Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani successfully completed the second spacewalk of the STS-120 mission at 12:05 p.m. EDT Sunday.

Parazynski and Tani completed preparations for the relocation of the P6 truss segment early in the spacewalk. Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson and Doug Wheelock used the station robotic arm to remove the P6. They placed the solar array section in a temporary holding position for Sunday night before they hand it off to the shuttle’s robotic arm Monday morning.

Tani performed a couple of inspections requested by mission managers. He photographed the handrail on the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid cart, but he did not note any apparent sharp edges. While inspecting a rotary joint used to rotate solar arrays he noticed metal shavings and unusual wear on a race ring. The joint has been showing some increased friction lately, and engineers are analyzing potential causes.

The next spacewalk is scheduled to take place Tuesday. Parazynski and Wheelock will team up to assist with robotic arm attachment of the P6 truss in its new location on P5.

During a post-Mission Management Team interview, mission managers announced that Discovery’s thermal protection system, or heat shield, is cleared for landing.

In Harmony:

Astronauts Peggy Whitson (left) and Paolo Nespoli enter the Harmony module for the first time. They are wearing goggles and masks to avoid contact with possible floating debris in the new module. The STS-120 crew delivered Harmony to the International Space Station and it was installed during the mission’s first spacewalk. NASA photo.

The STS-120 and Expedition 16 crews entered the Harmony module for the first time at 8:24 a.m EDT after Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli and Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson opened the hatches. Harmony will provide the docking ports for new research laboratories from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The laboratories will be delivered to the station on upcoming shuttle missions.

The crews are also preparing for Sunday’s spacewalk, the second of the mission. The spacewalk will be conducted by Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani. To prepare, they will do an overnight “campout” in the station’s airlock.

STS-120’s First Spacewalk:

Mission Specialist Doug Wheelock rides the end of the International Space Station’s robotic arm into Discovery’s payload bay during the first spacewalk of STS-120. NASA photo.

STS-120 Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski and Doug Wheelock kicked off STS-120’s first spacewalk at 6:02 a.m. EDT on Thursday to prepare Harmony for removal from Discovery’s payload bay.

Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli served as the spacewalk coordinator, assisting the spacewalkers with their tasks from inside the spacecraft. Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson and Clay Anderson and Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani were at the controls of the station’s Canadian-built robotic arm.

It proved to be a perfect day for a spacewalk.

In just over six hours, Parazynski and Wheelock installed the Harmony module in its temporary location on the International Space Station, readied the P6 truss for its relocation on Sunday, retrieved a failed radio communications antenna and snapped shut a window cover on Harmony that opened during launch on the space shuttle.

Kicking off the excursion, the spacewalkers removed and stowed the S-band Antenna Structural Assembly. They also secured a Payload and Data Grapple Fixture onto Harmony that could not be in place during launch, removed contamination covers and disconnected the power cables linking Harmony to Discovery.

The astronauts plan to enter Harmony for the first time at 8:03 a.m. Saturday after Mission Specialist Paolo Nespoli and Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson open the hatches. The stations newest pressurized module adds 2,666 cubic feet of volume, increasing the stations living space by nearly 20 percent (from 15,000 to 17,666 cubic feet).

Mission managers today determined a focused inspection of Discoverys heat shield is not necessary Saturday following detailed review of the imagery gathered over the last two days. The Mission Management Team declared the shuttles Thermal Protection System is cleared for reentry. A routine final inspection focusing on the wing leading edges is planned for late in the mission.

Station managers also decided to add a 360-degree visual inspection of the stations starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) during the second spacewalk on Sunday. The SARJ has shown increased friction for the past month and a half. Though the increase is not constant and averages less than a tenth of an amp, managers decided to add the inspection because the spacewalkers will be near the joint.

During the spacewalk, astronauts will remove the multi-layer insulation covers on the joint to better see the swing bolts beneath and document their inspection with photographs.

Harmony will be relocated to the front of the Destiny laboratory after the shuttle departs. It will provide the docking ports for laboratory modules from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency that are to arrive late this year and early next year. Outfitting of the stations newest module will continue throughout the mission.

Space Shuttle Discovery and the STS-120 crew arrived at the International Space Station at 8:40 a.m. EDT, delivering a new module and crew member to the orbital outpost.

The STS-120 astronauts and the station’s Expedition 16 crew will conduct pressure and leak checks before the hatches between the two spacecraft open about 10:30 a.m. After the crews greet each other, they will quickly begin joint operations.

One of the first major tasks is the station crew rotation. STS-120 Mission Specialist Daniel Tani will switch places with Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson, who will be wrapping up a four-month tour of duty as an Expedition crew member. Tani is scheduled to stay on the station until he returns to Earth with STS-122 later this year.

Tani will officially become a member of Expedition 16 when his custom-made seat liner is swapped out with Anderson’s in the Soyuz spacecraft docked to the station.

Also, preparations will begin today for the first of five scheduled STS-120 spacewalks. It is set to kick off at 6:28 a.m. Friday.

The seven-member crew of STS-120 on board Space Shuttle Discovery is ready for Thursday’s rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station.

