SAFE LANDING OF SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR STS 130 MISSION FEBRUARY 22, 2010

Space Shuttle Landing Coverage STS-130 Landing Blog FEBRUARY 22, 2010


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour lands in darkness on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida after 14 days in space, completing the 5.7-million-mile STS-130 mission to the International Space Station on orbit 217. Main gear touchdown was at 10:20:31 p.m. EST followed by nose gear touchdown at 10:20:39 p.m. and wheels stop at 10:22:10 p.m. It was the 23rd night landing in shuttle history and the 17th at Kennedy. Aboard are Commander George Zamka; Pilot Terry Virts; and Mission Specialists Robert Behnken, Nicholas Patrick, Kathryn Hire and Stephen Robinson. During Endeavour's STS-130 mission, astronauts installed the Tranquility node, a module that provides additional room for crew members and many of the station's life support and environmental control systems. Attached to Tranquility is a cupola with seven windows that provide a panoramic view of Earth, celestial objects and visiting spacecraft. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency. The orbiting laboratory is approximately 90 percent complete now in terms of mass. STS-130 was the 24th flight for Endeavour, the 32nd shuttle mission devoted to ISS assembly and maintenance, and the 130th shuttle mission to date. For information on the STS-130 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts130. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell

Space shuttle Endeavour landed Sunday night at 10:20 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Blogger Steve Siceloff followed the entry and landing milestones from the Air Traffic Control Tower at the Shuttle Landing Facility as the orbiter and its crew of six astronauts came back to Earth.

The crew of STS-130 returned from space after about 14 days in orbit. The shuttle also was considerably lighter when it landed since its main payload, the Tranquility node and windowed cupola, were attached to the International Space Station during the flight. Commander George Zamka and Pilot Terry Virst were at Endeavour's controls as the shuttle glided to the Kennedy runway.

NOTE: All times are posted in Eastern. Timestamps appear in your local time.
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LANDING BLOG COVERAGE TIMELINE.

The shuttle will be taken to its processing hangar in a few hours. Meanwhile, preparations are already well under way for mission STS-131, targeted to lift off April 5.

Good night from the Shuttle Landing Facility and Kennedy Space Center!
Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:40:51 GMT
"We're safe on deck here at Kennedy Space Center and that's due to the work of a lot of people," STS-130 mission Commander George Zamka said. "And Endeavour, oh my goodness, what a perfect machine."

"What a phenomenal flight that we had," Pilot Terry Virts said.

For Kathryn "Kay" Hire, the landing marked a return to her original NASA work location. Hire served as an shuttle engineer in several capacities before joining the astronaut corps.

"Thanks so much for the great weather here," she said, "Thanks again for providing us such a wonderful spacecraft and I hope we didn't beat it up too much."

Zamka outlined his crew's first task: "We're going to start getting used to life on Earth again."]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:25:14 GMT Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:01:50 GMT Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:27:10 GMT Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:23:26 GMT Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:05:45 GMT Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:53:12 GMT Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:30:33 GMT
The shuttle made 217 orbits of Earth since launching on Feb. 8. Endeavour covered about 5,750,000 miles during the flight.

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:25:18 GMT
So what's it like inside? Well, it's pretty dark. There is a glow in the tower from the computer monitors and radar readings. Naturally, it's dark so the controllers can see what's going on outside. There's a lot of energy tonight as the controllers work with astronaut Chris Ferguson, who is flying weather reconnaissance in a Shuttle Training Aircraft, talk with mission control in Houston and coordinate other landing-related activity near the runway.


Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:39:32 GMT
Tonight's landing blog originates from inside the Air Traffic Control Tower at the Shuttle Landing Facility as we await Endeavour's return. We are at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Florida's Atlantic coast, which is the shuttle's primary landing site. We'll bring you a bit of the atmosphere from here as the night unfolds Landing Blog Concludes for STS-130

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:40:51 AM EST

With Endeavour on the runway here at Kennedy and the astronauts heading to the Astronaut Crew Quarters, we will wrap up the landing blog for STS-130. The mission added the "Tranquility" module to the International Space Station along with a seven-windowed cupola that allows unprecedented views of Earth and space.

The shuttle will be taken to its processing hangar in a few hours. Meanwhile, preparations are already well under way for mission STS-131, targeted to lift off April 5.
Good night from the Shuttle Landing Facility and Kennedy Space Center!

Astronauts Rave About Mission, Shuttle
Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:25:14 AM EST

The six crew members who spent about two weeks on space shuttle Endeavour and at the International Space Station celebrated their successful mission as they surveyed their spacecraft. They also spoke about their mission before heading back to the Astronaut Crew Quarters here at Kennedy.

"We're safe on deck here at Kennedy Space Center and that's due to the work of a lot of people," STS-130 mission Commander George Zamka said. "And Endeavour, oh my goodness, what a perfect machine."

"What a phenomenal flight that we had," Pilot Terry Virts said.

For Kathryn "Kay" Hire, the landing marked a return to her original NASA work location. Hire served as an shuttle engineer in several capacities before joining the astronaut corps.

"Thanks so much for the great weather here," she said, "Thanks again for providing us such a wonderful spacecraft and I hope we didn't beat it up too much."

Zamka outlined his crew's first task: "We're going to start getting used to life on Earth again."

Astronauts Walk Around Endeavour
Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:01:50 AM EST

Commander George Zamka is leading his crew during the walk around beneath the shuttle. This is a victory lap of sorts for shuttle crews as they visit with NASA officials, including Charles Bolden, the agency administrator, and Bob Cabana, Kennedy's director. The astronauts will look over the heat shield and landing gear as they move around under the shuttle.

Control Tower Crew Overseeing Post-Landing
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:27:10 PM EST

The air traffic controllers here in the tower at the Shuttle Landing Facility are continuing to watch over Endeavour and the group of vehicles servicing it. The controllers handle traffic moving onto and from the runway during the servicing work.

Astronauts Leave Endeavour
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:23:26 PM EST

All six of Endeavour's astronauts have left the shuttle and are inside the Crew Transport Vehicle at the Shuttle Landing Facility. They will leave the CTV shortly for a quick walk around beneath the shuttle.

Endeavour lit up on SLF
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:05:45 PM EST

The shuttle has a host of lights focused on it tonight as technicians swarm around the spacecraft following a successful, on-time landing about 40 minutes ago. Two astronauts have left the orbiter and are inside the Crew Transport Vehicle. The CTV is a converted version of the "people-movers" used at some airports to take passengers between terminals.

Endeavour Leaves Station with New Room, Window
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:53:12 PM EST

The shuttle's return marks the successful completion of the STS-130 mission that added the "Tranquility" module to the International Space Station, along with a one-of-a-kind windowed cupola that often has been compared to a bay window for the orbiting laboratory. With the addition, the station's mass is about 800,000 pounds, easily the largest spacecraft ever flown. In fact, it's mass far exceeds the weight of NASA's three orbiters combined.

Recovery Process Begins
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:30:33 PM EST

Teams of specialists here at Kennedy have driven onto the Shuttle Landing Facility where they will help the astronauts leave the shuttle and get the spacecraft ready to be rolled back to its hangar next to the Vehicle Assembly Building.

A Round-and-Round Trip
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:25:18 PM EST

"It's great to be home," Endeavour Commander George Zamka radioed after landing. "It was a great adventure."

The shuttle made 217 orbits of Earth since launching on Feb. 8. Endeavour covered about 5,750,000 miles during the flight.

Endeavour Lands!
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:21:32 PM EST

Space shuttle Endeavour has landed at Kennedy!

Final Approach
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:20:21 PM EST

Endeavour is in line with Kennedy's runway. Touch down coming up.

