koi
10 Jul 08, 09:23 PM
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA has set launch dates for the remaining space shuttle missions.
NASA has decided on the target launch dates in 2009 and 2010 for the eight remaining space shuttle missions.
One flight to the Hubble space telescope, seven assembly flights to the International Space Station and two station contingency flights are planned before the shuttle retires.
Although the dates could still change, NASA hopes to finish assembly of the station and to phase out the shuttle fleet as they move toward new launch vehicles, such as Ares and Orion.
The shuttle flights in 2009 will begin on Feb. 12 with a launch of space shuttle Discovery for a 14-day mission.
The second flight of 2009 will be on May 15 with Endeavour's 23rd mission. This is a 15-day mission with five planned spacewalks. It will be delivering six new batteries for the P6 truss, a spare drive unit for the Mobile Transporter and a spare boom assembly for the Ku-band antenna.
On July 30, 2009, will be the third flight of the year. Atlantis will set sail on its 31st flight -- an 11-day mission carrying science and storage racks to the station with three planned spacewalks.
Oct. 15 marks the fourth flight of 2009 with the Discovery's 37th mission. It will be a 15-day flight with at least three spacewalks.
Endeavour will finish up 2009 on Dec. 10 with its 24th mission that will last 11 days and have at least three spacewalks.
The shuttle flights of 2010 begin on Feb. 11 with space shuttle Atlantis' 32nd mission.
On April 8, 2010, Discovery will have its 38th mission. At least three spacewalks are planned to stage spare components outside the station.
May 31 marks the third flight of 2010 and the final flight of the manifest. Endeavour's 25th mission will carry critical spare components that will be placed on the outside of the station. The mission will last 15 days and will be the 35th to the station.
NASA has decided on the target launch dates in 2009 and 2010 for the eight remaining space shuttle missions.
One flight to the Hubble space telescope, seven assembly flights to the International Space Station and two station contingency flights are planned before the shuttle retires.
Although the dates could still change, NASA hopes to finish assembly of the station and to phase out the shuttle fleet as they move toward new launch vehicles, such as Ares and Orion.
The shuttle flights in 2009 will begin on Feb. 12 with a launch of space shuttle Discovery for a 14-day mission.
The second flight of 2009 will be on May 15 with Endeavour's 23rd mission. This is a 15-day mission with five planned spacewalks. It will be delivering six new batteries for the P6 truss, a spare drive unit for the Mobile Transporter and a spare boom assembly for the Ku-band antenna.
On July 30, 2009, will be the third flight of the year. Atlantis will set sail on its 31st flight -- an 11-day mission carrying science and storage racks to the station with three planned spacewalks.
Oct. 15 marks the fourth flight of 2009 with the Discovery's 37th mission. It will be a 15-day flight with at least three spacewalks.
Endeavour will finish up 2009 on Dec. 10 with its 24th mission that will last 11 days and have at least three spacewalks.
The shuttle flights of 2010 begin on Feb. 11 with space shuttle Atlantis' 32nd mission.
On April 8, 2010, Discovery will have its 38th mission. At least three spacewalks are planned to stage spare components outside the station.
May 31 marks the third flight of 2010 and the final flight of the manifest. Endeavour's 25th mission will carry critical spare components that will be placed on the outside of the station. The mission will last 15 days and will be the 35th to the station.