Note: This post moved on top this evening from its original post date - Scroll below for latest updates on this post - Scroll below this post for latest news postings
(Note: THEY'RE COMING HOME TONIGHT -Friday's updates below...)
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Discovery 1st Landing Attempt planned for...
7:05pm EDT Thursday evening
Post Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2009
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7:05pm EDT Thursday evening
Post Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2009
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File photo by NASA TV
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Discovery Crew Prepares for Thursday Landing
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As they wind down their mission, Space Shuttle Discovery’s crew members will focus on landing preparations today. Landing opportunities begin Thursday with a first possible touchdown about 7:00pm EDT at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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The crew will spend the day preparing the vehicle for re-entry and ensuring its systems are operational for landing. Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Kevin Ford will perform a checkout of the flight control systems. Later they are expected to conduct a hot fire test of the Reaction Control System..
Meanwhile, mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang will pack and stow items throughout the cabin. They also will set up and install a recumbent seat that will be used by Mission Specialist Tim Kopra for entry and landing. He is returning to Earth after more than 50 days in space.
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Discovery Ready for Landing
Wednesday - 9:51pm EDT
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Space Shuttle Discovery underwent the Flight Control System checkout and Reaction Control System hotfire using all the primary jets. A piece of debris jarred loose from the shuttle during the checkout, though it was determined not to be a piece of the thermal protection system. Late inspection results cleared the Discovery's wing leading edge and nose cap and the shuttle is ready for landing.
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Thursday's landing opportunities begin with a planned deorbit burn at 5:59pm EDT and a daylight landing at 7:05pm. The next opportunity is one hour after sunset with the deorbit burn at 7:36pm EDT and a landing at 8:42pm EDT.
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POST UPDATE:
Thursday, September 10, 2009
12:08pm EDT
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Discovery Performs Orbital Adjustment Burn
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Space Shuttle Discovery performed an orbital adjustment burn at 12:02pm EDT to avoid an unidentified piece of debris. Although unclear, the object is believed to be from the mission's third spacewalk.
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STS-128 Crew Prepares for Landing
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The astronauts on Space Shuttle Discovery are ready to wrap up a nearly 13-day flight with a landing this evening at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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The first task for Pilot Kevin Ford and Commander Rick Sturckow was to make ready for an orbital adjustment engine firing to move Discovery out of the path of a piece of orbital debris. That burn of Discovery’s orbital maneuvering system engines was performed at 12:02pm. EDT. The maneuver will not alter the scheduled landing opportunities today.
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Mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Tim Kopra join Sturckow and Ford to begin deorbit preparations about 1:00pm. as they get themselves and their ship ready for the ride home.
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The deorbit burn for today’s first landing opportunity today, on orbit 202, is at 5:59pm. Discovery would cross above southern Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico, skirt west of Cuba and cross the Florida coast above Sarasota, with landing at Kennedy’s Runway #15 at 7:05pm. A second landing opportunity at Kennedy today would put the shuttle and crew on the ground at 8:42pm. The weather forecast for both opportunities today calls for a chance of thunderstorms within 30 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.
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Crew to Begin Fluid Loading, Suiting Up
5:04pm EDT
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Mission control has given the crew a "go" to start fluid loading. It involves drinking large amounts of liquids and salt tablets to help readapt to gravity. The astronauts also are beginning to get into their launch/landing pressurized suits.
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Flight controllers continue to closely watch the weather, which is considered very dynamic. Currently, we are observed and forecast NO GO for the first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility tonight.
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Because of the debris avoidance maneuver conducted this afternoon, the deorbit burn now would be at 5:57pm EDT for a landing at 7:04pm EDT.
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SORRY GANG!
First Landing Opportunity Waved Off
5:26pm EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" today for the first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If the weather cooperates for the second Kennedy landing opportunity tonight, the deorbit burn would occur at 7:35pm EDT with landing at 8:40pm EDT.
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Not Coming Home Today!
2nd Landing Opportunity Waved Off Due to Weather
7:29pm EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" for the 2nd and final landing opportunity today at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Try again Friday afternoon...
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Discovery Ready for Landing
Wednesday - 9:51pm EDT
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Space Shuttle Discovery underwent the Flight Control System checkout and Reaction Control System hotfire using all the primary jets. A piece of debris jarred loose from the shuttle during the checkout, though it was determined not to be a piece of the thermal protection system. Late inspection results cleared the Discovery's wing leading edge and nose cap and the shuttle is ready for landing.
.
Thursday's landing opportunities begin with a planned deorbit burn at 5:59pm EDT and a daylight landing at 7:05pm. The next opportunity is one hour after sunset with the deorbit burn at 7:36pm EDT and a landing at 8:42pm EDT.
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POST UPDATE:
Thursday, September 10, 2009
12:08pm EDT
.
Discovery Performs Orbital Adjustment Burn
.
