Space Shuttle docking in process

[Chillie]

Space Shuttle docking in process.

Watch it now.

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html?param=media

[Chillie]

160 ft and closing.

[Chillie]

Less than 20 minutes to contact (docking).

[Chillie]

50 ft and closing.

[Chillie]

Docking confirmed! :)

[Craig.a.c]

Dam it. I was up all night playing the Xbox 360, I knew I should have been on the nasa web site.

[JimmyH155]

Amazing stuff:D I cant see how they are just going to stop the shuttle flights next year:shrug:
I reckon they will keep them going. They dont want to be beholden to the Ruskies.... do they>???:shrug:

[stephenb]

Afraid so, Jimmy. 5 more shuttles and that's it - gone! And yes they will have to on the Soyuz. Check out the final three schedules at http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

Here is a brief rundown:


Date: Feb. 4 +
Mission: STS-130
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/endeavour-info.html)
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html) Launch Pad 39A
Launch Time: 5:52 a.m. EST
Description: Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver the final connecting node, Node 3, and the Cupola, a robotic control station with six windows around its sides and another in the center that provides a 360-degree view around the International Space Station.


Date: March 18 +
Mission: STS-131
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-info.html)
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html) Launch Pad 39A
Launch Time: 1:34 p.m. EDT
Description: Space shuttle Discovery will carry a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module filled with science racks that will be transferred to laboratories of the International Space Station.

Date: May 14 +
Mission: STS-132
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Atlantis (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/atlantis-info.html)
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html) Launch Pad 39A
Launch Time: 2:28 p.m. EDT
Description: Space shuttle Atlantis mission will carry an integrated cargo carrier to deliver maintenance and assembly hardware, including spare parts for space station systems. In addition, the second in a series of new pressurized components for Russia, a Mini Research Module, will be permanently attached to the bottom port of the Zarya module.


Date: July 29 +
Mission: STS-134
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/endeavour-info.html)
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html) Launch Pad 39A
Launch Time: 7:51 a.m. EDT
STS-134 Description: Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver an EXPRESS Logistics Carrier-3 (ELC-3) and an Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) to the International Space Station.

Date: Sept. 16 +
Mission: STS-133
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-info.html)
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html) Launch Pad 39A
Launch Time: 11:57 a.m. EDT
STS-133 Description: Space shuttle Discovery will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4), a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MLPM) and critical spare components to the International Space Station.

[stephenb]

Oh, and Wiki is full of interesting fact to fill your head with.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_%28spacecraft%29

[Chillie]

Just an update that I didn't post this morning:

NASA TV said the shuttle docked with the ISS over an area between Australia and Tasmania.:lol::eyepop:

Huh!?:shrug: I admit that I don't see the news every day. But since when did Tasmania declare independence from Australia?:question::eyepop: