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Mission overview

Launch Target: Dec. 6, 2007
Orbiter: Atlantis
Mission Number: STS-122 (121st space shuttle flight)
Launch Window: 10 minutes
Launch Pad: 39A
Mission Duration: TBD
Landing Site: KSC
Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Primary Payload: 24th station flight (1E), Columbus Laboratory

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STS-122


JSC2007-E-21252 : STS-122 crew Image above: STS-122 crew members, attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, pose for a crew photo prior to a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center. From the left are European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts; astronauts Stanley G. Love, all mission specialists; Stephen N. Frick, commander; Alan G. Poindexter, pilot; Leland D. Melvin and Rex J. Walheim, both mission specialists. Image credit: NASA

A veteran space flier, Navy Cmdr. Stephen N. Frick, will command the STS-122 shuttle mission to deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus Laboratory to the International Space Station. Navy Cmdr. Alan G. Poindexter will serve as pilot. Mission specialists include Air Force Col. Rex J. Walheim, Stanley G. Love, Leland D. Melvin and European Space Agency astronaut Hans Schlegel. Poindexter, Love and Melvin will be making their first spaceflight.

Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani, who is set to fly to the space station on the STS-120 mission, will return home with the STS-122 crew. STS-122 will deliver European Space Agency astronaut Léopold Eyharts to the complex.

STS-122 is the 24th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

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Columbus Packed for Launch


[SIZE=7]Image Above: The Atlantic ocean is the backdrop for Space Shuttle Atlantis' seaside launch pad. Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett[/SIZE]

The European-built Columbus module has been loaded into the cargo bay of space shuttle Atlantis in preparation for the launch of STS-122 on Dec. 6. Columbus will be attached to the International Space Station and will serve as a laboratory and research center for station astronauts.

The Columbus segment was waiting at the launch pad Saturday when space shuttle Atlantis was rolled into place Saturday at Launch Pad 39A. Once Atlantis' payload section was covered by the Rotating Service Structure, technicians and workers opened the cargo bay doors and carefully moved the cylindrical Columbus into the shuttle. The module has already been packed with four specialized racks outfitted for experiments. Each rack is about the size of a refrigerator. The segment can hold 10 racks.

Atlantis' crew of seven includes two European Space Agency astronauts who will help install Columbus on the International Space Station and activate its intricate systems. One of the ESA crew members will remain on the station for a long-duration mission.

The launch milestones came less than a week after space shuttle Discovery returned to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to complete mission STS-120. That mission delivered the Harmony module to the station and will be the connecting point at the station for Columbus.

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NASA Prepares for Launch Week


[SIZE=7]Image above: Space shuttle Atlantis rests on Pad 39A awaiting launch on mission STS-122. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett [/SIZE]

Space shuttle Atlantis is set to begin its launch countdown for the STS-122 mission with a flurry of activities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis is scheduled to launch at 4:31 p.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 6.

A green light from senior NASA managers on Friday cleared the way for the last stages of launch preparations.

The seven astronauts who will fly Atlantis to the International Space Station will arrive at Kennedy at 12:30 p.m. on Monday. The countdown officially begins at 7 p.m.

"We have had three outstanding flights this year and we are looking forward to a fourth," space shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said Friday after the Flight Readiness Review concluded.

Atlantis will carry the Columbus laboratory to the space station and install it to the Harmony module, which was brought to the station in October during the last shuttle mission.

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Columbus - Nikolausgeschenk für Europas Raumfahrt

Am 6. Dezember erhält die europäische Raumfahrt ein ganz besonderes Nikolausgeschenk: mit der Raumfähre Atlantis macht sich das Weltraumlabor Columbus auf den Weg zur internationalen Raumstation ISS. Nach langen Jahren des Wartens wird die ISS nun richtig international.

