ISS Final Stage Credit - NASA

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

Meanwhile, the Russians successfully assembled and operated the 124-tonne Mir station. The station's modules were evolved from those of the secret military Almaz station of the 1970s. Mir and its crews whirled round and round the world, through the collapse of the Soviet Union and Russian economic meltdown. By 1993, Russia had acquired unmatched experience in long-duration human flight, but it was apparent that there was no money for the follow-on Mir-2.

By this time, NASA had scaled down its station in the seventh redesign in nine years. This more modest station Alpha deleted most of the original science experiments, but would still cost more than Clinton was willing to spend. In October 1993, with the gunfire of the coup attempt outside their windows, NASA negotiators in Moscow agreed to the 'International Space Station' (ISS), a merger of stations Alpha and Mir-2.

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

Construction of the ISS began with the launch of the NASA-funded, Russian-built Zarya Functional Cargo Block (FGB, from its Russian name) in November 1998. A few weeks later, the shuttle *Endeavour* rendezvoused with Zarya and attached the first American module. Astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman conducted three spacewalks to make electrical and data bus connections. By July 1999, it is hoped that the delayed Russian Service Module will dock with the complex.

Thereafter, permanent occupancy can begin. In January 2000, veteran cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko, Sergei Krikalyov and astronaut Bill Shepherd will arrive aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft for a five-month stay. No less than 33 assembly flights are scheduled through to July 2004, with additional equipment, habitation or laboratory modules being added every month. At first the cluster will resemble Mir. But on the fourteenth flight, in the spring of 2001, the long truss will be installed. This will be extended on following missions and huge solar wings deployed, until the station achieves its final form.

NASA plans six research facilities initially devoted to fluids and combustion, materials science, gravitational biology and human zero-gravity adaptation. The first US lab module will be attached in March 2000, with the Canadian remote manipulating system arriving a month later. The Japanese JEM module is planned for July 2002. Europe's Columbus module is scheduled for October 2003.

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

The reality of 2001 will not quite match the vision of the film of the same name. But if all goes well there will be an international space station, where crews from all the nations of the Earth conduct experiments in the spirit of international science instead of that of nationalist competition. The systems proved on the station will then be available for the outward push of mankind, together, to Mars, Europa and 'Beyond the Infinite'.

Appendix - Comparison of ISS with Freedom and Alpha Stations:

ISS final configuration is similar to Alpha configuration 'A' in comparison to original 'Freedom' configuration:

                         Freedom     A      B         C
Cost to Finish ($Bil)     20       16.5     19.3     15.1
Complete Date             09/2000  10/2000  12/2001  01/2001
Annual Ops Cost ($Bil)    2.4      1.4      1.5      1.0
Crew Size                 4        4        4        4
Research Hours/Year       6566     6724     6566     6866
Alpha Gimbal              Y        N        Y        N
Total Avg. Power (kW)     68.3     57       68.3     46.5-62.9
Avg. User Power (kW)      34.2     31       40.3     24.4-40.2
Total Pressrzd Vol(m^3)   878      760      878      1117
User Science Racks        46       39       46       72
External Attach Sites     14       21       15       14
Tot. Asmbl/Outfit Flights 20       16       20       9
Tot. Asmbl EVA Hours      381      224      311      24
Logistics Flights/Year    4        6        6        6
Maintain EVA Hours/Year   253      187      253      80

• 1995 During the Year - X-38 development authorised..  Spacecraft: X-38, International Space Station.

  When doubts about the availability of Soyuz developed in 1995, NASA proceeded with development of the X-38, a NASA Johnson concept - a smaller version of the X-24 lifting body with a parafoil.

• 1996 June - Soyuz TMA, X-38 selected as ISS lifeboat over Alpha Lifeboat.  Spacecraft: Alpha Lifeboat, Soyuz TMA, X-38, International Space Station.

  The Alpha lifeboat was based on the Zarya reentry vehicle with a solid retrofire motor and cold gas thruster package. The design was rejected in favor of use of modified Soyuz TM in short term, US X-38 in long term.

• 1996 November - X-38 Rollout.  Spacecraft: X-38.

  Roll out of first of two slightly subscale 7.31 m long atmospheric test vehicles for use in parafoil landing tests was in November 1996.

• 1998 March 12 - X-38 V-131 Flight 1.  Spacecraft: X-38. Launch Site: Edwards.

  After dropping away from its B-52 mothership, the X-38 deployed a ram-air parafoil, and maneuvered to a precise landing on the Edwards Air Force Base bombing range.

• 1998 October 21 - ARD.  Spacecraft: ARD. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5.

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

• 1998 November 16 - ISS Status Report 1. 

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

  With temperatures hovering around 28 degrees Fahrenheit, the Proton and the Zarya Control Module were delivered by rail car to its launch pad with everything on track for launch Friday at 11:40 a.m. Baikonur time (1:40 a.m. EST, 12:40 a.m. CST, 6:40 a.m. GMT, 9:40 a.m. Moscow time). The Proton's rollout to the launch pad occurred after Russian and American officials met to give final approval for the launch, following a review of vehicle and booster systems.

  The early forecast for Friday at Baikonur called for overcast skies and subfreezing temperatures, no constraint to the launch of an unmanned Russian booster. The Proton's three stages will be fueled with asymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide about six hours before launch. American flight controllers belonging to the Houston Support Group at the Russian Mission Control Center outside of Moscow have joined a team of flight controllers from the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center to keep tabs on final preparations for the start of the multinational project.

  Khrunichev built Zarya under contract to prime contractor, Boeing, and will work in concert with American flight controllers to monitor Zarya's systems during launch and its early life on orbit. Another team of U.S. flight controllers will operate out of the International Space Station Flight Control Room at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to provide round-the-clock support for the lifetime of the International Space Station.

  The Proton rocket weighs one and a half million pounds fully fueled and generates more than 2 and a half million pounds of thrust from its three stages during the 9 minute, 47 second-ride from launch pad to spacecraft separation.

  Within seconds after the Zarya is separated from the Proton's third stage, a pre-programmed sequence of events will occur when the module's computers command the deployment of critical antennas and the Zarya's solar arrays, providing the new module with a wingspan of 80 feet for the generation of electricity.

  Zarya's initial orbital altitude will be about 220 by 115 statute miles. The altitude will be circularized next week following a series of maneuvering system engine firings, placing Zarya in the proper orbit for the arrival of the shuttle Endeavour almost three weeks from now, carrying the Unity connecting module, or node. Zarya will be grappled by Endeavour astronaut Nancy Currie through the use of the shuttle's robot arm during the first assembly mission, STS-88, and will be mated to Unity, setting the stage for three spacewalks by Jerry Ross and Jim Newman to connect cables and install equipment for future Station construction flights.

• 1998 November 19 - ISS Status Report 2. 

  All is ready at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan for tomorrow's launch of a Russian Proton rocket to deliver the first component of the International Space Station to orbit, inaugurating a new era of space exploration.

  With everything on track for liftoff at 1:40 a.m. EST tomorrow (9:40 a.m. Moscow time, 11:40 a.m. Baikonur time), the Russian State Committee prepared to meet later today (early Friday Baikonur time) to give final clearance for the launch of the 180-foot long Proton. Encapsulated in the rocket's nose fairing is the 42,000-pound Zarya Control Module, which will provide the initial propulsion, orientation capability and commanding for the fledgling station.

  The weather forecast calls for clear skies and unusually balmy temperatures at the time of launch, perfect conditions for an unmanned Proton launch vehicle. Top officials from the international project's Partner agencies including NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin, Russian Space Agency General-Director-Yuri Koptev, Canadian Space Agency President Mac Evans, European Space Agency Director-General Antonio Rodota, and NASDA President Isao Uchida as well as International Space Station Program Manager Randy Brinkley, will be on hand in Baikonur to view the maiden liftoff of station hardware.

  At the Asian launch site, Russian officials planned to be at their stations at about 4:30 p.m. EST today to begin final prelaunch preparations. Following a final meeting of Russian space managers, similar to NASA's Mission Management Team, the Proton's three stages will be fueled with asymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, at about 7:40 p.m. EST.

  At 12:30 a.m. EST Friday, the gantry surrounding the Proton will be retracted and final checks of the Proton and the Zarya's systems will be conducted. It will take less than 10 minutes from launch to spacecraft separation, triggering a series of computer commands to deploy Zarya's antennas and its large solar arrays. The arrays should be unfurled and locked in place a little over 13 minutes after Zarya's launch.
  SIGNIFICANT PRELAUNCH AND POSTLAUNCH EVENTS FOR NOV. 20 INCLUDE: EST/GMT/Moscow Time
  Proton oxidizer fueling 7:40 p.m. Nov. 19 /00:40/3:40 a.m.
  Proton propellent fueling 9:20 p.m. Nov. 19 2:20/5:20 a.m.
  Launch gantry retraction 12:30 a.m./5:30/8:30 a.m.
  Zarya systems powerup 12:40 a.m./5:40/8:40 a.m.
  Ground systems "ready for launch" 1:30 a.m./6:30/9:30 a.m.
  Zarya goes to internal power 1:31 a.m./6:31/9:31 a.m.
  Final launch sequence initiated 1:35 a.m./6:35/9:35 a.m.
  T-2.5 secondsIgnition Sequence Commanded
  T-1.6 seconds Engine Start Initiated
  LAUNCH OF PROTON AND ZARYA 1:40 a.m./6:40/9:40 a.m.
  T +2:06......First Stage Separation 1:42 a.m./6:42/9:42 a.m.
  T +3:03......Launch Fairing Jettison 1:43 a.m./6:43/9:43 a.m.
  T +5:34......Second Stage Separation 1:45 a.m./6:45/9:45 a.m.
  T +9:47......Third Stage Separation and Spacecraft Separation 1:49:47 a.m./6:49:47/9:49:47 a.m.
  T +10:05 Deploy Kurs and Komparus Antennas 1:50 a.m./6:50 a.m./9:50 a.m.
  T +10:52 Initiate Zarya docking probe extension 1:51 a.m./6:51/9:51 a.m.
  T +13:21.....Initiate solar array deployment 1:53 a.m./6:53/9:53 a.m.
  Russian and American flight controllers at both the Russian Mission Control Center outside Moscow and the Johnson Space Center in Houston will continue to checkout Zarya's systems over the next two weeks in preparation for the launch of the Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3 to carry the Unity connecting hub to orbit. Unity will be mated with Zarya during the 12-day flight by five U.S. astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut to complete the first station assembly mission.

• 1998 November 20 - Zarya.  Spacecraft: ISS Zarya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Proton.

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

• 1998 November 20 - ISS Status Report 3. 

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

  Enclosed in the nose fairing of a Russian Proton rocket, the Zarya Control Module lifted off at 11:40 a.m. local time (1:40 a.m.EST, 9:40 a.m. Moscow time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on the steppes of the Asian nation of Kazakstan, the first component of an international complex involving five Partner agencies and more than a dozen nations.

  The launch was viewed in person by NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin, Russian Space Agency General-Director Yuri Koptev and other heads of the Partner agencies along with a host of station program officials.

  After a flawless countdown, the 180-foot long Proton rocket thundered away on a trajectory carrying the Zarya to an initial orbit about 220 statute miles by 115 statute miles. A little less than 10 minutes after launch, the Proton's third stage separated from Zarya, triggering a sequence of pre-programmed commands to deploy critical communications and rendezvous antennas. Three minutes later, Zarya's large solar arrays unfurled, enabling the module to convert sunlight into electricity through a wingspan of 80 feet. Zarya's docking probe was also extended for its linkup to the Russian Service Module following that component's launch next summer.

  A little more than three hours after launch, computer commands were successful sent to Zarya by Russian flight controllers to place the module in an orientation which will provide even heating on the spacecraft.

  Other key activities today included a successful test of the solar arrays' ability to articulate, or follow the sun as the new module travels around the Earth.

  Tomorrow, one of Zarya's two large maneuvering engines will be test-fired to insure its ability to raise or adjust the module's orbit. Then, later in the day Saturday, the engine will be fired again to raise the perigee, or lower portion of Zarya's orbit, from 115 statute miles to about 157 statute miles. Zarya will fly in an almost circular orbit by next Tuesday, 243 by 233 statute miles, following three additional engine firings.

  Russian and American flight controllers at the Russian Mission Control Center outside Moscow and U.S. controllers at the International Space Station Flight Control Room at the Johnson Space Center in Houston were on console for the historic launch and are now following the activation of Zarya's systems. They will be involved in the round-the-clock monitoring of space station systems for the lifetime of the new facility.

  Zarya's successful launch set the stage for the launch of the Shuttle Endeavour on December 3 on the STS-88 mission to carry the next component of the new station to orbit --- the Unity connecting hub, or node. Zarya will be grappled by astronaut Nancy Currie, who will use Endeavour's robot arm to capture the Control Module for its mating to Unity, which will be housed in the Shuttle's cargo bay.

  Flight controllers report that Zarya's systems are functioning normally in the early hours of its life on orbit.

• 1998 November 21 - ISS Status Report 4. 

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

  Today, flight controllers tested the television cameras Zarya will use for its eventual automated rendezvous in summer 1999 with the early station living quarters, the Service Module. During two tests of the black-and-white television system, all equipment worked as expected. Flight controllers also performed a successful 10-second test firing of one of the two large engines on the module that are used for making major orbital changes, finding it in good condition.

  Later, the same engine was fired for one minute, 40 seconds in the first of several maneuvers over the next few days that eventually will raise Zarya to a circular orbit of about 242 statute miles altitude, the orbit at which Endeavour will capture the module. Prior to today's engine firings, Zarya was in an elliptical orbit with a high point of about 225 statute miles and a low point of about 114 statute miles. Today's engine firings raised Zarya's orbit to about 226 by 156 statute miles. Zarya is circling Earth every 90 minutes at inclination of 51.6 degrees to the equator.

  Both Russian and American flight controllers are on duty at the Russian Mission Control Center outside Moscow watching over Zarya's operations. U.S. flight controllers also are monitoring the activities at the International Space Station Flight Control Room at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Upcoming events for Zarya include further engine firings on Monday and Tuesday to continue rasing its orbit followed by several systems tests later in the week in preparation for the rendezvous by Endeavour. During times when Zarya is not actively performing systems checks or other operations, it is put into a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain moderate temperatures on the spacecraft.

• 1998 November 23 - ISS Status Report 5. 

  Flight controllers in Moscow commanded the first element of the International Space Station through two altitude raising maneuvers today placing it closer to the desired orbit planned for the rendezvous by Space Shuttle Endeavour two weeks from now.

  Zarya began its third full day in space in an orbit 226 by 156 statute miles. During two separate engine firings, the module's orbit was raised on both sides placing it in a 248 by 194 statute mile orbit. One final altitude adjust maneuver is scheduled for early Tuesday morning that will nearly circularize the orbit at about 250 statute miles.

  Zarya will then drift for two weeks, slowly dropping its orbit to an altitude of about 242 statute miles at which Endeavour and its crew will arrive on Dec. 6.

  The first engine firing aboard Zarya occurred at 8:26 this morning Moscow time (12:26 a.m. EST). The 31 second burn changed the module's velocity by 21 feet per second. The second burn about an hour later, lasted nearly two minutes and changed the velocity by 78 feet per second.

  System checks continued as well throughout the day as Zarya moved within tracking range of several linked ground sites across Russia. Each ground station pass allowed flight controllers in the Zarya control room and NASA's Houston Support Room to monitor the data flowing from computers onboard the module.

  Other highlights from on-orbit checkouts aboard Zarya included completion of checkouts of its motion control system in the 'free flight' mode; confirmation of on board systems to monitor atmospheric temperatures inside the module; a test of the fire detection and suppression system, and deactivation of the Gas Analyzer.

  The Gas Analyzer continues to show slightly higher humidity levels, but controllers believe this may be a simple calibration error. The unit's manufacturer is being consulted on this possibility.

  Battery number 1 continued to indicate a higher charge than the other five batteries. Telemetry data is being analyzed to determine the discrepancy.

  Yesterday's activities showed an indication of a possible failure to deploy of two small antennae elements in the Teleoperator Control System (TORU) manual docking system on Zarya. Russian specialists will conduct a more complete systems test later this week that will provide more data on the antenna system.

  Plans for tomorrow in addition to the orbit raising burn, controllers will test Zarya's multiplexer-demultiplexer and monitor systems already checked out.

  During times when Zarya is not actively performing systems checks or other operations, it is put into a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain moderate temperatures on the spacecraft. Now at its higher altitude, Zarya is circling Earth every 91 minutes at inclination of 51.6 degrees to the equator.

• 1998 November 24 - ISS Status Report 6. 

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

  Flight controllers in Moscow commanded a 1-minute, 56-second long firing of one of Zarya's two large engines today to raise the spacecraft to an orbit of 251 by 240 statute miles. The engine firing was the fifth such firing performed since Zarya's launch, all using the same engine, to raise the module's orbit to the proper altitude for a capture by Endeavour. Zarya's altitude is expected to gradually decrease to an almost circular orbit of roughly 242 statute miles by the time Endeavour arrives.

  Ground controllers also continued checks of the module, which is in excellent condition with no systems problems of significance for any planned station operations. Tomorrow, flight controllers plan to continue systems checks of the spacecraft with tests of computers, or multiplexer-demultiplexers, on the module that will be used with an early communications system to be installed by Endeavour's crew in Unity that will transmit data from the Zarya systems to the ground as a backup to the Russian communications system.

  During times when Zarya is not actively performing systems checks or other operations, it is put into a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain moderate temperatures on the spacecraft. Zarya is circling Earth once every 92 minutes.

• 1998 November 25 - ISS Status Report 7. 

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

  The checks of the command relay equipment, technically called multiplexers/demultiplexers, found both in good condition. The two devices make up part of the Zarya module's command and data handling system and provide an interface with computers for control of the International Space Station's power system, environmental system, guidance and navigation system and sensors. For the checks, one of the devices was turned on and operated for about three minutes while a second was turned on and will be left operating through the arrival of Endeavour.

  System experts in Moscow and in Houston also are continuing to evaluate several minor systems problems that have been noted on the spacecraft, none of which are anticipated to have any effect on the planned space station operations. The systems issues included an indication of high humidity onboard Zarya from an air monitoring sensor; difficulties with charging and discharging equipment associated with one of the module's six batteries; and a possible problem with the deployment of a TORU manual docking system antenna on Zarya's exterior.

  Flight controllers have determined that the indication of high humidity on Zarya was due to a problem in ground software and was an errant indication. In addition, checks of all systems that contain fluid on the module have indicated there has been no apparent leakage. Engineers are working to correct the ground software responsible for the errant indication.

  Indications and tests of one of the six batteries onboard have shown that the battery appears to be operating but that electronics equipment associated with it may not be functioning properly. Tests of the battery have verified that it is capable of charging and discharging normally and further evaluations of the situation are continuing. The possibility of carrying replacement equipment aboard Endeavour also is being evaluated. Regardless of the possible problem with the battery's associated equipment, backup procedures may be available that allow the battery to be used, and all planned station operations could be performed on five batteries only if that were necessary. The six batteries aboard Zarya store energy gathered by the twin solar arrays to be used during the orbital night.

  Indications from the TORU antennae show that the antennae may not have deployed properly. Further tests of signal strength from the system over the next few days are hoped to provide more information on whether or not the antennae have deployed. The TORU system is a manually operated docking system that serves as a backup for the Kurs automated docking system, which is the primary docking system to be used for the arrival of the Service Module in summer 1999.

  During times when Zarya is not actively performing systems checks or other operations, it is put into a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain moderate temperatures on the spacecraft. Zarya is circling Earth once every 92 minutes. Zarya is in an orbit of 251 by 239 statute miles circling the Earth every 92 minutes.

• 1998 November 27 - ISS Status Report 8. 

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

  Completing its first week on orbit, Zarya was put through the final major systems checkout Friday as engineers spent the day conducting the orbiter docking test, which involved verifying a series of specific actions that will take place prior to Endeavour's rendezvous with Zarya a week from tomorrow. Considered a "dry run" of commands that will be uplinked during the final hours of the rendezvous, this docking test included:

  - Locking the solar arrays into the berthing position
  - Conducting an electrical checkout of the grapple fixture
  - Inhibiting specific thruster jets from firing during the shuttle's rendezvous
  - Maneuvering the module to the position planned for its capture by the shuttle's robotic arm
  - Activating the three external cameras to verify they are in good working order
  - Turning on Zarya's external lights

  This test essentially completed the checkout of systems prior to the shuttle's launch next Thursday.

  Additionally, controllers verified an update to the ground software of the air monitoring sensor. The humidity level inside the module was measured over the course of three successive orbits and was reported by the Russian flight director to be within normal parameters by the final check.

  Meanwhile, International Space Station program managers are discussing with Russian officials the possibility of flying replacement hardware to Zarya aboard Endeavour next week because of a potential glitch with the energy storage and discharging capability of one of six batteries housed in the Zarya module. The batteries store electricity for operation of the module's systems while the Zarya orbits the Earth in darkness. Battery # 1 is apparently not discharging stored energy properly through automatic methods.

  Although the battery is functional and can be operated manually through ground commands, a replacement charging device and a replacement battery controller may be stowed aboard Endeavour for potential replacement by Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev during STS-88 while crew members work inside Zarya. Krikalev has replaced similar hardware on the Mir Space Station in the past.

  Thursday, attention was focused on conducting a more detailed test of the Telerobotically Operated, or TORU, manual docking system to verify the signal strength from two small antennae on the exterior of Zarya. Russian flight controllers said data from the tests indicated that the signal strength was indicative of a deployed antenna, although it cannot be confirmed at this time that the antennae are, in fact, fully deployed. No additional tests are planned prior to the STS-88 shuttle mission, but photo documentation of the antennae is likely to be requested of the shuttle crew during the approach and berthing operations, and possibly during one of the three spacewalks planned for the flight, to visually verify the antennae position.

  The TORU system is a manually operated docking system that serves as a backup for the Kurs automated docking system, which is the primary docking system to be used for the arrival of the Service Module in summer 1999.

  Over the weekend, activities will focus on conducting systems health checks with all formal checkouts having been completed. No other major activities are planned before Endeavour's launch on the first International Space Station assembly mission.

  During times when Zarya is not actively performing systems checks or other operations, it is put into a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain moderate temperatures on the spacecraft.

  Zarya is circling Earth once every 92 minutes in an orbit of 250 by 240 statute miles.

• 1998 November 30 - ISS Status Report 9. 

  Flight controllers in Moscow and Houston continued to monitor systems on the Zarya module during the weekend and prepare for the arrival of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the Unity connecting node.

  Zarya remains in excellent condition overall with only a few minor mechanical issues under analysis that are not expected to pose any problems for the planned operations of the International Space Station. For one of the problems -- a potential glitch with the energy storage and discharging capability of one of six batteries housed in the Zarya module - flight controllers are planning to carry replacement parts aboard Endeavour that could be installed by the shuttle crew. The battery is still usable with the glitch, and even without any repairs performed, the problem would not be expected to have an impact on Endeavour's mission or following station operations, although it would decrease the amount of backup energy and battery systems available.

  Station mission managers have decided to load two small replacement electronics boxes for the battery system, a current converter unit and a storage battery current regulator unit (referred to by the Russian acronym PTAB), aboard Endeavour along with associated cabling. A decision on whether the crew will be asked to install any of the equipment during the flight has not been made.

  Tests of the battery system during the weekend have led Russian flight controllers to suspect the problem may most likely be within the storage battery current regulator unit (PTAB). Endeavour Mission Specialist Sergei Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, has performed a similar repair on equipment aboard the Mir Space Station.

  Flight controllers also plan to request that Endeavour's crew use television cameras to view the antennas on Zarya associated with the Telerobotically Operated, or TORU, manual docking system. Recent signal-strength testing has indicated these antenna may be fully deployed, although the deployment cannot be confirmed from other data. The crew will inspect the antennas during a standard television survey of Unity and Zarya planned on Day 4 of Endeavour's flight. Mission Specialists Jerry Ross and Jim Newman are planned to traverse near the area of one of the TORU antennas during the third spacewalk planned for STS-88, as they move to the far end of Zarya to install a handrail. No spacewalking activities involving the antenna are planned, however.

  The TORU system is a manually operated docking system that serves as a backup for the Kurs automated docking system, which is the primary docking system to be used for the arrival of the Service Module in summer 1999.

  During times when Zarya is not actively performing systems checks or other operations, it is put into a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain moderate temperatures on the spacecraft.

  Zarya is circling Earth once every 92 minutes in an orbit of 250 by 240 statute miles.

• 1998 December 2 - ISS Status Report 10. 

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

  During the last two days, work has centered on monitoring Zarya's systems and uplinking a minor software change to the computer to rectify a time synchronization problem with the ground. All other systems are performing as expected with no major activities planned prior to Saturday when Endeavour arrives with the Unity connecting module to begin the assembly of the new station.

  The few minor technical issues still under analysis pose no problems for the shuttle mission, or the International Space Station's future performance. The potential glitch with one of Zarya's six batteries remains under investigation and replacement parts are being carried aboard Endeavour that could be installed by the shuttle crew, if the decision is made by mission managers to do so. The battery is still usable, and even without repairs, is not expected to have an impact on station operations.

  The crew plans to use Endeavour's cameras to document the outside of Zarya during the final phase of the rendezvous and after its capture by the shuttle's robot arm to evaluate the position of two small antennae that make up part of the Telerobotically Operated (TORU) manual docking system. Experts on the ground believe the antennae are fully deployed based on recent signal strength tests, but won't be able to confirm their theory until camera views are available from Endeavour. In any case, the shuttle mission and its three spacewalks will continue as planned and no additional work by spacewalkers Jerry Ross and Jim Newman is foreseen at this time.

  Weather forecasters continue to predict a 60 percent chance against launching with low clouds and rain showers expected during the brief 5 minute launch window that opens at 3:59 a.m. EST.

  During times when no operational systems checks are conducted, Zarya is placed into a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain moderate temperatures on the spacecraft. It is presently circling the Earth once every 92 minutes in an orbit of 249 by 241 statute miles.

• 1998 December 3 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 01. 

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

  The next launch attempt is tentatively scheduled for 2:36 a.m. CST Friday.

  With the countdown clock at T-minus 4 minutes, STS-88 Commander Bob Cabana reported the alarm, forcing the countdown to be placed on hold. At a briefing following the launch attempt, Shuttle Launch Integration Manager Don McMonagle, said the alarm turned out to have been triggered by a sudden, brief dip in pressure that had never been seen before in one of the shuttle's three hydraulic systems.

  The pressure change occurred when the auxiliary power units that provide pressure to the hydraulic lines shifted from low to high pressure after startup, McMonagle said, but then the pressure readings returned to normal and held steady. As hydraulic and instrumenta-ion engineers analyzed the data to identify what had caused the master alarm to sound and to assure that the systems were safe for flight, time ran out on Endeavour's ability to reach the Zarya control module, orbiting 240 statute miles above the Earth.

  Once the launch had been postponed, support teams safed all of Endeavour's systems, drained the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the external tank and began recycling the shuttle for Friday's launch attempt. Engineers will review all of the data from today's launch attempt to ensure that all systems are functioning well.

  Commander Bob Cabana, Pilot Rick Sturckow and Mission Specialists Nancy Currie, Jerry Ross, Jim Newman and Russian Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev exited the shuttle and returned to crew quarters to rest for tomorrow's launch opportunity. The astronauts will awaken at mid-afternoon today and will sit down for the traditional prelaunch meal at 9:30 p.m. CST.

  The countdown will resume at the T-11 hour mark at 10:46 a.m. CST, and. NASA Television coverage will begin at 9 p.m. CST tonight.

• 1998 December 4 - STS-88.  Spacecraft: Endeavour. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.

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

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

  Payloads included:

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

• 1998 December 4 - Unity.  Spacecraft: ISS Unity. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.

• 1998 December 4 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 03. 

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

  Following a smooth launch earlier today, Commander Bob Cabana, Pilot Rick Sturckow and Mission Specialists Nancy Currie, Jerry Ross, Jim Newman and Sergei Krikalev began preparing the orbiter for 12 days of operations to begin construction of the International Space Station. Endeavour is carrying the first American-built component of the station -- a connecting module named Unity -- in its cargo bay.

  Just half an hour after lift-off, the shuttle's payload bay doors were opened. A few minutes later, the crew was given the go-ahead to begin orbit operations - preparing the vehicle for space flight activities. The Shuttle's KU-band antenna, which provides high data-rate and television transmissions, was successfully deployed. Crewmembers also activated the Hitchhiker payload, which includes the Mightysat and SAC-A satellites that will be deployed late in the mission.

  The first of six engine firings to refining Endeavour's orbit and close the distance from the Zarya control module, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Nov. 20, also was completed early this morning. Final rendezvous maneuvers to bring Zarya (the Russian word for "sunrise") in close proximity with Endeavour is planned to take place on Sunday afternoon. Endeavour currently trails Zarya by approximatley 1,300 miles and is closing on Zarya at a rate of 675 miles per orbit.

  All systems aboard Zarya, which will provide the initial control and command capabilities for the space station, continue to function well with the minor exception of one of six battery charging systems. Endeavour is carrying replacement parts for the system in the event they are needed.

  After they wake up to begin Flight Day 2, Endeavour's crew will conduct a check out of the shuttle's robot arm that will be used to remove the Unity module from the payload bay and connect one of Unity's Preassurized Mating Adapters (PMA) to the orbiter's docking mechanism. The robot arm will also be used to grapple Zarya and dock it to the PMA located at the other end of the Unity connection module.

  Other Flight Day 2 activities will include a check-out of the spacesuits that will be used in three spacewalks planned for the mission, as well as checks of the SAFER unit. SAFER or Simplified Aid for EVA Resuce, is a mini-maneuvering unit that can provide self-rescue capability for a spacesuited crew member who inadvertently separates from a spacecraft during a spacewalk.

  All systems aboard Endeavour continue to perform well with the Shuttle currently flying in a 200 by 118 mile orbit, circling the Earth every 90 minutes.

• 1998 December 4 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 02. 

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

  The STS-88 launch begins the largest cooperative space construction project in history. Endeavour is scheduled to rendezvous with the U.S.-funded and Russian-built Zarya control module on Dec. 6. Zarya, which in Russian means sunrise, lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan, on Nov. 20.

  After reaching orbit, Commander Bob Cabana, Pilot Rick Sturckow and Mission Specialists Nancy Currie, Jerry Ross, Jim Newman and Sergei Krikalev began preparing for the first of several engine firings that will bring Endeavour within robot arm's reach of Zarya. Along the way, the crew will use the same 50-foot-long arm Dec. 5 to remove the Unity module from the payload bay and connect it to the shuttle's docking hatch. Crew members will use the robot arm to grapple Zarya about 5:48 p.m. CST Dec. 6 and dock it to one of Unity's two Pressurized Mating Adapters.

  Newman and Ross are scheduled to conduct the first of the mission's three space walks Dec. 7. The space walks will connect electrical and communications lines between Unity and Zarya, and prepare Unity's systems for activation.

  At launch, Zarya was making its 222nd orbit of the Earth about 240 statute miles above the Kennedy Space Center. Russian flight controllers in Mission Control Korolev reported that all systems aboard Zarya, which will provide the initial control and command capabilities for the space station, were functioning well with the minor exception of one of six battery charging systems. Endeavour is carrying replacement parts for the system in the event they are needed.

  After Endeavour undocks from the International Space Station on Dec. 13, the crew will deploy two small technology demonstration satellites called MightySat and the Argentine Satelite de Aplicaciones/Scientifico-A.

  The astronauts are scheduled to begin their sleep period at 7:36 a.m. CST, and will awaken at 3:36 p.m. for their first full day in space.

• 1998 December 4 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 04. 

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

  A series of precise maneuvering burns in the early portion of the flight will help Endeavour continue its pursuit of the Zarya control module. The orbital chase between the two spacecraft is scheduled to conclude on Sunday afternoon when Cabana maneuvers the Shuttle into close proximity with the first piece of the International Space Station and Currie uses the Shuttle's mechanical arm to grapple Zarya and dock it to the Unity connection module which will already be mated to the orbiter's docking mechanism.

  Events onboard Endeavour during the first half of today's activities have included the two EVA crewmembers - Mission Specialists Jerry Ross and Jim Newman - performing a checkout of the SAFER or Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue unit. SAFER is a mini maneuvering system that can provide self-rescue capability for a spacewalker if they inadvertently become separated from the spacecraft during a spacewalk. Also this afternoon, the crew downlinked video taken inside the crew cabin during their ascent to orbit.

  Later today Ross and Newman will setup the Orbiter Space Vision System equipment which provides the mechanical arm operator precise data on the position and alignment of hardware located in the area of the payload bay.

  Also in preparation for the three planned spacewalks, the cabin pressure inside Endeavour will be lowered from its normal 14.7 psi setting down to 10.2. The lower cabin pressure will shorten the amount of time Newman and Ross have to breath pure oxygen to prevent nitrogen bubbles from forming in their blood stream, a condition commonly referred to as "the bends" while they operate in the 4 psi environment of their spacesuits.

  Other activities later today will have Newman and Ross doing verification checks of the EVA suits they will use during their space walks as well as preparing the airlock area that they will use to transition into Endeavour's payload bay.

  Currie will power up the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) mechanical arm to make sure it is ready to support Unity module unstow and installation activities on Saturday afternoon. She will also use the RMS arm to perform a photo survey of the payload bay.

  There are no issues being worked by either the crew or the flight control team allowing all attention to remain focused on the mission objectives of this first ISS assembly flight.

  The STS-88 crew will finish their first full day of work early tomorrow morning and will begin a sleep rest period at 5:36 a.m. Saturday morning with their next wake up call coming eight hours later at 1:36 p.m. tomorrow.

• 1998 December 5 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 06. 

  Endeavour's astronauts were awakened at 1:36 p.m. Central time today to begin in earnest preparations for on-orbit assembly of the International Space Station.

  At about 3:50 p.m. Central time, Mission Specialist Nancy Currie will power up the shuttle's 50-foot-long robotic arm and use it to grapple the Unity connecting module, a procedure scheduled to begin at 4:06 p.m. Currie then will hoist the 12.8-ton Unity module out of Endeavour's cargo bay and carefully place it in position perpendicular to the shuttle. One of the mating adapters on Unity, called pressurized mating adapter 1 (PMA-1), will be latched to Endeavour's docking system using a mechanism identical to that used during Shuttle/Mir dockings. Currie will maneuver Unity precisely to within a few inches of the Shuttle's docking mechanism and then put the mechanical arm into a "limp" mode. Commander Bob Cabana will then fire Endeavour's thrusters to force the mechanisms together.

  Preparations for tomorrow's capture of Zarya will continue as the crew equalizes the air pressure between Endeavour and Unity's mating adapter. The astronauts then will enter the adapter to install caps on air vents between PMA-1 and Unity, and then readjust the Shuttle and mating adapter's air pressure to about 10.2 pounds per square inch. This equalization of air pressure between Unity's mating adapter and Endeavour's cabin is done to provide better structural performance of the docking mechanism during the capture and attachment of Zarya.

  The crew also will perform a check of connections with the docking mechanism located on the other end of Unity, called PMA-2, that will attach to Zarya. For the check, the docking ring on that adapter will be extended and retracted using controls located on the aft flight deck of Endeavour. Unity and its two mating adapters will form a complex 15 feet wide and about 36 feet long - taller than a 3-story building - towering above Endeavour's payload bay.

  This evening, astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman will check out the various tools they will use during the three scheduled spacewalks to be conducted later in the flight, and begin an early set-up of the Shuttle airlock in preparation for that first spacewalk on Monday. Later, Commander Bob Cabana and Newman will check equipment needed for tomorrow's rendezvous with Zarya, including laptop computer displays and a hand-held laser ranging device. Checks also will be performed of the Orbiter Space Vision System, an alignment aid for operations with the Shuttle's mechanical arm that will be used during the capture and attachment of Zarya.

  Newman and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev also will take time to take part in an on-line interview by the New York Times at 11:01 p.m. Central time.

  Endeavour is trailing Zarya by about 7,600 statute miles, narrowing the distance to the Russian-built module by almost 500 statute miles with each orbit. Endeavour is orbiting the Earth every 90 minutes at an altitude of 202 statute miles. An engine firing will be performed late today to raise the Shuttle's orbit and adjust the rate at which Endeavour is closing in on Zarya, which is currently in an orbit of about 240 statute miles. All of Endeavour's systems are in excellent condition.

• 1998 December 5 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 05. 

  Endeavour's astronauts began an eight-hour sleep period at 5:36 a.m. Central time following a full night of activity in which they checked out equipment that will be used in the assembly of the first two components of the International Space Station.

  With the Russian-built Zarya Control Module orbiting about 16,000 nautical miles in front of Endeavour, Mission Specialist Nancy Currie successfully checked out the 50-foot-long robot arm she will use to grapple the Unity connecting module late this afternoon. Currie will lift Unity out of the shuttle's cargo bay and carefully position it perpendicular to the shuttle, ready for latching to the Orbiter Docking System in the front portion of the bay. Currie moved the robot arm around the cargo bay last night, offering an extensive television survey of Unity and its pressurized mating adapters.

  Astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman successfully tested all three of the space suits carried on Endeavour. They will use two of the suits during three space walks to hook up electrical cables and other connectors between Unity and Zarya. With the help of Pilot Rick Sturckow, the space walk choreographer on the flight, Ross and Newman also checked out a pair of jet-powered backpacks they will wear during the space walks as a precaution in the event they become untethered during their work in the void of space.

  Endeavour's cabin pressure also was lowered to 10.2 pounds per square inch to set the stage for the space walks, which begin late Monday afternoon.

  Commander Bob Cabana monitored the work as the astronauts extended the outer ring of the docking system on which Unity will be mounted later today, and Russian Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev checked out other gear that will be used during Sunday's rendezvous to catch Zarya for its mating to Unity.

  Endeavour is orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 202 statute miles, preparing to climb to about 240 statute miles for the rendezvous Sunday with Zarya. All of Endeavour's systems are functioning normally.

  The astronauts are scheduled to be awakened at 1:36 p.m. Central time to begin their third day of work on orbit.

• 1998 December 6 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 07. 

  Astronaut Nancy Currie gently mated the 12.8-ton Unity connecting module to Endeavour's docking system late Saturday afternoon, successfully completing the first task in assembling the new International Space Station.

  Deftly manipulating the shuttle's 50-foot-long robot arm, Currie placed Unity just inches above the extended outer ring on Endeavour's docking mechanism, enabling Commander Bob Cabana to fire downward maneuvering jets, locking the shuttle's docking system to one of two Pressurized Mating Adapters (PMA's) attached to Unity. The mating occurred at 5:45 p.m. Central time, as Endeavour sailed over eastern China.

  The new connecting node, to which the Russian-built Zarya control module will be mated later today, towered almost three stories over Endeavour's cargo bay, awaiting the arrival of the Zarya, which was launched from Kazakstan on Nov. 20 on a Russian Proton rocket.

  After Unity was attached to the docking mechanism, the vestibule running between Unity's PMA-2 and the Orbiter Docking System was pressurized and the hatch was opened. Cabana and Jerry Ross entered the new module's adapter for the first time and placed caps over vent valves in preparation for the crew's entrance into Unity later this week.

  The astronauts also extended and retracted the docking ring on PMA-1, to which the Zarya module will be mated after it is grappled by Currie around 5:46 p.m. Central time this afternoon.

  The grapple of Zarya will follow a carefully choreographed rendezvous by Cabana and Pilot Rick Sturckow. Mission Specialists Jim Newman and Sergei Krikalev will use a number of rendezvous tools and hand-held lasers to provide range and closure rate information as Endeavour narrows the gap between itself and the Zarya. The rendezvous will begin about 12:30 p.m., with the final major maneuver planned for about 3:14 p.m. This terminal initiation burn will place Endeavour on a path to arrive about 500 feet below Zarya for the start of the final phase of the rendezvous.

  Working from the aft flight deck, Cabana will manually guide Endeavour in a looping maneuver to a point 250 feet above Zarya, where he will slowly close in on the 21-ton module for its grapple by Currie. Zarya will be the heaviest object ever handled by the shuttle's robot arm, exceeding the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory by about 7,000 pounds.

  Once Zarya is mated to Unity, the International Space Station components will rise some 76 feet above Endeavour's bay and have a combined weight of 35 tons. When it is fully assembled a few years from now, the new station will span the length of a football field and have a mass of more than a million pounds.

  While Endeavour orbits the Earth at an altitude of about 241 by 134 statute miles, Zarya continues in orbit at an altitude of about 240 statute miles with all of its systems operating in excellent fashion.

  Before the astronauts began an abbreviated 7-hour sleep period at 3:36 a.m. Central time, Cabana fired the shuttle's jets to keep a safe distance from a spent Delta II rocket casing during the sleep period. U.S. Space Command had alerted Mission Control that the shuttle would be passing near the debris from a Nov. 6 launch of communications satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and Flight Director John Shannon decided to have Cabana make the maneuver to ensure the crew's sleep would not need to be interrupted.

  When the crew awakens at 10:36 a.m. to begin preparations for their rendezvous, Endeavour will be about 20 miles farther away from Zarya than originally planned. However, the rendezvous burn schedule will not be affected.

• 1998 December 6 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 08. 

