"After a dramatic reversal of fortune, the shuttle Discovery dropped out of orbit and glided to a pre-dawn landing at the Kennedy Space Center today, bringing the international space station's first full-time crew back to Earth after a 141-day space odyssey. "

"NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base is preparing for a possible Space Shuttle landing at Edwards early Wednesday morning, March 21. The shuttle Discovery may land at Edwards to conclude mission STS-102 because of inclement weather at the primary landing site, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA mission controllers will make a final decision on whether to land the Discovery at Kennedy or at Edwards about 90 minutes before the scheduled landing."

"SYNOPSIS: Strong surface low pressure system in southern Georgia will move northeast by Thursday night. Crosswinds, and a threat of cloud ceilings will be concerns for tonight's landing opportunities at KSC. In the event of a 24-hour wave-off, weather conditions in Florida will be improving by Wednesday night. Conditions remain favorable at the back-up landing site at Edwards AFB, California through Thursday night."

"Dennis Tito's plans to fly to the International Space Station as a paying customer aboard a Russian Soyuz taxi flight have hit a major snag. When Tito and his crewmates arrived at NASA JSC this morning NASA informed Tito that he would not be allowed to begin training until some legal and crew proficiency issues are resolved. His crewmates refused to begin their training without him."

NASA has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday, 20 March at 3:30 PM EST at NASA Headquarters to discuss this issue. This press conference will be carried live on NASA TV - Watch it on SpaceRef.TV

"William Shepherd, on his way back to Earth after serving as commander of the international space station's first full-time crew, expressed reservations early today about launching Tito in April. "Our crew trained for over four years to get ready for our flight," he told a reporter. "The day will come when we'll have civilians and tourists up there, but it's not something you can enter into lightly."

"A fire alarm went off in the Destiny laboratory module of the international space station today. It turned out to be a false alarm, but it shut down ventilation systems, computers dropped off line and the station's new crew was unable to find the documentation needed to reactive critical systems."

Editor's note: Perhaps these are some of the procedures they were looking for... (Acrobat)

"Discovery's touchdown at the Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday will mark the end of a 141-day stay in space Shepherd and his crewmates, who were launched to the station complex on Oct. 31 aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket."

Last 24 Hours Status

• SD-2 RPCM trip during power up post charcoal filter replacement activities.
• RWS Checkout tripped UOP 7. Reconfigured for one monitor only, checkout completed.
• ISS reboost
• MPM transfer activities.
• ISS initialized vents (Pre heated to 260 deg. F) for impending water dump.

Last 24 Hours Status

• SD-2 RPCM trip during power up post charcoal filter replacement activities.
• RWS Checkout tripped UOP 7. Reconfigured for one monitor only, checkout completed.
• ISS reboost
• MPM transfer activities.
• ISS initialized vents (Pre heated to 260 deg. F) for impending water dump.

"After hooks and latches created a secure bond, the hatches between the two spacecraft were opened at 2:51 a.m. CST, beginning eight days of docked operations. The eighth shuttle mission to the station will feature the first crew exchange aboard the multinational orbiting outpost and the delivery of the first research experiment package for the Destiny laboratory module."

The Progress M-44 Cargo vehicle flying the ISS-3P mission docked with the ISS today at 4:50 AM EST /09.50 GMT. The spacecraft docked with the aft docking port of the Service Module. Unpacking is to begin this morning. This Progress carries various supplies needed for the Expedition 2 Crew who are due to be launched on the STS-102 mission

ISS-5A/STS-98 News

"At 11:09:35 Moscow Time the Progress M-44 transport cargo vehicle was launched to a near-earth orbit within the implementation of the Russian commitments under the International Space Station (ISS) program."

The Expedition One crew of the ISS moved their Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft from the aft port of the Service Module Zvezda to the nadir (Earth-facing) port of the FGB Zarya on Saturday so as to make room for a new supply ship, Progress M-44, which will be launched on the ISS-3P mission on Monday. Progress M-44 will dock with the aft port of the Zvezda on Wednesday. Progress M-44 carries supplies for the Expedition Two crew, which will be launched on Shuttle Discovery in March on STS-102/ISS 5A.1.

Space Shuttle Atlantis landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 3:33 PM EST today. Unacceptable weather forced NASA to wave off the landing attempts at KSC today, Monday, and Sunday.

Unacceptable weather has forced NASA to wave off the first landing attempt today. The next opportunity at KSC is for a 2:02 PM EST landing. If conditions at KSC do not improve, landing opportunities exist at Edwards Air Force Base in California and at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico later today. The last (and only) Shuttle Mission to ever land at White Sands was STS-3 in March 1982.

Yesterday NASA "waved off" Space Shuttle Atlantis from landing at NASA KSC in Florida due to unacceptable cross winds at the KSC landing strip. Weather at Edwards Air Force Base in California has been (and continues to be) problematic. Now NASA has called off today's landing attempts as well - for the same reason. The next attempt to land will be made at KSC on Tuesday.

"Mission managers determined the crosswinds at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) were too high to permit a safe landing of Atlantis today. As a result, managers decided to extend the STS-98 mission 24 hours. At decision time today, winds at the SLF were peaking to 24 knots, well beyond the 15-knot crosswind limit. Landing is now set to occur at KSC on Monday, Feb. 19 at 1:27 p.m. EST. The deorbit burn is scheuled to take place at 12:21 p.m. EST. A second landing opportuinity exists at KSC tomorrow at 3:03 p.m. The weather forecast at KSC tomorrow is better than today with high pressure dominating weather over Florida. There is some threat of low clouds from the easterly wind flow, but otherwise conditions appear favorable for landing"

At 12:47 PM EST today NASA "waved off" Space Shuttle Atlantis from landing at NASA KSC. Unacceptable cross winds at the KSC landing strip are expected to continue throughout the day. Weather at Edwards Air Force Base tomorrow maybe problematic so the attempt to land will be made at KSC tomorrow. Two landing times are available tomorrow at KSC: one at 1:26 PM EST and 3:02 PM EST.

"There are two landing opportunities available Sunday for Atlantis in Florida. The first begins with a deorbit burn on Orbit 169 at 10:47 a.m. and culminates in a landing at 11:53 a.m. Central time on Runway 33 at Kennedy Space Center. A backup opportunity one orbit later starts with a deorbit burn at 12:22 p.m., resulting in a 1:28 p.m. Central time landing. The weather forecast Sunday calls for generally favorable conditions in Florida, with the possibility of brisk winds near the three-mile-long landing strip."

