STS-117 Launch The launch of STS-117 was delayed due to weather, hailstone damage and a thorough check of the External Tank. This was expected to push back the schedule for future Space Shuttle launches but NASA was confident that they could get back on track by the end of the year. STS-117 Atlantis finally launched … [Read more…]
STS-115 Documentary A series of delays plagued STS-115, including foul weather that included a lightning strike on the conductor on the top of the launch structure tower. That pushed back the launch until August 28 so that ground crews could carry out systems checks. Then, Hurricane Ernesto threatened the area around the Kennedy Space Center. … [Read more…]
STS-110’s primary cargo included a new segment of the Integrated Truss Structure (ITS) labeled Starboard-0 (S-0). The S-0 ITS became the “centerpiece” of the Integrated Truss Structure and was attached to Destiny. The P-6 segment of the ITS would then be relocated from its position on the Z-1 Truss. Other cargo included the Canadian-built Mobile … [Read more…]
STS-104 launched on July 12, 2001 with the Joint Airlock Module, nicknamed “Quest”, which was designed to accommodate American Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs) rather than have to rely on the Russian version. The launch tested a new Block-II SSME with improvements meant to enhance reliability. The test was a success. In-orbit inspections of a backup … [Read more…]