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Space shuttle Discovery landed at the Kennedy Space Center shuttle landing facility's runway 15, completing a 14-day, 5,735,643 mile mission to space and back.

Discovery's main landing gear touched down at 11:15:19 a.m. EDT. Nose gear touched down at 11:15:30 a.m. Discovery's wheels came to a stop at 11:16:19 a.m.

This was the fifth space shuttle mission in a row to land at Kennedy, the 69th to do so in history. Fifty-one missions have landed at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and one mission, STS-3, landed at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico.

STS-124 was the 123rd space shuttle flight, the 35th flight for shuttle Discovery and the 26th flight of a shuttle to the International Space Station.

A post-landing news conference is scheduled for about two hours after landing. Participants will be:
- Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for Space Operations
- Kaoru Mamiya, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Vice President
- Mike Leinbach, NASA Space Shuttle Launch Director

The STS-124 crew is expected to hold a news conference on NASA Television at 4:15 p.m.
]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:22:40 AM EDT
Space shuttle Discovery landed safely at Kennedy Space Center at 11:15 a.m. EDT
]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:16:11 AM EDT
Fifteen minutes before landing, Discovery is 35 miles above Earth, flying up the Yucatan Peninsula, about 750 miles from touchdown.
]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:01:56 AM EDT
Space shuttle Discovery has begun to encounter the atmosphere, at an altitude of 400,000 feet. The shuttle's speed is beginning to dissipate due to atmospheric density. All systems are normal as Discovery heads for a landing at 11:15:18 a.m. EDT on runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center shuttle landing facility.

]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:49:23 AM EDT
Space shuttle Discovery completed its deorbit burn and is headed home to Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Discovery is expected to land at 11:15:18 a.m. EDT on runway 15 at the shuttle landing facility, approaching from the Northwest to Southeast.
]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:13:18 AM EDT
Capcom Terry Virts informed Discovery Commander Mark Kelly that he is "go" for the deorbit burn. The two minute, 35 second orbital maneuvering system burn at 10:10:17 a.m. EDT will slow Discovery by about 197 miles per hour. The maneuver above the southern Indian Ocean will result in Discovery's landing at Kennedy Space Center's shuttle landing facility at 11:15:18 a.m.

Clouds in the vicinity at Kennedy, while thicker than predicted, are both observed and forecast "go."
]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:49:35 AM EDT
About an hour from their planned deorbit burn, Space shuttle Discovery's astronauts have donned their launch and entry suits and are preparing for today's landing. Weather remains favorable, with scattered clouds in the vicinity of the shuttle landing facility. Discovery will perform the deorbit burn at 10:10 a.m. EDT and target an 11:15:18 a.m. landing on runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:11:46 AM EDT ]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:36:47 AM EDT Mission Control has given Discovery's crew the "Go" to close the payload bay doors...

]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:16:37 AM EDT Landing ground tracks may be viewed at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts124/news/landing.html
Entry Day Timeline
Time Event
7:30 a.m Discovery's payload bay doors are closed
7:40 a.m. Mission Control “Go” for Ops 3 software transition
8:15 a.m. Entry switch list configuration
8:25 a.m. Deorbit maneuver update (Preliminary Advisory Data)
8:30 a.m. Crew entry review
8:45 a.m. Discovery's crew puts on launch entry suits
9:10 a.m. Discovery's crew straps into seats
9:27 a.m. Orbital Maneuvering System engine gimbal checks
9:37 a.m. Auxiliary power unit prestart
9:50 a.m. Mission Control “Go-No Go” for the deorbit burn
9:59 a.m. Maneuver to the Deorbit Burn Attitude
10:05 a.m. Single APU start
10:10:17 a.m. Deorbit burn (above southern Indian Ocean)
10:43:37 a.m. Entry Interface (400,000 feet)
10:48:36 a.m. First Roll Command (to the left)
10:58:33 a.m. First Roll Reversal (left to right)
11:08:46 a.m. Velocity Mach 2.5
11:11:00 a.m. Velocity Mach 1
11:11:50 a.m. Heading Alignment Circle intercept
11:15:18 a.m. LANDING
_____
WEATHER SYNOPSIS:
High pressure will be located off the North Carolina coast extending into the Gulf of Mexico producing a relatively dry air-mass over KSC for end of mission. No precipitation is expected for the first landing opportunity with widely scattered showers possible along the sea breeze as it pushes westward across KSC for the second landing opportunity. As a result, the primary weather conditions to monitor will be precipitation for the second landing opportunity.
END OF MISSION LANDING WEATHER FORECASTS FOR 06/14/08

Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility
Valid 11:15 AM EDT / 10:15 AM CDT

Clouds: Few 3,000 feet

Visibility: 7 miles

Winds: 060004P06

Runways & violations: RWY 33/15 none

Temperature: 84
Dew Point: 71
Relative humidity: 65%

Remarks: none
Precipitation: none

Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility
Valid 12:51 AM EDT / 11:51 AM CDT

Clouds: Scattered 3,500 feet

Visibility: 7 miles

Winds: 09007P12 knots

Runways & violations: RWY 33/15 none

Temperature: 85
Dew Point: 71
Relative humidity: 63%

Remarks: none
Precipitation: Slight chance of showers within 30 NM.
]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:53:55 AM EDT

Space shuttle Discovery's crew began preparations for today's scheduled deorbit burn and landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The crew will close Discovery's payload bay doors at 7:30 a.m. EDT and perform the deorbit burn at 10:10 a.m. Landing is scheduled for 11:15 a.m.