The crews of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station parted company at 8:06 a.m. Central today, as Pilot Mark Polansky flew Atlantis halfway around the station and its new Destiny laboratory before moving off toward a Sunday landing. The forecast calls for favorable conditions at the landing strip for an 11:50 a.m. Central touchdown, although winds are expected to be gusty.

"The first series of training for the crew has been completed at the Hydrolab. The ISS-3 crewmembers will return to the Hydrolab for the second series of training runs on February 28, 2001. The crew is scheduled to launch on Flight 7A.1 on July 12, 2001, and will return on Flight UF1 scheduled to launch November 1, 2001."

"Astronauts Tom Jones and Bob Curbeam completed their third and final planned spacewalk outside the International Space Station today, pausing to celebrate the mission, which included the 100th spacewalk in United States space history. "This achievement, this golden anniversary so to speak, is a tribute to all the people who have done spacewalks, all the people who designed the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and now Shuttle suits," Curbeam said as he and Jones held a placard commemorating the spacewalks in Atlantisí payload bay. "And we salute all of you and appreciate your hard work and thank you so much."

After having completed two of three planned spacewalks, the crew of the ISS and Space Shuttle Atlantis have accomplished most of the tasks required for the installation and activation of the U.S. Laboratory Module "Destiny". With the addition of Destiny, the ISS is now the largest spacecraft ever to orbit Earth. The first of Destiny's payloads will be launched on the next shuttle mission STS-100 in March 2001.

"The lab module will give you the ability to do research in microgravity 365 days a year for the next 10 or 12 years,'' said Keith Cowing of NASA Watch, a space watchdog group. "There are going to be furnaces up there, there are going to be incubators up there, glove boxes, the whole thing.''

"We may find things that are just incremental increases in knowledge,'' Cowing said. But he said the unknowns of working in space may lead to exciting discoveries. "When you take things that have lived on Earth for 4 billion years and put them in microgravity, they could go off in unexpected directions.'' Because scientists hope to learn more about the properties of substances and genetic material from experiments in space, Cowing said, "Going into space may teach you how to do something better on the ground."

"Awakened to the sounds of the "Blue Danube Waltz" from the movie, "2001: A Space Odyssey", Atlantis' astronauts geared up for their first entry into the newly installed Destiny Laboratory of the International Space Station later this morning."

"While Curbeam was attaching a cooling line, a small amount of frozen ammonia crystals leaked. However, the leak was quickly stopped. The ammonia dissipated and vaporized, and it posed no problems as the crew continued their work. Because of the leak, however, flight controllers followed a decontamination procedure, ensuring no ammonia would enter Atlantis' cabin. Curbeam remained in the sun a half-hour to vaporize any ammonia crystals on his spacesuit while Jones brushed off the suit and equipment. Then, the spacewalkers performed a partial pressurization and venting of the shuttle airlock to flush out any ammonia before a final repressurization. Then, as the airlock began exchanging air with the shuttle cabin, Commander Ken Cockrell, Pilot Mark Polansky and Ivins wore oxygen masks in the cabin for about 20 minutes as a protective measure, allowing any residual ammonia to be cleansed from the cabin by shuttle life support systems. In the end, the crew reported no contamination or smell of ammonia when the inside airlock hatch was opened and they were rejoined by Jones and Curbeam."

The crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis installed the U.S. Lab module "Destiny" onto the forward docking port of Node 1 "Unity" today. By adding this module to the International Space Station, the ISS becomes the largest spacecraft ever to orbit Earth - surpassing Mir and all Salyut space stations and the U.S. Skylab space station in both weight and volume.

Editor's note: this weekly report now contains the status of Soyuz and Progress vehicle production.

Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station this morning at 11:51 AM EST / 16.51 GMT. Preparations are underway for tomorrow's EVAs and the installation of the US Lab module onto the ISS. The Progress M1-4 spacecraft which had been docked to the ISS, was undocked yesterday and performed a destructive reentry over New Zealand yesterday. This was done to provide a clear path for Atlantis to dock. After Atlantis departs the Soyuz docked to the aft end of Zarya will be moved to the nadir port of the FGB to allow another Progress to dock. Future Shuttle missions will dock to the Destiny lab module allowing two Russian spacecraft (Progress or Soyuz) to be docked to the ISS at any given time.

"The two Russian spacesuits installed aboard the International Space Station are unusable due to technical problems, MSNBC.com has learned. The crew of the station, astronaut Bill Shepherd and cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergey Krikalyov, are unable to perform spacewalks from the station until the problems are resolved."

ISS Orlan Spacesuit EVA Communications: RSC Energia is continuing to evaluate the results of the unsuccessful Orlan communications checkout conducted January 5th, 2001. RSC Energia is working with their radio sub-contractor and NASA counterparts to determine the likely causes of the interference noted by the ISS crew and ground controllers during the test. Their efforts are currently focused on irregularities in the procedures rather than hardware issues, and a re-test is planned in February, most likely following the STS-98/5A mission. The EVA Project Office has requested that the re-test also include routing the communications to the U.S. on-orbit segment (USOS) S-Band system and Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) link to demonstrate the capability for more complete communications coverage each orbit.

"On January 4- 5, 2001, the ISS crew conducted the initial inspection, assembly and checkout of the two Orlan spacesuits in the Service Module (SM) Transfer Compartment airlock. Spacesuit functionality was nominal in all respects except with regard to audio communications with the SM Audio Telemetry Unit (ATU). The audio transmission was of poor quality and experienced interference with an unknown third party. It is likely that the SM ATU is the source of the problem, rather than the Orlan suits, since the condition was present in both the hard-line and radio frequency transmission modes. Given the poor quality of the audio transmission, it is not clear whether the Orlan EVA system is usable in its present condition. The JSC EVA community is working with the ISS Communications and Tracking team to understand the root cause and assist RSC Energia with corrective action."

Expedition 1 News

"After 17 years of planning, dozens of reviews and redesigns, and billions of dollars, the U.S. scientific centerpiece of the international space station is ready to open its hatches for business. Called Destiny, the 8.5-meter-long aluminum vessel is scheduled for launch next month from Kennedy Space Center here. But putting the laboratory module into orbit is only the first step in a long and difficult road toward making the space station a scientifically credible venture."

"Shuttle Processing Note: Workers at Launch Pad 39A are preparing to roll Space Shuttle Atlantis back into the Vehicle Assembly Building to undergo additional solid rocket booster cable testing. This unplanned work leads to a launch date of no earlier than Feb. 6."

"After additional testing and analysis of Solid Rocket Booster cables throughout the Shuttle fleet, Shuttle Program officials decided late today to return Atlantis to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center to conduct further inspections."