Space Shuttle Discovery performed an orbital adjustment burn at 12:02pm EDT to avoid an unidentified piece of debris. Although unclear, the object is believed to be from the mission's third spacewalk.
........................
STS-128 Crew Prepares for Landing
.
The astronauts on Space Shuttle Discovery are ready to wrap up a nearly 13-day flight with a landing this evening at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
.
The first task for Pilot Kevin Ford and Commander Rick Sturckow was to make ready for an orbital adjustment engine firing to move Discovery out of the path of a piece of orbital debris. That burn of Discovery’s orbital maneuvering system engines was performed at 12:02pm. EDT. The maneuver will not alter the scheduled landing opportunities today.
.
Mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Tim Kopra join Sturckow and Ford to begin deorbit preparations about 1:00pm. as they get themselves and their ship ready for the ride home.
.
The deorbit burn for today’s first landing opportunity today, on orbit 202, is at 5:59pm. Discovery would cross above southern Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico, skirt west of Cuba and cross the Florida coast above Sarasota, with landing at Kennedy’s Runway #15 at 7:05pm. A second landing opportunity at Kennedy today would put the shuttle and crew on the ground at 8:42pm. The weather forecast for both opportunities today calls for a chance of thunderstorms within 30 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.
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Crew to Begin Fluid Loading, Suiting Up
5:04pm EDT
.
Mission control has given the crew a "go" to start fluid loading. It involves drinking large amounts of liquids and salt tablets to help readapt to gravity. The astronauts also are beginning to get into their launch/landing pressurized suits.
.
Flight controllers continue to closely watch the weather, which is considered very dynamic. Currently, we are observed and forecast NO GO for the first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility tonight.
.
Because of the debris avoidance maneuver conducted this afternoon, the deorbit burn now would be at 5:57pm EDT for a landing at 7:04pm EDT.
.
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SORRY GANG!
First Landing Opportunity Waved Off
5:26pm EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" today for the first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If the weather cooperates for the second Kennedy landing opportunity tonight, the deorbit burn would occur at 7:35pm EDT with landing at 8:40pm EDT.
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Not Coming Home Today!
2nd Landing Opportunity Waved Off Due to Weather
7:29pm EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" for the 2nd and final landing opportunity today at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Try again Friday afternoon...
First landing attempt Friday will be late afternoon at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and should happen around 4:48pm EDT.
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Friday's Landing Strategy
9:14pm EDT
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Capcom Eric Boe informed the crew that if weather looks unfavorable for Friday’s first Kennedy Space Center landing opportunity, the entry team will focus early on the 2nd landing opportunity. If weather prevents landing on the 2nd Kennedy opportunity, Boe said the shuttle will land Friday at Edwards Air Force Base.
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Friday's Landing Strategy
9:14pm EDT
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Capcom Eric Boe informed the crew that if weather looks unfavorable for Friday’s first Kennedy Space Center landing opportunity, the entry team will focus early on the 2nd landing opportunity. If weather prevents landing on the 2nd Kennedy opportunity, Boe said the shuttle will land Friday at Edwards Air Force Base.
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Better update on times and landing site in morning.
But for now... you can always keep up-to-date with the mission at links below...
AJF
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POST UPDATE:
Friday, September 11, 2009
10:00am EDT
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Friday Landing Opportunities in Florida and California
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Mission Control called off Thursday's final Space Shuttle landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center due to unstable weather conditions.
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Two more Discovery landing opportunities are available Friday at Kennedy Space Center. The first begins with a de-orbit burn at 4:41pm EDT and ends with landing at 5:48pm. The second opportunity begins with a de-orbit burn at 6:17pm with a landing at 7:23pm.
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> View landing ground tracks HERE
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However, the Florida weather forecast is not any better than Thursday's. For that reason, Entry Flight Director Richard Jones has decided to call up Edwards Air Force Base in California as an alternate landing site for Friday.
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The first landing opportunity in California begins with a de-orbit burn at 7:47pm with a landing at 8:53pm. The final landing opportunity of the day would start with a de-orbit burn at 9:23pm ending with a landing at 10:28pm.
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First Landing Opportunity Waved Off
Update: 1:56 EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" today for Friday’s first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If the weather cooperates for the second Kennedy landing opportunity, the deorbit burn would occur at 6:17pm EDT, with landing at 7:23pm.
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Kennedy Landings Waved Off, Discovery to Land at Edwards
3:43pm EDT
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Mission Control has decided to target Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for today's landing since the weather at Kennedy is unstable. The deorbit burn is timelined to begin at 7:47 p.m. EDT for an 8:53 p.m. landing at Edwards. The burn lasts three to four minutes, slowing Discovery enough to begin its descent.
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Second Opportunity Waved Off; Edwards Targeted
But for now... you can always keep up-to-date with the mission at links below...
