STS-123 & The ATV

Greg · 03-08-2008, 01:26 AM

For your entertainment this weekend…

My calendar reminded me that Jules Verne, ESA's first Automated Transfer Vehicle is set for lift-off from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 05:03 CET (04:03 UT), on Sunday 9 March.

That would be 10:03 PM Central Standard Time on Saturday, March 8, I think. You can watch the launch on ESA’s web site:
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPKSK26DF_index_0.html

ATV “Jules Verne” Launches Saturday Night for its Trip to the International Space Station
22 tons of stuff headed for the space station

For more fun, see the BBC’s ATV Mission Guide: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6249578.stm

Also don’t forget that STS-123 will launch for the space station on Tuesday, March 11 on the longest-duration ISS mission yet!

STS-123 Crew

Endeavour will dock at the ISS on March 13, 2008 and undock on March 27, 2008.

Jules Verne will hang out in orbit, checking itself out, while the meat beings are at the space station. It will do a couple of rendezvous maneuvers after the Space Shuttle leaves. Then the ATV has docking windows on April 3 through April 6. On April 7, the Russian Progress M-63 will undock so ol’ Jules will either be docked by then or have to get out of the way. Jules Verne’s contingency docking day is April 21, 2008.

Exciting, ain’t it?

Greg · 03-11-2008, 01:29 AM

The ATV launched on schedule! Melva said that they are having some kind of trouble with it but I haven't had time to get caught up.

Endeaver is ready for STS-123!

Meanwhile, Endeavour is on the pad and still GO for launch tonight at 1:28 AM US Central time!

Since I'm already short on sleep (darn daylight-saving time!) I'll probably miss this launch. Darn it. Good luck, guys!

Greg · 03-13-2008, 03:43 AM

At this moment, Endeavor is about 30 feet from the space station, initiating final approach.

Cute story: About a half hour ago, CAPCOM made a call the space station and called them "Atlantis." When Peggy Whitson asked him about it, he said, "That's what happens when the CAPCOM switches rooms!"

Greg · 03-20-2008, 04:09 PM

And, after several days of doing amazing things, the crew is preparing for the fourth spacewalk tonight.

If all goes well, they will be out the hatch (or at least off their umbilicals) at 6:38 PM Eastern US daylight time.

Greg · 03-27-2008, 12:46 AM

After a successful mission, they're home safe!

homerette · 03-27-2008, 06:45 AM

Always a good day (or night as the case may be) when there's a safe homecoming!

03-08-2008, 01:26 AM	#1
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	STS-123 & The ATV For your entertainment this weekend… My calendar reminded me that *Jules Verne, ESA's first Automated Transfer Vehicle* is set for lift-off from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 05:03 CET (04:03 UT), on Sunday 9 March. That would be 10:03 PM Central Standard Time on Saturday, March 8, I think. You can watch the launch on ESA’s web site: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPKSK26DF_index_0.html ATV “Jules Verne” Launches Saturday Night for its Trip to the International Space Station 22 tons of stuff headed for the space station For more fun, see the BBC’s ATV Mission Guide: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6249578.stm Also don’t forget that STS-123 will launch for the space station on Tuesday, March 11 on the longest-duration ISS mission yet! STS-123 Crew *Endeavour* will dock at the ISS on March 13, 2008 and undock on March 27, 2008. *Jules Verne* will hang out in orbit, checking itself out, while the meat beings are at the space station. It will do a couple of rendezvous maneuvers after the Space Shuttle leaves. Then the ATV has docking windows on April 3 through April 6. On April 7, the Russian Progress M-63 will undock so ol’ Jules will either be docked by then or have to get out of the way. Jules Verne’s contingency docking day is April 21, 2008. Exciting, ain’t it? __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

03-11-2008, 01:29 AM	#2
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	The ATV launched on schedule! Melva said that they are having some kind of trouble with it but I haven't had time to get caught up. Endeaver is ready for STS-123! Meanwhile, Endeavour is on the pad and still GO for launch *tonight* at 1:28 AM US Central time! Since I'm already short on sleep (darn daylight-saving time!) I'll probably miss this launch. Darn it. Good luck, guys! __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

03-13-2008, 03:43 AM	#3
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	At this moment, Endeavor is about 30 feet from the space station, initiating final approach. Cute story: About a half hour ago, CAPCOM made a call the space station and called them "Atlantis." When Peggy Whitson asked him about it, he said, "That's what happens when the CAPCOM switches rooms!" __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

03-20-2008, 04:09 PM	#4
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	And, after several days of doing amazing things, the crew is preparing for the fourth spacewalk tonight. If all goes well, they will be out the hatch (or at least off their umbilicals) at 6:38 PM Eastern US daylight time. __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

03-27-2008, 12:46 AM	#5
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	After a successful mission, they're home safe! __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

03-27-2008, 06:45 AM	#6
homerette Day late & a dollar short Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central VA Posts: 206	Always a good day (or night as the case may be) when there's a safe homecoming! __________________ May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends gathered below never fall out.