Sonic Booms
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:18:10 PM EST

Endeavour shook Kennedy with its tell-tale twin sonic booms. Three minutes to touch down. Zamka is flying the shuttle.

Five Minutes
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:16:01 PM EST

Endeavour is five minutes from landing.

150 miles
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:14:58 PM EST

Endeavour is gliding at about 3,400 mph through the Florida skies. It is about 150 miles from touch down at 10:20 p.m.

Endeavour Over Florida
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:12:37 PM EST

Endeavour is passing to the west of Lake Okeechobee as it heads to Kennedy.

10 Minutes to Landing
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:10:47 PM EST

Endeavour is now 10 minutes from the Shuttle Landing Facility here at Kennedy. The controllers in the Air Traffic Control Tower are coordinating the convoy of support vehicles and watching over the surrounding airspace and the runway.

Roll Reversal
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:08:07 PM EST

Commander George Zamka is steering Endeavour through a roll reversal now, turning it onto a path leading to Kennedy. A long convoy of vans, truck and a few huge, specialized machines are waiting beside the runway to move in and "safe" the shuttle after it lands.

Roll Maneuver
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:58:21 PM EST

Endeavour Commander George Zamka is steering the shuttle through the first roll to slow the orbiter as it weaves through the atmosphere. The move is often compared to a skier digging his edges into the snow. He will make another sweeping turn in a few minutes.

Runway 15
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:54:35 PM EST

Endeavour's landing pattern calls for it to touch down on runway 15. That means the shuttle will land from the northwest heading southeast. The Shuttle Landing Facility has one long landing strip, but it is numbered as if it were two runways, denoting the approach direction. An approach from the southeast is called as runway 33.

Entry Interface
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:51:22 PM EST

Endeavour is encountering the first layers of the denser atmosphere. The air heats up quickly around the shuttle and forms a plasma. The shuttle's heat shield protects the spacecraft from the intense heat during this phase. Endeavour is over the South Pacific Ocean, going Mach 25. It will quickly slow as it continues falling into thickening air. Endeavour’s three auxiliary power units are running now. They provide the power to move the shuttle’s elevons, rudder and speedbrake. Those are the mechanisms that steer the shuttle like an airplane inside the atmosphere. In space, the shuttle uses a network of small thrusters to maneuver.

Seating Assignments
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:28:34 PM EST

As commander, astronaut George Zamka is in the front of Endeavour's flight deck in the left-hand seat and has access to dozens of switches and the control stick. Opposite of him, Pilot Terry Virts has a similar suite of instruments around him and a control stick of his own. Zamka and Virts can fly the shuttle from their positions. Behind them, Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson is serving as the flight engineer, sitting behind the commander and pilot in a seat positioned between them. Mission Specialist Kathryn "Kay" Hire is sitting behind Virts. On the lower level, Mission Specialists Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick are positioned in their seats. They can hear the transmissions back and forth, but don't have a window they can watch things through. The small circular window on the hatch is too far behind them to be of much use. Don't feel too bad for them, though. They were the spacewalkers for this flight, so they had some of the best views imaginable.

Stage Set for 10:20 p.m. Landing
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:20:48 PM EST

With the deorbit burn complete, Endeavour is on pace to land at 10:20 p.m. at Kennedy.

Deorbit Burn Complete
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:18:44 PM EST

The twin orbital maneuvering system engines fired as planned and Endeavour has begun its return to Earth. The orbiter is 218 miles over the planet near Indonesia. The shuttle will approach Florida from the southwest, flying over Naples on its way to Kennedy.

Endeavour Crew Lining up for Deorbit Burn
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:13:50 PM EST

The six astronauts inside Endeavour are in their seats and the shuttle is maneuvered so it is flying backward in relation to Earth with its payload bay facing the Earth. The OMS engines will ignite long enough to slow the shuttle's speed by about 200 mph. After the engines are shut off, Commander George Zamka will push the orbiter's nose over so the shuttle's heat shield is facing the planet.