Quelle: NASA/ESA
So zumindest sehen das auch die Amerikaner. Denn Columbus ist das erste größere Labormodul, das nicht aus den USA stammt. Ursprünglich sollte es bereits 2004 in Betrieb genommen wurden. Als dann jedoch am 1. Februar 2003 die Raumfähre Columbia beim Wiedereintritt in die Erdatmosphäre verglühte, wurden erst einmal alle Shuttle-Flüge auf Eis gelegt. Seit 2006 starten die Fähren wieder und nun wird, endlich, Columbus zur ISS fliegen.


Columbus an der ISS (künstlerische Darstellung)
(Bild: ESA)

Zusammen mit Columbus reisen die ESA-Astronauten Hans Schlegel und Léopold Eyharts ins All. Während der Deutsche Schlegel eine führende Rolle bei der Montage des Moduls und dessen Inbetriebnahme spielt, wird der Franzose Eyharts die wissenschaftliche Nutzlast in Betrieb nehmen und erste Experimente durchführen. Er wird dazu längere Zeit auf der ISS verbringen und voraussichtlich im kommenden Februar mit der Shuttle-Mission STS-123 zur Erde zurück kehren. Schlegel fliegt nach getaner Arbeit noch im Dezember mit seinen Kollegen in der Atlantis zurück.

Mit dem Start von Columbus wird auch dessen Kontrollzentrum "online" gehen. Von Oberpfaffenhofen bei München aus betreut und überwacht das DLR für die ESA alle Columbus Aktivitäten. Damit wird erstmals ein wesentlicher Teil der ISS nicht von den USA oder Russland aus gesteuert. Das Columbus-Labor selbst wurde übrigens auch großteils in Deutschland gebaut und zwar bei EADS Astrium in Bremen. Dabei wurde aber auf 41 Unterlieferanten in 14 Ländern zurück gegriffen. Eine wahrhaft europäische Anstrengung also.

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Atlantis Countdown Proceeds


[SIZE=7]Image above: Following rollback of the rotating service structure, or RSS, on Launch Pad 39A, Space Shuttle Atlantis stands bathed in lights atop a mobile launch platform. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett [/SIZE]

The launch team at NASA's Kennedy Space Center is continuing its steady march toward a lift off Thursday afternoon for space shuttle Atlantis. The countdown is proceeding smoothly, NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding said Wednesday.

Mission STS-122 is scheduled to launch at 4:31 p.m. EST from NASA's Florida launch base. Atlantis will carry the European-developed Columbus laboratory and attach it to the International Space Station. Seven astronauts, including two from the European Space Agency, will fly aboard Atlantis.

Technicians and engineers at the launch pad have several steps ahead of them Wednesday. The most visible milestone will come in the evening when the Rotating Service Structure is moved to its launch position where it will be out of the way of Atlantis. The gantry encloses much of the shuttle while it is on the launch pad and gives workers access to critical areas of the shuttle and its payload.

The weather forecast calls for a 90 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time.

"The vehicle's looking good and the weather's looking good, too," Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters said.

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Approximately 16 minutes into fast fill, two ECO sensors failed to indicate wet. They are troubleshooting the issue.

Currently, H2 is at 80% and O2 is at 50%. Tanking is continuing. We expect to have a status from leadership soon as to whether we continue or scrub.

If we scrub, a briefing will follow that decision on NASA TV.

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Newsflash:
'ET LH2 Low level liquid sensors 3, and 4 failed wet when SIM dry commands were sent,' noted exclusive L2 MMT level live coverage. 'This is a scrub condition. Must have 3 of 4. Recommend SCRUB.'

Launch attempt is now scrubbed - though NASA PAO are not officially calling it yet. Engineers will monitor the sensors during detanking to learn more data on the two sensors.

Troubleshooting may include engineers entering the aft, demating and remating the monoball electrical connections, in order to see if there are bad electrical path between the ECO sensors and electronics

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New Launch Date Set


[SIZE=7]Image above: Space shuttle Atlantis stands on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton [/SIZE]

Dec. 6 - 7:45 p.m. EST
At Thursday evening's press conference, NASA mission managers announced that the launch of space shuttle Atlantis would be delayed for 48 hours.

