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ISS

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ISS 1996
The Space Shuttle docks with the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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Status: Operational 1998. Gross mass: 417,289 kg (919,964 lb).

No project better illustrated the roller coaster effect of inconsistent space policies than the International Space Station, which was assembled by the American, European, Russian, Japanese and Canadian national space agencies. The Space Station program was started, at NASA's urging, by President Reagan in 1984. Reagan wanted to launch a major space project shortly before the elections, since it would create jobs in important states such as California, Texas and Florida. He also wanted to invite other NATO countries to participate in the US-led project, since the Soviet Union had been launching international crews to their Salyut space stations since 1971. The new American station would of course be bigger and better, sending a clear signal to the world about American leadership and dominance in space. However, the space station was also going to tie the emerging European and Japanese national space programs closer to the US-led project, thereby preventing those nations from becoming major, independent competitors.

Commercial space was booming and competition from other Western nations had become a major worry for the US aerospace industry. There was considerable commercial interest in the Space Shuttle, and some market analysts felt a space station could be economically important as a research lab or manufacturing center. The Reagan Administration generally extolled the virtues of free enterprise and small business, and the space station was regarded as an important market for private space investors.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration had its own institutional reasons for wanting a large space station. After the Apollo lunar landings in the late 1960s, the agency had fallen on hard times. In the 1970s the space budget was drastically reduced due to the high cost of the Vietnam War and social programs. NASA was barely able to secure funding for the Space Shuttle in 1972 as Apollo was cancelled. The space agency then had to exist on a virtual shoestring budget throughout the 1970s while struggling to complete the Shuttle development program. But the new Shuttle Transportation System (STS) turned out to be more expensive than expected when it finally became operational in 1982.

STS was also unpopular with the Reagan Administration, who disliked the idea of having NASA rather than private industry run a 'national spaceline.' The senior NASA managers thus wanted another program to complement the Shuttle; something that would 'give STS something to do' while showcasing its versatility and usefulness. At the same time, the new project was going to provide much-needed employment for as many NASA centers and aerospace contractors as possible. NASA had been unable to afford hiring new employees for much of the 1970s, and it was hoped that a large space station would persuade more young engineers to join the agency.

President Reagan, in his spend-to-the-death race with the Soviet 'Evil Empire', tasked NASA in 1984 to provide America with space station Freedom. NASA lumbered into action. The later mantra 'faster, better, cheaper' was then unknown. A bizarre program-management scheme had each station subsystem being developed by different NASA centers and contractors. By 1990, the first operational date had slipped from 1994 to 1997 and the station had ballooned into a $30 billion, 298-metric ton monster.

Meanwhile, in 1987-1993, the Russians successfully assembled and operated the 124-metric ton Mir station. The station's modules were evolved from those conceived for the secret military MKBS-1 station of 1974. Mir and its crews whirled round and round the world, through the collapse of the Soviet Union and Russian economic meltdown. By 1993, Russia had acquired unmatched experience in long-duration human flight, but it was apparent that there was no money for the follow-on Mir-2.

By this time, NASA had scaled down its station to a small 'Alpha' station in the seventh redesign in nine years. President Clinton's endorsement of the Alpha Station did little to help the project. In June 1993, a bid in Congress to kill the Station failed by a single vote (215-216). Scientists continued to be critical of the project, saying its benefits were more marginal than ever after the latest redesign and that the Station had lost its political mission following the end of the Cold War.

In September 1993, NASA presented Clinton with two final options: the small 4-man US-only 'Alpha' Station approved in June or the larger and much more capable 6-crew 'Russian Alpha' design. President Clinton chose the latter option. In October 1993, with the gunfire of the coup attempt outside their windows, NASA negotiators in Moscow agreed to the 'International Space Station' (ISS), a merger of stations Alpha and Mir-2.

The President also managed to strike a deal with Congress which established a fixed annual budget of $2.1 billion. The agreement was remarkably successful; the last attempt to cancel the project was rejected in the House of Representatives in 1994. Technologically, ISS reversed the continuing trend in the US since 1986 toward a smaller and less capable Station. The new configuration reintroduced the US laboratory and node modules into the design. ISS would have more science racks than Freedom and provided more power for experiments. The total mass in orbit was 370 metric tons, so the International Space Station weighed almost twice as much as Space Station Freedom.

A big plus according to NASA was that the Station now could be manned almost immediately, as soon as the Russian FGB and Service Modules had been launched. In contrast, Space Station Freedom would not have been capable of supporting a permanent crew before a dozen or so modules had been launched.

Aerospace mergers plus increased emphasis on commercial space made it easier for the new NASA Administrator, Dan Goldin, to reform the Space Station and NASA in general. The Space Station Program Office in Reston, Virginia was cancelled as NASA selected Boeing (which bought the space divisions of other Station contractors such as McDonnell-Douglas and Rockwell in the 1990s) as the new Station prime contractor. Boeing's contract from 1995 contained less NASA oversight than usual while giving the company and its Space Station 'integrated production teams' some financial rewards in case the projected goals were met. The Johnson Space Center now hosted the Station's new program office. All this greatly simplified the project's cumbersome management structure, although the efforts to avoid cost overruns and delays were not entirely successful.

European Space Agency contributions to the International Space Station program were seriously revised following the restructuring of the European manned spaceflight program in 1991-93. The November 1992 meeting in Granada decided to continue with a scaled back $3-billion Columbus module, but the French managed to force another reassessment in 1995 due to concerns about the US commitment to Space Station Freedom. The overall cost of the revised ESA programs was estimated to be $2 billion lower (at 1991 prices) than the original $10.8 billion projected for 1993-95. From 1993 to 2000, the total was projected to be about $25.7 billion, down from $29.7 billion.

ESA then merged its Columbus and manned space transportation plans into a single effort in 1994, to further reduce the overall cost of the $4.6-billion COF/CTV/ATV program. In October 1995, ESA finally decided to remain a partner in the ISS project after France, Italy and Germany managed to reach a complicated compromise on what the contributions should be and how much they would cost. The Italians received Ariane-5 and Columbus contracts from France and Germany. The $1.4-billion Columbus Orbiting Facility was also approved. The second major project was the French-led Automated Transfer Vehicle designed to carry 9,000 kg of cargo to ISS. It would cost $750 million to develop. The $1.7-billion Crew Transfer Vehicle capsule was however cut from the package, although France received $60 million for CTV studies.

In addition to its other contributions, the ESA Council also approved a 'complementary' ISS Phase 2 program in July 1994 for early development of laboratory and computer support equipment used on the US and Russian ISS segments, before Columbus was launched. Important projects included a computer system and European Remote Arm for the Russian Service Module. When ESA decided not to launch the Columbus Orbiting Facility on its Ariane-5 rocket, it had to reimburse the American's for using the Space Shuttle. As part of a barter deal signed in March 1997, ESA contributed experimental racks and freezer units for the US laboratory. ESA also contributed two Node modules worth $115 million free of charge, in return for receiving a 'free' Space Shuttle flight from the Americans to launch the Columbus Orbiting Facility (COF). The nodes were built by Alenia Spazio and based on the same basic pressurized module as the COF and Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules. One of the nodes carried the International Space Station's environmental control and life-support system and crew quarters since the US habitation module had been postponed due to cost overruns.

Brazil joined the ISS project in 1999. China remained outside the project, pursuing its own independent program. Despite its additional capabilities, the International Space Station's Fiscal 1994-2000 budget was actually lower than for any of the other redesigns. However, the lower cost came at a price since ISS would not be assembled as quickly as the other options. All the other redesigns planned to end the assembly phase by 2001. The International Space Station assembly sequence was not to be completed until 2006. In actuality, it would not be finished until 2011.

The ISS removed some of the space transportation burden from the Shuttle's back since the other international partners were to contribute their own rockets. However, ISS was also more challenging because its orbit had to be accessible to rockets launched from Russia's Baikonur spaceport at 45 degrees northern latitude. The greater ISS orbital inclination meant that the Shuttle's net payload was substantially reduced. NASA developed a new super lightweight aluminum-lithium propellant tank to boost the Shuttle's performance while gradually privatizing Space Shuttle management to save money. The pressurized modules and about 70% of the hardware developed for the old Space Station Freedom project were adopted for the International Space Station.

A major concern was whether the Americans would have the nerve to stay the course when inevitable mishaps occurred. The station, like Mir, required constant maintenance. It could not be shut down if America stopped shuttle flights for years as it did after the Challenger explosion. Russian engineers calculated that there was a 23% chance that the exposed Service Module would be punctured by orbital debris during the lifetime of the station. Although the alloy and type of construction there would contain any puncture within a 70x70-centimeter panel, they believed an impact on the American section would result in fractures propagating quickly across a 400x400-centimeter area, leading to explosive decompression, an uncontrollable spin and rapid break-up of the station. Fortunately the probability of such an impact was only 2%.

The first crisis came in April 1997 when NASA noticed that the essential Service Module, originally the core for the Mir-2 station, was still only an empty hull even though it was meant to be launched eight months later. Without the Service Module, the station would not have the rocket power needed to reboost its orbit and prevent it from spiraling in to a fiery re-entry. After an American ultimatum, Yeltsin put his government deeper into debt and saved the program.

Construction of the ISS began with the launch of the NASA-funded, Russian-built Zarya Functional Cargo Block (FGB, from its Russian name) in November 1998. A few weeks later, the shuttle Endeavour rendezvoused with Zarya and attached the first American module. Astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman conducted three spacewalks to make electrical and data bus connections. The delayed Zvezda Russian Service Module was to have docked with the complex in July 1999, but only arrived a year later.

Only after the arrival of Zvezda could permanent occupancy begin. In October 2000, nine months behind schedule, veteran cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko, Sergei Krikalyov and astronaut Bill Shepherd arrived aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft for a five-month stay. No less than 33 assembly flights had been scheduled through July 2004, with additional equipment, habitation or laboratory modules being added every month. At first the cluster resembled Mir. But after the long truss was installed and the huge solar wings deployed the station achieved its final form.

The delays in station assembly cascaded after the inevitable mishap occurred in 2003. The shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry. NASA stayed the course, although the shuttle was grounded for 30 months and the ISS assembly schedule delayed by a further five years. The Russian Soyuz meanwhile kept a two-man minimum crew aboard the station to ensure it continued to operate.

NASA planned six research facilities devoted to fluids and combustion, materials science, gravitational biology and human zero-gravity adaptation. The first US lab module was to be attached in March 2000 (actual: February 2001), with the Canadian remote manipulating system arriving a month later (actual: April 2001). The Japanese JEM module was planned for July 2002 (actual: May 2008). Europe's Columbus module was scheduled for October 2003 (actual: February 2008).

By the time the ISS was completed in 2011, it also marked the retirement of the space shuttle. In a post-Cold War and post-9/11 world, NASA faced utter indifference from the public and politicians to the NASA version of manned spaceflight. NASA, unable to get out of its own way, for 30 years had been unable to develop any means of getting Americans in space aside from the shuttle. Various projects were started and then cancelled. Those before 2000 were generally considered to be a threat to the shuttle itself or cancelled when the NASA development process drove costs through the ceiling. Those later were tied to grandiose schemes for missions to the moon or Mars which were never fully funded.

So crew rotation to the ISS after 2011 would depend on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. It was unsure whether a (delayed) commercial US manned spacecraft could be completed before the ISS would be decommissioned in 2020. Rather than assuring American dominance in space, the ISS had resulted in its withdrawal from the manned space arena. By 2015 NASA manned space facilities had become quiet ghost towns, kept alive by their Congressional delegations but with little real work to do. The ISS itself never produced any of the promised significant economic or scientific results. After the ISS was retired, there would apparently be a Chinese space station, and perhaps a small Russian facility if partners could be found to provide funding. But America, in space as on the earth, had reached the end of empire.

ISS Space Station Remote Manipulator System Canadian manned space station module. One launch, 2001.02.07. When the Space Station plan was changed in 1987, its satellite servicing element was postponed indefinitely.

ISS Space Telescope American visible astronomy satellite. Study 1988. The Space Station's free-flying unmanned platforms were all deleted in 1987-90 to compensate for the budget cuts. However, some of them may yet be reintroduced in the 21st century.

Spacehab American manned space station module. Spacehab, Inc was founded by Bob Citron in 1982 in Houston. It was the only entrepreneurial company of the 1900's to successfully develop a commercial manned spaceflight module.

ISS MPLM American manned space station reusable supply module built by Alenia Spazio for NASA. Launched and returned to earth, 2001-2011. When the International Space Station (ISS) was redesigned again in 1993, it was decided to expand the original Mini-Pressurized Logistics Module design of 1992.

ISS Columbus Orbiting Facility European manned space station. Launched 2008.02.07. In October 1993, ESA decided to further slash its overall budget by a combined $4.8 billion in 1994-2000. The Columbus space station module survived, but in a reduced form.

ISS Russian Science and Power Platform Russian manned space station module. Cancelled 1994. The RSPP was originally going to be launched on six Russian Proton rockets fairly early during the ISS assembly phase.

ISS Zarya ISS Space Station central module built by GKNPTs Khrunichev for NASA, Rosaviakosmos, Russia. Launched 1998.

STS-88 First ISS assembly mission. Delivered Unity space station node to orbit.

ISS Unity American manned space station. Unity was the first U.S.-built component of the International Space Station. Built by Boeing for NASA, USA. Launched 1998.

STS-96 First docking with the ISS. Transferred equipment from the Spacehab Logistics Double Module to the interior of the station.

ISS Commercial Enterprise Module American manned space station module. Study 1999. The Russian economic crisis provided some intriguing opportunities for private industry.

STS-101 First flight with new 'glass cockpit'. ISS Logistics flight. Repair, resupply and construction tasks aboard the international space station.

ISS Zvezda Russian manned space station module. The Zvezda service module of the International Space Station had its origins a quarter century before it was launched. Built by GKNPTs Khrunichev for Rosaviakosmos, Russia. Launched 2000.

STS-106 Docked with ISS. Outfitted the new Zvezda module for the arrival of the first permanent EO-1 crew.

STS-92 100th shuttle mission + 100th US spacewalk. ISS Logistics flight; brought the Z-1 Truss , Control Moment Gyros, and Pressurized Mating Adapter-3 to the ISS.