]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 05:43:23 AM EDT
Space shuttle Discovery's astronauts are completing their last full day in space and making preparations for landing Saturday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The astronauts are scheduled to go to sleep at 6:32 p.m. EDT. On Saturday, they awake at 2:32 a.m., close Discovery's payload bay doors at 7:30 a.m. and perform the deorbit burn at 10:10 a.m. Landing is planned for 11:15 a.m. Should it be required, there is a second landing opportunity at Kennedy on Saturday. The deorbit burn would occur at 11:46 a.m. and landing at 12:50 p.m.
]]> Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:25:12 PM EDT
At 3:02 p.m. EDT, Capcom Al Drew informed space shuttle Discovery Commander Mark Kelly that the Mission Management Team has cleared the shuttle for entry. Saturday's deorbit burn is planned for 10:10 a.m. EDT, followed by landing at 11:15 a.m. MMT chairman LeRoy Cain and STS-124 entry flight director Richard Jones will brief media on deorbit and entry plans during a Mission Status Briefing today at 3:30 p.m.
]]> Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:16:34 PM EDT
The Space Shuttle Program Mission Management Team will meet at 2:00 p.m. EDT to discuss the status of Discovery's mission and decide whether to clear the shuttle for re-entry and landing. The MMT meets daily during every shuttle mission. Discovery's landing is targeted for Saturday at 11:15 a.m. EDT.
Following the meeting, MMT chairman and Space Shuttle Program deputy manager LeRoy Cain will join STS-124 entry flight director Richard Jones for today's 3:30 p.m. EDT Mission Status Briefing.
]]> Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:10:27 PM EDT
At about 11:20 a.m. EDT, Capcom Terry Virts told Discovery's Commander Mark Kelly that there are no concerns for re-entry and landing Saturday.
Analysis has shown the "bump" on the rudder-speed brake is normal. Mission Control compared today's images to preflight pictures of the area and they are normal.
The object that floated away is a clip that is used to protect the speed brake from heating during ascent. Its loss is no concern for re-entry.
]]> Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:35:36 AM EDT
At about 10:50 a.m. EDT, Capcom Terry Virts told Discovery Commander Mark Kelly that analysis of imagery is ongoing, and the object that floated away from the shuttle appears to be "a clip from inside the rudder speed brake, where the sides come together." Mission Control will continue to analyze the imagery and compare it to ground pictures, before making a definite conclusion. A loss of the clip would not cause concern for re-entry and landing.
]]> Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:13:26 AM EDT NASA Television will replay video that space shuttle Discovery's crew captured earlier this morning of an object floating away from the shuttle. The replay will occur at 11 a.m. EDT.
Imagery experts at Mission Control continue to examine the video and digital still photographs the crew transmitted to them. At about 7:38 a.m. EDT, Discovery's crew called Mission Control and said they had seen a one foot to 1.5-foot-long, rectangular object floating away from the shuttle, from behind the rear portion of the right wing.
]]> Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:53:21 AM EDT
In conversations on NASA Television, space shuttle Discovery astronauts, completing a standard day-before-landing test of the shuttle steering jets, called Mission Control and indicated they had seen a one foot to 1.5-foot-long object floating away from the shuttle, from behind the rear portion of the right wing. They said it appeared to be a rectangular object. The crew captured a few seconds of video of the object and transmitted it to the ground.

Shortly afterwards, the crew described what they called a "bump" on the left side trailing edge of Discovery's rudder. The crew took photographs of the rudder area with high resolution cameras and is downlinking those images to Mission Control. Discovery's payload bay television cameras also were trained on the area and provided views of the rudder for ground experts to examine.

The crew completed the standard flight control system check out and reaction control system steering jet test, and is continuing to stow items in the cabin for Saturday's planned landing.

The deorbit burn is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. EDT Saturday, followed by landing at 11:15 a.m.
]]> Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:22:18 AM EDT

Space shuttle Discovery's astronauts are performing the standard day-before-entry checkouts of Discovery's flight control system and reaction control system jets. Later in the day they will conduct interviews with CBS News, WCBS Radio and WINS Radio. Landing is targeted for Kennedy Space Center at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday.

]]> Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:05:44 AM EDT
Space shuttle Discovery astronauts are about to enter their "presleep" period. They go to sleep at 7:02 p.m. EDT. On Friday, they awake at 3:02 a.m. and, in preparation for Saturday's landing, will check out Discovery's flight control surfaces and test fire the reaction control system jets. Later in the day they will conduct media interviews with CBS News, WCBS Radio and WINS Radio.
]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:17:11 PM EDT
Mission Management Team chairman and Space Shuttle Program deputy manager LeRoy Cain will conduct a news briefing on NASA Television at 3:30 p.m. EDT.
]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:21:04 PM EDT
Discovery astronaut Karen Nyberg radioed her thanks to the teams on the ground who helped prepare the STS-124 crew for its robotic arm activities. Nyberg has stowed the shuttle arm and powered it down in preparation for Saturday's landing at Kennedy Space Center.
]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:17:01 PM EDT
Space shuttle Discovery astronauts are preparing to stow the orbiter boom sensor system in the shuttle payload bay. The system was used Wednesday to perform an inspection of Discovery's heat shield. Later, the crew will power down the robotic arm, and conduct an orbit adjustment maneuver at 4:20 p.m.
]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:01:54 PM EDT

Space shuttle Discovery astronauts have begun their 13th flight day of the STS-124 mission.


They will enjoy some off duty time this morning. Later, the astronauts will conduct interviews with media from ESPN and ABC News at 1:33 p.m. EDT, stow the orbiter boom sensor system at 2:02 p.m., power down the shuttle robotic arm at 3:02 p.m., and conduct an orbit adjustment burn at 4:20 p.m.

]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:24:22 AM EDT
Space shuttle Discovery astronauts are ending their day and preparing for sleep at 7:32 p.m. EDT.

