SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY LANDING@ EDWARDS AFBASE,CALIFORNIA @ 8:53PM, 9-11-2009

SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY STS-128 TO LAND SEPTEMBER 11, 2009 AT
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE @ 8:53PM.

STS-128 Landing Blog SEE DETAILS BELOW PICTURES.
Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to land at 8:53 p.m. at the shuttle's backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Both landing opportunities at the shuttle's home port at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida were waved off due to weather.
Landing coverage is scheduled to begin at 3:45 p.m. The landing blog is brought to you by STS-128 Blogger Anna Heiney and originates from the NASA News Center at Kennedy.



























Time to touchdown 31 minutes. All of Discovery's systems are in good shape, and the runway approach is still under debate in mission control. With the deorbit burn complete, Sturckow and Ford next will turn Discovery into entry position, facing forward and angled slightly to allow the orbiter's underside to absorb the heat of re-entry.
It's a gorgeous afternoon at Edwards Air Force Base, according to mission control. Light winds, scattered clouds and very calm conditions will greet Discovery when it touches down on the high desert runway at 8:53 p.m
The burn is set to begin 7:47 p.m
Flight controllers are still discussing runway selection options based on winds at Edwards, but Discovery and crew are go to begin their ride home in about 36 minutes
Weather still is cooperating at the Southern California landing site. The Spaceflight Meteorology Group is evaluating the winds, and astronaut Scott Altman has been flying approaches to Runway 22 in the Shuttle Training Aircraft to judge how Discovery will handle the local conditions during landing. But overall, conditions are favorable for touchdown tonight at 8:53 p.m
The 12-inch Disney/Pixar action figure has been in space for more than a year, with most of that time spent aboard the International Space Station. He launched aboard Discovery in May 2008 along with the STS-124 crew.

Lightyear's adventure was part of NASA's Toys in Space project. In this case, it's a joint education initiative between NASA and Disney Parks to encourage students to pursue studies in science, technology and mathematics.
Deorbit targets have been loaded into Discovery's onboard computers and deorbit preparations continue smoothly today. Again, that burn is scheduled for 7:47 p.m
Astronauts also transferred seven-and-a-half tons of equipment to the station from the Leonardo supply module, including science and storage racks, a new sleeping compartment, an air purification system and a new treadmill. The Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or COLBERT, is named after TV show host Stephen Colbert
Stay with NASA's Landing Blog as the seven astronauts aboard Discovery embark on the journey home

Wheelstop: STS-128 is Complete
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:55:30 PM EDT


Discovery is safely on the ground at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Welcoming his colleagues back to Earth, CAPCOM Eric Boe congratulated the crew on their mission to step up the science on the International Space Station.

Next, the landing convoy will swarm the runway and surround Discovery as landing support personnel begin their work. It will take some time for the astronauts on board to finish their work, remove their suits and exit the orbiter to begin a round of preliminary medical checks.


Nose Gear Touchdown
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:53:42 PM EDT


All of Discovery's landing-gear tires are firmly on the ground as the shuttle finishes its roll down the three-mile-long concrete Runway 22.


Main Gear Touchdown
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:53:34 PM EDT


Discovery is speeding down Runway 22 following touchdown just moments ago at Edwards Air Force Base in California. After 5.7 million miles and 219 orbits, Discovery and crew are home.



Landing Gear Down and Locked
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:53:23 PM EDT


Only seconds until landing. Pilot Rick Sturckow has flared up Discovery's nose and Pilot Kevin Ford has deployed the shuttle's main and nose landing gear. Stand by for touchdown.


Sturkow Guides Discovery Around Heading Alignment Circle
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:50:53 PM EDT


To bring Discovery in line with the runway, Commander Sturckow is flying the shuttle through a sweeping, 213-degree overhead right-hand turn around the heading alignment circle. On final approach, Discovery will descend at an angle seven times steeper than that of a commercial airliner.