"On the eve of shuttle Atlantis' countdown to launch Friday, NASA managers today instead ordered engineers to haul the spacecraft back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for work to test suspect wiring in the ship's booster separation system."

"NASA will begin the countdown for launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-98 Jan. 16 at 5:30 a.m. EST at the T-43 hour mark. This mission marks the 7th Shuttle flight to the International Space Station and the 1st Shuttle mission this year. The KSC launch team will conduct the countdown from Firing Room 3 of the Launch Control Center."

"Shuttle Processing Note: Activities at launch pad 39A continue on schedule for launch of Shuttle Atlantis on Jan. 19. Work at the pad this weekend includes finalizing launch pad validations and the completion of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The U.S. Laboratory "Destiny" is scheduled for installation into Atlantis' payload bay this weekend."

"At about 10:21 a.m. today, Space Shuttle Atlantis departed the Vehicle Assembly Building atop a replaced crawler transporter headed for Launch Pad 39A. Atlantis arrived at the pad at about 3:45 p.m. today. "

"The Expedition One crew moved into its tenth week in orbit today aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as preparations stepped into high gear for the launch of the next Shuttle assembly flight to the outpost. Commander Bill Shepherd, Pilot Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev conducted biomedical and engineering experiments, Station systems maintenance and exercise this week, reporting that everything is proceeding smoothly more than halfway through their stay aboard the ISS."

"Shuttle Processing Note: The Space Shuttle Atlantis began its move to Launch Pad 39A today at about 8:30 a.m., but an hour later stopped on the crawler path so engineers could troubleshoot a failed computer processor on the crawler transporter. "

The year 2001 has now swept around our planet. For many people interested in space exploration the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" has served as both a prediction of- and a stimulus to create the future for more than a generation. Now it is here. Over the coming weeks SpaceRef will be taking a detailed look at the film and its impact on how we both expected - and have actually built - our future in space.

What do you think? If you have any comments you'd like to share please send them to 2001@spaceref.com, Please tell us what you do (aerospace engineer, student, etc.) and where you do it - including your website address. We'll post your comments with your name and affiliation unless you ask us not to. Comments are subject to editing by SpaceRef.

Our first reader's comments are from Mike Okuda, Star Trek's Scenic Art Supervisor and Rick Sternbach, Senior Illustrator for Star Trek "Voyager" - two people who work in the tradition of Kubrick and Clarke in shaping our vision of the future. Read the full text of their comments and see an image Okuda created to show just how close "2001" is to 2001.

"Having spent a quiet holiday weekend in orbit aboard the International Space Station (ISS) Alpha, the Expedition One crew members maintained a Naval New Year's tradition as they prepared to begin their tenth week in space. With crewmates Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev at his side, Alpha Commander Bill Shepherd, a U.S. Navy Captain, provided a poem he wrote on board, capturing his thoughts and reflections, as he and his shipmates ushered in 2001."

  "More than three weeks after it was undocked and placed in a parking orbit, an unmanned Russian Progress resupply vehicle was manually redocked to the International Space Station (ISS) this morning to be used as a trash receptacle and a fuel farm by the Expedition One crew.   Operating from a control panel in the ISS' Zvezda command center, Pilot Yuri Gidzenko guided the 7 - ton Progress in for a smooth linkup to the Zarya module's nadir, or downward facing docking port at 5:03 a.m. Central time (1103 GMT) as the two craft flew over northwest Mongolia, just south of the Russian-Mongolian border."

"Russian flight controllers - and ultimately, cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko - will have overall control authority during the upcoming redocking of a Progress supply to the international space station Dec. 26, NASA flight directors said Thursday."

"In accordance with the underlying ISS Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and other agreements concluded between NASA and each of the ISS partners and other participating states, the ISS Code of Conduct is intended to: establish a clear chain of command on-orbit; establish a clear relationship between ground and on-orbit management; establish a management hierarchy; set forth standards for work and activities in space, and, as appropriate, on the ground; establish responsibilities with respect to elements and equipment; set forth disciplinary regulations; establish physical and information security guidelines; and define the ISS Commander's authority and responsibility, on behalf of all the Partners, to enforce safety procedures, physical and information security procedures, and crew rescue procedures for the ISS."

"The International Space Station (ISS) Program organizations review potential Off-nominal Situations (ONS) to ensure that timely decisions and plans are made to preserve the ISS mission plan and mitigate any potential safety risk or impact on research. The prevention of and recovery from ONS is taken into consideration in all phases of the development and operation of the ISS. Potential ONS are identified and assessed by all ISS program organizations. Redundancy built into the ISS hardware and systems, operations planning for reserve crew supplies in case of missed resupply, propellant reserve supplies, critical spares, and malfunction procedures are examples of program processes designed to overcome or mitigate the risks of ONS. This document describes the overall ISS Program ONS processes, development schedule timeline, and documentation product flow for defining, planning, and documenting ONS and agreed to response measures in order to ensure that the appropriate flight products are developed and executed."

"NASA's mission management team today formally approved a Russian proposal to redock the Progress M1-4 cargo vehicle to the international space station on Dec. 26."

"The international space station's air purification system is working smoothly, NASA's lead flight director said Friday. But unexpected equipment failures during the crew's first six weeks in space have left the astronauts just one failure away from a possible forced evacuation."

1- Shortly after undocking, a limit switch on the Solar Array Blanket Box was indicating latched and unlatched. The sensor has continued to toggle between the two positions during day and night. Indications are that the sensor is toggling due to the thermal cycles. ISS MER is still investigating.

2- FGB Battery 1 completed Capacity Restoration Mode on 12/14. Battery 1 is currently in Cycle Mode.

3- Crew performed trouble shooting procedure on the STBD UOP on 12/13. The UOP tripped the RPC during the test and is considered failed. Future trouble shooting will be performed on the "failed" UOP.

4- Port UOP #2 tripped several times on 12/13 while the crew was using the SSC computer. The crew performed the troubleshooting procedure on the port UOP and the UOP worked nominally. The crew also connected the SSC and could not recreate the trip. Efforts are still underway to troubleshoot other causes as identified on the Fault Tree.

"Originally scheduled for blastoff February 15 from the Kennedy Space Center, Discovery's launch has been pushed back to March 1 because of unplanned work ordered on the $2 billion spaceship before it can fly again. Ten steering thrusters on the shuttle are being replaced after some were found chipped, while others will be swapped to prevent leaks. "

Fresh off the successful mission of Space Shuttle Endeavour to deliver the large solar arrays to the International Space Station, status briefings will be held on Dec. 15 and Dec. 21 to discuss the progress of the ongoing Expedition One mission.

