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NASA alters space shuttle launch schedule
By MARY ALYS CHERRY
After assessing the recent damage to its facilities in Florida, NASA has adjusted the launch dates for the two remaining 2008 space shuttle missions.
And, for the first time in seven years, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at Kennedy Space Center.
Space Shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope is scheduled for Oct. 10 with Endeavour's STS-126 supply mission to the International Space Station moved to Nov. 12.
Atlantis is on Launch Pad 39A and Endeavour completed the 4.2 mile journey to Launch Pad 39B Friday.
Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during Atlantis' Hubble mission.
After it is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for its ISS mission.
Scott Altman is commander of STS-125, which will launch at 11:33 p.m. CDT Friday, Oct. 10. The 11-day flight will include five spacewalks to repair and upgrade the Hubble telescope.
It will return Oct. 20, landing at approximately 9:23 p.m. Gregory C. Johnson is serving as pilot and mission specialists include veteran spacewalkers John Grunsfeld and Mike Massimino.
Three other mission specialists, Andrew Feustel, Michael Good and Megan McArthur, will be making their first space flight.
Chris Ferguson will command STS-126, the 15-day Endeavour mission to supply the space station and carry NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus to replace Greg Chamitoff as the Expedition 18 crew member.
Chamitoff will return to Earth after five months in space.
Endeavour lifts off at 7:43 p.m. CDT Nov. 12 with its return landing planned for 2:45 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, the space agency said after shuttle managers met to access the situation. Other crew members are Pilot Eric Boe, and Mission Specialists Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn Piper, Donald Pettit, Magnus and Chamitoff.
And, for the first time in seven years, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at Kennedy Space Center.
Space Shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope is scheduled for Oct. 10 with Endeavour's STS-126 supply mission to the International Space Station moved to Nov. 12.
Atlantis is on Launch Pad 39A and Endeavour completed the 4.2 mile journey to Launch Pad 39B Friday.
Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during Atlantis' Hubble mission.
After it is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for its ISS mission.
Scott Altman is commander of STS-125, which will launch at 11:33 p.m. CDT Friday, Oct. 10. The 11-day flight will include five spacewalks to repair and upgrade the Hubble telescope.
It will return Oct. 20, landing at approximately 9:23 p.m. Gregory C. Johnson is serving as pilot and mission specialists include veteran spacewalkers John Grunsfeld and Mike Massimino.
Three other mission specialists, Andrew Feustel, Michael Good and Megan McArthur, will be making their first space flight.
Chris Ferguson will command STS-126, the 15-day Endeavour mission to supply the space station and carry NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus to replace Greg Chamitoff as the Expedition 18 crew member.
Chamitoff will return to Earth after five months in space.
Endeavour lifts off at 7:43 p.m. CDT Nov. 12 with its return landing planned for 2:45 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, the space agency said after shuttle managers met to access the situation. Other crew members are Pilot Eric Boe, and Mission Specialists Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn Piper, Donald Pettit, Magnus and Chamitoff.
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