posted 06-08-2008 07:46 AM               

Buzz Lightyear is no longer the only Disney character to make a cameo during the STS-124 mission: 'M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E' made an appearance in the form of the theme song to the Mickey Mouse Club, broadcast as the wake up call for the crew.

Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan will leave the station's Quest airlock today for the third time this mission. The EVA is scheduled to begin at 9:32 a.m. CDT.

During the two previous spacewalks Fossum and Garan outfitted Japan's Kibo module and performed station maintenance tasks. Today, they will replace a nitrogen tank assembly, install TV equipment and remove a thermal cover from Japan's new robotic arm.

Fossum will also revisit the port-side solar alpha array joint (SARJ) where he reported seeing some minor particulate during the second spacewalk. He will collect some of the debris to return to Earth to help with the on-going studies as to the malfunctioning SARJ on the starboard-side of the station.

JAXA astronaut Aki Hoshide will activate Kibo's robotic arm monitor for camera support as the spacewalkers work outside the station. Hoshide and Karen Nyberg will also assist Fossum and Garan with Canadarm2, the station's main robotic arm.

posted 06-08-2008 10:23 AM               

"Well, there are the stars," said Garan.

"Yep, one of my mission objectives is met," replied Fossum. "I was talking at a school and I had a young man ask me if you could see the stars while you were outside. I told him I never had the chance to turn my lights out and look.

"Indeed, you can."

posted 06-08-2008 03:30 PM               

• ...installed a new Nitrogen Tank Assembly (NTA) on the right hand S1 truss. Garan, perched atop the station's robotic arm, soared about 80 feet above the station complex in what had been called the "windshield wiper maneuver." First, Garan detached a spent NTA from the starboard S1 truss and rode the arm across to the left P3 truss. There, he exchanged the 528-pound assembly with a new one that Mike Fossum prepared for him. Arm operator Karen Nyberg then flew Garan back across the top of the station to the S1 truss, where Garan attached the new unit in place of the old one.

• ...removed a thermal cover from the port solar alpha rotary joint (SARJ) and collected two samples of dust-like debris. The port SARJ continues to perform well, but the composition of the debris is unknown, so Fossum will return it to Earth for analysis.

• ...removed thermal insulation from the Kibo robotic arm's wrist and elbow cameras, and launch locks from one of the forward Kibo windows. Fossum also deployed debris shields over Kibo common berthing mechanisms that currently are not used. He tightened a bolt holding a Kibo television camera in place. Japanese flight controllers had noticed unexpected movement of the camera.

• ...reinstalled a space station television camera to the left P1 truss. The faulty camera had been removed during Thursday's second spacewalk. On Saturday, astronauts replaced its power supply to prepare it for today's reinstallation. At 2:10 p.m. CDT, Mission Control verified the repair by downlinking video of Garan from the camera.

• ...installed thermal covers over connectors outside the Harmony node.

• ...transferred an ingress aid to a portable foot restraint on the airlock toolbox.

• ...removed launch restraints from the starboard SARJ.

posted 06-08-2008 09:46 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
If required, the usual detailed inspection of the heat shield will be performed later in the mission after the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) has been returned to Discovery.

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Paul

posted 06-09-2008 07:35 AM               

Mike Fossum, a proud alum ("Aggie") of Texas A&M University, was greeted this morning by the sounds of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band playing "The Spirit of Aggieland".

"There's a spirit can never be told, that's the spirit of Aggieland. Texas A&M University is indeed a very special place. Thanks to my Aggie wife this morning for that wake-up music, to all my Aggie buds, and to the hundreds of thousands of Aggies on campus and around the world. It's going to be a great day."

The crew members today will maneuver the newly activated robotic arm on the Kibo laboratory to its stowed position. They will also perform a checkout of the arm's brakes.