AJF
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POST UPDATE:
Friday, September 11, 2009
10:00am EDT
.
Friday Landing Opportunities in Florida and California
.
Mission Control called off Thursday's final Space Shuttle landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center due to unstable weather conditions.
.
Two more Discovery landing opportunities are available Friday at Kennedy Space Center. The first begins with a de-orbit burn at 4:41pm EDT and ends with landing at 5:48pm. The second opportunity begins with a de-orbit burn at 6:17pm with a landing at 7:23pm.
.
> View landing ground tracks HERE
.
However, the Florida weather forecast is not any better than Thursday's. For that reason, Entry Flight Director Richard Jones has decided to call up Edwards Air Force Base in California as an alternate landing site for Friday.
.
The first landing opportunity in California begins with a de-orbit burn at 7:47pm with a landing at 8:53pm. The final landing opportunity of the day would start with a de-orbit burn at 9:23pm ending with a landing at 10:28pm.
.
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First Landing Opportunity Waved Off
Update: 1:56 EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" today for Friday’s first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If the weather cooperates for the second Kennedy landing opportunity, the deorbit burn would occur at 6:17pm EDT, with landing at 7:23pm.
.
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Kennedy Landings Waved Off, Discovery to Land at Edwards
3:43pm EDT
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Mission Control has decided to target Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for today's landing since the weather at Kennedy is unstable. The deorbit burn is timelined to begin at 7:47 p.m. EDT for an 8:53 p.m. landing at Edwards. The burn lasts three to four minutes, slowing Discovery enough to begin its descent.
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Second Opportunity Waved Off; Edwards Targeted
Weather conditions forced flight controllers to pass on both landing opportunities at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Mission Control has decided to target Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for today's landing since the weather at Kennedy is unstable.
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The first landing opportunity in California has a deorbit burn time of 7:47pm EDT with landing at 8:53pm. The second opportunity would start with a deorbit burn at 9:23pm and end with a landing at 10:28pm.
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A landing today will complete a two-week flight for Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Kevin Ford, and mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang. Today is the 58th day in space for their crewmate Tim Kopra, who launched on shuttle mission STS-127 in July and spent two months on the International Space Station as an Expedition 20 crew member.
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They’re Coming HOME!!!
Discovery "Go" for Deorbit Burn
7:18pm EDT
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Mission Control has given Space Shuttle Discovery a "go" for the deorbit burn. The burn lasts three to four minutes, slowing Discovery enough to begin its descent. The deorbit burn will occur at 7:47pm EDT, leading to an 8:53pm EDT landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
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Deorbit Burn Complete
At 7:53pm EDT
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Mission Control has decided to target Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for today's landing since the weather at Kennedy is unstable.
.
The first landing opportunity in California has a deorbit burn time of 7:47pm EDT with landing at 8:53pm. The second opportunity would start with a deorbit burn at 9:23pm and end with a landing at 10:28pm.
.
A landing today will complete a two-week flight for Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Kevin Ford, and mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang. Today is the 58th day in space for their crewmate Tim Kopra, who launched on shuttle mission STS-127 in July and spent two months on the International Space Station as an Expedition 20 crew member.
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They’re Coming HOME!!!
Discovery "Go" for Deorbit Burn
7:18pm EDT
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Mission Control has given Space Shuttle Discovery a "go" for the deorbit burn. The burn lasts three to four minutes, slowing Discovery enough to begin its descent. The deorbit burn will occur at 7:47pm EDT, leading to an 8:53pm EDT landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
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Deorbit Burn Complete
At 7:53pm EDT
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Space Shuttle Discovery completed its deorbit burn successfully and has begun the descent towards Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for an 8:53pm EDT landing.
This will be the 54th Shuttle landing at Edwards.
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Space Shuttle Discovery completed its deorbit burn successfully and has begun the descent towards Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for an 8:53pm EDT landing.
This will be the 54th Shuttle landing at Edwards.
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* OK -- Time to start watching it LIVE on NASA TV
Click it out below...
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Another picture perfect landing!
WELCOME HOME DISCOVERY!!!
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Well... That’s it for me...
Keep up with the wrap-up of this mission at links below...
Note: We only have SIX Shuttle Missions left until retirement
* POST CLOSED *
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Another picture perfect landing!
WELCOME HOME DISCOVERY!!!
.
Well... That’s it for me...
Keep up with the wrap-up of this mission at links below...
Note: We only have SIX Shuttle Missions left until retirement
* POST CLOSED *
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* Read Latest News & Updates
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* Read Latest News & Updates
ENJOY!!!
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GOD's SPEED to the Crew of STS-128 Discovery on having a successful, event free, Safe Landing...
AubreyJ.........
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GOD's SPEED to the Crew of STS-128 Discovery on having a successful, event free, Safe Landing...
AubreyJ.........
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All info in this post taken from the NASA.gov website unless otherwise stated
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