STS-97 Installed a 72 m x 11.4 m, 65 kW double-wing solar panel on the Unity module of the ISS.

ISS Leonardo ISS logistic module built by Alenia Spazio, Italy, for NASA. Launched 2011.

STS-98 ISS Assembly flight. Delivered Destiny module and PMA-2 modules. After this mission the ISS was heavier than Mir.

STS-102 Primary mission was to deliver a multi-rack Italian Leonardo MultiPurpose Logistics Module, LMPLM to the Destiny Module.

STS-100 ISS Assembly flight. Continued the outfitting of the Station. Installed the 18 meter, 1,700 kg Canadarm-2 robotic arm and 4,500 kg of supplies aboard the Italian cargo container Raffaello.

STS-104 ISS Assembly flight. Delivered Quest Airlock.

STS-105 ISS Assembly flight. Delivered five metric tons of supplies, hardware, and a bedroom suite to accommodate a third astronaut in the Destiny module. Installed two science experiment racks delivered in the Leonardo module.

Soyuz TM-33 ISS EP-2 French cosmonaut. Mission to swap Soyuz lifeboats docked to station.

STS-108 ISS Logistics flight. Brought supplies to the Station aboard the Raffaello module,

STS-110 ISS Assembly flight. Carried the S0 truss segment to the ISS, the first segment of the main backbone of the station to which the solar arrays would be attached.

Soyuz TM-34 ISS EP-3 First South African astronaut. Mission to swap Soyuz lifeboats docked to station.

STS-111 ISS Logistics flight. Delivered the MBS Mobile Base System and some interior experiment racks.

STS-112 ISS Assembly flight. Extended the truss of the exterior rail line with a 14-m, 13-ton girder. At liftoff primary hold-down bolt initiators failed; backups functioned. At T+33s, a piece of the bipod ramp separated, hitting booster-tank attachment.

STS-113 ISS assembly mission. Delivered 13.7-m, 12.5 ton truss to ISS. Four attempts to land on consecutive days, called because of bad weather.

Soyuz TMA-2A Soyuz TMA-2 was originally to switch lifeboats on the ISS. After the loss of Columbia, and grounding of the remaining shuttles, it was instead flown by a two-man skeleton crew to keep the station alive until shuttle flights could resume.

Soyuz TMA-2 ISS Expedition EO-7. Two-man Russian/American crew to provide minimal manning of space station while shuttle was grounded. Replaced three-man crew aboard ISS since before STS-107 disaster.

Soyuz TMA-3A Soyuz TMA-3 was originally to switch lifeboats on the ISS. After the Columbia disaster, the remaining shuttles were grounded. Soyuz TMA-3 instead flew with a skeleton crew to provide minimal manning of space station while shuttle was grounded.

STS-119A Flight delayed after the Columbia disaster. STS-119 was to have flown ISS Assembly mission ISS-15A. It would have delivered the fourth and final set of U.S. solar arrays along with the S6 fourth starboard truss segment.

STS-120A Flight delayed, then completely reorganized with a different crew and different orbiter after the Columbia disaster. STS-120 would have delivered to the station the second of three station connecting modules, Node 2, on ISS Assembly mission ISS-10A.

Soyuz TMA-4 ISS Expedition EO-9. Two-man Russian/American crew to provide minimal manning of ISS space station while the shuttle was grounded. Replaced EO-8 crew.

Soyuz TMA-4A Soyuz TMA-4 was originally to switch lifeboats on the ISS. After the Columbia disaster, the remaining shuttles were grounded. Soyuz TMA-4 instead flew with a skeleton crew to provide minimal manning of space station while shuttle was grounded.

STS-121A Cancelled after Columbia disaster; would have flown ISS Assembly mission ISS-9A.1, delivering the SPP with 4 Solar Arrays to the station.

STS-123A Cancelled after Columbia disaster; would have flown ISS resupply mission ISS-UF4. It would have delivered the contents of an Express Pallet, plus the SPDM and AMS to the station

Soyuz TMA-5 ISS Expedition EO-10. Two-man Russian/American crew to provide minimal manning of ISS space station while the shuttle was grounded. Replaced EO-9 crew.

STS-126A Flight cancelled after the Columbia disaster. Would have flown ISS resupply mission ISS-UF3; carried an MPLM module and Express Pallet for delivery of equipment and supplies

Soyuz TMA-6 ISS Expedition EO-11. Two-man Russian/American crew to provide minimal manning of ISS space station while the shuttle was grounded. Replaced EO-10 crew.

STS-114 Shuttle return to flight. Primary objective was to verify fixes made to external tank to prevent foam and ice shedding that killed STS-107 crew. Also resupplied ISS, which had to rely on smaller Progress logistics flights while the shuttle was grounded.

Soyuz TMA-7 ISS Expedition EO-12. Six-month long-term resident crew of the International Space Station.

STS-130A Flight cancelled after the Columbia disaster. Would have flown ISS resupply mission ISS-UF5. Equipment and supplies would have been delivered to the station aboard an MPLM and Express Pallet.

STS-131A Flight cancelled after the Columbia disaster. Would have flown ISS assembly mission ISS-14A. 4 SPP Arrays and the MMOD would have been delivered to the station.

STS-132A Flight cancelled after the Columbia disaster. Would have flown ISS resupply mission ISS-UF6. Supplies and equipment would have been delivered via an MPLM and EXPRESS Pallet in the cargo bay.

STS-121 ISS logistics flight. Delivered equipment and supplies aboard the Leonardo cargo module.

STS-133A Flight cancelled after the Columbia disaster. Would have flown ISS assembly mission ISS-20A. Node 3 would have been delivered to the station.

STS-115 ISS logistics flight. Delivered equipment and supplies aboard the Leonardo cargo module.

STS-134A Flight cancelled after the Columbia disaster. Would have flown ISS assembly mission ISS-16A. The Habitation module would have been delivered to the station.

STS-138A Flight cancelled after the Columbia disaster. Would have flown ISS resupply mission ISS-UF7. The Centrifuge Accommodations Module (CAM) would have been delivered to the station.

STS-116 First Swedish astronaut. Most demanding ISS assembly mission to date. Completed installation of the P5 truss, retracted the recalcitrant port P6 solar array wing, and activated the truss electrical and cooling system.

STS-135A Flight cancelled after the Columbia disaster. Would have flown ISS assembly mission ISS-17A. An MPLM would have delivered Destiny lab racks and a CBA to the station.

STS-136A Flight cancelled after the Columbia disaster. Would have flown ISS assembly mission ISS-18A. The first US Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) would have been delivered to the station.

STS-117 Final major step in assembly of the ISS truss and power-generating solar array segments. The S3/S4 Truss and its solar arrays were delivered and installed.

STS-137A Flight cancelled after the Columbia disaster. Would have flown ISS assembly mission ISS-19A. An MPLM and other station hardware would be delivered.

ISS Japanese Experiment Module Japanese manned space station module. Launched to ISS in three sections, 2008-2009. The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) has been a rare island of stability in the often tumultuous Space Station program.

Photo Gallery

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ISS Final Stage The International Space Station in as planned at completion. From top to bottom, Soyuz rescue craft, Russian Service Module, Functional Cargo Block, NASA docking module, US Habitat Module, truss, US Lab Module, European Columbus and Japanese JEM modules, docked US space shuttle. The inside panels on the trusses are thermal control system radiators; four sets of blue solar panels are at the end of each truss. The station will orbit at an altitude of up to 370 kilometres at an inclination of 51.6 degrees. The solar panels will generate 110 kilowatts of power, with 46 kilowatts available for science experiments. Total station pressurised volume will be 1300 cubic metres, over three times that of Mir. Credit: NASA

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1993 ISS Diagram Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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ISS 1993 1993 International Space Station Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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1993 ISS Cost 1993 International Space Station - ISS Plan. Despite its additional capabilities, the International Space Station's Fiscal 1994-2000 budget was actually lower than for any of the other redesigns. However, the International Space Station assembly sequence will now require another five years beyond the original completion date. Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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Space Station Alpha The "compromise option" eventually chosen by Clinton was Option A. Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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Space Station Alpha Later, additional laboratories and a habitation module could be added to create the complete Option A Space Station shown here. Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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1995 ISS Diagram 1995 International Space Station - ISS Plan. Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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1994 ISS 1993 International Space Station - ISS Plan. NASA presented Clinton with two final options: the small 4-man US-only "Alpha" Station approved in June or the larger and much more capable 6-crew "Russian Alpha" design shown here. President Clinton chose the latter option, essentially merging the American SS Freedom and Russian "Mir-2" projects into a new International Space Station (ISS). Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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1994 ISS 1994 International Space Station - ISS Plan. Another view of the International Space Station. Technologically, ISS reversed the continuing trend (since 1986) toward a smaller and less capable Station. The new configuration reintroduced the US laboratory and node module into the design. ISS will have more science racks than Freedom and provide more power for experiments. The total mass in orbit is 370 metric tons, so the International Space Station weighs almost twice as much as Space Station Freedom. Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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1993 ISS 1993 International Space Station - ISS Plan. The International Space Station work distribution plan from 1999. Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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Venturestar/ISS Venturestar docks to ISS, 1994 Concept. Lockheed-Martin's "Aeroballistic Rocket" spaceplane -- now called Venturestar -- docks with the Space Station. This 1994 illustration shows what the "Alpha" International Space Station would look like, without Russian modules. Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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American ISS Segment Space Transportation & American ISS Segment. Interior of the US laboratory module. The pressurized modules and about 70% of the hardware developed for the old Space Station Freedom project will be adopted for the International Space Station as well. Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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ISS Zarya Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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European ISS Contrib Other European ISS Contributions. ESA will also contribute two Node modules worth $115 million free of charge, in return for receiving a "free" Space Shuttle flight from the Americans to launch the Columbus Orbiting Facility (COF). Credit: ESA via Marcus Lindroos

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NASA Manned Budget NASA Manned Spaceflight Budget 1975-2004 Credit: Marcus Lindroos

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ISS Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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ISS Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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Space Station Cost Space Station - What Does It Cost?. Today, it appears the huge cost of the Space Shuttle (STS) and Space Station (ISS) programs will prevent NASA from doing any other manned space projects such as lunar or Mars missions. The U.S. space budget has been fairly constant since the mid-1970s and is not expected to change in the foreseeable future. Credit: Marcus Lindroos

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Space Station Cost Annual Cost to first Assembly Flight of the Various US Station Programs. Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Space Station project has been its cost and the project's opponents and proponents frequently cite various figures to backup their claims. Here is a quick summary of what the project has cost so far. Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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Alpha Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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Alpha Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos

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• DOS-8 structure completed. - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: ISS, ISS Zvezda, Mir-2. DOS-8 serial number 128 was originally designed as the backup to Mir and possibly the core module of Mir-2..

• DOS-8 major equipment installation complete. - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: ISS, ISS Zvezda, Mir-2. DOS-8 serial number 128 was originally designed as the backup to Mir and possibly the core module of Mir-2..

• Mir-2 draft project approved - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: ISS, ISS Zvezda, Mir-2.

  The draft project for this greatly expanded station was approved by NPO Energia Chief Semenov on 14 December 1987 and announced to the press as 'Mir-2' in January 1988. The station would be built in a 65 degree orbit and consist mainly of enormous 90 tonne modules. But the first launch, as always, was the DOS 8. Assembly of the station was expected to begin in 1993.

• Council of Chief Designers review revised Mir-2 design - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: ISS, ISS Zvezda, Mir-2.

  With abandonment of the Buran shuttle and 37K modules, the Mir-2 design was cut back again. Mir-2 returned to its original planned 65 degree orbit, and would be assembled and flown separately from Mir. It would now consist of the DOS-8 core module, and a cross beam called the NEP (scientific-energy platform). This was equipped with equipment already proven on Mir: MSB retractable solar panels, Sfora thruster packages, small scientific packages as demonstrated on Kvant.The add-on modules now used the Progress-M service module as a tug, and were reduced in size for launch by either the Soyuz or Zenit launch vehicles.

• Spacehab SH-01 - . Payload: Spacehab 1. Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1993-07-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 22684 . COSPAR: 1993-037xx. Apogee: 472 km (293 mi). Perigee: 391 km (242 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 93.20 min.

• International Space Station - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: ISS, Mir-2, Space Station Freedom.

  Cost escalation of the US Space Station Freedom, and financial difficulties in Russia, led to a summer 1993 briefing of NASA by NPO Energia on Mir-2. In November 1993 Freedom, Mir-2, and the European and Japanese modules were incorporated into a single International Space Station.

• Spacehab SH-02 - . Payload: Spacehab 2. Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1994-02-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 22977 . COSPAR: 1994-006xx. Apogee: 359 km (223 mi). Perigee: 350 km (210 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 91.60 min.

• X-38 development authorised. - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Spacecraft: ISS, X-38. When doubts about the availability of Soyuz developed in 1995, NASA proceeded with development of the X-38, a NASA Johnson concept - a smaller version of the X-24 lifting body with a parafoil..

• Spacehab SH-03 - . Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1995-02-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 23469 . COSPAR: 1995-004xx. Apogee: 390 km (240 mi). Perigee: 386 km (239 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.30 min.

• Spacehab-SM - . Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Flight: Soyuz TM-23, STS-76, STS-76 Mir NASA-1. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1996-03-31 . USAF Sat Cat: 23831 . COSPAR: 1996-018xx. Apogee: 398 km (247 mi). Perigee: 34 km (21 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.80 min.

• Spacehab 4 - . Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1996-05-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 23870 . COSPAR: 1996-032xx. Apogee: 285 km (177 mi). Perigee: 274 km (170 mi). Inclination: 39.00 deg. Period: 90.10 min.

• Soyuz TMA, X-38 selected as ISS lifeboat over Alpha Lifeboat - . Nation: Russia. Program: ISS. Spacecraft: Alpha Lifeboat, ISS, Soyuz TMA, X-38. The Alpha lifeboat was based on the Zarya reentry vehicle with a solid retrofire motor and cold gas thruster package. The design was rejected in favor of use of modified Soyuz TM in short term, US X-38 in long term..

• Spacehab Double Module - . Payload: Spacehab FU2/STA. Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1996-09-25 . USAF Sat Cat: 24324 . COSPAR: 1996-057xx. Apogee: 386 km (239 mi). Perigee: 368 km (228 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.10 min. Remained attached to OV-104.