Deorbit Burn at 9:15
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:58:06 PM EST

Endeavour will begin the deorbit burn at 9:15 p.m. The shuttle's two orbital maneuvering system engines will fire for about 2 1/2 minutes and slow Endeavour down by about 200 mph, just enough to let Earth's gravity pull it into the atmosphere for entry. The process is called "deorbit burn" because it takes the shuttle out of orbit.

"Go" for De-Orbit Burn
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:52:24 PM EST

Flight Director Norm Knight has given a thumbs-up to land Endeavour here at Kennedy Space Center tonight. Capcom Rick Sturckow, who most recently commanded the STS-128 mission, radioed Endeavour commander George Zamka that he has been cleared to bring the shuttle home. The call sets up a careful series of steps for Zamka and his crew as they set themselves up for the entry and landing.

The Scene Inside the Tower
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:39:32 PM EST

In a rare look at Kennedy's inner workings during landing, we have been granted access to the Air Traffic Control Tower at the Shuttle Landing Facility for Endeavour's entry and landing tonight. The tower is located beside the runway and reaches about 100 feet above the SLF. The vantage point allows the controllers here to look over aircraft and spacecraft as they approach the runway, along with the recovery convoy and any other service vehicles.
So what's it like inside? Well, it's pretty dark. There is a glow in the tower from the computer monitors and radar readings. Naturally, it's dark so the controllers can see what's going on outside. There's a lot of energy tonight as the controllers work with astronaut Chris Ferguson, who is flying weather reconnaissance in a Shuttle Training Aircraft, talk with mission control in Houston and coordinate other landing-related activity near the runway.

Good evening from the Shuttle Landing Facility!
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:30:40 PM EST

Forecasters are watching a layer of clouds above Kennedy to determine whether they violate landing rules. Capcom Rick "CJ" Sturckow told Endeavour's crew that conditions here look "promising." A final call has not been made, but the crew is on pace for a landing at 10:20 p.m. We'll let you know when the decision is made. Astronaut Chris Ferguson took off in the Shuttle Training Aircraft about 20 minutes ago and is taking an up-close look at the cloud deck.
Tonight's landing blog originates from inside the Air Traffic Control Tower at the Shuttle Landing Facility as we await Endeavour's return. We are at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Florida's Atlantic coast, which is the shuttle's primary landing site. We'll bring you a bit of the atmosphere from here as the night unfolds.

Landing Coverage Coming up at 8:30
Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:35:26 PM EST

NASA's Landing Blog begins at 8:30 tonight to track the entry and landing for space shuttle Endeavour. The first opportunity comes at 10:20 p.m. for a landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The biggest hurdle tonight is the weather, which is forecast "no-go" at this point because of a layer of clouds about 6,000 feet above the runway. However, astronaut Chris Ferguson said during his weather reconnaissance flights that he could see through the cloud layer, so there is some optimism. So as the weather decisions unfold here tonight, we will let you know what those decisions are and some of the thinking behind them. See you at 8:30!

Landing Coverage Begins Sunday Night
Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:00:32 PM EST

Join us Sunday beginning at 8:30 p.m. EST for continuous live coverage of the return of space shuttle Endeavour and its crew of six astronauts. Our coverage will include a look back at the STS-130 mission that saw the module "Tranquility" and a windowed cupola that lets the station crew members look at the world from a perch unlike any other.

Space shuttle Endeavour due to launch @ 4.39 AM FEBRUARY 7,2010

Launch was scrubbed. Read below. Will try about this time tomorrow again.

Space Shuttle Endeavour sits on the launching pad ready to go @ 4:39 AM if the weather holds. Read launch blog below.



SCRUB!
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:31:57 AM EST

Endeavour will remain on the ground this morning after dynamic weather prompted the launch team to stand down for this attempt.

"We were just not comfortable with launching the shuttle tonight," Launch Director Mike Leinbach radioed to Endeavour.

