NASA's STS-126 mission to space station ready to launch

William Atkins
Friday, 31 October 2008 19:39

Science - Space

NASA announced on Thursday, October 30, 2008, that its space shuttle Endeavour and its STS-126 crew is set to launch on November 14, 2008, at a liftoff time of 7:55 p.m.


After the flight readiness review (FRR) meeting on Thursday, NASA and contractor managers gave the final approval (their official roger-dodger and okie-dokie) for the launch of the mission.

NASA media release “NASA Gives "Go" for Space Shuttle Launch on Nov. 14” (October 30, 2008), stated, “During the meeting, top NASA and contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and determined the shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for flight.”

The seven-member crew, led by mission commander Chris Ferguson, will fly to the International Space Station to perform repairs and to prepare it for an expanded crew (from three to six crew members).

The main job for the seven astronauts is to service and repair two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJs) on the ISS (the port [left] and starboard [right] SARJs).

The SARJs are moveable, allowing the solar arrays to track the motion of the Sun to provide electrical power to the Station. Both SARJs will be lubricated by the spacewalkers.

During the 15-day mission four spacewalks are planned. Part of their tasks during these extravehicular activities (EVAs) is to repair the problem to the starboard SARJ, which has been limited in its ability to perform its job.

In addition, eleven trundle bearings in the starboard SARJ will be replaced.

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