• X-38 Rollout - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Spacecraft Bus: Rescue. Spacecraft: X-38. Roll out of first of two slightly subscale 7.31 m long atmospheric test vehicles for use in parafoil landing tests was in November 1996..

• Spacehab Double Module - . Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1997-01-22 . USAF Sat Cat: 24711 . COSPAR: 1997-001xx. Apogee: 380 km (230 mi). Perigee: 343 km (213 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.80 min.

• Spacehab Double Module - . Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1997-05-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 24804 . COSPAR: 1997-023xx. Apogee: 393 km (244 mi). Perigee: 377 km (234 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.20 min.

• Spacehab Double Module - . Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1997-10-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 24964 . COSPAR: 1997-055xx. Apogee: 381 km (236 mi). Perigee: 354 km (219 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.90 min. Remained attached to OV-104.

• Zarya FGB delivered to Baikonur - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: ISS, ISS Zarya. The U.S.-funded and Russian-built Zarya was a U.S. component of the International Space Station..

• Spacehab Double Module - . Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. COSPAR: 1998-003xx.

• X-38 V-131 Flight 1 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Spacecraft Bus: Rescue. Spacecraft: X-38. After dropping away from its B-52 mothership, the X-38 deployed a ram-air parafoil, and maneuvered to a precise landing on the Edwards Air Force Base bombing range..

• Spacehab - . Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1998-06-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 25356 . COSPAR: 1998-034xx. Apogee: 373 km (231 mi). Perigee: 350 km (210 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 91.80 min.

• Spacehab - . Payload: Spacehab FU1. Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. COSPAR: 1998-034xx.

• ARD - . Payload: Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator. Nation: France. Agency: Arianespace. Program: ISS. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: ARD. COSPAR: 1998-059S.

  The ARD was an 80 percent scale model of the Apollo Command Module, and a technology test for a possible International Space Station Crew Rescue Vehicle. Equipment included a TDRS satellite communications system; a GPS navigation system; 7 DASA 40 kgf hydrazine attitude control thrusters; a 2.8 m diameter heat shield; three 23 metre diameter parachutes, and a SARSAT recovery beacon. The ARD separated from the Ariane EPS upper stage at 12 minutes 2 seconds after launch. ARD and the EPC stage manoeuvred into a 1 km x 830 km orbit, guaranteeing re-entry at the end of the first orbit. The spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific at 3.69 degrees N, 153.35 degrees W, and was successfully recovered by the French Navy.

• Spacehab - . Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: Douglas. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Decay Date: 1981-04-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 25519 . COSPAR: 1998-064xx. Apogee: 560 km (340 mi). Perigee: 550 km (340 mi). Inclination: 28.40 deg. Period: 95.75 min.

• ISS Status Report 1 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Currie, Newman, Ross. Program: ISS.

  With the first component of the International Space Station encapsulated in its nose fairing, a 180-foot long Russian Proton rocket was transported to its launch pad at dawn today at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan in preparation for liftoff Friday to begin assembly of the new complex. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report 2 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. All is ready at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan for tomorrow's launch of a Russian Proton rocket to deliver the first component of the International Space Station to orbit, inaugurating a new era of space exploration.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report 3 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Currie. Program: ISS.

  Under overcast skies from a launch pad not far from where Yuri Gagarin became the first human to be launched into space, a spacecraft named Zarya, the Russian word for sunrise, rocketed into orbit today to usher in the era of the International Space Station. Additional Details: here....

• Zarya - . Payload: FGB 77KM s/n 175-01. Mass: 20,000 kg (44,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Manufacturer: Chelomei bureau. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: ISS Zarya. USAF Sat Cat: 25544 . COSPAR: 1998-067A. Apogee: 403 km (250 mi). Perigee: 374 km (232 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.30 min.

  This was the first launch in the assembly of the International Space Station. The Zarya FGB was funded by NASA and built by Khrunichev in Moscow under subcontract from Boeing for NASA. Its design from the TKS military station resupply spacecraft of the 1970's and the later 77KS Mir modules. Zarya included a multiple docking adapter, a pressurised cabin section, and a propulsion/instrument section with a rear docking port. Initial orbit was 176 lm x 343 km x 51.6 degrees. By November 25 it had manoeuvred to a 383 km x 396 km x 51.7 degree orbit, awaiting the launch of Shuttle mission STS-88 which docked the Unity node to it.

• ISS Status Report 4 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The International Space Station's Zarya module completed a first day in orbit early this morning as flight controllers at Mission Control in Korolev, Russia, continued checks of the module's systems and fired an engine to begin raising its orbit to the planned altitude for a rendezvous by the Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 6. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report 5 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ross. Program: ISS. Flight controllers in Moscow commanded the first element of the International Space Station through two altitude raising maneuvers today placing it closer to the desired orbit planned for the rendezvous by Space Shuttle Endeavour two weeks from now.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report 6 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  After a final orbit-raising engine firing was successfully conducted today, the International Space Station's Zarya module reached an orbit in which it will await the arrival of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, planned to launch Dec. 3 and rendezvous with Zarya on Dec. 6. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report 7 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Flight controllers in Moscow continued to monitor the health of systems aboard the first component of the International Space Station as it passed within range of ground stations in Russia today, performing a standard check of two command relay electronics boxes and of the fire detection and suppression system. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report 8 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Flight controllers in Moscow and Houston have completed the formal checkout of the various systems on the Zarya module and reported it is ready for the arrival of Space Shuttle Endeavour and the next element of the International Space Station - the Unity connecting node. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report 9 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight controllers in Moscow and Houston continued to monitor systems on the Zarya module during the weekend and prepare for the arrival of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the Unity connecting node.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report 10 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Newman, Ross. Program: ISS.

  Flight controllers in Moscow and Houston continue to monitor systems on the Zarya control module and briefed the STS-88 astronauts earlier today on its status on the eve of the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to carry the second component of the International Space Station to orbit. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 01 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  The first International Space Station assembly mission was postponed for 24 hours when the brief 5-minute launch window ran out before flight controllers could fully analyze the cause of a master alarm that sounded inside the Space Shuttle Endeavour's crew cabin. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 03 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  Endeavour's six astronauts wrapped up their first day in space a bit later than planned, at approximately 8:21 a.m. Central time today, when they began an abbreviated sleep period. Crew members were trouble-shooting a minor problem with the Orbiter Communications Adapter (OCA) system, which is used to transmit software files between the Space Shuttle and the flight controllers on the ground. A wake-up call from Mission Control is planned for 3:36 p.m. Central time, for the crew to begin their first full day of on-orbit activities. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 02 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  Five Americans and one Russian set off to begin building the International Space Station at 2:36 a.m. CST today, launching from Kennedy Space Center with the first American-built component of the station -- a connecting module named Unity -- in the Space Shuttle Endeavour's cargo bay. The shuttle's climb to orbit was flawless. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 04 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  STS-88 Commander Bob Cabana and his crew received their first wake up call from Mission Control this afternoon at 3:36 p.m. CST to begin their first full day of on orbit activities. The crew were awakened with the song "Get Ready" by the Temptations, an appropriate description of the full slate of activities the crew will be involved with as they get ready for the important events of the flight by checking out the equipment and tools that will be utilized during rendezvous, docking and space walking activities. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 - . Call Sign: Endeavour. Crew: Cabana, Currie, Krikalyov, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Payload: Endeavour F13. Mass: 116,277 kg (256,346 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Krikalyov, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: North American. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-88. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Duration: 11.80 days. Decay Date: 1998-12-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 25549 . COSPAR: 1998-069A. Apogee: 399 km (247 mi). Perigee: 382 km (237 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.40 min.

  First attempted launch of STS-88 was scrubbed at 09:03 GMT on December 3 due to a problem with a hydraulic system sensor. Launch came the next day, with Endeavour entering an initial 75 km x 313 km x 51.6 degree orbit. Half an orbit after launch, at 09:19 GMT, Endeavour fired its OMS engines to raise the orbit to 180 km x 322 km x 51.6 degree.

  On December 5 at 22:25 GMT Nancy Currie unberthed the Unity space station node from the payload bay using the RMS arm. She then moved the Unity to a position docked to the Orbiter Docking System in the payload bay in readiness for assembly with the Russian-launched Zarya FGB ISS component. After rendezvous with the Zarya FGB module, on December 6 at 23:47 GMT Endeavour grappled Zarya with the robot arm, and at 02:07 GMT on December 7 it was soft docked to the PMA-1 port on Unity. After some problems hard dock was achieved at 02:48 GMT. Unity and Zarya then formed the core of the future International Space Station. Ross and Newman made three space walks to connect cables between Zarya and Unity, on December 7, 9 and 12. On the last EVA a canvas tool bag was attached to the exterior of Unity to provide tools for future station assembly workers. Docking cables were disconnected to prevent Unity and Zarya from inadvertently undocking. Following an internal examination of the embryonic space station, Endeavour undocked at 20:30 GMT on December 13. The SAC-A and Mightysat satellites were ejected from the payload bay on December 14 and 15. Deorbit burn was December 16 at 03:48 GMT, and Endeavour landed at 04:53:29 GMT, on Runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center.

  Payloads included:

  • Sill: RMS arm No. 303
  • Bay 1-2: Tunnel Adapter 002
  • Bay 3-4: Orbiter Docking System/External Airlock (Boeing/Palmdale)
  • Bay 7-13: Unity (Node 1) (Boeing/Huntsville), including the PMA-1 and PMA-2 docking adapters (Boeing/Huntington Beach)
  • Bay 2 Port: GABA adapter with SAC-A satellite
  • Bay 4 Starboard: Carrier with Tool Stowage Assembly
  • Bay 5 Port: GABA adapter with two PFR space walk platforms and one PFR stanchion.
  • Bay 5 Starboard: GABA adapter with two more PFR space walk platforms and one PFR stanchion.
  • Bay 6 Port: GABA adapter with Mightysat
  • Bay 6 Starboard: APC carrier with TCS laser rendezvous sensor
  • Bay 7 Starboard: APC carrier with TCS laser rendezvous sensor
  • Bay 13 Port: GABA adapter with SEM-7 and G-093 canisters
  • Bay 13 Starboard: GABA adapter with IMAX Cargo Bay Camera

• Unity - . Mass: 11,600 kg (25,500 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: Douglas. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: ISS Unity. Decay Date: 1972-01-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 25575 . COSPAR: 1998-069F. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi). Perigee: 387 km (240 mi). Inclination: 51.50 deg. Period: 92.43 min.

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 06 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. Endeavour's astronauts were awakened at 1:36 p.m. Central time today to begin in earnest preparations for on-orbit assembly of the International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 05 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. Endeavour's astronauts began an eight-hour sleep period at 5:36 a.m. Central time following a full night of activity in which they checked out equipment that will be used in the assembly of the first two components of the International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 07 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. Astronaut Nancy Currie gently mated the 12.8-ton Unity connecting module to Endeavour's docking system late Saturday afternoon, successfully completing the first task in assembling the new International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  Endeavour's crew awoke at 10:36 a.m. CST today to begin the orbital assembly of the International Space Station, uniting the first two station modules, Zarya and Unity. The astronauts were awakened to the sounds of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," requested by Commander Bob Cabana's daughter, Sarah. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 09 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  Endeavour's astronauts continued the assembly of the International Space Station late Sunday, mating the Russian-built Zarya control module with the U.S.-built Unity connecting module in the shuttle's cargo bay following a flawless rendezvous and grapple of Zarya. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 10 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  Following a wake-up call from Mission Control at 11:41 a.m. CST today, Endeavour's six astronauts began preparing for the first of three scheduled space walks. The wake-up song, "Jerry the Rigger," was in honor of Mission Specialist Jerry Ross, who with fellow Mission Specialist Jim Newman, will conduct more than 18 hours of space walks during this flight. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  At the request of Commander Bob Cabana, Mission Control delayed Endeavour's wake-up call by one-half hour today, waking the crew at 12:06 p.m. CST, after the astronauts remained up past their scheduled sleep time to enjoy the view and relax following a very busy and successful day yesterday. The crew was awakened by Dwight Yokum's "Streets of Bakersfield," requested by the wife of Pilot Rick Sturckow, a California native. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 11 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  The first U.S. segment of the International Space Station came to life Monday night as the Unity module was activated for the first time. Activation followed the connection of electrical and data cables by Astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman during a 7-hour, 21-minute space walk. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-88-1 - . Crew: Newman, Ross. EVA Duration: 0.31 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Flight: STS-88. Spacecraft: ISS. Began assembly of International Space Station. Connected cables between Zarya and Unity modules..

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 13 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. Endeavour's astronauts boosted the fledgling International Space Station to a higher altitude Tuesday and had a chance to relax for a few hours as the first station assembly flight neared the halfway mark.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 14 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Currie, Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  After enjoying a half day of rest yesterday, Endeavour's crew was awakened at 10:36 a.m. Central time to begin preparations for a second spacewalk. The crew awoke to the tune "Floating in the Bathtub," selected for Mission Specialist Jim Newman by his wife, Mary Lee. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 18 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  Endeavour's crew was awakened at 10:36 a.m. CST today to continue their work of preparing the International Space Station for future crews. "Trepak," a Russian dance from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet, was played as the wake-up music in honor of cosmonaut and Mission Specialist Sergei Krikalev. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 15 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. Endeavour's astronauts installed antennas for an International Space Station communications system and helped free a jammed antenna on the station's Russian module, achieving all the objectives planned for the seven-hour space walk.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 16 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Husband, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  Endeavour's six astronauts awoke at 10:41 a.m. CST today and are preparing for a historic day - entry into the International Space Station for the first time. The crew was awakened to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," played for Mission Specialist-2, Nancy Currie at the request of her husband, David. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-88-2 - . Crew: Newman, Ross. EVA Duration: 0.29 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Flight: STS-88. Spacecraft: ISS. Continued assembly of International Space Station. Connected cables between Zarya and Unity modules and deployed antennae..

