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| Image above: Mission Specialist Joe
Tanner, flanked by Commander Brent Jett (left) and Pilot Chris Ferguson
(right) makes brief remarks after arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility
in Florida. The six-member STS-115 crew arrived for final preparations
before launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA |
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STS-115 crew arrives, launch
on track
The Atlantis crew arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida yesterday
to begin final preparations for mission STS-115. Flying T-38 trainer jets,
the astronauts landed at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 11:30 a.m. EDT.
Commander Brent Jett introduced the crew and spoke briefly about the
upcoming mission to the International Space Station. "Speaking for
myself and my fellow crewmates, I can assure you that we are ready for
the challenge and we're ready to restart the assembly sequence."
He added, "We have a saying back in Texas: 'It's time to walk the
walk.' "
Mission Specialist Joe Tanner expressed the crew's appreciation to all
the space workers who have worked tirelessly to prepare for the mission,
adding, "When we climb aboard Atlantis on Sunday, we do so with confidence
that the vehicle is ready, prepared by the best technicians, engineers
and managers in the business."
Later today, Jett and Pilot Chris Ferguson will return to the runway
to practice landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft.
The countdown officially began at noon EDT today, at the T-43 hour mark.
The countdown includes about 36 hours of built-in hold time prior to a
targeted 4:30 p.m. EDT launch on Sunday; it is the middle point in the
launch window that extends for 10 minutes.
At the 10 a.m. Countdown Status Briefing, NASA Test Director Steve Payne
reported that the launch team is working no issues, saying, "Atlantis
is in excellent shape and we're on track for the preparations for Sunday's
launch to bring the P3 and P4 truss to the orbiting space station and
return her crew safely home."
STS-115 Payload Manager Robbie Ashley expressed satisfaction that the
P3/P4 segment would be joined to the space station soon, adding, "it's
been a long time coming." He said, "We're anxious to see them
get on orbit and perform the job they were intended to do."
Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters provided a generally positive outlook
for launch day conditions. "Overall the weather is looking pretty
good for launch day. We do have a 30 percent chance of weather prohibiting
tanking in the morning," she said. "We have a 30 percent chance
of weather prohibiting launch." She added, "Generally, pretty
good weather when it comes to an afternoon summertime day here in Florida."
The next status briefing is scheduled for 10 a.m. EDT Friday and will
be carried live on NASA TV.
The STS-115 crew consists of Commander Brent W. Jett Jr., Pilot Christopher
J. Ferguson and Mission Specialists Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, KD5TVR,
Joseph R. Tanner, Daniel C. Burbank, KC5ZXS and Steven G. MacLean, who
represents the Canadian Space Agency.
With this mission, NASA is ready to get back to building the International
Space Station, marking the first time in almost four years that a space
station component has been added to the orbiting outpost. That also means
the shuttle program is coming up on some of the most challenging space
missions ever.
During their three spacewalks, crew members of Atlantis will install
the P3/P4 integrated truss and a second set of solar arrays on the space
station, doubling the station’s current ability to generate power
from sunlight and adding 17.5 tons to its mass.
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