Station and shuttle crew members will work in the Quest airlock to replace the battery charger modules that provide power to U.S. spacesuits during spacewalks. Flight managers elected to replace the modules as the devices have shown increased toxicity levels due to their age.

posted 06-09-2008 11:42 AM               

Seen here, a small tab of insulation material that apparently ripped loose of the Japanese robotic arm during its trial run this morning. Nothing will be done now about the tear, as it poses no risk to the arm and can be repaired during a future EVA.

posted 06-09-2008 05:11 PM               

During the news conference, collectSPACE asked ISS Flight Engineer Greg Chamitoff about the lessons to be learned from a visiting space ranger.

Once Discovery pulls away, it will just be you, Sergei, Oleg... and Buzz Lightyear. NASA and Disney has said that Buzz might even take part in an experiment with you. For all the kids (of all ages) who may be watching, what do you hope they learn from Buzz's flight and from watching you work on the ISS?

I think what we are doing up here is really fulfilling the future of exploration by living off the planet. What really struck me by coming here is that we're not a small operation. This is a big space station. We have four different ships visiting us right now at all different docking ports. It is amazing what is going on up here and we all know this is just the beginning. So I think there is going to be a lot of exciting times ahead for the kids as they grow up in the future.

Yesterday, we heard during the EVA you comment about looking at the stars and the spectacular views below. Last night, American audiences saw what was for some of them the first time archival space program footage shown in high definition. And you've been broadcasting HDTV from the space station as well. For years, we have been told that the imagery does not compare to what it is actually like out the window or the helmet. How close does HDTV come?

I think HDTV is a step closer but you still don't have the three dimensions when you are here, looking through the windows here and certainly when you are outside with your head in a fish bowl. You really have the feeling you are in the middle of it. You are not just looking at a picture of it or an image of it. Maybe it is just more feel than real visual. I can't get any closer than that.

posted 06-10-2008 07:46 AM               

Ron Garan awoke today to "All Because of You" by U2.

"It's another beautiful day in space and it really is true that it is all because of you I am. And I want to thank my beautiful wife ad my sons for sending that song up and we're ready to get to work."

The station and shuttle crews will prepare today for the end of joint operations.

The astronauts will transfer spacewalk equipment and at least one spacesuit back to Discovery. They will enjoy some off-duty time and will also check out the tools and equipment needed for undocking activities.

At 2:57 p.m. CDT, the two crews will bid farewell to one another and close the hatches between the orbiter and the station.

posted 06-10-2008 03:44 PM               

We docked module JEM, the biggest module on the station and these guys performed wonderful EVAs. My crew is proud to be a participant and owner and holder of this station. We are glad to work with you guys. Thank you for these great ten days.

-- Sergei Volkov, ISS commander

---

It was great to arrive 10 days ago and it was a really exciting mission. We appreciate all the help we got from the crew of Expedition 17. It was really a joint effort with Sergei, Oleg, Garrett and Taz [Greg]. We appreciate everything. Now is the time to close the hatches shortly and bring Garrett home and leave Greg behind.

-- Mark Kelly, STS-124 commander

---

I can hardly believe this time has come. It has been an amazing adventure. I think all of us are very excited about the work we have done.

It is amazing how the station has changed in this time. You know, with 10 people up here going all over the place and doing this work and the thousands of others on the ground making it all possible, it is amazing to see what we can do.

Mark, I wanted to say that, you know, a lot of us were rookies before this flight. It has been a real honor and a real privilege to be part of the shuttle crew. Mark has not only made sure that this mission was very successful but he's also somehow guided us rookies through everything an got us to this point. He's been a great mentor to all of us. That goes for Mike, too.

Mike is the other flown person here before the shuttle launched and his guidance and his friendship has been really valuable to all of us. Thank you, Mike. It was really great when we arrived after the beginning of this amazing adventure, it was just amazing to be greeted by great friends that we already knew at the hatch. That was really, really amazing.

Garrett has been a great host for us, he has really helped us with everything and especially me, teaching me the ins and outs of everything on the station. I really appreciated that very much. Garrett has done an amazing job of taking care of this side of the space station, along with Sergei and Oleg, everything is in really great shape and he has done a really great job for NASA and for all the international partners.

