posted 04-14-2010 07:00 PM               

This thread is intended for comments and questions regarding the STS-132 mission and the reports published as part of collectSPACE's STS-132 Flight Day Journal.

Space shuttle Atlantis' crew will deliver the Russian mini research module Rassvet and an integrated cargo carrier to the International Space Station.

NASA Hosts Launch and Mission Tweetups for Next Space Shuttle Mission

During the next space shuttle mission, NASA will host two Tweetups to give the public an insider's look at the nation's space program.

For a second time, NASA Twitter followers are invited to view a shuttle launch in person at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA is hosting the special Tweetup May 13-14. Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to launch at 2:19 p.m. EDT, May 14 on its STS-132 mission to the International Space Station.

Once the mission has launched, NASA will host an additional Tweetup at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston that will provide a different perspective of mission operations. This also will be the second mission Tweetup at Johnson.

"We're inviting the public to share in the excitement of human spaceflight during one of the last three scheduled space shuttle missions," said Stephanie Schierholz, social media manager at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "NASA is providing this behind-the-scenes access to give our Twitter followers an understanding and appreciation of all the work that goes into a successful shuttle launch and mission."

For the launch Tweetup May 13-14, NASA will randomly select 150 people from those who sign up on the Web. Registration opens at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 19, and closes at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20. To sign up and for more information about the Tweetup, visit nasa.gov/tweetup.

At Kennedy, NASA Twitter followers will take a tour of the center, view the shuttle launch and speak with shuttle technicians, managers, engineers, and astronauts.

After Atlantis' launch, registration for the STS-132 mission Tweetup at Johnson Space Center will be announced on NASA's Twitter account.

NASA Twitter followers at the Johnson Tweetup will tour the center, view mission control and astronauts' training facilities and speak with managers, flight directors, trainers, and astronauts.

Both Tweetups will include a "meet and greet" session to allow participants to mingle with fellow Tweeps and the staff behind the tweets on @NASA.

posted 04-14-2010 10:18 PM               

Also, launch viewing ticket sales are usually announced via KSC email around roll out and (I'm guessing) will probably go on sale next Monday morning.

posted 04-22-2010 08:28 AM               

I'll be happy to buy Causeway ticket for a reasonable price. All the best from Finland.

posted 04-22-2010 09:01 AM               

To clarify, no launch tickets on KennedySpaceCenter.com nor via our telephone, have been sold. We will keep you updated with new date/time.

posted 04-23-2010 01:50 PM               

Visitor Complex and NASA Causeway viewing tickets will go on sale Monday, April 26 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Please bookmark and return to this page on the day of sale. At 8:00 a.m. ET on Monday, the virtual waiting room link will appear on this page.

posted 04-26-2010 08:29 AM               

STS-132 NASA Causeway launch viewing tickets for the May 14 launch are sold out.

posted 05-12-2010 12:44 PM               

The final flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for
May 14, 2010, at 2:20 p.m. EDT. This is one of the three last missions of the Shuttle before it retires later this year. Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Chris Hadfield was onboard this shuttle on its maiden voyage in 1995. His tribute to Atlantis is available.

Here is a list of the Canadian content on this mission:

• HYPERSOLE
  Hypersole is a life sciences experiment being conducted by the University of Guelph in cooperation with the Canadian Space Agency. This experiment aims to measure cutaneous sensitivity of the soles of the feet of astronauts pre- and post-space flight. Understanding the relationship between the sense of touch and balance control could help persons with balance problems and astronauts who may potentially set foot on other celestial bodies following a lengthy stay in microgravity.

• DEXTRE
  During this mission, the Space Shuttle Atlantis will also deliver a new work platform for Dextre, which will provide it with additional space to store materials and its tools.

• CANADARM2
  As always, Canadarm2 will be very active during this mission. Its tasks include the installation of the Russian Mini Research Module on the International Space Station.

• APEX-CSA2
  On April 5, 2010, white spruce seedlings were launched to the International Space Station as part of a new Canadian scientific experiment called APEX-CSA2, a government partnership between the Canadian Space Agency and Natural Resources Canada. APEX-CSA2 will help researchers understand the influence of gravity on plant physiology and growth and the genetics of wood formation to help benefit the forest industry. The seedlings will return to Earth on board Atlantis.

posted 05-14-2010 06:09 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by moorouge:
...what was the ball-bearing problem?

---

posted 05-15-2010 02:12 PM               

(A different shot with Jimmy and Eamonn and the flag made onto the front page of the Houston Chronicle on Friday and into USA Today.)

posted 05-15-2010 02:17 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by alanh_7:
Great job on spaceflightnow.com today Robert.

---

posted 05-15-2010 02:46 PM               

"...the station may need to fire its Russian Progress M-05M's thrusters to avoid a piece of debris. Though still under review, if a maneuver is executed, it would be a 0.5 meter-per-second retrograde burn at 8:08 p.m. CDT, and would not affect rendezvous with Atlantis."

posted 05-17-2010 06:44 PM            

My first launch viewing (I don't count seeing it from Disney 10+ years ago) and what a beautiful site it was from Banana Creek.

posted 05-17-2010 09:09 PM               

1. the nose-on view allows protruding gap fillers to be seen more easily;
   
2. the "back-flip" allows for inspection of the tail-end of the orbiter.

posted 05-18-2010 11:52 AM               

NASA Announces Opportunities To See Shuttle And Station

Space shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station are flying together 220 miles overhead until Sunday, May 23. Circling the Earth every 90 minutes, the spacecraft offer unique sighting opportunities for sky gazers around the world.

With the shuttle attached, the station appears even brighter than usual in the morning and evening sky. The station may be seen every day from various locations around the world just prior to sunrise and just after sunset.

There are sighting opportunities, weather permitting, on Tuesday for Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee; on Wednesday for California and Texas; and on Thursday for Florida.

Atlantis delivered the Russian-built Mini Research Module-1 to the station, and the mission's three spacewalks focus on storing spare components outside the station, including a communications antenna, parts for the Canadian Dextre robotic arm, and replacing six solar array batteries.

The International Space Station, a unique partnership among the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe, is celebrating its 10th anniversary of continuous human occupancy this year. Construction began in 1998, and 23 crews have lived aboard the orbiting complex since 2000. Station residents are conducting important science and technology experiments.