The closeout crew will return to the pad to help the astronauts unstrap from their seats and leave the shuttle.

Last Night Launch on the Schedule
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:12:45 AM EST

This morning's launch is the last scheduled night launch of the Space Shuttle Program. The solid rocket boosters' white and orange flames light up the space center almost instantly. You could read a book by the light of the exhaust. As the shuttle rises, the brilliance extends out to other parts of the coast. The bright light also makes the shuttle easy to track as it arcs over the horizon into space. People as far north as Nova Scotia have reported seeing the shuttle head into the sky during a night launch. So if you're on the fence about whether to go out and have a look, get off the fence and go! Well, at launch time that is.

Weather Improving
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:08:37 AM EST

The launch team is cautiously optimistic that the weather conditions will improve as we get closer to launch time. The weather conditions are currently "green," which means they are within limits. Astronaut Chris Ferguson continues firsthand evaluations as he flies weather reconnaissance aboard the Shuttle Training Aircraft.

Countdown Enters Last Built-in Hold
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:45:14 AM EST

T-9 minutes and holding . . . The countdown paused as planned this morning in the last planned hold of the launch process. This hold lasts 45 minutes and allows the launch team and flight controllers to give their final readiness checks before proceeding with launch.

As they've been doing all morning, the launch team will look closely at expected weather conditions at launch time before deciding whether to go ahead with the countdown.

Countdown Resumes on Schedule
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:34:36 AM EST

The countdown clocks are moving again, ticking backward from T-20 minutes. Weather remains the concern for preventing a launch at 4:39 a.m.

Weather Goes Red
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:25:45 AM EST

The cloud ceiling forecasters have been watching tonight and this morning has moved over Kennedy Space Center and launch weather is now "red," or “no-go.” Launch procedures continue to move ahead and the countdown has entered a planned hold at T-20 minutes. There are no technical issues.

Endeavour's Hatch Closed and Locked
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:15:15 AM EST

Technicians closed the hatch on the side of Endeavour in one of the milestones before launch. A leak check was performed to make sure the spacecraft is sealed correctly for flight. The hatch is designed so the astronauts inside the shuttle can still get out quickly on their own in an emergency. From this point, the closeout crew will make final preps to the White Room before they leave the launch pad.

The countdown is moving ahead as scheduled for a 4:39 a.m. launch, but many eyes are following a line of low clouds expected to move in. The chance for acceptable conditions remains at 30 percent.

Closeout Crew Processing White Room
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:44:03 AM EST

The technicians who helped the astronauts get set inside Endeavour have taken all their materials out of Endeavour and will soon close the hatch. The closeout crew carefully inventory everything that goes into the shuttle during the strap-in work so they can be sure it all comes out before launch. Some things would be hard to miss, such as the large yellow hose that circulates air in the crew compartment. No matter the size though, everything gets inventoried and marked off on the list before the techs leave the White Room.

Weather Forecast Deteriorates Further
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:41:48 AM EST

Shuttle weather forecasters continue to watch a layer of low-level clouds moving from the north into the Kennedy Space Center area. The chance for acceptable conditions at launch time now is 30 percent. Astronaut Chris Ferguson will take a look at the clouds during a weather reconnaissance flight aboard the Shuttle Training Aircraft.

A Node Called Tranquility
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:22:54 AM EST

Endeavour's crew is carrying the last of three connecting nodes, Tranquility, to the International Space Station during STS-130. The node was named Tranquility in honor of Apollo 11's moon landing in 1969. Apollo 11's lunar module, Eagle, touched down on the Sea of Tranquility. The space station module will be connected on the fifth day of the mission. A host of life support equipment and other machinery will be housed inside Tranquility to allow the station to continue to host six-person crews.