They awake at 3:32 a.m. Thursday and will be off duty much of the day. They will conduct interviews with media from ESPN and ABC News at 1:33 p.m., stow the orbiter boom sensor system at 2:02 p.m., power down the shuttle robotic arm at 3:02 p.m., and conduct an orbit adjustment burn at 4:20 p.m.
]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:40:09 PM EDT
Space shuttle Discovery's astronauts completed the "late inspection" of the shuttle heat shield. Data from the survey is being analyzed by experts on the ground. NASA's Space Shuttle Program Mission Management Team will evaluate Discovery's condition before giving final clearance for a Saturday landing.
]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:55:35 PM EDT
Discovery's astronauts have used the 50-foot orbiter boom sensor system to inspect the right wing and nose cap of the space shuttle. They now are beginning to survey the left wing. Data from the scan is transmitted to Mission Control, where experts will analyze the condition of Discovery's heat shield before giving a final "go" for re-entry and landing.
]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:42:20 PM EDT
Today's mission status briefing is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EDT. Participants will be STS-124 lead shuttle flight director Matt Abbott, International Space Station Mission Integration and Operations manager Kenny Todd, and Japanese Experiment Module Operation Project deputy manager Tetsuro Yokoyama.
]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:38:15 PM EDT
Discovery's crew is performing the "late inspection" of its heat shield, using the 50-foot orbiter boom sensor system attached to the shuttle robotic arm. The survey of the right wing is complete. Next, the crew will inspect the nose cap and the left wing.
]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:50:33 PM EDT
Using the orbiter boom sensor system, space shuttle Discovery's crew is performing its "late inspection" of the reinforced carbon carbon areas of the wings and nose cone. The data is being sent to experts in Mission Control, who will evaluate the condition of Discovery's heat shield. This is a standard inspection that occurs near the end of every shuttle mission.
]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:56:47 AM EDT
After completing a fly around of the International Space Station, space shuttle Discovery performed a maneuver to separate from the station. Discovery will move to about 40 nautical miles away from the station, where its crew will perform the "late inspection" of Discovery's heat shield, using the orbiter boom sensor system.
]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:28:39 AM EDT
Discovery pilot Ken Ham is conducting the standard fly around of the International Space Station, following this morning's undocking of the two spacecraft. The fly around allows Discovery astronauts to use photographs and video to document the space station.
]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:46:33 AM EDT
With Pilot Ken Ham at the controls, space shuttle Discovery undocked from the International Space Station at 7:42 a.m. EDT. The two spacecraft were docked for eight days, 17 hours, 39 minutes. Discovery is backing away to a distance of 400 feet. Ham will fly Discovery around the station before beginning the final separation from the station at about 9:25 a.m. At about 11:12 a.m., the crew will conduct the late inspection of the shuttle heat shield, using the orbiter boom sensor system.
]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:56:21 AM EDT Space shuttle Discovery's astronauts are preparing to undock from the space station at 7:42 a.m. EDT.


They will perform a flyaround of the complex before conducting a final separation burn at 9:25 a.m.


Beginning at 11:12 a.m., the crew will conduct the late inspection of the shuttleâ]]>€™]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:52:29 AM EDT ]]> Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:37:46 PM EDT The astronauts will do a series of leak checks before going to sleep for the evening. Discovery's crew begins its sleep period at 7:02 p.m.

Undocking from the space station is set for Wednesday at 7:42 a.m.
]]> Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:25:38 PM EDT Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:52:48 AM EDT Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:54:06 AM EDT ]]> Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:55:42 PM EDT The crew will spend the afternoon swapping out battery charger modules inside the station’s Quest airlock and opening the hatch between Kibo and its logistics module.
All 10 crew membersaboard the space station are scheduled to participate in the joint crew news conference at 5:02 p.m. on NASA TV.
]]> Mon, 09 Jun 2008 01:32:23 PM EDT Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:08:18 AM EDT International Space Station and space shuttle Discovery astronauts have begun the 10th Flight Day of mission STS-124. Today, they will deploy the Kibo robotic arm and check out its brake system, replace a Quest airlock battery charger module, and enter the Japanese logistics module for the first time since its move atop the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module. Late in the day, all 10 crew members will assemble to conduct a news conference with media from the U.S. and Japan.


]]> Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:56:45 AM EDT
STS-124 astronauts are finishing post-spacewalk activities and preparing to end their day. The station crew goes to bed at 8:32 p.m. EDT, followed by the shuttle crew at 9:02 p.m. Both crews awake Sunday at 5:02 a.m. to begin Flight Day 10.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:04:58 PM EDT
Today's mission status briefing, originally scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT, has been moved to 6:30 p.m. Participants will be STS-124 lead space station flight director Annette Hasbrook and STS-124 lead EVA officer David Beaver.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:57:53 PM EDT
Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan completed the mission's third spacewalk at 4:28. During the six hour, 33 minute trek, Fossum and Garan accomplished all planned activities and several "get-ahead" tasks. They exchanged a depleted Nitrogen Tank Assembly for a new one, removed thermal covers and launch locks from the Kibo laboratory, and reinstalled a repaired television camera onto the space station's left P1 truss. Fossum retrieved samples of a dust-like substance from the left Solar Alpha Rotary Joint for analysis by experts on the ground.
This was the 112th spacewalk devoted to space station assembly and maintenance, totaling 706 hours, 36 minutes. It was the 197th spacewalk by U.S. astronauts.
Mike Fossum has conducted six spacewalks, totaling 42 hours, one minute, placing him 12th among all spacewalkers.
Ron Garan has conducted three spacewalks, totaling 20 hours, 32 minutes.
The total STS-124 spacewalk time is 20 hours, 32 minutes.



]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:48:24 PM EDT
The International Space Station's Quest airlock began to repressurize at 4:28 p.m. EDT, signifying the end of today's six hour, 33 minute spacewalk.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:30:41 PM EDT
At the six-hour mark, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan had completed all their assigned tasks and several "get-ahead" activities. They are beginning cleanup procedures and will enter the airlock when complete.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:04:29 PM EDT
While Ron Garan continues to remove launch restraints from the right hand Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, Mike Fossum is performing another "get-ahead" task. He will be transferring an ingress aid to a portable foot restraint on the airlock toolbox.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 03:50:15 PM EDT
With all scheduled spacewalk tasks complete, both spacewalkers are performing so-called "get-ahead" activities. Mike Fossum is installing thermal covers over connectors outside the Harmony node. Garan will move to the right hand Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ, and remove launch restraints.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 03:29:15 PM EDT
Spacewalker Ron Garan has reinstalled a space station television camera to the left P1 truss. The faulty camera had been removed during Thursday's second spacewalk. Saturday, astronauts replaced its power supply to prepare it for today's reinstallation. At 3:10 p.m. EDT, Mission Control verified the repair by downlinking video of Garan from the camera.
Mike Fossum and Garan have been asked to perform the third "get-ahead" task of the spacewalk. They will install thermal covers over connectors outside the Harmony node.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 03:15:48 PM EDT
Five hours into today's spacewalk, Ron Garan has begun to reinstall the repaired television camera on the left P1 truss. With that task going well, Garan does not need Mike Fossum's assistance. Instead, Fossum has been assigned his third "get-ahead task" of today's spacewalk. He will install thermal covers over connectors on the Harmony node.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:58:24 PM EDT
Spacewalker Mike Fossum removed thermal insulation from the Kibo robotic arm's wrist and elbow cameras, and launch locks from one of the forward Kibo windows. He also deployed debris shields over Kibo common berthing mechanisms that currently are not used. Fossum tightened a bolt holding a Kibo television camera in place. Japanese flight controllers had noticed unexpected movement of the camera.
Meanwhile, Ron Garan retrieved a space station television camera that had been removed during the second spacewalk. The camera was repaired Saturday, and Garan will meet Fossum on the left P1 truss to reinstall it.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:39:40 PM EDT
Four hours into today's spacewalk, Ron Garan has finished attaching fluid lines to the newly-installed Nitrogen Tank Assembly, the final task before moving to his next spacewalk assignment.