Liftoff of mission STS-122 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center is now scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3:43 p.m. EST according to LeRoy Cain, Mission Management Team chairman.

Weather officer Captain Chris Lovett said the weather conditions are slightly less favorable for Saturday's launch with a 40 percent chance of weather prohibiting launch.

Thursday's launch was scrubbed when two of four LH2 Engine Cutoff (ECO) sensors failed to respond appropriately during tanking, which is a Launch Commit Violation.

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Atlantis: Start frühestens am Samstag

Der für den sechsten Dezember vorgesehene Start der Raumfähre Atlantis musste aufgrund technischer Probleme verschoben werden. Damit bleibt auch das europäische Raumlabor Columbus zunächst einmal am Boden. Ein neuer Startversuch wird frühestens am Samstag durchgeführt werden.
[SIZE=7]Quelle: NASA [/SIZE]

Nach intensiven, mehrstündigen Beratungen haben die Missionsmanager der NASA sich gestern abend für eine mindestens 48-stündige Startverschiebung ausgesprochen. Der frühestmögliche Starttermin von Atlantis mit dem europäischen Weltraumlabor Columbus an Bord verschiebt sich somit auf den morgigen Samstag um 21.43 Uhr (MEZ).

In der Zwischenzeit werden NASA-Ingenieure darüber beraten, ob ein Start der Raumfähre mit nur zwei funktionierenden "ECO-Sensoren" (von insgesamt vier vorhandenen Sensoren) vertretbar ist. Aufgrund der gestern erfolgten Tests und Untersuchungen wird der Fehler derzeit irgendwo zwischen einer in Nähe der Shuttle-Haupttriebwerke untergebrachten Sensor-Steuerungselektronik und den Sensoren im externen Shuttle-Tank vermutet. Im Rahmen des kurzen, am 13. Dezember endenden Startfensters ist eine aufwendige Reparatur beziehungsweise ein Austausch der vermutlich defekten Komponenten beziehungsweise der Verkabelung nicht möglich.

Die Wetteraussichten für den morgigen Starttermin haben sich gegenüber dem ursprünglichen Starttag geringfügig verschlechtert: mit einer 40-prozentigen Wahrscheinlichkeit rechnet das meteorologische Team zur anvisierten Startzeit mit Wetterbedingungen, die einen Start verhindern würden.

Eine Startverschiebung ist bei Shuttle-Flügen nichts Ungewöhnliches. Zu viele Faktoren sind für einen erfolgreichen Start erforderlich. Aber diesmal sah es wirklich sehr gut aus: perfektes Wetter und keinerlei ernsthafte Probleme während der Startvorbereitungen in den vergangenen Wochen. Und dann kam, was offensichtlich kommen musste: beim Betanken des Raumschiffes reagierten die Sensoren für die Tankfüllung falsch.


ECO-Sensor in einer Testanordnung
(Bild: NASA)

Insgesamt zwölf Sensoren ermitteln den Füllstand des Tanks. Vereinfacht ausgedrückt ist das so etwas wie die Tankanzeige im Auto. Die unteren vier werden ECO-Sensoren genannt - von "Engine Cut Off". Denn normalerweise wird der Tank gar nicht so weit leer geflogen. Das ist quasi die unterste Reservemarke. Wird sie unterschritten, müssen die Haupttriebwerke der Raumfähre abgeschaltet werden. Sie könnten sonst explodieren. Vorgekommen ist das bisher noch nicht, aber man möchte natürlich kein Risiko eingehen. Deshalb müssen wenigstens drei der vier ECO-Sensoren zuverlässig funktionieren.

Und genau das taten sie heute nicht: zwei der Sensoren lieferten heute falsche Messwerte. Dadurch wurde ein Start unmöglich und musste verschoben werden.