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 19 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Cabana, Jernigan, Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. Endeavour's astronauts wrapped up the first visit inside the International Space Station and prepared it for undocking, closing the hatches for the final time to the new complex before it is left unpiloted Sunday.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 17 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Gidzenko, Newman, Ross, Shepherd, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  Endeavour's astronauts opened the new International Space Station for business Thursday, entering the Unity and Zarya modules for the first time and establishing an S-band communications system that will enable U.S. flight controllers to monitor the outpost's systems. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 20 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Jernigan, Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. Endeavour's astronauts awoke at 10:36 a.m. CST today, to the sounds of Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog," and began preparing for the third and final scheduled space walk of the mission.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 23 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. Endeavour's astronauts bid farewell to the International Space Station this afternoon, undocking from the new complex which will fly unpiloted for the next five months until the next shuttle assembly flight in May 1999.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 22 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Fincke, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  For the first time ever, the new International Space Station Flight Control Room in Houston issued a wake-up call to orbiting astronauts. At 10:36 a.m. CST, space station communicator Astronaut Mike Fincke awoke Endeavour's crew with the song" Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" as they prepare to say "goodnight" to the space station. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 21 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. Endeavour's astronauts completed the first assembly work of the International Space Station on Saturday, securing tools, tethers and cables to the new outpost and freeing a second jammed antenna on Zarya during a 6-hour, 59-minute space walk.. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-88-3 - . Crew: Newman, Ross. EVA Duration: 0.29 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Newman, Ross. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Flight: STS-88. Spacecraft: ISS. Completed initial assembly of International Space Station. A canvas tool bag was attached to the exterior of Unity to provide tools for future assembly workers. Also disconnected some docking cables, so that Unity and Zarya could no longer undock..

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 24 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Phillips, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  Endeavour's crew awoke to the sounds of James Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)," today, in honor of the good feelings evoked by this successful first International Space Station Assembly mission. That wake-up call from Mission Control at 11:36 a.m. today, marks the start of the final full-day of operations for the six-member crew of STS-88. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 27 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  NASA's final Shuttle mission of 1998 came to an end this evening with the landing of Space Shuttle Endeavour at Kennedy Space Center. Following a 4.6 million mile journey, STS-88 Commander Bob Cabana guided the orbiter down onto runway 15 with landing gear touchdown occurring at 9:54 p.m. CST. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 26 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88.

  Endeavour's astronauts awoke to the sounds of Richard Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" today, and are now preparing for a return trip to Earth. The wake-up call came at 11:36 a.m. CST, and was chosen by the flight control team to energize the six crew members in anticipation of tonight's landing in Florida, marking the 10th nighttime Shuttle landing in the program's history. Additional Details: here....

• STS-88 Mission Status Report # 25 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. Endeavour's astronauts wrapped up their mission objectives and packed up their ship, ready for a landing late tonight at Kennedy Space Center and the end of the first mission to assemble the International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• Landing of STS-88 - . Return Crew: Cabana, Currie, Krikalyov, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cabana, Currie, Krikalyov, Newman, Ross, Sturckow. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-88. STS-88 landed at 04:16 GMT. .

• ISS Status Report: ISS11 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow continued to monitor and checkout systems on the International Space Station this week, completing a successful test firing of both of the Zarya module's large thrusters that raised the station's orbit by about four statute miles. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Newman, Ross. Program: ISS.

  International Space Station flight controllers successfully completed two test firings of the Zarya module's two large thrusters this week, checking out the software and systems required for an automated rendezvous and docking with the third station module, scheduled to be launched from Russia in mid-1999. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS13 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Over the past week, International Space Station flight controllers completed the first round of deep-cycling the six batteries housed on board Zarya, individually fully discharging and then recharging them. A second round of this routine housekeeping procedure to optimize battery performance is under way. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-01 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. With no major activities or checkouts planned this week, flight controllers in Houston and Moscow continue to monitor the International Space Station, reporting that all systems aboard are operating normally and the spacecraft is in excellent condition.. Additional Details: here....

• Chinese Module on ISS explored - . Nation: China. Program: ISS.

  It was reported that China and Russia once discussed docking a Chinese module to the Russian section of the International Space Station. Spare docking ports would provide attachment points for Ukrainian and Chinese modules. Such possibilities had been discussed at the highest political levels.

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-02 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. International Space Station flight controllers in Houston and Moscow continued to monitor the new outpost this week as it awaits a visit by the Space Shuttle Discovery, planned for launch in May on mission STS-96.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-03 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station remained operating in excellent condition this week with flight controllers in Houston and Moscow noting no mechanical problems onboard.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-04 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight controllers continued to monitor the International Space Station this week, performing routine housekeeping activities as well as a test using the Unity module's communications system to command some Zarya module systems.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-05 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The International Space Station flight control team watched over the first two components of the orbiting outpost, performing routine housekeeping activities while testing commanding capability of the Zarya module through the communications system of the Unity connecting node. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-06 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station continues to fly with no systems problems affecting its performance as flight control teams in Houston and Moscow watch over the orbiting outpost.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-07 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight control teams in Houston and Moscow continue to work in tandem to monitor the health of systems aboard the two-segment International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-08 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Command and control functions of the Zarya control module are monitored through telemetry downlinks through the Early Communications System housed aboard the Unity node. Specific command sequences continue to be tested as well as battery charge cycling to balance power consumption on board. The ECOMM system was installed during the STS-88 shuttle mission in December to assist with general commanding capability, and to iron out configuration issues on the ground while training flight controllers in commanding that could be required in contingency situations. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-09 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  This week aboard the International Space Station, commands were received from ground controllers in Houston and Moscow demonstrating that commands could be sent to the Zarya control module through the Unity node's communications system from Russia's Mission Control Center. Additional Details: here....

• X-38 V-132 Flight 1 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Spacecraft Bus: Rescue. Spacecraft: X-38.

  X-38 atmospheric test vehicle V-132 was dropped from carrier plane NB-52 # 8 at 16:17 GMT. The V-132 subscale version of the X-38 successfully deployed its parafoil and glided to a landing on the lakebed after a 9 minute flight. V-132 tested the rudders and flaps; the simpler V-131, which made two drop tests earlier, tested the parafoil control system.

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-10 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Payette, Tokarev. Program: ISS. As the International Space Station completed its 1,700th orbit of Earth, flight control teams in Houston and Moscow reported its systems continued to operate well this week with no problems seen that would interfere with its flight.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-11 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. International Space Station flight controllers in Houston and Moscow performed a successful rendezvous system test this week and continued an analysis of a minor problem with an antenna for one of the onboard communications systems.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-12 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. International Space Station flight controllers returned a U.S. communications system to standard operations this week as they continued an analysis of a minor problem with one of the system's two antennas.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-13 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Most of this week and early next, U.S. and Russian operations personnel are testing the station's power system as part of preparations for the arrival of Discovery and the STS-96 crew in late May.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-14 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Jernigan. Program: ISS. Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow indicate that the Unity module of the International Space Station, in its present position in space, can be adequately heated prior to the Space Shuttle's arrival.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-15 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Today's test is the second of three planned before STS-96, now scheduled for launch about 8:30 in the morning on May 20 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The test involves repositioning the station using its motion control system by sending commands from the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev outside Moscow. The position is one with the ISS positioned sideways, rather than perpendicular to the Earth. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-16 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The second planned power test aboard the International Space Station was completed late last week setting the stage for the arrival of Discovery next month on the first logistics flight carrying hardware and supplies to the outpost, which celebrated its fifth month in orbit two days ago. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-17 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Space Shuttle Discovery rolled to its sea-side launch pad earlier this week in preparation for the first flight of the year to visit the International Space Station, which is monitored nearly around the clock by flight control teams in Houston and Moscow.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-18 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. In space and in nations around the world, preparations for the next steps in the orbital assembly of the International Space Station are entering the home stretch this week.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-19 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station will await its first visitors of the year for at least one more week as Shuttle managers elected to move Discovery back to its hangar for repairs to its external fuel tank insulation caused by a recent hail storm.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-20 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  As the International Space Station celebrates its 6-month anniversary today, flight controllers in Houston and Moscow ready both the station and shuttle for the first visit to the outpost of the year scheduled to begin with launch of Discovery in the early morning of May 27. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report # 02 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96.

  The crew of STS-96 was awakened just before 7 p.m. by the Beach Boys' version of "California Dreamin," played for Mission Specialist Tammy Jernigan. Once awake, Discovery's seven-member crew began preparing for its first full day on orbit to ready the vehicle for tomorrow night's docking with the International Space Station and a spacewalk the night after. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report # 01 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96.

  Discovery and its multi-national crew of seven astronauts blasted off this morning from the Kennedy Space Center, lighting up the early morning skies as they sped to orbit on the first shuttle mission of the year for the first shuttle docking to the International Space Station. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 - . Call Sign: Discovery. Crew: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Payload: Discovery F26 / Spacehab-DM. Mass: 116,884 kg (257,685 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: North American. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-96. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Discovery. Duration: 9.80 days. Decay Date: 1999-06-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 25760 . COSPAR: 1999-030A. Apogee: 397 km (246 mi). Perigee: 384 km (238 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.40 min.

  Discovery docked at the PMA-2 end of the International Space Station PMA-2/Unity/PMA-1/Zarya stack. The crew transferred equipment from the Spacehab Logistics Double Module in the payload bay to the interior of the station. Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry made a space walk to transfer equipment from the payload bay to the exterior of the station. The ODS/EAL docking/airlock truss carried two TSA (Tool Stowage Assembly) packets with space walk tools. The Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC), built by Energia and DASA-Bremen, carried parts of the Strela crane and the US OTD crane as well as the SHOSS box which contains three bags of tools and equipment to be stored on ISS's exterior.

  The STS-96 payload bay manifest:

  • Bay 1-2: Orbiter Docking System/External Airlock
  • Bay 3-4: Tunnel Adapter S/N 001
  • Bay 5-7: Spacehab Tunnel
  • Bay 5: Keel Yoke Device (KYD) and Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC)
  • Bay 8-12: Spacehab Logistics Double Module
  • Bay 13 Port: Adapter Beam (ABA) with IVHM
  • Bay 13 Stbd: Adapter Beam (ABA) with SVF/Starshine
  • Sill: RMS Arm S/N 303
  The STS-96 stack, on mobile launcher 2, was rolled back out to pad 39B after hail damage to the external tank had been repaired. On the launch day, solid rocket booster separation was at 10:51 GMT, main engine cut-off of external tank ET-100 at 10:57 GMT. Discovery was in an initial 74 km x 320 km x 51.6 degree transfer orbit. After the OMS-2 burn at 11:32 GMT, the orbit was 324 km x 341 km x 51.6 degree. Discovery docked with the International Space Station's PMA-2 docking port at 04:24 GMT on May 29. ISS was in a 379 km x 385 km x 51.6 degree orbit. In its configuration at that time it consisted of the PMA-2 docking port, NASA's Unity node, the NASA-owned, Russian-built Zarya module, and the PMA-1 docking unit connecting Unity and Zarya.

  On May 30 at 02:56 GMT Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry entered the payload bay of Discovery from the tunnel adapter hatch, and made a 7 hr 55 min space walk, transferring equipment to the exterior of the station.

  On May 31 at 01:15 GMT the hatch to Unity was opened and the crew began several days of cargo transfers to the station. Battery units and communications equipment were replaced and sound insulation was added to Zarya. Discovery undocked from ISS at 22:39 GMT on June 3 into a 385 x 399 km x 51.6 degree orbit, leaving the station without a crew aboard. On June 5 the Starshine satellite was ejected from the payload bay. The payload bay doors were closed at around 02:15 GMT on June 6 and the deorbit burn was at 04:54 GMT. Discovery landed on runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center at 06:02 GMT.

• Starshine - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Program: ISS. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Starshine. Decay Date: 2000-02-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 25769 . COSPAR: 1999-030B. Apogee: 324 km (201 mi). Perigee: 311 km (193 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg.

  At 0:721 GMT on June 5 the Starshine satellite was ejected into a 379 x 396 km x 51.6 degree orbit from a canister at the rear of STS-96 Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay. The small Starshine satellite, built by NRL, was to be observed by students as part of an educational exercise.

• Spacehab-DM - . Payload: Spacehab-DM. Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: Spacehab. COSPAR: 1999-030x.

• STS-96 Mission Status Report # 03 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96.

  With the Shuttle trailing the station by less than 500 nautical miles and moving closer every orbit, Commander Kent Rominger twice fired Discovery's steering jets to fine tune the Shuttle's approach to the new station. The engine firings were the first in a series that will culminate in a docking with the station planned for 11:24 p.m. Central time today. Down on Discovery's middeck, Flight Engineer Ellen Ochoa and Canadian astronaut Julie Payette opened the tunnel and hatches leading to the Spacehab module in the payload bay. Spacehab is loaded with equipment, clothes and food to be stored aboard the new orbital outpost. Later, Payette and Russian cosmonaut Valery Tokarev temporarily stowed some equipment in the module to free up room in Discovery's cabin. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report # 04 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96.

  At wake-up, the Shuttle trailed the station by about 120 nautical miles and was closing in by about 41 nautical miles with each orbit of Earth. The final phase of rendezvous will begin when Discovery reaches a point about eight nautical miles directly behind the station and fires its engines in a terminal phase initiation burn at 8:35 p.m. Central. The TI burn, as it is called, will put the Shuttle on a course directly toward the station during the next orbit of Earth. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report # 05 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Jernigan, Rominger. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96.

  Discovery's astronauts executed the first-ever docking with the International Space Station late Friday night, easing the shuttle to a textbook linkup with the new orbital facility at 11:24pm Central time as the two craft flew over the Russian-Kazakh border. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report # 06 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96.

  Having completed the first space shuttle docking with the International Space Station late last night, Discovery's astronauts will go to sleep at 8:50 a.m. Central time to rest up for a space walk late tonight to install a pair of cranes and other gear to the exterior of the orbital complex. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report # 07 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96.

  At 4:50 this afternoon, the crew of Discovery awoke to the sound of the Space Center Intermediate Band playing familiar themes from "Star Wars." The music and performers were of particular interest to Mission Specialist Dan Barry because his daughter, Jenny, plays flute in that band. Barry and fellow Mission Specialist Tammy Jernigan are STS-96's own "skywalkers" tonight as they prepare to work outside Discovery during an Extravehicular Activity scheduled to begin shortly after 10 this evening. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report # 08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Jernigan, Newman, Ochoa, Payette, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. STS-96 Astronauts Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry completed the second longest space walk in shuttle history at 5:51 a.m. Central time Sunday, accomplishing all of the objectives mapped out for their excursion as well as a couple of unscheduled activities.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #09 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. Discovery's astronauts are preparing to enter the International Space Station for the first time in six months following a rousing wakeup call from Mission Control in honor of Memorial Day.. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-96-1 - . Crew: Barry, Jernigan. EVA Duration: 0.33 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Jernigan. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Flight: STS-96. Spacecraft: ISS. On May 30 at 02:56 GMT Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry entered the payload bay of space shuttle Discovery from the tunnel adapter hatch. During the space walk they transferred equipment to the exterior of the station..