Space Shuttle Endeavour ended the STS-97 mission by landing on Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15 at at NASA Kennedy Space Center at 6:04 p.m. EST.

"There are two landing opportunities in Florida today, the first beginning with an orbital maneuvering system engine firing at 3:57 p.m. CST, and culminating in a landing on Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15 at 5:04 p.m. CST (6:04 p.m. EST). In the event weather precludes a landing on that first opportunity, a second landing opportunity exists one orbit later with a de-orbit burn at 5:35 p.m. CST, resulting in a 6:40 p.m. (7:40 p.m. EST) landing at the Kennedy Space Center. If that second opportunity is selected, residents along the Gulf of Mexico may have a good view of Endeavour's plasma trail as it blazes through the atmosphere on its way home to Florida."

"Dennis Tito wants to fly into space. He has wanted to fly in space since he first saw Sputnik arc across the night sky in October 1957. Since he didn't make the one in a million cut to be a government astronaut, he chose the only other alternative available: he's buying his own ride into space. Dennis Tito's path to space is a complex tale. The political complexities involved are complex and often confusing. Indeed, becoming a millionaire seems almost simple by comparison."

"After their successful mission to the International Space Station, Endeavour astronauts spent much of Sunday getting ready to land at Kennedy Space Center Monday afternoon. They tested Endeavour's controls and stowed equipment in preparation for their 5:04 p.m. CST landing in Florida. The weather forecast for the anticipated landing time at Kennedy Space Center calls for a slight chance of showers in the area, and flight controllers will continue to monitor the weather conditions in Florida tomorrow. Landing opportunities are available at Edwards Air Force Base in California as well on Monday, and flight controllers could opt to send Endeavour there if conditions warrant. The weather at Edwards is predicted to be favorable."

"Endeavour's astronauts said good-bye to the crew aboard the International Space Station at 9:51 a.m. CST today, closing the hatches between the two vehicles in preparation for undocking at 1:13 p.m. Before closing the hatches over the northern portion of the Persian Gulf, the two crews completed final transfers of supplies being delivered to the station and used equipment along with other items that were removed from the station for return to Earth."

OVERALL SYSTEM STATUS:

All ISS systems are in nominal flight/stage configuration with the exception of the following:

• UOP RPC circuit trip

"The crews of the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Endeavour opened the last hatch separating them at 8:36 a.m. Space station commander Bill Shepherd and cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev greeted the Endeavour astronauts, Commander Brent Jett, Pilot Mike Bloomfield and Mission Specialists Marc Garneau, Carlos Noriega and Joe Tanner, with handshakes.

The space station crew was scheduled to go to bed about 6 p.m. and wake up at 2:36 a.m. on Saturday. The shuttle crew will begin its sleep period about 10 p.m. and be awakened at 6:06 a.m. Saturday. Endeavour is scheduled to undock from the space station at 1:13 p.m. Saturday and, after the flyaround of the ISS, begin final separation at 2:17 p.m."

Editor's note: the IMAX Camera in the Endeavour's cargo bay has failed so the flyaround will be modified accordingly.

OVERALL SYSTEM STATUS:

All ISS systems are in nominal flight/stage configuration with the exception of the following:

Previously Reported Status

"During launch of shuttle Endeavour November 30, one of two explosive cartridges used to separate a strut holding the base of the orbiter's left-side solid-fuel booster to the ship's external fuel tank failed to fire."

"The International Space Station recorded another milestone today - the arrival of its first houseguests. The crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the station's Expedition 1 crew opened the hatches of their respective spacecraft at 8:36 a.m. CST Friday. Station Commander Bill Shepherd, Pilot Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev shook hands with their first station guests in 38 days -- STS-97 Commander Brent Jett, Pilot Mike Bloomfield and Mission Specialists Marc Garneau, Carlos Noriega and Joe Tanner."

Spacewalking Endeavour astronauts sailed through an add-on job to tension a solar blanket Thursday, then completed their other tasks in textbook fashion. The scheduled activities went so smoothly that Tanner and Noriega were able to complete some "get-ahead" tasks for the next scheduled spacewalks outside the space station in January. These included installing a sensor on a radiator, installing small antennas and doing a photo survey.

"The premiere this Sunday, December 10, of the Discovery Channel's ``Watch With The World'' program INSIDE THE SPACE STATION is complemented by a Friday, December 8 Discovery News special focused on the International Space Station that will include interviews with both President Clinton and the Space Station Expedition One crew"

OVERALL SYSTEM STATUS:

All ISS systems are in nominal flight/stage configuration with the exception of the following:

"Two of Endeavour's astronauts will return to their jobs as orbiting construction workers today, installing probes that will measure electrical potential surrounding the station and performing some added "warranty work" on solar array blankets didn't stretch out completely on Sunday. After carefully going through the plan with Mission Control on Wednesday and receiving descriptions and videotapes of fellow Astronaut David Wolf performing the additional task on the ground, Commander Brent Jett and his crew voiced optimism they could accomplish the new task."

OVERALL SYSTEM STATUS:

All ISS systems are in nominal flight/stage configuration with the exception of the following:

"Endeavour's astronauts worked Wednesday to get ready for the Thursday spacewalk by Mission Specialists Joe Tanner and Carlos Noriega. They also took a few hours off to rest and enjoy the view from their spacecraft, moving at five miles a second about 235 miles above the Earth. Spacewalk preparations focused on techniques to tighten one of two solar blankets on the starboard wing. They got the word that task had been added to the spacewalk schedule shortly after they were awakened about 6:30 a.m. They reviewed the procedures during a conference with flight controllers later in the day."

"NASA managers today formally approved a bold plan for two spacewalking astronauts, working nine stories above the shuttle Endeavour, to tighten up a loose solar array blanket, one of four on the international space station's new $600 million solar power tower."

OVERALL SYSTEM STATUS:

All ISS systems are in nominal flight/stage configuration with the exception of the following:

"Endeavour astronauts deployed the second of two huge solar wings on the International Space Station Monday in a slow and deliberate, almost two-hour-plus process that began at 6:52 p.m. The other solar wing, the starboard wing, was deployed nonstop Sunday in about 13 minutes. Deployment of the port wing was delayed while ground controllers studied an apparent slackness in one of two blankets that make up the starboard structure. They believe that two tensioning cables had jumped off their guides during deployment. Despite that anomaly, the starboard array is functioning well and producing electricity. The slackness should have no effect on its ability to produce power for the space station."