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

  Endeavour's crew will begin the final stages of a rendezvous with the Zarya module with an engine firing planned at about 1:30 p.m. CST, when Endeavour is at a point about 55 statute miles behind Zarya. That burn will slow the rate at which the shuttle is closing on the module. The final phase of the rendezvous will begin at about 3:15 p.m. CST, when Endeavour performs a terminal phase initiation engine firing, or TI burn, at a point about 9 statute miles behind Zarya. The TI burn will place Endeavour on a path to arrive about 600 feet directly below Zarya on its next orbit of the Earth. With the three-story-high Unity connecting module latched upright in the shuttle's payload bay, Cabana will take manual control of the shuttle at about 4:45 p.m. CST as it moves to within about a half-mile of Zarya. Cabana and Pilot Rick Sturckow will execute a sequence of maneuvers that will bring Endeavour from 600 feet below Zarya along a circular path, passing about 350 feet in front of it and finally reaching a point about 250 feet directly above the module.

  From there, Cabana will fly Endeavour down toward the Zarya, relying on views from television cameras in the shuttle's payload bay to align the module, since Unity obstructs the view out of the cockpit windows. Mission Specialist Nancy Currie will operate Endeavour's outstretched arm for the capture of Zarya. Mission Specialists Jim Newman and Sergei Krikalev will assist with the rendezvous, using a hand-held laser to provide range and closing rate information as Endeavour narrows the gap with Zarya.

  When the edge of Endeavour's payload bay is within 10 feet of Zarya, Currie will use the robotic arm to capture the module, about 5:46 p.m. CST. She then will maneuver it into a position precisely aligned above Unity's docking mechanism. The 21-ton Zarya will be the most massive object ever moved with the robotic arm, more than three tons heavier than the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory that was released using the arm on Space Shuttle mission STS-37.

  Once the Zarya and Unity docking mechanisms are aligned and positioned only inches apart, Currie will put the arm into a "limp" mode while Cabana fires Endeavour's thrusters to force the mechanisms together, about 7:36 p.m. CST.

  Zarya is 41.2 feet long and 13.5 feet wide at its widest point. Once attached to Unity, the new station will tower about 76 feet above Endeavour's payload bay and have a solar array span of about 78 feet and a combined mass of approximately 80,000 pounds. When fully assembled in 2004, the International Space Station will be larger than a football field and have a mass of more than one million pounds.

  Following the mating of Unity with Zarya, Sturckow and Mission Specialist Jerry Ross will begin early preparations for the crew's entry into the new station, planned for Thursday, and begin setting up equipment for tomorrow's planned spacewalk by Ross and Newman to connect power and data cables between Unity and Zarya.

• 1998 December 7 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 09. 

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

  Using the shuttle's 50-foot-long robot arm, astronaut Nancy Currie plucked Zarya out of orbit at 5:47 p.m. Central time Sunday, more than 16 days after it was launched on a Russian Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan as the first component of the new station. After slowly and carefully aligning Zarya's docking mechanism with a comparable mechanism on Unity's Pressurized Mating Adapter-1, Commander Bob Cabana fired Endeavour's downward jets at 8:07 p.m. to drive the two large modules together.

  Initial attempts to firmly latch Zarya and Unity together while the shuttle's robot arm was attached to Zarya's grapple fixture were unsuccessful. But after Currie ungrappled the module, hooks and latches between Zarya and Unity engaged at 8:48 p.m., forming a tightly sealed, 35-ton, 76-foot-tall structure rising from Endeavour's payload bay, the size of a seven-story building.

  Currie used the robot arm cameras to conduct a detailed survey of Zarya, focusing on two antennas belonging to the Telerobtically Operated Rendezvous System (TORU), which failed to deploy following launch on Nov. 20. Flight controllers concluded that the pyrotechnic pins holding the antennas in place actually fired, but the antennas did not unfurl as planned. The antennas, which are part of a backup navigational aid system, are emitting signal strength in their current position and pose no problem for future station operations. But flight controllers are considering having astronaut Jerry Ross conduct a more thorough survey of the antennas while affixed to the end of the shuttle's robot arm during the first space walk he and Jim Newman will conduct Monday night. Mission managers have not decided whether Ross and Newman will be called upon to manually deploy the antennas on a future space walk.

  The first space walk, scheduled to begin about 4:30 p.m. Central time today, may begin earlier if Ross and Newman are ready to depressurize Endeavour's external airlock ahead of schedule. During the planned 6 ½-hour excursion, Ross and Newman will hook up electrical cables and connectors between Zarya and Unity, enabling power to flow into the U.S. component for the first time. That will allow Unity's avionics, computers and heaters to be activated to set the stage for the ultimate shifting of command and control and the origination of the power for the International Space Station from the Russian components to the U.S components once the American-built Destiny laboratory is joined to the station in February 2000.

  Russian and American flight controllers also are continuing discussions on the possible swap out of a suspect component for one of Zarya's six batteries. The battery is not discharging properly in its automatic mode. A replacement unit is available for installation if mission managers approve the plan. The battery is operational and poses no threat to future station operations even if left in its current configuration.

  The astronauts are scheduled to begin an eight-hour sleep period at 3:36 a.m. Central time and will be awakened at 11:36 a.m. to prepare for the first space walk of the flight.

  Endeavour and the International Space Station are orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 240 statute miles with all systems in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 7 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 10. 

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

  Today's space walk, scheduled to begin about 4:30 p.m. Central time, may begin earlier if Ross and Newman are ready to depressurize Endeavour's external airlock ahead of schedule. This space walk, which will last 6-1/2 hours, will focus on connecting computer and electrical cables between Unity, the two mating adapters attached to either end of Unity, and Zarya. In all, Ross and Newman will make about 40 connections during the spacewalk. This will enable power to flow to Unity for the first time in orbit and will permit Unity's avionics, computers and heaters to be activated.

  Ross and Newman will begin today's space walk by readying Endeavour's payload bay for their activities. Then, as Ross rides on the shuttle's robot arm, he will install mating plugs and jumper cables to reroute power through Unity while Newman releases cables from where they were secured for launch on the mating adapter between Unity and Endeavour, called Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA 2). Ross and Newman will begin "plugging in" the cables and locking them into place, and then pull a thermal cover over each connector. The space walkers will next install a safety slidewire that will hold their tethers as they connect cables between the modules.

  They will repeat the cable connection process again as they make connections between Unity, Zarya and the mating adapter that attaches Unity to Zarya, labeled Pressurized Mating Adapter 1 (PMA 1). Finally, they will remove thermal covers from Unity's two exterior computers, known as multiplexer-demultiplexers (MDMs), which are mounted on PMA 1.

  Once the cables are connected, Russian ground controllers will send commands to Zarya to begin providing power to Unity, powering up Unity's exterior computers. At that point, Commander Bob Cabana and Mission Specialist Sergei Krikalev will send commands to the exterior computers to prepare them to accept ground commands that will activate systems aboard Unity.

  Before reentering Endeavour's airlock at the conclusion of the space walk, Ross and Newman may, if time allows, perform a close-up inspection of the Telerobotically Operated Rendezvous System (TORU) on the Zarya module. Although flight controllers are confident the pyrotechnic pins holding the TORU antennas did deploy as expected, the two antennas did not unfurl as planned following Zarya's launch on Nov. 20. The antennas are part of a backup rendezvous system and are emitting signal strength in their current position and pose no problem for future station operations. At this point, there are no plans for Ross and Newman to attempt to manually deploy the antennas on a future space walk.

  Early this morning, Russian and American flight controllers decided to have Krikalev replace a battery current converter unit in Zarya suspected of not working properly. A spare unit is carried aboard Endeavour. Krikalev has performed a similar activity in the past during stays on the Mir space station and will perform the task during the time the crew is inside Zarya on Thursday.

  Endeavour and the International Space Station are orbiting the Earth at an altitude of about 240 statute miles with all systems in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 8 - EVA STS-88-1.  Spacecraft: International Space Station.

  Began assembly of International Space Station. Connected cables between Zarya and Unity modules.

• 1998 December 8 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 12. 

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

  Following yesterday's 7-hour, 21-minute spacewalk, Mission Specialists Jim Newman and Jerry Ross will relax today beginning preparations for tomorrow's spacewalk, the second of three planned during this mission. Ross, Newman and Mission Specialists Nancy Currie and Sergei Krikalev will set up and prepare equipment for tomorrow's spacewalk. This evening, all six astronauts will gather to review procedures prior to Ross and Newman's second excursion into space tomorrow.

  Flight controllers will conduct command checks between Mission Control, Houston, and Mission Control, Moscow, to verify the ability to command Zarya from Houston via the Moscow control center. In preparation for the crew's entry into the International Space Station on Thursday, the mating adapter between Unity and Zarya, Pressurized Mating Adapter 1 (PMA 1) will be pressurized via remote commands from Moscow and checked for leaks. Flight controllers in Houston also will power on filters and fans and monitor temperatures inside Unity as heaters warm up the module prior to Thursday's entry.

  Cabana and Sturckow will fire Endeavour's primary reaction control jets shortly after 2:30 CST this afternoon for about 22 minutes to raise the altitude of the International Space Station by about 5-1/2 statute miles. An opportunity for a second reboost maneuver is available later in the flight as well.

  At 5:41 p.m. this evening, Cabana, Sturckow and Currie will be interviewed by ABC News/Discovery Channel and MSNBC. Once these activities are completed, the crew will have off-duty time starting around 7:30 CST this evening.

  Endeavour and the International Space Station are orbiting the Earth at an altitude of about 240 statute miles with all systems in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 8 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 11. 

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

  Working smoothly and ahead of schedule, Ross and Newman mated 40 cables and connectors running 76 feet from the Zarya control module to Unity as the 35-ton station towered over the cargo bay of the shuttle Endeavour.

  The two veteran space walkers began their excursion at 4:10 p.m. Central time, quickly pressing ahead with the connection of crucial data and power cables between Zarya and Unity. Ross and Newman also installed handrails and other hardware that will help space walkers move around the station on upcoming assembly missions, completing all of the connections within three hours. At various times, robot arm operator Nancy Currie moved Ross and Newman around the station modules on the end of the shuttle's manipulator system to conduct their work.

  As Endeavour and the International Space Station passed over Russian ground stations, commands were sent from the Russian flight control team to activate a pair of Russian-American voltage converters, enabling power to flow from Zarya to Unity for the first time. International Space Station flight controllers in Houston saw Unity's systems come to life at 9:49 p.m., confirming perfect electrical continuity between the two modules. Unity's systems were then activated, including a pair of data relay boxes serving as the brain and nervous system for the U.S.-built component. Near the end of the space walk, Ross removed thermal covers from the relay boxes after Unity's heaters began to control the module's temperature.

  With Pilot Rick Sturckow serving as the space walk choreographer, Newman was raised on the robot arm to the Zarya module to take a close look at a pair of Russian rendezvous antennas that did not fully deploy following the module's launch on Nov. 20. The so-called TORU system serves as a backup to the automatic Kurs system on Zarya, providing navigational data for spacecraft approaching the Russian component for docking. Russian flight controllers say the TORU antennas are emitting signal strength, but space station managers wanted additional engineering data so they can decide on a course of action for deploying the antennas.

  Shortly before the space walk ended, Ross broke the record for most cumulative extravehicular activity time by a U.S. astronaut of 29 hours and 41 minutes previously held by former astronaut Tom Akers during five space walks on STS-49 and STS-61. Ross, who completed his fifth space walk tonight, now has 30 hours and 8 minutes of time spent in the void of space.

  About an hour after Endeavour's astronauts were scheduled begin an eight-hour sleep period at 3:36 a.m. Central time, Cabana asked if the wake-up time could be postponed. Mission Control agreed, and the crew now will be awakened at 12:06 p.m. to begin its sixth day in orbit. The astronauts plan to raise the altitude of the International Space Station by about 3 1/2 statute miles Tuesday by firing Endeavour's jets in the first of two planned reboost maneuvers. The crew also will take half a day off to relax and enjoy the view from orbit after a busy start to the first International Space Station assembly flight.

  Endeavour and the station are orbiting at an altitude of 242 statute miles with all systems in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 9 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 13. 

  Endeavour's astronauts boosted the fledgling International Space Station to a higher altitude Tuesday and had a chance to relax for a few hours as the first station assembly flight neared the halfway mark.

  Commander Bob Cabana and Pilot Rick Sturckow fired Endeavour's steering jets in a staccato fashion for about 22 minutes Tuesday to gradually raise the highest point of the shuttle and attached station's orbit about 5½ statute miles to 248 miles. Throughout its lifetime, the station's altitude will be periodically raised to maintain a proper orbit.

  With all Endeavour and station systems in excellent shape, astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman prepared for a second space walk later today to set up a communications system in the Unity module that will allow U.S. flight controllers to monitor Unity's systems. The so-called S-band early communications system includes two boxy antennas that will be installed on the outside of Unity as one of today's first tasks, and avionics gear that will be set up inside Unity on Thursday after astronauts enter the module for the first time. A test of the system's videoconferencing capability is planned after Thursday's installation.

  Ross and Newman also will remove launch restraints over four hatchways on the Unity connecting node to which future station modules and an airlock will be attached. The hatchways, or Common Berthing Mechanisms, serve as docking ports for new hardware that will be delivered to the station over the next 18 months.

  Near the end of today's space walk, Newman will use a grappling hook in an attempt to unfurl one of two balky antennas on Zarya's backup rendezvous navigation system. The antennas would be used to transmit range and closure rate information to approaching spacecraft heading for dockings with the Russian control module. It is believed that stiff cabling or interference from thermal blankets on Zarya may be preventing the antennas from fully extending, even though pyrotechnic pins have fired to enable the antennas to roll free from their spools. Pending final approval from mission managers, Newman will attempt to free the antenna on the nadir port of Zarya today. If successful, the same procedure may be used to free the antenna on the zenith port Saturday.

  Before the astronauts began an eight-hour sleep period, International Space Station flight controllers in Houston reported that Unity's lower Pressurized Mating Adapter had warmed enough to permit astronauts to enter the module Thursday. Heaters were activated for the first time late Monday after power from Zarya was connected to the U.S. component.

  The astronauts are scheduled to be awakened at 10:36 a.m. Central time to begin space walk preparations. The space walk by Ross and Newman is scheduled to get under way about 3 p.m. Central time, but could begin as soon as the astronauts are ready to depressurize Endeavour's airlock.

• 1998 December 9 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 14. 

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

  Today's 6-1/2-hour space walk by Newman and Mission Specialist Jerry Ross is scheduled to begin about 3 p.m. Central time, but may start earlier if the astronauts are ready to depressurize Endeavour's airlock ahead of schedule. Ross and Newman will install two box-like antennas on the outside of the Unity module that are part of the S-band early communications system. The antennas will allow U.S. flight controllers to monitor Unity's systems. Additional S-band electronics gear will be set up inside Unity on Thursday after astronauts enter the module for the first time. The spacewalkers also will connect an external video cable between Zarya and the S-band system. This cable will support early communications videoconferencing from Zarya. The system's videoconferencing capability will be tested after Thursday's installation. Newman, positioned on the end of Endeavour's robot arm, then will install a sunshade over one of Unity's externally mounted computers.

  Ross and Newman will remove launch restraints over four hatchways on the Unity module to which future station modules, an early exterior framework and a cupola will attach. The hatchways, or Common Berthing Mechanisms, serve as docking ports for new hardware that will be delivered to the station during the next 18 months. Then Newman will install insulating covers on the trunnion pins that held Unity in the Shuttle's cargo bay.

  If time allows toward the end of today's spacewalk, and pending final approval from U.S. and Russian managers, Ross and Newman may try to free one of two balky antennas on the TORU system, Zarya's backup rendezvous navigation system. Still attached to the robot arm, Newman would use an extendable, 10-foot-long grappling hook in an attempt to unfurl the antenna. Flight controllers believe that stiff cabling or interference from thermal blankets on Zarya may be preventing the antennas from fully extending, even though pyrotechnic pins have fired to enable the antennas to roll free from their spools. If Newman is successful, the same procedure may be used to free the second antenna on Saturday during the third and final spacewalk.

  The last task for today will be to disconnect and stow cables that were used by Endeavour's crew to control the docking mechanism, called the Androgynous Peripheral Attach System (APAS), that docked Zarya to Unity earlier in the mission. With that system never again to be opened, the cable used by Endeavour to control it, which runs along Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA 2), will be disconnected on this spacewalk as a "get-ahead task" for future assembly missions when PMA 2, currently the adapter to which Endeavour is docked, will be moved. Ross and Newman also will spend some time bundling umbilicals on the exterior of Zarya and ensuring that the markings used by the Space Vision System robotic arm alignment aid are not obstructed by any cables.

  After the spacewalk is complete, Currie will use Endeavour's robot arm to survey the payload bay and videotape all of the Space Vision System targets on Unity and Zarya.

  Systems on board Endeavour and the International Space Station continue to operate smoothly.

• 1998 December 10 - EVA STS-88-2.  Spacecraft: International Space Station.

  Continued assembly of International Space Station. Connected cables between Zarya and Unity modules and deployed antennae.

• 1998 December 10 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 16. 

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

  After opening the hatch between Unity and the Pressurized Mating Adapter that connects it to Endeavour, the astronauts will climb aboard Unity about 1:15 p.m. CST. Once inside, Commander Bob Cabana and Mission Specialists Jerry Ross and Jim Newman will install portable fans and lights. They also will complete installation of the S-band communication system in the U.S. component. Pilot Rick Sturckow will remove some access panels inside Unity and unstow hardware that will be used by visiting astronauts on future assembly missions.

  Less than 90 minutes after entering Unity, the astronauts will float into the Zarya module, where Mission Specialist Sergei Krikalev and Currie will install a new battery charging unit. One of Zarya's six batteries has experienced a problem discharging stored energy in its automatic configuration. Krikalev has swapped out an identical component during two previous flights on the Russian space station Mir. Sturckow and Currie also will remove launch restraint bolts from some of the panels inside Zarya. These bolts were installed before launch to ensure that none of the panels popped open during launch. Astronauts will remove some of these bolts today as a "get-ahead" task to expedite access to the panels during future space station assembly missions. Cabana, Ross and Newman will check out the early communications system's videoconferencing capability.

  Ross, Newman and Krikalev then will begin transferring equipment and supplies from Endeavour for use by future inhabitants of the space station, including the first crew to begin a permanent human presence on the space station in January 2000.

  During the entry into the International Space Station today, the crew will open a total of six hatches in the following order: the hatch on Endeavour's docking system; the hatch to Unity's mating adapter (designated PMA-2); the hatch to Unity; the hatch from Unity to the upper mating adapter (designated PMA-1); the hatch to Zarya's spherical pressurized adapter (PA); and finally, a hatch between the spherical pressurized adapter on Zarya and the main Zarya instrument module, Zarya's main compartment.

  Prior to beginning the sequence of hatch openings, the crew will bring the air pressure inside Endeavour to 14.7 pounds per square inch, the same pressure as at sea level on Earth. Then, the crew will go through a procedure to equalize the air pressure on both sides of each hatch prior to opening them.

  About 8:45 p.m. Central time this evening, the entire crew will gather inside the station for an interview with KNX Radio in Los Angeles and KARE-TV in Minneapolis, MN, Cabana's home town.

  Endeavour and the International Space Station remain in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 10 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 18. 

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

  Pilot Rick Sturckow and Mission Specialist Nancy Currie will continue their work removing access panels inside Unity and unstowing hardware that will be used by visiting astronauts on future assembly missions.

  Commander Bob Cabana, Sturckow and Currie will work inside Unity to locate part of a missing mid-bay rack pivot fitting, which was lost yesterday. Following removal of launch restraint bolts, the lock ring fell behind the panel during attempts to install it on the rack. The pivot fitting will allow the entire equipment rack to be tilted forward.

  After turning off the lights and ventilation system, Endeavour's crew will close the hatch and leave Zarya for the final time just before 4 p.m. Central time. Prior to closing the hatch, Endeavour's life support systems will be used to increase the station and Shuttle atmospheric pressure to 15 pounds per square inch, a little above sea level pressure on Earth. Then, as each hatch is closed in the station, the crew will lower the pressure slightly to keep positive air pressure on the inside of each hatch to assist in sealing the hatches. Dessicant bags will be installed in Unity's portable, battery-operated fans to remove humidity from the module and the portable fans will be left running. The crew's final exit from Unity is set for just after 5:30 p.m. today.

  After they have completed exiting the station, Cabana and Sturckow will lower the pressure inside Endeavour from 14.7 pounds per square inch to 10.2 pounds per square inch in anticipation of tomorrow's spacewalk. The lower air pressure will reduce the amount of time Newman and Ross must spend breathing pure oxygen before beginning their spacewalk on Saturday and going to the lower pressure of their spacesuits, 4.3 pounds per square inch of pure oxygen.

  The oxygen pre-breathe protocol removes nitrogen from the bloodstream to prevent a potentially dangerous malady commonly referred to as the "bends," caused when nitrogen bubbles form in the bloodstream. Newman and Ross also will pre-breathe pure oxygen from masks for about an hour today during the depressurization of Endeavour as part of the protocol.

  Later, Newman will complete a performance evaluation of the Orbiter Space Vision System targets, part of an alignment aid for operations with the Shuttle's mechanical arm. Endeavour's crew will be interviewed by CNN and CBS News at 7:36 p.m. Central time.

  Preparations will get under way late this evening for tomorrow's third and final spacewalk by Newman and Ross. With Sturckow's assistance, they will prepare the tools they will use, then check out the Simplified Aid for Extravehicular Activity Rescue (SAFER) backpacks, which are a type of space "life jacket" that provides the capability for spacewalking astronauts to fly back to the station should they become untethered. During tomorrow's spacewalk, Ross will check out a new valve on the unit, firing the backpack's jets while remaining tethered to Endeavour.

  Endeavour and the International Space Station remain in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 10 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 15. 

  Endeavour's astronauts installed antennas for an International Space Station communications system and helped free a jammed antenna on the station's Russian module, achieving all the objectives planned for the seven-hour space walk.

  Jerry Ross and Jim Newman began the second of three planned space walks for the STS-88 mission at 2:33 p.m. Central time Wednesday, and immediately set out to install two boxy antennas on the side of the Unity module that will enable U.S. flight controllers to monitor that component's systems and provide basic videoconferencing for the first permanent occupants of the station in January 2000. The so-called "early" S-band communications system will be completed later today when the astronauts install hardware inside Unity. The system will provide more capability to retrieve data and telemetry from Unity, which otherwise would be available only as the new International Space Station passed over Russian ground stations.

  Ross and Newman pressed ahead with the removal of launch restraint pins on the four hatchways on the body of Unity to which additional station modules and truss structures will be mated on future assembly missions. The two space walkers also installed a sunshade over Unity's two data relay boxes to ensure that they will be protected against harsh sunlight as the station circles the Earth.

  Near the end of the space walk, Newman was hoisted to the Zarya control module on the end of Endeavour's robot arm so that he could use a grappling hook to free a backup rendezvous system antenna. After nudging the antenna with the grappling device, the pole popped out to its fully extended position as the shuttle passed over the northeast coast of Australia. The astronauts will attempt to free a duplicate antenna that is jammed on the other side of Zarya during their final space walk Saturday.

  Ross and Newman returned to Endeavour's external airlock and began to repressurize it at 9:35 p.m., completing a 7 hour, 2 minute excursion. So far, they have worked outside Endeavour a total of 14 hours and 23 minutes. This was the third space walk for Newman and the sixth for Ross, who now has spent 37 hours, 10 minutes in the void of space -- a U.S. record.

  Later today, the astronauts will enter the International Space Station for the first time as they open hatches to Unity and Zarya. If all goes as planned, the astronauts will climb aboard Unity around 1:15 p.m. Central time to complete installation of the S-band communication system in the U.S. component, and float into Zarya about an hour and a half later to unstow hardware that will be used by visiting astronauts on future assembly missions.

  After arriving in Zarya, cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev will install a new battery charging unit in the Russian module. One of Zarya's six batteries has experienced a problem discharging stored energy in its automatic configuration. Krikalev has swapped out an identical component during two previous flights on the Russian Space Station Mir.

  The astronauts will begin an eight-hour sleep period at 2:36 a.m. Central time and be awakened at 10:36 a.m. to begin their eighth day of work in orbit.

  Endeavour and the International Space Station are flying at an altitude of 248 statute miles with all of their systems in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 11 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 17. 

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

  Reflecting the international cooperation involved in building the largest space complex in history, Commander Bob Cabana and Russian Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev opened the hatch to the U.S.-built Unity connecting module at 1:54 p.m. Central time Thursday and floated into the new station together.

  The rest of the crew followed and began turning on lights and unstowing gear in the roomy hub to which other modules will be connected in the future. Each passageway within Unity was marked by a sign leading the way into tunnels to which new modules will be connected.

  About an hour later, at 3:12 p.m., Cabana and Krikalev opened the hatch to the Russian-built Zarya control module, which will be the nerve center for the station in its embryonic stage. Joined by Pilot Rick Sturckow and Mission Specialists Jerry Ross, Jim Newman and Nancy Currie, Cabana and Krikalev hailed the historic entrance into the International Space Station and said the hatch opening signified the start of a new era in space exploration.

  Ross and Newman went right to work in Unity, completing the assembly of an early S-band communications system that will allow flight controllers in Houston to send commands to Unity's systems and to keep tabs on the health of the station with a more extensive communications capability than exists through Russian ground stations. The astronauts also conducted a successful test of the videoconferencing capability of the early communications system, which will be used by the first crew to permanently occupy the station in January 2000. Newman downlinked greetings to controllers in the station flight control room in Houston and to astronaut Bill Shepherd, who will command the first crew and live aboard the station with Krikalev and Cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko.

  Krikalev and Currie replaced a faulty unit in Zarya which controlled the discharging of stored energy from one of the module's six batteries. The battery had not been working properly in its automatic configuration, but the new unit was functioning normally shortly after it was installed.

  The astronauts also unstowed hardware and logistical supplies stored behind panels in Zarya, relocating the items for use by the shuttle crew that will visit the station in May and Shepherd's expedition crew. Late this afternoon, the astronauts will complete their initial outfitting of the station.

  The hatches to Zarya and Unity will be closed before Endeavour undocks from the new station Sunday, leaving the new complex to orbit the Earth unpiloted.

  The astronauts begin an eight-hour sleep period at 2:36 a.m. Central time this morning and will be awakened at 10:36 a.m. to begin their ninth of day in orbit.

  Endeavour and the International Space Station are circling the globe every 90 minutes at an altitude of 247 statute miles with all systems operating in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 11 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 19. 

  Endeavour's astronauts wrapped up the first visit inside the International Space Station and prepared it for undocking, closing the hatches for the final time to the new complex before it is left unpiloted Sunday.

  After spending the day unstowing final items and installing air ducts for the Russian-built Zarya control module and the U.S.-built Unity module, Commander Bob Cabana and Russian Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev closed the hatch to Zarya at 4:41 p.m. Central time. They closed a series of additional hatches as the crew made its way back to Endeavour, finally swinging the door to Unity shut at 6:26 p.m. This ended the first excursion by astronauts into the international outpost, an excursion that lasted 28 hours and 32 minutes.

  Left behind were tools, supplies and clothing for the crew that will visit the station during the next shuttle assembly flight in May, and for the first crew members who will establish a permanent occupancy of the station in January 2000.

  Back inside Endeavour, the astronauts completed preparations for a third and final space walk Saturday by Jerry Ross and Jim Newman to tidy up cable configurations. Ross and Newman plan to disconnect several jumper cables used to route power from Zarya to Unity before permanent electrical connections were made and disconnect cables used to permanently lock the two modules' docking mechanisms together. In addition, tool bags will be stowed on the side of Unity's uppermost Pressurized Mating Adapter for use by space walkers Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry on the STS-96 assembly mission in May.

  Near the end of Saturday's space walk, Ross plans to use a grappling hook to try to free the second of two jammed antennas that are part of Zarya's backup rendezvous system. Just as Newman did on Wednesday, Ross will use the device to pry the balky antenna free to its fully extended position while attached to the end of Endeavour's robot arm.

  The space walk is scheduled to begin about 3:06 p.m. Central time Saturday, but could get under way earlier if Ross and Newman are ahead of schedule in their space walk preparations.

  With all of their work complete, Endeavour's crew members will undock from the newly outfitted station at 2:25 p.m .Sunday, leaving the 35-ton complex to fly on its own for the next five months. Through an S-band communications system installed in Unity by the astronauts, station flight controllers will be able to monitor the health of Unity and Zarya as the complex orbits the Earth.

  The astronauts will begin an eight-hour sleep period at 2:36 a.m. Central time Saturday and will be awakened at 10:36 a.m. to begin space walk preparations.

  Endeavour and the International Space Station are orbiting the Earth at and altitude of 246 statute miles with all of their systems in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 12 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 20. 

  Endeavour's astronauts awoke at 10:36 a.m. CST today, to the sounds of Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog," and began preparing for the third and final scheduled space walk of the mission.

  This afternoon's spacewalk, set to begin about 3:06 p.m. CST, could get under way earlier if Mission Specialists Jerry Ross and Jim Newman are ahead of schedule in their space walk preparations. Today's activities will be devoted mostly to tasks that ready the station for future assembly work.

  The crew's first job will be to release some cable ties on four cables connected on an earlier space walk, three located on Unity's upper mating adapter and one on its lower adapter, to relieve tension on the lines. Flight controllers noted the cable tension from camera views of the station, and they are concerned that leaving the cables as they are would not allow enough play in them to accommodate cyclical heating and cooling that occurs between orbital night and day. The space walkers also will check an insulation cover on one cable connection on the lower Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA 2) to make sure it is fully installed.

  Ross and Newman then will attach a bag of tools - wrenches, power grip tools, ratchets and foot restraints - on the side of Unity's upper mating adapter (PMA 1). Astronauts Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry will use these tools during their space walk next May during the STS-96 assembly mission. Ross and Newman also will inspect bubbling paint that has been noted on some of the Orbiter Space Vision System targets on Unity.

  Next, the space walkers will disconnect cables that the crew used to operate the docking mechanism on Unity's upper mating adapter when Zarya was docked earlier in the mission. Also, Ross will use a 10-foot-long grappling hook to try to free the second of two jammed antennas that are part of Zarya's backup rendezvous navigation system. The first antenna was successfully deployed on a space walk Wednesday by Newman using the same method. After the antenna deploy, Ross will stow the grappling hook on the outside of Zarya, and he and Newman will install a handrail at the far end of the module.

  Near the end of the space walk, after packing up their tools , the astronauts will do a detailed photographic survey of the space station from top to bottom. Finally, each astronaut will test fire the Simplified Aid for Extravehicular Activity Rescue (SAFER) jet backpacks they are wearing, a type of space "lifejacket," that would allow an astronaut to fly back to the station if they should ever become untethered. During an earlier flight test on STS-86, a valve failed and prevented the propulsion jets on the backpack from firing. The valve was redesigned and extensively tested on the ground and today's in-flight test will assist in verifying the new design.

  With the first steps in the orbital construction of the International Space Station completed, Endeavour is planned to undock from the new outpost at 2:25 p.m. CST on Sunday, leaving the 7-story, 35-ton complex to fly on its own for the next five months. Station flight controllers will be able to monitor the health of the station through an S-band communications system installed in Unity by the astronauts.

  Endeavour and the International Space Station are orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 246 statute miles with all systems operating normally.

• 1998 December 13 - EVA STS-88-3.  Spacecraft: International Space Station.

  Completed initial assembly of International Space Station. A canvas tool bag was attached to the exterior of Unity to provide tools for future assembly workers. Also disconnected some docking cables, so that Unity and Zarya could no longer undock.

• 1998 December 13 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 22. 

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

  Having begun its on-orbit assembly, Endeavour's astronauts are now preparing for their departure from the International Space Station this afternoon.

  At 2:25 p.m. CST, Pilot Rick Sturckow will undock Endeavour from the station and back the shuttle away to a distance of 450 feet above the station before beginning a nose-forward fly-around just before 2:45 p.m. CST. During Endeavour's one and a half revolutions of the station, the astronauts will conduct a detailed photographic survey of the new outpost. About an hour later, Sturckow will fire Endeavour's jets to separate from the station, leaving it to fly unpiloted for the next five months. The next visit to the station will be by the STS-96 crew in May on an assembly and resupply mission.

  Once Endeavour departs the area of the station, the crew will have a few hours of scheduled off-duty time. At about 8:15 p.m. CST, Commander Bob Cabana and Sturckow will fire one of Endeavour's large Orbital Maneuvering System engines for about 10 seconds as part of the SIMPLEX experiment, a Department of Defense study tracking Shuttle engine firings from various radar sites, this one from a site located in Peru. At about 8:30 p.m. CST, the entire crew will gather for interviews by ABC Radio, Associated Press Radio and the Associated Press.

  Cabana, Sturckow and Mission Specialist Jerry Ross will deploy the SAC-A satellite from Endeavour's payload bay around 10:30 p.m. CST. SAC-A is a small, self-contained, non-recoverable satellite built by the Argentinean National Commission of Space Activities. The cube-shaped, 590-pound satellite will test and characterize the performance of new equipment and technologies that may be used in future scientific or operational missions. The payload includes a differential global positioning system, a magnetometer, silicon solar cells, a charge-coupled device Earth camera and a whale tracker experiment.

  Near the end of the crew's day, Ross, Newman and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev will stow some of the tools used during yesterday's space walk, as Mission Specialist Nancy Currie increases Endeavour's cabin pressure to 14.7 pounds per square inch.

  All systems on board Endeavour and the space station remain in excellent shape as they orbit at an altitude of 247 statute miles.

• 1998 December 13 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 23. 

  Endeavour's astronauts bid farewell to the International Space Station this afternoon, undocking from the new complex which will fly unpiloted for the next five months until the next shuttle assembly flight in May 1999.

  Pilot Rick Sturckow separated Endeavour from the station at 2:25 p.m. Central time, firing the shuttle's jets to place the orbiter 450 feet above the outpost. Sturckow then initiated a nose-forward flyaround of the station as shuttle TV cameras captured spectacular views of the two station modules framed against the blue backdrop of the Earth.

  Less than an hour and a half after undocking, at 3:49 p.m., Sturckow fired Endeavour's jets one final time as the orbiter passed 450 feet below the complex, separating for the final time as the station faded from view along the horizon. More than six hours after undocking, Endeavour trailed ISS by some 70 s.m., increasing its distance from the station at about 19 s.m. every orbit.

  International Space Station flight controllers at Mission Control, Houston and at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, outside Moscow, will now spend the next five months monitoring the station's systems and awaiting the launch of Discovery on the STS-96 mission. STS-96 will see a multinational crew of seven astronauts return to the station in a logistics resupply flight which will include at least one spacewalk to attach additional hardware to the new orbiting facility.

  Late Sunday, flight controllers commanded the station into a new orientation to point the Zarya Control Module toward deep space and the Unity Module toward the Earth. Commands were then sent to place the station into a slow spin of about one revolution every 30 minutes to keep the station within proper thermal conditions as it orbits the Earth. Zarya's motion control system will be reactivated about once a week over the next few months to insure it is working properly and its guidance system will be updated with the latest orbital parameters.

  Before beginning their presleep period, the astronauts deployed a small 590-pound satellite called SAC-A for the Argentinean National Committee of Space Activities. Equipped with five technology experiments, including one to track the movement of whales off the coast of Argentina, SAC-A was ejected from a canister in Endeavour's cargo bay at 10:31 p.m. Central time as the shuttle few over the northern Indian Ocean. The satellite is expected to remain in orbit from five to nine months sending back data to Argentine researchers back on Earth.

  The astronauts will begin an eight-hour sleep period at 3:36 a.m. Central time Monday and will be awakened at 11:36 a.m. to begin preparations for their scheduled landing at the Kennedy Space Center Tuesday night. On Monday, the astronauts will conduct the routine pre-landing check of Endeavour's flight control surfaces and steering jets to insure that the shuttle is ready for its high-speed reentry back to Earth.

  Endeavour and the International Space Station are currently orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 246 statute miles with all of their systems operating normally.

• 1998 December 13 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 21. 

  Endeavour's astronauts completed the first assembly work of the International Space Station on Saturday, securing tools, tethers and cables to the new outpost and freeing a second jammed antenna on Zarya during a 6-hour, 59-minute space walk.

  The third and final space walk of the flight by astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman began at 2:33 p.m. Central time Saturday. Working close to the timeline, Ross and Newman accomplished all of the tasks planned for the excursion. The astronauts stowed a tool bag on the U.S.-built Unity connecting module and disconnected umbilicals used to drive the docking mechanisms that mated it with the Russian-built Zarya control module last week. They also installed a handrail on Zarya for use by future space walkers, and a made a detailed photographic survey of the station for review by engineers over the next several months.

  Standing at the end of the shuttle's robot arm, Ross duplicated the accomplishment of Newman last Wednesday, freeing a jammed backup rendezvous system antenna on Zarya with a grappling hook. Ross found the antenna to be a bit stubborn, but after tapping it and nudging it several times, the antenna finally rolled out from its spool to the fully deployed position.

  Before returning to Endeavour's airlock, Ross and Newman also tested out jet-powered backpacks they wore for use in the unlikely event they could become untethered during station assembly work. The jet packs seemed to use a bit more nitrogen gas than had been planned, but flight controllers said the engineering objectives of the brief test were met.

  In all, Ross and Newman spent 21 hours and 22 minutes outside Endeavour in the initial assembly of the station. Ross now has completed seven space walks totaling 44 hours and 9 minutes, more than any other American space walker. Newman moved into third place on the all-time U.S. space-walking list, with a total of 28 hours and 27 minutes on four excursions.

  After the space walk ended, Pilot Rick Sturckow depressurized the vestibule between Endeavour's docking system and the docking adapter at the base of Unity, setting the stage for today's undocking from the International Space Station at 2:25 p.m. Central time.

  Sturckow will be at the controls of Endeavour during undocking, backing the shuttle away to a distance of 450 feet above the station before beginning a nose-forward fly-around. One and a half revolutions of the station are expected to provide ample time for the astronauts to conduct a detailed photographic survey of the outpost. Sturckow will fire Endeavour's jets at 3:52 p.m. to separate from the station, leaving it to fly unpiloted for the next five months. The next visit to the station will be by the STS-96 crew in May on an assembly and resupply mission.

  Endeavour's astronauts began an eight-hour sleep period at 2:36 a.m. and will awaken at 10:36 a.m. Central time to begin preparations for undocking.

  Endeavour and the station are orbiting at an altitude of 247 statute miles with all systems in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 14 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 24. 

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

  At the time of crew wake-up, Endeavour was about 222 statute miles ahead of the space station and pulling away from the station by about 12 statute miles per orbit. The SAC-A satellite, deployed by Commander Bob Cabana last night, trails Endeavour by about 35 statute miles.

  Crew members will focus their activities today on preparing for their scheduled return to the Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday night. Cabana and Pilot Rick Sturckow will spend a good part of the day checking out spacecraft systems for entry and landing. At about 2:30 p.m. CST, the commander and pilot will begin checkout of the flight control systems and the performance of aerodynamic surfaces and flight controls. About an hour later, the flight crew will conduct a hot fire test of Endeavour's reaction control system jets.

  Shortly before 5 p.m. CST, the crew will gather for its traditional in-flight crew news conference talking with reporters at NASA centers and at Canadian Space Agency Headquarters in St. Hubert, Quebec.

  After about 3 hours of off-duty time, Cabana, Sturckow and Mission Specialist Jerry Ross will eject another small satellite from a canister in Endeavour's payload bay. MightySat is a 705-pound U.S. Air Force/Phillips Laboratory satellite that will demonstrate several advanced technologies, including a composite structure, advanced solar cells, a microparticle impact detector, advanced electronics and a shock device. Deployment is set for 8:09 p.m. CST.

  The crew will wrap up the day's activities as they begin configuring Endeavour's cabin and stowing equipment in preparation for tomorrow's planned landing. Just before12:30 a.m. CST on Tuesday, Sturckow will stow the Ku-band antenna, which provides high data-rate relay and television. The flight control teams in the Mission Control Center also are preparing for Tuesday's landing in Florida. Preliminary weather forecasts indicate possible scattered clouds and rain showers in the vicinity of the landing site for Tuesday's scheduled 9:54 p.m. CST landing.

  Endeavour is orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 247 statute miles with all systems on the space shuttle and space station operating normally.

• 1998 December 15 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 25. 

  Endeavour's astronauts wrapped up their mission objectives and packed up their ship, ready for a landing late tonight at Kennedy Space Center and the end of the first mission to assemble the International Space Station.

  With Endeavour more than 340 miles in front of the new station, the astronauts tested the shuttle's aerosurfaces and steering jets to ensure the ship's controllability during reentry to the Earth's atmosphere. All of Endeavour's systems were declared in good working order, enabling the astronauts to stow equipment used during the flight in preparation for their high-speed homecoming.

  International Space Station flight controllers report that all systems on the new complex are functioning normally as the station orbits the Earth at an altitude of 246 statute miles, the Unity module facing the Earth and the Zarya module facing deep space. The station was commanded to spin slowly at one revolution every 30 minutes to maintain the proper heating and cooling while it flies unpiloted for the next five months. The next shuttle assembly mission to the station is STS-96, scheduled for launch aboard Discovery in May.

  Late last night, at 8:09 p.m. Central time, the astronauts completed the final task of the flight, deploying a 700-pound Air Force technology satellite called MightySat as Endeavour sailed over Indonesia. MightySat will send back data on the effect of the space environment on composite materials and advanced solar power cells.

  The six astronauts will begin an eight-hour sleep period at 3:36 a.m. and be awakened at 11:36 a.m. to begin final landing preparations.

