Watch Friday/Saturday/SUNDAY Morning Landing Attempt Of Atlantis STS-125 Live On NASA TV

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STS-125 Atlantis Landing
Weather Permitting, 1st Landing Opportunity at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., is at 9:00am CDT Friday morning

File photo by: NASA/Chuck Tintera
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Atlantis’ Crew Prepares for Landing
Thursday morning, May 21, 2009

The crew of space shuttle Atlantis is spending today getting ready for its journey home and the end of the STS-125 mission. Among the preparations is a test of the thrusters that will be used to position the orbiter for re-entry and the control surfaces for its flight through the atmosphere.
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After this testing is complete, the crew members will speak to Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and members of the media from ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox.
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The STS-125 crew performed five spacewalks to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis is scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Friday.
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Crew Conducts Tests for Friday Landing
Thursday, May 21, 2009
6:29am CDT
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Space Shuttle Atlantis' crew completed a test of the Reaction Control System steering thrusters that will help control Atlantis' attitude and speed after Friday's deorbit burn. They also tested the shuttle aerosurfaces and flight control systems that will be used once the shuttle enters the atmosphere.
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Landing time has changed slightly to 9:00:31 a.m. CDT at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. A second landing opportunity is available at 10:39 a.m.

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Update: 3:39pm CDT
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Weather is Currently Forecast "No Go" for Friday Landing
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Before going to sleep at 5:01pm CDT, Space Shuttle Atlantis' astronauts are making final preparations for Friday's planned 9:00am landing at Kennedy Space Center.

.Weather currently is forecast "no go" due to a prediction of broken clouds at 4,000 feet and a chance of thunderstorms within 30 nautical miles of Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. STS-125 Entry Flight Director Norm Knight and his mission control team will assess the Kennedy weather Friday before giving a "go" for the deorbit burn.

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Post Update:
Friday Morning
May 22, 2009
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First Landing Attempt Waved Off
5:02am CDT
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STS-125 Entry Flight Director Norm Knight has waved off today's first landing attempt at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Weather continues to be a concern as we prepare for the second opportunity at 10:39am EDT..Capcom Greg Johnson informed Atlantis Commander Scott Altman that the weather is not clearing up at Kennedy. The crew will hold in its entry timeline and await further updates.
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Only one landing opportunity remains available for Atlantis to return to Earth today. Weather continues to be the concern as the crew prepares for the second and last landing opportunity today at 10:39am CDT.
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Second Landing Attempt Waved Off
7:00am CDT
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STS-125 Entry Flight Director Norm Knight has waved off today's second landing attempt at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the final chance to land today.
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Weather conditions at Kennedy would not permit a safe landing. CAPCOM Greg Johnson explained to Commander Scott Altman that weather is real moist, unstable, and officially "no go" due to thunderstorms, low cloud ceilings and showers consistently popping up offshore and over land.

* Next Landing Opportunity is Saturday Morning *

Saturday’s first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center is at 8:16am CDT. Edwards Air Force Base in California will be activated for consideration as well.
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Friday evening update:
Weather Delays Friday Landing - Next Opportunity Saturday

Shortly after the final weather wave off Friday morning, Entry Flight Director Norm Knight called up support for the backup landing site Saturday at Edwards Air Force Base.
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There are three landing opportunities available for Atlantis at both Kennedy and Edwards on Saturday. The Kennedy weather forecast is expected to improve somewhat, but there’s a good chance weather in the vicinity of the Shuttle Landing Facility will be unfavorable. The Edwards forecast is generally favorable for all three opportunities.
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Landing Targets KSC Saturday Morning
4:28pm CDT

The Atlantis crew is now in its sleep period and is scheduled to wake up early… early Saturday morning at 12:01am CDT.
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Landing opportunities are now available at KSC and Edwards Air Force Base in California on Saturday and Sunday. The first KSC landing opportunity begins Saturday with a deorbit burn at 7:01am leading to a touchdown in Florida at 8:15am.

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Post Update:
Saturday Morning
May 23, 2009
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Weather Delays Saturday’s Landing - Next Opportunity on Sunday
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Weather forced flight controllers to pass on STS-125’s landing opportunities Saturday.
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The next landing opportunity is at 9:11am CDT Sunday at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Saturday Landing Opportunities Waved Off
7:44am CDT
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STS-125 Entry Flight Director Norm Knight has waved off today's landing opportunities. Capcom Greg Johnson explained to the crew the weather did not permit a Kennedy landing today. Johnson said, "There's a chance for a landing at Kennedy tomorrow, and we're going to keep that option open.
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Edwards remains good for tomorrow and Monday, if needed."
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Sunday’s first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center will be at 9:11am CDT.

(To the Crew of Atlantis… Enjoy the view for one more day. Thousands of us, here back on earth, wish we could be there to see it with you.)
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Post Update:
Sunday Morning
May 24, 2009

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Image Credit: NASA TV
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Atlantis Lands in California
10:52am CDT
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With Commander Scott Altman and Pilot Gregory C. Johnson at the controls, Space Shuttle Atlantis descended to a smooth landing at Edwards Air Force Base at 10:39am CDT, completing a 13-day journey of approximately 5.3 million miles in space.
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A post-landing news conference with managers at Kennedy is expected in approx. 30 minutes. The participants will be Ed Weiler, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, Mike Moses, launch integration manager, and Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director. A crew news conference is tentative and will be announced later. The ceremony to welcome the astronauts back will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Houston's Ellington Field.
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Welcome Home Atlantis!!!
Congratulations on a successful mission…
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* View landing ground tracks HERE

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Read Latest News and Updates
at NASA.gov
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Watch Preparations/Landing LIVE
Its On right NOW!

At NASA TV
Click HERE to view
ENJOY!!!

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In case you missed this morning’s landing…
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Welcome Homes STS-125 Atlantis

AubreyJ.........

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