]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:00:49 PM EDT Spacewalker Mike Fossum is removing thermal insulation from around the Kibo robotic arm's wrist and elbow cameras. He also will remove Kibo window launch locks, and deploy debris shields to help protect a Kibo active common berthing mechanism.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 01:51:53 PM EDT
About halfway into today's six hour, 20-minute spacewalk, Ron Garan has installed a new Nitrogen Tank Assembly on the right hand S1 truss. Mike Fossum has completed taking photographs and two samples of a dust-like material inside the port Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ. The port SARJ continues to operate normally, but the composition of the debris is unknown, so the samples will be returned to Earth for analysis.

Next, the spacewalkers will move to the Kibo robotic arm. After Saturday's first-ever deploy of the arm, spacewalkers now can remove previously inaccessible launch locks and insulation from the arm's wrist and elbow cameras.

After that, Fossum and Garan will undertake a television repair task. During the second spacewalk, Fossum and Garan retrieved a faulty television camera from the exterior of the space station. They replaced the camera's power supply Saturday, and are returning it to its spot on the Port 1 truss during today's spacewalk.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 01:05:31 PM EDT Spacewalker Mike Fossum removed a thermal cover from the port Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ, and collected two samples of dust-like debris. He also took photographs of the inside of the SARJ. The port SARJ continues to perform well, but the composition of the debris is unknown, so Fossum will return it to Earth for analysis.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:28:11 PM EDT Spacewalker Ron Garan, perched atop the space station robotic arm, soared about 80 feet above the station complex in what has been called the "windshield wiper maneuver." First, Garan detached a spent Nitrogen Tank Assembly from the starboard S1 truss and rode the arm across to the left P3 truss. There, he exchanged the 528-pound assembly with a new one that Mike Fossum prepared for him. Station Arm operator Karen Nyberg then flew Garan back across the top of the station to the S1 truss, where Garan attached the new unit in place of the old one. With the unit bolted in place, Garan will complete electrical and fluid connections.



]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:16:38 PM EDT
After installing insulation and electrical connections to an expended Nitrogen Tank Assembly on the left P3 truss, spacewalker Mike Fossum was given a "go" to travel to the port Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ. He will remove a thermal cover and use Kapton tape to capture some dust-like debris he noticed during an inspection of the SARJ during the second spacewalk. The port SARJ continues to perform well, but the composition of the debris is unknown, so Fossum will return it to Earth for analysis.
Meanwhile, Ron Garan has completed the "windshield wiper maneuver," riding the space station robotic arm from the right hand S1 truss to the left P3 truss and back, to exchange the Nitrogen Tank Assemblies. Garan currently is installing the new Nitrogen Tank Assembly in place of the old one.



]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:05:57 PM EDT
Completing one half of the "windshield wiper maneuver," spacewalker Ron Garan traveled from the right hand S1 truss to the left P3 truss and exchanged a depleted Nitrogen Tank Assembly for a new one. The expended assembly was bolted to a stowage platform at 11:35 a.m. EDT. Next, space station robotic arm operator Karen Nyberg will fly Garan back above the expansive truss assembly to install the new unit in place of the old one. The trek with the 528-pound assembly is expected to take 15 minutes.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:40:56 AM EDT
Spacewalker Ron Garan has removed the expended Nitrogen Tank Assembly from the right hand S1 truss. Next, he will ride the space station robotic arm across the top of the station complex to the port truss, where Mike Fossum has prepared the new Nitrogen Tank Assembly for Garan's arrival.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:10:02 AM EDT
Spacewalker Ron Garan, perched atop the space station robotic arm, will soar about 80 feet above the station complex in what has been called the "windshield wiper maneuver." First, Garan will detach a spent Nitrogen Tank Assembly from the starboard S1 truss and ride the arm across to the port truss, where he will exchange the 550-pound assembly with a new one that Mike Fossum will hand to him. Station Arm operator Karen Nyberg then will fly Garan back across the top of the station to the S1 truss, where Garan will attach the new unit. Fossum will attach the depleted assembly to the port truss.