  If all goes as planned, Endeavour's cargo bay doors will swing shut at 6:07 p.m., after which the astronauts will climb into their launch and entry suits and strap into their seats. Commander Bob Cabana, Pilot Rick Sturckow and Flight Engineer Nancy Currie will be joined on the flight deck for entry by Mission Specialist Jim Newman, while crew mates Jerry Ross and Sergei Krikalev will be seated down on the middeck.

  Scattered to broken clouds and no rain showers are predicted for Kennedy Space Center at landing time. If the forecast holds, Entry Flight Director John Shannon will give the green light to fire Endeavour's twin braking rockets at 8:47 p.m. Central time. The deorbit burn will slow the shuttle by 349 feet per second, allowing it to descend back to Earth. Landing is scheduled at 9:54 p.m. Central time on runway 3-3 at the Shuttle Landing Facility to complete a 4.6-million-mile mission, the 10th night landing in shuttle program history.

  A backup landing opportunity is available at KSC 90 minutes later, at 11:30 p.m. Central time (12:30 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday). Mission managers decided not to call up landing support at the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for this evening's opportunities.

  Endeavour is orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 246 statute miles, with all of its systems in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 15 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 27. 

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

  While weather forecasts in the final days of the mission had indicated that rain showers might delay the astronauts return, the weather cleared, allowing Entry Flight Director John Shannon to give a "go" for the deorbit burn which occurred at 8:46 p.m. CST.

  Tonight's landing at KSC marked the 10th night landing in the history of the Shuttle program. It was also the 17th straight landing at Kennedy Space Center and the 24th in the last 25 Shuttle missions to land at the Florida spaceport.

  While Endeavour is back on firm ground, 246 miles above, the new International Space Station continues to orbit with all systems functioning normally. The current orientation of the ISS has the Unity module facing the Earth and the Zarya module facing deep space. The station is also in a slow rotation at one revolution every 30 minutes to maintain the proper heating and cooling. The next shuttle assembly mission to the station is STS-96, scheduled for launch aboard Discovery in May.

  Cabana and his crewmates, Pilot Rick Sturckow, Mission Specialists Nancy Currie, Jim Newman, Jerry Ross and Sergei Krikalev will remain in Florida until Thursday morning when they are scheduled to return to Houston. The STS-88 crew are scheduled to land at Ellington Field, near the Johnson Space Center at approximately 10:30 a.m. CST where they will be welcomed home with a crew return ceremony.

• 1998 December 15 - STS-88 Mission Status Report # 26. 

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

  If weather cooperates, Endeavour will touch down at the Kennedy Space Center at 9:54 p.m. CST after completing 185 orbits of the Earth. A deorbit firing of the Shuttle's maneuvering engines will occur at 8:47 p.m. CST to slow the spacecraft's forward velocity, allowing it to drop back into the Earth's atmosphere. Returning as an unpowered, hypersonic glider, Endeavour will follow a ground track that takes it over the Mexico-Guatemala border and across the Gulf of Mexico, making U.S. landfall over the Ft. Meyers/Sarasota, Florida, area before heading in for a landing at runway 33.

  If all goes as planned, Endeavour's cargo bay doors will swing shut at 6:07 p.m., after which the astronauts will climb into their launch and entry suits and strap into their seats. Commander Bob Cabana, Pilot Rick Sturckow and Flight Engineer Nancy Currie will be joined on the flight deck for entry by Mission Specialist Jim Newman, while crew mates Jerry Ross and Sergei Krikalev will be seated down on the middeck.

  Forecasters are keeping a close watch on weather in the vicinity of the landing site, with current predictions calling for scattered clouds at 3,000 feet with a chance of showers within 30 miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility. Forecasters predict about a 70 percent chance of acceptable weather for the first of tonight's two landing opportunities.

  If the forecast holds, Entry Flight Director John Shannon will give the green light to fire Endeavour's two orbital maneuvering system engines at 8:47 p.m. CST. The deorbit burn will slow the shuttle by 349 feet per second, allowing it to descend back to Earth. Landing is scheduled at 9:54 p.m. CST, completing a 4.6-million-mile mission.

  Weather conditions are expected to be somewhat better for tonight's second landing opportunity at KSC, with forecasters indicating an 80 percent chance of favorable weather. For the second opportunity, a deorbit burn at 10:24 p.m. CST would see Endeavour land at 11:30 p.m. CST. Mission managers have decided not to call up landing support at the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for this evening's opportunities. However, Edwards will be called up for backup landing support on Wednesday should landing at KSC tonight be waved off.

  The crew will remain at KSC on Wednesday, returning to Houston's Ellington Field about 2 p.m. Thursday.

  Endeavour is orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 246 statute miles with all of its systems in excellent shape.

• 1998 December 15 - Landing of STS-88. 

  STS-88 landed at 04:16 GMT.

• 1998 December 17 - ISS Status Report: ISS11. 

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

  Controllers also performed a successful check of Zarya's Kurs rendezvous system and the module's docking system, an automated Russian system that eventually will steer the station to dock with the third station module, the Service Module. The Service Module, an early crew quarters and station core that is the primary Russian contribution to the station, is targeted for a July 1999 launch aboard a Russian Proton rocket. Prior to the Service Module's launch, the Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to visit the station in May 1999, carrying supplies to be stored in the interior and a Russian-built spacewalkers' cargo crane to be installed on the exterior.

  A few hours after Endeavour's undocking from the station on Sunday, flight controllers at Mission Control, Korolev, maneuvered the station into a naturally stable spinning orientation to conserve propellant and moderate temperatures on the spacecraft. Called an X-nadir spin, that orientation has the Unity module pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward deep space with the station slowly spinning a few tenths of a degree per second. It will be the standard orientation for the station until the arrival of Discovery in May. About once each week, however, controllers will turn on the station's steering jets and maneuver it into position to update the guidance system and perform other checkouts or activities as needed.

  On Wednesday, Zarya's steering jets were activated and the station's guidance updated prior to the successful test of Zarya's large thrusters. The test firing on Wednesday checked the operation of both thruster engines simultaneously for the first time, firing them for about 9 seconds, as will be needed to periodically reboost the station's orbit. Previously, all station engine firings had been performed with only one of Zarya's large engines. The Wednesday test firing raised the station from an orbit that had a high point of about 252 statute miles and a low point of 244 statute miles to its current orbit of 256 by 247 statute miles.

  Two more engine test firings are planned for Monday that will again check the operations required to reboost the station as well as the operations required for a rendezvous next year with the Service Module.

  All systems aboard the International Space Station are performing well, and the spacecraft is completing one orbit of Earth every 92 minutes.

• 1998 December 23 - ISS Status Report: ISS12. 

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

  The two five-second engine firings, performed 45 minutes apart on December 21, slightly raised the station's orbit. The firings, which used both of Zarya's large thrusters simultaneously, checked the performance of the station software that will be used for docking with the Russian-provided Service Module, an early living quarters for the station. At this time, no further engine firings are planned prior to the start of a rendezvous with the Service Module next year.

  The Service Module is targeted for a July 1999 launch aboard a Russian Proton rocket. Prior to the Service Module's launch, the Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to visit the station in May 1999, carrying supplies to be stored in the interior and a Russian-built spacewalkers' cargo crane to be installed on the exterior.

  Following the engine tests, flight controllers in the Zarya Flight Control Room at Mission Control, Korolev - near Moscow, Russia - maneuvered the station back into a naturally stable spinning orientation to conserve propellant and moderate temperatures on the spacecraft. Called an X-nadir spin, the orientation has the Unity module pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward deep space with the station slowly spinning a few tenths of a degree per second. It is the standard orientation for the station until the arrival of Discovery in May. About once each week, however, controllers turn on the station's steering jets and maneuver it into position to update the guidance system and perform other checkouts or activities as needed.

  Other activities performed on the station this week included deep-cycling, individually fully discharging and then recharging, each of Zarya's six batteries. The battery deep-cycling procedure is a standard housekeeping activity that will be performed a couple of times each month to optimize the batteries' performance. Flight controllers also successfully tested the Telerobotically Operated Rendezvous (TORU) system on Zarya, a manually-operated backup rendezvous system for which two stuck antennas were freed by astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman during a spacewalk on Space Shuttle mission STS-88.

  Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow continue to monitor the station around the clock. No major activities or checkouts are planned for next week, and all station systems are operating normally. The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 248 statute miles, circling Earth once every 92 minutes.

• 1998 December 30 - ISS Status Report: ISS13. 

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

  On December 28, flight controllers successfully commanded the station to an orientation to maximize power generation. The command was part of a scheduled test to ensure the vehicle could be commanded to a power-friendly attitude in the event of low battery levels. Mission managers report that test was fully successful.

  With no major activities or checkouts planned over the past week, flight controllers in Houston continue to monitor station systems, reporting that all operations are proceeding very smoothly.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 248 statute miles, circling Earth once every 92 minutes.

• 1999 January 6 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-01. 

  With no major activities or checkouts planned this week, flight controllers in Houston and Moscow continue to monitor the International Space Station, reporting that all systems aboard are operating normally and the spacecraft is in excellent condition.

  The station has remained in a naturally stable orientation, with the Unity module pointing toward Earth and the Zarya module pointed toward deep space, slowly spinning at a rate of about one revolution each half hour. This orientation conserves propellant and provides moderate temperatures for the station. Flight controllers successfully completed a round of deep-cycling the six station batteries housed in Zarya late last week, individually fully discharging and recharging them as a routine housekeeping procedure that optimizes the batteries' performance. Similar deep-cycling activities will be conducted about every two weeks.

  During the next week, the station is planned to continue in its current spinning orientation with no major systems work expected. The X-nadir spin, as the orientation is called, is the preferred station orientation as it awaits the next station assembly mission, a visit by the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-96 in May.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 248 statute miles, circling Earth once every 92 minutes.

• 1999 January 8 - Chinese Module on ISS explored. 

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

• 1999 January 13 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-02. 

  International Space Station flight controllers in Houston and Moscow continued to monitor the new outpost this week as it awaits a visit by the Space Shuttle Discovery, planned for launch in May on mission STS-96.

  Over a period of several days late last week, controllers noted a gradual decrease in voltage provided by the Zarya module's six batteries. The voltage declined to a point slightly below what was anticipated. As a precaution late Sunday, controllers switched off several non-critical heaters in the Unity-to-Zarya mating adapter to reduce power consumption. Meanwhile, controllers in Moscow began several housekeeping procedures to improve the batteries' performance. Several smoke detectors aboard Zarya were automatically powered off briefly to further reduce power consumption. However, no major systems on the station experienced an interruption in power and all required equipment remained in operation.

  The housekeeping activities involved deep-cycling the Zarya batteries, fully discharging and then recharging them regularly to ensure they remain at peak performance. This deep-cycling procedure had originally been planned to be peformed about once every two weeks. But after watching the new station's performance, controllers are now conducting the cycling every few days on each battery. The more frequent cycling has increased the voltage from the batteries to optimum levels again and all systems on the station are operating normally. Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow are continuing to analyze the batteries' performance, although the slight decrease in voltage that had been seen is not believed to have been an indication of any mechanical problem.

  On Tuesday, Zarya flight controllers plan to conduct a systems test of the module's Kurs automated rendezvous system that will be used this summer to rendezvous and dock with the Service Module, the third station module, planned to be launched from Kazakstan in July. The International Space Station remains in a naturally stable slow spin that conserves propellant and provides moderate temperatures on the spacecraft. The station is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 248 statute miles, circling Earth once every 92 minutes.

• 1999 January 20 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-03. 

  The International Space Station remained operating in excellent condition this week with flight controllers in Houston and Moscow noting no mechanical problems onboard.

  Moscow flight controllers continued housekeeping activities involving deep-cycling the six Zarya batteries, fully discharging and then recharging each individual battery about once a week to ensure they remain at peak performance. The batteries have been performing well with this schedule, a more frequent schedule of deep-cycling than had been previously performed. Flight controllers are continuing to analyze the batteries' performance and the schedule of deep-cycling as well as any other activities or alternatives that may be required to ensure their performance remains optimum.

  The International Space Station has remained in a naturally stable slow spin throughout the week that conserves propellant and provides moderate temperatures on the spacecraft. No major systems tests or checkouts are planned for the station in the coming week. The next station assembly mission will be a visit by the Space Shuttle Discovery planned for launch in May on shuttle mission STS-96, a flight that will carry interior supplies for the station as well as U.S. and Russian cranes to be installed on the exterior. The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 259 statute miles and a low point of 245 statute miles, circling Earth once every 92 minutes.

• 1999 January 27 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-04. 

  Flight controllers continued to monitor the International Space Station this week, performing routine housekeeping activities as well as a test using the Unity module's communications system to command some Zarya module systems.

  The test, to be performed this evening, will check the capability to send commands to Zarya through the U.S. Early Communications System installed by the shuttle astronauts during STS-88 in December. Mission controllers also continued cycling of the six Zarya batteries to maintain them at peak operation, and the power system on the station continued to perform well. Mission controllers in Houston and Moscow also periodically checked the station's orientation - a naturally stable slow spin that provides moderate vehicle shell temperatures and conserves fuel - using television camera views from onboard the station as well as other data.

  No major systems tests or checkouts are planned for the station in the coming week. The next station assembly mission will be a visit by the Space Shuttle Discovery planned for launch in May on Space Shuttle mission STS-96, a flight that will carry interior supplies for the station as well as U.S. and Russian cranes to be installed on the exterior. The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 259 statute miles and a low point of 245 statute miles, circling Earth once every 92 minutes.

• 1999 February 3 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-05. 

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

  With the station's systems in excellent shape, flight controllers sent commands to adjust the controlled spin of the station to maintain uniform temperatures on its outside surfaces. This slow spin also conserves fuel by minimizing firings of the thruster jets to manage the motion control system.

  Along with flight controllers in Russia's Mission Control Center outside Moscow, the teams tested the ability to command Zarya systems by using communications hardware installed inside and outside Unity during December's STS-88 mission. The test objectives included demonstrating the general commanding capability using NASA's communications satellites while training flight controllers in both centers for commanding sequences that could be required primarily during contingency situations when commanding capability is interrupted through Russian ground stations. This testing will continue for the next several weeks. Battery cycling also continued this week in order to maximize peak operation of the power generating components of the Zarya.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 259 statute miles and a low point of 245 statute miles, circling Earth once every 92 minutes.

• 1999 February 10 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-06. 

  The International Space Station continues to fly with no systems problems affecting its performance as flight control teams in Houston and Moscow watch over the orbiting outpost.

  Flight controllers continue to test the commanding capability of the Zarya module through the Early Communications System of the Unity connecting node. This system was installed and tested by the crew of STS-88 in December 1998.

  The test objectives included demonstrating the general commanding capability using NASA's communications satellites while training flight controllers in both centers for commanding sequences that could be required primarily during contingency situations when commanding capability is interrupted through Russian ground stations.

  This testing will continue for the next couple of weeks. Battery cycling also continued this week in order to maximize peak operation of the power generating components of the Zarya.

  In the meantime, the controlled spin of the station has been periodically adjusted to conserve fuel by minimizing firings of the thruster jets and to manage the temperatures of the overall complex.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 259 statute miles and a low point of 245 statute miles. Its orbital period -- the time it takes the station to circle the Earth once -- is approximately 92 minutes.

• 1999 February 17 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-07. 

  Flight control teams in Houston and Moscow continue to work in tandem to monitor the health of systems aboard the two-segment International Space Station.

  The focus of attention remains testing the command and control capability of the station's Zarya control module through the Early Communications System housed aboard the Unity node. This system was installed during the STS-88 shuttle mission to provide additional system command capability of Zarya's systems using NASA's communications satellites.

  These ongoing command sequences are designed to not only demonstrate the general commanding capability, but to iron out configuration issues on the ground while training flight controllers in commanding that could be required in contingency situations when Russian ground stations are not available.

  In the meantime, the controlled spin of the station continues to be monitored and fine-tuned as necessary to manage temperatures of the overall complex.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 258 statute miles and a low point of 244 statute miles. It's circling the Earth once every 92 minutes, 24 seconds.

• 1999 February 24 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-08. 

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

  As during previous weeks, the controlled spin of the station continues to be monitored and fine-tuned as necessary to manage temperatures of the overall complex.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 257 statute miles and a low point of 243 statute miles. It's circling the Earth once every 92 minutes, 24 seconds.

• 1999 March 3 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-09. 

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

  While system commanding continues, all other systems remain in excellent condition as engineers monitor the station's health through Russian ground stations and NASA's satellite tracking network.

  These command and control functions of the Zarya control module are monitored through telemetry downlinks through the Early Communications System housed aboard the Unity node. Specific command sequences continue to be tested through this system to assist with general commanding capability, and to wring out configuration issues on the ground while training flight controllers in commanding that could be required in contingency situations.

  Additionally this week, battery charge cycling continued in order to balance power consumption on board.

  As during previous weeks, the controlled spin of the station continues to be monitored and fine-tuned as necessary to manage temperatures of the overall complex.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 242 statute miles. It's circling the Earth once every 92 minutes, 24 seconds.

• 1999 March 5 - X-38 V-132 Flight 1.  Spacecraft: X-38. Launch Site: Edwards.

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

• 1999 March 10 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-10. 

  As the International Space Station completed its 1,700th orbit of Earth, flight control teams in Houston and Moscow reported its systems continued to operate well this week with no problems seen that would interfere with its flight.

  Controllers in Houston did note an apparent problem, late last week, with one of the two antennas mounted on the exterior of the Unity module used by the U.S. Early Communications system. Controllers noted that the ability of the starboard antenna was impeded when the station is in certain orientations, amounting to about a 15 percent reduction in the total capability of the U.S. communications system to recieve signals. When the change in performance was seen on Friday, flight controllers switched off the starboard antenna and continued using the port antenna only.

  Most of the U.S. system's communications is information that is transmitted from the station to the ground, called downlink communications. These communication sessions routinely use only 1 antenna anyway, so day-to-day operations of the station are virtually unaffected. Flight controllers are continuing to analyze the problem and will switch back to the starboard antenna periodically this week for troubleshooting. Plans also are in work to use a television camera mounted on the exterior of the Zarya module to attempt to inspect the antenna. The U.S. communications system, installed on Shuttle mission STS-88 last year, is one of two complementary communications systems on the station, including a Russian communications system onboard Zarya that is used for the primary command and control of the station from a control center in Korolev, Russia.

  Also this week, station managers decided to ship 18 small Charge-Discharge Integrated Current units from the Khrunichev Space Center, Moscow to the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., to prepare to replace the units during Space Shuttle mission STS-96 in May. The units, also known by the Russian acronym MIRT, are believed to be responsible for a less than optimum performance of the Zarya batteries that was noted earlier this year. The small, cellular phone-sized units, are part of a system that indicates the level of charge for each of Zarya's six batteries and in turn dictate when the onboard charging system believes the batteries to be fully charged and begins to taper off its supply of power.

  Flight controllers have worked around the problem by deep-cycling - fully charging and then fully discharging -- each of the six batteries every week, a procedure that resets the charge indication and maintains the batteries at peak performance. Replacing the units, however, may reduce the need for such frequent cycling and provide better performance from the batteries over long durations as well as providing additional backup equipment capabilities for the station.

  STS-96 mission specialists Julie Payette and Valery Tokarev plan to visit the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City, Russia, for several days later this month for training to replace the units in the Zarya module simulator. The units, three for each battery, are located under the floor panels of Zarya and measure 2.5 by 3 by 6 inches.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 242 statute miles, circling the Earth once every 92 minutes, 24 seconds.

• 1999 March 18 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-11. 

  International Space Station flight controllers in Houston and Moscow performed a successful rendezvous system test this week and continued an analysis of a minor problem with an antenna for one of the onboard communications systems.

  The antenna, one of two that are used by the U.S. early communications system, is mounted on the exterior starboard side of the station's Unity module. Last week, controllers noticed that communications with the antenna were impeded when the station was in certain orientations, amounting to about a 15 percent reduction in the total capability of the U.S. communications system to receive signals. Controllers ceased using the antenna when the problem was seen and have been using only the port antenna for communications. On Tuesday, flight controllers powered on a television camera on the Zarya module to attempt to inspect the vicinity of the antenna. The camera views were inconclusive in determining a cause of the problem. Engineers are continuing to evaluate the information and possible causes for the problem, causes that range from loose insulation to damage from orbital debris.

  However, managers have determined that the antenna can be used in its current condition with no risk of further damage and controllers plan to reselect it for communications later this week.

  Day-to-day operations of the station have been virtually unaffected by the antenna problem. The U.S. communications system, installed on Shuttle mission STS-88 last year, is one of two complementary communications systems on the station, including a Russian communications system onboard Zarya that is used for the primary command and control of the station from a control center in Korolev, Russia.

  Also this week, controllers in Korolev completed a successful test of the Kurs-P system on the Zarya module, the automated rendezvous system that will be used later this year to steer the station to a docking with the next station component. Called the Service Module, the next station component is planned to be launched later this year by Russia and will serve as an early crew living quarters and station core.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 242 statute miles, circling the Earth once every 92 minutes, 24 seconds. The station has completed more than 1,830 orbits of Earth since its launch.

• 1999 March 24 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-12. 

  International Space Station flight controllers returned a U.S. communications system to standard operations this week as they continued an analysis of a minor problem with one of the system's two antennas.

  The antenna, one of two that are used by the US early communications system, is mounted on the exterior starboard side of the station's Unity module. Earlier this month, controllers noticed that communications with the antenna were impeded when the station was in certain orientations, amounting to about a 15 percent reduction in the total capability of the US communications system to receive signals. Controllers ceased using the antenna when the problem was seen and had been using only the port antenna for communications. Late last week, the starboard antenna reselected and put back into operation, operating well with its slightly reduced capability. The slightly reduced communications capability has had virtually no impact on the station's day-to-day operations. Engineers are continuing to evaluate the information and possible causes for the problem. The US communications system, installed on Shuttle mission STS-88 last year, is one of two complementary communications systems on the station, including a Russian communications system onboard Zarya. Flight controllers may conduct a test of the station's power system next week as part of preparations for the arrival of the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-96 in May. For the test, power used by the Unity module may be gradually increased by turning on several heaters in a variety of different scenarios. The information gathered would provide flight controllers insight that may be useful in planning the best method for warming up the module prior to Discovery's docking with the station. The power test is still under evaluation, but could begin by early next week, when the station's orbital environment will be very similar to what will be experienced when Discovery arrives. The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 242 statute miles, circling the Earth once every 92 minutes, 24 seconds. The station has completed more than 1,900 orbits of Earth since its launch.

• 1999 March 31 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-13. 

  Most of this week and early next, U.S. and Russian operations personnel are testing the station's power system as part of preparations for the arrival of Discovery and the STS-96 crew in late May.

  The testing involves gradually increasing the power used aboard Unity by turning on several heaters in hopes of gathering insight that may be useful in planning the best method for warming the module prior to Discovery's docking with the station. The power test is being conducted while the station's orbital environment is similar to what it will be in late May when Discovery arrives.

  Though the testing is not yet completed, preliminary reports show that the increased power levels can be handled with no issues. Final analysis of the test will be completed next week.

  Meanwhile, flight controllers continued an analysis of a minor problem with one of the two antennae aboard Unity. The antenna, one of two that are used by the US early communications system, has shown a slight degredation in its ability to receive signals from the ground when the station was in certain orientations. The slightly reduced communications capability has had minimal impact on operations.

  Engineers are continuing to evaluate the information and possible causes for the problem. While the analysis continues, managers have elected not to fly a spare antenna on Discovery's mission, but will add an inspection task into the spacewalk that will take place during the docked phase of the flight.

  The US communications system, installed on Shuttle mission STS-88 last year, is one of two complementary communications systems on the station, including a Russian communications system onboard Zarya.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 251 statute miles and a low point of 241 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The station has completed more than 2,000 orbits of Earth since its launch.

• 1999 April 7 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-14. 

  Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow indicate that the Unity module of the International Space Station, in its present position in space, can be adequately heated prior to the Space Shuttle's arrival.

  This determination follows completion of power tests last Friday. In and around ongoing system monitoring, engineers and managers have overseen the first of three tests scheduled to be completed prior to Discovery's launch to the station on the STS-96 mission late next month. This first test demonstrated that higher power usage in the current configuration provides adequate battery margins in the Zarya module while warming Unity's shell temperatures, which is necessary before the shuttle docks to the station and the crew climbs inside. Test one involved gradually increasing the power used aboard Unity by turning on several heaters to gather insight to plan the best method for warming the module prior to Discovery's docking with the station. The tests are being conducted during a period of time when the station's orbital environment is similar to that in which it will be next month when Discovery arrives. Analysis of this first test indicates that Zarya can deliver at least 900 watts of continuous power to Unity in the present attitude - or position in space - which simplifies the operations planning underway for the shuttle flight. The next test aboard the ISS will begin April 14 and will involve repositioning the station for further power tests. The test's primary objective is to demonstrate the ability of Zarya to deliver 1,500 watts of power to Unity in the attitude required for Shuttle docking. A third test, scheduled just prior to the start of Discovery's mission, will test a software update to Zarya's computer to permit use of only the module's small thruster jets for control. Meanwhile, flight controllers continued to analyze a persistent low signal strength reading on the right-side Omni antenna on Unity. The antenna, one of two used by the U.S. early communications system, has shown degradation in its ability to receive signals from the ground when the station was in certain orientations. Flight planners for the STS-96 mission are budgeting time in the mission to survey the antenna with the shuttle's robotic arm prior to the spacewalk by Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry. No repair hardware is planned to be taken aboard Discovery since the slightly reduced communications capability has had minimal impact on operations. The U.S. communications system, installed on Shuttle mission STS-88 last year, is one of two complementary communications systems on the station, including a Russian communications system onboard Zarya. The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 251 statute miles and a low point of 240 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The station has completed 2,150 orbits of Earth since its launch.

• 1999 April 14 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-15. 

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

  The test's primary objective is to demonstrate the ability of Zarya to deliver 1,500 watts of power to Unity in the attitude required for Shuttle docking. The test was to run until the evening followed by a maneuver of the ISS back to its normal operating attitude with Unity pointed at the Earth.

  Test one, completed April 2, involved increasing the power used aboard Unity by turning on several heaters to gather insight to plan the best method for warming the module prior to Discovery's docking with the station. Analysis of the first test indicated that Zarya can deliver at least 900 watts of continuous power to Unity in its normal operating position. Since launch, the station systems have been operating on about 600 watts of power.

  In and around ongoing system monitoring, engineers and managers have overseen these tests, which are designed to demonstrated that higher power usage provides adequate battery margins in the Zarya module while warming Unity's shell temperatures, which is necessary before the shuttle docks to the station and the crew enters the modules.

  A third test, scheduled for next month, will test a software update to Zarya's computer to permit use of only the module's small thruster jets for control.

  No further work has been done on the persistent low signal strength reading on the right-side Omni antenna on Unity and the plan remains to survey the antenna with the shuttle's robot arm after docking. The antenna, one of two used by the U.S. early communications system, has shown degradation in its ability to receive signals from the ground when the station was in certain orientations. The slightly reduced communications capability has had minimal impact on operations.

  The U.S. communications system, installed on Shuttle mission STS-88 last year, is one of two complementary communications systems on the station. The second is onboard Zarya.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 251 statute miles and a low point of 239 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The station has completed 2,257 orbits of Earth since its launch.

• 1999 April 22 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-16. 

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

  The test involved repositioning the station parallel rather than perpendicular to the Earth's surface by using its motion control system. The test's objective demonstrated the ability of Zarya to deliver 1,500 watts of power to Unity - a requirement for the docked phase of the STS-96 mission scheduled for launch May 20. Prior to the shuttle's arrival on May 22, the inside temperature of the station will be raised to about 66 degrees F (18 degrees C), which is necessary before the crew enters the modules.

  Evaluation testing - also known as 'characterization' testing - of the station's two high-gain antenna was underway earlier this week when communication was lost through the Early Communications System during the test on the right antenna on Unity.

  This loss of communication is under evaluation, but a faulty transmitter box may be the culprit. A spare transmitter is already aboard the ISS and other spares were already planned for delivery to the station next month. In the meantime, communication and command of the ISS is being conducted in the primary mode through Russian ground stations. The potential also exists to issue commands using the Early Communications System's two low-gain antennas, or Omni antennas, but with reduced insight into on-board activities.

  The 'characterization' testing of the high-gain antenna is designed to provide ground controllers data for future use in calibrating or measuring changes to the signal strength over long periods of time.

  Early this week, an erroneous command was sent to the station by the Russian flight control team and a procedural review is underway to understand the circumstances for the errant command that ultimately had no impact on ISS systems. This command was issued from a ground station when the direct link from the Mission Control Center in Korolev outside Moscow, was not working. In order to send the command, the three-digit number identifying the command was voiced to the ground station from which it was then uplinked to Zarya's computer. One of the three numbers was not received correctly by the ground station and resulted in uplinking a command telling the onboard computer to power up one of the module's solar array retraction motors. This command is the equivalent of enabling power to the system, but not actually retracting the array. When the onboard computer recognized the discrepancy, it automatically disregarded the command and shut off the power to the motor. Subsequent communications passes verified that the motor never ran, thus the solar array never moved. Meetings are underway to understand the sequence of events to improve processes and prevent any reoccurrence.

  All station systems are in good health as the first Shuttle visit of the year nears. A third test is planned shortly before Discovery's arrival May 22. This will test a software update to Zarya's computer to permit use of only the module's small thruster jets for control.

  Test one, completed April 2, involved increasing the power used aboard Unity by turning on several heaters to gather insight to plan the best method for warming the module prior to Discovery's docking with the station. Analysis of the first test indicated that Zarya can deliver at least 900 watts of continuous power to Unity in its normal operating position. Since launch, the station systems have been operating on about 600 watts of power.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 252 statute miles and a low point of 238 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The station has completed 2,382 orbits of Earth since its launch.

• 1999 April 29 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-17. 

  Space Shuttle Discovery rolled to its sea-side launch pad earlier this week in preparation for the first flight of the year to visit the International Space Station, which is monitored nearly around the clock by flight control teams in Houston and Moscow.

  Troubleshooting of the Unity module's communication system downlink capability continues, but hasn't hampered the health of the overall complex. Monday's transport of Discovery to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida sets the stage for its planned launch to the ISS next month to deliver supplies and logistics that will be used by the first astronauts and cosmonauts to live on the outpost.

  As the shuttle preparations continue, flight controllers monitoring the systems onboard the Station continue to evaluate the loss of downlink capability through the Unity module's Early Communications System, which supplements the primary commanding capability through Russian ground stations. While troubleshooting continues, station managers are considering flying some components on Discovery that may be used as replacements should that become necessary to restore full use of the early communications system. The problem with the system was detected last week during routine 'characterization' testing of the Station's two high-gain antennas. The testing is designed to provide ground controllers data for future use in calibrating or measuring changes to the signal strength over long periods of time.

  Late this week, the third and final test planned prior to Discovery's arrival at the station was carried out when the Russian flight control team uplinked and tested an update to the onboard software permitting use of only the small thruster jets on the Zarya module. This update prevents Zarya's 40 kilogram thrusters from firing during maneuvers while the shuttle is in proximity or docked to the ISS.

  Test one, completed April 2, gathered insight in how best to plan for warming the ISS modules prior to Discovery's docking with the station. Test two was completed April 16 and demonstrated the ability of Zarya to deliver 1,500 watts of power to Unity. As the ISS remains in good health circling the Earth at 252 miles altitude, around the world here on the ground hardware continues to be readied for eventual delivery to space aboard U. S. Space Shuttles and Russian rockets.

  The next component of the Station and the first fully Russian contribution to the ISS program was "rolled out" of its testing plant Monday. During the ceremony, the certificate of flight readiness was signed signaling the official handover of the Service Module from RSC Energia Corporation to the launch processing team at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and will be shipped May 11 by rail to the launch site from its initial manufacturing plant at the Krunichev State Research and Production Company. The official launch date will be determined once the module reaches Baikonur and assessments can be made on the remaining testing to be done.

  Back in the U.S. at the Kennedy Space Center, Discovery was rolled out to the launch pad earlier this week for final preparations for the first Shuttle flight of the year. The mission will include a spacewalk to install a couple of cranes on the outside of the modules for use by astronauts and cosmonauts during future assembly flights. The launch is targeted for May 20. In the Space Station Processing Facility, assembly hardware for four flights is being processed and readied for the next Multi Element Integrated Test to begin in the next couple of weeks. This test is a dress rehearsal to verify that the various components work together before being launched into space. Components are interconnected by cabling as they will be on orbit and run through a series of "shakedown" tests proving the hardware and software's intergrated operation.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 252 statute miles and a low point of 238 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The station has completed 2,504 orbits of Earth since its launch.

• 1999 May 6 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-18. 

  In space and in nations around the world, preparations for the next steps in the orbital assembly of the International Space Station are entering the home stretch this week.

  As the Space Shuttle Discovery is readied for a May 20 launch on the next Station assembly mission, flight controllers in Russia and the United States will conduct a "dress rehearsal" of the Shuttle's upcoming docking with the international orbiting laboratory. Simultaneously, the next major station component, the Russian-provided early living quarters, is scheduled to depart the Moscow factory where it was built and be shipped by train to the Russian launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan. Planned for launch on a Russian rocket this fall, the living quarters, previously known by the technical term Service Module, was recently named Zvezda, which translates to "Star" in English.

  On Wednesday, flight controllers plan to maneuver the Station to the same orientation it will be in for the docking of Discovery. The docking rehearsal will maneuver the Station from its present orientation, a slow spin with the Unity module pointing to Earth and Zarya toward space, to an orientation that is horizontal to Earth's surface, with Zarya pointed in the Station's direction of travel. The Station will remain in the horizontal orientation for about three hours while the Zarya module's guidance system is calibrated using the horizon of Earth as a point of reference. Then, the Station will maneuver to an orientation again perpendicular to Earth's surface, but without any spin and with Unity pointing to space and Zarya to Earth - the same orientation required for Discovery's docking.

  The Station will remain in the docking orientation for about four and half hours - three orbits of Earth - completing its test and then return to its original, spinning attitude. The spinning attitude, with Unity to Earth and Zarya to space, is the preferred orientation for the station's day-to-day uncrewed operations to optimize sunlight on the electricity-generating solar arrays and to provide moderate heating and cooling on the spacecraft.

  Flight controllers are continuing to troubleshoot a problem with a portion of the Unity module's communication system, and they are finalizing plans for Discovery's crew to repair the system. Called the Early Communications System, Unity's communications system is a backup to the primary station communications system located in the Zarya module and continues to operate well. The problem with the Unity system has not hampered operations of the Station and poses no problems for the docking with Discovery.

  Late last week, flight controllers noted a false indication from one of the eight smoke detectors operating within Zarya. The faulty detector was powered off, and sufficient smoke detection remains available onboard while the problem is being analyzed.

  In less than two weeks, flight controllers will begin powering up heaters onboard the Station to begin warming it in anticipation of the arrival of Discovery. This Shuttle flight will bring almost two tons of supplies, preparing the new outpost for the arrival of the Zvezda module this fall and laying out a welcome mat for the first resident Station crew that is planned to launch early next year.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 252 statute miles and a low point of 238 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The Station has completed more than 2,600 orbits of Earth since its launch. As it passes overhead at dawn or dusk, the 35-ton complex is easily visible from the ground, and it will become even brighter once Discovery has docked. S

• 1999 May 13 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-19. 

  The International Space Station will await its first visitors of the year for at least one more week as Shuttle managers elected to move Discovery back to its hangar for repairs to its external fuel tank insulation caused by a recent hail storm.

  The launch delay has no impact on ISS operations as flight controllers in Houston and Moscow have completed systems testing and attitude maneuvers to ensure the complex's overall health whenever Discovery shows up on the first logistics flight of the year. The shuttle is carrying logistics and supplies that will be used by the first crew that will live aboard the ISS beginning early next year.

  In preparation for the shuttle's arrival, the ISS team conducted a dress rehearsal of the docking earlier this week by maneuvering the station from its present orientation - a slow spin with the Unity module pointing to Earth and Zarya toward space - to an orientation that is horizontal to Earth's surface, with Zarya pointed in the Station's direction of travel.

  The Station remained in the horizontal orientation for about three hours while the Zarya module's guidance system was calibrated using the horizon of Earth as a point of reference. The station then was maneuvered to an orientation again perpendicular to Earth's surface, but without any spin and with Unity pointing to space and Zarya to Earth - the same orientation required for Discovery's docking.

  Following the docking test, the station was placed back into the normal orientation with Unity pointed toward Earth and the spin rate verified at about three-tenths of a degree per second.

  Meanwhile, Zvezda (Star) - the service module - is on its way to the launch site, riding on a train from Moscow to Kazakhstan. The departure from Moscow was mid afternoon Eastern time Wednesday and the trip takes about five days. Once at the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch site, testing on the module will be completed over the next several months prior to its launch this fall. Zvezda provides the living quarters, for the first crew scheduled to arrive on a Soyuz rocket early next year.

  Flight controllers have finalized plans to changeout a suspect power distribution box of the Early Communications System on Unity that appears to be the culprit in preventing a return link from the module. Commanding through the system up to the station works through the low gain antenna, allowing controllers to use the system to send commands up to the station. But the return link still does not work and replacement hardware is loaded aboard Discovery to hopefully alleviate the problem. In the meantime, commanding through Russian ground stations and the Zarya module continue as the primary means of commanding to the ISS. The problem with the Unity system has not hampered operations of the Station and poses no problems for the docking with Discovery.

  When Discovery arrives at the station, it will be carrying 3,600 pounds of supplies and hardware that will be stowed away on board for use by the first resident station crew.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 252 statute miles and a low point of 238 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The Station has completed more than 2,719 orbits of Earth since its launch. As it passes overhead at dawn or dusk, the station is easily visible from the ground, and it will become even brighter once Discovery has docked. S

• 1999 May 20 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-20. 

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

  With repairs complete on the orbiter's hail-damaged external fuel tank, the shuttle was moved back to the launch pad this morning for the final week of processing leading to its launch scheduled for 6:48 a.m. Eastern time next Thursday carrying logisitics and supplies that eventually will be used by the first crew to live on the ISS.

  With an on-time launch May 27, Discovery's commander will dock the orbiter to the Unity end of the ISS at 12:24 a.m. EDT on May 29. Undocking five days later on June 3 is planned for late afternoon east coast time.

  Preparations for Discovery's arrival call for the flight controllers to uplink commands beginning Monday night that will turn on heaters strategically placed around the station to slowly warm the interior volume prior to docking and the crew climbing on board to begin transfer operations.Meanwhile, as Discovery was slowly rolled back to the launch pad, half way around the world in Kazakhstan the Service Module has arrived by train for the final months of its processing for launch atop a Proton booster like the rocket that launched the Zarya control module six months ago. Currently going by the working title of Zvezda (Star in English), the Service Module will complete its testing at the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch site in the same checkout area as Zarya prior to being loaded in the Proton for launch scheduled for the fall. It provides the living quarters, for the first crew scheduled to arrive on a Soyuz rocket early next year.

  When Discovery arrives at the station, it will be carrying 3,600 pounds of supplies and hardware. The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 251 statute miles and a low point of 237 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The Station has completed more than 2,826 orbits of Earth since its launch. As it passes overhead at dawn or dusk, the station is easily visible from the ground, and it will become even brighter once Discovery has docked.

• 1999 May 27 - STS-96.  Spacecraft: Discovery. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.

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

  The STS-96 payload bay manifest:

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

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

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

• 1999 May 27 - Spacehab-DM.  Spacecraft: Spacehab. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.

• 1999 May 27 - Starshine.  Spacecraft: Starshine. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.

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

• 1999 May 27 - STS-96 Mission Status Report # 01. 

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

  Commander Kent Rominger, Pilot Rick Husband and Mission Specialists Tammy Jernigan, Ellen Ochoa, Dan Barry, Julie Payette and Valery Tokarev lifted off at 5:50 a.m. Central time following a flawless countdown. Less than nine minutes later, they reached orbit to begin their pursuit of the station.

  At the time of launch, the ISS's two modules, Zarya and Unity, were traveling due east of the outer banks of the Carolinas northwest of Bermuda at an altitude of about 210 nautical miles. Discovery will catch up to the ISS late tomorrow night for the first docking of a Shuttle to the new orbital outpost. That will mark the start of six days of docked activities in which the astronauts plan to transfer almost two tons of supplies to the station and conduct a spacewalk to continue outfitting the fledgling facility.

  Once on orbit, the astronauts began to activate shuttle systems and conducted early work in advance of their rendezvous with the ISS, which will begin early Friday evening. Having launched late in their workday, the astronauts are scheduled to begin an eight hour sleep period at 10:50 a.m. Central time. They will be awakened this evening about 6:50 p.m. Central time for the start of their second day in space - a day which will be highlighted by ongoing preparations for both the docking of Discovery to the station Friday night and the scheduled spacewalk by Jernigan and Barry late Saturday night.

  Discovery is orbiting at altitude of about 170 nautical miles, with all of its systems functioning in good shape.

• 1999 May 27 - STS-96 Mission Status Report # 02. 

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

  Commander Kent Rominger, Pilot Rick Husband and Mission Specialists Ellen Ochoa, Dan Barry, Julie Payette, Valery Tokarev and Jernigan will spend much of the day checking out orbiter systems and spacewalking equipment, while continuing to slowly close in on the station through a series of calculated rendezvous maneuvers.

  The crew will examine and prepare the tools required to support rendezvous and docking operations, and later will spend a number of hours checking and testing the extravehicular mobility units, or space suits, that will be used during the planned spacewalk Saturday night into Sunday morning. Both suits are checked far enough ahead of the spacewalk to ensure good working condition in plenty of time to allow for any required troubleshooting work by the specialists on the ground.