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Space Shuttle Atlantis to Launch no Earlier Than Sunday

Dec. 7 - 10:15 p.m. EST
NASA is targeting the launch of space shuttle Atlantis no earlier than Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3:21 p.m. EST from the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Shuttle program managers made the decision after a meeting Friday to review data on a problem with a fuel cutoff sensor system inside the shuttle and its external fuel tank.

Because of the length of the meeting, the managers agreed that targeting Sunday would allow the launch and management teams appropriate time to rest and prepare. The Mission Management Team will meet Saturday at 1 p.m. to decide whether to make a Sunday attempt. A news conference will be held after the meeting's conclusion.

Atlantis' scheduled launch Thursday was delayed after two ECO sensors gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel. The fuel cutoff sensor system is one of several that protects the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low

During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the shuttle and station crews will work with ground teams to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory. The new lab will expand the station's scientific research capabilities.

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"Atlantis"-Start auf Jänner verschoben

Die US-Raumfähre "Atlantis" wird das europäische Raumlabor "Columbus" frühestens im Jänner ins All bringen. Das beschloss die NASA heute, nachdem zuvor der Start des Shuttles zum zweiten Mal innerhalb von vier Tagen wegen fehlerhafter Tanksensoren abgebrochen worden war.Die NASA-Techniker hatten erst gestern verschärfte Sicherheitsbestimmungen beschlossen, wonach ein Start nur dann freigegeben wird, wenn beim Betanken alle vier Sensoren einwandfrei arbeiten.

Zuvor war es üblich, den Start auch bei nur drei funktionierenden Sensoren zu erlauben. Zur Verbesserung der Sicherheit wurde auch das Startfenster von fünf auf eine Minute verkürzt. Grund für die Absage des Starts heute war der Ausfall eines Sensors für den Zusatztank, der erst kurz vor dem Start mit flüssigem Wasser- und Sauerstoff befüllt wird.

Bei dem gescheiterten Versuch am Donnerstag hatten drei von vier Sensoren für den externen Tank nicht einwandfrei funktioniert. Warum sie versagten, war nicht klar. Das soll nun eingehend untersucht werden, wie die NASA mitteilte.

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Space Shuttle Work Out Sensor System Plan


[SIZE=7]A technician solders pins for the replacement feed-through connector that will be installed on the external tank of space shuttle Atlantis. Image above: A technician solders pins for the replacement feed-through connector that will be installed on the external tank of space shuttle Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett[/SIZE]

Jan. 3
NASA flight control teams and ground operations teams have been requested to protect for a Jan. 24th launch date for Space Shuttle Atlantis. As work progresses, that date will be modified as required, says John Shannon, deputy manager for the Space Shuttle Program. The schedule depends on test results and modifications to a fuel sensor system connector on the external fuel tank Atlantis will use for launch on its STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. Other launch opportunities could come between Jan. 24th and the first week of February.

The connector suspected of prompting false readings during two previous launch attempts is undergoing intensive testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Engineers also will test potential modifications to the connector to certify it for flight. Marshall has a test facility that allows the connector to be subjected to the same conditions it saw during the earlier launch attempts.

The modification and testing plans were discussed along with the launch preparation schedule during a meeting of Space Shuttle Program managers Thursday.

Technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., will modify a replacement connector for the one that was removed. Metal pins inside the connector will be soldered to the socket, Shannon explained. The new connector is scheduled to be in place by Jan. 10.

"We're fairly confident that if the problem is where we think it is, that this will solve that," Shannon said.

Atlantis remains at the launch pad as the agency studies ways to modify the connector. The shuttle will carry the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory to the space station during the STS-122 mission.

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Foam Work, Launch Preps Continue

A worker installs foam insulation around a replaced connector on the external tank.


[SIZE=7]Image above: A worker trims foam insulation before it is installed on the external tank in preparation for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett[/SIZE]

Jan. 17
With a replacement external connector installed on space shuttle Atlantis' external tank, workers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center continue reapplying foam insulation to that portion of the tank as the agency targets a Feb. 7 launch date for mission STS-122.