Sonic Booms Rattle the California Coast
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:50:17 PM EDT


The shuttle's trademark twin sonic booms just echoed across Edwards Air Force Base and the surrounding area, heralding space shuttle Discovery's arrival.


Air Data Probes Deployed
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:46:22 PM EDT


Two air-data probes have been released from Discovery's forward fuselage. They'll measure air pressure and temperature and feed that information to the onboard computer to use in guidance and steering.


10 minutes
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:44:08 PM EDT


Traveling seven times the speed of sound, Discovery is approaching the west coast of California.


GPS Navigation Aids Working
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:42:21 PM EDT


Discovery's Global Positioning System navigation aids are processing data perfectly. The shuttle is 33 miles in altitude and descending at a rate of 159 feet per second.


Landing Status
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:36:25 PM EDT


Now about 18 minutes to landing, Discovery is traveling almost 14,000 miles per hour. Range to touchdown 1,560 miles.


Discovery Rolls to the Left
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:29:40 PM EDT


Discovery is beginning its roll schedule with a 78-degree roll to the left designed to bleed off excess energy and slow the orbiter further. During the next several minutes, three roll reversals will follow, completing the roll schedule. Discovery's systems are performing perfectly.


Discovery Reaches Entry Interface
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:23:03 PM EDT


Discovery is beginning to encounter the first traces of Earth's atmosphere as it glides at an altitude of about 67 statute miles. About 4700 miles to touchdown. As the atmospheric pressure increases, the orbiter's aerosurfaces -- the wing elevons, body flap and rudder speed brake -- will take over steering functions.

Time to touchdown 31 minutes. All of Discovery's systems are in good shape, and the runway approach is still under debate in mission control.


Landing Update
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:20:31 PM EDT


Discovery now is traveling at an altitude of 95 statute miles. Range to touchdown 5,800 miles.



Discovery Approaching Entry Interface
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:18:08 PM EDT


Now flying southeast of New Zealand, Discovery is about to begin a southwest-to-northeast path across the Pacific Ocean as it approaches landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 8:53 p.m. Discovery will begin to encounter the effects of the atmosphere in about five minutes, a point called "entry interface."


Two Remaining APUs Activated
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:10:42 PM EDT


Pilot Kevin Ford has activated Discovery's two remaining auxiliary power units. All three of Discovery's APUs are up and running.


Forward Reaction Control System Emptied
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:07:48 PM EDT


According to plan, the remaining propellant has been dumped from Discovery's forward reaction control system jets.


STS-128 to be the 54th Shuttle Landing for Edwards
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:02:27 PM EDT


Today's space shuttle landing will be the 54th at Edwards Air Force Base. The last time Discovery landed at Edwards was Aug. 9, 2005 at the conclusion of STS-114, NASA's Return to Flight mission.


Less Than an Hour to Touchdown
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:00:40 PM EDT


Weather and winds are still being evaluated, and there's a possibility mission control will choose to change Discovery's approach to the runway. That's not unusual; Commander Sturckow would just need to reload the landing targets into the onboard computer. Now 22 minutes from entry interface and 54 minutes from touchdown. Everything looks fine aboard Discovery as it flies over the southern Indian Ocean.


Burn Complete: Discovery Officially Begins the Trip Home
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:51:17 PM EDT


Mission control confirms a good deorbit burn. Space shuttle Discovery and the seven astronauts on board are on their way to a landing at Edwards Air Force Base in the California high desert. Touchdown is scheduled for 8:53 p.m.

With the deorbit burn complete, Sturckow and Ford next will turn Discovery into entry position, facing forward and angled slightly to allow the orbiter's underside to absorb the heat of re-entry.


Deorbit Burn Begins
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:48:03 PM EDT


Discovery's orbital maneuvering system engines are firing now. This two-minute, 35-second deorbit burn will slow the orbiter's forward speed by about 267 feet per second, enough to begin its descent through the atmosphere.


Less Than Three Minutes to Go
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:45:22 PM EDT


Less than three minutes remain until Discovery's two orbital maneuvering system engines ignite for the deorbit burn. The engines are armed.