The STS-120 crew members completed Wednesday’s scheduled inspections of Space Shuttle Discovery’s heat shield before noon EDT. They used Discovery’s robotic arm and an attached boom extension to check the spacecraft’s underside, nose cap and leading edges of the wings as well as hard to reach shuttle surfaces.

The inspections are performed to check if any damage occurred to the heat shield during the climb to orbit that began when Discovery lifted off Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Over the next few days, engineers and flight controllers will analyze the data collected by the STS-120 crew.

Throughout the day, the crew prepared for Thursday’s arrival at the International Space Station. The day’s activities included the extension of the shuttle’s docking ring and the check out of tools they will use to rendezvous and link up with the station. Docking is scheduled to occur at 8:33 a.m. Thursday.

Earlier Wednesday, the STS-120 crew checked out spacesuits to be used during the mission’s five scheduled spacewalks at the space station. One of the major objectives of the spacewalks is the temporary installation of the station’s newest component, the Node 2 module, also known as Harmony. In addition, the crew will relocate the station’s P6 truss and solar arrays.

STS-120 is also delivering a new crew member to the station.

The STS-120 crew is busy during its first day in orbit, inspecting Space Shuttle Discovery’s heat shield and preparing for Thursday’s arrival at the International Space Station.

Crew members started the heat shield inspections at 6:39 a.m. EDT. They are using the 50-foot-long Orbiter Boom Sensor System, attached to Discovery’s robotic arm, to check the spacecraft’s nose cap and leading edges of the wings. The inspections are slated to wrap up around noon.

The inspections are being conducted to see if any damage occurred to the heat shield during the climb to orbit that began when Discovery lifted off Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Over the next few days, engineers and flight controllers will analyze the data collected by the STS-120 crew.

The preparations for Thursday’s activities include the extension of the shuttle’s docking ring and the check out of tools they will use to rendezvous and link up with the station. Discovery and its crew will arrive at the station at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

The check out of spacesuits is also on today’s schedule. The STS-120 crew will use the spacesuits during the mission’s five scheduled spacewalks at the space station. One of the major objectives of the spacewalks is the temporary installation of the station’s newest component, the Node 2 module, also known as Harmony. In addition, the crew will relocate the station’s P6 truss and solar arrays.

STS-120 is also delivering a new crew member to the station.

By Marc S. Posner
SOAR Magazine

Discovery Blasts Off:

Space Shuttle Discovery soared off it’s Florida launch pad on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, beginning STS-120, which will deliver the Harmony module to the International Space Station. The mission marks the first time two women have commanded space missions at the same time. NASA photo.

The space shuttle Discovery maximized it’s first launch opportunity to soar off its Florida launch pad and reach orbit this morning, further diminishing the glass ceiling as — for the first time ever — two women are commanding space missions at the same time.

Pam Melroy leads the STS-120 crew. On Friday, Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson assumed leadership of the International Space Station, the first female to hold that post. Melroy, who has flown two missions as a shuttle pilot, is the second woman to command a shuttle mission.

Discovery, on a mission to deliver the Harmony module to ISS, is scheduled to arrive at the orbiting outpost on Thursday.

Tuesday morning’s launch came at 11:38 a.m. EDT, on time despite concerns about ice formation on the external tank and early fears that the good weather might not hold long enough.

“Three… two… one… and liftoff of space shuttle Discovery carrying the seven STS-120 astronauts! The shuttle has cleared the launch tower, beginning its mission to bring Harmony to the International Space Station,” came the call from NASA’s launch commentator.

Joining Commander Melroy on STS-120 are Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Daniel Tani and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency. Tani will remain aboard the station and return with the STS-122 crew, which is targeted to launch Dec. 6. Current Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson will return to Earth on Discovery after nearly five months on the station.

During the 14-day mission to the International Space Station, Discovery’s crew will add the Node 2 module to the expanding station. Node 2, known as Harmony, will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules to be installed later this year and early in 2008, respectively.

The Harmony module will be the first expansion of the living and working space on the station since 2001.

The Discovery crew also will move the station’s Port 6 segment of the station’s backbone, or truss, and its solar arrays to a permanent position at the very end of the left side of the truss. The flight will include five spacewalks.

The 14-day mission’s five spacewalks are comprised of four by shuttle crew members and one by the station’s Expedition 16 crew. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home to the Kennedy Space Center at 4:47 a.m. EST on November 6.

The weather forecast for Tuesday continues to pose a threat to NASA’s launch plans. Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters reported that the seabreeze could begin developing by the 11:38 a.m. EDT launch time. There is a 60-percent chance that cumulus clouds, showers and a low cloud ceiling could keep Discovery grounded.

Otherwise, the countdown to launch of space shuttle Discovery on the STS-120 mission is proceeding smoothly at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Test Director Steve Payne announced at Monday morning’s countdown status briefing.

“At this point in the count, we’re on schedule, our systems are all good and we’re in great shape,” Payne said, adding that the launch team is not tracking any technical issues.

Because launch times are earlier each day, the forecast improves slightly for Wednesday and Thursday, with a 40-percent probability of weather prohibiting liftoff.

