NASA's Space Shuttle Minute
10.10.08
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Hi, I'm Bill Heidtman, NASA Test Director, and this is your Space Shuttle Minute.
With a major communications issue on the Hubble Space Telescope delaying Atlantis' STS-125 servicing mission until 2009, next up for launch is space shuttle Endeavour.
Endeavour is already on Launch Pad 39B where it was stationed as a potential rescue vehicle during the Hubble mission.
Managers have decided to do a "shuttle shuffle" - moving Atlantis back to the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Endeavour will relocate to the preferred Launch Pad 39A for liftoff on its STS-126 mission to the International Space Station, targeted for November 14 at 7:55 p.m. Eastern time.
Endeavour and its crew of seven will carry equipment to the space station that will allow for a six-member Expedition crew on the orbiting outpost starting next year.
In addition, they’ll perform a crew swap, when Sandra Magnus joins the station crew, trading places with Greg Chamitoff, who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour.
That's your Space Shuttle Minute. I'm Bill Heidtman.
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