to share two thoughts: one was a few days ago, during the EVA, I grabbed the high def camera and I thought I'd shoot from end to end, since I had a little bit of a break. So I went up to the flight deck and there was Dex running the EVA with Rex and Hans outside doing the EVA, you could see them out the window. Incredibly cool. Came back through the middeck, came into the Node 2, looked over and there's Leo working in the Columbus module. And then I go, I pass a robotic workstation and there's Leland and Stan running the arm. And then I pass through the Node 1 and Peggy is working out on the exercise equipment. And I go to the SM and Yuri's doing a science experiment.

"So, we were doing robotics, PA, exercise and science, all at the same time -- and I was goofing off taking the movies. But we were doing all of those at the same time, in space, which is exactly like those movies they used to show you about 25 years ago about how we were going to live in space. It was almost like a promotional video and it was phenomenal. And I thought, 'We're almost there.' We're doing science, we're building huge construction projects, we're doing EVAs -- I'm not going to say routinely but we've done, I don't know, a dozen or so in the last year, it's just amazing.

"So I feel very up about our future as a space program and as a society because while I was here, I spent time with a man from France, and from Italy, and from Germany, and from Russia. Nations that had not always been friendly are now cooperating and we're doing great things. That was the first thing I was thinking about today.

"The other thing I was thinking about was women. It has been a very big topic on this flight because when I flew up, there were two women commanders and for whatever reason, that was huge news. And the unspoken news there is that they were both fantastically great commanders and it was a privilege to fly with both of them. The other thing I was thinking about today was my mother... (chokes up) ...my inspiration. And of course, my job is easy compared to my wife's. Jane is the love of my life and she had the hard work while I was having fun. So I can't wait to get back to Earth and my two little girls.

"So, if we were toasting, if we were in Russia, this would be the third toast. The toast for the women in our lives. I've enjoyed all my time here and I can't wait to get back to share all my pictures and videos. Thanks so much for all your help on the ground and really, we couldn't have done it without you. We're doing magnificent things up here and it's not us, we're just the tip. It is the solid foundation that everybody on the ground provides for us that makes us look good. Thanks very much," Tani concluded.

"I'd like to say that Dan is a great guy," said Leo Eyharts. "I've been very impressed by the experience he acquired here in the space station. It was really a pleasure and honor to receive the handover from him. I hope that in a few weeks, we'll be able to do 1/100th of what he is able to do today in all aspects, also from a human standpoint. So I am looking forward to being part of Expedition 16."

"And for the shuttle crew of Atlantis and STS-122, it was our privilege to bring Leo up to his new home, until he gets his chance to work more in the Columbus module and finally go home to his wife Dominique and his family," said Frick. "And it's very much our privilege to bring Dan home after such a long stay up here and so much hard work. We're looking forward to a very short rest of the flight and a successful landing at Kennedy Space Center. It has been an amazing flight for us. It has been my second visit to the space station. Along with Rex, we were here a number of years ago. It is an amazing place, it is vastly different than when we were up here -- much, much larger, much more capability. We were very privileged to be able to bring the European Columbus laboratory and we're incredibly excited to see right on our left over there, with the lights on and ready for action. So Peggy, thanks very much for being our host. We raced as hard as we could to try to keep up with you and now we need to go take a rest."

"Alright guys, it has been great having you up here," responded Whitson.

"Hey guys, this is Sally, thanks for the words," radioed outgoing flight director Sally Davis. "It is great to see so many capcoms turn into a great flown crew."

"Thanks very much Sally, we look forward to seeing you in just a few days back in Houston," Frick replied, concluding the farewell.

posted 02-17-2008 07:50 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Not that it is not a nice photo unto itself, but it appears that the full scope of the scene in the video still was not what Stan had in mind when photographing Rex.

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posted 02-17-2008 08:21 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by NavySpaceFan:
Also, was Peggy Whitson wearing a NASCAR shirt earlier today?

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posted 02-17-2008 08:52 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
The light green shirt? I think it was an Expedition 16 shirt like she wore back in December.

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posted 02-18-2008 01:09 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Today marks the last shift for Cassini Flight, flight director Sally Davis.

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posted 02-18-2008 03:01 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by cspg:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
[b]Hard to identify her on the pictures?

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posted 02-18-2008 03:28 AM               

Space shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station at 3:24 a.m. CST as the two vehicles passed over New Zealand.

"Alpha and Houston, Atlantis, we have physical sep," confirmed STS-122 commander Steve Frick.

"Alpha acknowledges separation, manual undocking command sent," replied ISS commander Peggy Whitson.

"We just wanted to thank you again for being a great host and letting us enjoy your station for about a week. We had a great time over there. We learned a lot and we really really enjoyed working with your crew, one quarter of which we have here and we're happy to take Dan home. But just again, to you and to Yuri and to Leo, thanks very much," radioed Frick just before undocking.

"Well, thank you guys," replied ISS commander Peggy Whitson. "It is a great new room you have added on and we really appreciate it. Get Dan home safe and thanks!"

Atlantis was docked at the space station for at total of 8 days, 16 hours and 7 minutes. Dan Tani, making his way home on the orbiter spent 107 days as a member of the ISS Expedition 16 crew and a total of 116 days at the station since arriving in October.