Discovery’s crew of seven astronauts arrived in Florida on Friday and have been going through final checklists and preparations for Tuesday’s liftoff.

Discovery is scheduled to return to Kennedy’s Shuttle Landing Facility at 4:47 a.m. Nov. 6.

Discovery Ready for STS-120 Mission:

Space Shuttle Discovery is at the launch pad for mission STS-120. The countdown began at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 20 with launche planned for 11:38 a.m. on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. NASA photo

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has started the launch countdown for space shuttle Discovery’s STS-120 mission. The clock began ticking at 2 p.m. EDT today (Saturday, October 20, 2007) at T-43 hours. The countdown includes 26 hours and 38 minutes of built-in hold time leading to a preferred launch time of approximately 11:38 a.m. on Tuesday, October 23. The launch window extends an additional five minutes.

The mission is commanded by Pam Melroy. Melroy, along with Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, will become the first women to command missions at the same time. Whitson became the ISS commander on Friday. Melroy served as pilot on two flights ( STS-92 in 2000 and STS-112 in 2002), and has logged over 562 hours in space.

Joining Commander Melroy on STS-120 will be Pilot George Zamka and Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Daniel Tani and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency. Tani will remain aboard the station and return with the STS-122 crew, which is targeted to launch Dec. 6. Current Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson will return to Earth on Discovery after nearly five months on the station.

During the 14-day mission to the International Space Station, Discovery’s crew will add the Node 2 module to the expanding station. Node 2, known as Harmony, will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules to be installed later this year and early in 2008, respectively.

The Harmony module will be the first expansion of the living and working space on the station since 2001.

The Discovery crew also will move the station’s Port 6 segment of the station’s backbone, or truss, and its solar arrays to a permanent position at the very end of the left side of the truss. The flight will include five spacewalks.

On Tuesday (October 16, 2007) NASA senior managers completed a detailed review of space shuttle Discovery’s readiness for flight and selected Oct. 23 as the official launch date.

Tuesday’s meeting included a discussion about concerns raised by the NASA Engineering and Safety Center regarding the reinforced carbon carbon on three of Discovery’s wing leading edge panels. This issue initially was brought before the Space Shuttle Program during a two-day, preliminary review held last week to assess preparations for Discovery’s mission.

“After a thorough discussion and review of all current engineering analysis, we have determined that Discovery’s panels do not need to be replaced before the mission,” said Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, who chaired Tuesday’s meeting.

The 14-day mission’s five spacewalks are comprised of four by shuttle crew members and one by the station’s Expedition 16 crew. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home to the Kennedy Space Center at 4:47 a.m. EST on November 6.

ISS Commander Peggy Whitson:

Astronaut Peggy Whitson became the first female commander of an International Space Station Mission on Friday, October 19, 2007. NASA photo

WASHINGTON - NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson yesterday began her tenure as the first woman to command an International Space Station mission.

Whitson, Soyuz Commander and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Malaysian Spaceflight Participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor docked their Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft to the station at 10:50 a.m. EDT on October 12, . The crew launched two days earlier from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Whitson officially became the station commander after a ceremony Friday, October 19, at approximately 3:15 p.m. EDT. This change of command event marked the formal handover of the station to Whitson and Malenchenko, just days before the Expedition 15 crew members and Shukor depart.

“I think it’s special that I get the opportunity to play that role,” Whitson said when asked about being the first woman station commander. “But I think it’s also special to have an opportunity to demonstrate how many other women also work at NASA.”

Another female astronaut, space shuttle Discovery Commander Pam Melroy, will reach another milestone in late October when she and her crew arrive at the station. It will mark the first time two women have led space missions at the same time.

To familiarize themselves with station systems and procedures, Expedition 16’s Whitson and Malenchenko will conduct more than a week of handover activities with Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov and Expedition 15 and 16 Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson. Whitson and two other crew members will perform three spacewalks during Expedition 16 to prepare the station for the activation of the Harmony node. The Expedition 16 spacewalks also will prepare for the relocations of Harmony and Pressurized Mating Adapter-2, a docking port.

This is Whitson’s second six-month rotation aboard the orbiting complex. She previously served as a flight engineer on Expedition 5 in 2002, when she became NASA’s first station science officer, conducting 21 investigations in human and life sciences. During that mission, she also used the station’s robotic arm to help add two truss segments to the station’s backbone and performed a spacewalk to install debris shielding.

Whitson was born and raised in Iowa, where at an early age she was inspired by the men who walked on the moon. “I thought ‘what a cool job!”

She decided she wanted to fly in space after graduating from high school, which was the same year they picked the first set of female astronauts. Whitson knew she wanted to work for NASA, if not as an astronaut, then as a scientist.

Whitson received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1981 and a doctorate in biochemistry from Rice University in 1985. From 1989 to 1993, Whitson worked as a research biochemist in the Biomedical Operations and Research Branch at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. For the next several years, she held a number of senior positions within NASA until her selection as an astronaut in 1996.

When Whitson returns home in April 2008, she will hold yet another distinction, that of having spent more time in space than any other woman.