The mission's third spacewalk began at 9:55 a.m. EDT, 37 minutes ahead of schedule.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:41:40 AM EDT Astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan turned their spacesuits to internal battery power at 9:55 a.m. EDT, officially starting their third spacewalk of the STS-124 mission.
During the 6.5-hour journey, the spacewalkers will remove a depleted Nitrogen Tank Assembly from the starboard S1 truss and replace it with a new assembly. The Nitrogen Tank Assembly is used to pressurize the space station's ammonia cooling system. Fossum and Garan also will remove insulation and launch locks from the Kibo robotic arm and reinstall a repaired television camera on the far end of the port truss. Fossum will collect a sample of a dust-like substance from the port Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ. The sample will be analyzed once it is returned to Earth. The port SARJ continues to function normally.
The spacewalk is Fossum's sixth, Garan's third, the 112th spacewalk devoted to space station assembly and maintenance, and the 197th by U.S. astronauts.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:21:20 AM EDT
International Space Station and shuttle Discovery astronauts are preparing for today's third STS-124 spacewalk. Mike Fossum and Ron Garan are scheduled to begin their task at 10:32 a.m. EDT. During the 6.5-hour journey, the spacewalkers will remove a depleted Nitrogen Tank Assembly from the starboard S1 truss and replace it with a new assembly. The Nitrogen Tank Assembly is used to pressurize the space station's ammonia cooling system. Fossum and Garan also will remove insulation and launch locks from the Kibo robotic arm and reinstall a repaired television camera on the far end of the port truss. Fossum will collect a sample of a dust-like substance from the port Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ. The sample will be analyzed once it is returned to Earth. The port SARJ continues to function normally.
The spacewalk will be Fossum's sixth, Garan's third, the 112th spacewalk devoted to space station assembly and maintenance, and the 197th by U.S. astronauts.
]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 08:48:54 AM EDT
Soon, STS-124 astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan will begin their "campout" in the space station Quest airlock, preparing for Sunday's third spacewalk. The airlock will be pressurized lower than the rest of the station and shuttle complex to help purge nitrogen from Fossum and Garan's blood. The process prevents decompression sickness.
The station crew goes to bed at 9:02 p.m. EDT, followed by the shuttle crew at 9:32 p.m. Both crews awake Sunday at 5:32 a.m. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 10:32 a.m.
]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:00:09 PM EDT
This evening's mission status briefing will begin at 7::30 p.m. EDT. Participants will be STS-124 lead space station flight director Annette Hasbrook and Japanese Experiment Module Operation Project deputy manager Tetsuro Yokoyama.
]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:36:04 PM EDT
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station and space shuttle Discovery continue to prepare for Sunday's third spacewalk. They also are outfitting the Kibo Japanese logistics module entry way. The final logistics module leak checks are underway, and expected to be complete later this afternoon. Early this evening, all 10 crew members will participate in an interactive Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency event.
]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:57:58 PM EDT
STS-124 astronauts Akihiko Hoshide and Karen Nyberg have continued to validate the performance of the Kibo robotic arm. Other space shuttle and space station astronauts have been planning for Sunday's third spacewalk, and transferring hardware and cargo between the two spacecraft. Mark Kelly, Ken Ham, Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum and Hoshide will conduct interviews with CNN, WCBS-TV and WDAY-TV at 2:02 p.m. EDT. WCBS is expected to focus on the multiple New Jersey residents flying on the mission. WDAY is expected to talk to Nyberg about her time spent at the University of North Dakota and her roots in Minnesota.
]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:55:53 PM EDT
STS-124 astronauts Akihiko Hoshide and Karen Nyberg have deployed the Kibo robotic arm for the first time. The arm's end effector pitched down slightly, validating the arm's operability. The move also created enough space for Mike Fossum and Ron Garan to remove launch locks and insulation from the arm's wrist and elbow cameras during Sunday's spacewalk. The first full deployment of the 33-foot arm will occur sometime during International Space Station Expedition 17 operations, after space shuttle Discovery departs the station.
]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:43:16 PM EDT
The Kibo robotic arm system's hold and release mechanism has been activated. The arm's joints are free and ready for the first-ever deployment of one of the joints later this morning.
]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:48:58 AM EDT
STS-124 astronauts Akihiko Hoshide and Karen Nyberg sent commands to activate the Kibo robotic arm system's hold and release mechanism. The mechanism will free all the arm joints and set the stage for the first-ever deployment of the Kibo arm, later this morning.
]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:42:09 AM EDT The STS-124 crew has begun its eighth flight day, working together with the International Space Station's Expedition 17 crew to continue preparing the Kibo laboratory for operation. Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide is completing activation of the Kibo robotic arm system. He and Karen Nyberg are scheduled to deploy the arm for the first time at 12:17 p.m. EDT. The crew will continue outfitting the Kibo Japanese logistics module vestibule, prepare for Sunday's third spacewalk and conduct media interviews with CNN, WCBS-TV and WDAY-TV.
]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:55:31 AM EDT
This evening's mission status briefing will begin at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Participants will be STS-124 lead space station flight director Annette Hasbrook and Japanese Experiment Module Operation Project deputy manager Tetsuro Yokoyama.
]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:03:12 PM EDT
After installing the Kibo Japanese logistics module to the Japanese Pressurized Module, astronauts have begun the standard process of checking the module's entry way for leaks. They will continue outfitting the vestibule over the weekend before entering the logistics module Monday afternoon.
]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:38:27 PM EDT
At 5:58 p.m. EDT, Capcom Chris Cassidy told astronaut Mike Fossum there is a chance the crew will be asked to reinspect the port Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ, during Sunday's third spacewalk. Fossum had noticed what he described as "grease" on the SARJ when he inspected it during Thursday's spacewalk. Cassidy said a decision will be made Saturday. Fossum said, "There certainly appears to be grease, so no surprise they might want a little taste of that to see what it is."
]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:12:46 PM EDT
Astronauts driving the space station robotic arm have attached the 9500-pound Kibo Japanese logistics module to the top of the 16-ton Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, JPM. The logistics module was brought to space in March by STS-123 and temporarily placed atop the Harmony node. Karen Nyberg and Greg Chamitoff extracted it from Harmony at 3:16 p.m. EDT and moved it 30 feet away onto the JPM. First contact occurred at 3:49 p.m., and official installation occurred at 3:58 p.m.
]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:59:56 PM EDT
The Kibo Japanese logistics module has been moved into place atop the Japanese Pressurized Module. First contact occurred at 3:49 p.m. EDT. Official installation will be noted once first and second-stage capture occur.
]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:53:52 PM EDT
Using the space station robotic arm, astronauts Karen Nyberg and Greg Chamitoff have begun moving the Kibo Japanese logistics module from atop the Harmony node to the top of the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, 30 feet away.
]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:16:53 PM EDT
Astronauts Karen Nyberg and Greg Chamitoff have grappled the Kibo Japanese logistics module with the space station robotic arm. The logistics module was attached to the top of the station's Harmony node during March's STS-123 mission. Today, Nyberg and Chamitoff will move it 30 feet from Harmony to the top of the new Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module.
]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:17:51 PM EDT
The vestibule for the Kibo Japanese logistics module, or JLP, is being depressurized. This sets the stage for astronauts Karen Nyberg and Greg Chamitoff to use the space station robotic arm to unberth the JLP from the top port of the Harmony node and move it 30 feet to its permanent location on top of the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, or JPM. The JLP had been delivered to Harmony during STS-123 in March. Unberthing is planned for around 3 p.m. EDT and installation for about 4:30 p.m.

