STS-126's Endeavour does rndz, proxops, dock with Space Station

William Atkins
Monday, 17 November 2008 03:29

Science - Space

The space shuttle Endeavour and its STS-126 crew performed their rendezvous (rndz) maneuvers on Sunday, November 16, 2008, came up close (proximity operations) to its target, and then successfully docked with the International Space Station.


Earlier in the day, at 9:25 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), the crew was awaken with The Rolling Stones’ song “Start Me Up.”

They took the song to heart and used the rest of the day to accomplish their primary job for the day, that of docking with the ISS so that its delivery, repair, and servicing mission could really begin.

They successfully docked with the Space Station at 5:01 p.m. EST.

They had earlier lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center on November 14, 2008, at 7:55:31 p.m. EST (00:55:31 UTC).

The seven-member crew of Endeavour includes commander Chris Ferguson, pilot Eric Boe and mission specialists Don Pettit, Steve Bowen, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Shane Kimbrough, and Sandra Magnus.

During approach of the shuttle to the station, ISS commander Mike Finche stated to Ferguson, "The international space station is indeed ready for an extreme makeover. We'll be sure to open the door." [Houston Chronicle: “Endeavour docks with international space station”]

During yesterday afternoon’s activities, the crew completed the inspection of the heat shield of Endeavour.

Page two discusses more of crew activities.