STS-105 (106)

Discovery (30)

Pad 39-A (73)

106th Shuttle Mission

MPLM (3)

KSC Landing (56)

Crew:

Scott J. Horowitz (4), Commander

Frederick W. Sturckow (2), Pilot

Daniel T. Barry (3), Mission Specialist

Patrick G. Forrester (1), Mission Specialist

Frank L. Culbertson, Jr. (3) Expedition 3 Commander (UP)

Mikhail Turin (1), Expedition 3 RSA (UP)

Vladimir N. Dezhurov (2), Expedition 3 RSA (UP)

Yury V. Usachev (4), Expedition 2 RSA (Down)

James S. Voss (5), Expedition 2 (Down)

Susan J. Helms (5), Expedition 2 (Down)

Milestones:

OPF -- 03/21/01 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/21/2001)

VAB -- 06/13/01 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 6/13/2001)

PAD -- 07/02/01 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 7/02/2001)

Payload:

ISS 7A.1 MPLM (Leonardo), MISSE, GAS (G-708), Hitchhiker (Simplesat, MSC, SEM-10)

Mission Objectives:

Click here for Additional Info on STS-105

Space Station Flight 7A.1

The main purpose of STS-105 is the rotation of the International Space Station crew and the delivery of supplies utilizing the Italian-built Multipurpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Leonardo on its second flight ( STS-102 , STS-105 ). Astronauts will also perform two spacewalks and conduct scientific experiments. The MPLM on this mission contains additional scientific racks, equipment and supplies. It is 6.4 meters long (21ft) and 4.6 meters (15ft) in diameter) and weighs over 9,000 lbs. An identical module named Raffaello has flown once (STS-100).

Aboard Leonardo are six Resupply Stowage Racks, four Resupply Stowage Platforms, and two new scientific experiment racks for the station's U.S. laboratory Destiny. The two new science racks (EXPRESS Racks 4 and 5) will add science capability to the station. EXPRESS stands for Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station. EXPRESS Rack 4 weighs 1,175 pounds and EXPRESS Rack 5 weighs 1,200 pounds. The empty weight of each EXPRESS rack is about 785 pounds. EXPRESS Racks 1 and 2A were delivered aboard the Raffaello cargo module during STS-100/6A in April 2001. EXPRESS Rack 3 is scheduled to be brought to the station during STS-111/UF-2 in 2002.

The Resuppy Stowage Racks and Resupply Stowage Platforms are filled with Cargo Transfer Bags that contain equipment and supplies for the station. The six Resuppply Stowage Racks contain almost 3,200 pounds of cargo and the four Resupply Stowage Platforms contain about 1,200 pounds of cargo, not including the weight of the Cargo Transfer Bags, the foam packing around the cargo or the straps and fences that hold the bags in place. The total weight of cargo, racks and packing material aboard Leonardo is just over 11,000 pounds. Total cargo weight is about 6,775 pounds.

Another payload onboard is the Materials International Space Station Experiments (MISSE). This project is a NASA/Langley Research Center-managed cooperative endeavor to fly materials and other types of space exposure experiments on the space station. The objective is to develop early, low-cost, non-intrusive opportunities to conduct critical space exposure tests of space materials and components planned for use on future spacecraft. Johnson Space Center. Marshall Space Flight Center, Glenn Research Center, the Materials Laboratory at the Air Force Research Laboratory and Boeing Phantom Works are participants with Langley in the project. The MISSE experiments will be the first externally mounted experiments conducted on the ISS. The experiments are in four Passive Experiment Containers (PECs) that were initially developed and used for an experiment on Mir in 1996 during the Shuttle-Mir Program. The PECs were transported to Mir on STS-76. After an 18-month exposure in space, they were retrieved on STS-86. PECs are suitcase-like containers for transporting experiments via the space shuttle to and from an orbiting spacecraft. Once on orbit and clamped to the host spacecraft, the PECs are opened and serve as racks to expose experiments to the space environment.

Other payloads onboard are part of the Goddard Space Flight Center. s Wallops Flight Facility Shuttle Small Payloads Project. The SSPP system utilizes payload carrier systems such as the Hitchhiker, Getaway Specials and Space Experiment Modules to provide a low cost scientific research enviromnent. SSPP payloads on STS-105 include the Hitchhiker payload Simplesat, The Cell Growth in Microgravity GAS Canister (G-708), the Microgravity Smoldering Combustion experimet (MSC), and the Hitchiker Experiment Advancing Technology Space Experiment Module-10 payload).

