STS-104 (105)

Atlantis (24)

Pad 39-B (48)

105th Shuttle Mission

Night Launch (26)

KSC Landing (55)

Night Landing (18)

NOTE: Click Here for Countdown Homepage

Crew:

Steven W. Lindsey (3), Mission Commander

Charles O. Hobaugh (1), Pilot

Michael L. Gernhardt (4), Mission Specialist

James F. Reilly (2), Mission Specialist

Janet L. Kavandi (3), Mission Specialist

Milestones:

OPF -- 03/04/01 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/02/2001)

VAB -- 05/29/01 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 5/30/2001)

PAD -- 06/20/01 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 6/20/2001)

Payload:

Space Station Assembly Flight ISS-7A (ISS-Airlock, HPGA)

Mission Objectives:

Click here for Additional Info on STS-104

The primary purpose of the flight is to deliver and install the ISS Airlock. The Joint Airlock is a pressurized flight element consisting of two cylindrical chambers attached end-to-end by a connecting bulkhead and hatch. Once installed and activated, the ISS airlock becomes the primary path for International Space Station space walk entry and departure for U.S. spacesuits, which are known as Extravehicular Mobility Units, or EMUs. In addition, the Joint Airlock is designed to support the Russian Orlan spacesuit for EVA activity.

The Joint Airlock is 20ft long, 13ft in diameter and weighs 6.5 tons. It was built at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) by the Space Station Prime Contractor Boeing. The ISS-airlock has two main components: a crew airlock and an equipment airlock for storing EVA gear and EVA preflight preps. STS-104 also carries a spacelab pallet with four High Pressure Gas Assembly containers that will be attached to the exterior of the airlock.

Launch:

July 12, 2001 5:04 a.m. EDT. 10 min window. Tanking operations were completed at 10:35 p.m. EDT. At 4:55 a.m., the countdown clock came out of the T-minus 9 minute hold and entered the final count. The Crew Access Arm was retracted at 4:56 a.m. EDT. Launch occured at the opening of the launch window.

On Sunday evening, July 8, the flight crew for mission STS-104 arrived to begin final preparation for their upcoming launch. Space Shuttle Atlantis. Over the weekend, workers completed orbiter aft compartment closeouts. Technicians also successfully replaced and retested an orbiter mass memory unit and a TV monitor on the aft flight deck launch window. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 7/09/2001)

On Wednesday, June 20, 2001, following a go ahead from Shuttle management, KSC workers began rolling Space Shuttle Atlantis out of the VAB at about 2:30 a.m. today. When weather officials noted the threat of lightning in the vicinity of the Launch Complex 39 area, managers returned Atlantis to the VAB as a safety precaution. Atlantis has been rescheduled for rollout to Launch Pad 39B at about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, June 21. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 6/20/2001)

On Tuesday, June 19, 2001, Space Shuttle and International Space Station managers agreed to proceed with plans to launch Space Shuttle Atlantis no earlier than July 12. The official launch date will be announced after the Flight Readiness Review scheduled for June 28. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test is scheduled for June 28-29 at KSC. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 6/20/2001)

On Thursday, May 31, 2001, NASA managers announced that Space Shuttle Atlantis will not launch before early July. The additional time will enable the International Space Station Program time to evaluate a problem with the Station's new robot arm. Shuttle and Station managers will reconvene in mid-June to assess a new launch date. The Flight Readiness Review has been postponed with a new date to be announced. Orbiter Atlantis rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) last night, and workers are preparing to mate the orbiter to the external tank in VAB high bay 1. Once fully stacked, the Space Shuttle will remain in the VAB until a new rollout date is selected. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 5/31/2001)

Managers announced a target launch date of no earlier than June 8 for Atlantis' next flight on mission STS-104. This shift accommodates an on orbit sun angle condition between May 18 and June 7. This so-called beta angel cut-out is an undesirable thermal condition for Shuttle/ISS docking operations. Previous launch date was no earlier than February 8, 2001. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 1/25/2001)

Orbit:

Altitude: 122 nm

Inclination: 51.6

Orbits: 200

Duration: 12 days, 18 hours, 36 minutes, 39 seconds.

Distance: 5.3 million miles

Hardware:

SRB:

SRM:

ET :

MLP :

SSME-1: SN-

SSME-2: SN-

SSME-3: SN-

Landing:

KSC , July 24, 2001 11:38 p.m EDT

Main Gear Touchdown: 11:38:55 EDT (MET: 12 days 18 hours 34min 56 sec)

Nose Gear Touchdown: 11:39:12 EDT (MET: 12 days 18 hours 35min 11 sec)

Wheel Stop: 11:40:38 EDT (MET: 12 days 18 hours 36min 39 sec)

Atlantis was given "a go" for an on time deorbit burn to bring to an end missions STS-104.

The second landing attempt for KSC was waived off and landing is now scheduled for 11:39 p.m. Tuesday July 24, 2001.

At 11:20 pm EDT, a "no go" was given for the first landing attempt due to rain showers in the area. The second landing attempt is scheduled with a deorbit burn at 1:08 am with a touchdown at 2:14 am EDT.

Mission Highlights:

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