One APU Activated
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:44:14 PM EDT


Pilot Kevin Ford has activated one of Discovery's three auxiliary power units to ensure at least one operating unit for entry. The others will be activated after the deorbit burn. The APUs provide hydraulic pressure to Discovery's aerosurfaces, landing gear, main landing gear brakes and nose wheel steering.

It's a gorgeous afternoon at Edwards Air Force Base, according to mission control. Light winds, scattered clouds and very calm conditions will greet Discovery when it touches down on the high desert runway at 8:53 p.m., 5:53 p.m. Pacific time.


10 Minutes Until the Deorbit Burn
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:38:10 PM EDT


Discovery's deorbit burn will begin at 7:47 p.m., 10 minutes from now.


Landing Convoy on Standby
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:35:54 PM EDT


With Discovery and its seven astronauts on their way to Edwards, the landing convoy is moving into position. The convoy's specialized vehicles and units will line up at the runway, ready to approach the orbiter once it stops its long roll. Members of the landing convoy will safe the vehicle and help the crew out of the crew module and into their transport vehicle.


Discovery in Deorbit Burn Position
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:29:55 PM EDT


Space shuttle Discovery is in the deorbit burn position. At the time of the burn, the orbiter will be oriented upside down and backward with the its orbital maneuvering system engines facing in the direction of travel. The "retrograde" burn will effectively put the brakes on Discovery's forward momentum and begin its trek back to Earth.

The burn is set to begin 7:47 p.m.


Discovery is "Go" for the Deorbit Burn!
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:12:03 PM EDT


CAPCOM Eric Boe just informed the STS-128 crew members that they are "go" for the deorbit burn. Commander Sturckow and his crewmates are about to set out for home after nearly 14 days in space on a resupply mission to the International Space Station.

Flight controllers are still discussing runway selection options based on winds at Edwards, but Discovery and crew are go to begin their ride home in about 36 minutes.


Astronauts, Ground Teams Await Deorbit Burn Decision
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:05:13 PM EDT


In mission control, flight controllers have completed the steps in the deorbit checklist. The "go/no-go" decision for the deorbit burn is coming up. Weather at Edwards Air Force Base has stayed consistently favorable throughout the day, and Discovery and the astronauts are in great shape.


Deorbit Burn Less Than an Hour Away
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:50:10 PM EDT


Less than one hour to go until the scheduled deorbit burn to start space shuttle Discovery's descent to Edwards Air Force Base in California for touchdown at 8:53 p.m. The burn is planned for 7:47 p.m.


Strapping In for Landing
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:40:04 PM EDT


Discovery's astronauts now are fully suited and soon will begin strapping into their seats on the flight deck and middeck. Commander Sturckow will take Seat 1, in the front left of the flight deck, while Pilot Kevin Ford will be seated to Sturckow's right. Behind them on the flight deck are Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez. On the middeck below, in Seats 5, 6 and 7, are Mission Specialists Danny Olivas, Kopra and Christer Fuglesang of Sweden, who represents the European Space Agency.


Crew Begins Fluid Loading
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:37:01 PM EDT


The astronauts have received the go-ahead to begin "fluid loading." Crew members are encouraged to drink about 40 ounces of water or other fluids to help them readjust to gravity after landing.

Weather still is cooperating at the Southern California landing site. The Spaceflight Meteorology Group is evaluating the winds, and astronaut Scott Altman has been flying approaches to Runway 22 in the Shuttle Training Aircraft to judge how Discovery will handle the local conditions during landing. But overall, conditions are favorable for touchdown tonight at 8:53 p.m.


Also Coming Home on Discovery: Buzz Lightyear
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:21:35 PM EDT


Buzz Lightyear is ready for his ride back to Earth.

The 12-inch Disney/Pixar action figure has been in space for more than a year, with most of that time spent aboard the International Space Station. He launched aboard Discovery in May 2008 along with the STS-124 crew.