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #11 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. Discovery's crew of seven awoke to the country and western tune "Amarillo by Morning" to begin flight day six on orbit. The George Strait version was played in honor of Pilot Rick Husband, who is from Amarillo, Texas.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #10 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. For the first time in six months, astronauts entered the International Space Station delivering supplies and preparing the outpost to receive its first resident crew, scheduled to arrive in early 2000.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96.

  Discovery's crew headed for its sleep period this morning, reporting significant progress in the transfer of equipment and supplies to the International Space Station after finishing up the planned refurbishment of a battery system in one of the station's modules. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #13 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Husband, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. Discovery's crew awakened this afternoon to the classical music selection "Exultate Jubilate" by Mozart. The selection is a favorite of Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #14 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Gidzenko, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. Discovery's seven astronauts have successfully transferred almost two tons of material and equipment to the International Space Station to be used by the first residents of the outpost when they arrive next year.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #15 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Husband, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96.

  Discovery's astronauts will finish their work inside the International Space Station tonight and are scheduled to have all the hatches closed by about 4 a.m. Thursday. Shortly thereafter, the shuttle's small thrusters will be fired to raise the entire complex's orbit in preparation for the undocking and departure set for late tomorrow afternoon. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #17 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Husband, Jernigan, Rominger. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. Discovery departed the International Space Station at 5:39 p.m. Central today as the two spacecraft flew 245 miles above northwest Mongolia, leaving the new outpost stocked with more than two tons of supplies and equipment for future crews.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #16 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Rominger. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. Discovery's astronauts closed the hatches leading into the International Space Station early this morning and boosted the station into a higher orbit to set the stage for a planned arrival of the Russian-built Zvezda Service Module later this year.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #18 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. After leaving the International Space Station behind, Discovery's astronauts were rewarded with several hours of scheduled off-duty time in recognition of their ambitious pace of activities over the past several days.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #19 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Rominger. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96.

  Discovery's crew was awakened this afternoon to begin readying its spaceship for the return trip home early Sunday morning. But before that, the crew has one last mission objective to complete: The deploy of a small educational satellite at 2:21 a.m. Saturday. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #21 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Ross, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. Discovery and its seven-member crew are preparing to return home tonight with landing planned for 1:03 a.m. Central time following a flight that will go into the books as the first docking of a shuttle with the International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #20 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Payette, Rominger. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. During their final full day in orbit, Discovery's astronauts released a small student satellite high over the Indian Ocean and prepared for a Sunday morning landing at the Kennedy Space Center.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-96 Mission Status Report #22 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Ross, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. Discovery's astronauts glided to the 11th night landing in shuttle program history early Sunday, landing at 1:03 a.m. Central time to wrap up a 4 million mile mission to resupply the International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• Landing of STS-96 - . Return Crew: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Husband, Jernigan, Ochoa, Payette, Rominger, Tokarev. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-96. STS-96 landed at 06:02 GMT. .

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-21 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. All systems on the complex are in excellent shape with the station orbiting in its routine, unstaffed position with Unity pointed at the Earth and Zarya pointed toward space.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-22 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  International Space Station flight controllers prepared to maneuver the station slightly last weekend to avoid a possible close pass by orbital debris, but the maneuver was not carried out and ultimately was not required as the debris passed a harmless distance from the station early Sunday morning. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-23 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  ISS flight controllers in the United States and Russia began the first scheduled full charge and discharge of the six batteries on the Zarya module as part of a twice-yearly procedure to maintain as long a life on the electrical storage units as possible. This maintenance of "training" the batteries is similar to what one would do with a cellular phone or cordless tool battery here on the ground. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-24 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. International Space Station components continue to operate in good health with the exception being one of six batteries used to store solar energy in order to provide electrical power to the complex when it is in darkness.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-25 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station continues to operate in good health with flight controllers monitoring two minor problems. One is with a battery on Zarya and the other is with the backup communications system in Unity.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-26 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  International Space Station activities continue to focus on the maintenance of on-board batteries to ensure as long a life as possible and the troubleshooting of a balky antenna on the backup communications system. Flight controllers continue to watch over ISS systems as well, despite two instances of power outages at the Russian Mission Control Center late last week and again today. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-27 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight controllers completed the deep-cycling on battery number 2 last week and battery number 1 Saturday.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-28 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-93.

  The focus of attention remained on the conditioning of the six batteries in the Zarya module and the "deep cycling" of the batteries to insure that they will provide the proper output of electricity. The "deep cycling" effort involves the discharge and recharge of each battery to maintain as long a life as possible for the operation of ISS systems. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-29 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station continued to perform well this week with flight controllers in Houston and Moscow noting no significant problems as the outpost completed its 4,000th orbit of Earth since its November 1998 launch.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-30 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight control teams in Houston and Moscow continue to monitor the health of International Space Station systems with no significant problems on board other than a balky battery that currently is not being used for electrical power.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-31 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station successfully completed an orbital test of the automatic docking system this week in preparation for the arrival of its next major component, the Russian-provided Zvezda living quarters module.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-32 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow spent a quiet week monitoring the orbiting International Space Station, with the outpost's systems continuing to operate well and their status basically unchanged from last week.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-33 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Following a test this week, International Space Station flight controllers are optimistic that one of the Station's batteries that has been disconnected from the electrical system for several weeks may be usable if needed in the future.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-34 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The International Space Station's systems continued to function normally this week, with no major problems. Troubleshooting continued on one of the Space Station's six batteries (Battery No. 1), which is not being used to provide electrical power. This battery is to be replaced by the STS-101 crew and may be returned to Earth for examination. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-35 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  As the International Space Station orbits 245 miles above the Earth, work on the ground continues to focus on monitoring the health of onboard systems in preparation for the arrival in about two months of its next major component - the Zvezda service module. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-36 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The International Space Station continues to orbit the Earth with its systems operating in good fashion as NASA managers prepare to meet with their Russian counterparts next week in Moscow for updates on the testing of the ISS's next component, the Zvezda Service Module. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-37 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  While the International Space Station orbits in excellent health, technical representatives from NASA and the Russian Aviation and Space Agency held a series of Technical Integration Meetings over the last two weeks culminating in a Joint Program Review to discuss issues related to the International Space Station Program. During the meeting, the status of the shuttle fleet, the Zvezda Service Module, and U.S. elements were reviewed. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-38 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station spent a quiet week in orbit with flight controllers in Houston and Moscow monitoring onboard systems, while verifying backup command links through NASA's communications network.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-39 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. With International Space Station systems in good shape, flight controllers again demonstrated commanding capability to Zarya's computers from Houston via the early communications system mounted on Unity.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-40 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. In orbit on the International Space Station activities continue to go smoothly with the focus being on systems checks and command link verification between the two control centers and the orbiting complex.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-41 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station's orbit was raised slightly earlier today as a precaution in avoiding a piece of space debris.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-42 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Activity surrounding the operation of the International Space Station settled down a bit following the maneuver of the complex earlier this week to avoid a close approach of a piece of space debris.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-43 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Routine operations continue aboard the International Space Station this week as flight controllers monitored systems and made the usual checks of its orientation and spin rate.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-44 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Battery cycling of the five usable storage units inside the Zarya module was completed this week as controllers prepare for the next round of deep-cycling scheduled to begin late next week. The deep cycling of each battery takes about five days. The batteries store solar energy, which then is converted into electrical power for the Station's systems. Periodically, each battery is cycled to ensure its health and maintain its life. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-45 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Flight controllers in Moscow and Houston began the second round of deep-cycling of the batteries inside the Zarya module last weekend, but stopped the procedure when the first battery did not discharge properly. The deep cycling of the batteries is done about every six months to maintain the units efficiency and lifetime to provide the maximum electrical capability to station systems. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-46 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Routine battery cycling and preparations to raise the International Space Station's altitude have been the focus of the last week as flight controllers monitor systems aboard Zarya and Unity.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-47 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The International Space Station's altitude was raised by an average of 10 statute miles yesterday following two thruster firings using jets on the Zarya module. The result of the orbit-raising burns placed the station in a 245 by 238 statute mile orbit in preparation for the arrival of the Zvezda service module early next year. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-48 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The International Space Station's first two components are in good shape with only minor issues facing the flight control teams in Houston and Moscow - none of which affect the operation of the complex. Since raising the altitude of the Station last week, controllers continue to manage electrical power generated by the Zarya module. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 99-49 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Much of the last week, flight controllers in Houston and Moscow have managed battery charging and watched over other systems on the station. Electrical power management continues to be the focus using four of six batteries inside Zarya. Batteries 1 and 2 remain disconnected from the electrical bus. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-01 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Flight controllers continue to manage the charging of the batteries on the Zarya module and are watching over other systems on the station. Electrical power management continues to be the focus, with the Station operating on the power generated by four of six batteries inside Zarya. Batteries 1 and 2 remain disconnected from the electrical bus. Over the next two weeks, controllers plan to recharge battery 1 and place it in a backup, or standby mode, to be used if necessary. The four batteries currently servicing Zarya are providing more than enough power for all ISS systems. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-02 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Managers continue to manage electrical power through four of six batteries inside the Zarya module, with battery number one currently in full restoration mode through Monday. Following its restoration, which is conducted on all batteries every six months to maximize charging capacity, battery one will be available for use periodically, if necessary. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-03 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Flight controllers continue to manage electrical power through the batteries inside the Zarya module, recharging four of the six on-board power plants. Battery # 1, which has experienced some problems and will be replaced by Shuttle astronauts later this year on the next mission to the ISS, has been recharged and is currently connected to Zarya's electrical bus while other batteries complete their recharging. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-04 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  With the International Space Station operating well on orbit, managers for both the Station and Shuttle programs earlier today elected to protect the option of flying to the station in April - ahead of the arrival of the Zvezda service module, whose launch aboard a Proton rocket is under evaluation by the Russian Aviation and Space Agency. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-05 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The International Space Station continues to operate in excellent shape on orbit with no systems problems of any significance. Meanwhile, station managers are preparing to travel to Moscow next week for a review of the program and the readiness of the Russian Aviation and Space Agency to support the launch of the station's next component - the Zvezda service module. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-06 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-99.

  With no significant issues affecting the on-orbit operation of the International Space Station, managers meeting in Moscow today selected the period from July 8-14 for launch of the Zvezda service module atop a Russian Proton launch vehicle. The ISS Partners formally will be presented the dates for final approval within the next several weeks, in accordance with the ISS Control Board policy. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-07 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-99.

  As the International Space Station continues to orbit the Earth in good shape, its automatic docking system was tested twice this week without problems in an effort to verify that the system is ready to support the rendezvous with the Zvezda service module this summer. Meanwhile, Space Shuttle and Station managers formally approved the Shuttle visit to the Station to outfit Zvezda for occupancy by the first resident crew. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Voss, Weber, Mary, Wilcutt, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS.

  The International Space Station continues to orbit quietly without any significant problems hampering its operation as it awaits the arrival of a Space Shuttle crew to perform maintenance tasks while delivering logistics and supplies for use by future astronaut crews. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-09 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Voss, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS.

  Earlier this week one of the television cameras aboard Zarya was activated to allow engineers to view the small crane mounted on the side of the module that has been determined to be in a 'soft dock' configuration rather than the expected 'hard dock' position. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-10 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The focus of attention for the two flight control teams is preparation for the launch of Atlantis next month on the STS-101 mission, the first Shuttle flight to the ISS in almost a year. Six American astronauts and a veteran Russian cosmonaut will spend six days docked to the Station to conduct maintenance work on the Unity and Zarya modules and to transfer a ton of logistical supplies for use by the first resident crew which will occupy the ISS later this year. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-11 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. A docking attitude test was performed Tuesday to verify the operation of the motion control system aboard Zarya - the electronics associated with commanding maneuvers of the ISS for rendezvous and docking operations.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31.

  On-orbit activities of the International Space Station continue to focus on electrical power system management as engineers on the ground train their attention on the processing and outfitting of Atlantis for its first visit to space and an orbiting outpost since it returned from the Mir Space Station in 1997. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-13 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Helms, Voss, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS.

  A launch on April 24 will see Atlantis - fresh off a year-and-a-half of refurbishment and maintenance - dock two days later to an orbiting space station for the first time since it arrived at the Russian Mir space station on STS-86 in September 1997. The orbiter and its external fuel tank/solid rocket booster stack was moved to the launch pad last Saturday and the Spacehab double module was installed into the payload bay earlier this week. A countdown test that includes the seven astronauts will be conducted next Thursday and Friday at the Kennedy Space Center to mirror the events that will take place on launch day. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-14 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS.

  Shuttle and Station managers yesterday selected April 24 as the launch target date at the conclusion of the Flight Readiness Review, while engineers evaluate an issue with the power drive unit (PDU) for Atlantis' rudder speed brake. Following a hydraulic system test, a higher than normal pressure reading in the suspect PDU was identified. Ongoing analysis will confirm if the PDU needs to be replaced. Managers are evaluating plans to perform the work at the launch pad and currently expect no impact to the launch date. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-15 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS.

  Atlantis' STS-101 mission remains scheduled for launch at about 4:15 p.m. Eastern time on April 24 with the mission's major goals to accomplish the complete restoration of the electrical power system on the Zarya module and raising the Station's altitude in preparation for Zvezda's arrival in late July. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-16 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS.