  Also tonight and into tomorrow, Canadian astronaut Payette will assist Ochoa in testing the mechanical arm, checking its operation while conducting a video survey of the payload bay. This procedure will make certain the arm is functioning properly to support the spacewalk. Just before the pre-sleep period, Tokarev, a Russian cosmonaut will move some logistics transfer items stored on the shuttle's middeck, into the Spacehab module to provide more room for the spacesuit checkout activities.

  Discovery currently is orbiting at an altitude of about 200 nautical miles. At about 7 o'clock this evening, Central time, the shuttle was 775 nautical miles behind the station, closing in at a rate of about 60 nautical miles every 90 minutes.

  The only problem of any significance on the orbiter is the apparent failure of one of the four corner cameras in Discovery's payload bay. This poses no problem with the flight as there are various other cameras available to document activities related to docking, the spacewalk and deploy later in the flight of STARSHINE.

• 1999 May 28 - STS-96 Mission Status Report # 03. 

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

  In preparation for Saturday's spacewalk, astronauts Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry, assisted by Payette and Pilot Rick Husband, successfully tested three spacesuits aboard Discovery. All of the equipment was found to be in excellent condition and ready for the spacewalk, during which Jernigan and Barry will install both U.S. and Russian-built cranes to the station for use by future astronaut construction crews.

  Ochoa and Payette also tested the Shuttle's 50-foot robot arm and used it to conduct a television survey of Discovery's payload bay. Jernigan and Ochoa extended the outer ring of Discovery's Orbiter Docking System in a successful test of the mechanism which will make the first contact with and capture a similar mechanism in the Pressurized Mating Adapter affixed to the ISS's Unity.

  Before beginning their presleep period, the astronauts lowered Discovery's cabin pressure as a precursor to Jernigan and Barry breathing pure oxygen tomorrow night in advance of their spacewalk. This protocol helps to purge nitrogen from their bloodstreams, preventing any adverse effects from the vacuum of space during their excursion into Discovery's payload bay.

  The crew will begin an abbreviated 7 ½ hour sleep period at 8:50 a.m. Central time today and will be awakened at 4:20 p.m. to begin preparations for rendezvous and docking.

  Discovery is orbiting at an altitude of 230 statute miles, with all of its systems operating normally.

• 1999 May 28 - STS-96 Mission Status Report # 04. 

  At wake-up, the Shuttle trailed the station by about 120 nautical miles and was closing in by about 41 nautical miles with each orbit of Earth. The final phase of rendezvous will begin when Discovery reaches a point about eight nautical miles directly behind the station and fires its engines in a terminal phase initiation burn at 8:35 p.m. Central. The TI burn, as it is called, will put the Shuttle on a course directly toward the station during the next orbit of Earth. As Discovery moves within about a half-mile of the station, Rominger will take over manual control of the Shuttle's approach, flying Discovery from controls in the aft cockpit. Discovery will arrive at a point about 600 feet directly below the station at about 10:05 p.m. Central, and Rominger will then begin a half-circle of the orbiting outpost. Discovery will pass about 350 feet in front of the station and then move to a point about 250 feet directly above it at about 10:32 p.m. Central.

  Rominger will then begin to descend toward the station and, at about 10:37 p.m. Central, hold position at a point about 170 feet away. Rominger will stationkeep at that distance for about 15 minutes to allow the station to move within range of Russian ground communications stations before continuing the approach. At 11:13 p.m., Rominger will again briefly hold position at a point about 30 feet from the station to ensure the Shuttle and station docking mechanisms are precisely aligned. Docking is expected about 11 minutes later with the Shuttle contacting the station at a slow rate of about a tenth of a foot per second.

  During the rendezvous, Pilot Rick Husband will assist Rominger in controlling Discovery's approach. Mission Specialists Tammy Jernigan and Ellen Ochoa also will assist with the rendezvous and docking, with Jernigan operating the Shuttle's docking mechanism and Ochoa assisting with the rendezvous navigation.

  After docking, Ochoa and Jernigan will perform a hatch leak check. Later, Mission Specialists Dan Barry, Jernigan and Canadian astronaut Julie Payette will prepare the middeck for Saturday's spacewalk. Discovery's crew will not open the hatch to the Unity module and enter the station until Sunday, a day after the spacewalk is completed.

  Space station flight controllers planned to command the station into the orientation for docking - Unity toward space and the Zarya module toward Earth - at about 7 p.m. Central to prepare for Discovery's arrival.

• 1999 May 29 - STS-96 Mission Status Report # 07. 

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

  During the planned six and a half hour space walk, Jernigan and Barry are scheduled to install some 700 pounds of tools and equipment on the International Space Station's exterior for use on future assembly flights.

  The space walk will include the transfer of two cranes from the shuttle's payload bay to locations on the outside of the station. The cranes will help subsequent space station crews move large modular components from one module to another. With Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa operating the shuttle's robot arm to maneuver Jernigan up toward the space station, Canadian astronaut Julie Payette will choreograph the activities from the Discovery's flight deck.

  The astronauts will move the first crane, the American built Orbital Transfer Device from the cargo pallet to one of the pressurized mating adapters located on either side of the Unity module. Jernigan and Barry then will move components of a second crane, the Russian-built Strela - Arrow in English - to the other PMA closest to the shuttle.

  Their last scheduled task is to open a storage box on the cargo carrier and move three equipment and tool bags to locations on the outside of the ISS. Time permitting, they will install a thermal cover on Unity's payload bay attach pin, inspect some painted surfaces on Zarya's exterior and examine a communications antenna on Unity's starboard side.

  The space walkers are scheduled to climb back aboard Discovery at about 4 a.m. Central time Sunday. Meanwhile, all systems aboard the Discovery and ISS space complex continue to work well as the two craft orbit 240 statute miles above the Earth's surface.

• 1999 May 29 - STS-96 Mission Status Report # 05. 

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

  Commander Kent Rominger nudged Discovery to the docking with the ISS following a flawless rendezvous. Once a hard mate was established between the two vehicles, the astronauts began to perform leak checks and pressurization checks prior to opening the hatch to the Pressurized Mating Adapter attached to the Unity module. Discovery docked to Unity's Pressurized Mating Adapter # 2, which was pointed to deep space during the final phase of the rendezvous and approach to the station by the shuttle.

  The astronauts will begin an eight-hour sleep period at 8:50am Central time this morning and will be awakened just before 5pm this afternoon to begin preparations for the spacewalk by Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry late tonight to install additional equipment to the outside of the ISS.

• 1999 May 29 - STS-96 Mission Status Report # 06. 

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

  Commander Kent Rominger completed a textbook rendezvous and docking with the station that Mission Control said would set the standard for future ISS assembly flights. Contact between Discovery and the station occurred right on time at 11:24 p.m. Central time Friday.

  Once the two spacecraft were solidly mated together at 11:39 p.m., the astronauts performed leak and pressurization checks, then opened the hatch to Pressurized Mating Adapter 2, attached to the Unity module. Mission Specialists Ellen Ochoa and Valery Tokarev temporarily stowed docking targets and lights and checked hatch seals in the narrow passageway.

  Rominger and Pilot Rick Husband removed and stowed four electronics boxes used to supply power to the docking ports around the Unity module, clearing the sides of the passageway into Unity for easy transfer of some 3,600 pounds of equipment and supplies. The briefcase-sized boxes will be kept in storage until the end of the next station assembly flight on STS-101 in December, when they will be reinstalled to prepare for the arrival of the U.S. Laboratory module, Destiny, next spring.

  Mission Specialists Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry spent the rest of the morning checking the tools they will use on their space walk, which is scheduled to begin shortly after 10 p.m. Central time. They also checked out their emergency rescue backpacks and reviewed their space walk procedures one last time.

  The astronauts will be awakened at 4:50 p.m. today to begin final preparations for the 6 ½ hour excursion into Discovery's cargo bay. With Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa operating the shuttle's robot arm to maneuver Jernigan up toward the space station modules, and Julie Payette acting as the spacewalk choreographer from Discovery's aft flight deck, Barry and Jernigan will move the two cranes from a payload bay cargo support structure to locations on the outside of the station. One crane is U.S.-built and the other is Russian-built to help move large modular components from one module to another during ISS assembly. Next, they will move two portable foot restraints from the cargo carrier to the mating adapter to which the Zarya and Unity modules are attached. Then, they'll move three bags containing handrails and tools for future space walkers to the outside of Unity. If time permits, the space walkers also will install a thermal cover on a Unity trunnion pin, inspect some peeling paint on Zarya, and survey one of two Early Communications System antennas on the starboard side of Unity.

  The space walkers are scheduled to reenter the hatch about 4 a.m. Central time Sunday.

  Meanwhile, all systems aboard the Discovery / ISS space complex continue to work well as the two craft orbit 240 statute miles above the Earth's surface.

• 1999 May 30 - EVA STS-96-1.  Spacecraft: International Space Station.

  On May 30 at 02:56 GMT Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry entered the payload bay of space shuttle Discovery from the tunnel adapter hatch. During the space walk they transferred equipment to the exterior of the station.

• 1999 May 30 - STS-96 Mission Status Report # 08. 

  STS-96 Astronauts Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry completed the second longest space walk in shuttle history at 5:51 a.m. Central time Sunday, accomplishing all of the objectives mapped out for their excursion as well as a couple of unscheduled activities.

  Today's space walk - the 45th in space shuttle history and the fourth of the International Space Station era - began at 9:56 p.m. Central time Saturday night, and concluded at 5:51 a.m. Sunday, lasting 7 hours, 55 minutes. The longest spacewalk was conducted by STS-49 Astronauts Rick Heib, Pierre Thuot and Tom Akers, which lasted 8 hours, 29 minutes on May 13 and 14, 1992.

  During today's spacewalk, Jernigan and Barry transferred and installed two cranes from the shuttle's payload bay to locations on the outside of the station. They also installed two new portable foot restraints that will fit both American and Russian space boots, and attached three bags filled with tools and handrails that will be used during future assembly operations. Once those primary tasks were accomplished, Jernigan and Barry installed an insulating cover on a trunnion pin on the Unity module, documented painted surfaces on both the Unity and Zarya modules, and inspected one of two early communications system antennas on the Unity.

  Throughout the space walk, Jernigan and Barry were assisted by their crew mates as Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa operated the Shuttle's robot arm to maneuver Jernigan around Discovery's cargo bay, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette acted as "choreographer" of the spacewalk from Discovery's flight deck.

  The excursion raised the total number of International Space Station era space walks to four, with the total time spent on construction activities now standing at 29 hours, 17 minutes. STS-88 Astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman spent 21 hours, 22 minutes outside Endeavour during their three space walks.

  The crew is scheduled to begin its sleep shift at 8:50 a.m. today and will receive a wake-up call from Mission Control at 4:50 p.m. The crew is scheduled to open a series of hatches connecting Discovery with the International Space Station and enter the new facility about 7:35 p.m. Central time to begin the transfer of equipment and logistical supplies from the Shuttle to the station. They'll also conduct repairs on battery charging systems in Zarya and a balky communications system in Unity.

• 1999 May 30 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #09. 

  Discovery's astronauts are preparing to enter the International Space Station for the first time in six months following a rousing wakeup call from Mission Control in honor of Memorial Day.

  The crew is scheduled to climb inside the Unity and Zarya modules mid evening to begin transferring nearly 3,000 pounds of equipment to be used by future crews on the ISS. In and around transferring operations, some maintenance tasks will be conducted - one inside Zarya and one inside Unity.

  After wakeup to the notes of the US Coast Guard Band playing "Morning Colors," the crew reviewed procedures for the entry activities with both Mission Control Centers in Houston and Moscow.

  Canadian astronaut Julie Payette and Russian cosmonaut Valery Tokarev will travel to the Zarya module and begin maintenance activities on the storage batteries located under the floor board. The Zarya has six such batteries, which have been experiencing a slight loss in charging capacity during recharge. Each battery has three "charge controllers" for a total of 18 that will be changed during this procedure. Later, Mission Specialist Dan Barry and Tokarev will install some acoustic insulation around some fans inside Zarya to reduce noise levels in the module.

  Meanwhile, in the Unity module, Mission Specialist Tammy Jernigan and Pilot Rick Husband will install shelving in 2 soft stowage racks. The racks themselves were launched with Unity in December 1998 for use in supporting logistics transfer activities. Later, Husband and Barry will conduct troubleshooting and maintenance activities on the Early Communications System.

  In the afternoon, the third major task of the flight begins - transfer of logistics items. Ochoa will coordinate this activity and will direct and document all transfers leaving the shuttle. On the ISS side, Payette will receive the items and, along with Tokarev, will document and stow items aboard the ISS. Discovery's astronauts are scheduled to transfer almost 2,900 pounds of supplies and equipment during the next three days.

• 1999 May 31 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #10. 

  For the first time in six months, astronauts entered the International Space Station delivering supplies and preparing the outpost to receive its first resident crew, scheduled to arrive in early 2000.

  Mission Specialists Tammy Jernigan and Russian Space Agency cosmonaut Valery Tokarev opened the hatch into the Unity module at 8:14 p.m. CDT Sunday, then continued through Pressurized Mating Adapter 1 into the Zarya module at 9:07 p.m. Commander Kent Rominger and the rest of the crew - Pilot Rick Husband and Mission Specialists Ellen Ochoa, Dan Barry and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette - soon followed.

  After inspecting their expanded living quarters, the crew began transferring supplies, equipment and water that will be left aboard, an effort that was coordinated by Ochoa. The bulk of the supplies and equipment were shipped up in a double Spacehab module carried in Discovery's cargo bay.

  Payette and Tokarev replaced 12 of 18 battery recharge controllers in the Russian-built Zarya module. Zarya has six batteries, which have been experiencing a slight loss in capacity during recharge. Each battery has three "charge controllers," known by the Russian acronym MIRTS. The astronauts replaced controllers for four of the batteries, and are scheduled to replace the recharge controllers for the other two later today. The work was carefully coordinated with flight controllers in the Russian Mission Control Center outside Moscow, who issued commands to turn the battery systems on and off via ground-based communication stations. Barry and Tokarev also installed a series of "mufflers" over fans inside Zarya to reduce noise levels in that module.

  Barry and Husband replaced a power distribution unit and transceiver for the Early Communications System in the Unity module, restoring that system to its full capability. This supplemental communications system enables flight controllers to send commands to the station from the Mission Control complex in Houston.

  Near the end of their workday, Rominger, Jernigan and Barry discussed the progress of their mission, including Jernigan and Barry's space walk and last night's entry into the International Space Station, with NBC's "Today," show, CBS "This Morning" and CNN.

  The crew is scheduled to begin its sleep period at 8:20 a.m. CDT, and will awaken at 4:20 p.m. to continue their work in the ISS.

• 1999 May 31 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #11. 

  Discovery's crew of seven awoke to the country and western tune "Amarillo by Morning" to begin flight day six on orbit. The George Strait version was played in honor of Pilot Rick Husband, who is from Amarillo, Texas.

  Today, most of the crew will be involved in logistics transfer activities within the Discovery/ISS orbiting complex. Husband and Mission Specialists Ellen Ochoa, Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry have a significant portion of their day dedicated to moving transfer bags of different sizes and shapes from the Spacehab module in Discovery's cargo bay to resting places inside the International Space Station. Some 2,900 pounds of logistics items and water will be transferred before the crew bids goodbye to its orbiting work site on Thursday.

  Discovery's crew will also complete maintenance activities in support of the station. Early in the workday, Russian cosmonaut Valery Tokarev and Canadian astronaut Julie Payette will change out the last battery recharge controller modules attached to two of Zarya's storage batteries. These recharging units, also known as microelectronic charge/discharge current integrator units, determine the battery charge level. Since mid-April, flight controllers had been monitoring a slight decrease in this level, and the on-orbit maintenance work is expected to allow the batteries to charge fully once again.

  Later, Barry and Tokarev will put the remaining sound mufflers inside the Zarya module. Ambient noise from air circulating fans and equipment could be somewhat distracting to crew members spending time on orbit, so mufflers are being installed to dampen the noise. After the install, Barry will measure sound levels at different positions inside the module.

  At 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, Commander Kent Rominger and Tokarev will conduct a news conference with Russian media located at the Mission Control Center in Moscow.

  The day will end with a logistics transfer briefing conducted by Payette. The crew is scheduled to turn in at about 8 a.m. CDT Tuesday.

  Discovery and the International Space Station are in excellent health orbiting 240 miles above the Earth.

• 1999 June 1 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #12. 

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

  Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa, the "load master" of this resupply mission, radioed to Mission Control that many of the larger items to be transferred to the new station, such as laptop computers and clothing, had made their way from Discovery to the ISS. At the time the astronauts prepared to go to sleep, well over 50 per cent of all planned transfers were complete.

  Early in the crew's workday, Russian cosmonaut Valery Tokarev and Canadian astronaut Julie Payette changed out the final six battery recharge controller units for two of Zarya's power-producing batteries. The new recharging units are expected to allow the batteries to charge and discharge properly once again. They had experienced difficulty soon after Zarya's launch last November. Twelve of the units were replaced late Sunday.

  Dan Barry and Tokarev continued the installation of mufflers inside Zarya to help dampen sound levels in the Russian module. Commander Kent Rominger sent down a video inspection of the mufflers installed on portions of the air circulating duct work, explaining that the mufflers are causing some of the flexible ductwork to collapse. Flight controllers believe that humidity levels inside Zarya are at an acceptable level even though they are a bit higher than predicted because of some restriction to air flow in the module. Additional muffler and humidity reduction work likely will be conducted by the astronauts late tonight.

  Rominger and Tokarev took time out to answer questions regarding the progress of the flight from Russian reporters located at the Russian Mission Control Center outside Moscow.

  The astronauts will begin an eight-hour sleep period at 7:50 a.m. Central time, with a wake-up call scheduled for 3:50 p.m. to begin their seventh day of work in space.

  Discovery and the International Space Station are in excellent health orbiting 240 miles above the Earth.

• 1999 June 1 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #13. 

  Discovery's crew awakened this afternoon to the classical music selection "Exultate Jubilate" by Mozart. The selection is a favorite of Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette.

  Logistics transfer activities will dominate the on-orbit day as all crew members will moves supplies from the Spacehab module to designated locations in the International Space Station. By the end of docked operations, Discovery's crew will have transferred almost 3,000 pounds of items, including clothing, sleeping bags, water, medical support equipment, maintenance spares and computer support and maintenance equipment into the orbiting complex to support future resident crews. This transfer effort is being managed by Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa is managing this effort while Payette stands ready inside the station to receive the goods. At the start of today's work, the transfer was about 70 percent complete.

  Payette and Commander Kent Rominger exchanged greetings and discussed the mission with Canada's Prime Minister Jean Cretien and Science Minister John Manley and also answered questions from students across Canada.

  Later, at 11:00 p.m. CDT on NASA TV, the entire crew will answer questions from both U.S. and Canadian reporters.

  Finally, at 4:20 a.m. Wednesday, Rominger, Pilot Rick Husband and Ochoa will be interviewed by Good Morning America, KFDA-TV in Amarillo, Texas and KUSA-TV in Denver, Colorado. Rominger is a native of Del Norte, Colorado and Husband is a native of Amarillo, Texas.

  Near the end of the day, Ochoa again will conduct a transfer status briefing with the ground to confirm the day's completed transfer tasks. The astronauts will begin an eight-hour sleep period at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday and wake up to begin Flight Day Eight at 3:50 p.m.

  Discovery and the International Space Station are in excellent health orbiting 240 miles above the Earth.

• 1999 June 2 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #15. 

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

  The crew was awakened at 3:50 this afternoon by the Russian song "Vasha Blagarodye" followed by "The Charleston." The tunes were played for cosmonaut Valery Tokarev and Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa.

  The early part of the evening includes the completion of transfer activities. By day's end, the crew will have transferred a total of 115 items totaling 3,718 pounds of equipment both inside and outside the space station. Those numbers include seven containers of water totaling about 84 gallons for use by future station crews.

  Ochoa and Canadian astronaut Julie Payette will use the shuttle's robot arm one last time this evening to conduct a survey of the port side antenna for the Early Communications System on Unity. This survey will complete robotic arm tasks scheduled earlier in the flight.

  Once that is completed, the crew will begin closing the hatches that were opened after Discovery docked with the station earlier this week. The crew will climb out of Zarya at about 12:30 a.m. central time Thursday and will move out of the Unity module at about 2:50 a.m., closing the final hatch at about 3:30 a.m.

  Commander Kent Rominger and Pilot Rick Husband will begin boosting the station's altitude at about 4:30 tomorrow morning using the Reaction Control System thrusters on the orbiter. The 40-minute activity will raise the complex's altitude by about 6 miles (statute). Undocking from the International Space Station is not scheduled until late Thursday afternoon at about 5:40 p.m.

• 1999 June 2 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #14. 

  Discovery's seven astronauts have successfully transferred almost two tons of material and equipment to the International Space Station to be used by the first residents of the outpost when they arrive next year.

  Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa, who has been coordinating the transfer activities, reported early this morning that the transfer of clothing, water, sleeping bags, spare parts, medical equipment, supplies and hardware for the so-called Expedition One crew is essentially complete. Mission Specialist Julie Payette coordinated stowage of the items in the Unity and Zarya modules. Earlier in the flight, space walkers Dan Barry and Tammy Jernigan installed another 700 pounds of equipment on the exterior of the station to be used during future assembly missions. A handful of items will be carried from Discovery to the station late tonight to wrap up the primary objective of the flight.

  One of the few items still to be transferred is a seventh bag of water. A total of almost 75 gallons of water will be left aboard the station for the first resident crew, which is comprised of Expedition Commander Bill Shepherd and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Kirkalev.

  With the transfer work all but complete, the astronauts conducted some additional work, installing parts of a wireless strain gauge system that will help engineers track the effects of adding modules to the station throughout its assembly, cleaning filters and checking smoke detectors.

  The crew took time from their activities overnight to conduct a variety of news conferences with media representatives, and Payette accepted a congratulatory call from Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and schoolchildren in Ottawa.

  The astronauts began an eight-hour sleep period at 7:50 a.m. Central time and will be awakened at 3:50 p.m. to begin their final day of work aboard the international station.

  The primary activity for the astronauts will be to move the few remaining items from Discovery to the ISS, then close a series of hatches within the station's modules leading back to the shuttle. Shortly after 4:30 a.m. Thursday, Discovery's thrusters will be commanded to fire in a series of 17 bursts to raise the Space Station's altitude by about five to six miles. That reboost maneuver will enable the station to be in the correct altitude for the arrival of the Russian Zvezda service module late this year. It will be the next component to be linked to the growing station complex and the first living quarters for the first permanent occupants of the orbital facility.

  Discovery and the International Space Station are in excellent health orbiting 240 miles above the Earth.

• 1999 June 3 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #16. 

  Discovery's astronauts closed the hatches leading into the International Space Station early this morning and boosted the station into a higher orbit to set the stage for a planned arrival of the Russian-built Zvezda Service Module later this year.

  After moving the last items from Discovery into the station, the crew closed the final hatch on the orbiting outpost at 3:44 a.m. CDT. The astronauts spent a total of 79 hours, 30 minutes inside the station during this flight. Combined with the 28 hours, 30 minutes the STS-88 astronauts spent on board during the first ISS assembly flight last December, the total human occupation time for the new station stands at 108 hours.

  During four days of transfer work, the astronauts moved more than 4,500 pounds of equipment, hardware and supplies intended for the station's first resident crew. Of that total weight, 3,567 pounds of material, including 686 pounds of water, were transferred from Discovery to the station; 18 items weighing 197 pounds were moved from the station to Discovery for a return to Earth; and 662 pounds of supplies were mounted to the station during a spacewalk by astronauts Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry.

  The crew began its carefully choreographed departure from the station, first closing Zarya's Instrumentation Cargo Compartment hatch at 1:40 a.m. Central time. The Pressurized Adapter Hatch was closed at 2:12 a.m., and the final hatch closure on Unity was complete at 3:44 a.m. Shortly after 4:30 this morning, Commander Kent Rominger and Pilot Rick Husband commanded a series of 17 pulses of Discovery's reaction control system jets to boost the station's orbit. When the reboost was complete about 37 minutes later, the station and shuttle were in an orbit of approximately 246 by 241 statute miles, within 57 feet of the original target. Flight controllers estimate the station will be at an altitude of 222 statute miles late this year when Zvezda is scheduled to be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

  Discovery is scheduled to undock from the station at 5:39 p.m. Central time today and will perform a 2 ½ lap flyaround of the station, before Husband fires Discovery's jets in a final burst to move Discovery away from the station, concluding six days of docked operations.

  The astronauts begin an eight-hour sleep period at 7:50 a.m. today, and will awaken at 2:50 p.m.

• 1999 June 3 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #17. 

  Discovery departed the International Space Station at 5:39 p.m. Central today as the two spacecraft flew 245 miles above northwest Mongolia, leaving the new outpost stocked with more than two tons of supplies and equipment for future crews.

  Pilot Rick Husband backed Discovery away after astronaut Tammy Jernigan commanded the shuttle's docking mechanism to release the station. Springs in the mechanism provided an initial push, and then Husband fired Discovery's jets to move to a distance of about 400 feet before beginning a two and a half-circle flyaround. Discovery spent 5 days, 18 hours and 17 minutes linked to the station.

  The crew awakened this afternoon to Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" in anticipation of Discovery's departure from the International Space Station. Atlantis will be the next shuttle to visit the station on a December supply mission, after the Russian launch this fall of an unpiloted living quarters that will automatically dock with the modules. The Service Module, now named Zvezda, which is the Russian word for 'Star,' is undergoing its final months of processing at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, prior to launch atop a Proton rocket.

  After the flyaround, Husband fired Discovery's jets at about 7:53 p.m. Central to depart the station's vicinity. The engine firing sent the Shuttle below and ahead of the station, separating at a rate of about seven nautical miles with each orbit of Earth. Later this evening the crew will transfer the spacesuits used earlier in the flight to storage locations in the shuttle's airlock. Commander Kent Rominger will repressurize Discovery's cabin to about 14.7 pounds per square inch, a pressure identical to sea level on Earth. The cabin was depressurized slightly yesterday as part of the normal procedure for sealing hatches within the International Space Station. The crew will have time off for the last half of its day.

  After Discovery has left the vicinity, station flight controllers will maneuver the complex into the standard orientation for unpiloted operations, a fuel-conserving slow spin with the Unity module pointed toward Earth and Zarya toward space. Discovery's crew will begin an eight-hour sleep period at 7:50 a.m. Central Friday and awaken at 3:50 p.m.

• 1999 June 4 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #19. 

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

  After the wakeup call from Mission Control, the song "Good Morning Starshine," in recognition of the early morning deploy of the spherical-shaped, mirror-covered STARSHINE satellite. Students on Earth will use changes in the orbit of the highly reflective satellite to calculate the density of the earth's atmosphere throughout the projected 8 months that the 19-inch diameter satellite will remain in orbit. More than 25,000 students from 18 countries are participating in the project.

  Before the crew deploys STARSHINE from a small canister in the payload bay, however, the crew will ready Discovery for the return home by testing the aero surfaces on the wings and tail, as well as the small steering jets to ensure their health to support reentry and landing activities Saturday night into Sunday morning. These checkouts are routinely done the day before the shuttle is scheduled to return home.

  There currently are two landing opportunities at the Kennedy Space Center Sunday. For the first, Commander Kent Rominger would fire Discovery's braking rockets Saturday evening at 11:54 p.m. CDT and land at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 1:02 a.m. Sunday. The second landing opportunity is about an hour and a half later 2:38 a.m. This will be the 11th night landing for the shuttle program (five previously at Edwards AFB, Calif., and five at KSC). Weather forecasters predict favorable conditions for landing with a chance of developing rain showers. Based on that, landing support will only be called in for support in Florida.

  In and around landing preparations and the STARSHINE deploy, the crew will stow all equipment used throughout the mission.

• 1999 June 4 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #18. 

  After leaving the International Space Station behind, Discovery's astronauts were rewarded with several hours of scheduled off-duty time in recognition of their ambitious pace of activities over the past several days.

  Discovery undocked from ISS at 5:39 p.m. central time yesterday, having delivered more than two tons of water, supplies and equipment to the space station.

  As Discovery departed from the station, Mission Specialists Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry packed away the space suit gear they used during their spacewalk early in the mission, while Commander Kent Rominger and Pilot Rick Husband practiced landings on a laptop computer program. Mission Specialists Julie Payette and Valery Tokarev helped to stow gear and repressurized the shuttle's cabin to its standard 14.7 pounds per square inch.

  Once they are awakened at 3:50 this afternoon, the astronauts will focus on preparing for a Sunday landing at the Kennedy Space Center. Rominger, Husband and Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa will conduct a test to verify the performance of Discovery's steering jets. They also will activate one of three hydraulic power units to move the various aerosurfaces that will be used to control Discovery during its reentry and landing. The crew also will prepare to deploy a small, student-built payload called STARSHINE. The Student Tracked Atmospheric Research Satellite for Heuristic International Networking Equipment satellite will be ejected from a canister in Discovery's payload bay at 2:10 a.m. Saturday by Payette. STARSHINE is a 19-inch hollow sphere covered by about 800 aluminum mirrors polished to a high shine by students around the world. International student observers will visually track the reflective spacecraft during the early morning and twilight hours for several months, measuring the atmosphere's density based on the rate at which STARSHINE's orbit decays.

  Discovery has two Sunday landing opportunities on Kennedy Space Center's Runway 15. The first would begin with a deorbit burn at 11:54 p.m. CDT Saturday, and end with a landing at 1:03 a.m. Sunday. The second calls for a deorbit burn at 1:30 a.m. CDT Sunday, with landing at 2:38 a.m. The weather forecast calls for generally acceptable conditions.

• 1999 June 5 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #21. 

  Discovery and its seven-member crew are preparing to return home tonight with landing planned for 1:03 a.m. Central time following a flight that will go into the books as the first docking of a shuttle with the International Space Station.

  Weather permitting, Discovery's computers will ignite the twin breaking rockets on the tail just before midnight to slow the vehicle toward a descent through the atmosphere high above the Pacific Ocean. The ground track shows the orbiter navigating its way to its seaside home at the Kennedy Space Center from the south after crossing Costa Rica, Cuba, the Florida Everglades, and East of Lake Okechobee.

  The forecast for landing still shows a chance of rain within 30 miles of the runway and a possibility of crosswind violations on the 3-mile-long concrete Shuttle Landing Facility. The runway of choice for tonight's landing is Runway 15. The final turn to align the shuttle with the runway would be out over the water with landing from the northwest to the southeast. If landing is delayed one orbit, touchdown one orbit later at 2:38 a.m. CDT.

  Following crew wakeup at 4 p.m. today, the astronauts began the final preparations for landing, including closing the hatches to the Spacehab module, which has served as the cargo transfer compartment throughout the flight. The wakeup music was "The Longest Day," to commemorate what spacecraft communicator in Mission Control Mario Runco called a "landing of a different kind." His reference was to the 55th anniversary of the Allied troop landing on the beaches of Normandy during World War II that occurred on June 6, 1944.

  If all goes as planned, Discovery's cargo bay doors will swing shut at 9:18 p.m., after which the astronauts will climb into their launch and entry suits and strap into their seats. Commander Kent Rominger, Pilot Rick Husband and Flight Engineer Ellen Ochoa will be joined on the flight deck for entry by Mission Specialist Julie Payette. Tammy Jernigan, Dan Barry and Valery Tokarev will be seated down on the middeck for entry.

  If landing occurs on the first opportunity, Discovery will have covered 3.8 million miles during the mission. STS-96 will be the 11th shuttle mission to end in darkness. Five previous flights have ended at Edwards AFB in California and five at KSC.

• 1999 June 5 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #20. 

  During their final full day in orbit, Discovery's astronauts released a small student satellite high over the Indian Ocean and prepared for a Sunday morning landing at the Kennedy Space Center.

  Mission Specialist Julie Payette of the Canadian Space Agency deployed the spherical, mirror-covered STARSHINE satellite at 2:31 a.m. CDT. The satellite rose slowly out of its payload bay and entered an orbit two miles below Discovery. At 6 a.m. CDT, the two spacecraft were 26 miles apart, with the distance between them widening by 10 miles each orbit.

  STARSHINE project officials at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center report they have already been able to see the bright satellite. More than 25,000 students from 18 countries are participating in the project. As the students track the satellite - which is visible to the naked eye - they will calculate the density of the Earth's upper atmosphere by recording changes in STARSHINE'S orbit. The satellite is expected to remain aloft for about 8 months, re-entering the atmosphere in January.

  Earlier in the day, the shuttle crew successfully verified the performance of Discovery's small steering jets and flight control surfaces, ensuring their readiness to support landing. The crew also tested all the necessary communications channels, and stowed away some of the equipment and hardware used on board over the past several days.

  With favorable weather conditions forecast for the primary landing site, mission managers decided not to activate the back-up landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California. There are two landing opportunities at the Kennedy Space Center on Sunday. For the first, Commander Kent Rominger would fire Discovery's engines in a deorbit burn at 11:54 p.m. Saturday with a landing following at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at 1:03 a.m. Sunday. The second landing opportunity calls for a deorbit burn at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, resulting in a landing at 2:38 a.m. This will be the 11th night landing for the shuttle program.

  Meanwhile the International Space Station continues to circle the globe at an altitude of 246 miles, trailing Discovery by 210 miles, with the distance increasing 10 miles each orbit.

• 1999 June 6 - STS-96 Mission Status Report #22. 

  Discovery's astronauts glided to the 11th night landing in shuttle program history early Sunday, landing at 1:03 a.m. Central time to wrap up a 4 million mile mission to resupply the International Space Station.

  Discovery swooped out of darkness as Commander Kent Rominger set the shuttle and his crewmates down on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida to successfully complete the first shuttle mission of the year.

  Rominger and Pilot Rick Husband fired Discovery's orbital maneuvering system engines just before midnight Saturday over Thailand to enable the spaceship to drop out of orbit for its high speed return to Earth.

  Traveling in an almost due northerly ground track, Discovery crossed over Costa Rica, the southern Caribbean, northwest Cuba, and the Florida Everglades before honing in on the Kennedy Space Center for the 18th consecutive landing at the Florida spaceport.

  Rominger and Husband were joined on the flight deck for entry and landing by Flight Engineer Ellen Ochoa and Mission Specialist Julie Payette, while Mission Specialists Tammy Jernigan, Dan Barry and Valery Tokarev were seated down in the middeck.

  After landing, Discovery's astronauts were scheduled to undergo routine medical exams and be reunited with their families before spending the rest of the day relaxing in Florida.

  The crew is expected to return to Houston early Monday afternoon, with their crew arrival at Ellington Field planned for about 1:30 p.m. The STS-96 crew's return to Ellington is open to the public.

• 1999 June 6 - Landing of STS-96. 

  STS-96 landed at 06:02 GMT.

• 1999 June 10 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-21. 

  All systems on the complex are in excellent shape with the station orbiting in its routine, unstaffed position with Unity pointed at the Earth and Zarya pointed toward space.

  Available power levels currently are about 865 watts to provide thermal conditioning to the Early Communications System on Unity that was restored to full service by the astronauts during STS-96.

  The mission evaluation team confirmed the failure of the Early Communications System return link was due to a switch inside the power distribution box. The actual cause of the failure remains under investigation.

  The other major in-flight maintenance work that was performed by the crew during Discovery's mission was to change 18 small voltage regulators for Zarya's six batteries. Telemetry from the ISS shows all are working properly. Russian flight controllers now need only charge and recharge the batteries once every six months.

  The next shuttle flight to visit the ISS is scheduled for December following the launch, docking and checkout of the Zvezda Service Module living quarters in November.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 252 statute miles and a low point of 240 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The Station has completed more than 3,150 orbits of Earth since its launch. As it passes overhead at dawn or dusk, the station is easily visible from the ground.

• 1999 June 17 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-22. 

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

  While monitoring the health of systems on board through Russian ground stations and the newly repaired early communications system, flight controllers were notified by the U.S. Air Force Space Command of a possible close approach of a spent Russian rocket body upper stage. While this is not a routine occurrence, it is an event that flight controllers deal with from time to time, as has been the case infrequently during the Space Shuttle program.

  Early predictions showed the closest approach of the debris to the ISS would be within 1 kilometer, but the actual distance at the time of its closest approach on Sunday morning was 7 kilometers.

  Flight controllers planned to maneuver the station Saturday night, but the uplinked procedure for maneuvering had one of the Zarya module's engines firing longer than is permitted by the module's onboard computer program. Therefore, Zarya's motion control system correctly canceled the burn automatically and the maneuver was not performed. Though the debris was ultimately not a problem, all of the procedures for debris avoidance maneuvers are being evaluated by both Russian and American flight controllers as a result.

  The station's systems remain in excellent shape with maintenance work conducted by the last shuttle crew proving a total success. The complex's orientation is the same as before with Unity pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward space conducting a slow spin about its axis to maintain even temperatures on all surfaces.

  Meanwhile, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the multi-element integrated test (MEIT) continues on components scheduled for launch to the ISS next year. This test connects components on the ground via cabling as they will be in space to verify they work together as well as they do individually. Additionally, the station's robotic arm - the Space Station Remote Manipulator System - supplied by the Canadian Space Agency has arrived at KSC for flight processing. The first piece of truss segment also arrived at KSC for pre-flight checkouts.

  The next shuttle flight to visit the ISS is scheduled for December following the launch, docking and checkout of the Zvezda Service Module living quarters in November.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 254 statute miles and a low point of 238 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The Station has completed more than 3,250 orbits of Earth since its launch. As it passes overhead at dawn or dusk, the station is easily visible from the ground.

• 1999 June 24 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-23. 

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

  This procedure is performed on each battery every six months and is the first time to be done on Zarya's batteries. The next opportunity to perform this procedure will be after the Zvezda service module's arrival scheduled for November.

  At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the next stage of multi-element integrated testing (MEIT) was completed Sunday on components scheduled for launch to the ISS next year. For this test, components are actually cabled together on the ground in the Space Station Processing Facility, as they will be in space, to verify they work together well.

  Also at KSC this week, NASA station managers accepted the "keys" from prime contractor Boeing for the next U.S. piece to be delivered to the ISS in February 2000. This includes the backbone of the long truss structure, called the Z1, which will be attached to a port on the already orbiting Unity node. The Acceptance Review Board also accepted for final processing toward flight of the Control Moment Gyros that will provide non-propulsive control of the station, which is most beneficial in experiment operations and fuel consumption.

  The Z1 will provide the support and clearance for an early set of solar arrays and a future truss segment. The first flight segment of the truss was delivered to KSC earlier this week. A structural test article for the second piece is set to arrive at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, next week for use in engineering testing mirroring that of the actual flight article in final processing at the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville.

  Meanwhile, a review is underway of policies and procedures related to maneuvers of the station in situations where a close approach with space debris is possible. This is in response to last week's predicted close pass of a spent Russian rocket upper stage. The debris ultimately passed 7 kilometers from the station. While the procedure review is ongoing, managers have determined that all appropriate mass properties and center of gravity data was loaded into the software after the recent supply delivery mission of Discovery.

  International Space Station's orientation in space is the same as previously with Unity pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward space. The station is spinning very slowly about its axis to maintain even temperatures on all surfaces.

  The next shuttle flight to visit the ISS is scheduled for December following the launch, docking and checkout of the Zvezda living quarters in November.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 237 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The Station has completed more than 3,379 orbits of Earth since its launch. As it passes overhead at dawn or dusk, the station is easily visible from the ground.

• 1999 July 1 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-24. 

  International Space Station components continue to operate in good health with the exception being one of six batteries used to store solar energy in order to provide electrical power to the complex when it is in darkness.

  ISS flight controllers in the United States and Russia began the first scheduled full charge and discharge of the six batteries on the Zarya module as part of a twice-yearly procedure to maintain as long a life on the electrical storage units as possible. Battery number six was completed as scheduled, but the same procedure on battery number one did not discharge fully as expected.

  Though not an issue in terms of electrical power consumption by Station components, it is a 'lifetime' issue related to the onboard batteries, which under normal circumstances would be replaced routinely every five years or so. A procedure currently is being evaluated to assist in 'training' battery one prior to the full discharge of the remaining units.

  The Station's current systems can actually operate on as few as three batteries if electrical usage is managed diligently. This would be similar to turning off lights, fans, or equipment in rooms of a house that weren't being used. This maintenance of "training" the batteries is similar to what one would do with a cellular phone or cordless tool battery here on the ground.

  This procedure is performed on each battery every six months and is the first time to be done on Zarya's batteries. The next opportunity to perform this procedure will be after the Zvezda service module's arrival scheduled for November.

  Here on the ground, the structural test article for one of the 40-foot-long truss segments arrived at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, to undergo acoustical vibration testing. This simulation will verify the launch environment for the actual hardware that will be delivered to space. The testing will continue through the summer and fall.

  Meanwhile, the review continues of policies and procedures related to maneuvers of the Station in situations where a close approach with space debris is possible. This is in response to the recent predicted close pass of a spent Russian rocket upper stage. The debris ultimately passed 7 kilometers from the Station.

  Though this procedure review continues, managers have elected to plan for possible future Station maneuvers by preparing uplink commands in advance to reduce the time required to build commands, called flight assignments.

  This will allow a quicker response time to future close approaches to the Station that may require attitude maneuvers.

  The International Space Station's orientation in space is the same as previously with Unity pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward space. The Station is spinning very slowly about its axis to conserve fuel and maintain even temperatures on all surfaces.