Like other crew modules on the station, Tranquility is a cylinder with a network of wiring, plumbing and fixtures installed. The connections allow station crews to move refrigerator-sized racks into different parts of the station with ease. The racks are sophisticated networks of cables and equipment themselves. Some hold science experiments, others are loaded with life support gear. One of the racks destined for Tranquility is the COLBERT treadmill, the exercise machine named for Comedy Central's comedian Stephen Colbert. COLBERT already is on the station, but will be moved to its new home in Tranquility. Also, two water recovery racks that process everything from sweat to urine into drinkable water will be moved to its permanent place inside Tranquility.

The two other connecting nodes that make up the station are Unity and Harmony.

'Stevie Ray' Robinson Aboard
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:11:35 AM EST

Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson is getting into his seat on the flight deck behind and between Commander George Zamka and Pilot Terry Virts. Robinson will serve as the flight engineer for launch and landing, which means he will help the others during the climb into space. Robinson is the lead guitarist for the astronaut band "Max-Q" and is nicknamed "Stevie Ray."

With Robinson on Endeavour, the crew is complete. After the closeout crew finishes its work inside the orbiter, the technicians will climb out and close the hatch before prepping the White Room for launch and leaving the launch pad.

First-time Flier Virts in the Pilot’s Seat
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:07:54 AM EST

Terry Virts joined the astronaut corps in 2000 and served as lead astronaut in NASA’s T-38 program before being chosen to fly aboard STS-130. Like Zamka, Virts has controls at his station to let him fly Endeavour. Most of the time, Zamka does the flying, but Virts will get a chance to fly around the International Space Station as Endeavour leaves the orbiting laboratory. This is the first launch day for Virts, though he and the crew have practiced all the procedures repeatedly.

Hire Climbs Aboard Endeavour
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:55:47 AM EST

Kathryn Hire, who goes by "Kay," is moving into her place on Endeavour's flight deck. She will sit behind Pilot Terry Virts during launch and landing. Hire is one of Kennedy's own, since she worked here as a shuttle engineer before becoming an astronaut. She is also a U.S. Naval Reserve officer and went into active duty in recent years. For STS-130, she will operate the robotic arm on the International Space Station to lift the Tranquility node out of Endeavour and lock it into place on the station. She will also work the arm for the maneuvers to place the cupola in its permanent port on Tranquility.

Cloud Deck Breaking Up
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:47:29 AM EST

The low-level clouds that forecasters are watching appear to be scattering a bit, shuttle weather forecasters have reported. The chances for acceptable conditions at launch time remain 60 percent.

Patrick Positioned for Launch
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:45:58 AM EST

Mission Specialist Nicholas Patrick has taken his seat next to Behnken on Endeavour’s lower level. Patrick is a naturalized citizen who was born in England. He flew once before as part of the STS-116 crew. This time up, Patrick gets to expand his repertoire with three spacewalks to set up the Tranquility module and cupola for the space station crew.

Behnken in Place on Middeck
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:31:49 AM EST

Robert Behnken is strapping in on the lower level in the seat closest to Endeavour’s hatch. Although he will only get to see a bank of white lockers on the way up, Behnken will have some of the most enviable looks at Earth as he performs three spacewalks during this flight. He took part in three spacewalks during his previous mission, STS-123. That flight was also aboard Endeavour.

Commander Heads Inside
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:21:47 AM EST

Technicians working inside the White Room at Launch Pad 39A have put the finishing touches on George Zamka’s pressure suit, including the communications carrier sometimes called a “Snoopy cap.” So Zamka is making his way to the commander’s station at the left-hand seat at the front of the flight deck. One of Zamka’s hobbies, weight lifting, probably comes in handy here as he has to lift himself into the seat because Endeavour is on its tail for launch. Because of that arrangement, all the astronauts lay on their backs with their feet above their heads for about three hours before liftoff.