  If all goes as planned, this time next week the International Space Station will house visitors for the first time since the visit by the crew of STS-96 last year. All continues to go smoothly with preparations for the launch of Atlantis to start the STS-101 mission on Monday. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-17 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  International Space Station (ISS) flight controllers have resumed routine operations watching over systems and cycling onboard batteries, while awaiting word on the next available launch opportunity for Space Shuttle Atlantis. That decision is expected late today or early tomorrow. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-18 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station will wait a bit longer for its next visitors, as the next available attempt to launch Atlantis on the STS-101 mission will not occur before May 18. The tentative launch time that day would be about 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-19 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow are preparing for the next launch attempt of the Shuttle Atlantis to send six American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut to the International Space Station (ISS).. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-20 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  Preparations for the next launch attempt of Atlantis to send six American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut to the International Space Station (ISS) are moving along with no apparent issues standing in the way of a scheduled liftoff next Thursday, May 18. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #02 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  The crew of STS-101 was awakened just after 6 p.m. to Tom Petty's song "Free Fallin'," played for Mission Specialist Susan Helms. Once awake, Atlantis' seven-member crew began preparing for its first full day on orbit to ready the vehicle for tomorrow night's docking with the International Space Station and a space walk Sunday night. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #01 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Lu, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. With dawn's first light glimmering above, six American astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center to pay a "home improvement" house call on the fledgling International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 - . Call Sign: Atlantis. Crew: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Usachyov, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Payload: Atlantis F21. Mass: 115,900 kg (255,500 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Usachyov, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: Boeing. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-101. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Duration: 9.84 days. Decay Date: 2000-05-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 26368 . COSPAR: 2000-027A. Apogee: 381 km (236 mi). Perigee: 352 km (218 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.90 min.

  ISS Logistics flight. Launch delayed three times by weather. Objective of mission STS-101 was repair, resupply and construction tasks aboard the international space station. This was the first launch with new electronic cockpit displays and other upgrades. The solid boosters separated at 10:13 GMT and the main engines cutoff at 10:19 GMT. The external tank, ET-102 then separated, with both orbiter and ET-102 in a 52 x 320 km initial orbit. At 10:54 GMT the OMS engines fired to raise perigee to 159 x 329 km x at 51.6 deg. Atlantis docked with the International Space Station's PMA-2 docking adapter on the Unity node at 04:31 GMT on May 21. At that time the ISS was in a 332 x 341 km orbit.

  On May 22 mission specialists Jeff Williams and James carried out external maintenance work on the ISS.

  On May 23 at 00:03 GMT the Atlantis crew opened the first hatch to PMA-2 and entered the Station. The crew replaced a set of batteries in Zarya, installed fans and ducting to improve airflow, and delivered supplies and equipment. Three hour-long orbit raising burns on May 24 and 25 by the RCS engines on Atlantis raised the station to a 372 x 380 km x 51.6 deg orbit.

  The STS-101 crew left the station on May 26, closing the PMA-2 hatch at 08:08 GMT and undocking at 23:03 GMT. Atlantis performed a 180 degree flyaround of the station and departed the vicinity around 23:44 GMT.

  Atlantis closed its payload bay doors around 02:30 GMT on May 29 and fired the OMS engines for deorbit at 05:12 GMT. The vehicle landed on RW15 at Kennedy Space Center at 06:20 GMT. Atlantis was to be turned around for the next ISS shuttle flight, STS-106.

  Left in orbit was the renovated International Space Station, equipped with an upgraded electrical system, new fans, filters, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and communications gear.

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #04 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  Atlantis' astronauts were awakened at 4:11 p.m. Central today to the song "Still Shining" by Bob Seger in honor of tonight's rendezvous with the International Space Station. STS-101 Mission Commander Jim Halsell will guide Atlantis to the second Shuttle docking with the International Space Station late this evening. Atlantis is planned to dock with the station at 11:31 p.m. Central. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #03 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  Atlantis' crew spent a smooth day in space checking equipment in preparation for upcoming activities: docking with the International Space Station late tonight; a spacewalk planned for late Sunday; and the transfer of over a ton of equipment to the station that will begin late Monday. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #06 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Voss, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. The seven astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis were awakened at 4:11 p.m. CDT to the song "Lookin' Out the Window" by Stevie Ray Vaughan and are now busy with preparations for tonight's space walk which is scheduled to begin about 9:15 p.m. CDT.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #05 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. Flying five miles a second above the Ukraine, Commander Jim Halsell gently pulled the Shuttle Atlantis into port last night, flawlessly latching his 100-ton spacecraft to the 35-ton International Space Station for a five-day stay.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #07 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. Astronauts Jim Voss and Jeff Williams spent over six hours outside the Space Shuttle Atlantis this morning, completing a variety of planned assembly and maintenance tasks on the International Space Station with ease.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Voss. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  Atlantis' seven member crew was awakened just before 4 p.m. CDT to begin its fifth day in space and is now preparing to enter the International Space Station to perform maintenance work and transfer supplies for future station crews. Today's wakeup call was "Haunted House" by Ray Buchanan since the opening lyrics say "I just moved into a new house today...." in honor of the STS-101 crew entering what will be a new home for astronauts and cosmonauts later this year. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-101-1 - . Crew: Voss, Williams, Jeffrey. EVA Duration: 0.29 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Voss, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Flight: STS-101. Spacecraft: ISS. The crew reattached the US crane, attached the Russian Strela transfer boom, and replaced a faulty antenna on the Unity node. EVA handrails were fixed to the station exterior for use on later spacewalks..

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #09 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. Atlantis' crew ventured into the International Space Station for the first time last night, finding the 35-ton outpost comfortable, clean and in overall good condition as they completed a series of maintenance tasks well ahead of schedule.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #10 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Husband, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  The STS-101 astronauts aboard Atlantis were awakened at 3:41 p.m. CDT to begin their sixth day in space and third day of docked operations with the International Space Station. Today's wake up song from Mission Control was a long distance dedication from Kathy Halsell to her husband, Mission Commander Jim Halsell, the Flamingoes tune "I Only Have Eyes for You." Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  STS-101 Commander Jim Halsell and his crew are continuing their efforts aboard the International Space Station as they begin their fourth day of docked operations. The seven astronauts were awakened at 3:28 p.m. CDT with the music, "I'm Gonna Fly" by Amy Grant which was requested by Pilot Scott Horowitz's wife. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #11 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  Atlantis' astronauts continued a smooth pace of work aboard the International Space Station today, breezing through tasks ranging from standard home maintenance such as replacing smoke detectors to successfully conducting the first in a series of orbital boosts for the outpost. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #14 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  The seven STS-101 astronauts are spending their final full day docked to the International Space Station as they prepare for undocking Friday evening. When Atlantis undocks tomorrow evening, it will leave behind a refurbished orbiting facility, operating at a higher altitude and featuring new electrical and communications components. The station is now primed and ready to receive the next major piece of the station, the Zvezda Service Module, when it is launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan between July 8-14. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #13 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  As their seventh day in space draws to a close this morning, the astronauts aboard Atlantis have virtually completed their maintenance work on the International Space Station, installing equipment that is planned to leave the space outpost in flawless condition. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #15 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. With all of their mission's objectives met or exceeded, Atlantis' crew shut the doors to the International Space Station early this morning in preparation for bidding the rejuvenated outpost farewell this evening.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #16 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. With a gentle push, Atlantis and the International Space Station parted company this evening as the two spacecraft flew 237 miles over Kazakhstan concluding five days of work to prepare the outpost for its first resident crew.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #18 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Ross, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. With all major mission objectives successfully completed, Atlantis' crew turned its attention to a planned return trip home, with a landing scheduled for 1:20 a.m. Central time on Monday at the Kennedy Space Center.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #17 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Horowitz. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  Having departed a rejuvenated International Space Station last night, Atlantis' crew will now spend a day checking the shuttle's equipment and stowing away gear in preparation for the trip home, aiming for a 1:20 a.m. CDT landing on Monday at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #20 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101.

  Final deorbit preparation begins at 8:13 p.m. CDT this evening on the crew's timeline. The space shuttle's payload bay doors will be closed at 9:33 p.m. and the spacecraft's radiators will no longer provide cooling once they are closed. Mission Control gives a "go" or "no go" call for transition to the software phase known as "Ops 3" at 9:45 p.m., shifting the onboard computers' attention to deorbit and entry tasks. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #19 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Horowitz, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. The astronauts aboard Atlantis have packed their bags and checked out their spacecraft in preparation for a return home and a planned touchdown at 1:20 a.m. Central time Monday at the Kennedy Space Center.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-101 Mission Status Report #21 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Ross, Voss, Weber, Mary, Wilcutt, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. Atlantis' astronauts glided to a ghostly pre-dawn landing this morning at the Kennedy Space Center to wrap up a successful refurbishment and resupply mission to the International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• Landing of STS-101 - . Return Crew: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Usachyov, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Halsell, Helms, Horowitz, Usachyov, Voss, Weber, Mary, Williams, Jeffrey. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. STS-101 landed at 06:20 GMT. .

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-21 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. A rejuvenated International Space Station circles the Earth in excellent shape from a higher orbit and is ready for the arrival of its next pressurized component - the Zvezda service module.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-22 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow are monitoring no problems aboard the International Space Station as it circles the Earth every 92 minutes.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-23 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow are beginning to prepare of the International Space Station for the launch of its third major component, the Zvezda Service Module, expected in a few weeks.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-24 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. International Space Station flight controllers continued preparations this week for the arrival of the Zvezda living quarters module, expected to launch in the next few weeks.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-25 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  After a week of comprehensive reviews by program managers on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, the next component of the International Space Station (ISS) is poised for launch to provide the early living quarters for the first permanent occupants of the orbital outpost. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-26 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The Zvezda Service Module, which will provide the early living quarters on board the International Space Station, is slated for a 12:56 a.m. EDT launch on July 12 (11:56 p.m. CDT July 11; or 4:56 GMT on July 12) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-27 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Destined to soon transform the International Space Station into a new home in orbit, the Russian-built Zvezda living quarters module lifted off flawlessly from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, at 11:56 p.m. CDT Tuesday.. Additional Details: here....

• Zvezda - . Mass: 20,295 kg (44,742 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RAKA. Manufacturer: Chelomei bureau, Korolev bureau. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: ISS Zvezda. USAF Sat Cat: 26400 . COSPAR: 2000-037A. Apogee: 332 km (206 mi). Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg.

  Years behind schedule, the Zvezda living module of the International Space Station, built and financed by Russia, finally reached orbit. Zvezda's initial orbit was 179 x 332 km x 51.6 deg. On July 14 the orbit was raised to 288 x 357 km. ISS was then in a 365 x 372 km orbit. After matching orbits with the ISS, Zvezda then became the passive docking target for the Russian-built, US-financed Zarya module already attached to the station. The Zarya/Unity stack docked with the Zvezda module at 00:45 GMT on July 26, forming the basic core of the International Space Station. A flood of NASA missions would follow to bring the station into operation.

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-28 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ross. Program: ISS.

  The Zvezda service module is in excellent shape a day after its launch aboard a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Zvezda was launched at 12:56 a.m. EDT Wednesday and was on its own 10 minutes later after the Proton's third stage separated and fell away from the module. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-29 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. These were the first of several large rendezvous burns scheduled over the course of the next 10 days to refine Zvezda's orbital altitude in relation to that of the ISS in preparation for docking, scheduled for 8:46 p.m. EDT on July 25.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-30 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The Zvezda service module is operating in excellent shape as it phases toward the International Space Station with docking still scheduled for 8:46 p.m. on July 25.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-31 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station (ISS) and Zvezda service module continue their orbital ballet with all systems on both spacecraft in excellent shape leading toward a planned docking at 8:53 p.m. Eastern Time, July 25.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-32 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  With its days flying alone in orbit coming to an end, the Zvezda service module nears completion of systems checkouts in preparation for docking to the International Space Station. The linkup remains scheduled for 8:53 p.m. Eastern Time next Tuesday, July 25, as the two spacecraft fly high above the Russian Federation within the coverage area of ground communication stations. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-33 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The International Space Station's newest module, Zvezda, has completed all of its planned maneuvers and now awaits the arrival of its permanent home in space as the Zarya control module takes over the remaining rendezvous tasks. The updated docking time is 8:44 p.m. Eastern Tuesday. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-34 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS.

  The newest component for the ever-growing International Space Station, the Russian Zvezda Service Module, successfully linked up with the fledgling complex this evening as the two craft flew high over the northeast portion of Kazakhstan marking the arrival of the first living quarters for the permanent human habitation of the new outpost. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-35 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ross. Program: ISS. The night sky's third brightest object - the International Space Station - now is under computer control from its newest addition, the Zvezda service module, following a 'handover' of that responsibility this weekend from the Zarya control module.. Additional Details: here....

• Progress M1-3 - . Payload: Progress M1 s/n 251. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RAKA. Manufacturer: Korolev bureau. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned logistics spacecraft. Flight: STS-106. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Progress M1. Duration: 86.53 days. Decay Date: 2000-11-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 26461 . COSPAR: 2000-044A. Apogee: 362 km (224 mi). Perigee: 347 km (215 mi). Inclination: 51.50 deg. Period: 91.63 min.

  Progress M1-3 automatically docked with the International Space Station on August 8 at 20:13 GMT at the rear Zvezda port. The supply ship began refuelling of the station a few days later. It remained attached for offloading of its dry cargo by the STS-106 crew. It later separated from Zvezda's rear port at 0405 GMT November 1 and was deorbited over the Pacific at 0705 GMT.

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-36 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31.

  The stage is set for another docking to the International Space Station (ISS) Tuesday - this time by a Russian Progress supply vehicle that launched Sunday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Progress is delivering clothing, computers, personal hygiene items, office supplies, food and fuel for the first permanent residents of the Station, the Expedition One crew, which is scheduled to arrive on board in early November. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-37 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. The International Space Station (ISS) grew in size and capability once again today with the picture-perfect docking of its first Progress supply craft at 3:13 p.m. Central Time.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-38 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Malenchenko. Program: ISS.

  International Space Station flight controllers in the United States and Russia continued preparations this week for the next station visitors, the crew of Shuttle mission STS-106, planned to open up the newly attached Zvezda living quarters module for the first time. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-39 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Malenchenko. Program: ISS.