]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:02:43 PM EDT
Among many activities, astronauts aboard the International Space Station have spent their morning configuring the vestibule for the Kibo Japanese logistics module, or JLP, for the module's relocation later today. After the vestibule is depressurized, astronauts will use the space station robotic arm to grapple the JLP. At about 3 p.m., they will unberth the JLP from the top port of the Harmony node and move it 30 feet to its permanent location on top of the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, or JPM. The JLP had been delivered to the station during STS-123 in March.
]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:39:31 AM EDT Robotic activities are featured in today's schedule aboard the International Space Station and space shuttle Discovery complex. The 10 astronauts will use the space station robotic arm to grapple the Kibo Japanese logistics module, or JLP, and move it about 30 feet from its current location atop the Harmony node to its permanent location atop the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, JPM. Later, they will activate the Kibo robotic arm system for the first time. Also, astronauts will conduct media interviews with KMSB-TV, National Public Radio and the Associated Press.
]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:57:45 AM EDT
This evening's mission status briefing will begin at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Participants will be STS-124 lead space station flight director Annette Hasbrook, Japanese Experiment Module Operation Project deputy manager Tetsuro Yokoyama, and STS-124 lead EVA officer David Beaver.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:58:14 PM EDT
Astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan completed their second STS-124 spacewalk at 6:15 p.m. EDT, when the Quest airlock was repressurized. The spacewalk lasted seven hours, eleven minutes.
This was Fossum's fifth spacewalk, Garan's second, the 111th spacewalk devoted to space station assembly and maintenance, the 12th of 2008, and the 196th by U.S. astronauts.
The astronauts completed a number of tasks to outfit the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, or JPM. They installed television cameras on the front and rear of the JPM to assist Kibo robotic arm operations, removed thermal covers from the Kibo robotic arm, prepared an upper JPM docking port for Friday's attachment of the Kibo logistics module, readied a spare nitrogen tank assembly for its installation during Sunday's third spacewalk, and retrieved a failed television camera from the Port 1 truss.
At the end of the spacewalk, Fossum inspected the port Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ. He described and photographed some features that appeared to be lines of grease.
Inside the space station, astronauts moved all the racks from the Japanese logistics module into the Kibo JPM, and closed the logistics module's hatch. The logistics module is ready to be relocated Friday from its current location on top of the Harmony node to its permanent location on top of the JPM. Both Kibo JPM power channels have been activated and are functioning normally.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:19:56 PM EDT
Astronaut Mike Fossum inspected the space station's port Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ. After removing a cover, he described "features that run along the ring" as lines. "I do not see any sign of metal shavings like we had on the other side. This is a lot cleaner. This is not the kind of surface damage that we had on the other side." Fossum is taking photographs of the area he inspected. Before closing the cover, he said "It's a smear. The inboard light gray line is grease."
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:19:01 PM EDT
Five hours, 45 minutes into today's spacewalk, Mike Fossum and Ron Garan removed a failed external television camera from the port truss and will bring it inside the International Space Station after the spacewalk. Astronauts will replace the camera's power supply and return it to its position during Sunday's third spacewalk.
Fossum has been asked to inspect the space station's port Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ. Unlike the starboard SARJ, the port SARJ has performed flawlessly. The inspection is planned to ensure the port SARJ remains in good condition.


]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:50:56 PM EDT
Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan are removing a failed external television camera from the port truss and will bring it inside the International Space Station after the spacewalk. Astronauts will replace the camera's power supply and return it to its position during Sunday's third spacewalk.

]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:12:21 PM EDT
Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan loosened the torque on bolts holding two Nitrogen Tank Assemblies in place, preparing to swap the tanks during Sunday's third spacewalk. An expended Nitrogen Tank Assembly on the starboard S1 truss will be replaced by a new one, which has been temporarily housed on a port truss stowage platform. The Nitrogen Tank Assembly is used to pressurize the ammonia coolant lines on the station's truss.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:02:12 PM EDT
After completing their planned work on the outside of the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan are moving to space station trusses to begin their next chore. During Sunday's third spacewalk, they will replace a Nitrogen Tank Assembly on the starboard truss with a new assembly that's temporarily housed on a stowage platform. Today, the spacewalkers are preparing the two assemblies to be swapped on Sunday.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:38:59 PM EDT
Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan are ahead of their timeline, continuing to outfit the exterior of the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, JPM. They removed a large thermal cover from a common berthing mechanism, or attach point. Friday, the space station robotic arm will move the Kibo logistics module from its temporary home on the Harmony module, to it's new home atop of the Kibo JPM.
Inside the space station, astronauts continue with the internal outfitting of Kibo, moving racks into their new location. The second Kibo power channel also has been activated.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:28:59 PM EDT
Working at the top of the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, JPM, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan have removed a large thermal cover from a common berthing mechanism, or attach point. Friday, the space station robotic arm will move the Kibo logistics module from its temporary home on the Harmony module, to it's new home atop of the Kibo JPM.
Meanwhile, flight controllers in Japan report good heater power on the Kibo robotic arm system.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:44:10 PM EDT
Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan have removed thermal covers from the joints and the end effector of the Kibo robotic arm system. Astronauts Akihiko Hoshide and Karen Nyberg will unfurl the 33-foot, six-jointed robotic arm for the first time Saturday at 12:17 p.m. EDT.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:18:42 PM EDT
An hour and 22 minutes into their spacewalk, Mike Fossum and Ron Garan have completed installing two television cameras to the outside of the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, or JPM. The cameras will assist Kibo robotic arm operators as they move payloads and other items from inside the Kibo module to an external "porch" that will be installed on the STS-127 mission.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:28:58 PM EDT Today's second spacewalk of the STS-124 mission is 111th spacewalk devoted to space station assembly and maintenance, the 12th of 2008. Entering today's activity, spacewalkers had spent 692 hours, 52 minutes assembling and maintaining the space station. In the history of human spaceflight, this is the 196th excursion by U.S. astronauts, the 77th conducted out of U.S. airlocks, Mike Fossum's fifth spacewalk, and Ron Garan's second.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:14:39 PM EDT
Astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan switched their spacesuits to internal battery power at 11:04 a.m. EDT, signifying the start of the mission's second spacewalk. During the 6.5-hour journey, Fossum and Garan will perform a number of tasks to continue outfitting the exterior of the Kibo laboratory. Among their duties, they will install front and rear television cameras on the outside of the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, or JPM, remove thermal covers from the Kibo robotic arm system, and prepare a JPM upper docking port where the Kibo logistics module will be attached on Friday. They also will prepare an external storage platform for the removal and replacement of a nitrogen tank assembly, a task they'll perform on Sunday's third spacewalk.
Meanwhile, astronauts inside the space station will activate the second of the two Kibo JPM power channels and continue outfitting the inside of the JPM.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:07:27 AM EDT
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are running about 30 minutes ahead of schedule in preparations for today's second spacewalk of the mission. Mike Fossum and Ron Garan may begin the spacewalk as early as 11 a.m. EDT.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:34:44 AM EDT The 10 astronauts aboard the International Space Station and space shuttle Discovery are preparing for today's second spacewalk of the mission. Mike Fossum and Ron Garan will exit the station's Quest airlock at 11:32 a.m. EDT. Among the many tasks during the 6.5hour spacewalk, they will install television cameras on the outside of the Kibo module and remove the Kibo robotic arm system cover.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:23:59 AM EDT
The Flight Day 5 Mission Status Briefing is planned for 7:30 p.m. EDT. Participants are STS124 lead space station flight director Annette Hasbrook and Japanese Experiment Module Operation Project deputy manager Tetsuro Yokoyama.
]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:47:09 PM EDT
At 5:09 p.m. EDT, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide entered the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module for the first time. He was followed shortly thereafter by his fellow space shuttle and space station crew members. Hoshide floated towards a television camera with a sign that said "welcome" in both English and Japanese.
]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:17:29 PM EDT
At 5:05 p.m. EDT, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide opened the hatch to the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module and officially opened the JPM for science. Before opening the hatch, Hoshide said, "This is a great moment for the Japanese. We would like to thank all the Japanese folks. It has been 20plus years to get this module up in space. We have a new 'hope' on space station. It's a beautiful module. It looks pretty empty because we don't have lots of racks inside. It looks empty, but it's filled with dreams. The Kibo module is open."