Lightyear's adventure was part of NASA's Toys in Space project. In this case, it's a joint education initiative between NASA and Disney Parks to encourage students to pursue studies in science, technology and mathematics.


Astronauts Suiting Up
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:14:17 PM EDT


In space, Discovery's astronauts once again are climbing into their launch-and-entry suits. The bright-orange suit, helmet and gloves provide a safe cocoon of partial pressure and breathable air to the astronaut wearing the ensemble. Deorbit preparations continue to proceed easily toward landing at Edwards Air Force Base at 8:53 p.m. on orbit 219.


Astronaut Tim Kopra Returning from Space Station
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:38:35 PM EDT


Returning to Earth aboard space shuttle Discovery is astronaut Tim Kopra, who has spent 58 days in space since his July launch to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-127 mission. Kopra served as a station flight engineer with the Expedition 20 crew until his replacement, astronaut Nicole Stott, arrived at the station aboard Discovery almost two weeks ago.


Weather Still Looking Good at Edwards
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:10:58 PM EDT


Weather is observed and forecast "go" at Edwards Air Force Base. Discovery will be greeted by light winds and benign, calm conditions upon its arrival on Runway 22 at 8:53 p.m., one hour and 10 minutes before sunset.

Deorbit targets have been loaded into Discovery's onboard computers and deorbit preparations continue smoothly today. Again, that burn is scheduled for 7:47 p.m.


Resupply Mission Highlighted by Three Spacewalks
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:54:27 PM EDT


The STS-128 mission began with a flawless launch Aug. 28, just a few seconds before midnight. Discovery's flight capped a smooth prelaunch countdown and set the stage for a busy itinerary in orbit. With Commander Sturckow at the controls, Discovery docked with the International Space Station at 8:54 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. During the mission's three spacewalks, astronauts replaced experiments outside the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, installed a new ammonia tank and removed a spent tank.

Astronauts also transferred seven-and-a-half tons of equipment to the station from the Leonardo supply module, including science and storage racks, a new sleeping compartment, an air purification system and a new treadmill. The Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or COLBERT, is named after TV show host Stephen Colbert.


'Go' for Ops 3 Transition
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:36:21 PM EDT


Flight Director Richard Jones just polled his team and the Discovery astronauts have been given the "go" to transition the onboard computers to the deorbit and entry flight software package known as OPS 3. The payload bay doors are closed. Weather in the Mojave Desert continues to be favorable for landing, according to observations reported by astronaut Scott Altman, who continues to monitor weather at the landing site.


'Go' for Payload Bay Door Closing
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:15:04 PM EDT


Discovery's 60-foot-long payload bay doors soon will be closed in preparation for tonight's landing, safely sealing the Italian-built Leonardo supply module inside the bay. Once this deorbit prep milestone is out of the way, the crew will wait a while longer to begin suiting up and strapping in.


Flight Director Richard Jones Leads Today's Landing Effort
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:01:13 PM EDT


Led by Flight Director Richard Jones, flight controllers have been on console since 11 a.m. Today's spacecraft communicator, or CAPCOM, is astronaut Eric Boe. The weather flight director is Tony Ceccacci, and astronaut Chris Ferguson is serving as weather CAPCOM. In addition to the Houston-based Spaceflight Meteorology Group, additional observations are provided by astronaut Scott "Scooter" Altman, who is flying weather reconnaissance at Edwards using a T-38 training jet and the Shuttle Training Aircraft.


Space Shuttle Discovery to Land at Edwards Air Force Base
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:45:06 PM EDT


After two weeks in orbit, space shuttle Discovery and the STS-128 crew are set to land today at the shuttle's backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 8:53 p.m., or 5:53 p.m. for those in the Pacific time zone. Unstable and uncooperative weather prevented Discovery's return to its home port at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida during the past two days. Meanwhile, weather is perfect for landing today at Edwards.

Stay with NASA's Landing Blog as the seven astronauts aboard Discovery embark on the journey home