  International Space Station flight controllers resumed the transfer of propellants this week from tanks aboard the Progress cargo supply craft to tanks aboard the station's Zvezda module and made other preparations for the planned arrival of the Space Shuttle Atlantis early next month. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-40 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. With a visit by the Space Shuttle Atlantis a little over a week away, International Space Station flight controllers plan to conduct a final rehearsal of the station's activities for the upcoming docking on Tuesday.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #01 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  Space Shuttle Atlantis rocketed into space at 7:46 this morning and is on course to rendezvous and dock with the International Space Station shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday. At the time of Atlantis' launch, the 67-ton station was flying above Hungary, southwest of Budapest. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #02 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106. Once in orbit, the crew quickly packed up its ascent suits and unpacked equipment to ready the orbiter for the 11-day mission before turning in at 12:46 p.m. for its first sleep period. The crew will wake up at 8:46 this evening.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 - . Call Sign: Atlantis. Crew: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Payload: Atlantis F22. Mass: 115,900 kg (255,500 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: Boeing. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-106. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Duration: 11.80 days. Decay Date: 2000-09-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 26489 . COSPAR: 2000-053A. Apogee: 387 km (240 mi). Perigee: 375 km (233 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.20 min.

  Atlantis was launched from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B. Solid rocket boosters RSRM-75 and external tank ET-103 were used to loft the orbiter into space. The inital orbit of 72 x 328 km x 51.6 deg was circularised by the Shuttle's OMS engines at apogee.

  Atlantis docked with the PMA-2 adapter on the International Space Station at 05:51 GMT on September 10. The orbiter's small RCS engines were used to gently reboost the station's orbit several times.

  Astronauts Lu and Malenchenko made a spacewalk on September 11 beginning at 04:47 GMT. They rode the RMS arm up to Zvezda and began installing cables, reaching a distance of 30 meters from the airlock when installing Zvezda's magnetometer. Total EVA duration was 6 hours 21 minutes.

  During their 12-day flight, the astronauts spent a week docked to the International Space Station during which they worked as movers, cleaners, plumbers, electricians and cable installers. In all, they spent 7 days, 21 hours and 54 minutes docked to the International Space Station, outfitting the new Zvezda module for the arrival of the Expedition One crew later this fall.

  The Shuttle undocked from ISS at 03:44 GMT on September 18 and made two circuits of the station each lasting half an orbit, before separating finally at 05:34 GMT. The payload bay doors were closed at 04:14 GMT on September 20 and at 06:50 GMT the OMS engines ignited for a three minute burn lowering the orbit from 374 x 386 km x 51.6 deg to 22 x 380 km x 51.6 deg. After entry interface at 07:25 GMT, the orbiter glided to a landing on runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center with main gear touchdown at 07:56:48 GMT for a mission duration of 283 hr 11min.

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #04 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  STS-106 Mission Commander Terry Wilcutt along with his crew, Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov, were awakened at 5:46 p.m. CDT today. The wake up song from Mission Control was " I Say a Little Prayer" which was played for Wilcutt. All seven astronauts are now busy with final preparations for the docking with the International Space Station set for early tomorrow morning. Atlantis is planned to make the third docking with the station at 12:52 a.m. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #03 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  Their first full day in space was a busy one for the astronauts and cosmonauts aboard Atlantis as they moved ever closer to an early Sunday morning linkup with the International Space Station. Docking is scheduled to occur at 12:52 a.m. central time Sunday as the two spacecraft soar high above Kazakhstan. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #05 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  Commander Terry Wilcutt steered Space Shuttle Atlantis to a smooth link-up with the International Space Station at 12:51 a.m. CDT Sunday, setting the stage for six days of outfitting to make the orbiting outpost ready for its first residents in early November. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #06 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  The seven member STS-106 crew was awakened just before 7 p.m. CDT to begin its fourth day of orbital activities and its first full day of docked operations with the International Space Station. The main focus of today's efforts will be a 6 ½ hour space walk conducted by Mission Specialists Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #07 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106. Astronaut Ed Lu and cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko took a 6 hour, 14 minute walk outside the shuttle this morning to complete final connections between the International Space Station's newest module, Zvezda and its first component, Zarya.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  STS-106 Commander Terry Wilcutt along with Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov were awakened at 6:46 p.m. this evening to begin their third day of docked operations. The wake up song, The Hukilau Song by Big Kahuna and the Copa Cat Pack, was played for Lu at the request of his sister. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-106-1 - . Crew: Lu, Malenchenko. EVA Duration: 0.26 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Lu, Malenchenko. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Flight: STS-106. Spacecraft: ISS. Astronauts Lu and Malenchenko made a spacewalk on September 11 beginning at 04:47 GMT. They rode the RMS arm up to Zvezda and began installing cables, reaching a distance of 30 meters from the airlock when installing Zvezda's magnetometer..

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #10 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  The additional mission day will give Wilcutt, Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov more time to prepare the orbiting facility for the arrival of the first station crew when it docks to the station in early November. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #09 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106. The crew of Atlantis opened the doors to a spacious new home on orbit late Monday and began the work of outfitting the interior of the International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  The STS-106 astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis were awakened just before 7 p.m. Central to begin another day of electrical work and transfer activities as they near the halfway point of docked operations with the International Space Station. With 189 hours, 40 minutes of planned Atlantis-ISS docked time, the halfway point of docked operations will be reached at 11:45 p.m. this evening. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #11 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106. Electrical work was the hallmark of the day as four of the mission specialists aboard Atlantis and the International Space Station replaced batteries inside the Zarya and Zvezda modules while supply transfer continued around them.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #14 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  The seven astronauts aboard the Atlantis-International Space Station will soon resume their transfer activities as they start their 5th day of docked operations inside the orbiting facility. As of the start of their workday today, approximately one third of the almost three tons of supplies and equipment have already been moved into the station. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #13 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  Astronauts aboard the International Space Station earlier today completed final electrical installations in both the Zvezda and Zarya modules and transferred another station-based experiment to demonstrate control technologies to suppress unwanted vibrations. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #15 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106. The International Space Station got another boost overnight, as STS-106 Commander Terry Wilcutt and Pilot Scott Altman executed another hour-long series of thruster firings designed to raise the station's orbit by several more miles.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #16 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Lu, Mastracchio. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106. With one full day of docked operations remaining to complete its work on the International Space Station (ISS), the seven-member crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis continued setting up equipment for the station's first inhabitants.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #18 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  STS-106 Mission Commander Terry Wilcutt and his crew were awakened at 6:46 p.m. Central to begin their final full day of docked operations with the International Space Station. By the end of their workday on Sunday morning, Atlantis' astronauts will have finished their efforts of making the orbiting facility a home for the arrival of the first permanent residents of the outpost and all of the hatches between Atlantis and the station will have been closed in preparation for the Shuttle's departure on Sunday evening. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #17 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Mastracchio, Morukov. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106. In the final hours of docked operations between Atlantis and the International Space Station the seven member crew continued transferring supplies and equipment, including an exercise treadmill, for use by the first resident crew later this year.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #20 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Ross, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  Following a successful week of docked operations, the seven astronauts aboard Shuttle Atlantis will depart the International Space Station later this evening, leaving behind the more than three tons (6,600 pounds) of supplies and equipment that was transferred to the orbiting facility. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #19 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Lu, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  The seven STS-106 astronauts and cosmonauts turned out the lights and closed the doors on a new home in space today after spending a week working as movers, cleaners, plumbers, electricians and cable installers. In all, more than 6,600 pounds of supplies were left behind for use by Expedition crews that will live aboard the International Space Station. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #22 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  Having departed the International Space Station last night, Atlantis' crew will now spend a day checking the shuttle's equipment and stowing away gear in preparation for the trip home, aiming for a 2:56 a.m. CDT landing on Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #21 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Cabana, Gidzenko, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Shepherd, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106. Atlantis' seven astronauts and cosmonauts successfully undocked from the International Space Station after accomplishing all mission objectives in outfitting the station for the first resident crew.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #24 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  The STS-106 astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis are preparing for their return to Earth with a planned predawn touchdown on the 3-mile long Shuttle Landing Facility runway at the Kennedy Space Center at 2:56 a.m. CDT Wednesday. The forecasted weather for early Wednesday shows essentially favorable conditions with some concern for rain showers in the vicinity of the Florida spaceport. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #23 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Lu, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106.

  Atlantis' crew turned its attention to checking shuttle systems and packing up equipment for the return home scheduled for 2:56 a.m. CDT, Wednesday back at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The weather forecast calls for scattered clouds, a light sea-breeze, and only a slight chance of rain off the coast. Additional Details: here....

• STS-106 Mission Status Report #25 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106. Atlantis and its seven astronauts swooped to a predawn landing at the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday, wrapping up a mission to prepare the initial living quarters of the International Space Station for its first residents.. Additional Details: here....

• Landing of STS-106 - . Return Crew: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Burbank, Lu, Malenchenko, Mastracchio, Morukov, Wilcutt. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-106. STS-106 landed at 07:56 GMT. .

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-41 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. On its own again following Atlantis' visit, the International Space Station is orbiting the Earth in excellent health and is one step closer to becoming a permanent home to astronauts and cosmonauts.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #01 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. Discovery's seven astronauts blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center on the 100th mission in Space Shuttle history tonight to deliver the first external framework structure and a new docking port to the International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 - . Call Sign: Discovery. Crew: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Payload: Discovery F28. Mass: 115,127 kg (253,811 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: Boeing. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-92. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Discovery. Duration: 12.90 days. Decay Date: 2000-10-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 26563 . COSPAR: 2000-062A. Apogee: 394 km (245 mi). Perigee: 386 km (240 mi). Inclination: 51.57 deg. Period: 92.28 min.

  ISS Logistics flight. 100th shuttle flight. Launch delayed from October 6. STS-92 brought the Z-1 Truss (mounted on a Spacelab pallet), Control Moment Gyros, Pressurised Mating Adapter-3 (PMA-3) and two DDCU (Heat pipes) to the International Space Station.

  The RSRM-76 solid rocket boosters separated at 23:19 GMT and main engine cut-off (MECO) came at 23:25 GMT. External tank ET-104 separated into a 74 x 323 km x 51.6 deg orbit. At apogee at 00:01 GMT on Oct 12, Discovery's OMS engines fired to raise perigee to a 158 x 322 km x 51.6 deg orbit; ET-104 re-entered over the Pacific around 00:30 GMT. At Oct 12 on 03:01 GMT the NC1 burn raised the orbit to 180 x 349 km; NC3 on Oct 12 to 311 x 375 km; and the TI burn at 14:09 GMT on Oct 13 to 375 x 381 km x 51.6 deg. Discovery's rendezvous with the International Space Station came at 15:39 GMT on Oct 13, with docking at 17:45 GMT. The spaceship docked with PMA-2, the docking port on the +Y port of the Space Station's Unity module. Hatch was open to PMA-2 at 20:30 GMT the same day.

  STS-92 Cargo Manifest

  • Bay 1-2: Orbiter Docking System + 3 EMU spacesuits
  • Bay 5 Port: Adapter Beam with DDCU-HP control unit
  • Bay 5 Starboard: Adapter Beam with DDCU-HP control unit
  • Bay 7-8: Spacelab Pallet MD003 with PMA-3
  • Bay 10-12: ISS Z1 first segment of the space station truss
  • Bay 13 Adapter Beam with IMAX Cargo Bay Camera
  • Sill: Canadarm RMS 301

  Total payload bay cargo: ca. 14,800 kg

  The Z1 first segment of the space station truss was built by Boeing/Canoga Park and was 3.5 x 4.5 meters in size. It was attached to the +Z port on Unity. Z1 carried the control moment gyros, the S-band antenna, and the Ku-band antenna.

  PMA-3, built by Boeing/Huntington Beach, was docked to the -Z port opposite Z1. PMA-3 was installed on a Spacelab pallet for launch.

  On October 14 at 16:15 GMT the Z1 segment was unberthed from the payload bay and at around 18:20 GMT it was docked to the zenith port on the Unity module.

  On October 15 at 14:20 GMT the ODS airlock was depressurised, beginning a spacewalk by Bill McArthur and Leroy Chiao. Official NASA EVA duration (battery power to repress) was 6 hours 28 minutes.

  The second spacewalk was on October 16, with Jeff Wisoff and Mike Lopez-Alegria. The suits went to battery power at 14:15 GMT and Wisoff left the airlock at 14:21 GMT. Repressurisation began at 21:22 GMT for a duration of 7 hours 07minutes.

  Leroy Chiao and Bill McArthur began the third STS-92 EVA at 15:30 GMT on October 17, completing their work at 22:18 GMT for a total time of 6 hours 48 minutes.

  After the spacewalk, Discovery completed the second of the three station reboosts scheduled for STS-92. They fired reaction control system jets in a series of pulses of 1.4 seconds each, over a 30-minute period, gently raising the station's orbit by about 3.1 km.

  The last of four successful spacewalks began on 18 October at 16:00 GMT and ended at 22:56 GMT, lasting 6 hours and 56 minutes. Jeff Wisoff and Mike Lopez-Alegria each jetted slowly through space above Discovery's cargo bay.

  After the space walk, Discovery completed the third and final reboost of the space station.

  On 19 October the astronauts worked within the ISS. They completed connections for the newly installed Z1 external framework structure and transferred equipment and supplies for the Expedition One first resident crew of the Station. The crew also tested the four 290-kg gyroscopes in the truss, called Control Moment Gyros, which will be used to orient the ISS as it orbits the Earth. They will ultimately assume attitude control of the ISS following the arrival of the U.S. Laboratory Destiny. The tests and the transfer of supplies into the Russian Zarya Module took longer than expected. As a result, the crew's final departure from the Station's Unity module was delayed. Melroy and Wisoff took samples from surfaces in Zarya to study the module's environment. They then unclogged the solid waste disposal system in the Shuttle's toilet, which was restored to full operation after a brief interruption in service.

  Discovery undocked from the ISS at 16:08 GMT on 20 October. The final separation burn was executed about 45 minutes after undocking. The crew had added 9 tonnes to the station's mass, bringing it to about 72 tonnes. The return to earth, planned for 22 October, was delayed repeatedly due to high winds at the Kennedy landing site. The landing was finally made at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on October 24, at 22:00 GMT.