All the work associated with replacing the connector and insulation is expected to be finished on Jan. 24. Meanwhile, standard launch preparations are under way to ready the spacecraft for flight.

The European-built Columbus laboratory remains safely tucked inside the payload bay of Atlantis. The spacecraft and its crew of NASA and European Space Agency astronauts is to install the space-based lab on the International Space Station, where it will provide a base for research and experiments into the space and weightless environment.

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NASA, Europeans Delighted by Atlantis Launch


[SIZE=7]Image above: Atlantis climbs toward space. Photo credit: NASA TV[/SIZE]

Feb. 7
Space shuttle Atlantis and its crew of seven astronauts launched on spectacular plumes of gold-tipped smoke today carrying Europe’s primary contribution to the International Space Station – the Columbus science laboratory.

The lab is filled with racks for experiments and research euipment and has fixtures on its exterior to also host research exposed to the vacuum of space. It represents the latest international addition to a facility already made of structures from the United States, Russia and Canada.

“It shows that there is a real partnership between communities,” NASA Administrator Mike Griffin said.

The launch was crucial for the European Space Agency because the Columbus lab represents a cutting edge research facility for Europe and the continent’s first manned spacecraft.

“Today we are opening a new chapter for ESA,” said Jean-Jacques Dordain, the European Space Agency director general. “Just as Columbus discovered the New World, with Columbus, we are discovering a whole new world.”

The launch came seven years to the day after Atlantis carried NASA’s science laboratory named Destiny to the space station.

“It’s great to have two laboratories in space,” said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA’s associate administrator for space operations.

Atlantis’ liftoff came despite concerns that a weather front would interfere. But those concerns did not materialize and the launch team sent Atlantis aloft at the appointed time.

“We did set ourselves up to be ready, to be prepared,” said Leroy Cain, chairman of the Mission Management Team.

The crew of Atlantis will now check out its systems and inspect the heat shield while chasing down the space station. It is to dock with the station Saturday. There will be three spacewalks during the flight so astronauts can attach the Columbus lab and connect its power and fluid lines.

The flight is to last 11 days and end with Atlantis returning to Kennedy Space Center.

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[SIZE=7]Window on the WorldSTS-122 pilot Alan Poindexter and commander Steve Frick look out of the starboard window (pilot's side) of space shuttle Atlantis while it was docked to the International Space Station.The two watched as fellow crewmates Rex Walheim and Stan Love perform the third and last spacewalk of the mission.
Image Credit: NASA[/SIZE]

The crew members of space shuttle Atlantis spent Tuesday getting ready for their return home and the end of the STS-122 mission.

The STS-122 astronauts set up the recumbent seat for Mission Specialist Daniel Tani, who joined the crew of Atlantis on the International Space Station. The recumbent seat is a special seat designed to reduce the stress of gravity on those who have spent long periods of time in the weightless environment of space.

Tani served as Expedition 16 flight engineer for almost four months. He was replaced on the station crew by European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Leopold Eyharts.

As part of the preparations, the astronauts also performed a test Tuesday morning of the steering jets – or thrusters – that will be used to position the orbiter for re-entry. They did not test the four aft orbiter maneuvering system vernier thrusters. These share a common heater, which failed overnight, making them inoperative during the test. These four steering jets are not needed for deorbit or landing and will not have an impact on the remainder of the mission.

The crew members also successfully tested the control surfaces to be used during Atlantis' flight through the atmosphere.

STS-122 arrived at the station Feb. 9, delivering ESA’s Columbus laboratory to the station. The crews installed Columbus Feb. 11 and conducted three spacewalks to prepare Columbus for its scientific work. They also replaced an expended nitrogen tank on the station’s P1 truss.

The orbiter is scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Wednesday. Atlantis’ first landing opportunity is at 9:07 a.m. EST.