It is really sad to see you guys go for me. But I am looking forward to the adventure ahead with Sergei and Oleg, getting the JEM up and running and getting the science program started and renewing the science on the U.S. module and in the Columbus. So, looking forward to that very much.

-- Greg Chamitoff, ISS Flight Engineer

---

Thanks Greg... one day this will all be yours and that day is now. It is a huge responsibility. I mean, taking care of this tremendous national asset and the international assets of our international partners. And if that ever feels like a huge burden, just remember this advice I have for you, which is, with great responsibility, also comes great power. (laughs) So that's nice. (laughs)

But you are going to do a fantastic job, you've took to it from a running start, you've been doing absolutely fantastic and you have some great crew mates to help you out, too. So you're going to do great.

For me this is a very satisfying moment right now, one I was looking forward to for a long time because we've managed to get to this point, through STS-123, Expedition 16, Expedition 17 and now STS-124, by far it was not a perfect performance by myself but I managed not, by any means, but I managed not to break anything really expensive. And I am leaving now with the station in good hands and with a tremendous feeling of satisfaction.

-- Garrett Reisman, returning STS-124 crew member

posted 06-11-2008 05:32 AM               

Pilot Ken Ham and his crewmates aboard space shuttle Discovery were woken this morning to "Centerfield" by John Fogert.

Ham is scheduled to undock the orbiter from the ISS at 6:42 a.m. CDT, ending its almost nine-day stay at the outpost.

He will then perform a flyaround of the complex before conducting a final separation burn at approximately 8:30 a.m.

Two hours later, the shuttle crew will begin a 'late inspection' of their vehicle's heat shield, using the orbiter's robotic arm and boom (OBSS) to look for any damage that might have been caused by micrometeorite debris during their stay at the station.

posted 06-11-2008 06:47 AM               

Just before separating, the shuttle's commander spoke to his former crewmate, now a member of the station's crew.

"We wish them the best with their expedition and we hope we left them a better, more capable space station than when we arrived," said STS-124 commander Mark Kelly, offering a Japanese goodbye in honor of delivering Japan's Kibo lab. "Sayonara."

"It was a great adventure with all of you. An adventure of a lifetime," replied ISS Expedition 17 flight engineer Greg Chamitoff, who arrived at the outpost aboard Discovery. "We wish you guys a terrific flight back, an awesome landing and look forward to seeing you on the ground."

"See you in six months," Kelly responded.

posted 06-11-2008 07:49 AM               

"Discovery departing after a successful mission to the International Space Station, leaving behind great memories and new 'hope', Kibo, for the future," radioed Greg Chamitoff while ringing the space station's bell.

"Thank you Alpha, it was great to spend some time with you guys there and we'll see you back on Earth," replied Discovery's commander Mark Kelly.

"Thanks Mark, it was terrific. The whole mission was really enjoyable for everybody. We're sad to see you guys go but we look forward to seeing you guys on the ground," said Chamitoff.

"Be safe," said Kelly.

posted 06-12-2008 08:04 AM               

After yesterday's undocking from the International Space Station, the STS-124 crew begin their 13th flight day with a morning off.

"Good morning Discovery, and a special good morning today for Mark with "Crystal Frontier," said capcom Shannon Lucid, after starting the first call of the morning with the song by Calexico.

"Good morning. It's a really good morning in space. I would like to thank my wife - my wonderful wife, and my kids. Good morning," replied STS-124 commander Mark Kelly.

posted 06-12-2008 08:17 AM               

Deorbit Opportunities for STS-124 (all times are CDT) Updated: June 11, 2008

posted 06-13-2008 07:59 AM               

The crew aboard space shuttle Discovery are spending today getting ready for their return home and the end of the STS-124 mission.

"Good morning Discovery, and a special good morning today for Garrett with "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home," radioed capcom Shannon Lucid to Garrett Reisman after playing the song by Louis Prima and Keely Smith.

"Good morning to you Houston and a special good morning to Simone, my favorite Earthling. Get ready dollface. Discovery's coming home!" replied Reisman, referring to his wife.

