NASA launches STS-126 toward Space Station

William Atkins
Saturday, 15 November 2008 05:02

Science - Space

NASA successfully launches space shuttle Endeavour and its STS-126 crew at night on Friday, November 14, 2008.


Endeavour and its crew are on their way for a rendezvous with the International Space Station in order to complete its 15-day assembly mission, which is scheduled to deliver the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), which is a large pressurized container used to transfer cargo and equipment back and forth from the Space Station.

With only a 20% problem with the weather at the Florida launch complex, liftoff occurred at 7:55 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on launch complex (LC) 39A.

The mission for the crew is to deliver equipment and supplies to the ISS, service the two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJ), and to repair the starboard SARJ.

Four spacewalks are scheduled to service and repair the SARJs.

The mission is the 155th overall manned mission of the United States (NASA). It is the 124th space shuttle mission, and the 22nd flight of space shuttle Endeavour.

The space station will have seen 27 space shuttles at its door with the arrival of space shuttle Endeavour and its crew.

With three good shuttle main engines (Orbital Maneuvering system [OMS] engines) Endeavour looks nominal ("good") for a successful orbit about the Earth. The shuttle is now able to make a stable orbit, and "all is going well" according to the spokesperson on NASA TV.

With an altitude of over 64 miles, all is working well onboard Endeavour.

With main engine cutoff (MECO) accomplished, the shuttle has now separated from its twin external tanks (ETs), and it is on its way to the International Space Station.

More information about the STS-126 mission is found at: NASA STS-126 Mission Information.