Astronauts to Take Seats in Shuttle Momentarily
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:14:38 AM EST

The six astronauts of Endeavour are up on the 195-foot level of the launch tower at Launch Pad 39A before walking across the metal bridge that leads to the shuttle's hatch. Zamka, as commander, gets to climb inside Endeavour first. A technician will follow him into the shuttle to help him get into his seat and strap him into place. While he is getting into place on the upper level of the shuttle's crew compartment, Robert Behnkenwill take a seat on the lower level. The crew will continue from there with one person heading up to the upper level and one on the lower level until they are all aboard.

Weather Watch Continues as Countdown Moves Ahead
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:02:44 AM EST

At T-2 hours, 41 minutes and counting, weather remains the most pressing concern leading up to launch. Forecasters are watching a line of low clouds north of the space center. The official prediction remains at a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions at 4:39 a.m. While we wait on the weather, the launch preps are moving ahead on time and the astronauts are making their way to Launch Complex 39A where Endeavour awaits.

Crew Steps into Astrovan
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:51:13 AM EST

George Zamka led his team of six astronauts from the Operations and Checkout Building into the Astrovan. They strolled out to greet space workers and others on their way to the vehicle that will take them to the launch pad. From there, it will be an elevator ride up to the 195-foot level of the fixed service structure. A quick walk over a metal bridge will take them to the White Room where they will put on their last bits of gear before climbing inside Endeavour. The crew walkouts have an excitement in the air like a rock concert, but without the smoke machines and lasers.

Astronauts Suit Up for Flight
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:28:47 AM EST

The six crew members of space shuttle Endeavour are getting into their orange pressure suits. Working inside the Operations and Checkout Building here at Kennedy, the astronauts and technicians are following a carefully scripted process for getting into the so-called “pumpkin suits” and then checking them for leaks. The suits include a layer of liquid-cooled underwear beneath the orange shell. Astronauts since the Gemini program have suited up in the same room, including those of Apollo.

Forecast Deteriorates a bit, Zamka Reviews Weather
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:16:35 AM EST

Forecasters have lowered the chances of acceptable conditions to 60 percent after determining there is a risk of low clouds blowing in near launch time. Weather reconnaissance flights will begin soon to evaluate conditions firsthand.

George Zamka, commander of STS-130, is going over the weather conditions with Flight Director Norm Knight during a weather briefing before he gets on his pressure suit. Pilot Terry Virts and Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson, who is the flight engineer for launch, also are listening to the briefing. There are no surprises in this briefing and the crew is being advised of the expected conditions, including the concerns for high winds. The outlook also includes a look at the weather over emergency landing fields in France, Spain, California and New Mexico.

Launch Control Center Drying Out
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:07:14 AM EST

The launch team has been handing out thanks this week to workers who brought in fans, trailer-sized blowers and many feet of hoses to dry out the Launch Control Center after a fire protection system pipe burst and released thousands of gallons of water into the building last weekend. The firing rooms were ready for the countdown and the launch was not delayed. The drying process is not complete, but the LCC still is able to do its job.

Six Accomplished Astronauts
Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:49:50 PM EST

George Zamka is making his second flight to the International Space Station, the first was STS-120 in 2007. Zamka is the commander of this flight, having served as pilot on STS-120. Coincidentally, the STS-120 mission took a node up to the station, too.

Terry Virts, making his first flight, is the pilot for Endeavour. He will oversee shuttle systems and robotic arm work. He also gets to outfit Tranquility and the cupola during the 13-day mission.

Nicholas Patrick flew previously on STS-116 and is slated to make three spacewalks during this flight. His exemplary education includes a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Robert Behnken will add three spacewalks to the three he performed during STS-123 in 2008. During the previous mission he operated the station's robotic arm and the newly installed robotic hand called Dextre.

Stephen Robinson is the most experienced of the STS-130 crew. He first flew in 1997, and last went into space as part of the Return to Flight crew of STS-114 in 2005.

Kathryn Hire, known as "Kay," knows Kennedy Space Center quite well. She worked as an engineer at the spaceport for five years before joining the astronaut corps. She flew on Columbia in 1998 during the STS-90 mission.