Launch:

August 10, 2001 5:10 p.m. EDT (21:10 GMT) Launch window was 5 minutes.

On Friday, the loading of cryogenic propellants began at 8:10 a.m. EDT and was completed at 11:07 a.m. EDT. The flight crew received a weather briefing at 12:45 a.m. EDT, ate breakfast and then departed for the launch pad at 1:25 p.m. EDT. Orbiter ingress began at 1:55 p.m. EDT and the hatch was closed at 3:10p.m. EDT. The access arm was retracted at 5:03 p.m. EDT. Launch occured at 5:10 p.m. EDT at the opening of the launch window.

On Thursday beginning at 8:20 a.m. and completing at 11:21 a.m. EDT, the external tank was loaded with its complement of 500,000 gallons of liquid cryogenic propellants. The crew departed for the pad at 1:47 p.m. and closeout was at 3:32 p.m. EDT. The countdown progressed to the T-minus 9 minute mark where the launch was scrubbed due to weather.

On Tuesday, August 7, 2001, launch countdown activities continue on schedule. Operations to load the Power Reactant and Storage Distribution (PRSD) system tanks with cryogenic reactants began late this afternoon. Loading operations are scheduled to be completed by early tomorrow morning, at which time the orbiter mid-body umbilical unit will be demated. Later tomorrow, the communications system on the Shuttle will be activated and tested and the rotating service structure will be moved to the launch position at about 9:30 p.m. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 8/07/01)

On Monday, August 6, 2001, after a thorough engineering evaluation, Shuttle managers determined that the hydraulic power unit on

Space Shuttle Discovery's left-hand solid rocket booster is ready for flight with no additional work required. The launch countdown began on time at 5 p.m. in firing room No. 3. and preparation at Pad 39A continues on schedule toward the Aug. 9, STS-105 launch date. Discovery's aft compartment has been closed out for flight and Shuttle ordnance installation is complete. Payload interface verification testing is also complete. The STS-105 crew and Expedition 3 crew arrived at KSC Sunday at about 1:15 p.m. to begin final preparation for flight. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 8/06/01)

On Wednesday, August 1, 2001, during the Flight Readiness Review NASA managers confirmed Aug. 9 as the official launch date for STS-105. At Launch Pad 39A, workers completed replacement of Discovery's master events controller No. 2 and retests are nearing completion. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 8/02/01)

On Wednesday, June 20, 2001, with the orbiter, external tank and solid rocket boosters fully stacked in VAB high bay 3, Space Shuttle Discovery underwent Shuttle Interface Testing earlier this week. Final preparations for rollout to Launch Pad 39A are in work. Discovery could roll to the pad as early as June 26.

(Reference KSC Shuttle Status 6/20/2001)

NASA managers announced that Space Shuttle Discovery's launch will occur no earlier than early August. The delay accommodates the ongoing robot arm evaluation and allows the flight crew additional time to train for potential arm repair efforts during the upcoming mission. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 5/31/2001)

Orbit:

Altitude: 122nm

Inclination: 51.6

Orbits: 186

Duration: 11 days, 21 hours, 13 minutes, 52 seconds.

Distance: miles

Hardware:

SRB:

SRM:

ET :

MLP :

SSME-1: SN-

SSME-2: SN-

SSME-3: SN-

Landing:

KSC, August 22, 2001 2:23 p.m. EDT Runway 15

The deorbit burn occurred on time for a the second landing opportunity at KSC for 2:23 p.m. on orbit 186. At 11:12 am EDT a "no-go" was given for the first landing opportunity.

Main Gear Touchdown 8/22/01 14:22:58 (MET: 11 days 21 hours 12 min 44 sec)

Nose Gear Touchdown 8/22/01 14:23:09 (MET: 11 days 21 hours 12 min 55 sec)

Wheel Stop 8/22/01 14:24:06 (MET: 11 days 21 hours 13 min 52 sec)

Mission Highlights:

STS-105 Flight Day 1 Highlights:
STS-105 Flight Day 2 Highlights:
STS-105 Flight Day 3 Highlights:
STS-105 Flight Day 4 Highlights:
STS-105 Flight Day 5 Highlights:
STS-105 Flight Day 6 Highlights:
STS-105 Flight Day 7 Highlights:
STS-105 Flight Day 8 Highlights:
STS-105 Flight Day 9 Highlights:
STS-105 Flight Day 10 Highlights:
STS-105 Flight Day 11 Highlights:

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