]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:08:17 PM EDT
Final activation of the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module is complete. All systems are performing as expected. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide has been given a "go" to enter the module, expected to occur at 4:52 p.m. EDT.
]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:43:54 PM EDT
After spending much of the day configuring cables and connectors between the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, or JPM, and the Harmony node, astronauts and ground controllers have completed initial activation of the first of two JPM power channels. Power channel B is now providing electricity to cool the JPM systems. The Space Station Integration and Promotion Center, Japan's Mission Control Center, will perform the final activation steps. Crew members are scheduled to open the JPM hatch and enter the module at 4:52 p.m. EDT.

]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:01:25 PM EDT
Astronauts Garrett Reisman and Greg Chamitoff have removed and replaced one of two adsorbent beds in the space station's carbon dioxide removal assembly, or CDRA. The CDRA, which is part of the station's environmental control system, helps remove carbon dioxide from the space station atmosphere. A new adsorbent bed flown aboard space shuttle Discovery replaced one that was performing erratically. The faulty bed will be brought back to Earth for analysis.
Earlier, Commander Mark Kelly and Pilot Ken Ham verified that the orbiter boom sensor system electronics are performing normally. The system, which has been stored outside the space station since March's STS123 mission, will be used for a the standard latemission inspection of the shuttle heat shield.
]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:25:45 PM EDT
At 11:27 a.m. EDT, space station astronauts replaced the gas liquid separator pump in the station's urinecollection portion of the Service Module toilet system. After a series of three tests, the replacement pump appears to be working. Mission Control Moscow has given the station crew a "go" to resume normal operations of the toilet system.
]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:10:37 PM EDT
Space station astronauts are testing out their replacement toilet hardware. At 11:27 a.m. EDT, they replaced the gas liquid separator pump in the urinecollection portion of the station's Service Module toilet system. Initial tests appear to be successful, but more testing is underway.
]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:45:13 AM EDT
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station and space shuttle Discovery are working in the vestibule between the Harmony node and the new Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module, or JPM. They are making preparations for entry into the JPM, scheduled for 4:52 p.m. EDT. Among other actions, they are installing thermal control system jumpers, data lines, audio cables, Ethernet cables, ventilation lines and a condensate water line.
]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:43:09 AM EDT
Space station astronauts have replaced the gas liquid separator pump in the station's Service Module toilet system. They now are testing the new hardware to verify that it is operating properly.

]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:15:44 AM EDT
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station and space shuttle Discovery have begun their fifth flight day. Today's activities include entering the Kibo Japanese Pressurized module for the first time, removing and replacing a portion of the station's environmental control system, the carbon dioxide removal assembly, and checking out the orbiter boom sensor system electronics. The sensor system will be used later in the mission to inspect Discovery's heat shield before the shuttle returns to Earth. The space station crew also will replace hardware in their toilet system with new equipment that was launched on Discovery.