  The next shuttle flight to visit the ISS is scheduled for December following the launch, docking and checkout of the Zvezda living quarters in November.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 257 statute miles and a low point of 237 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The Station has completed more than 3,486 orbits of Earth since its launch. As it passes overhead at dawn or dusk, the Station is easily visible from the ground.

• 1999 July 8 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-25. 

  The International Space Station continues to operate in good health with flight controllers monitoring two minor problems. One is with a battery on Zarya and the other is with the backup communications system in Unity.

  Battery cycling continues on the station with the exception of the restoration, or deep cycling, designed to maintain as long a life as possible on the electrical storage units. Plans are being formulated to resume this activity next week, once procedures are re-evaluated and approved. One of the six batteries is not usable and has been taken offline pending review of a procedure to potentially restore its functionality. This does not impact the electrical needs of equipment on board, as the Station's current systems can actually operate on as few as three batteries if electrical usage is managed diligently.

  Earlier this week, controllers began troubleshooting a potential problem with the left-side antenna that is part of Unity's early communications system. The system serves as a backup to the Russian ground stations for communications to and from the ISS. If the left antenna is determined to need replacing, it can be done during a space walk on the next visit of the space shuttle to the ISS in December.

  The International Space Station's orientation has Unity pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward space in a slow spin about its axis to conserve fuel and maintain even temperatures on all surfaces.

  The next shuttle flight to visit the ISS is scheduled for December after the Zvezda living quarters is docked in November.

  The International Space Station is in a slightly elliptical orbit with a high point of 257 statute miles and a low point of 238 statute miles. It has completed more than 3,594 orbits of Earth since its launch and circles the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. As it passes overhead at dawn or dusk, the Station is easily visible from the ground.

• 1999 July 15 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-26. 

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

  Battery restoration, the discharge and recharge of individual batteries or deep cycling, resumed this week with batteries number 1 and 2. Though the initial plan this week was to restore only battery number 2, the onboard software also began the process on battery number 1 at the same time. When the flight control team identified that battery 1 also was discharging, an evaluation was conducted and a determination was made that the simultaneous discharge of the two systems was a safe and viable operation. Therefore the decision was made to proceed to completion of the procedure on both batteries. The process drains the battery voltage prior to performing a complete recharge in order to condition the battery for proper usage. This is done about every six months on the batteries and is a similar process to what one would do on the ground with a cellular or cordless phone at home.

  Flight controllers continue to evaluate the cause of a loss of communication with the station through the left side antenna that is part of the backup communications system known as the Early Communications System. The system is working properly through the right side antenna and has no impact to operations or commanding to the ISS. Managers continue to study the data and may perform further tests on the system to verify its health prior to determining whether it needs to be replaced. One option is to replace it with a spare during a space walk on the next visit of the space shuttle to the ISS in December.

  Two separate power outages at the Russian Mission Control Center - one last Thursday and the second earlier today - had no affect on station operations. Last Thursday's outage lasted about 5 hours and was caused by an unusually strong hail storm, which also affected backup generator power availability. Today's power failure lasted only an hour with the backup generators providing contingency-level power. Today's outage appears to have been caused by maintenance activities related to the earlier storm. The town of Korolev, outside Moscow where the center is located, was also affected by the outage.

  The International Space Station's orientation has Unity pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward space in a slow spin about its axis to conserve fuel and maintain even temperatures on all surfaces.

  The International Space Station is in a slightly elliptical orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 238 statute miles. It has completed more than 3,702 orbits of Earth since its launch and circles the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes.

• 1999 July 22 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-27. 

  Flight controllers completed the deep-cycling on battery number 2 last week and battery number 1 Saturday.

  Battery number 3 is wrapping up its cycling today or Friday and plans are being finalized for battery number 5's deep-cycling, or restoration, which will begin Monday. The final battery to be cycled will be number 4 early next month.

  Battery restoration, the discharge and recharge of individual batteries or deep-cycling is done about every six months to maintain as long a life as possible on Zarya's batteries.

  Flight controllers continue to evaluate the cause of a loss of communication with the Station through the left side antenna that is part of the backup communications system known as the Early Communications System. The system is working properly through the right side antenna and has no impact to operations or commanding to the ISS. Managers continue to study the data and are planning further tests on the system to verify the status of its health.

  The International Space Station's orientation has Unity pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward space in a slow spin about its axis to conserve fuel and maintain even temperatures on all surfaces.

  The International Space Station is in a slightly elliptical orbit with a high point of 255 statute miles and a low point of 237 statute miles. It has completed more than 3,794 orbits of Earth since its launch and circles the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes.

• 1999 July 29 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-28. 

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

  Russian flight controllers at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, outside Moscow, will conduct the battery discharge/recharge procedures periodically throughout the lifetime of the station.

  NASA flight controllers, meanwhile, continued their analysis of a problem with the port omni antenna on the Unity module used for a backup communications system called the Early Communications System. The system, however, is working properly through the starboard antenna with no impact to operations or commanding to the station. A replacement antenna for the port side of Unity may be flown to the ISS aboard Atlantis in December during the next station resupply mission to the ISS on STS-101.

  Russian space officials are considering adding a replacement battery to the manifest for Atlantis on that same flight which would be installed by the crew members in the Zarya module. One of Zarya's batteries is providing a slightly different voltage output than the other five, although it is operating satisfactorily.

  The International Space Station is oriented with Unity pointed toward the Earth and Zarya pointed toward space in a slow spin to conserve propellent and to maintain an even temperature for both modules.

  The ISS is flying in a slightly elliptical orbit with a high point of 255 statute miles and a low point of 237 statute miles, circling the Earth every 92 minutes. The facility has completed almost 4000 orbits of the Earth since the launch of Zarya last November.

• 1999 August 5 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-29. 

  The International Space Station continued to perform well this week with flight controllers in Houston and Moscow noting no significant problems as the outpost completed its 4,000th orbit of Earth since its November 1998 launch.

  In preparation for the Station's continued orbital assembly, flight controllers are planning a test later this month to rehearse the next milestone, the docking with the Russian-supplied Zvezda living quarters that is planned for launch in November. For the test, the Station will be maneuvered to the docking orientation and the Kurs automatic docking system will be activated. Meanwhile, at the Kennedy Space Center, preparations for future Station assembly continued as well with the arrival Wednesday of a second Italian-built logistics module, named Raffaello, targeted for launch to the station in mid-2000. Carried in the Space Shuttle's cargo bay, the 4.5-ton reusable module will hold up to 20,000 pounds of equipment racks for transfer to and from the Station. The first logistics module, Leonardo, was delivered to Florida in August 1998. A third module will be delivered in 2001.

  As a standard station "housekeeping" activity this week, Moscow flight controllers will complete battery capacity restoration -- fully draining and then recharging -- the Zarya module's six batteries. Capacity restoration of the batteries is performed about every six months to minimize charge memory, similar to the maintenance of rechargeable batteries used in consumer electronics. Controllers also continued to watch what may be a degradation in the performance of one battery. They expect to be able to better characterize that battery's performance during charge and discharge cycles later this month. If needed, a replacement battery could be carried to the station on the next Shuttle assembly mission, STS-101, targeted for launch in December.

  The International Space Station is oriented with Unity pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward space in a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain an even temperature for both modules. The ISS is flying in a slightly elliptical orbit with a high point of 255 statute miles and a low point of 237 statute miles, circling the Earth every 92 minutes.

  S

• 1999 August 12 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-30. 

  Flight control teams in Houston and Moscow continue to monitor the health of International Space Station systems with no significant problems on board other than a balky battery that currently is not being used for electrical power.

  Plans continue to be finalized for the tests later this month to rehearse the docking of the Zvezda service module at the ISS planned for November. The test will have the ISS maneuver to the desired docking orientation and the Kurs automatic docking system will be activated. Zvezda will serve as the early living quarters for the crew as well as providing life support and command and control capability.

  Routine activities this week included completing battery capacity restoration, which is conducted about every six months on each of the six batteries in Zarya. This procedure fully drains and then recharges batteries to maintain as long a life as possible on the units. Capacity restoration of the batteries is performed about every six months to minimize charge memory, similar to the maintenance of rechargeable batteries used in consumer electronics.

  The possible degradation seen in battery number one continues to be monitored and the battery currently has been removed from the electrical bus. A replacement battery and associated electronics may be carried to the station on the next Shuttle assembly mission, STS-101, targeted for launch in December.

  Here on the ground, a command server problem has been solved that briefly prevented command transfer from Moscow to Houston. Though the Russian Mission Control and ground stations is the prime means for commanding to the ISS, the Unity node's early communications system can be used through NASA's tracking network as a backup. An inadvertent file prevented the two servers to 'talk' to one another, but was corrected within a day.

  The International Space Station is oriented with Unity pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward space in a slow spin (.03 degree/second) to conserve fuel and maintain an even temperature for both modules. The ISS is flying in a slightly elliptical orbit with a high point of 249 statute miles and a low point of 236 statute miles, circling the Earth every 92 minutes. The complex has completed 4,132 orbits since launch of Zarya last November.

  S

• 1999 August 19 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-31. 

  The International Space Station successfully completed an orbital test of the automatic docking system this week in preparation for the arrival of its next major component, the Russian-provided Zvezda living quarters module.

  The test included several of the activities required for the Station to dock with the Zvezda module following its launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan. Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow prepared the Station systems for docking. Moscow maneuvered the Station into the orientation that will be required for docking with the Zvezda module and performed an automated test of the Zarya module's automatic docking system.

  Meanwhile, on the ground at Baikonur, work continued to prepare Zvezda for launch as technicians installed the module's high-gain communications antenna and attached thermal blankets to the exterior of the large diameter portion of the module's working compartment. Technicians have now completed 86 percent of the preflight electrical tests planned for the module, and all testing is expected to be completed on schedule for a launch in mid-November.

  One of the Zarya module's six batteries remains disconnected from the Station's electrical system due to a degradation noted in its performance during the past several weeks. The other five batteries are functioning normally and provide sufficient electricity for all Station operations. Engineers are continuing to analyze the problem seen with the battery, and plans are being formulated to replace the battery and its associated electronics on the next assembly flight, mission STS-101, targeted for launch in December.

  The International Space Station is now oriented with Unity pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward space in a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain an even temperature for both modules. The ISS is flying in an orbit with a high point of 249 statute miles and a low point of 236 statute miles, circling the Earth every 92 minutes. The complex has completed more than 4,240 orbits since the launch of Zarya in November 1998. S

• 1999 August 26 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-32. 

  Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow spent a quiet week monitoring the orbiting International Space Station, with the outpost's systems continuing to operate well and their status basically unchanged from last week.

  The Station remains oriented with the Unity module pointed toward Earth and Zarya toward space in a slow spin, an orientation that provides moderate temperatures on the spacecraft and conserves fuel. One of the Station's six batteries remains disconnected from the electrical system. The other five batteries continue to operate well and are supplying sufficient power for all systems.

  The disconnected battery, labeled Battery 1, was removed from operation earlier this month after flight controllers saw its performance degrade. Flight controllers in Moscow are continuing to analyze the degradation seen during the battery's operation and are planning a test reconnection of the battery to assist in that analysis. For the test, Battery 1 will be reconnected to the Station's power system for one 92-minute orbit of Earth to allow controllers to better characterize the performance of it and its associated electronics.

  Plans are being formulated to replace the battery and its electronics with new equipment to be carried aboard the next Shuttle mission to visit the Station, mission STS-101 aboard Atlantis.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 249 statute miles and a low point of 236 statute miles, circling the Earth every 92 minutes. The complex has completed more than 4,300 orbits since the launch of Zarya in November 1998. S

• 1999 September 2 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-33. 

  Following a test this week, International Space Station flight controllers are optimistic that one of the Station's batteries that has been disconnected from the electrical system for several weeks may be usable if needed in the future.

  Designated Battery 1, it is one of six batteries on the Station. It was disconnected from the electrical system following a large degradation in its performance that was noted earlier this month. Previously, the battery's performance had been noted to be only slightly degraded. The Station's other five batteries are operating well and have been providing adequate power for all Station systems.

  As part of their analysis of Battery 1, flight controllers for the Station in Moscow reconnected the battery to the Station's electrical system for one 92-minute orbit early this week. During the reconnection, it operated normally, although its performance appeared to remain slightly below average as was expected. Engineers believe the slight degradation in performance is due to one cell of the battery not operating properly, but that the larger performance problem which led to its disconnection earlier this month may have been an isolated event in the battery's associated electronics that will not recur.

  Engineers are continuing to evaluate the battery and flight controllers may reconnect it in another test later this week for about three orbits, or about 4.5 hours, to gather more information. The evaluation and testing may lead controllers to deem the battery usable for future Station operations. Regardless of the outcome, plans are being formulated to replace the battery and its electronics with new equipment to be carried aboard the next Shuttle mission to visit the Station, mission STS-101 aboard Atlantis.

  The Station remains in a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain proper temperatures in an orbit with a high point of 249 statute miles and a low point of 236 statute miles. The complex has completed more than 4,440 orbits. S

• 1999 September 9 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-34. 

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

  Flight control teams in Houston and Moscow continue to analyze data related to electronics associated with the battery, Battery No. 1. It was reconnected to the electrical bus for three orbits, not quite five hours, last Friday, then disconnected again. Instruments indicated the battery was charging and discharging in an unpredicted manner. The battery will be connected again tonight for further testing.

  A decision is pending on whether to replace one or both of the electronic devices associated with Battery No. 1. Five other batteries continue to provide adequate power for the Space Station.

  A pump test scheduled next week will transfer nitrogen through portions of the Station's propellant system. The test is designed to monitor the electrical system as it supports the pump and to check the function of the pump itself.

  In late October, the pump is to be used to transfer propellant among the tanks aboard the Space Station to prepare it for subsequent docking with the Russian-built Service Module. The Service Module will be the third element of the Space Station and is now scheduled for launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in November.

  The Space Station is oriented with Unity pointed toward Earth and Zarya pointed toward space in a slow spin to conserve fuel and maintain an even temperature for both modules. The Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 244 statute miles and a low point of 234 statute miles, circling the Earth every 92 minutes. The complex has completed more than 4,550 orbits since launch of Zarya last November.

  S

• 1999 September 16 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-35. 

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

  Part of the preparation this week includes the checkout of pumps and electrical systems associated with the Zarya control module's fuel and oxygen tanks in preparation for actual fuel transfer scheduled about a month from now.

  The test used nitrogen to serve as the 'fuel' to verify the functionality of the electrical system and compressor. An identical test will be performed tomorrow (Friday) on the oxygen tank, again using nitrogen.

  All other systems on the station are performing well as teams continue to prepare station hardware on the ground for future assembly missions to the ISS.

  The next major component to be launched is Zvezda, the name given the service module earlier this year meaning Star. Plans continue toward launching the module atop a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in November with an actual target launch date to be decided later this month or early in October.

  International Space Station components at the Kennedy Space Center were unharmed by winds and rain associated with Hurricane Floyd, though processing activities were halted for the days around Floyd's close approach to the center. Focus continues on testing hardware together, as it will perform in space after the pieces are joined in orbit.

  The ISS is orbiting at an altitude with a high point of 246 miles and a low point of 233 miles. Since launch of Zarya last November, the Station has completed more than 4,685 orbits of the Earth.

  S

• 1999 September 23 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-36. 

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

  The Joint Program Review at the Russian Space Agency, planned for September 30, is not expected to produce a firm launch date for the Service Module. A discussion of the schedule of the current work being performed on Zvezda at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to prepare it for launch will be part of the agenda.

  Zvezda will be launched atop a Proton rocket to serve as the early living quarters for the first permanent residents of the ISS and will take over control and propulsion capability for the expanding station from the Zarya module, which was launched last November. About nine days after its launch, the ISS will link up with Zvezda using Zarya's jet thrusters during a series of rendezvous maneuvers.

  Earlier this week, U.S. and Russian flight controllers noted a slight decrease in the power output of the ISS at the time one of Zarya's six power-producing batteries was undergoing routine cycling. At the same time, the ISS' rotational rate was being decreased slightly as part of the regular housekeeping of the station performed by ground controllers to maintain even heating on both Zarya and the Unity module.

  To alleviate the reduction in power during these procedures, commands were uplinked to the ISS to change its orientation, enabling Zarya's solar arrays to gain a more favorable angle to the sun for power generation. The slight reduction in power led to ground controllers removing power from some non-essential equipment until normal power generation was restored. The power generation reduction was later attributed to multiple operations being conducted simultaneously with only five of Zarya's six batteries available for power production. Battery # 1 remains off-line because of inconsistencies noted in its operation. It will be replaced by Atlantis' crew members during the next visit of a shuttle to the station early next year, along with voltage and sensor equipment associated with the battery.

  The ISS is orbiting at an altitude with a high point of about 246 miles and a low point of about 233 miles. Since the launch of Zarya last November, the ISS has completed more than 4,800 orbits of the Earth.

  S

• 1999 October 1 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-37. 

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

  It was agreed that it is no longer prudent to proceed with the current service module schedule, considering the integrated status of all elements. Accordingly, it was agreed that the projected launch window for Zvezda has moved to a period ranging from December 26 to January 16. A precise launch date will be announced after the General Design Review in a few weeks.

  The delay in the service module launch in no way impacts the overall launch and assembly schedule for the station since the launch dates for downstream flights likely will be adjusted because of the ongoing wiring inspections on all of the Space Shuttle orbiters and the recent work delays caused by Hurricane Floyd. Assembly sequence adjustments also will be presented to the International Partners for discussion and concurrence at the next Space Station Control Board meeting.

  Meanwhile, station workers will continue to work toward the most current assembly schedule with the next shuttle mission to the ISS scheduled for no earlier than January to deliver all remaining supplies necessary for the first crew to use when it arrives in the first half of next year.

  On orbit this week, the normal spin checks were performed as was battery cycling of the five units being used to store solar energy for use by station systems. The Early Communications System in Unity was switched to the second of two antennas as a routine procedure to periodically test the command link. As is the case each Thursday, a test command was sent from the Mission Control Center in Korolev outside Moscow to the Zarya control module using Unity's early communications system through Mission Control in Houston.

  The ISS is orbiting in a 247 by 230 statute mile orbit and has completed more than 4,900 orbits of the Earth.

• 1999 October 7 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-38. 

  The International Space Station spent a quiet week in orbit with flight controllers in Houston and Moscow monitoring onboard systems, while verifying backup command links through NASA's communications network.

  One of the routine systems checks aboard the station included verifying the Unity module's early communications system is available for backup commanding to the Zarya. This is done by sending commands to Zarya via the communications system housed inside Unity using NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. Both control centers in Houston and Korolev outside Moscow sent commands to Zarya through Unity.

  Other station systems checked included the onboard motion control system used to refine the spin rate of the ISS, currently about three tenths of a degree per second. This maintains even temperatures on the overall structure and minimizes propellant usage to maintain the complex's orientation. Also, the batteries used to harness the sun's energy for electrical systems are cycling as expected with the exception of battery 1, which remains disconnected from the system. No impacts are foreseen with the lack of availability of the battery, which is likely to be replaced by the shuttle crew upon the next visit to the ISS early next year.

  The next piece of the ISS was scheduled to arrive at Florida's Kennedy Space Center late yesterday. The 45 foot long truss segment, designated S1, was flown aboard NASA's Super Guppy from the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL, where it has been completing testing prior to shipment for final processing. The S1 truss segment is scheduled for launch aboard the shuttle in the summer of 2001.

  Circling the Earth every 92 minutes, the ISS is orbiting at an altitude with a high point of 248 statute miles and a low point of 230 statute miles. Since Zarya was launched last November, the station has completed more than 5,000 revolutions of the planet. S

• 1999 October 14 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-39. 

  With International Space Station systems in good shape, flight controllers again demonstrated commanding capability to Zarya's computers from Houston via the early communications system mounted on Unity.

  The early communications system allows commanding to Zarya through Houston's Mission Control using the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. Because TDRSS is used by other spacecraft, the system was periodically switched off so as not to conflict with data transmission from the Galileo space probe as it passed close to Jupiter's moon Io. These transmission periods typically lasted about 10 minutes.

  As was the case last week, the Station's motion control system was turned on to accurately measure the Station's spin rate and make any adjustments necessary. Plans call for this routine procedure to be done every Sunday for the next month or so. Additionally, the communications network through Houston will be used each Monday, Wednesday and Friday to correlate the measurement as well. Currently the ISS is slowly spinning about its axis with Unity pointed toward Earth at a rate of about three tenths of a degree per second. This maintains even temperatures on the overall structure and minimizes propellant usage to maintain the complex's orientation.

  Commands also were sent to switch the early communications system from the left antenna to the right for low data rate operations. This procedure calls for switching between the two antennas periodically to ensure good health of the entire system.

  The ISS is orbiting at an altitude of 248 by 230 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya last November, the Station has completed more than 5,120 orbits. S

• 1999 October 21 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-40. 

  In orbit on the International Space Station activities continue to go smoothly with the focus being on systems checks and command link verification between the two control centers and the orbiting complex.

  Cycling of the five batteries on the Zarya module continues with no problems seen in the units that store the Sun's energy and convert it to electrical power for the components in both Zarya and Unity.

  Additionally, a test was done using Unity's early communications system to turn on, and then turn off, an air circulation fan inside Zarya to prove the system's effectiveness to operate when commanded through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System using the Early Communications System.

  A test of the onboard automatic docking system, called Kurs, was performed with no issues. The test included the system's passive avionics and acceleration measurement components.

  While all activities on orbit remain quiet, 12 astronauts and cosmonauts spent this week at the launch site for Russian components at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to view up close the next module to be delivered to space early next year. The Russian Zvezda service module continues in its processing in a checkout hangar near its launch pad.

  The crew members of Expeditions 1 (and its backup crew), 3, and 4 conducted a 'walkdown' of the module which will serve as the living quarters for early crews. The traditional crew equipment interface test (CEIT) is typically done on all flight vehicles to provide an opportunity for the people who will actually live and perform work in it, to familiarize themselves with all aspects of the module.

  Again this week, the International Space Station's motion control system was turned on to accurately measure the vehicle's spin rate and make any adjustments necessary. The slow spin allows controllers to maintain even temperatures on the overall structure and minimizes propellant usage to maintain the complex's orientation.

  The ISS is orbiting at an altitude of 247 by 230 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya last November, the Station has completed more than 5,240 orbits. S

• 1999 October 26 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-41. 

  The International Space Station's orbit was raised slightly earlier today as a precaution in avoiding a piece of space debris.

  The maneuver occurred at 9:03 a.m. Central time and raised the overall orbit of the ISS by about 1.5 kilometers (1 statute mile) using both of the Zarya control module's orbit adjust engines. The burn lasted 5 seconds and changed the overall station velocity by 1 meter per second.

  Predictions Sunday by Space Command (NORAD) in Colorado Springs, CO, showed that a spent Pegasus rocket body would pass within about 1.4 kilometers (.8 statute mile) of the station if a maneuver were not performed. The time of closest approach is forecast to occur about 3 a.m. Central on Wednesday. As a result of the burn, the closest distance of the debris to the station should be more than 25 kilometers (15 statute miles).

  The ISS was maneuvered to the burn attitude using Zarya's motion control system at 8:30 this morning Central time followed by the burn 33 minutes later. The station was then maneuvered back to its normal position with Unity pointed at the Earth in a slow spin to minimize propellant usage and provide even temperatures on the station's components.

  All systems aboard the station continue to operate in excellent fashion and no further activity related to debris avoidance is planned.

• 1999 October 28 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-42. 

  Activity surrounding the operation of the International Space Station settled down a bit following the maneuver of the complex earlier this week to avoid a close approach of a piece of space debris.

  The Station's orbit was raised by one statute mile to place it at a safe distance from a piece of orbital debris. Actual tracking data showed the debris passed a safe 87 statute miles by the Station at the time of closest approach early Wednesday morning. Had the burn not taken place, the spent Pegasus rocket body would have passed one half statute mile from the ISS.

  Coincidentally, the raising burn puts the Station in a slightly higher orbit that will be increased more during a rendezvous test to be performed in January in preparation for the arrival of the Zvezda service module.

  At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, processing of Zvezda continues in preparation for its launch to the ISS early next year. NASA was informed that an investigation is underway into yesterday's loss of a similar rocket carrying a commercial satellite, but it is much too early to determine what, if any, impact this failure could have on Zvezda's planned launch in the January timeframe.

  The ISS is now in its normal position in space with the Unity module pointed at Earth and Zarya pointed to deep space. The complex continues in a very slow spin to minimize the need for thruster firings and to maintain even temperatures on systems.

  Earlier today routine tests were conducted of the command path to Zarya from Mission Control in Korolev, outside Moscow, using Unity's early communications system and to Unity from Mission Control in Houston, via the Komparus system inside Zarya.

  Next week, Zarya battery cycling of the five units connected to the electrical system will commence once again to maintain their proficiency in charging during daylight passes around the Earth.

  All other Station systems are in excellent shape as it orbits at an altitude of 248 by 230 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya last November, the ISS has completed more than 5,348 orbits. S

• 1999 November 4 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-43. 

  Routine operations continue aboard the International Space Station this week as flight controllers monitored systems and made the usual checks of its orientation and spin rate.

  The five batteries on Zarya used to store the Sun's energy and convert it to electrical power are in cycling mode. Periodically, each battery is cycled to ensure its health and maintain its life. Battery 1 continues to remain disconnected from the electrical bus and is likely to be replaced during the next Shuttle visit scheduled for the spring of 2000.

  Again this week tests were performed of the command path to Zarya from Mission Control, Moscow, using Unity's early communications system and to Unity from Mission Control in Houston, via the Komparus computer system inside Zarya.

  All other Station systems are in excellent shape as it orbits at an altitude of 245 by 226 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya last November, the ISS has completed more than 5,470 orbits. S

• 1999 November 12 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-44. 

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

  The early communications system inside the Unity module continues to operate normally. Every week or two, commands are issued to switch between the right and left low gain antennas to ensure their health.

  Other weekly checks included measuring and refining the spin rate of the complex, which is oriented with Unity pointed at the Earth. The slow spin maintains even temperatures on all systems and minimizes propellant usage.

  All other Station systems are in excellent shape as it orbits at an altitude of 242 by 225 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya last November, the ISS has completed more than 5,594 orbits. S

• 1999 November 18 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-45. 

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

  Battery number two completed a discharge-charge cycle, but failed to discharge on the second cycle. At that point, controllers removed it from the electrical bus. The four usable batteries are easily handling all electrical needs of the station and no power problems are foreseen since the complex can operate on as few as three batteries.

  While this in no way hampers station operations, some heaters on the Unity module were powered off to minimize power consumption. The station currently is in near full sunlight as it moves around the Earth, so no power problems or temperature issues are foreseen. Troubleshooting on the battery two system - comprised of the battery and its associated electronics - is underway and no conclusion has been made as to what caused it not to discharge properly.

  Battery three was cycled yesterday with no issues. Evaluation and analysis will be conducted during the next day or so before a decision will be made regarding resumption of cycling of batteries four, five and six. During the present battery cycling, Unity's early communications system is being used to supplement Russian ground station commanding to Zarya's batteries and other systems.

  Meanwhile, ISS managers are reviewing details of a reboost plan for the ISS. The reboost, scheduled for December 1, will raise the complex's orbit to eventually place it at the proper altitude for rendezvous with the Zvezda service module scheduled to launch to the ISS early next year.

  All other station systems are in excellent shape as it orbits at an altitude of 239 by 225 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya last November, the ISS has completed more than 5,686 orbits. S

• 1999 November 24 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-46. 

  Routine battery cycling and preparations to raise the International Space Station's altitude have been the focus of the last week as flight controllers monitor systems aboard Zarya and Unity.

  With batteries 1 and 2 still disconnected from the electrical bus, engineers cycled the remaining batteries with no issues. The four batteries currently getting their charge from Zarya's twin solar arrays are handling all electrical needs of the station.

  Battery 2 was taken off line early last week when it did not discharge properly. Plans are in work by Russian controllers to possibly recover partial use of battery 1, but those efforts are in the early stages of development. The ISS actually can operate with no problems on as few as three batteries.

  Also in planning is the full discharge-charge of the four usable batteries in a procedure called 'battery restoration.' This is done about every six months on each battery system to maintain the unit and its associated electronics lifetime to provide the maximum electrical capability to station systems.

  A software patch soon will be uplinked to allow for additional data readings to be available from Zarya's systems through Unity's early communications system via the NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. The majority of these additional 'parameters' center around the battery systems to allow more insight on electrical currents, voltage and resets.

  ISS flight dynamics experts have developed a reboost procedure that will be carried out next week to slightly raise the station's overall altitude in preparation for the arrival of the Zvezda service module early next year. Details of the burn plan using Zarya's control thrusters are still being finalized, but the result of the burn will minimize, or even eliminate, the need for an additional orbit adjust burn prior to Zvezda's launch.

  Here on the ground, mission operations personnel are in the process of upgrading the Mission Control Center software, which has no impact on station operations.

  The International Space Station continues to operate in excellent shape as it orbits at an altitude of 236 by 226 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya a year ago Nov. 20, the ISS has completed more than 5,764 orbits. S

• 1999 December 2 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-47. 

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

  The altitude protects rendezvous options with Zvezda, which will rendezvous with the ISS and then become the passive vehicle while the ISS is ground-commanded to remotely dock with Zvezda.

  Zvezda's date for launch atop a Proton rocket remains uncertain until an investigation into the most recent failure of a Proton is completed, and until station managers conclude a General Design Review meeting in Moscow, scheduled for later this month or January.

  Flight controllers in Moscow elected to return battery number one to the set of batteries available for electrical usage in an effort to evaluate its health. The battery had been offline for some time when problems were noted in its ability to charge and discharge properly.

  Once brought online Sunday, the battery performed normally and has been in use since that time with no problems seen to date. Battery number two remains disconnected from the electrical bus, leaving five operational batteries at this time (a minimum of three are needed for adequate electrical power).

  Complete battery 'restoration' - a procedure conducted on each battery every six months - is expected to begin tomorrow with battery number four. The process for each battery takes about 5-7 days and is designed to maximize the useful life of the batteries.

  The orbit-raising burns yesterday occurred about 45 minutes apart with the first occurring at 4:57 p.m. Central time. That burn lasted 27 seconds and changed the velocity of the station by 5.4 meters per second (12 miles per hour). The second burn, designed to nearly circularize the orbit, occurred at 5:45 p.m. Central time and lasted 23 seconds. The second burn changed the velocity of the ISS by 4.7 m/s (10 mph).

  The complex continues to operate in excellent shape as it orbits the Earth once every 92 minutes. Since the launch of Zarya a year ago Nov. 20, the ISS has completed more than 5,904 orbits. S

• 1999 December 9 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-48. 

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

  A Zarya software patch was uplinked yesterday from Russia's Mission Control Center. This update allows 68 additional electrical power system parameters to be sent to the ground via Unity's early communications system. This data now can be viewed more frequently using NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.

  Late last week, Zarya's automatic docking system, called KURS, was tested and showed discrepancies in its alternate system's relative velocity readings seen on the ground. Russian flight controllers plan to re-run the test in an attempt to determine if 'noisy' interference from the Station's other systems is the culprit. KURS is used during the final rendezvous and docking of the ISS with the Zvezda service module.

  After operating without problem for a week and a half, battery 1 telemetry showed the unit no longer discharging properly as designed and it was removed from the electrical bus of the Zarya module. Four batteries remain available for electrical power to Station systems.

  Battery "capacity restoration" is continuing with battery 4 completing its deep discharge yesterday. The remaining batteries will undergo the same procedure over the course of the next three to four weeks. Capacity restoration is a procedure conducted on each battery every six months to maximize the useful life of the batteries. Batteries 1 and 2 remain disconnected from the electrical bus.

  Meanwhile, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Zvezda is undergoing final testing and is basically ready for launch. While awaiting the recommendations of the investigation team on the recent Proton failure, Zvezda will undergo some repeat testing on equipment with the time available.

  Station managers will travel to Moscow in late January for the next General Designers Review and Joint Program Review to assess the readiness of the module for flight. The meeting also will determine the most probable launch date based on the recommendations of the Proton rocket failure investigation team. Its report to the Russian Aviation and Space Agency is due later this month.

  Zvezda, the Russian word for Star, will serve as the early living quarters for crews housed on the station when the Shuttle is not present. It also will provide life support functions, and command and control capability for the complex.

  The International Space Station continues to operate in excellent shape as it orbits the Earth at an altitude of 245 by 236 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in November 1998, the ISS has completed more than 5,995 orbits. S

• 1999 December 16 - ISS Status Report: ISS 99-49. 

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

  The Zarya software patch that was uplinked last week now allows insight into 68 additional electrical power system parameters through Unity's early communications system. The data also can be viewed on computer terminals in the Mission Control Center in Houston. Using the early comm system allows more frequent review of these systems using NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.

  Russian flight controllers continue to review the problem seen during a test last week of the automatic docking system called Kurs. The leading candidate for the discrepancies seen on the alternate system's relative velocity readings is electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other systems on the Station. The test will be rerun at a later date with power levels reduced to identify if EMI is, in fact, the cause of the problem. At present, hardware does not appear to be an issue. The Kurs system is used during the final rendezvous and docking of the ISS with the Zvezda service module scheduled for launch early next year.

  Battery 'capacity restoration' is continuing with battery 6 completing its deep discharge yesterday. Battery 3's restoration will begin next. Capacity restoration maximizes the useful life of the batteries.

  The International Space Station continues to operate in excellent shape as it orbits the Earth at an altitude of 246 by 234 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in November 1998, the ISS has completed more than 6,134 orbits. S

• 2000 January 6 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-01. 

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

  Flight controllers also reported a good test of the Kurs automatic docking system on Zarya. Some discrepancies were seen before the holidays on the system's relative velocity readings from possible electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated from other systems on the Station. Further testing of the system is likely prior to the launch of the Zvezda service module later this year. The Kurs system will be used during the final rendezvous and docking of the ISS with Zvezda about two weeks after it is launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

  ISS and Shuttle program managers are evaluating the possibility of flying a mission to the Station this spring in advance of the launch of Zvezda to take advantage of an opportunity to perform maintenance on some of Zarya's systems. If approved, the mission would extend the lifetime of those systems and accomplish some work in advance of another Shuttle flight to the Station this summer following the launch of Zvezda. The second mission is designed to prepare the service module for the arrival of its first resident crew later this year. A decision on whether to conduct the spring mission to the ISS is expected by the end of the month.

  The International Space Station continues to operate in excellent shape as it orbits the Earth at an altitude of 246 by 234 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in November 1998, the ISS has completed almost 6,500 orbits. S

• 2000 January 13 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-02. 

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

  Plans are in work to eventually re-run the Kurs automatic docking system test that was run late last year. The test showed discrepancies in the relative velocity readings caused, most likely, by some electromagnetic interference. Though EMI is the leading candidate for the problem, flight controllers in Moscow and Houston are not ruling out a hardware problem. The test will confirm EMI as the culprit and workarounds are possible to reduce or eliminate it during actual flight operations when the Kurs is used to dock the ISS with the Zvezda service module two weeks after it is launched later this year.

  No other issues face the flight control teams as they continue to work closely together in the U.S. and Russia.

  ISS and Shuttle program managers continue to evaluate a Shuttle mission to the Station this spring to perform maintenance on Zarya to preserve its health in advance of Zvezda's arrival.

  That launch is on hold pending resolution and recovery plans for the Proton booster, which will be used to lift Zvezda into orbit. Managers plan to meet in Moscow in February or March to determine the most likely launch target date for Zvezda.

  The International Space Station continues to operate in excellent shape as it orbits the Earth at an altitude of 247 by 231 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in November 1998, the ISS has completed more than 7,550 orbits. S

• 2000 January 20 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-03. 

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

  Plans are being developed for a second test of the "Kurs" automatic docking system on Zarya. The previous test showed discrepancies in the relative velocity readings caused, most likely, by some electromagnetic interference (EMI). Though EMI is the leading candidate for the problem, flight controllers in Moscow and Houston are not ruling out a hardware problem. The test will likely confirm EMI as the culprit and a plan will be developed to reduce or eliminate it during actual flight operations when the "Kurs" is used to dock the ISS with the Zvezda Service Module two weeks after Zvezda is launched.

  Early Sunday morning, a minor problem occurred during a self-test of one of two active Remote Power Controller Module (RPCM) units in the Unity connecting module designed to route electricity to various Unity systems. There was no impact to flight operations and the controller is fully operational. Engineers are analyzing data to determine what may have caused the momentary problem. A total of four RPCMs are housed in Unity. The other two are used only when a Shuttle is docked to the ISS during assembly operations.

  Meanwhile, ISS and Shuttle program managers continue to evaluate whether to schedule a Shuttle mission to the Station this spring to perform maintenance on Zarya to preserve its health in advance of Zvezda's arrival.

  A final decision is expected soon, pending plans for the return to flight of the Russian Proton booster, which will be used to lift Zvezda into orbit. Managers plan to meet in Moscow in February to determine the most likely launch target date for Zvezda.

  The International Space Station continues to orbit the Earth at an altitude of 247 by 231 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in November 1998, the ISS has completed more than 7,600 orbits. S

• 2000 January 27 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-04. 

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

  Space Shuttle and ISS managers discussed the option of flying a maintenance mission to the Station prior to the launch of Zvezda. At the request of the ISS program, Shuttle managers approved an option of scheduling the next mission to the Station no earlier than April 13, prior to the Zvezda launch, to perform maintenance tasks on the Zarya and Unity modules. The official scheduling of a second flight to outfit Zvezda for the first permanent crew, which would follow the launch of Zvezda by about 30 days, was deferred to enable Shuttle and mission operations officials to evaluate overall vehicle processing strategy and crew training issues.

  A Proton failure in October led to the formation of an investigation commission, which presented its findings to Russian officials recently. NASA has been thoroughly briefed by the Russians on the Proton failure analysis results and the options to improve the Proton's engine system. A Joint Program Review (JPR) will be held next month at which a target launch date for the Zvezda service module will be selected. Once a launch date is established, NASA will determine if an early maintenance mission to the ISS is required.

  On orbit, the Station's power system remains stable. With four of six batteries operating normally and another periodically available, the Station has plenty of electrical power to manage the onboard systems, including heaters designed to maintain temperatures aboard the complex.

  Additionally this week, the secondary channel of the solar array drive tracking system on Zarya was tested without problem. Following the three-hour test, the system was switched back to the primary channel. This test ensures the redundancy to the system that controls the movement of the twin solar arrays that capture the Sun's energy and stores it in the batteries.

  Plans are still being developed for further testing of the Kurs automatic docking system on Zarya. A previous test showed uncharacteristic readings in relative velocity, which is thought to be caused by electromagnetic interference from other hardware components or transmission signals through the Unity module's early communications system. Though further investigative work is to be conducted, the Kurs hardware itself does not appear to have any problems. Kurs is used to automatically dock the ISS with Zvezda two weeks after its launch.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit of 245 by 230 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in 1998, the ISS has completed more than 7,765 orbits. S

• 2000 February 3 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-05. 

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

  A Joint Program Review (JPR) Feb. 10, followed by a General Designer's Review on the 11th will assess the readiness of the Zvezda module for flight to become the third pressurized piece of the station. A target launch date for Zvezda is expected following the signing of the official protocols and the notification of all International Partners next Friday. Following the meetings in Moscow, NASA will determine if an early maintenance mission by the shuttle to the ISS is required as currently scheduled in mid April.

  On orbit, the Station's power system remains in good shape with four batteries operating normally providing more than enough power for the systems onboard. Battery number 2 remains disconnected from the electrical bus with battery number 1 available for short periods when necessary.

  Meanwhile, post-flight photographic analysis of the STS-96 mission indicates that the Orbital Replacement Unit Transfer Device (OTD), installed on the outside of Zarya, may not be in its expected position. Analysis is under way to determine if there are any impacts to operations. The OTD is a small crane used to assist astronauts conducting spacewalks in moving large pieces of equipment around the station.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit of 244 by 229 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in 1998, the ISS has completed more than 6,885 orbits. S

• 2000 February 11 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-06. 

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

  Battery management aboard the Station's Zarya module continues to occupy the majority of time of flight controllers in Houston and Moscow, with Battery 5 now showing symptoms of pressure irregularities similar to those previously seen on Battery 1. Controllers are evaluating the data to assess the health of the battery, but at present, it remains connected to the electrical bus and is fully functional. Only Battery 2 is failed and will be replaced on a Shuttle visit scheduled for April. The ISS is capable of operating fully on as few as three of six batteries and on less than three by managing electrical usage on board.

  Engineers continue to assess the relative position of a small crane mounted outside Zarya. Astronauts on the STS-96 mission installed the crane - called the Orbital Replacement Unit Transfer Device (OTD). It has been determined that, although a bit loose, the device is secure in its interface socket and cannot damage any components of the ISS. Evaluations are continuing into whether any tasks associated with the crane need to be added to the scheduled spacewalk on the next visit of a shuttle to the ISS.

  A retest of the Kurs automatic docking system aboard Zarya is scheduled for late next week to determine whether electromagnetic interference is the cause of its self-test failure last month. The Kurs system is used to dock the ISS with the Zvezda service module.

  Meanwhile, in Moscow, station managers wrapped up meetings to assess the readiness for flight of Zvezda, which will provide the ISS with command and control functions, as well as the early living quarters and life support for astronauts. The Joint Program Review and General Designer's Review determined the module is in excellent shape and ready for launch on a Proton outfitted with modified second and third stage engines to improve reliability.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit of 242 by 227 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in 1998, the ISS has completed more than 7,000 orbits. S

• 2000 February 17 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-07. 