Shuttle Fueled for Launch
Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:40:11 PM EST

The huge thermos bottle that is the shuttle's external fuel tank has been filled with about half-a-million gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Both propellants are chilled well below freezing, with the hydrogen temperature at minus 423 degrees F and the oxygen at minus 297 degrees. The fueling went smoothly, although the process did not begin until teams could adjust the cabin air pressure regulator on the fixed service structure. Tanking operations began at 7:47 p.m. and concluded at 10:47 p.m.

Naturally, a Florida winter can't keep the chemicals that cold on its own, which is why the tank is coated with a thick layer of insulation. The fuel and oxygen that evaporate during the countdown is steadily replaced until just before liftoff. Endeavour's three main engines burn the liquid oxygen and hydrogen during the shuttle's 8 1/2-minute climb into orbit.

In case you're curious why NASA goes through the trouble of handling cryogenic propellants, it's because liquids take up less space than gases. The engines vaporize the oxygen and hydrogen before mixing them together and burning them to create the characteristic pale blue shock diamonds seen at liftoff.

Weather Outlook 80 Percent Go
Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:33:38 PM EST

It's expected to be chilly at launch time here on Florida's Atlantic coast, but forecasters’ main concern are winds gusting above limits and the possibility of low clouds moving over the launch site. Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters puts the odds of acceptable conditions at launch time at 80 percent.

First Shuttle Launch Day of 2010 Begins!
Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:29:56 PM EST

Welcome to NASA's Launch Blog for the STS-130 mission! We are about five hours from liftoff of space shuttle Endeavour on a construction flight to the International Space Station. Endeavour is carrying the Tranquility node and a seven-windowed cupola that promises the best views of Earth without going on a spacewalk. There are no technical issues standing in the way of a launch at 4:39 a.m. Weather is looking good for launch although it is brisk by Florida standards.

The six astronauts of STS-130 will be climbing into their orange pressure suits in about 40 minutes and they will make their way out to the launch pad after that. We'll hit on that and other milestones during today's coverage from inside Firing Room 3 in the Launch Control Center at Kennedy. We'll also let you know if anything comes up that could delay a launch, but all looks good right now.

With Tank Filled, Launch Countdown on Schedule
Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:11:46 PM EST

The shuttle's fueling operations have gone smoothly this evening and everything is on schedule for a liftoff on time at 4:39 a.m. Our continuous coverage of the countdown to the launch of Endeavour on mission STS-130 will begin in about 20 minutes. See you at 11:30!

MMT Declares Endeavour Ready for Launch
Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:47:06 PM EST

The mission management team cleared Endeavour for Sunday morning's launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is scheduled for 4:39 a.m. Our continuous coverage on NASA's Launch Blog begins at 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-130 To lift off at 4:39 AM today FEBRUARY 7, 2010

Astronauts Climb Aboard Endeavour
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:22:05 AM EST

The crew of mission STS-130 is getting into space shuttle Endeavour as the countdown continues on schedule toward a liftoff at 4:39 a.m. EST. Commander George Zamka is the first aboard, climbing into the left-hand seat on Endeavour' s flight deck.

Communications checks will be conducted throughout the strap-in process as the astronauts take their places.

There are no technical issues standing in the way of an on-time launch although the potential for clouds violating weather constraints is still being monitored.

Endeavour's STS-130 Mission
Commander George Zamka will lead the STS-130 mission to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Endeavour. Terry Virts will serve as the pilot. Mission Specialists are Nicholas Patrick, Robert Behnken, Stephen Robinson and Kathryn Hire. Virts will be making his first trip to space.

Shuttle Endeavour and its crew will deliver to the space station a third connecting module, the Italian-built Tranquility node and the seven-windowed cupola, which will be used as a control room for robotics. The mission will feature three spacewalks.

Liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is scheduled for February 7, 2010, at 4:39 a.m. EST