OVERALL SYSTEM STATUS:

An EVA was performed on Sunday to install the solar panels. The starboard array was deployed at 8:23 PM EST and is providing a nominal level of power. However the starboard solar array has not been commanded into its full and final taut position due to slack seen in the array's torsion bars. The photovoltaic heat radiator was deployed just after 11:15 PM EST. The port solar array remains stowed pending resolution of problems encountered earlier in the day with the deployment of the starboard array.

OVERALL SYSTEM STATUS:

All ISS systems are in nominal flight/stage configuration with the exception of the following:

Editor's note: it would seem that there was a bad Ethernet card in a computer on the ISS. The crew joked about not being able to send email. A simple procedure to change out the card (see 2.209 SSC PCMCIA CARD CHANGEOUT on page 61 in the document below) apparently solved the problem. That's the nice thing about using off the self stuff in space.

FYI if you go to page 121 you will see that Shep's incoming email is stored at c:\Oca-up\Mail\Shep on the ISS server.

This document details the procedures for setting up laptop computers aboard ISS including network schematics covering both US and Russian segments. Included are detailed 3D drawings of where computers can be located within the Service Module.

Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched at 10:06 PM EST. The orbiter made a perfect ascent - no OMS-1 burn was required. The primary objective of STS-97 is mission ISS 4A which will deliver the first set of solar arrays and batteries to the ISS. This will provide enough power to activate Node 1. The Shuttle will arrive at the ISS on Saturday and will spend 5-days docked to ISS. Two spacewalks will be performed to complete the installation and unfurling of the solar arrays. The S-band communications system will also be activated to provide voice communication and telemetry.

The Progress M1-4 spacecraft will be undocked Friday morning and will be placed in a parking orbit pending a decision to test the automatic docking system which failed during its first attempt last week.

The Progress M1-4 cargo spacecraft was docked manually to the ISS this evening after a short delay due to unacceptable image quality from the video camera on Progress. The Progress was supposed to dock automatically with ISS at 10:06 PM EST. As the Progress approached the ISS the TORU automated docking system failed to obtain contact with the ISS. The crew then used the KURS manual docking system to steer the Progress to the forward nadir (Earth-facing) docking port of the Service Module. Mission ISS-2P is delivering logistics and supplies to the International Space Station including items required for the outfitting of the Service Module. After remaining docked for approximately two weeks, the Progress-M1 will be loaded with items to be disposed, undocked from the ISS, and commanded to perform a destructive reentry into the Earth's atmosphere.

"The three men spent the first week installing an oxygen generator, carbon-dioxide removal unit and other life-support systems. It took longer than planned, Shepherd said, because of hard-to-find parts and confusing procedures. "It's kind of a brave new world for an organization like NASA, where we fly 100 pounds of documents on each shuttle flight," he said. "But we're kind of a test bed for how that's all going to work. So far, it hasn't been flawless, but it's been working OK."

"While the occupants of the International Space Station (ISS) slept, a new resupply vehicle sped to the orbiting outpost, carrying supplies and hardware for the three residents on board. Launch of the second Progress spacecraft to the ISS occurred at 8:33 p.m. EST (0133 GMT Nov. 16) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan."

"Scientists who have in the past been sceptical about space-based research should recognize and applaud the changes under way at NASA. The station has never been exclusively a science project, and should not be judged as such. It is most impressive as a feat of off-planet engineering, and it exists primarily because the United States and its partners want to establish a continuous human presence in space. For scientists, however, Alpha offers a real chance, at last, to find out whether there are substantive research questions worth pursuing on the high frontier."

"There will certainly be some interesting science [on the space station]," says Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, "but probably not $90 billion worth. The only way that you can really justify this project is if you want Star Trek to come true."

The Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft docked with the International Space Station at 4:21 AM EST/09.21 GMT this morning. The Soyuz docked with the aft port of the Service Module Zarya. The Expedition 1 crew has now entered the ISS and has begun the series of activtation tasks and equipment transfers required to make the Space Station their home for the next 4 months.

A Soyuz rocket left Baikonur Cosmodrome today carrying the first crew to live aboard the International Space Station. Upon arrival at the space station this crew will inaugurate an unparalleled chapter in human history: hence forth, humans will no longer be limited to living on planet Earth.

We no longer just visit space. We live there.

According to NASA the International Space Station "is visible to the naked eye as a (not-so-faint-anymore) star, if the sky is without overcast and haze. As ISS assembly continues over the next four-five years, the light dot will grow to a brilliant star in the morning or evening skies, second only in brightness to the planet Venus, the brightest object (besides the moon) in the morning or evening. The OSF Orbital Visibility schedules at present cover 3,406 locations worldwide. To determine if your data for your city is available click on the "List of Cities Served" link below and scroll through the list (alphabetized by city name).

° ISS Naked-Eye Visibility Data From Selected Cities 26 Oct - 7 Nov 2000

"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. Discovery touched down at 4 p.m. CDT and rolled to a stop on Edward's concrete runway at 4:01, for a mission elapsed time of 12 days, 21 hours and 43 minutes."

"Discovery will have two opportunities to land at KSC, though weather there is predicted to be unacceptable. Discovery is not expected to attempt a landing on the first opportunity, at 12:52 p.m. CDT. They will look at the second opportunity, for a 2:28 p.m. Edwards weather is predicted to be acceptable. The first landing opportunity there would see a burn of the orbital maneuvering engines at 2:54 p.m. CDT and a landing at 3:59 p.m. The second has a deorbit burn at 4:31 p.m. and a landing at 5:35 p.m. CDT"

Forecasters expect low cloud ceilings, high cross winds and rain showers at KSC tomorrow, but conditions at EAFB are expected to improve. Mission managers will assess the following landing opportunities on Tuesday:

SITE 		ORBIT	               DEORBIT BURN             LANDING
KSC		201			2:21 p.m.		3:28 p.m. EDT
EAFB		202			3:52 p.m.		4:59 p.m. EDT
EAFB		203			5:29 p.m.		6:35 p.m. EDT

Unacceptable weather at both Kennedy Space Center and Edwards Air Force Base has caused today's landing to be delayed 24 hours. The next opportunity is 1:52 PM EDT at KSC (orbit 200) followed by a second opportunity at KSC (orbit 201) and then two opportunities at Edwards (orbits 202 and 203).

"After persistent crosswinds at Kennedy Space Center forced to NASA to give up trying to bring Discovery home at the Florida spaceport today, Mission Control is now battling bad weather at the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California."

"Discovery has two landing opportunities Monday at KSC, where the weather is expected to be questionable, and three at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The second KSC and first Edwards opportunities are on the same orbit, six minutes apart. Edwards will be activated for a possible Monday landing, but weather there is expected to be marginal. Weather conditions at KSC are not expected to improve over the next two days, while improvement in California is forecast."

The crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery have called off a landing attempt today at 2:14 PM EDT (1814 GMT). The next attempt will be tomorrow. High winds blowing at Kennedy Space Center would make landing difficult and possibly hazardous. If winds do not abate in time for tomorrow's planned landing, Discovery could have to wait in orbit for the winds to subside. If conditions do not show signs of improvement by Tuesday, Discovery would be diverted to a landing at Edwards Air Force Base.

Last 24 Hours Status

• All EVA4 tasks were successfully completed.
• Egress from ISS fell behind schedule for several minor stowage problems and a Node1 closeout panel (1F89465) failing to be re-installed. FGB has been egressed. Egress from the node will occur at approximately 8:00 am CDT. 10-20-00, with undocking occurring 1 orbit later. Undocking predicted at 10:09am CDT Friday.
• The activation and checkout of all 4 CMGs was successfully completed.
• Crew found the missing seal from the 35 ft VAJ. In summary the 5-ft VAJ had a damaged O-ring, which was replaced by one from one end of the 35-ft VAJ. The O-ring from the other end of the 35- VAJ was found floating by the crew. The damaged O-ring along with the one that crew found are being returned. Plans are to manifest two O-rings on 4A.
• The FCT had the crew cap the Deck MPEV per the procedure, but the cap is to be removed prior to egress. The MPEV still meets 2 seals to vacuum safety requirement.
• Crew unable to install closeout panel after Y-jumper installation. Panel currently stowed in front of the ECS pallet.
• Safety’s concerns regarding the FGB main engine prop valves withstanding transfer/storage pressures due to the non-firing of the FGB main engine Pyro’s were discussed during a telecon with the Russians. Representatives from KhSC/Prop and MER PROP specialist discussed the potential to expose the FGB main engines to higher pressures during the transfer. Based on a review of the schematic, the PROP team believed that the manifold motor isolation valves could back relieve and expose the main engines to the higher pressures. KhSC experts explained the design of the valve and believes that the schematic PROP has is incorrect. With the understanding that the valve is positioned incorrectly in the MER schematic, there is no concern with the planned transfer. KhSC requested a FAX stating our position on the performance of the transfer on Sunday. ISS MER Prop will follow up with this request Friday morning after verifying that our schematic indicates a wrong valve position. Propellant transfer will take place Sunday evening (Moscow time).
• PCU 1 powered up to get a pressure reading. Tube pressure reading was approximately 1 PSI
• N14B Y-Cable was installed. The NOD1P1-01 closeout panel (1F89465-1) could not be reinstalled during the N14B Y-Cable Installation. IFI #166 has been opened to investigate this issue.
• Node Ingress temperature was 23C.

Last 24 Hours Status

• All EVA 4 activities were successfully performed.
• RTAS latch cycled
• Z1 FRGF was relocated
• Z1 tray was deployed
• MBM capture latch cycled.
• Work is continuing on FD9 Egress procedure and the configuration of the IMV valve and the MPEV caps prior to egress.
• Russians increased power allocation to 2000 W so that FGB batteries will be more loaded and won’t pressure trip. PHALCON & THOR actively managing heaters to hold at about 1800 — 2000 W.
• Negative Power Balance indicated on SM display. Confirmed that MCC-M sent 5 commands via ECOMM. HSG reported that the SM internal cooling loop # 2, pumps 3 &4, and heaters were activated by MCC-M. Internal cooling loop will be in this configuration until DO2.
• The STAR team is working to ensure the ammonia accumulator doesn’t over temp. There is a concern that the current attitude of the ISS may need to be changed before the crew is scheduled to awaken to keep the temperature below 38 deg C. .
• Node1 temperatures trending down. Average temperature is 24.5 Deg C.

Last 24 Hours Status

• Work is continuing on FD9 Egress procedure and the configuration of the IMV valve and the MPEV caps prior to egress.
• During EVA 3 Crew had trouble mating P609/J609 connection. The crew Left P609 unmated with the thermal bootie covering it and wired tied to adjacent connector P608. P609 is not used until 5A.1 to provide APCU power to the MPLM via PMA2.
• All EVA3 activities were accomplished successfully. Installation of Z1, DDCUs and PMA3 was complete. DDCU HPs units were activated and reported nominal.
• Upon application of operating power to the S-Band Antenna Subassembly (SASA), Assembly Contingency Subsystem Radio Frequency Group (ACRFG) telemetry displays indicated PASS for POST /ECM and Environmental BIT summaries where fail indications are expected. IFI #0162 has been generated to investigate the issue.
• Node cabin air fan deactivated at GMT 291:10:00 and Node lights commanded off at GMT 291/10:05
• Reboost #2 was performed successfully.
• FGB to Node 1 power allocation during eclipse is 1750 W, and 2000 W during Insolation.
• Node1 temperatures trending down. Node1 temperature was 27.2 Deg C @ GMT: 291:23:47:03

"Two spacewalkers installed a pair of transformer-like devices aboard the international space station today that will step down and regulate the voltage produced by a huge set of solar arrays scheduled for installation in December. "

"Two of eight bolts that held the space shuttle Discovery to its launch pad failed to separate cleanly during last week's blast off, NASA officials said. "

Last 24 Hours Status

• EVA2 was successful. All planned operations were performed.
• PMA3 was mated to N1 with successful acquire bolt operations (CBM temperatures within requirements). 12 Hrs thermal hold for final bolting of PMA3 began @ 290:17:48
• PMA 3 heaters checkout was successfully completed.
• Crew was unable to hard dock APFR in WIF Z1-21 due to hard interference between WIF Flange and APFR Bolts. A thermal shield that was installed on the Load Limiter of the APFR appears to be the culprit. APFR was placed in WIF Z1-20 and boom deploy task was completed free float. Crew has removed the thermal covers from APFR and IAPFR and will attempt to reinstall during EVA 3.
• MBM Capture latches did not initially deploy. Crew realigned tool and latch deployment was successful. Problem seen on the ground at KSC.
• HSG reported that a BINZ correction performed during the DO 13 ground pass.
• ECOMM time tagged commands were sent to turn the ECOMM "on" prior to the EVA. ECOMM transmitter were powered off during the EVA, but all other components stayed on ready to go in the event commanding through ECOMM is required.
• Plasma Contactor Unit #2 did not discharge pressure at a rate expected. Issue is under investigation.
• Crew reported that one of the four RTAS bolts was not springy as expected.
• FGB to Node 1 power allocation is currently 1750 W. (Allocation had been reduced to 1100 W during PMA3 install and Reboost operations.)
• Node warm-up continuing. Node average temperature is 29.4 C at GMT291:07:36.
• CBM thermal hold and final bolting for PMA3 was completed at approximately 291:07:30.
• Maneuvered to —ZNN at GMT 291:07:18.