After completing a standard day before landing test of the shuttle steering jets, the crew indicated they had seen a one foot to 1.5 foot long rectangular object floating away from the shuttle from behind the rear portion of the right wing.

"It is not yet known what that object might be," said NASA commentator Rob Navias, adding that it was not uncommon for objects to drift out of payload bay during flight control systems checks.

Shortly afterward, the crew described what they called a "bump" on the left side trailing edge of Discovery's rudder.

"That protuberance is thought to be a very small piece of thermal insulation, perhaps part of the thermal barrier. No one, at the moment [is] concerned about that," said Navias.

Experts on the ground are examining images and video of the object and the "bump" while the crew continues to stow items in the cabin for Saturday's planned landing.

posted 06-13-2008 10:21 AM               

"The other object that floated away turns out is a trailing edge split line barrier and thanks to those pictures you took, they were really good, the resolution was really good there, we were able to confirm it is that."

"That trailing edge split line barrier, it looks like a clip, its function is for ascent heating only and this is something we have seen ever since STS-1 orbiters have come back with this missing. It is just not a factor for entry."

"The [mission management team] is going to meet here shortly in the next couple of hours when they have all the data that they need, but like I said, we're confident there is no impact for entry and there will be no arm ops required. So, we are still pressing ahead for tomorrow morning."

A few moments later, Virts clarified his terminology. "I'm going to clarify the terms I used. The trailing edge split line barrier I was talking about? That is actually the bump that you saw on the rudder not the clip. Just to be clear about terminology."

"Going back to tomorrow's plan for entry, the weather is looking good. Right now, light winds is forecast in the morning. First opportunity looks better than the second just because of possibility of rain showers but right now it looks good. Obviously we will know more tomorrow," said Virts.

"Thanks for the quick turnaround and I guess thanks to Mike [Fossum], who is down on the middeck right now, for getting the good pictures," responded Kelly.

posted 06-13-2008 11:23 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by robsouth:
Can anyone tell me what time the shuttle is due to land in GMT please?

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posted 06-13-2008 02:02 PM               

Though its no longer considered an issue, as a final closeout to the topic, here are two pictures of the inconel spring seal (thermal barrier) that came loose and drifted away from Discovery's vertical stabilizer this morning. The first shows enhanced versions of the crew's photography; the second a photo of a similar seal on the ground.

posted 06-13-2008 09:57 PM               

5:12 a.m.	Deorbit Prep begins
6:30 a.m.	Payload Bay Door closing
6:40 a.m.	Transition to Reentry Software (Ops 3)
7:45 a.m.	Donning ACES flight suits
8:10 a.m.	Seat ingress
8:23 a.m.	OMS Gimbal Check
8:37 a.m.	APU Prestart
8:52 a.m.	"Go-No Go" decision for deorbit burn
8:59 a.m.	Maneuver for deorbit burn attitude
9:10 a.m.	Deorbit burn
10:15 a.m.	KSC landing

posted 06-14-2008 05:40 AM               

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy alum and STS-124 commander Mark Kelly awoke today to the sounds of "A Life on the Ocean Wave," the school's official march.

"Want to thank the staff, midshipmen and alumni of the Merchant Marine Academy for sending that up to us. The mission's coming to an end, but it's going to be good to get home today," said Kelly.

Two landing opportunities are available for Discovery and the STS-124 crew to return to Earth today.

Discovery's first landing opportunity is at 10:15 a.m. CDT on orbit 217. If controllers elect to take it, commander Mark Kelly will perform the deorbit burn at 9:10 a.m. to begin the descent to the Kennedy Space Center. Orbit 218 provides a second opportunity at 11:50 a.m.

Spaceflight Meteorology Group is currently forecasting "virtually perfect" conditions down at the Cape for the first of the two opportunities today. There are a just a few clouds forecast at 3,000 feet, very light winds and a cross wind component of just six knots.

The only issue is sun glare, in which runway selection will ultimately be chosen.

posted 06-14-2008 08:11 AM               

They will also begin "fluid loading" to help their transition back to gravity. Each crew member has a choice as to what they drink, as illustrated by the table below.