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

  The Kurs system is the Russian automatic docking system located inside Zarya used to rendezvous with the service module for precise docking. The system encountered a minor problem in a self-test back in December which may have been caused by excessive electromagnetic interference. Yesterday's tests reconfirmed that the system is working fine and needs no maintenance work during the next Shuttle visit to the Station on STS-101.

  NASA managers today approved STS-106 as the flight which will follow the launch of the service module. Seven crew members will spend a week docked to the ISS, loading supplies in the new Zvezda module and activating some of its systems.

  Battery management along with planning for, and carrying out, the testing of the Kurs automatic docking system occupied much of the time of flight controllers in Houston and Moscow during the last week. The test was similar to the one run in December, but this time was conducted twice - first with the Early Communications System inside the Unity module set to high power and second with the communication system on low power. The test was conducted with the purpose of exonerating or implicating the communications systems as the source of some low level of electromagnetic interference.

  Controllers continue to evaluate the health of batteries on the Station used to provide electrical power to components. Though Battery 2 has failed, the remaining five are either fully usable or can be used for short periods of time to provide the required levels of electricity to Station systems. The ISS is capable of operating fully on as few as three of its six batteries and with fewer, if necessary, by managing electrical usage on board.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit of 240 by 226 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in 1998, the ISS has completed more than 7,105 orbits. S

• 2000 February 24 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-08. 

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

  The next Shuttle crew to visit the ISS was finalized last week and includes Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yuri Usachev - the second crew that will live aboard the ISS next year. They now will take an early 'peak' at their home during the STS-101 mission that will be commanded by Jim Halsell and piloted by Scott Horowitz. Rounding out the crew will be Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber and Jeff Williams. Atlantis is being readied at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the launch scheduled for no earlier than April 13.

  While vehicle processing continues, mission planners are working on stowage and maintenance tasks that will be carried out on the 11-day flight. A spacewalk by Williams and Voss will include checking the position of a small crane mounted outside Zarya in addition to other tasks. The crane was installed during a spacewalk on the most recent Shuttle visit to the ISS. Plans call for Williams and Voss to ensure the crane is properly secured in its mounting socket.

  Meanwhile, battery cycling continues on orbit with two of the six batteries currently in restoration mode, which is a procedure periodically carried out to maintain the life and capacity of each unit. At present, three batteries are supplying all the electrical needs of Station equipment.

  STS-101 is designed to not only supply the Station with more logistics for use by future crews, but also to replace some of Zarya's aging batteries and other equipment in preparation for the arrival of the Zvezda service module in July. Presently, Zvezda is being readied for a launch between July 8-14.

  Station managers plan to hold a meeting with the International Partners in the next week or two to finalize updates to the assembly sequence that will include launch target dates for the remainder of this year. That schedule will include Russian supply launches using the Progress resupply vehicles in addition to Shuttle logistics and assembly missions.

  The first shuttle flight after the arrival of the Zvezda was approved to take place within a month after the service module's arrival. That STS-106 crew will be commanded by Terry Wilcutt with Scott Altman serving as pilot. Mission specialists include Dan Burbank, Rick Mastracchio, Ed Lu, Yuri Malenchenko, and Boris Morukov.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit of 237 by 226 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in 1998, the ISS has completed more than 7,227 orbits. S

• 2000 March 2 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-09. 

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

  While it has been determined that the crane cannot float out of its housing, and thus does not pose a safety issue to the ISS, the desire is to attempt to seat the crane properly in its housing, called a worksite interface. During the next visit of a shuttle crew to the ISS, astronauts Jim Voss and Jeff Williams will reseat the crane in its housing before moving on to other tasks.

  Battery cycling on Zarya continues with power levels well within workable ranges. Currently, the Unity module power levels are 430 watts.

  Meanwhile, Atlantis is nearing completion of processing for its first flight in a year and a half after undergoing significant upgrades. The orbiter's payload bay doors are scheduled to be closed Monday with rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building set for March 13. Launch remains targeted for no earlier than April 13.

  While vehicle processing continues, mission planners continue to work timelines for the crew that will perform stowage and maintenance tasks that will be carried out during the flight.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit of 235 by 226 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in 1998, the ISS has completed more than 7,320 orbits.

• 2000 March 9 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-10. 

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

  Atlantis is nearing completion of processing for its first flight in a year and a half after undergoing significant upgrades. Rollover from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building is currently scheduled for no earlier than March 16. Launch remains targeted for the mid-April timeframe. Managers plan to discuss the launch date for Atlantis at the traditional Orbiter Rollout Review meeting, which will take place tomorrow.

  Meanwhile, aboard the ISS, battery cycling on Zarya continues with power levels well within normal ranges to support mission activities. Currently, the Unity module power levels are 430 watts. Zarya's Battery 1, which will be replaced during the STS-101 mission along with its associated electronics components, has been fully discharged, and will not be reactivated prior to the visit of Atlantis' crew members. Battery 2 remains off-line after a component called a Storage Battery Current Converter (PTAB in Cyrillic), which controls its charging and discharging capability, failed several weeks ago. That component will also be replaced during STS-101. Discussions continue between U.S. and Russian managers regarding battery management from now until the Shuttle maintenance mission.

  Late Monday night, U.S. time, the ISS will be maneuvered by Russian flight controllers to simulate the ultimate orientation the Station will be in for Atlantis' docking next month. That will be followed by one final test of Zarya's "Kurs" system, the automatic docking system which will be used this summer when Zarya controls the final phase of the Station's approach and docking to the Zvezda Service Module following its launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Unity's power output will be lowered to eliminate any potential for radio frequency interference with the "Kurs" system during the test.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit of 235 by 226 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in November 1998, the ISS has completed more than 7,430 orbits.

  S

• 2000 March 16 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-11. 

  A docking attitude test was performed Tuesday to verify the operation of the motion control system aboard Zarya - the electronics associated with commanding maneuvers of the ISS for rendezvous and docking operations.

  In addition to verifying the attitude in which the Station will be placed prior to Atlantis' arrival, the teams also performed an additional test with the onboard automatic docking system, called Kurs, that will allow the ISS to rendezvous with the nearby Zvezda for docking of the Station's living quarters. Though data are still being evaluated, all indications are that the system is healthy and ready to support the arrival of the ISS's newest module.

  Zvezda remains scheduled for launch between July 8-14 atop a Proton launch vehicle. An actual launch date within that window will be selected about a month prior to launch.

  All other operations aboard the ISS are normal, with battery cycling continuing to ensure a healthy electrical power system in preparation for Atlantis' mission to replace and repair some batteries and their associated components. The STS-101 mission remains scheduled for a mid-April launch to deliver supplies and restore full redundancy to the Station's power system.

  Processing of Atlantis has been completed and the orbiter should be in the Vehicle Assembly Building tonight for mating to its solid rocket booster/external tank stack. Plans are for the Shuttle to be moved to its sea-side launch pad next week leading toward April's launch to the ISS.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit of 232 by 223 statute miles. Since the launch of Zarya in November 1998, the ISS has completed more than 7,555 orbits.

  S

• 2000 March 23 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-12. 

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

  Atlantis is scheduled to be moved to the launch pad early Saturday in preparation for the STS-101 launch currently set for no earlier than April 17. With processing virtually completed on the orbiter, planners continue to massage the details of hardware on the station that will be changed out to preserve and extend the Zarya module through the end of the year as the ISS awaits the arrival of its next pressurized module - the Zvezda service module.

  Zvezda is scheduled to launch atop a Russian Proton launch vehicle between July 8 and 14. The module is in its final months of processing at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

  The ISS continues to operate without any major systems failures as it circles the Earth every 92 minutes in an orbit of 232 by 221 miles. The station has completed 7,645 orbits since Zarya was launched in November 1998.

  Meanwhile, the first crew to officially turn the International Space Station into a home is scheduled to launch to the outpost in late October following Zvezda's launch and docking in July. Zvezda (the Russian word for 'Star') provides life support, command and control, and the early living quarters for the crew.

  The adjustments to the official near term assembly sequence were agreed to by the International Partners and participants at a recent Space Station Control Board meeting. The United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, the European Space Agency, Italy and Brazil were represented at the meeting.

  The first crew of three includes Commander William Shepherd, Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev. They will launch to the ISS from Baikonur atop a Soyuz rocket and dock two days later for a three-to-four-month stay.

  Following is the updated near term assembly sequence through August 2001 with no-earlier-than target launch dates.

  International Space Station Assembly Sequence
  March 2000 Update

  • Date/Flight/Launch Vehicle/Element(s)
  • April 17, 20002/A.2a/Space Shuttle (STS-101) /Spacehab - Maintenance Flt.
  • July 8-14, 2000/1R /Russian Proton /'Zvezda' service module
  • Aug 19, 2000/ 2A.2b/Space Shuttle (STS-106) /Spacehab - Logistics Flight
  • Sept 21, 2000 /3A /Space Shuttle (STS-92) /Integrated Truss Structure (ITS) Z1; Pressurized Mating Adapter-3; Control Moment Gyros (CMGs)
  • Oct 30, 2000/2R/Russian Soyuz /Expedition 1 Crew launch
  • Nov 30, 2000/4A/Space Shuttle (STS-97)/ Integrated Truss Structure (P6); Photovoltaic Module; Radiators
  • Jan 18, 2001/5A/Space Shuttle (STS-98)/ 'Destiny' laboratory module
  • Feb 9, 2001/4R /Russian Soyuz /Docking Compartment
  • Feb 15, 2001/5A.1/Space Shuttle (STS-102)/ 'Leonardo' Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM)
  • Apr 19, 2001/6A /Space Shuttle (STS-100) /'Rafaello' MPLM; Station Remote Manipulator System
  • APR 30, 2001/2S/Russian Soyuz /Soyuz spacecraft swap
  • May 17, 2001/7A/Space Shuttle (STS-104) /Airlock
  • June 21, 2001/7A.1/Space Shuttle (STS-105) /'Donatello' MPLM
  • Aug 23, 2001 /UF-1 /Space Shuttle (STS-109) /First utilization flight

• 2000 March 30 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-13. 

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

  Atlantis' STS-101 mission not only provides an early look by three of its crew members at their future home, but also sets the stage for the arrival of the Zvezda service module set to launch on a Russian Proton rocket in mid July from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Susan Helms, Jim Voss and cosmonaut Yuri Usachev will oversee maintenance tasks to restore the Zarya module's electrical power system to full capacity.

  The three crew members were added to this mission for their unique abilities to step in on short notice to accomplish tasks for which they have already been training as the second crew to live alone next year on the ISS. Voss will join fellow crew member Jeff Williams in a space walk to replace a malfunctioning antenna on the Unity module and deliver additional components of a Russian crane to the outside of the station. The two astronauts also will check the current location of a small U.S. crane to ensure it is seated properly in its housing.

  On orbit, the two components making up the International Space Station continue to operate in good health with electrical power management serving as the primary focus of flight controller attention. Zarya's automatic docking system that will be used to rendezvous and dock with Zvezda has been verified to be in good working condition following several tests over the course of the last few months. Kurs, as it's called, has two redundant systems and plans are being finalized as to which will serve as primary for the rendezvous and docking phase. Specific procedures are being developed as to the management of the station's power and communications systems during the final stages of the docking activities.

  Earlier today in the California desert, an experimental spacecraft that is being considered for use as an emergency crew return vehicle from the ISS was tested for the fourth time. The X-38 was dropped from the wing of NASA's B-52 and touched down under the shadow of a huge parafoil. The next test of the craft at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center is scheduled this summer.

  The ISS continues to operate with no major systems failures as it circles the Earth every 92 minutes in an orbit of 232 by 217 miles. The station has completed more than 7,760 orbits since Zarya was launched in November 1998.

• 2000 April 6 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-14. 

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

  Launch is set to occur at about 4:15 p.m. Eastern time to perform life-extension maintenance tasks on the Zarya module, and to deliver supplies to the inside and outside of the Station for use by future crews.

  Commander Jim Halsell has resumed full training activities after spraining his ankle a couple weeks ago and practiced landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft last night. Joining Halsell on the mission are Pilot Scott Horowitz and Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yuri Usachev. The latter three will focus their attention during the docked phase of the flight on repairing some equipment inside their future home.

  Awaiting Atlantis' arrival, the International Space Station continues to operate with no major systems problems. Its electrical power system is being strategically managed to maximize the power required by operating systems inside the Zarya and Unity modules.

  Meanwhile, in Moscow, the second and third stage engines have been delivered for final inspection and installation into the Proton rocket that will carry the next component of the ISS - the Zvezda service module - to orbit. Zvezda's launch remains slated between July 8 and 14 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

  The current orbit of the ISS is 232 by 215 miles. The average decay of the Station's orbit is about 1-1 ½ miles per week. The altitude can be raised by using Zarya's thrusters, but will be unnecessary if Atlantis arrives later this month since the orbiter will perform an altitude reboost of the ISS before departing near the end of the flight. The ISS now has completed more than 7,860 orbits since Zarya was launched in November 1998.

• 2000 April 13 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-15. 

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

  Workers at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida have completed a swap-out of the power drive unit on the orbiter and will spend the next few days completing retests to verify the borrowed unit from Columbia is in good working order. At present there is no anticipated schedule impact to the April 24 launch.

  Meanwhile, halfway around the world in Russia and Kazakhstan, work continues in preparation for Zvezda's launch atop a Proton launch vehicle. The Proton that will carry Zvezda into space currently is being assembled at its manufacturing plant at the Krunichev Space Center in Moscow. Its assembly is scheduled to be completed in mid May with delivery to the Baikonur Cosmodrome scheduled about two weeks later.

  Awaiting the Proton's arrival at the launch site is the Zvezda service module, which will house life support systems, serve as the living quarters, and provide the ISS with command and control and reboost capability through the early assembly sequence. Zvezda's launch remains targeted to occur between July 8 and 14.

  STS-101 will be commanded by Jim Halsell and piloted by Scott Horowitz. Joining them are Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yuri Usachev. The seven-member crew will undergo their final physicals and wrap up training activities at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, this week prior to entering quarantine on Monday. The crew will fly to Florida next Friday, April 21, for the final three days of preparations prior to launch.

  The current orbit of the ISS is 231 by 214 miles (372 x 344 kilometers). The average decay of the Station's orbit is about 1-1½ miles per week. While docked, Atlantis' reaction control system thrusters will be used to raise the orbit of the station by as much as 19 miles (about 30 kilometers). The actual orbit raising distance is calculated to 'place' the ISS at an altitude conducive to the rendezvous with Zvezda in late July. As of midday today, the station has circled the Earth more than 7,970 times since November 1998.

• 2000 April 20 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-16. 

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

  Final processing of the Shuttle is underway with the seven-member scheduled to arrive in Florida tomorrow at 3 p.m. East Coast time. Their arrival will be shown live on NASA Television.

  The countdown begins tomorrow at 7 p.m. EDT leading toward a launch at the opening of a five-minute window at 4:15 p.m. Eastern.

  Meanwhile, the on orbit Station is completing the final battery cycling of its four usable systems and will be in a good configuration for docking by the Shuttle next Wednesday. All systems are in good shape to support the rendezvous, docking and maintenance work scheduled throughout the STS-101 mission.

  In addition to completing battery cycling, controllers will warm up the Unity module's shell so that it will be at the proper temperature when the Shuttle arrives. That activity should be completed before Monday's Shuttle launch.

  At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, workers have completed electrical testing of the Zvezda service module, which is the next component of the ISS. Zvezda will be launched atop a Proton rocket in mid July. The ISS will dock with Zvezda about two weeks later near the end of July.

  STS-101 will be commanded by Jim Halsell. Joining him on the crew are Pilot Scott Horowitz and Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yuri Usachev.

  The current orbit of the ISS is 229 by 213 miles (368 x 342 kilometers). The average decay of the Station's orbit is about 1-1½ miles per week. While docked, Atlantis' reaction control system thrusters will be used to raise the orbit of the Station by as much as 19 miles (about 30 kilometers). The actual orbit raising distance is calculated to position the ISS at the desired rendezvous altitude with Zvezda. As of midday today, the Station has circled the Earth more than 8,095 times since November 1998.

• 2000 April 27 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-17. 

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

  Following three launch attempts this week, shuttle and station managers met this morning to formulate a plan that would protect launch opportunities anytime starting next week through the end of May. The plan will be briefed tomorrow morning.

  Presently, Russian flight controllers are developing a detailed plan for using thrusters on the Zarya module to raise the Station's orbit as early as Saturday, if necessary.

  The current orbit of the ISS is 227 by 211 miles (365 x 339 kilometers). The average decay of the Station's orbit is about 1½ miles per week. As of midday today, the ISS has circled the Earth more than 8,200 times since November 1998.

• 2000 April 28 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-18. 

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

  In the meantime, flight dynamics experts will spend the next week determining whether the Station's orbit needs to be adjusted to protect the phasing, or alignment, with the Shuttle at launch and during rendezvous. An orbit adjust burn, if required, using thrusters on the Zarya module will not occur before May 6 depending on the outcome of the trajectory analysis.

  The ISS is in a safe orbit with no systems problems affecting its operation. Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow have resumed routine operations watching over systems and cycling onboard batteries, while awaiting the launch of Atlantis.

  The current orbit of the ISS is 227 by 211 miles (365 x 339 kilometers). The average decay of the Station's orbit is about 1½ miles per week. As of midday today, the ISS has circled the Earth more than 8,216 times since November 1998.

• 2000 May 8 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-19. 

  Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow are preparing for the next launch attempt of the Shuttle Atlantis to send six American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut to the International Space Station (ISS).

  Shuttle program officials are now targeting Thursday, May 18, for launch at about 6:38 a.m. EDT. A new countdown will begin on Monday, May 15, the same day the seven crew members plan to return to the Kennedy Space Center. A launch on May 18 would put Atlantis on a trajectory for a rendezvous with the ISS on Flight Day 4, with docking planned for shortly after midnight EDT on Sunday, May 21 (late Saturday night, May 20, CDT). Undocking would occur on May 26 with a night landing in the pre-dawn hours at KSC on Memorial Day, May 29.

  With ISS systems functioning well, Station program officials determined that, for the moment, no firing of the engines on the Zarya module will be required to adjust the orbit of the ISS to facilitate rendezvous opportunities for Atlantis. ISS mission managers will review this plan at their next meeting on May 11, and could execute an altitude adjustment maneuver on May 16 if plans change, but it is highly unlikely any Zarya propellent will be used prior to Atlantis' arrival. Once docked to the ISS, Atlantis will reboost the Station by around 22 statute miles for the arrival of the Russian Zvezda Service Module this July following its launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

  At the time of docking, the ISS is expected to be at an altitude of 206 statute miles (332 kilometers). The average decay of the Station's orbit is a little more than 1½ miles per week, but there are no concerns regarding the Station's altitude falling below safe limits. As of midday today, the ISS has circled the Earth more than 8,328 times since its first component was launched in November 1998.

  Otherwise, the focus of attention for flight controllers over the next two weeks will be on routine cycling of Zarya's batteries and the monitoring of other ISS systems.

• 2000 May 11 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-20. 

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

  American and Russian flight controllers, meanwhile, continue to monitor systems on the international outpost as it awaits the arrival of the crew to deliver supplies and perform some home improvement work in preparation for the arrival of the Russian "Zvezda" Service Module this summer.

  The launch of Atlantis is currently planned for 6:38 a.m. EDT next Thursday during a five minute launch opportunity. Atlantis would arrive for a docking with the ISS at about 12:32 a.m. EDT on May 21 (11:32 p.m. CDT on May 20), the fourth day of the flight. Atlantis' launch on May 18 is contingent on the maiden commercial launch of a Lockheed Martin Atlas 3 expendable rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, currently planned for late Monday afternoon. Because it is the first launch of a new vehicle, Atlas has reserved launch attempts at the Cape through May 17, if required. Should the Atlas launch be delayed to May 17, the launch of Atlantis would be moved one day later, to May 19. Atlantis currently has launch opportunities through May 21.

  A May 18 launch of Atlantis would result in the Shuttle undocking from the ISS on May 26 at about 5:32 p.m. EDT with landing at the Kennedy Space Center planned for the pre-dawn hours of Memorial Day, May 29, at 2:18 a.m. EDT. Atlantis' crew members are now back in quarantine and will fly down to their launch site late Sunday night for final pre-launch preparations. Their arrival will be broadcast on NASA Television. A new countdown will begin on Monday at 9:30 a.m. EDT with launch and mission coverage beginning at 1 a.m. EDT on May 18.

  After another review today of the launch schedule, American and Russian Station officials made a final determination that no firing of the thrusters on the ISS' "Zarya" Module would be necessary to adjust its altitude to accommodate Atlantis' rendezvous. Although controllers continue to keep close tabs on the status of Zarya's electrical systems, no significant technical issues are being pursued in advance of Atlantis' arrival. Four of Zarya's batteries and associated electronics will be replaced during the docked phase of Atlantis' flight along with other hardware in both Zarya and the Unity module.

  Russian managers are reporting that Zvezda's preparations continue on schedule to support a launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan during a period between July 8-14. Zvezda is undergoing final vacuum chamber testing at Baikonur. Its Proton booster rocket is scheduled to be delivered to Baikonur from Moscow late this month, with a General Designer's review planned in Moscow around June 20 to set a firm launch date for "Zvezda". That will follow the launch of another Proton rocket with modified engines from Baikonur in early June to certify the refurbished rocket for Zvezda's launch.

  The current orbit of the ISS is 221 by 207 statute miles (355 x 333 kilometers). The average decay of the Station's orbit is about 1½ statute miles per week. While docked, Atlantis' reaction control system thrusters will be used to raise the orbit of the Station by around 20 miles. As of today, the Station has circled the Earth more than 8,440 times since November 1998.

• 2000 May 19 - STS-101.  Spacecraft: Atlantis. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 2000 May 19 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #02. 

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

  Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Scott Horowitz and Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yury Usachev will spend much of the day checking out orbiter systems and space walking equipment, while continuing to slowly close in on the station through a series of calculated rendezvous maneuvers.

  The crew will examine and prepare the tools required to support rendezvous and docking operations as well as perform checks of the extravehicular mobility units, or space suits, that will be used by Williams and Voss during the planned space walk Sunday night into Monday morning. Both suits are checked far enough ahead of the space walk to ensure good working condition in plenty of time to allow for any required troubleshooting work by the specialists on the ground.

  Also tonight and into tomorrow, Halsell will assist Weber in testing Atlantis' mechanical arm, checking its operation while conducting a video survey of the payload bay. This procedure will make certain the arm is functioning properly to support the space walk

  Atlantis is currently in a highly elliptical orbit of 199 x 98 statute miles. At about 7 o'clock this evening, Central time, the shuttle was a little over 2,700 s.m. behind the station, closing in at a rate of about 546 s.m. every 90 minutes.

• 2000 May 19 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #01. 

  With dawn's first light glimmering above, six American astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center to pay a "home improvement" house call on the fledgling International Space Station.

  Riding aboard the upgraded and refurbished space Shuttle Atlantis, Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Scott Horowitz and Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yury Usachev rocketed away from their Florida launch site at 5:11 a.m. Central time, a pre-dawn launch by Shuttle standards. Atlantis quickly rose into daylight as it raced up the Eastern seaboard in pursuit of the 76-foot long, 35-ton international station, which was flying over the Ukraine, southwest of Kiev.

  The launch was Atlantis' first since September 1997. Atlantis recently underwent major modifications, including the introduction of a state-of-the-art, hi-tech glass cockpit filled with computer displays to replace the old cockpit dials and switches.

  Atlantis launched on time after three delays last month caused by high winds at the launch site and at overseas emergency landing strips. Today, conditions were perfect. Atlantis is scheduled to link up to the space station at 11:31 p.m. Central time Saturday night (12:31 a.m. Eastern time Sunday morning).

  Once on orbit, Atlantis' crew began to set up shuttle systems for the planned 10-day mission, preparing to open the ship's cargo bay doors, which will be followed by the activation of the double Spacehab module housed in the rear of the cargo bay, containing more than a ton of supplies the crew will transfer to the station.

  The astronauts will begin their first eight-hour sleep period just five hours after liftoff, at 10:11 a.m. Central time, and will be awakened at 6:11 p.m. this evening to begin their first full day in orbit. Prior to the start of that sleep period, Halsell and Horowitz will fire Atlantis' maneuvering jets in the first of a series of maneuvers designed to put the shuttle on a precise course to the International Space Station.

  After the first rendezvous maneuver, Atlantis will be circling the Earth in a slightly elliptical orbit of about 201 by 124 statute miles, inclined 51.6 degrees to either side of the equator.

• 2000 May 20 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #04. 

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

  As of about 6:30 p.m. this evening, the Shuttle trailed the station by about 70 nautical miles and was closing in by about 14 nautical miles with each orbit of Earth. The final phase of rendezvous will begin when Atlantis reaches a point about eight nautical miles directly behind the station and fires its engines in a terminal phase initiation burn at 8:39 p.m. Central.

  The TI burn, as it is called, will put the Shuttle on a course directly toward the station during the next orbit of Earth. As Atlantis moves within about a half-mile of the station, Halsell will take over manual control of the Shuttle's approach, flying the Shuttle from controls in the aft cockpit. Atlantis will arrive at a point about 600 feet directly below the station about 10:09 p.m. Central, and Halsell then will begin a half-circle of the orbiting outpost. Atlantis will pass about 350 feet in front of the station and then move to a point about 250 feet directly above it about 10:34 p.m. Central.

  Halsell will then begin to descend toward the station and, at about 10:38 p.m. Central, hold position at a point about 170 feet away. Halsell will maintain that distance for about 20 minutes to allow the station to move within range of Russian ground communications stations before continuing the approach. At 11:20 p.m., Halsell will hold position again briefly at a point about 30 feet from the station to ensure the Shuttle and station docking mechanisms are precisely aligned. Docking is expected about 11 minutes later with the Shuttle contacting the station at a slow rate of about a tenth of a foot per second.

  During the rendezvous, Pilot Scott Horowitz will assist Halsell in controlling Atlantis' approach. Mission Specialists Susan Helms and Yury Usachev also will assist with the rendezvous and docking, with Mary Ellen Weber and Jeff Williams operating the Shuttle's docking mechanism.

  After docking, a hatch leak check will be performed and the astronauts will review plans for Sunday night's scheduled space walk by Williams and Jim Voss. Atlantis' crew will not open the hatch to the Unity module and enter the station until Monday evening, 24 hours after the space walk is completed.

• 2000 May 20 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #03. 

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

  Atlantis' Commander Jim Halsell and Pilot Scott Horowitz tested the navigation equipment and flight controls they will use late tonight to rendezvous with and then dock to the station. They also fired Atlantis' engines periodically to adjust the rate at which the Shuttle is closing in on the station. Atlantis is 430 statute miles behind the station now, closing in 30 statute miles with each orbit of Earth. Atlantis will continue that closing rate throughout the day while the crew sleeps.

  During an engine firing Friday evening using both large orbital maneuvering system (OMS) engines on Atlantis, flight controllers saw an indication that one of two propellant valves for the left OMS engine may have failed to close. The engine's backup valve did operate normally, and the engine remains in good operating condition. However, as a precaution, the left engine will not be used again until Atlantis is ready to deorbit at the completion of the flight. Controllers are continuing to analyze the information and are uncertain if the valve actually did not operate properly or whether the indication may have been an errant sensor reading. The right OMS engine alone can be used for large rendezvous engine firings with no impact on the mission.

  Astronauts Jeff Williams and Jim Voss checked the spacesuits and equipment they will use during the upcoming spacewalk, finding them in good shape. Three suits -- one for Williams, one for Voss and a spare, which could be used by either -- were checked out aboard Atlantis. Williams and Voss were assisted in the checks by Horowitz, who will coordinate the spacewalk activities from within the cabin. Later, fellow crew member Mary Ellen Weber successfully tested the Shuttle's robotic arm. Weber will operate the arm during the spacewalk to maneuver Williams and Voss between Atlantis and the station. Weber uncradled the arm this morning and used it to survey the Shuttle's payload bay. Later, Weber powered on the docking system Atlantis will use to attach to the station and extended the system's docking ring. The ring latches onto the station when the Shuttle makes contact and is then retracted to secure the two spacecraft together.

  The crew will begin a sleep period at 8:11 a.m. and awaken at 4:11 p.m.. At 8:39 p.m., with Atlantis trailing the International Space Station by about 50,000 feet, Halsell will fire the Shuttle's engines to initiate the final phase of the rendezvous. Just before 10 p.m., as Atlantis reaches a point about a half-mile below the station, Halsell will take over manual control of the approach. He will reach a distance of about 170 feet from the station at 10:39 p.m. Docking is expected at about 11:31 p.m. Atlantis is in an orbit with a high point of 204 miles and a low point of 199 miles, circling Earth every 90 minutes.

• 2000 May 21 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #05. 

  Flying five miles a second above the Ukraine, Commander Jim Halsell gently pulled the Shuttle Atlantis into port last night, flawlessly latching his 100-ton spacecraft to the 35-ton International Space Station for a five-day stay.

  Halsell and his crew performed the rendezvous and docking with the station by the book, docking on target at 11:31 p.m. CDT Saturday. Although Atlantis is now firmly attached to the station, the astronauts will not enter the new outpost until Monday, turning their immediate attention instead to a six and half-hour spacewalk to begin late tonight.

  Astronauts Jim Voss and Jeff Williams will perform tonight's spacewalk to install the final part of a Russian-built crane on the station's exterior; replace a faulty communications antenna; and install various cables and handrails. Following the docking, Voss and Williams spent several hours this morning preparing the tools and equipment they will use for the sojourn outside and double-checking the spacewalk plans with the rest of the crew.

  The crew also lowered the air pressure inside Atlantis from the standard sea-level pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch to 10.2 pounds per square inch, a pressure equivalent to that felt at an altitude of 10,000 feet on Earth. The lower cabin pressure helps Voss and Williams purge nitrogen from their bodies to avoid decompression sickness when they go to the 4.2 pounds per square inch, pure oxygen atmosphere of the spacesuits this evening.

  The International Space Station remains in good condition, ready for the crew to enter on Monday to start several days of maintenance and unloading of supplies. As the crew's waking hours wound down early this morning, Mary Ellen Weber, who will oversee much of the transfer of equipment, and Halsell made some early preparations of the docking system for the eventual entry into the station.

  The crew will begin a sleep period at 8:11 a.m. and awaken at 4:11 p.m. for a fourth day in space, a day devoted to the spacewalk. Voss and Williams are planned to begin donning their gear and suits at 6:11 p.m., leading to a predicted exit from Atlantis' airlock hatch at 9:31 p.m. During the spacewalk, Williams' suit will be distinguishable from Voss' suit by red stripes around the legs. The astronauts are scheduled to conclude the spacewalk at 4:01 a.m. Monday.

  Atlantis is operating well with flight controllers reporting no problems of significance for any of the mission's activities. The shuttle and station are in an orbit with a high point of 209 statute miles and a low point of 203 statute miles, circling Earth every 91 minutes.

• 2000 May 21 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #06. 

  The seven astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis were awakened at 4:11 p.m. CDT to the song "Lookin' Out the Window" by Stevie Ray Vaughan and are now busy with preparations for tonight's space walk which is scheduled to begin about 9:15 p.m. CDT.

  Mission Specialists Jeff Williams and Jim Voss will have several tasks as part of the planned six and a half hour extravehicular activity, or EVA, this evening. They will inspect and then secure a U.S.-built cargo crane known as the Orbital replacement unit Transfer Device that originally was installed during a space walk on the STS-96 mission in June 1999. Williams and Voss then will complete assembly of a Russian cargo crane called Strela (Russian for "arrow") that was begun on a space walk during STS-96. Strela will be placed on the Pressurized Mating Adapter-1 that connects the Unity node to the Zarya control module in the same vicinity as the American crane.

  The two space walkers then will turn their attention to replacing one of Unity's two early communication antennas. That antenna has been experiencing some problems. Williams and Voss then will move on to their final EVA task with the installation of eight handrails on the station's exterior. This is part of some get ahead work for two upcoming assembly flights -- STS-92 in late September and STS-97 in January 2001. The STS-92 crew will install the Z-1 truss structure, and the STS-97 crew will deliver the U.S. Laboratory module. If all activities go as planned, the space walk should conclude about 3:45 a.m. CDT. Monday. During tonight's EVA activity, Williams will be identifiable by red stripes on the arms and legs of his spacesuit while Voss' spacesuit will be solid white. Tonight's EVA will mark the 85th space walk in U.S. history and the fifth dedicated to assembly of the International Space Station. To date, Shuttle astronauts have performed almost 300 hours of EVAs (297 hours, 53 minutes). The duration of the four previous station assembly space walks is 29 hours, 17 minutes.

  Atlantis is operating well with flight controllers reporting no problems of significance for any of the mission's activities. The shuttle and station are docked in an orbit with a high point of 209 statute miles and a low point of 203 statute miles, circling Earth every 91 minutes.

• 2000 May 22 - EVA STS-101-1.  Spacecraft: International Space Station.

  The crew reattached the US crane, attached the Russian Strela transfer boom, and replaced a faulty antenna on the Unity node. EVA handrails were fixed to the station exterior for use on later spacewalks.

• 2000 May 22 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #07. 

  Astronauts Jim Voss and Jeff Williams spent over six hours outside the Space Shuttle Atlantis this morning, completing a variety of planned assembly and maintenance tasks on the International Space Station with ease.

  Voss and Williams started the spacewalk early and remained ahead of schedule throughout. The astronauts secured a United States-built crane that was installed on the station last year; installed the final parts of a Russian-built crane on the station; replaced a faulty antenna for one of the station's communications systems; and installed several handrails and a camera cable on the station's exterior. The six-hour, 44-minute spacewalk began at 8:48 p.m. CDT Sunday and was completed at 3:32 a.m. CDT today. Assisting with the activities from inside Atlantis' cabin was Pilot Scott Horowitz while Mission Specialist Mary Ellen Weber operated the Shuttle's robotic arm, which she used to maneuver Voss during much of the spacewalk.

  The extravehicular activity conducted by Voss and Williams marks the fifth spacewalk conducted for construction of the International Space Station; the 49th spacewalk based out of the Space Shuttle; and the 85th spacewalk in history conducted by U.S. astronauts.

  The crew's attention now turns to entering the station, a process planned to begin at 7:11 p.m. today. The astronauts will open a total of six hatches as they move through the station's compartments. The first hatch into the station's Unity connecting module will be opened about 7:56 p.m. and the first hatch into the Zarya module will be opened about 9:11 p.m. Once inside the station, the crew will begin transferring equipment and performing maintenance work immediately. Replacement of four batteries in the Zarya will begin about 11:31 p.m., with astronaut Susan Helms and cosmonaut Yury Usachev scheduled to install two new batteries and their associated electronics. Helms and Usachev will install the remaining two replacement batteries later during the docked phase of the flight.

  The crew plans to go to sleep at about 8 this morning and will be awakened by Mission Control at 3:56 p.m., with the focus of work this evening being the first entry into the station. Atlantis and the International Space Station remain in good condition orbiting Earth each 91 minutes with a high point of 209 statute miles and a low point of 203 statute miles.

• 2000 May 22 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #08. 

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

  Commander Jim Halsell and his crew have begun to open the various hatches between the two spacecraft in a process that will take about two hours to complete. A total of five different hatches will be opened during the crew's ingress into various parts of the station. The first hatch to be opened will be on Pressurized Mating Adapter-2 (PMA-2) which joins the Shuttle's docking mechanism to the Unity module. Next will be the hatch leading to the interior of the Unity node. Third in line will be the PMA-1 hatch at the opposite end of Unity. Next will be the hatch leading into the Zarya control module. The fifth and final hatch to be opened will be the instrumentation cargo compartment in the rear portion of Zarya.

  The first two individuals to enter the station will be Mission Specialists Yury Usachev and Susan Helms, who will be getting a sneak preview of their future orbiting home. Usachev, Helms and fellow STS-101 crewmember Jim Voss will become the second expedition crew to inhabit the station.

  The first actions by the crew upon entering the station will be to collect air quality samples in Unity and Zarya for comparison with a sample from Atlantis. They also will measure air-circulation velocity and monitor carbon dioxide levels. Upon completion of those tasks, the crew members will break out their tools and rework some of the air ducts in Zarya to improve airflow. They will re-route some ducts, strengthen others, add new acoustic mufflers where required, and they'll swap out the contaminant filter in Zarya and the charcoal filter in Unity.

  Once they determine that there has been a sufficient improvement in air circulation, the crew members will turn their attention to maintenance issues and cargo transfers. The main task for this evening will be the replacement of two of the batteries on the station. Problems with performance of at least two of Zarya's six "800A" storage batteries led to a decision to replace four batteries during STS-101 docked operations. The third battery will be replaced tomorrow and the fourth on Wednesday.

  Atlantis' crew will replace the four suspect, 163-pound batteries -Numbers 1, 2, 3 and 5 - as well as three of their 34-pound current converters and two of their 10-pound current converter controllers. The batteries on the station collect energy during the daytime portion of the Station's orbit and provide power at night.

  The replacement of the station batteries is a well choreographed procedure that has been refined during pre-flight training activities in NASA and Russia training facilities. Of the six batteries onboard the station, a minimum of four batteries will always remain online and available to support station systems.

  In addition to replacing the batteries on the station, other maintenance activities planned during docked operations include replacing three fire extinguishers that have reached the end of their design life, 10 smoke detectors and four cooling fans.

  The Atlantis and the station both continue to operate well with flight controllers reporting no problems of significance for any of the mission's activities. The shuttle and station are docked in an orbit with a high point of 209 statute miles and a low point of 203 statute miles, circling Earth every 91 minutes.

• 2000 May 23 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #10. 

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

  Halsell along with Pilot Scott Horowitz and Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Susan Helms, Jim Voss and Yury Usachev will spend their second day inside the station as they continue the maintenance work and supply transfer activities that began yesterday. During their first day, Atlantis' crew moved 870 pounds of supplies and equipment inside the station. That material along with the 326 pounds of equipment attached to the exterior of the station by Williams and Voss during their space walk means almost 1,200 pounds of gear already have been transferred to the station. A total of 3,381 pounds of equipment and provisions will be transferred to the station before Atlantis undocks.

  Maintenance work on Flight Day Six will include the third of four planned replacements of station batteries. Helms and Usachev will repeat the procedures they followed yesterday when the first two batteries were replaced. One of the batteries replaced yesterday already has been recharged and been pronounced in excellent condition. The second replacement battery will go through its charging and checkout shortly. All of the battery replacement work is carefully designed so that at least four batteries are always online and available to support station operations.

  Other maintenance work on schedule today includes the installation of new smoke detectors, and replacement of fire extinguishers that are nearing the end of their design life.

  The first of three planned station reboost maneuvers is scheduled to take place tonight at 7:01 p.m. CDT. The maneuver will see Atlantis' steering jets fire 27 times over a 58 minute period to boost the average altitude of the station by about nine statute miles. A similar process will be repeated tomorrow and again on Thursday to increase the station's average altitude by a total of about 27 statute miles before Atlantis departs. The higher altitude will aim the International Space Station toward the optimum orbit for a link up with the Russian Zvezda living quarters module planned for launch in July.

  Late this evening, Halsell, Williams and Voss will take a few minutes to conduct a trio of interviews with reporters from the Cable News Network, Armed Forces Television and Space.Com. The interviews are scheduled to begin at 11:41 p.m. CDT.

  The Atlantis and station complex continues to operate in fine fashion orbiting the Earth once every 91 minutes.

• 2000 May 23 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #09. 

  Atlantis' crew ventured into the International Space Station for the first time last night, finding the 35-ton outpost comfortable, clean and in overall good condition as they completed a series of maintenance tasks well ahead of schedule.

  Astronaut Susan Helms and Cosmonaut Yury Usachev were the first crew members to enter the station as they opened the first of five station hatches at 7:03 p.m. CDT Monday. Helms and Usachev then opened the hatch into the station's Unity connecting module a half-hour later and were quickly joined by Astronaut Jim Voss. Voss, Helms and Usachev are scheduled to live aboard the station for more than four months next year as the second resident station crew. Helms and Usachev next entered the Zarya module at 7:53 p.m. CDT and opened the final station hatch, accessing Zarya's main compartment, at 7:58 p.m. The crew went to work in the modules immediately, placing ducting throughout the station to improve air circulation and prevent problems with stale air that were experienced during a mission last year. Because of problems reported by the crew of that previous mission, STS-96 in May 1999, the ducting was modified for this flight and Atlantis' crew has reported no problems with air circulation.

  Maintaining a pace hours ahead of schedule, Helms and Usachev replaced two of six batteries in the Zarya module along with some associated battery-charging electronics. Two additional fresh batteries will be installed on successive days of the mission. This morning, station controllers in Moscow have begun charging the first of the two newly installed batteries, finding it functioning perfectly thus far. The crew also installed three fresh fire extinguishers in Zarya, replacing three that were nearing the end of their design life. Inside the Unity module, Pilot Scott Horowitz and Mission Specialist Jim Voss replaced a power distribution box for a United States-built communications system. The crew also inspected the station for signs of condensation or mold, finding all areas clean and dry.

  Aboard Atlantis, Mission Specialist Mary Ellen Weber readied more than a ton of supplies -- ranging from sewing kits and trash bags to an exercise treadmill and IMAX film camera -- for transfer to the station beginning this evening. The crew also began filling several water containers that will be left aboard the station as well to await future resident station astronauts.