Editor's note: The crew of Space Shuttle Discovery attached Pressurized Mating Adapter-3 to Node 1 and prepared the Z1 Truss Segment for installation of Solar Arrays (to be delivered on STS-97 in November). According ot NASA "with the addition of the 18,000-pound Z1 Truss on Saturday and the 3,000-pound mating adapter, the station has gained about 21,000 pounds during STS-92. It now weights about 80 tons."

• The commanding during the EVA 1 was done using OIU as prime and Russian Ground Sites as backup.
• EVA 1 completed at GMT 289:20:45. The following S-band and Ku-band operations were completed successfully:
• SASA relocation
• Installation of SGANT dish to Ku-band boom.
• Ku-band boom deployment.
• ESTD Installation.
• Both strings of Node to Z1 Umbilicals were successfully connected without incident. Part of the umbilical connection required the deactivation of RACU 6 and RACU 5, which in turn powers down the Node 1 MDMs. The RACUs were reactivated and the MDMs resumed nominal operation.
• The CMGs continue to experience temperatures that are within the pre-flight predictions.
• Crew was unable to hard dock APFR in WIF Z1-21 due to hard interference between WIF Flange and APFR Bolts. A thermal shield that was installed on the Load Limiter of the APFR appears to be the culprit. APFR was placed in WIF Z1-20 and boom deploy task was completed free float. Further investigation is in process.
• Crew was unable to completely seat one of the four ports ETSD bolts. Only three of four bolts are required for structural integrity. No impacts unless problem with bolt removal. It is suspected that the bolt did not seat due to insufficient torque applied.
• Activated Node 1 heaters 1A, 1B, 2A, 3B, 5A, 7B, 8A and 8B.
• Activated Z1 dome heater to help warm up the Node. Node avg. temperatures fell to 26 deg. C during EVA-1
• FGB batteries now in full charge mode.
• FGB to Node 1 power allocation is currently 1750 W.
• FGB Batteries are in full (complete) charge mode.
• SM Batteries are in partial (incomplete) charge mode.

"A short circuit knocked out critical visual equipment aboard space shuttle Discovery on Saturday and made the astronauts' first space station construction job more difficult. The short occurred just as the crew was preparing to latch onto a girderlike truss in the shuttle cargo bay and lift it onto the international space station. "

• Russians concurred with closing the PGO/GA hatch and keeping the PEV in electric Open until final egress.
• Loss of Orbiter Payload Cabin 3 bus took out OSVS, keel camera, and OIU 1 and delayed the berthing of the Z1 for approx. 2:20 minutes. Delay caused deferral of FGB ingress until FD9. Backup SVS was recovered to support Z1 installation.
• Z1 installation was successfully completed @ GMT 288:18:40 and Installation of both Z1 ground straps completed @GMT 288:20:55.
• Vacuum Access Jumper leak check failed the pressurization and leak test of the Z1 dome. Initial assessment is that leakage observed in the VAJ was due to temperature rebound after VAJ was isolated from space vacuum.
• CBM N1 Zenith Mate Prep completed at GMT 288:09:00. All steps performed nominally.
• FGB AFT KVD valve did not respond to repeated commands. Command should be two steps (arm, fire) but three steps (arm, fire, inhibit) were seen. FGB AFT KVD responded to correct command.
• The CMGs continue to experience temperatures that are within the pre-flight predictions.
• Audiotape of PMA APAS hatch opening indicated that a clunk noise was heard earlier than expected (fewer turns of the handle). Clunk is probably caused by hatch rollers disengaging from support bracket. S&M is investigating number of turns required for full travel and where disengagement normally occurs.
• FGB to Node 1 power allocation is currently 1750 W.
• Maneuver back to attitude completed @ GMT: 288:18:51.
• FGB batteries are in full charge mode.

• Docking was nominal, with the exception that no "close" indication of X4 connector was received. Data pass is nominal, and VI is investigating the issue.
• The ISS is mated to the Orbiter with the SM MCS in free drift (indicator mode). The Orbiter is providing attitude control in the XPOP flight attitude.
• FGB and SM solar arrays were successfully moved to Position 2 (preparing for docking). After docking FGB and SM solar arrays resumed sun-tracking.
• Power allocation is 1500 W. SM Batteries 4 and 5 are off line. All FGB batteries are nominal.
• OSO reported that the PTAB procedure for SM would not be available until Monday. OSO believes that we will have sufficient time to implement if SM ingress is requested.
• Both APCUs were successfully activated.
• FDO/TOPO are coordinating with USSPACECOM on a potential conjunction. The object is presently appears to be in yellow maneuver box.
• Cabin Fan operation at 5000 rpm vs. 3900 rpm is being considered to provide better veneration.

Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station at 1:15:15 PM EDT while the shuttle/station orbited over the Ukraine.

Last 24 Hours Status:

• Three SWIS downlink were completed. Assessment of the third SWIS downlink showed that the DDCU-HP port CHIA (Cargo Handling Interface Adapter) temperature is slightly higher than expected. This was due to the Orbiter attitude. The temperature stabilized around 37° C, which is below the upper survival limits set for the DDCU.
• SM Battery 4 was brought on line briefly. HSG reported that cycle mode was still on and the battery was taken off line.
• The Orbiter Ku band has failed and the S-band is used to downlink the SWIS data through Ground stations.
• APCU checkout was successfully performed.
• Crew will be using the MRK fans during the Z1 Outfitting to increase ventilation.
• Plans are to have The Node hot soaked after the FD04 ingress in order to raise its temperature as high as possible to protect against later power-downs. Effect of the higher temperatures in the Node on the RPCM is being investigated.

"A TV blackout loomed for Discovery's high-profile space station construction mission because of a malfunctioning shuttle antenna."

All ISS systems are in nominal flight/stage configuration with the exception of the following:

Previously Reported status

• FGB Smoke Detectors 1, 3, 4, and 5 have been powered OFF.
• SM Smoke Detector 7 is failed.
• SM Solar Array #II portion of inboard panel segment not deployed.
• SM Batteries #4 and #5 are off line.

NASA has scrubbed the STS-92 launch once again - this time it is due not to weather, but to a piece of debris found near the oxygen line that runs between the Space Shuttle and its External Tank. The next launch attempt will be tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:17 PM EDT. When eventually launched, the primary mission of STS-92 is Space Station Assembly Flight ISS-03-3A - the delivery and installation of Integrated Truss Structure, Pressurized Mating Adapter-3, Ku-band Communications System, and Control Moment Gyros.