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #02 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. Space Shuttle Discovery continues its approach to the International Space Station, trailing the orbital outpost by approximately 5500 nautical miles as of this morning, closing by about 600 nautical miles each orbit.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #03 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  The seven crew members aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery spent their first full day in orbit today checking equipment in preparation for the major events to come: docking with the International Space Station on Friday and, in following days, attaching an exterior framework and additional Shuttle docking port to the orbiting outpost. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #05 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. Commander Brian Duffy gently maneuvered the Space Shuttle Discovery to a flawless docking with the 70-ton International Space Station this afternoon as the two craft flew 240 miles above Russia.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #04 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. Discovery's astronauts were awakened this morning in preparation for their rendezvous and docking to the International Space Station after an extra hour of sleep to the sounds of "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", by Cyndi Lauper.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #07 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  The crew of Discovery added nine tons of critical equipment to the International Space Station today, attaching a framework that holds motion control gyroscopes and communications equipment and that will serve as a support for a giant set of solar arrays to be launched on the next Space Shuttle flight. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #06 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Discovery's crew is set to install the first of two major components that it carried to the Space Station today - a unique piece of hardware called the Z1 truss. The truss is an exterior framework that houses gyroscopes and communications equipment and later will serve as a mounting platform for large solar arrays that will provide power to the International Space Station. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #09 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  A key structural element for the International Space Station is now electrically connected to the rest of the station and important communications equipment set up after today's successful space walk by astronauts Leroy Chiao and Bill McArthur. "The crew ... worked absolutely perfectly together, " said lead flight director Chuck Shaw in an evening press conference afterward. "It's a major achievement for this complicated an EVA to go this well." Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. Two of Discovery's astronauts will continue outfitting the most recent addition to the International Space Station during a scheduled 6 ½-hour space walk today.. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-92-1 - . Crew: Chiao, McArthur. EVA Duration: 0.27 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, McArthur. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Flight: STS-92. Spacecraft: ISS. The astronauts connected cables between Z1 and Unity, relocated the SASA S-band antenna on Z1, and deployed Z1's SGANT Ku-band antenna. They then took the port ETSD (EVA stowage) box from the Spacelab pallet and installed it on Z1..

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #11 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Discovery astronauts Jeff Wisoff and Mike Lopez-Alegria successfully completed the second of STS-92's four scheduled spacewalks on Monday, attaching an additional docking port to the growing International Space Station. The two spacewalkers also prepared the Z1 truss for the installation of the huge solar arrays to be launched aboard the next shuttle flight. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #10 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Lopez-Alegria, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. With the first of four consecutive space walks behind them, Discovery's crew turns its attention to today's scheduled on-orbit construction activities by Mission Specialists Jeff Wisoff and Mike Lopez-Alegria.. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-92-2 - . Crew: Lopez-Alegria, Wisoff. EVA Duration: 0.30 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Lopez-Alegria, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Flight: STS-92. Spacecraft: ISS.

  Wakata aboard the shuttle used the RMS arm to unberth the PMA-3 docking unit from the SLP pallet at 16:14 GMT, and docked it to Unity at 17:40 GMT. Wisoff and Lopez-Alegria first unbolted PMA-3 from the SLP and then guided Wakata through the delicate alignment process as PMA-3 was removed from the bay and attached to the Station.

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #13 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Chiao, Duffy, Jernigan, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Mission Specialists Leroy Chiao and Bill McArthur completed the third successful spacewalk of Discovery's STS-92 mission at 4:18 p.m. CDT Tuesday, installing two DC-to-DC converter units atop the International Space Station's new Z1 Truss. Those two 129-pound converters, called DDCUs, will convert electricity generated by the huge solar arrays to be attached during the next shuttle mission to the proper voltage. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Barry, Chiao, Jernigan, McArthur, Wakata. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. Mission Specialists Leroy Chiao and Bill McArthur will team up once again today to conduct the third scheduled space walk of this mission, setting the stage for future on-orbit construction and the arrival of the Expedition 1 crew in November.. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-92-3 - . Crew: Chiao, McArthur. EVA Duration: 0.28 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, McArthur. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Flight: STS-92. Spacecraft: ISS.

  The astronauts installed two 58 kg DDCU DC-to-DC converter units atop the International Space Station's Z1 Truss. The DDCUs, will convert electricity generated by the solar arrays to be attached during the next shuttle mission. The spacewalkers also completed power cable connections on both the Z1 truss and newly installed docking port, PMA-3. They connected and reconfigured cables to route power from Pressurised Mating Adapter-2 to PMA-3 for the arrival of Endeavour and the STS-97 crew next month. They also attached a second tool storage box on the Z1 truss, providing a place to hold the tools and spacewalking aids for future assembly flights. McArthur stocked the boxes with tools and hardware that had been attached to the Unity module. STS-96 Astronauts Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry had left the tools on the outside of Unity during a May 1999 spacewalk.

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #15 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Duffy, Jett, Lopez-Alegria, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. Mission Specialists Jeff Wisoff and Mike Lopez-Alegria each jetted slowly through space above Discovery's cargo bay today, demonstrating a small rescue backpack that could help a drifting astronaut regain the safety of the spacecraft.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #14 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Mission Specialists Jeff Wisoff and Mike Lopez-Alegria will team up once again today to conduct the final of four consecutive space walks designed to set the stage for the arrival of the first resident crew next month and the future expansion of the International Space Station. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-92-4 - . Crew: Lopez-Alegria, Wisoff. EVA Duration: 0.29 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Lopez-Alegria, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Flight: STS-92. Spacecraft: ISS.

  Jeff Wisoff and Mike Lopez-Alegria each jetted slowly through space above Discovery's cargo bay, demonstrating the small rescue nitrogen powered SAFER backpack (Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue). This would be used in the future to help a drifting astronaut regain the safety of the spacecraft. Each astronaut performed one 15 meter flight with the SAFER while attached to the shuttle with a long tether. Lopez-Alegria and Wisoff, with Koichi Wakata operating the arm, also completed a series of wrap-up tasks during the EVA. They removed a grapple fixture from the Z1 truss, opened and closed a latch assembly that will hold the solar array truss when it arrives, deployed a tray that will be used to provide power to the U.S. Laboratory Destiny, and tested the manual berthing mechanism latches that will support Destiny. Wisoff opened and closed the latches on the capture assembly for the P6 solar arrays using a pistol grip tool. With it he made more than 125 turns to open the latches, then closed and reopened them. He left the capture latch, called 'the claw,' ready to receive the solar arrays, to be installed by the STS-97 crew. An exercise to test techniques for returning an incapacitated astronaut to the air lock was cancelled because of time constraints.

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #18 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. STS-92 Commander Brian Duffy and his crew were awakened at 5:18 a.m. CDT and will shortly move into final preparations for their undocking from the International Space Station later this morning.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #16 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Following four consecutive days of on-orbit construction outside the International Space Station, Discovery's astronauts today will work inside the Unity and Zarya modules, completing some final connections for the new Z1 Truss and transferring equipment for use by the first resident crew, slated to arrive early next month. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #17 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  The action shifted back inside the International Space Station on Thursday, as Discovery astronauts completed connections for the newly installed Z1 external framework structure and transferred equipment and supplies for the first resident crew of the Station, the Expedition One crew, scheduled to arrive early next month. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #20 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Following their departure from the International Space Station yesterday morning, Discovery's seven astronauts will now spend a day stowing equipment and checking the Space Shuttle systems that support re-entry and landing in preparation for a return to Kennedy Space Center on Sunday afternoon. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #19 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Discovery astronauts undocked from the International Space Station Friday after a successful 6-day, 21-hour and 23-minute visit that saw addition of two major elements to the station and four consecutive days of spacewalks to complete those elements' linkup to the orbiting laboratory. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #21 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Discovery's seven astronauts tested reaction control system thrusters that will properly orient the spacecraft as it begins its descent toward a landing scheduled for 1:14 p.m. CDT Sunday at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They also tested flight surface controls that will be used to fly the orbiter like an airplane once it enters the atmosphere. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #22 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Duffy, Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. The STS-92 astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Discovery are preparing for their return to Earth with a planned touchdown on the 3-mile long Shuttle Landing Facility runway at the Kennedy Space Center at 1:14 p.m. CDT, weather permitting.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #23 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ross. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. Discovery's astronauts will remain in space at least one more day as high winds at the landing site forestalled today's return to the Kennedy Space Center.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #24 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Ross, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Discovery's astronauts prepared for a Monday landing after high crosswinds at Kennedy Space Center caused a delay of at least one day in their return to Earth and the end of their successful mission to expand the International Space Station and ready it for its first crew. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #26 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Rominger. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Discovery's astronauts will remain in space another day after rains near Edwards Air Force Base prevented landing on either of two opportunities at the California site. Discovery had two landing opportunities at Kennedy Space Center, but high winds there made landing weather unacceptable. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #25 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  After an additional day in space, Space Shuttle Discovery and the seven-member STS-92 crew are scheduled to return to Earth later today, weather conditions permitting. Landing opportunities exist at both the prime landing site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the alternate landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #28 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Ross, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92.

  Discovery glided to a textbook landing under sunny skies at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Tuesday, completing a successful mission to the International Space Station. The crew spent more than two extra days in space because of unfavorable weather at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and at Edwards. Additional Details: here....

• STS-92 Mission Status Report #27 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Ross, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. Awakened to the sounds of "Déjà vu" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Commander Brian Duffy advised Mission Control that he and his crew knew what they'd be doing today and hoped to see everyone on the ground soon.. Additional Details: here....

• Landing of STS-92 - . Return Crew: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chiao, Duffy, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur, Melroy, Wakata, Wisoff. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-92. STS-92 landed at 21:00 GMT. .

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-42 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31.

  Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow are preparing the International Space Station to come to life next week with the arrival of its first inhabitants, the three-member Expedition 1 crew that is scheduled to launch from Kazakhstan at 1:53 a.m. CST on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-45 - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. The Expedition 1 crew began its second day in orbit after a 6:30 p.m. CST wakeup by a timing device aboard their Soyuz spacecraft as they continued to close the distance separating them from the International Space Station.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-43 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31.

  Following a launch at 1:53 a.m. CST today from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the first residents to live on board the International Space Station are headed toward a Nov. 2 docking with the orbiting outpost, inaugurating a new era in space flight. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-44 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. The Expedition 1 crew, secure in its Soyuz spacecraft, continues on course for a rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station, inaugurating a new era in human space flight.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS News 001: Soyuz-TM31 - . Nation: Russia. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. Additional Details: here....

• Soyuz TM-31 - . Call Sign: Uran. Crew: Gidzenko, Krikalyov, Shepherd. Payload: Soyuz TM s/n 205. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Krikalyov, Shepherd. Agency: RAKA. Manufacturer: Korolev bureau. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz TM. Duration: 186.91 days. Decay Date: 2001-05-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 26603 . COSPAR: 2000-070A. Apogee: 385 km (239 mi). Perigee: 378 km (234 mi). Inclination: 51.50 deg. Period: 92.18 min.

  Soyuz TM-31 delivered the Expedition One crew to the International Space Station with Gidzenko as the Soyuz crew commander with the call-sign 'Uran'. The spacecraft docked at Zvezda's rear port at 0921 GMT on November 2. The hatch to Zvezda was opened at 1023 GMT. Once aboard ISS, Shepherd became the ISS Commander, with 'Station Alpha' as the ISS callsign. Soyuz TM-31, with Shepherd, Gidzenko and Krikalyov aboard, undocked from the -Y port on Zvezda on February 24, 2001 at 1006 GMT and redocked with the -Z port on Zarya at 1037 GMT. This freed the Zvezda port for a Progress resupply ship. After the departure of the Progress, Soyuz TM-31 undocked from the Zarya nadir port April 18 2001 at 1240 GMT and redocked with the Zvezda aft port at 1301 GMT, leaving clearance for the Raffaello MPLM module to be berthed at the Unity nadir during the STS-100 mission.

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-46 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Fuglesang, Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31.

  The Soyuz spacecraft and the Expedition One crew drew closer to their home in space - the International Space Station - following two rendezvous burns earlier today. Also the Progress supply vehicle was undocked from the station, freeing the aft port on the Zvezda module to which the Soyuz will dock at 3:24 a.m. CST, Thursday. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-47 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31.

  The Expedition 1 crew, Commander Bill Shepherd, Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev, awoke at about 6 p.m. CST this evening to complete preparations for the docking with the International Space Station at 3:24 a.m. Thursday CST. Additional Details: here....

• X-38 V-131R drop-tested over Edwards AFB. - . Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Spacecraft Bus: Rescue. Spacecraft: X-38. The first space flight by X-38 vehicle V-201 was scheduled for 2002 at the time of this test; later ISS budget cutbacks would impact this plan..

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-48 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31.

  The first resident crew members to live and work aboard the International Space station arrived at their new home in space earlier today to begin a planned four month stay aboard the orbiting outpost. The crew in its Soyuz capsule -- Expedition Commander Bill Shepherd, Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineers Sergei Krikalev -- made contact with the aft docking port to the Zvezda Service Module at 3:21 a.m. CST while the two spacecraft were flying over the central portion of Kazakhstan to complete a smooth, automated linkup. Additional Details: here....

• ISS News 002: Approach and docking Soyuz-TM31 at ISS on 2.11.200 - . Nation: Russia. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-49 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. The first permanent residents of the International Space Station (ISS) pressed ahead today, installing key life support systems and additional communications equipment in their first full day aboard the orbiting outpost.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-50 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31.

  The International Space Station's first crew members continued a busy and productive pace of work today, activating and installing several key pieces of equipment in the Zvezda living quarters as they began to settle in to life aboard the orbiting complex. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-51 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. The Expedition One crewmembers installed backup rendezvous equipment and conducted the first exercise on board the International Space Station as they near the end of the first week of their four-month mission.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-52 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Bloomfield, Garneau, Gidzenko, Jett, Noriega, Shepherd, Tanner. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. The Expedition One crew today completed the installation of electronics into a key like support system aboard the International Space Station and exercised on a new treadmill system as they completed one week in space since launch Oct. 31.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-53 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Bloomfield, Garneau, Gidzenko, Jett, Noriega, Shepherd, Tanner. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31.

  The Expedition One crew today installed the final cables and sensors into the prime oxygen-generation system aboard the International Space Station and continued to set up laptop computers and communications gear as they neared the end of a full week aboard the outpost. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-54 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. The Expedition One crew today activated the last of its critical life support systems aboard the International Space Station and looked ahead to the launch of a resupply vehicle next week to the new outpost.. Additional Details: here....

• ISS Status Report: ISS 00-55 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gidzenko, Shepherd. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TM-31. The Expedition One crew spent a relatively quiet day today aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as they prepare for the arrival of an unmanned resupply craft late next week.. Additional Details: here....