STS 128 Discovery to ISS...

[Rick]

NASA scrubs Discovery launch

NASA this morning scrubbed the planned launch of space shuttle Discovery due to bad weather at Kennedy Space Center.

Discovery's mission STS-128 to the International Space Station will deliver a Leonardo supply module packed with supplies, including science and storage racks, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill* - apparently named after comedian Stephen Colbert.

More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/25/discovery_launch_scrubbed/

* See: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/colbert_feature.html

[Rick]

Nasa has launched the US shuttle Discovery for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with seven astronauts on board.

It lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2359 EDT Friday (0359 GMT Saturday).

Two previous attempts to launch the orbiter had been postponed by a mix of bad weather and a technical glitch affecting its main propulsion system.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8228089.stm

[Rick]

The launch of a space shuttle is an awesome experience.

First, you see it - an incredibly bright light from its engines. Then you hear it - a low-pitched rumble and a deafening crackling.

But the overriding sensation that stays with you is one that you feel - a vibration that goes right through your body.

With Discovery's (STS-128) launch to the ISS on Friday, we are now really in the end days of this extraordinary vehicle.

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/jonathanamos/2009/08/time-now-for-the-space-station.shtml

[Rick]

Discovery pair prep for first spacewalk (September 1st)

Flight engineer Nicole Stott and mission specialist Danny Olivas will later today step outside the International Space Station for the first spacewalk of space shuttle Discovery's mission STS-128.

The pair will later this evening "prepare for the replacement of an empty ammonia tank on the station's port truss, or backbone, by releasing its bolts". NASA adds: "They also will retrieve a materials processing experiment and a European science experiment mounted outside the Columbus laboratory and stow them in Discovery's cargo bay for their return to Earth."

More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/01/discovery_launch/

Undocking today, returns home Thursday (September 8th)

Space shuttle Discovery is preparing to undock later today from the International Space Station following the successful completion of mission STS-128.

The decoupling is due to take place at 19:26 GMT. Discovery will return to Earth on Thursday carrying the Leonardo Multi-purpose Logistics Module and departing Expedition 20 specialist Tim Kopra, who arrived aboard Endeavour on mission STS-127 back in July. He's replaced by flight engineer Nicole Stott.

More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/08/discovery_iss/

[Rick]

The landing of the shuttle Discovery at the Kennedy Space Center has been delayed for at least a day due to bad weather in Florida.

Thunderstorms and strong winds meant that the US space agency Nasa skipped both Thursday landing possibilities.

The shuttle, which is returning from a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), will have to orbit the earth for a 14th day.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8249687.stm

[Rick]

Nasa's space shuttle Discovery has landed at the Edwards air force base in California.

Plans to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida were postponed due to bad weather.

The shuttle missed two landing slots on Thursday, before landing at 1753 PDT on Friday (0053GMT Saturday).

The shuttle had been on a supply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) with seven astronauts on board.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8249687.stm

Space shuttle Discovery lands after detour

Space shuttle Discovery has successfully landed at Edwards Air Force Base in north of Los Angeles, California, after bad weather ruled out a landing at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The shuttle touched down at 5:53pm Pacific, ending a 14 day-mission to the International Space Station.

More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/11/nasa_moves_sts128_touchdown_to_edwards/