  The crew will begin a sleep period at 7:41 a.m. CDT and awaken for Day 6 of the mission at 3:41 p.m. CDT. This evening, Commander Jim Halsell will fire Atlantis' steering jets 27 times over an hour to boost the average altitude of the station by about nine statute miles. A similar process will be repeated twice more later in the mission to increase the station's average altitude by a total of about 27 statute miles before Atlantis departs. The higher altitude will aim the International Space Station toward the optimum orbit for a link up with the Russian Zvezda living quarters module planned for launch in July.

  The Atlantis and station complex are now in an orbit with a high point of 208 statute miles and a low point of 204 statute miles, circling Earth each 91 minutes.

• 2000 May 24 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #12. 

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

  Halsell, Horowitz and Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Susan Helms, Jim Voss and Yury Usachev will spend their third day inside the station continuing the maintenance work and supply transfer activities that began Monday evening. During their first two days inside the station, the astronauts have moved more than a ton (2,049 pounds) of supplies and equipment inside the facility to be used by the first station crew. More than 3,000 pounds will be transferred to the station before Atlantis undocks on Friday evening.

  Helms and Usachev already have completed the replacement of the fourth and final battery. The second battery replaced on Monday evening is fully recharged and working well as it supports station operations. The third battery, which was replaced last night, has begun its 20-hour charging process. All of the battery work is designed so that at least four of the station's six batteries are available to support station systems.

  Other work on tap for this evening includes the replacement of a Zarya radio telemetry system which has reached the end of its design life. The radio telemetry system collects and stores station data when ground station communications are not available. The crew also will fill four large water bags and transfer the bags to the station to join seven similar bags left during the STS-96 mission last year. The water bags will be part of the potable water supply used by the first station crew when it arrives later this year.

  Tonight also will see the second of three planned reboost maneuvers to raise the station's altitude. The one-hour procedure will involve 27 pulse firings of Atlantis's maneuvering thrusters. The three reboosts will raise the station to a new altitude about 237.5 x 227 statue miles and will place the station in the optimum altitude for the arrival of the Zvezda Service Module when it is launched in July.

  Shuttle and station managers have decided to move the undocking time to one orbit later. The new undocking time is now 6:07 p.m. CDT on Friday, May 26th and will happen while the two spacecraft are over Russian ground stations. The later undocking will allow the crew to get a full eight-hour sleep period. Atlantis will make shortened fly around, one half revolution of the station, before leaving the vicinity of the station. The later undocking will have no impact to Atlantis' landing at Kennedy Space Center which still is planned for 1:18 a.m. CDT Monday, May 29th.

  Later this evening at 10:11 p.m. CDT, Halsell, Horowitz and Helms will participate in a trio of interviews with the ABC Radio Network, KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon, and a webcast education event for the Housing and Urban Development agency.

  The Atlantis and station complex continues to operate well, completing one orbit of the Earth every 91 minutes.

• 2000 May 24 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #11. 

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

  Commander Jim Halsell and pilot Scott Horowitz fired Atlantis' steering jets 27 times during almost an hour Tuesday evening to gently lift the 35-ton outpost about 10 miles higher. The same process will be repeated again tonight and on Thursday to boost the station by about 27 miles in total and leave it in an orbit with an average height of about 233 miles when Atlantis departs on Friday.

  As has been the case through much of the mission, the crew completed most jobs ahead of schedule. Inside the Zarya module, Astronaut Susan Helms and Cosmonaut Yury Usachev completed the installation of a third fresh battery for the station. A fourth battery will be installed tonight. Meanwhile, station controllers in Moscow completed charging the first of two batteries installed in Zarya yesterday, and it is now operating perfectly. Controllers are charging the second new battery installed in the station, although the charging of that battery was interrupted briefly early this morning by an unforeseen conflict that prevents conducting charging and battery installation work simultaneously. The interruption halted the battery charging for about an hour and a half, but the process is now again under way with no problems. Controllers are confident the new battery is in good condition and are revising plans to ensure no similar conflict occurs as the crew is installing the final new battery tonight.

  The crew also installed 10 new smoke detectors in Zarya, replacing detectors that had reached the end of the lifetime for which they were designed to operate. The astronauts replaced four cooling fans in Zarya for the same reason. In addition, they completed the installation of new cabling for the module's central computer that will allow that computer to be turned on and off via a United States-built backup station communications system. As the installation work progressed, the crew continued transferring items ranging from exercise equipment to computer printers to the station for use by future crews. Well over 1,200 pounds of gear have been moved from Atlantis to the station thus far.

  Tonight, Helms and Usachev will install the final new battery in the station. Later, Halsell and Horowitz will fire Atlantis' jets to perform the second part of the three-part station reboost. Then the crew's attention will turn to unloading various supplies from Atlantis and stowing them aboard the station. The crew will take a short break from their work at 10:21 p.m. CDT for an interview with ABC radio news; KOIN-TV of Portland, OR; and a Department of Housing and Urban Development educational group.

  Atlantis and the International Space Station are in an orbit with a high point of 219 miles and a low point of 212 miles, circling Earth every 91 minutes.

• 2000 May 25 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #14. 

  The seven STS-101 astronauts are spending their final full day docked to the International Space Station as they prepare for undocking Friday evening. When Atlantis undocks tomorrow evening, it will leave behind a refurbished orbiting facility, operating at a higher altitude and featuring new electrical and communications components. The station is now primed and ready to receive the next major piece of the station, the Zvezda Service Module, when it is launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan between July 8-14. Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Scott Horowitz and Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Susan Helms, Jim Voss and Yury Usachev were awakened at 3:11 p.m. CDT. Today's wakeup song -- "Don't It Make You Wanna Dance" by Jerry Jeff Walker -- was played at the request of Williams' son and family.

  The main task of the day will be completing the transfer of gear and supplies to the station. In the first three days of transfer activities, the crew has moved more than 3,000 pounds of material onto the station.

  The third and final reboost maneuver began a few minutes ago at 6:36 p.m. CDT. Like the two previous reboosts, Atlantis' reaction control system jets will be fired 27 times over a 58 minute period to gently raise the station. At the end of tonight's reboost, it is expected that the station's average altitude will have been raised by 27 statue miles.

  The astronauts have completed all battery work on the station. The third battery that was replaced has completed its recharging and testing and has been put back online supporting station operations. The fourth and final new battery will begin its recharge later this evening and will be back online before Atlantis undocks tomorrow evening.

  Shortly before they begin exiting the station for the final time, Halsell, Horowitz and Weber will take a few minutes to conduct a trio of interviews with three news organizations -- CBS Newspath, Fox News Network and KTBS-TV in Shreveport, LA -- starting at 9:11 p.m. CDT.

  Just before 11:30 p.m., Halsell and his crew will reverse the steps they used when they entered the station Monday evening, closing each of the five hatches associated with station components or transfer tunnels. The overall process of closing out the station and preparing for undocking is expected to take about two hours to complete.

  Everything remains on schedule for undocking on Friday evening at 6:07 p.m. CDT. Atlantis will perform a one half revolution of the station, before the final separation burn is initiated. Atlantis remains on track for a landing back at Kennedy Space Center at 1:18 a.m. CDT on Monday, May 29th.

• 2000 May 25 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #13. 

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

  Late Wednesday, Astronauts Susan Helms and Jim Voss along with Cosmonaut Yury Usachev completed the installation of a fourth and final fresh battery in the station. Station flight controllers in Russia have completed charging two of the newly installed batteries and they are operating perfectly. The third new battery is currently undergoing a 20-hour charging process, although controllers did note some apparently irregular readings in data during the early portions of the charging activity. However, after further analysis, controllers now believe the irregular information was likely a ground communications problem and that the battery is in excellent condition. Charging of the fourth new battery will begin later today and be completed before Atlantis undocks from the station on Friday.

  Later, Voss and Williams installed several new storage compartments behind panels in the Zarya module. Helms and Usachev also installed a new Radio Telemetry System in the module, a memory unit that can store data onboard when the station is not in communications with the ground. The new memory unit replaces one that was nearing the end of its planned operational lifetime.

  Commander Jim Halsell and Pilot Scott Horowitz fired Atlantis' steering jets to perform the second part of a three-day maneuver that is raising the station's orbit. Atlantis' jets were fired 27 times over the course of almost an hour to raise the Atlantis-station complex's average altitude by about nine miles. The third and final orbit-raising activity is planned tonight and will leave the station about 27 miles higher than when Atlantis arrived, in an optimum orbit to await the launch of a station living quarters module by Russia in July.

  The crew has transferred more than a ton of gear -- ranging from sewing kits to clothing -- to the station to await use by the first resident crew. Among the items transferred this morning were a stationary bicycle ergometer as well as four 12-gallon bags of drinking water. Tonight, the crew will wrap up the transfer of equipment to the station with plans in place to unload a total of more than 3,000 pounds of gear by the time Atlantis leaves. Halsell, Horowitz and Mary Ellen Weber will take a brief break from their activities at 9:11 p.m. CDT for an interview by CBS News, Fox News and KTBS-TV of Shreveport, LA.

  The crew will begin a sleep period at 7:11 a.m. CDT and awaken at 3:11 p.m. to begin the eighth day of the mission. Atlantis is scheduled to undock from the station at 6:07 p.m. CDT Friday and land at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 1:18 a.m. CDT Monday.

  The Atlantis-International Space Station complex is now in an orbit with an altitude of about 225 miles, circling Earth every 91 minutes.

• 2000 May 26 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #15. 

  With all of their mission's objectives met or exceeded, Atlantis' crew shut the doors to the International Space Station early this morning in preparation for bidding the rejuvenated outpost farewell this evening.

  "I couldn't be happier with the way this mission has gone," Lead Flight Director Phil Engelauf said. "Our accomplishments are at more than 100 percent for the flight."

  "The crew will be leaving a pristine International Space Station behind them," added Paul Hill, Lead Station Flight Director.

  Highlights of the crew's work aboard the station included the installation of four new batteries and associated electronics; 10 new smoke detectors in the Zarya module; four new cooling fans; additional cables for the Zarya computer to enhance its capabilities; a new communications memory unit; and a new power distribution box for the United States-built backup communications system. A new communications antenna, the final parts of a Russian crane, and various cabling and handholds were installed on the station's exterior by Astronauts Jeff Williams and Jim Voss during a six-hour, 44-minute spacewalk. All of the new equipment has been checked out and is in excellent condition.

  The crew unloaded over 3,300 pounds of gear from Atlantis. Subtracting equipment removed from the station and stowed on Atlantis, the net change in mass for the station is about one additional ton. Along with the new electrical equipment installed, the crew also stowed supplies for future crews aboard the station, including about 48 gallons of water in four 12-gallon bags; a treadmill, exercise bicycle ergometer, and resistive exercise device; and sewing kits, trash bags, clothes, tools, books, note pads and can openers, among other items. Overseeing the unloading and stowing of supplies was Astronaut Mary Ellen Weber. Also, Commander Jim Halsell and Pilot Scott Horowitz fired Atlantis' steering jets in gentle, hour-long maneuvers during each of the past three days to raise the station's orbital altitude by 27 miles. The station is now in the optimum orbit to await the arrival of the next major station component -- a Russian-built living quarters that will launch in July.

  Astronaut Susan Helms and Cosmonaut Yury Usachev began backing out of the station -- closing five hatches behind them -- by closing a hatch to the Zarya module's main compartment at 12:23 a.m. CDT. The final hatch to the station was shut at 3:04 a.m. CDT as the orbiting complex flew about 234 miles above the Red Sea. Helms, Usachev and Voss will again visit the station next year to spend more than four months as the second crew to live aboard. In total, the astronauts on Atlantis spent three days, eight hours and one minute with the hatches open to the station during the mission.

  Atlantis' undocking from the International Space Station is planned for 6:03 p.m. CDT, followed by a half-loop flyaround of the station - from above to underneath - before firing its jets for the final separation. Atlantis and the station are in an orbit with a high point of 238 miles and a low point of 230 miles, circling Earth every 92 minutes.

• 2000 May 26 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #16. 

  With a gentle push, Atlantis and the International Space Station parted company this evening as the two spacecraft flew 237 miles over Kazakhstan concluding five days of work to prepare the outpost for its first resident crew.

  Undocking occurred at 6:03 p.m. Central time, as Pilot Scott Horowitz slowly backed Atlantis away from the space station and then flew a half-circle around the station, before firing Atlantis' jets in a final separation burn at 6:41 p.m. Atlantis' crew leaves behind a refurbished and rejuvenated space station with four new batteries, 10 new smoke detectors, and four new cooling fans in the Zarya module, a revamped communications system in the Unity module and 1 ½ tons of other supplies, including clothing and water.

  Now flying solo, the seven-member Atlantis crew will enjoy several hours of off-duty time tonight in recognition of the ambitious pace of work they maintained throughout this flight. Commander Jim Halsell, Horowitz, and Mission Specialists Jeff Williams, Mary Ellen Weber, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yury Usachev will power down some of the equipment used during today's undocking and flyaround, and then will perform some routine housekeeping tasks before beginning their scheduled off duty time.

  Toward the end of the crew's day, Usachev will take some time to talk with Russian media gathered at the Russian Mission Control Center just outside of Moscow in an event scheduled at 4:26 a.m. Central time Saturday morning. Usachev, along with crewmates Voss and Helms, will visit the station again next year to spend more than four months on board as the second resident crew scheduled to live on board.

  The station is now in the optimum orbit to await the arrival of the next major station component -- a Russian-built living quarters that will launch in July -- flying in an orbit with a high point of 238 miles and a low point of 230 miles, circling the Earth every 92 minutes.

• 2000 May 27 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #18. 

  With all major mission objectives successfully completed, Atlantis' crew turned its attention to a planned return trip home, with a landing scheduled for 1:20 a.m. Central time on Monday at the Kennedy Space Center.

  Shortly after 7 p.m. today, Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Scott Horowitz and Flight Engineer Jeff Williams successfully test fired Atlantis' steering jets and verified the performance of the various aerosurfaces that will be used during Atlantis' high-speed return to Earth. This checkout of Atlantis' flight control surfaces and systems is a routine activity on the day prior to landing to verify that all required systems are operating as expected. The tests were monitored by Entry flight director John Shannon from Mission Control in Houston.

  As Halsell, Horowitz and Williams conducted their work from the flight deck, crewmates Mary Ellen Weber, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yury Usachev continued stowing away equipment used over the past nine days on orbit. Throughout the five days of docked operations with the International Space Station, the Spacehab module in Atlantis' payload bay served as a way station for more than 3,000 pounds of material transferred between the two vehicles. As the astronauts prepare for their Memorial Day landing, they will ensure that equipment housed in that module -- and in Atlantis' crew cabin -- is properly stowed and secured in place.

  Midway through the crew day -- about 11 p.m. -- the astronauts will gather for a final review of entry and landing procedures, and then will continue their stowage activities. Williams and Voss, who conducted a 6 1/2 hour space walk earlier in the mission, also will pack up and stow away their spacesuits and associated hardware.

  The crew will take time from tonight's entry preparations to talk with reporters located at the Johnson Space Center in Texas, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the Russian Mission Control Center outside of Moscow in an interview scheduled to begin at 10:41 p.m.

  Preliminary weather forecasts for Monday morning's landing indicate a slight possibility of rain within 30 miles of the landing site, and cross winds in excess of acceptable limits. The weather forecasts will be refined over the course of the next 24 hours in preparation for landing. For a 1:20 a.m. Central time landing at KSC, Atlantis' orbital maneuvering system engines would be fired in a deorbit burn at 12:13 a.m. In the event weather precludes a landing on the first opportunity, a second opportunity exists for a landing in Florida on the next orbit, with a deorbit burn at 1:50 a.m. resulting in a 2:56 a.m. landing.

• 2000 May 27 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #17. 

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

  Atlantis undocked at 6:03 p.m. CDT, leaving behind a pristine space station after spending five days, 18 hours and 32 minutes attached to the orbiting outpost. After flying a half-loop around the station, Pilot Scott Horowitz fired Atlantis' jets to separate from the vicinity. The crew then had a well-deserved half-day break.

  This evening, Commander Jim Halsell and Horowitz will test the equipment Atlantis will use during the return home to ensure it remains in good condition. They also will test-fire the shuttle's steering jets, used to control the orientation of the spacecraft as it re-enters the atmosphere. The crew will participate in a press conference from orbit at 10:41 p.m. CDT, fielding questions from media at JSC, Kennedy and at the Russian Mission Control Center.

  Atlantis is in excellent condition, as is the International Space Station, now 50 miles behind the Shuttle and moving 7 miles further with each orbit of Earth. For a touchdown in Florida at 1:20 a.m. CDT on Monday, Atlantis would fire its engines to begin a descent at 12:16 a.m. CDT Monday. A second opportunity also exists for a landing in Florida on the next orbit, with an engine firing by Atlantis to begin the descent at 1:53 a.m. CDT Monday leading to a touchdown at 2:56 a.m. CDT Monday. The long-range weather forecast for Monday at the Kennedy Space Center calls for possible showers and low clouds in the vicinity, conditions that could be unacceptable for landing.

  The crew begins a sleep period at 7:11 a.m. CDT and will awaken at 3:11 p.m. to begin what is planned to be their final full day in orbit, a day devoted to the pre-landing checkouts and packing.

• 2000 May 28 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #19. 

  The astronauts aboard Atlantis have packed their bags and checked out their spacecraft in preparation for a return home and a planned touchdown at 1:20 a.m. Central time Monday at the Kennedy Space Center.

  Saturday evening, Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Scott Horowitz and Flight Engineer Jeff Williams successfully test fired Atlantis' steering jets and verified the performance of the equipment Atlantis will use for its trip home, finding everything in good shape. Early Sunday, Halsell fired Atlantis steering jets to lower its orbit by about nine miles, a maneuver that optimizes the landing opportunities that will be available for the shuttle.

  For a 1:20 a.m. Monday landing at KSC, Atlantis' orbital maneuvering system engines would be fired in a deorbit burn at 12:13 a.m. In the event weather precludes a landing on the first opportunity, a second opportunity exists for a landing in Florida on the next orbit, with a deorbit burn at 1:50 a.m. resulting in a 2:56 a.m. landing. The weather forecast for landing indicates acceptable conditions, although forecasters will be monitoring the progress of a front moving toward Florida throughout the day and its potential effect on winds at the Shuttle Landing Facility runway.

  Two opportunities for a landing in Florida also are available on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, if needed. Also on Wednesday, Atlantis could land at Edwards Air Force Base, California, if required.

  The crew sleep period begins at 7:11 a.m. and will end with a wake-up call from Mission Control at 3:11 p.m. Central. They will begin deorbit preparations in earnest just after 8 p.m. The shuttle's payload bay doors would be closed at about 9:30 p.m. and a go or no go decision would be made by Mission Control at about midnight in preparation for a 1:20 a.m. Monday landing.

• 2000 May 28 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #20. 

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

  The astronauts start getting into their launch/entry suits at 10:49 p.m., climb into their seats at 11:13 p.m., perform a gimbal check of the Orbital Maneuvering System engines at 11:35 p.m. and pre-start the auxiliary power units to generate hydraulic power for the aerodynamic surfaces at 11:39 p.m.

  The flight control team in Mission Control will review the condition of the Shuttle Orbiter and make a go/no go decision for the deorbit burn at 11:58 p.m. Atlantis maneuvers to the deorbit burn attitude at midnight and fires the OMS engines at 12:13 a.m. CDT to slow the forward speed and drop the spacecraft from orbit. Touchdown is planned for 1:20 a.m. Central time Monday at the Kennedy Space Center.

  A second opportunity for landing occurs one orbit later with a deorbit burn at 1:50 a.m. and a landing at KSC at 2:56 a.m. CDT. The weather forecast for landing indicates acceptable conditions, although forecasters will be monitoring the progress of a front moving toward Florida throughout the day and its potential effect on winds at the Shuttle Landing Facility runway.

  Two opportunities for a landing in Florida also are available on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, if needed. Also on Wednesday, Atlantis could land at Edwards Air Force Base, California, if required. Landing support will not be called up for Edwards until Wednesday.

• 2000 May 29 - STS-101 Mission Status Report #21. 

  Atlantis' astronauts glided to a ghostly pre-dawn landing this morning at the Kennedy Space Center to wrap up a successful refurbishment and resupply mission to the International Space Station.

  Commander Jim Halsell flew Atlantis to a nighttime touchdown at the Florida spaceport at 1:20 a.m. Central time to complete a 4,076,000 mile mission, the second Shuttle flight of the year. It was the 14th nighttime landing in Shuttle history and the 22nd consecutive mission to end with a landing at KSC. Halsell was joined on Atlantis' flight deck by Pilot Scott Horowitz, Flight Engineer Jeff Williams and Mission Specialist Mary Ellen Weber. Crewmates Susan Helms, Jim Voss and Yury Usachev were seated down on the orbiter's middeck for entry and landing.

  Atlantis returned to Earth after Flight Director John Shannon determined that crosswinds at the Kennedy Space Center's three-mile long landing strip were gentle and steady, enabling him to give the astronauts the green light to come home on time. Halsell fired the Shuttle's braking rockets at 12:12 a.m. Central time, allowing Atlantis to drop out of orbit for its high-speed descent. Atlantis passed over southern Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico before crossing over the Sarasota / Ft. Myers area of Florida en route to the Cape. Atlantis broke the quiet of the pre-dawn hours in Central Florida with a double sonic boom just minutes before touchdown, heralding its arrival at the landing site as it went subsonic.

  Left in orbit is the renovated International Space Station, equipped with an upgraded electrical system, new fans, filters, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and communications gear. ISS flight controllers report that the complex is functioning in excellent condition. The Station is orbiting at an altitude of about 238 statute miles, awaiting the arrival of its next component, the Russian Service Module "Zvezda", which is scheduled to be launched on a modified Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in July. The ISS will automatically rendezvous and dock with "Zvezda" about two weeks after the new module is placed in orbit.

  Atlantis will now be processed for the next Shuttle flight in early September to return to the International Space Station with another crew for the outfitting and supply of the newly arrived Service Module. That flight, STS-106, will be led by veteran Commander Terry Wilcutt.

  The STS-101 astronauts will spend Memorial Day relaxing with their families in Florida before returning to Houston Tuesday afternoon at around 1:30 p.m. Central time for a welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field near the Johnson Space Center. JSC employees and families are invited to attend the ceremony.

• 2000 May 29 - Landing of STS-101. 

  STS-101 landed at 06:20 GMT.

• 2000 June 1 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-21. 

  A rejuvenated International Space Station circles the Earth in excellent shape from a higher orbit and is ready for the arrival of its next pressurized component - the Zvezda service module.

  Following a housekeeping visit by Space Shuttle Atlantis, including one of its future crews, the station has four new batteries and associated electronics and 2,000 pounds of additional supplies and equipment that will help to make the first expedition crew feel right at home once it arrives for a four-month stay later this year.

  The only issue of any kind on the station since Atlantis' departure a week ago is that three of ten smoke detectors are showing anomalous readings even though there is no indication at all of smoke or fire. The other seven detectors are operating fine and would detect any real problem, should one exist.

  With the new batteries joining the other two working sets, the Zarya control module is back to full redundancy awaiting the arrival of the Zvezda service module, which has completed all testing at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The module now will await the arrival tomorrow of its booster rocket - the Proton - which departed Moscow last week by train.

  Zvezda's launch remains scheduled to occur between July 8 and 14. The actual launch date will be determined later this month. A Joint Program Review and General Designer's Review in Moscow are scheduled for June 22 and 23 to discuss programmatic issues and determine the final readiness of Zvezda for launch.

  The current orbit of the ISS is 245 by 230 statute miles (394 x 371 kilometers). Its orbit was raised an average of 24 miles (38 kilometers) by the shuttle during the STS-101 mission. As of today, the station has circled the Earth more than 8,750 times since November 1998.

• 2000 June 8 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-22. 

  Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow are monitoring no problems aboard the International Space Station as it circles the Earth every 92 minutes.

  Routine battery cycling is the norm as all systems are behaving normally aboard the revitalized complex following the recent visit by Atlantis and the STS-101 crew.

  This week the manual docking system aboard the Station was tested and, despite what's believed to be a ground problem, the test was completed. Another test will be conducted closer to the arrival of the Zvezda service module, scheduled for launch to the ISS in mid-July. The TORU system, as it's called, would only be used in the event that the automatic docking of the ISS to the Zvezda was not successful. This weeks test was designed to verify the angular rate sensors were reading within specification and that the outside television system was working properly.

  The automatic docking system, Kurs, is planned to be tested once again next week in preparation for Zvezda's arrival.

  Week after next, Russian flight controllers will send commands to Zarya's computer to initiate a propellant transfer onboard to ready it for firing of Zarya's attitude control jets that will perform the final rendezvous with Zvezda once it is within close proximity of the Station. Previously, dry-run tests were conducted to ensure the system was working properly to perform the actual propellant transfer.

  Three of ten smoke detectors inside Zarya remain disconnected after periodically giving false readings at random times. With the other seven detectors working fine, controllers know there is no problem on board and the detectors were powered off to prevent further erroneous messages being sent to the ground. If there were any real smoke on board, the other seven detectors would detect it and alert the ground.

  Meanwhile at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, a Proton launch earlier this week puts the ISS Program one step closer to the launch of the Zvezda service module. This launch was the first of a Proton using modified, or Phase 2, second and third stage engines like those that will lift the service module into space. A second modified Proton launch is scheduled for late this month or early next prior to the planned launch of Zvezda between July 10-12. Zvezda's Proton arrived at Baikonur by railcar late last week.

  Russian and American ISS managers will meet in Moscow on June 26 to conduct a final General Designer's Review to assess the readiness of Zvezda, the Proton, and flight controllers to support the launch of the Station's early living quarters, life support, and command and control systems.

  The current orbit of the ISS is 245 by 230 statute miles (394 x 371 kilometers). Its orbit was raised an average of 24 miles (38 kilometers) by the Shuttle during the STS-101 mission. As of today, the Station has circled the Earth more than 8,750 times since November 1998.

• 2000 June 15 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-23. 

  Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow are beginning to prepare of the International Space Station for the launch of its third major component, the Zvezda Service Module, expected in a few weeks.

  The Station continues to operate well and flight controllers have noted no problems with any systems onboard. Activities planned this week include a health check of the Kurs automatic docking system, the primary system the Station will use to rendezvous and dock with the Zvezda module once it reaches orbit. Zvezda remains targeted for launch on a Russian Proton Rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, between July 10-12. A final launch date for Zvezda is expected to be announced following a General Designer's Review meeting of Russian and United States station managers to be held in Moscow on June 26.

  Flight controllers in Moscow are continuing an analysis of results from a test conducted last week of the backup manual docking system aboard the station. The test showed no indications of any problems with the systems aboard the spacecraft. However, it is believed that a ground communications problem may have prevented some test commands from reaching the station. The backup manual rendezvous and docking system, called the TORU system, would only be used if an automatic docking with Zvezda were unsuccessful.

  Next week, commands will be sent to the station to begin transferring propellants to appropriate tanks in preparation for engine firings that will be conducted for the rendezvous and docking. A total of 1,650 pounds (748 kilograms) of propellants will be moved between tanks in two seven-hour-long procedures in preparation for the rendezvous with Zvezda.

  The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 245 statute miles and a low point of 230 statute miles (394 x 371 kilometers), circling Earth every 92 minutes.

• 2000 June 22 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-24. 

  International Space Station flight controllers continued preparations this week for the arrival of the Zvezda living quarters module, expected to launch in the next few weeks.

  Controllers sent commands to the Station Tuesday night to begin transferring onboard propellant to the appropriate fuel tanks for the upcoming rendezvous and docking with Zvezda. The procedure will have moved about 1,650 pounds of propellant between tanks on the Station when completed on Friday. Early next week, tests of the automatic docking system aboard the Station will be conducted and the Station will be commanded through a type of rendezvous and docking rehearsal.

  Zvezda remains tentatively planned for a launch sometime between July 10-12 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. On Monday, United States and Russian station managers will convene in Moscow for a General Designer's Review, a thorough review of the Zvezda module's readiness for flight, following which a launch date is expected to be announced. The Station continues to operate well and flight controllers have noted no problems with any systems onboard. The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 245 statute miles and a low point of 230 statute miles (394 x 371 kilometers), circling Earth every 92 minutes.

• 2000 June 29 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-25. 

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

  The Russian Zvezda Service Module was cleared for launch on July 12 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in a General Designer's Review at RSC-Energia in Korolev, Russia on Monday, attended by NASA and Russian space managers and representatives of the European Space Agency, which provided the data management system for the new module.

  An operations readiness review was completed today at the Johnson Space Center in Houston with Russian space officials participating by videoconference, certifying the readiness of the module and U.S. and Russian flight control teams for the launch, currently scheduled at around 12:56 a.m. Eastern time on July 12 (4:56 GMT on July 12, 11:56 p.m. Central time on July 11) atop a modified Russian Proton rocket. A firm launch time will be set next week by Russian flight controllers following a final review of Service Module systems in Baikonur.

  The July 12 launch is contingent on the successful launch July 5 of a second modified Proton from Baikonur, to place a Russian military communications satellite into orbit. Within a few hours of that launch, Zvezda will be fueled in a special facility at Baikonur and transported by railcar to the hangar housing its Proton rocket. Zvezda is scheduled to be mated to the Proton on July 6 and will be transported to Launch Pad 23 July 7 for final preparations.

  U.S. and Russian flight controllers, meanwhile, continue to refine procedures and plans for the verification of the health of Zvezda's systems on orbit during the two-week free flight checkout planned for the module prior to the linkup of the ISS with Zvezda. The automatic rendezvous system on the ISS' Zarya module and a nearly identical system on Zvezda will be tested to insure that they will be able to provide navigational data to one another on the distance between the two space craft and the rate of closure during the final phase of rendezvous and docking. Other key systems, including Zvezda's motion control system, its solar arrays and its various telemetry hardware will be checked out prior to docking as well.

  Within 72 hours after Zvezda is joined to the ISS, flight controllers will reconfigure the data processing path between the Service Module, Zarya and the Unity module, as Zvezda assumes control for the orientation of the Station, any reboost which may be required and primary communication responsibility.

  Otherwise, the Station continues to operate well and flight controllers are not working any significant technical issues. The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 245 statute miles and a low point of 230 statute miles (394 x 371 kilometers), circling the Earth every 92 minutes.

• 2000 July 6 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-26. 

  The Zvezda Service Module, which will provide the early living quarters on board the International Space Station, is slated for a 12:56 a.m. EDT launch on July 12 (11:56 p.m. CDT July 11; or 4:56 GMT on July 12) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

  Fueling of Zvezda began shortly after the successful launch of a modified Proton rocket from Baikonur on Wednesday morning and was completed early this morning. After being transported to the Proton hangar, Zvezda will be mated to the rocket that will carry it to orbit early Friday morning. Roll-out to Launch Pad 23 is slated for July 8.

  U.S. and Russian flight controllers, meanwhile, continue to refine procedures and plans to verify the health of Zvezda's systems during its two-week free flight prior to the scheduled July 25 docking of the ISS and Zvezda. The automatic rendezvous system on the ISS' Zarya module and a nearly identical system on Zvezda will be tested to insure that they will be able to provide navigational data to one another on the distance between the two space craft and the rate of closure during the final phase of rendezvous and docking. Other key systems, including Zvezda's motion control system, its solar arrays and its various telemetry hardware will be checked out prior to docking as well.

  Within 72 hours after Zvezda is joined to the ISS, flight controllers will reconfigure the data processing path between the Service Module, Zarya and the Unity module, as Zvezda assumes control for the orientation of the Station, any reboost which may be required and primary communication responsibility.

  The Station continues to operate well with no significant technical issues being worked. Battery 1 and its associated electrical component (PTAB1) have been disconnected from the remaining battery systems after indications of a slightly higher than normal discharge rate. Flight controllers believe the reading is the result of an errant sensor, but have disconnected the battery as a precaution. Battery 1 will remain offline until July 22 when it is reconnected and charged prior to the Zvezda docking. The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 245 statute miles and a low point of 230 statute miles (394 x 371 kilometers), circling the Earth every 92 minutes.

• 2000 July 12 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-27. 

  Destined to soon transform the International Space Station into a new home in orbit, the Russian-built Zvezda living quarters module lifted off flawlessly from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, at 11:56 p.m. CDT Tuesday.

  Only 15 minutes after its launch aboard a Russian Proton booster, the new module was safely in orbit, with its antennas, solar arrays and other exterior equipment perfectly extended. The module is now operating well in an orbit with a high point of about 221 statute miles and a low point of 115 statute miles. During the next two weeks, flight controllers at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia, will continue to activate and check out the module's systems, fire its engines periodically to adjust its orbit, and prepare for a docking with the International Space Station.

  On July 25, the International Space Station will begin a final rendezvous with Zvezda, culminating in a docking planned at about 7:45 p.m. CDT. The launch of Zvezda begins a rapid series of flights to the station, and a rapid expansion of the orbital outpost. A Russian Progress cargo spacecraft is next targeted for a launch to the station on Aug. 6 with a docking on Aug. 8; the Shuttle Atlantis is targeted for launch on Sept. 8 to open the doors to the new living quarters for the first time; and the Shuttle Discovery is targeted for a launch Oct. 5 on a mission that will begin the heart of station construction, carrying aloft an exterior framework and third mating adapter. The first three-person resident crew is targeted to begin a four-month stay aboard the station a month later, bringing the new outpost to life.

  Those flights, among the most complex and difficult missions NASA has ever attempted, and the ones that will quickly follow in 2001 -- U.S. solar arrays, the first U.S. laboratory, a new generation of space robotics built by Canada, logistical modules built by Italy, and a station airlock from the U.S. -- will turn the station into the largest, most powerful and most sophisticated spacecraft ever built by the end of next year.

• 2000 July 13 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-28. 

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

  After launch, Russian ground controllers monitored the module's systems through four ground site passes spaced an hour and a half apart. All systems were reported to be in good shape and operating as expected.

  Today, Zvezda's propellant system and thruster jets were tested and verified to be in good working shape. Two test firings of the engines took place about 45 minutes apart in preparation for major rendezvous maneuvers scheduled tomorrow. The first was at 11:27 p.m. Wednesday EDT (7:27 a.m. Moscow time today). While it was a test burn only, it did serve as a small rendezvous maneuver for the module on its way to a linkup with the ISS. The result of the burn was a 2 mph (1 meter per second) increase in speed, placing the module in an orbit 210 by 106 statute miles (339 by 172 kilometers). The second burn, about 45 minutes later, occurred at 12:14 a.m. EDT today (8:14 a.m. in Moscow). It too, resulted in a change of velocity of 2 mph and raised the low end of the orbit another 3 statute miles. Again, both burns were designed as test burns to verify systems were working properly and ready to support major rendezvous maneuvers.

  Other checkouts today included analyzing telemetry that verified the twin solar array drive motors were operating properly in pointing them toward the sun to gather energy for storage in the four batteries inside the module. Those batteries are reported to be working properly. Four additional batteries will be installed in the module during the next Space Shuttle visit to the International Space Station set for early September.

  The solar arrays were repositioned for the two test burns to minimize any vibrations imparted during the engine firings. After the burns, the solar arrays were moved back to their normal operating positions.

  Also completed was a test of the inertial navigation and star tracker navigation systems to verify the module can be reoriented for maneuvers and rendezvous burn.

  During the four ground passes yesterday, telemetry showed that one of the two docking targets was not deployed. The target, however, would only be used during a manual docking, which is not planned on the service module's mission. Russian specialists believe the target actually is deployed and that sensors are not reading correctly. This is no impact to the docking by the ISS to the service module planned for 8:46 p.m. EDT on July 25.

  The first two rendezvous maneuvers currently are scheduled for Friday at 1:19 a.m. EDT (9:19 a.m. in Moscow) and 1:54 a.m. EDT (9:54 a.m. Moscow time). The burns will raise both sides of the orbit - the first by an average of 30 miles) to 222 by 127 statute miles (354 x 240 kilometers) and the second by an average of 43 miles to 232 by 160 miles (373 x 257 kilometers).

  Zvezda Rendezvous Burn Plan Reference: International Space Station altitude is 235 statute miles (376 kilometers). Time/DateVelocity ChangeTarget AltitudePurpose11:27 p.m. EDT,
  July 122 mph, (1 m/s)210 x 106 statute miles,
  (339 x 172 kilometers) Test burn
  (Completed)12:13 a.m. EDT,
  July 132 mph, (1 m/s)210 x 109 miles,
  (339 x 175.5 km) Test burn
  (Completed)1:19 a.m. EDT,
  July 1436 mph, (16 m/s)222 x 127 miles,
  (358 x 204 km) Altitude adjust1:54 a.m. EDT,
  July 1444 mph, (20 m/s) 232 x 160 miles,
  (373 x 257 km) Altitude adjust

  At 8 a.m. EDT today, Zvezda was on its 22nd orbit in space traveling northeasterly across the southern Pacific Ocean.

• 2000 July 14 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-29. 

  These were the first of several large rendezvous burns scheduled over the course of the next 10 days to refine Zvezda's orbital altitude in relation to that of the ISS in preparation for docking, scheduled for 8:46 p.m. EDT on July 25.

  With the Zvezda module flying in an attitude with the forward, or cone end, pointing in the direction of travel, the first burn was carried out at 1:09 a.m. EDT (9:09 a.m. Moscow time). The burn fired both reboost engines raising the orbit to 222 by 114 miles (358 by 183 km). The second burn 45 minutes later at 1:44 a.m. EDT (9:44 a.m. in Moscow), also used both engines - each produces 690 pounds of thrust - to boost Zvezda to an altitude of 224 by 167 miles (361 by 269 km).

  As is the case with any firing of the reboost engines, the solar arrays were positioned to minimize the effects of vibrations through the structure. After the burns, the solar arrays were moved back to their normal operating positions.

  In addition to the rendezvous burns, the only other planned activity for the day was to verify the accuracy of the solar array drive motors in the backup mode. That was done by analyzing telemetry data gathered on each available communications pass through Russian ground stations.

  The correction burn planned for Saturday was cancelled after Russian flight controllers analyzed the results from today's burns and determined no adjustment to Zvezda's orbit was required. The only scheduled activity over the weekend is a thorough checkout of the 'Regul' telemetry system that includes the receiver/transmitter, antenna and onboard computer. The test will involve cycling through various software modes to ensure good command links from the ground while analyzing the return link from the module.

  Telemetry from the module continues to show that sensors are not detecting the deployment of a docking target that only would be required if a manual docking were needed. This will not affect the planned automatic docking July 25. As a reference point, Zvezda and the Zarya control module on the ISS use the same rendezvous hardware as on the Mir space station and all of its modules docked automatically.

  Zvezda attitude control is being maintained by 16 of its 32 small control thrusters. The 32 thrusters, which produce 29 pounds of thrust each (roughly equivalent to the vernier jets on a space shuttle orbiter), are divided equally between two manifolds. Only manifold one is being used.

  As of 11 a.m. CDT Friday, Zvezda had completed 40 orbits of the Earth.

• 2000 July 17 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-30. 

  The Zvezda service module is operating in excellent shape as it phases toward the International Space Station with docking still scheduled for 8:46 p.m. on July 25.

  Over the weekend, Russian flight controllers here in the Mission Control Center outside Moscow, completed checking out the 'Regul' telemetry system, which involved cycling through various software modes to ensure good command links from the ground, and analyzing the return link from the module.

  With the module operating flawlessly, no activity was performed Sunday, which was the first of three days set aside for troubleshooting, if required.

  Earlier today, controllers tested the module's motion control and navigation system using onboard sun sensors. Last week the system was tested using the star sensors. These tests verified the full operation of the onboard software to manage Zvezda's guidance system. Also today, routine cycling of the five batteries began. The module was launched with five of eight batteries installed. The remaining three will be delivered and installed during the next Space Shuttle visit scheduled for September.

  Later today, Zvezda's black-and-white docking camera will be turned on to verify its operation in anticipation of the docking next week. That camera will provide flight controllers with the first view of the International Space Station as it approaches. The images will complement the accompanying rendezvous data.

  Meanwhile, the ISS is continuing to operate in excellent shape also, awaiting the arrival of its newest module. Late tonight, a docking test will be performed that actually mimics the final two orbits of the automatic rendezvous and docking. As part of the test, the Zarya control module's thrusters will be fired briefly twice (about 1 meter per second) to correct the phase angle between the two spacecraft.

  This minor update to the rendezvous plan is necessary because controllers determined that the reboost engines on Zvezda were a little more efficient than predicted. The next scheduled rendezvous maneuver by Zvezda is scheduled for Thursday.

  Late last week, Zarya's propellant system was reconfigured so that fuel from the storage tanks can be utilized for the rendezvous. This unique ability by the attitude control thrusters to use propellant from the storage tanks in addition to the propellant tanks, protects for a complete rendezvous with no further reconfiguration activity required.

  As of 11 a.m. CDT Monday, Zvezda had completed 88 orbits of the Earth. Its present altitude is 200 miles, or 323 kilometers.

• 2000 July 19 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-31. 

  The International Space Station (ISS) and Zvezda service module continue their orbital ballet with all systems on both spacecraft in excellent shape leading toward a planned docking at 8:53 p.m. Eastern Time, July 25.

  Since the last report, Zvezda's secondary computer system was tested to verify its ability to receive commands from the ground and to notify the Mission Control Center here in Korolev that it received those commands. The Regul system has two identical 'sets' and both now have proven to be in excellent shape.