"NASA has called off tonight's launch attempt for space shuttle Discovery after a small piece of debris was found around the liquid oxygen feed line running between the orbiter and its external fuel tank. The pin is in a location not reachable during the countdown and officials had to scrub the launch due to concerns the shuttle could be damaged. Follow the countdown in our status center."

"The launch of space shuttle Discovery has been delayed again because gusty winds held up pre-flight work at the Kennedy Space Center. We'll post more information as we get it. See the Mission Status Center for continuous updates."

"With the launch rescheduled for Monday at 8:05 p.m. EDT (0005 GMT on Tuesday), space agency meteorologists are now wary of northeasterly winds that could blow the shuttle off course if its commander, Brian Duffy, should have to attempt an emergency landing after liftoff."

"The launch of space shuttle Discovery has been postponed until Monday night so workers can replace a suspect valve in the craft's aft engine compartment, NASA officials have decided."

"NASA has postponed today's shuttle launch by at least a day because of a last-minute technical concern with a bolt on the shuttle's fuel tank. We'll post more details as soon as we get them."

"With the shuttle Discovery's countdown underway, forecasters are predicting marginally acceptable weather for launch Thursday night. There are no technical problems of any significance at pad 39A and officials said today weather is the only concern as the agency gears up for its 100th shuttle mission."

"Earlier this year, in preparation for STS-101, NASA replaced a defective Power Drive Unit in Space Shuttle Atlantis with one taken from Columbia which was undergoing maintenance in Palmdale, California. During acceptance for the PDU prior to its reuse, one of the actuator bypass solenoid valves failed. As NASA checked for other possible uses of this specific component, it was found that the yaw actuator for the center SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engine) on Space Shuttle Discovery also includes the same O-ring design. This issue will be discussed this week as Discovery is certified for flight."

"When Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off on October 5 -- the 100th mission of the Shuttle program -- it will carry a payload that will make up the backbone of the electric power system for the International Space Station. It's a historic journey that began right here at Boeing in Canoga Park."

"Members of the news media are invited to attend a series of briefings on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, regarding the next Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station. As part of the STS-92 mission, astronauts will install the first permanent latticework truss, the "backbone" of the International Space Station, setting the stage for future Station construction. Launch is currently scheduled for Oct. 5. "

"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. Commander Terry Wilcutt guided Atlantis to a landing at 2:56 a.m. Central time, wrapping up a 4.9 million mile mission in which more than three tons of equipment were delivered to the international outpost."

"Like most busy commuters these days, astronauts need to take their laptop computers with them on the road - even if they are travelling at 17,500 miles per hour in a billion dollar space shuttle between Earth and the International Space Station. Given that NASA often touts itself as being at the cutting edge of technology you'd expect that they'd lavish nothing but the latest and speediest laptop computers on their astronauts. Alas, that isn't the case.

But don't think that these folks aren't being given the tools they need either."

Editor's note: this story also contains detailed schematics of the LAN (Local Area Network) currently installed on Atlantis, detailed specs for the Shuttle's Payload and General Support Computers, and a detailed description of the computer network that is being installed on the International Space Station.

The crew of Atlantis has undocked from the International Space Station and is preparing to land on Wednesday. To find out what they have been doing in space for the past week you can download ISS operations documents and related information at the SpaceRef STS-106 Mission Guide.

"NASA officials have ordered preparations to begin for rolling space shuttle Discovery off its launch pad and back to the safe confines of Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building on Sunday due to Hurricane Gordon."

"In what is becoming a fairly common occurrence, engineers in Russia are troubleshooting apparent problems with one of the eight batteries aboard the international space station's new Zvezda command module. "

Space Shuttle Atlantis astronauts, eager to get to work, entered the International Space Station an hour ahead of schedule this morning. Once aboard they immediately went about their tasks of installing hardware and activating life suport systems in Node 1 (Unity), the FGB (Zarya), and the Service Module (Zvezda). The crew also began to remove materials from the Progress spacecraft docked to the Service Module.

Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station at 01:51.37 AM EDT. This is what the astronauts are doing right now: International Space Station Operations Checklist, ISS-2A.2A & 2A.2B [English - Acrobat] This document contains detailed procedures for astronauts to follow during docking and egress operations; equipment transfer, installation, and activation; and stowage. This document is 448 pages long and includes detailed diagrams and numerous photographs.

SpaceRef has placed a series of NASA documents online that describe the actual hardware and operations for the STS-106 mission - and for future Space Shuttle and Space Station missions - in unprecedented detail. Many of these documents are actually used by astronauts and mission control personnel during this mission. Included are detailed descriptions of the specific procedures followed by the astronauts as they dock and enter the ISS; install and activate ISS systems; as well as documents covering the operation of Service Module, FGB, and Progress vehicle systems; and the contingency and emergency procedures that the crew is to follow if things go wrong.

On the fourth day of the STS-106 mission, astronauts Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko will begin the sixth space walk in the assembly of the International Space Station. SpaceRef has placed a series of NASA documents online that describe the actual EVA hardware and operations for the STS-106 mission - and for future Space Shuttle and Space Station missions - in unprecedented detail. Many of these documents are actually used by astronauts and mission control personnel during this mission.

Space Shuttle Atlantis was launched this morning at 8:45 AM EDT. The primary mission of STS-106 is Space Station Assembly Flight ISS-2A.2b, a cargo and logistics flight to the ISS. Atlantis is carrying a Spacehab Double Module (DM) in its cargo bay.

According to NASA "the International Space Station is visible to the naked eye as a (not-so-faint-anymore) star, if the sky is without overcast and haze. As ISS assembly continues over the next four-five years, the light dot will grow to a brilliant star in the morning or evening skies, second only in brightness to the planet Venus, the brightest object (besides the moon) in the morning or evening. The OSF Orbital Visibility schedules at present cover 3,406 locations worldwide. To determine if your data for your city is available click on the "List of Cities Served" link below and scroll through the list (alphabetized by city name).

° ISS Naked-Eye Visibility Data From Selected Cities 5-12 Sep 2000

A Progress M-1 tanker docked with the International Space Station today at 4:13:05 PM EDT while the ISS was passing over Kazakhstan. Docking was performed with the docking port of Zvezda (Service Module). This Progress spacecraft was launched on Sunday, 6 August at 2:26 PM EDT on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Packed inside the Progress are clothes, computers, food and other supplies for use by the first permanent residents of the ISS who will arrive aboard a Soyuz spacecraft in October. The Progress will be unpacked by the crew of shuttle mission STS-106 when it arrives in early September.