]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:08:56 AM EDT The first U.S. spacewalk was completed on this date 43 years ago by Gemini IV astronaut Ed White. This was the 195th spacewalk conducted by U.S. astronauts. It was the 110th spacewalk for space station assembly, the 76th out of the Quest airlock.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:31:48 PM EDT
Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan completed all the objectives of the mission's first spacewalk, which concluded after six hours, 48 minutes. The spacewalkers prepared the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module for its installation to the space station, demonstrated cleaning techniques for the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint's race ring, and installed a replacement SARJ Trundle Bearing Assembly.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:14:44 PM EDT
The Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module was installed on the port side of the Harmony node at 7:01 p.m. EDT. Discovery astronaut Akihiko Hoshide reported, "We have a new Hope on the International Space Station."
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:06:42 PM EDT
Using the space station's robotic arm, Discovery astronauts Akihiko Hoshide and Karen Nyberg have maneuvered the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module to the port side of the Harmony node. The module will be firmly connected to Harmony after the spacewalk ends.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:26:33 PM EDT Spacewalker Ron Garan has completed installing the replacement Trundle Bearing Assembly on the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ. He is now removing launch restraints on the SARJ, while Mike Fossum continues the demonstration of cleaning techniques.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:45:22 PM EDT
The Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module has been unberthed from Discovery's payload bay.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:57:31 PM EDT Discovery astronauts Karen Nyberg and Akihiko Hoshide have grappled the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module with the station's robotic arm. They will unberth it from Discovery's payload bay, and attach it to the port side of Harmony.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:33:11 PM EDT
While inspecting the space station's Solar Alpha Rotary Joint outer race ring, spacewalker Mike Fossum said "This is definitely a depression. It is definitely not a bump. The surface is rough, and feels different from the surrounding surface." This area had previously been inspected during the STS123 mission, but at that time the spacewalkers could not determine if it was a divot or a depression.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:29:08 PM EDT
Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan have begun to inspect the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ. The SARJ has been operating in a degraded mode due to debris contamination. The spacewalkers will demonstrate a technique that may be used to clean the debris, including using a grease gun to lubricate the outer race ring of the SARJ. They also will install a SARJ Trundle Bearing Assembly replacement.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:06:36 PM EDT
Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan have completed their preparations of the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module for its installation on the space station's Harmony node. Later, Discovery astronauts Karen Nyberg and Akihiko Hoshide will grapple the module with the station's robotic arm, unberth it from Discovery's payload bay, and attach it to the port side of Harmony.
Meanwhile, Fossum and Garan will begin an inspection of the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ.
The SARJ enables the starboard solar arrays to rotate and face the sun as the station orbits the Earth. Its operation has been degraded by debris, and the spacewalkers will demonstrate a technique that may be used to clean the debris. They also will install a SARJ Trundle Bearing Assembly replacement.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:34:13 PM EDT
Spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan continue preparing the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module for its installation on the space station's Harmony node later today. Next, they will turn their attention to an inspection of the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, or SARJ. Debris has degraded the SARJ operation, and the spacewalkers will demonstrate a technique that may be used to clean the debris. They also will reinstall a SARJ Trundle Bearing Assembly.
Although the spacewalk started 50 minutes late, the crew is about an hour ahead of the timeline.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:06:56 PM EDT
Two hours into their planned 6.5hour spacewalk, astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan are preparing the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module for its grapple later today by the space station arm. Near the end of the spacewalk, the module will be attached to the port side of the station's Harmony Node.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:28:04 PM EDT
At 2:01 p.m. EDT, astronauts aboard the International Space Stationshuttle Discovery complex completed the transfer of the orbiter boom sensor system from its temporary stowage location on the station, to the space shuttle robotic arm.
Meanwhile, spacewalkers Mike Fossum and Ron Garan are preparing the Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module for its installation on the station later today.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:04:44 PM EDT
Using the space station robotic arm, Akihiko Hoshide has grappled the orbiter boom sensor system. He will hand the boom to Discovery's robotic arm, being driven by Karen Nyberg. The boom sensor system will remain attached to the shuttle arm until the thermal protection system late inspection is completed on Flight Day 12.


]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:47:21 PM EDT
Spacewalker Ron Garan has loosened restraints holding the Orbiter Boom Sensor System in its temporary stowage location on the space station's starboard truss. The system was left aboard the station during STS123. During the spacewalk, the boom will be transferred to Discovery's payload bay.

]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:16:37 PM EDT
On the 43rd anniversary of astronaut Ed White's first U.S. spacewalk, STS124's first extra vehicular activity began at 12:22 p.m. EDT. The spacewalk officially began when Astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan switched their spacesuits to internal battery power. The start of the 6.5hour spacewalk was delayed about 50 minutes while Fossum's "beanie cap" communications headset was replaced, due to a faulty cable.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:26:04 PM EDT
The start of STS124's first spacewalk has been delayed while astronaut Mike Fossum's communications headset was replaced. The spacewalk was expected to begin at 11:32 a.m. EDT, but will begin about 20 to 30 minutes later.
During the 6.5 hour spacewalk, Fossum and Garan will prepare the large Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module for installation on the station, assist with the transfer of the orbiter boom sensor system from the station to the shuttle, and demonstrate a technique that may be used to clean debris from the station's solar alpha rotary joint.
This is Fossum's fourth spacewalk, and the first for Garan.
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:40:54 AM EDT
At 6:35 p.m., astronaut Greg Chamitoff notified Mission Control that he had installed his seat liner in the Soyuz capsule. With that action, Chamitoff became a member of the space station Expedition 17 crew, swapping places with Garrett Reisman. Reisman, now an STS124 crew member, will return to Earth aboard Discovery. Chamitoff will remain aboard the space station until November, when he returns on STS126.
]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:48:51 PM EDT
Space shuttle Discovery and International Space Station astronauts opened hatches between the spacecraft at 3:36 p.m. EDT while flying above the South Pacific.
At 4:30 p.m., STS124 shuttle lead flight director Matt Abbott and Mission Management Team chairman LeRoy Cain will conduct a briefing on NASA television.
At 4:57 p.m., Expedition 17 crew member Garrett Reisman and Discovery astronaut Greg Chamitoff will swap Soyuz seat liners, which will signify the beginning of their new assignments. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 and Reisman will join Discovery's crew for his return to Earth. Chamitoff will remain aboard the space station until November, when he returns on STS126.
]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2008 03:40:45 PM EDT
Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station at 2:03 p.m. EDT, setting the stage for an ambitious joint mission that includes the installation of Kibo's Japanese Pressurized Module and robotic arm system, three spacewalks, and the rotation of space station crew members.

]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:05:16 PM EDT
Space Shuttle Discovery continues to gain on the International Space Station, headed for a planned docking at 1:54 p.m. EDT. At 11:16 a.m., Discovery performed the terminal initiation burn and began its final approach to the station. At 12:55 p.m., Discovery will begin its rendezvous pitch maneuver, enabling station astronauts to take pictures of Discovery's heat shield for analysis by ground imagery experts.
]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:19:44 AM EDT