  Yesterday aboard the ISS, the Zarya control module performed two small correction burns lasting five seconds each, which raised the station's orbit by about two miles (3.3 km). Each was about two miles per hour, or one meter per second. The engine firings were part of a two-orbit simulation of all events leading to the actual docking. The first occurred at 10:59 p.m. EDT Monday and the second was at 12:25 a.m. EDT Tuesday. The simulation of docking night activities included testing the automatic docking system called Kurs. Though full data analysis from the test still is ongoing, Russian flight controllers reported that both the prime and secondary systems operated as expected.

  The next scheduled rendezvous maneuver is by Zvezda and is scheduled for 10:24 tonight EDT. This will be the first correction burn performed by the module after the two major altitude adjust burns that occurred five days ago. Russian 'ballistics' engineers are continuing to refine the planned duration and velocity change, but it is presently designed to be about 15 seconds in duration with a change in velocity of about 10 miles per hour, or 4.5 meters per second.

  Today, while Zvezda and the ISS are out of communications range, Russian and American flight controllers will conduct a simulation for the docking of the next vehicle with the station - the first Progress M1 supply spacecraft. Engineers presently are at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, loading the Progress with supplies and equipment destined for use by the first resident crew of the ISS scheduled to arrive in the fall. The Progress will be launched on a Soyuz rocket. It presently is scheduled to be launched about Aug. 6 with docking two days later. The Progress will be unloaded by the crew of the next space shuttle to visit scheduled for mid September.

  Tomorrow, controllers will review telemetry data on the battery current in each of the five onboard powerplants. Each produces electricity for use by equipment onboard. This energy is obtained by the twin solar arrays, which gather the Sun's energy and transfers it to the batteries.

  On Friday, a docking test will be performed that includes conducting a mechanical capture test of Zvezda's docking mechanism. This test will verify the operation of the software and mechanical systems associated with docking.

  As of Noon EDT Monday, Zvezda had completed 120 orbits of the Earth since its launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 12.

• 2000 July 21 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-32. 

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

  Another in a series of rendezvous maneuvers was completed late Wednesday when Russian flight controllers sent commands to Zvezda's computers to fire its engines for 15 seconds, raising the perigee, or low end of its orbit, by 13 miles (21 kilometers). The correction burn occurred at 10:47 p.m. EDT Wednesday and changed the velocity by 10 miles per hour (4.4 meters per second), placing the service module in a 224 by 180 mile orbit (361 by 290 km).

  The next two rendezvous burns for Zvezda are scheduled tonight about 30 minutes apart at 9:22 and 9:54 p.m. Eastern. The first will raise both sides of the orbit to 234 by 185 miles and the second will raise the low end by another 23 miles, to 208 statute miles.

  Also tonight a docking test will be performed that includes conducting a mechanical capture test of Zvezda's docking mechanism. This test will verify the operation of the software and mechanical systems associated with docking. It also will include positioning the module in the proper docking position with the solar arrays positioned parallel to the module. This position minimizes perturbations to the arrays at the time of docking.

  At present, one additional Zvezda orbit correction burn is scheduled for Sunday evening, Eastern Time. After that, the rendezvous is managed by the Zarya control module, which becomes the active vehicle, performing up to three rendezvous and correction maneuvers en route to the final approach and docking Tuesday night.

  Yesterday, controllers tested the camera on Zvezda that will view the ISS on approach. They also reviewed telemetry data from Zvezda's five batteries. Each battery captures energy from the module's solar arrays for use by onboard electronic equipment.

  As of Noon EDT Friday, Zvezda had completed 151 orbits of the Earth since its launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome July 12.

• 2000 July 24 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-33. 

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

  With one day remaining in its solo flight, Zvezda now becomes the passive vehicle and the ISS will perform a series of orbital burns to eventually move within range of Zvezda as the two spacecraft move within range of Russian ground tracking stations.

  In preparation for docking, Russian flight controllers sent commands to Zarya's computer to extend its docking probe in anticipation of the docking. Telemetry verified it to be in the proper position and ready for the capture of Zvezda.

  Zvezda's final three rendezvous and correction burns took place Friday and Saturday night, placing the module in a 224 by 180 mile orbit (361 by 290 km). Rendezvous burn 3 occurred at 9:44 p.m. Friday (43 seconds). Rendezvous burn 4 took place at 10:20 p.m. (8 seconds). Combined, the two burns raised the overall orbit of Zvezda by 25 miles. The last jet firing, a 9-second correction burn, raised the perigee, placing the module in the desired orbit for tomorrow night's docking.

  Upon full team agreement, the go will be given to proceed and the automatic docking sequence will continue after a station-keeping period at 30 meters. If all goes well, the two will dock permanently while flying high above Russia.

  Tuesday night's sequence of events includes:
  · Activation of Zarya's Motion Control System
  · Maneuver of Zvezda to the docking position
  · Activation of Zvezda's rendezvous system
  · Securing the solar arrays
  · Activation of ISS (Zarya's) automatic docking system (Kurs)
  · Docking - Verification that hooks and latches are closed

  Immediately after docking, the solar arrays will begin tracking the sun again and Zarya's Motion Control System will be deactivated. Within a few days after docking, the critical transfer of attitude control of the ISS will be switched from Zarya's computers to those on Zvezda.

  As of Noon EDT Monday, Zvezda had completed 200 orbits of the Earth since its launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome July 12.

• 2000 July 25 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-34. 

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

  With the ISS' Zarya Control Module operating as the active vehicle, the two craft gently docked at 7:45 p.m. Central time (4:45 a.m. Moscow time on July 26), two weeks after Zvezda rocketed into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Zarya's jets controlled the final minutes of the approach for docking, as the ISS closed on Zvezda at a glacial rate of two-tenths of a meter per second.

  Within minutes, hooks and latches on both sides of the docking interface between Zvezda and Zarya began to engage one another to form a tight seal between the two vehicles. The ISS had become a far larger complex at the moment of docking, now spanning 119 feet in length, or the size of an 11-story building. The ISS now weighs almost 60 tons.

  Immediately after docking, the solar arrays on Zvezda, which had been locked "edge on" to prevent any impingement from Zarya's jet thrusters, began articulating again to follow the sun and Zarya's Motion Control System was deactivated. Upon command from Russian flight controllers, a valve in Zvezda will be opened to pressurize the vestibule, or passageway, between the two modules. On Sunday, U.S. time, flight controllers in Korolev will begin the critical transfer of commanding and attitude control of the ISS from Zarya's computers to those on Zvezda, part of the command and telemetry system in the Service Module supplied by the European Space Agency.

  With tonight's successful docking, technicians at Baikonur were scheduled to begin fueling the first Progress resupply vehicle for the ISS, which is scheduled for launch on a Soyuz rocket on August 6. That Progress, carrying supplies for the first Expedition crew, is earmarked for docking to the ISS on August 8.

• 2000 July 31 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-35. 

  The night sky's third brightest object - the International Space Station - now is under computer control from its newest addition, the Zvezda service module, following a 'handover' of that responsibility this weekend from the Zarya control module.

  Zvezda now is handling all attitude maneuvers of the 60-ton complex through its own Motion Control System following the automatic docking last Tuesday night. Since then, leak checks have been performed verifying a tight seal between Zarya and Zvezda.

  Additionally, commanding through the Unity node's early communications system was transferred to Zvezda as well, meaning that equipment can be powered via ground commands sent from Moscow, through Houston and up to the station. Russian ground stations continue to serve as the primary method of sending commands and receiving data from the ISS. Prior to the transition of computer control, Zvezda's three computers were rebooted to allow them to synchronize properly before the formal swap.

  The remainder of this week will see flight controllers oversee routine battery cycling aboard Zarya and an automatic docking system test in preparation for the arrival of the Progress supply vehicle being readied for launch on Sunday.

  The Progress, in final processing at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, will ride to orbit on a Soyuz rocket with liftoff tentatively scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 6. At present, docking is scheduled for 3:46 on the afternoon of Aug. 8. NASA TV will cover the docking live, but not the launch.

  At just under 120 feet in length, and a wingspan of 95 feet (Zvezda's solar arrays), the ISS when visible is the third brightest object crossing the night sky. Only the Moon and Venus shine brighter.

• 2000 August 6 - Progress M1-3.  Spacecraft: Progress M1. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz.

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

• 2000 August 7 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-36. 

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

  Following a series of rendezvous maneuvers, the Progress is scheduled to dock at 3:14 p.m. Central time (12:14 a.m. Moscow time August 9) at the aft end of the newly arrived Zvezda Service Module to wait unpacking by Atlantis' crew during the STS-106 mission early next month.

  Atlantis was transported early this morning from its processing hangar at the Kennedy Space Center to the Vehicle Assembly Building to be mated to its fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. The Shuttle will be hauled to its launch pad late Sunday night, arriving at dawn next Monday for final processing for launch on September 8.

  The Progress M1 cargo ship was launched atop a Soyuz rocket at 1:26:42 p.m. CDT Sunday afternoon and reached a safe orbit nine minutes later. A short time later, all communications antennae and solar arrays had been deployed. Two rendezvous burns later Sunday placed the Progress in a 298 by 270 kilometer orbit. The ISS orbit is 363 by 351 kilometers.

  Another rendezvous burn was successfully conducted today at 2:23 p.m. CDT, with two more planned tomorrow, all designed to place the Progress in close proximity to the Station for Tuesday's automatic docking. All of the Progress' systems are functioning normally.

  The ISS systems are also in excellent shape as the recently expanded Station awaits the arrival of its newest component. With the Progress attached, the ISS will measure 143 feet in length and will weigh 67 tons, almost twice as large as it was in May the last time a Shuttle crew conducted assembly work.

  Progress docking coverage will be broadcast live on NASA Television beginning at 3 p.m. CDT tomorrow. A black and white camera on the Progress should provide views of the ISS during final approach and docking.

• 2000 August 8 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-37. 

  The International Space Station (ISS) grew in size and capability once again today with the picture-perfect docking of its first Progress supply craft at 3:13 p.m. Central Time.

  The Russian Progress M1 was launched Sunday afternoon and spent the last two days executing rendezvous burns that eventually placed it in close proximity to the station.

  Over Russian communications stations, Progress used its automated KURS docking system to hone in on the aft docking port of the newly arrived Zvezda Service Module, enabling the linkup to occur on time as the two craft flew over Kazakhstan. At the time of docking, Progress approached Zvezda at a rate of about two-tenths of a meter per second. Shortly after contact between the two vehicles, hooks and latches began to engage, forming a tight seal between the two craft. The supply ship is carrying 1,356 pounds of supplies, including clothing, food, computers and other equipment that will be unloaded by seven astronauts and cosmonauts who will arrive at the ISS in September on the STS-106 mission aboard the Shuttle Atlantis. The Progress also carried a load of fuel which will be automatically transferred through propellent lines to refill the tanks on both the Zvezda and Zarya modules.

  Atlantis is scheduled to be moved to its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center late Sunday night in anticipation of a planned Sept. 8 launch. Once they arrive at the ISS, Atlantis' crew members will begin the task of unpacking the Progress and a Spacehab module in the Shuttle's cargo bay to set up shop for the arrival of the first permanent residents of the ISS in early November.

  With the arrival of the Progress, the Station continues to rapidly expand, now measuring 143 feet in length and weighing 67 tons. The ISS can be viewed from the ground under proper lighting conditions.

• 2000 August 17 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-38. 

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

  Following the Aug. 8 docking of a Progress supply vehicle to the station, controllers pressurized the vestibule between Progress and Zvezda and conducted a successful check for leaks. The seven-member crew of STS-106 will unload supplies and equipment from the Progress into the station through the vestibule.

  Propellant lines between the supply craft and Zvezda also were checked, and controllers began moving propellants -- fuel and oxidizer -- from the Progress tanks to fill those on the Zvezda module on Thursday. That fuel transfer was successfully completed. However, on Friday, during the transfer of oxidizer from Progress to Zvezda, the operation was automatically stopped due to a suspected instrumentation problem. The transfer of propellant is expected to begin again this week.

  During the fuel transfer, Zvezda's attitude control thrusters were shut down for about two and a half hours due to a ground command error. The shutdown posed no problems for the station, since it is in a naturally stable orientation that requires extremely few jet firings to maintain. Further commands reestablished operation of the attitude control thrusters.

  Also this week, controllers, using views from a camera on the Zarya module, confirmed that one docking target on the exterior of Zvezda had only partially deployed after launch. Although the situation has no impact on current station activities, controllers are assessing the possibility of STS-106 astronauts Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko deploying the target manually during a spacewalk that is already planned for the mission.

  A successful test firing of thrusters on the Progress craft was performed Tuesday and changed the velocity of the station by about two miles per hour (one meter per second). A second firing is planned Thursday that will change the velocity by about nine miles per hour (four meters per second). During the next few weeks one or two more firings may be performed to fine-tune the station's position for the Shuttle's rendezvous on STS-106.

  Meanwhile, at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, Atlantis has been moved to its launch pad in anticipation of a planned Sept. 8 liftoff. At the station, Atlantis' crew will unpack the Progress and a Spacehab module in the Shuttle's cargo bay, setting the stage for the arrival of the first resident station crew this fall.

  With the arrival of the Progress, the station continues a rapid expansion, now measuring 143 feet in length with a mass of 67 tons. The ISS can easily be viewed from the ground under proper lighting conditions.

• 2000 August 24 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-39. 

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

  One set of fuel and oxidizer tanks aboard Zvezda is now full following the unloading of propellants from the cargo craft. Propellants will be transferred from the Progress tanks to a second set of tanks on Zvezda this week. The transfer of propellants was interrupted last week due to a sensor problem that was quickly resolved.

  Also in preparation for the rendezvous by Atlantis in a few weeks, station controllers in the United States and Russia completed two firings of engines on the Progress craft last week. The firings raised the station's average altitude by about 4.5 statute miles. Another engine firing is planned in early September to further adjust the station's orbit in preparation for the shuttle's launch. The seven-member crew of Atlantis, currently targeted for launch Sept. 8, will open the doors to the station's new Zvezda living quarters for the first time in space and prepare the outpost for the arrival of the first resident crew later this fall.

  Early Monday, Station flight controllers noted irregularities in the charging and discharging of one of five batteries aboard Zvezda and are now troubleshooting the problem. The other four batteries on Zvezda are operating well and the single battery problem has no impact on the station's normal operation. Three additional batteries are currently planned to be installed in Zvezda during Atlantis' mission next month.

  Station managers are continuing to evaluate and plan the possibility of manually deploying a docking target on the aft end of Zvezda during a space walk to be conducted by astronauts Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko when Atlantis visits. The target is positioned near where Lu and Malenchenko are already scheduled to work on other tasks during the planned space walk

  Meanwhile, International Space Station partners agreed this week to update the station's planned assembly sequence launches, adjusting the launch schedule for some elements in the latter years of station assembly. Target launch dates for the first phase of assembly in orbit, missions planned through the end of 2001, remain basically unchanged. The launches of remaining missions were, for the most part, adjusted later than the previous schedule. The final station assembly flight is now planned for April 2006.

  At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations of Atlantis for a Sept. 8 launch on mission STS-106 continue at Launch Pad 39B. Space Shuttle managers are planned to meet Tuesday for a review of all mission preparations called the Flight Readiness Review, following which an official launch date will be announced. Also next week, the Canadian-built Mobile Base System is scheduled to join the quarter million pounds of station components now at KSC's Space Station Processing Facility undergoing preflight testing and launch preparations. When launched in 2002, the Mobile Remote Servicer Base System will provide a base for the Canadian Space Station Remote Manipulator System robotic arm as it moves along the eventual 300-foot long station truss structure.

  Now in an orbit with a high point of 228 statute miles and a low point of 222 statute miles, the 67-ton, 143-foot long International Space Station can easily be viewed from the ground under proper lighting conditions.

• 2000 August 31 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-40. 

  With a visit by the Space Shuttle Atlantis a little over a week away, International Space Station flight controllers plan to conduct a final rehearsal of the station's activities for the upcoming docking on Tuesday.

  This week, station controllers completed transferring propellants from tanks aboard the attached Progress cargo craft to tanks aboard the Zvezda living quarters module. Controllers in the United States and Russia also conducted a test of the efficiency of the solar arrays on the Zvezda and Zarya modules, finding everything in good shape.

  An evaluation of problems with two batteries on the station -- one in Zarya and one in Zvezda -- continued this week, although the problems have no impact on any planned station activities. The problem exhibited by the battery in Zarya, labeled Battery 6, is consistent with normal signs of aging, and battery 6 is already planned to be replaced during Atlantis' visit. The problem with the battery in Zvezda, called Battery 4, is believed to be caused by an electronics unit, called the PTAB, that is associated with the battery's charging and discharging. The problem is not believed to be with the battery itself. At present, Battery 4 is not in use, and the PTAB is planned to be replaced during Atlantis' visit. The four other batteries aboard Zvezda are operating normally.

  Late last week, one of the three flight control computers aboard Zvezda was automatically taken off line. To backup one another, three computers operate simultaneously aboard the module, performing the same functions. The other two computers are on line and continuing to operate well and there is no impact to the station's activities. The station can operate on only one computer if necessary, and the docking of Atlantis could proceed using ground commanding to control the station even if no computer was on-line. Analysts at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev have dumped the off-line computer's software and are evaluating it. Since the computer has been off-line, it has remained operating and controllers have seen no other problems.

  As they continue to evaluate the station's orbit in preparation for the rendezvous of Atlantis, station flight controllers will make a final decision this weekend on whether a final engine firing tentatively planned next week will be needed. On Tuesday, controllers will briefly maneuver the station to the orientation required for the Shuttle docking in a test of the docking procedures. On Sept. 8, the day Atlantis is planned to launch from the Kennedy Space Center, station controllers will turn on heaters to begin warming up the Unity module in anticipation of the seven-member crew's arrival. With a launch on Sept. 8, Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the station at 1:12 a.m. CDT Sept. 10.

  Now in an orbit with a high point of 228 statute miles and a low point of 222 statute miles, the 67-ton, 143-foot long International Space Station can easily be viewed from the ground under proper lighting conditions.

• 2000 September 8 - STS-106.  Spacecraft: Atlantis. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.

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

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

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

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

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

• 2000 September 8 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #02. 

  Once in orbit, the crew quickly packed up its ascent suits and unpacked equipment to ready the orbiter for the 11-day mission before turning in at 12:46 p.m. for its first sleep period. The crew will wake up at 8:46 this evening.

  During its first full day in space the crew will prepare for Sunday's rendezvous and docking with the station and Monday's early-morning space walk by astronaut Ed Lu and cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko.

  About three hours after the wake-up call, Commander Terry Wilcutt and Pilot Scott Altman will initiate the first burn of the orbiter's Orbiter Maneuvering System (OMS) to continue refining Atlantis' orbit for a precision rendezvous and docking. The docking will occur at about 12:53 a.m. Sunday at an altitude of about 220 statute miles over the Russia and Kazakhstan border north of the Caspian Sea.

  Lu, Malenchenko and mission specialist Dan Burbank will unpack, assemble and test spacesuits and checkout the tools Lu and Malenchenko will use as they work on the station's exterior sometimes about 110 feet above the orbiter. The space walk to connect electrical, communications and fiberoptic cables and install a magnetometer to the station will last about 6 and a half hours.

  Tonight, mission specialist Rick Mastracchio will check out the remote manipulator system, and then he and cosmonaut Boris Morukov will prepare to transfer station equipment and supplies from the orbiter and the Russian Progress vehicle.

• 2000 September 8 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #01. 

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

  The STS-106 launch countdown proceeded smoothly throughout the morning and the five astronaut, two cosmonaut crew was loaded into the crew compartment by 5 a.m. to await the final two and a half hours of the count.

  Once on orbit, Commander Terry Wilcutt, Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov began configuring the shuttle for 11 days of on-orbit operations.

  Their mission to the 143-foot-long International Space Station will focus on unloading nearly three tons of cargo from the orbiter and a Progress supply craft already docked to the opposite end of the station's Zvezda module. The equipment and provisions basically complete the onboard stowage of supplies that will be used by the first resident crew - Expedition One - scheduled for launch aboard a Soyuz rocket in late October to begin permanent human presence on the station.

  The crew begins its first sleep period just five hours after liftoff, at 12:45 this afternoon and will receive a wakeup call from Mission Control at 8:45 tonight.

  After wakeup, Wilcutt and Altman will perform the first of a series of maneuvers designed to put the shuttle on a precise course to the International Space Station.

• 2000 September 9 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #03. 

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

  In preparation for that linkup, the crew spent today readying a variety of tools and equipment needed to support the rendezvous and docking, as well as equipment that will be used during Monday morning's scheduled space walk.

  With the assistance of crew mate Dan Burbank, spacewalkers Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko checked out the suits they will wear during their planned 6 ½ hour long space walk Monday. Burbank will act as the in-cabin choreographer for that space walk. Also today, Commander Terry Wilcutt and Pilot Scott Altman verified the operation of navigational aids that will be used during the final phases of Sunday's rendezvous and docking.

  Mission Specialist Rick Mastracchio powered up the Shuttle's robot arm, verifying its operation and conducting a photographic survey of the payload bay. Cosmonaut Boris Morukov tended to experiments and photography and television-related activities.

  Atlantis is scheduled to begin the final phase of rendezvous about 10 p.m. tonight, closing in toward the early Sunday docking. At present, Atlantis is approximately 1600 miles behind and slightly below the ISS, closing the distance between them by approximately 172 miles with each orbit of the Earth.

  Today, flight controllers reported that one of Atlantis' two onboard star trackers is not operating properly and has been powered off. The star trackers can be used as one method of updating navigation information aboard Atlantis. The failure of the star tracker, a device located on the left side of Atlantis' nose that looks upward, will have no significant impact on the planned rendezvous and docking. The remaining star tracker can be used to perform the needed functions.

  Once docked the astronauts and cosmonauts will briefly open the hatch between Atlantis and the mating adapter on ISS to gather an air sample. The hatch will then be closed in preparation for Monday morning's space walk.

  Monday evening, the crew will open 12 hatches throughout the length of the 143-foot long station and the attached Progress supply vehicle to begin transferring equipment and hardware.

  The crew will begin a seven hour sleep period at 10:46 a.m. today. They will be awakened at 5:46 p.m. to begin the final rendezvous and docking.

• 2000 September 9 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #04. 

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

  As of about 6:30 p.m. this evening, the Shuttle trailed the station by about 230 statute miles and was closing in by about 184 miles with each 90-minute orbit of Earth. The final phase of rendezvous will begin when Atlantis reaches a point about eight nautical miles directly behind the station and fires its engines in a terminal phase initiation burn just before 10 p.m. Central.

  The TI burn, as it is called, will put the Shuttle on a course directly toward the station during the next orbit of Earth. As Atlantis moves within about a half-mile of the station, Wilcutt will take over manual control of the Shuttle's approach, flying the Shuttle from controls in the aft cockpit. Atlantis will arrive at a point about 600 feet directly below the station about 11:28 p.m. Central, and Wilcutt then will begin a half-circle of the orbiting outpost. Atlantis will pass about 350 feet in front of the station and then move to a point about 250 feet directly above it about 11:55 p.m. Central.

  Wilcutt will then begin to descend toward the station and, just before midnight Central, hold position at a point about 170 feet away. Wilcutt will maintain that distance for about 20 minutes to allow the station to move within range of Russian ground communications stations before continuing the approach. At 12:41 a.m., Wilcutt will hold position again briefly at a point about 30 feet from the station to verify the Shuttle and station docking mechanisms are precisely aligned. Docking is expected about 11 minutes later with the Shuttle contacting the station at a slow rate of about a tenth of a foot per second. At the time of docking, the ISS and Atlantis will be at 49.6 degrees North Latitude, 57.1 degrees East Longitude as they fly over Western Kazakhstan.

  During the rendezvous, Altman will assist Wilcutt in controlling Atlantis' approach. Mastracchio and Malenchenko also will assist with the rendezvous and docking, with Burbank and Lu operating the Shuttle's docking mechanism.

  Once docked the astronauts and cosmonauts will briefly open the hatch between Atlantis and the mating adapter on ISS to gather an air sample. The hatch will then be closed in preparation for Monday morning's planned 6½-hour space walk by Lu and Malenchenko.

  Near the end of their work day, Atlantis's crew will get 4 hours of off duty time to relax before beginning a planned eight hour sleep period at 10:46 a.m. on Sunday.

• 2000 September 10 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #06. 

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

  Today's wake up call was "All Star" by the band Smash Mouth. The song was played for the two space walkers at the request of the EVA training and flight control teams to celebrate what will be the sixth space walk in support of station assembly and the 50th space walk in Space Shuttle history. After completing a final pre-breathing session of pure oxygen to purge nitrogen from their blood stream and putting on their EVA spacesuits, Lu and Malenchenko will exit Atlantis' airlock just after midnight Central.

  Lu who carries the designation EV 1, will be making his first space walk and will wear the space suit marked by red stripes. Malenchenko, who conducted two space walks totaling 12 hours during his 1994 flight aboard the Russian Mir Space Station, is designated EV 2 and will wear the pure white suit.

  The main objective of the space walk will be to attach a 6-foot long magnetometer and boom to a port on the Russian Zvezda Service Module. The magnetometer will serve as a type of navigation tool, or compass, using data acquired from the Earth's magnetic field to "tell" Zvezda's computers how it is oriented in relation to the Earth. The information provided by the magnetometer will minimize the amount of propellent Zvezda's thrusters use to maintain the position of the International Space Station.

  STS-106 Mission Specialists Rick Mastracchio and Dan Burbank will also play key support roles in the space walk activities. Mastracchio will operate the Shuttle's robot arm to move the two space walkers as far as the arm will take them, about 50 feet above Atlantis' cargo bay. Lu and Malenchenko then will use tethers and handrails along the ISS' modules to make their way to a point more than 100 feet above the cargo bay for the magnetometer installation, the farthest any tethered space walker has ventured outside a Shuttle. Burbank, the IV crewmember, will serve as "space walk choreographer " guiding Lu and Malenchenko's through their various activities.

  Once the magnetometer hook up is complete, electrical, data and television cables between the Zvezda Service Module and the Zarya Control Module will be connected. In all, nine cables will be rigged between the two spacecraft in a procedure expected to last almost three hours.

  Four of the cables are critical power connections required before the end of the future STS-97 mission to the ISS which will deliver the U.S. solar arrays. These cables will enable power to flow from the U.S. arrays to the Russian modules to augment the solar arrays on both Zarya and Zvezda since the U.S. arrays will shade portions of the Russian arrays once they are installed on the top of the Z-1 truss framework.

  Two of the cables installed by Lu and Malenchenko will provide an internal closed circuit video feed and two other cables will link data from Zvezda to Zarya and allow commanding of Zarya solar array pointing from Zvezda now that the Zarya's motion control system has been deactivated.

  A final fiber optic cable will be strung between Zvezda and Zarya to enable data to flow from the suits worn by Russian space walkers once the ISS airlock is installed at the starboard port of the Unity connecting node to accommodate joint U.S.-Russian space walks. Until then, ISS space walks must be conducted from Zvezda's transfer compartment.

  The STS-106 crew will wind up the day's efforts early Monday morning before turning in for an eight-hour sleep period beginning at 10:46 a.m. CDT. After they wake up Monday evening, the will enter the station Monday evening by opening 12 hatches in preparation for delivering supplies for use by the first resident crew who will arrive at the station in late October.

• 2000 September 10 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #05. 

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

  The approach and docking went almost exactly as planned, with Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov, helping Wilcutt close the final gap between the two spacecraft as they sped around the Earth at 17,500 miles an hour over Kazakhstan. The only change to the plan was a brief tilt of the shuttle to sight the station with Atlantis' only working star tracker at a distance of 50 miles from the station.

  As soon as docking was complete, the crew activated hooks and latches to forge a hard bond between Atlantis and the station's Unity module. Soon after docking, the shuttle's cabin atmospheric pressure was lowered in preparation for tonight's six and a half hour space walk, or Extravehicular Activity (EVA), by Lu and Malenchenko. This significantly reduces the amount of time crewmembers must pre-breathe pure oxygen before exiting the airlock. This purges the body of nitrogen bubbles and prevents symptoms called "the bends," well known by divers.

  The space walk is scheduled to begin about midnight and conclude at 6:30 a.m. Monday.

  The two space walkers will integrate the recently docked Russian Zvezda module with the rest of the International Space Station, routing and connecting nine power, data and communications cables between Zvezda and the other Russian-built module, Zarya. They'll also assemble a magnetometer boom on the outside of Zvezda. All the while, the robot arm will be used to help move equipment from the payload bay to the station. Atlantis's STS-106 crew will turn in for the day at about 10:45 this morning and will be awakened for space walk preparations at 6:46 this evening.

  The astronauts and cosmonauts will enter the station Monday night, by opening 12 hatches in preparation for delivering supplies for use by the first resident crew - Expedition One.

• 2000 September 11 - EVA STS-106-1.  Spacecraft: International Space Station.

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

• 2000 September 11 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #08. 

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

  Wilcutt and his crew will open the doors to the recently expanded International Space Station later this evening as the crew begins the transfer of more than 3 tons of hardware and supplies from Space Shuttle Atlantis and a Russian Progress supply ship. Atlantis' astronauts will be the first individuals to see the interior of the Russian Zvezda Service Module since it was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan back on July 12.

  A total of 12 different hatches will be opened as Wilcutt and his crew travel through the different sections of the station. The first station hatch, located on Primary Mating Adapter-2 (PMA-2) is expected to be opened about 10 p.m. Central. The crew should enter the Unity Node about 10:45 p.m. The hatch to the Zarya Control Module will be opened just after midnight. The hatch to the Zvezda module, which will be the living quarters for the first station crew when they are launched later this year, should be opened around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.

  Even before all the hatches are opened, the STS-106 crew will begin their transfer activities as items from Atlantis are moved into the Unity node. When the final hatch, the one between the rear portion of Zvezda and a Russian Progress supply vehicle which docked to the station on August 8, is opened, the crew will begin transferring items from the Progress to the station.

  One of the major objectives in tonight's activities inside the station will be the removal of hardware that is no longer needed onboard the orbiting facility. Launch restraint hardware in Zvezda, the Zarya and Progress docking probe along with manual docking system hardware in Zarya will all be removed and brought back to Earth.

  The crew will begin an eight hour sleep period at 10:46 a.m. on Tuesday and will be awakened at 6:46 p.m. Tuesday evening to continue their station transfer activities.

• 2000 September 11 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #07. 

  Astronaut Ed Lu and cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko took a 6 hour, 14 minute walk outside the shuttle this morning to complete final connections between the International Space Station's newest module, Zvezda and its first component, Zarya.

  The space walk was the sixth in support of ISS assembly and the 50th in Shuttle Program history. It began at 11:47 last night and ended at 6:01 this morning.

  The two crewmembers essentially served as construction workers and electricians while outside, attaching cabling that fully, and permanently, integrate Zvezda to the rest of the ISS.

  During the extravehicular activity (EVA), or space walk, Mission Specialists Lu and Malenchenko stayed ahead of the timeline with choreography from inside by their crewmate, Dan Burbank. By his side on the flight deck was Rick Mastracchio, who deftly maneuvered them around the station using the robot arm.

  They connected nine cables between Zvezda and Zarya, including four 27-foot long cables to permit power usage from future solar arrays provided by the U.S. This will eventually allow the sharing of electrical power as the station grows in size. Another four cables extending 16 feet were secured that will provide video and data transmissions throughout the ISS. A final fiber-optic telemetry cable was installed that will be used to provide Russian spacesuit data to be transferred to the ground during future space walks.

  The final task was to construct and attach a magnetometer that serves as a backup navigation system for the station. This task took the two tethered space walkers the furthest distance from the shuttle than ever before - 110 feet above the payload bay. That's twice as far as when astronauts work on the Hubble Space Telescope.

  Following the space walk, Commander Terry Wilcutt and Pilot Scott Altman fired small thruster jets on Atlantis to slowly increase the station's overall altitude. Three separate one-hour reboost maneuvers are planned during the docked phase of the flight.

  The STS-106 crew will be awakened at 6:46 p.m. today and open the 12 hatches required in preparation for the transfer of almost 3 tons of hardware and supplies from the shuttle and a Progress vehicle to the ISS.

• 2000 September 12 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #10. 

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

  The STS-106 crew was awakened at 6:46 p.m. to begin its fourth day of docked operations. This morning's wake up call - "Brown-Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison - was played for Mastracchio at the request of his wife.

  Some of the major activities for the crew today will include the installation of three batteries inside the Zvezda Service Module. In order to reduce it's weight for launch, Zvezda was launched with only five of its eight batteries in place. The STS-106 crew also will complete the battery replacement work in the Zarya Control Module begun by the STS-101 crew back in May by installing two new batteries to go along with the four installed earlier this year.

  In and around the battery work in Zvezda and Zarya, the transfer of hardware and supplies from both Atlantis and the Russian Progress supply vehicle will continue with what will now be a full week of docked operations.

  Early tomorrow morning as his work day is coming to an end, Wilcutt, a native of Kentucky, will take some time to conduct interviews with three Kentucky television stations about the progress of the flight. The trio of interviews is scheduled to begin at 6:51 a.m. Central.

• 2000 September 12 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #09. 

  The crew of Atlantis opened the doors to a spacious new home on orbit late Monday and began the work of outfitting the interior of the International Space Station.

  The five astronauts and two cosmonauts opened the first hatch into a connecting tunnel at 9:40 p.m. Monday, proceeded smoothly through 10 more doorways and cracked the final hatch into a Russian cargo ship at 1:22 a.m. CDT Tuesday.

  Crewmembers first floated into the new Zvezda service module at 12:20 a.m. CDT, wearing breathing filters and eye goggles as a precaution against possible atmospheric contamination and debris inside the newest module of the station that will serve as the living quarters and command and control center for the complex.

  Within minutes the crew reported that air quality and other conditions inside Zvezda were excellent, removed the precautionary equipment and went to work installing ventilation and removing restraint bolts put in place for Zvezda's ride to orbit two months ago today. No longer required, these launch restraints along with the manual docking system hardware in the station's first module, Zarya, will be brought back to Earth aboard Atlantis.

  After a scheduled 8 hour sleep period, the crew will be awakened at 6:46 this evening. Major tasks are to install three batteries inside Zvezda and remove and replace two batteries in Zarya. Because of weight, Zvezda was launched with five of its eight batteries in place. The two batteries to be replaced in Zarya were the only two of six that were not changed during Atlantis' visit in May on the STS-101 mission.

  In and around the battery work, the transfer of almost three tons of hardware will begin during five or six days of docked operations.

• 2000 September 13 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #11. 

  Electrical work was the hallmark of the day as four of the mission specialists aboard Atlantis and the International Space Station replaced batteries inside the Zarya and Zvezda modules while supply transfer continued around them.

  To replace one component in Zarya, Mission Specialists Dan Burbank and Boris Morukov had to use a hammer and chisel to remove some rivets holding the floor bracket in place. They then were able to easily remove and replace the unit that controls the flow of current through the battery.

  Burbank and Morukov's battery work took care of the first of two Zarya module batteries and related equipment replacement scheduled for this mission. The second battery will be replaced Wednesday. The replacements will finish work begun in May when the STS-101 crew replaced the other four of the module batteries.

  Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko installed three batteries and associated electrical equipment inside the Zvezda module. The newest space station component was launched in July with only five of its eight batteries in place to save weight.

  In and around the battery work in Zvezda and Zarya, Commander Terry Wilcutt, Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialist Rick Mastracchio transferred hardware and supplies from both Atlantis and the Russian Progress supply vehicle. That work will now extend to a full week after mission managers in Houston and Moscow granted the extra day to continue outfitting the station for its first resident crew scheduled to arrive in November.

  Early this morning as his workday neared its end, Wilcutt, a native of Kentucky, took time to answer questions from reporters at three television stations in his home state.

  The crew's bedtime is about 11 this morning with the Flight Day 7 wake-up call scheduled for 6:46 p.m. today.

• 2000 September 13 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #12. 

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

  This morning's wake up song from Mission Control was Kombaht by the group called Loobeh, played for Mission Specialist Boris Morukov of the Russian Aviation and Space Agency.

  After finishing their post-sleep activities, Commander Terry Wilcutt and his crew - Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Morukov, will resume the transfer of almost three tons of equipment and supplies from Atlantis and a Russian supply vehicle to the newly expanded Station.

  Included in today's "To Do" list will be the installation of a battery charger in the Zvezda Service Module. The device will be hooked into Zvezda's electrical power system to allow batteries in visiting Progress or Soyuz vehicles to be charged, using the station's power system. The crew will also complete the installation of a final battery in the Zarya module before installing the two Russian Orlan spacesuits that will be used by resident crews to perform space walks outside the station.

  Wilcutt and Altman will conduct a second space station reboost early Thursday at 1:13 a.m. The Shuttle's RCS jets will be pulsed 36 times over an hour to gently increase the station's altitude by about 4 ½ statute miles.

  Near the end of the day's activities, Wilcutt and Burbank will answer questions from reporters from the Associated Press, ABC's "Good Morning America" and CNBC's "Squawk Box." program The trio of interviews is scheduled to begin at 7:11 a.m. Central on Thursday.

• 2000 September 14 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #13. 

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

  Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko hooked up a third battery in the Zvezda module, bolstering its supply of power reservoirs. The module was launched in July with five of eight batteries installed to save weight. One of the newly installed batteries in Zvezda is not working properly and Russian flight controllers are investigating. Regardless, the station will have plenty of power to accommodate the needs of the first resident crew scheduled to arrive in early November.

  Meanwhile, Mission Specialists Dan Burbank and Boris Morukov, removed and replaced a fourth battery and related equipment in the Zarya module, bringing its complement of six batteries back up to speed with fresh replacements.

  Commander Terry Wilcutt and Pilot Scott Altman used Atlantis' propulsion system to reboost the station's orbit to an altitude of 236 by 225 statute miles (380 x 362 km) firing the jets 36 times over the course of an hour. The maneuver raised the stations orbit about 4 ½ miles (7 km). Two more altitude-raising burns are planned before the shuttle undocks Sunday.

  Through it all, Mission Specialist Rick Mastracchio oversaw the unpacking of Atlantis' cargo hold and the Progress supply ship, moving all manner of equipment and supplies on board the station for the first crew. The crew also unpacked Russian-made Orlan space suits that will be used to perform space walks outside the station.

  Another important item for those first residents was installed earlier today when Malenchenko moved the hardware and hoses for the station's first toilet from the Progress to Zvezda. The unit's waste tank and hose were installed. The task of activating the bathroom will be left to the Expedition One crew.

  As of Noon Wednesday, the crew had transferred 1,900 pounds of hardware and supplies to the ISS. Total planned transfer from the shuttle and Progress is expected to be about 6,000 pounds.

  Atlantis' crew will turn in about 11 this morning and be awakened at 6:46 this evening.

• 2000 September 14 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #14. 

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

  Commander Terry Wilcutt, Pilot Scott Altman along with Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov were awakened shortly before 7 p.m. Central. The wake up song was "Haze Has Melted Away" by Konstantin Nikolsky's Group and was requested for Malenchenko by his wife.

  Highlights of the day include the continuing transfer of equipment and supplies from Atlantis to the International Space Station and the organization and stowage of that gear inside the ISS. The 1,300 pounds of ISS gear aboard the Progress cargo spacecraft docked to the aft end of the Zvezda module already has been unloaded.

  The Progress is beginning its second role, as a space garbage truck. It will be loaded with unneeded gear-packing material as an example-which will be incinerated with the vehicle during a fiery re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

  Lu and Malenchenko will spend much of their day installing voltage and current stabilizers in the Zvezda Service Module. They also will install components of the Elektron system in Zvezda. That equipment, sent into orbit aboard the Progress, separates water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen is vented overboard while the oxygen replenishes the air in the ISS. The system will not be activated until after arrival of the first station crew.

  The third in a series of RCS jet firings to gently raise the station's altitude will happen early on Friday morning. Beginning about 1:46 a.m., Atlantis' maneuvering thrusters will be pulsed 36 times over a one hour period to raise the station about 3½ statute miles (5.6 km). One more altitude-raising burn is planned before the shuttle undocks Sunday.

  Wilcutt and Altman will give their impressions of the ISS as a home and the progress of the STS-106 mission with reporters from The CBS "Early Show," the Cable News Network (CNN) and the Louisville Courier-Journal. The series of interviews will begin at 7:31 a.m. Central time on Friday.

  Atlantis' astronauts will conclude their activities mid-morning on Friday and begin an eight-hour sleep period at 10:46 a.m.

• 2000 September 15 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #15. 

  The International Space Station got another boost overnight, as STS-106 Commander Terry Wilcutt and Pilot Scott Altman executed another hour-long series of thruster firings designed to raise the station's orbit by several more miles.

  Thirty-six pulses of Atlantis' reaction control system thrusters boosted the station another 3 ½ miles (5.6 km). The third reboost of the mission placed the ISS in a 237 by 229 statute mile orbit (381 x 368 km). One more reboost maneuver is scheduled Sunday before the shuttle undocks from the station.

  Mission Specialists Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko spent much of their day installing power converters in the Zvezda module. These will allow current from U.S. solar arrays to be used in the Russian modules. The first set of these large arrays is scheduled to be installed on the station in early December.

  The crew took a closer look at the connections on one of Zvezda's eight batteries that is not working properly. Mission managers have elected to disconnect cables from the battery and do no further work since seven of the eight batteries are working fine. As few as five can supply enough electrical capability when a crew is stationed on the ISS.

  Lu and Malenchenko also installed components of the Elektron system in Zvezda. That equipment, sent into orbit aboard the Progress, separates water into oxygen and hydrogen and will be used to replenish the air in the station. The system will be activated after arrival of the first station crew.

  Mission Specialists Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank and Boris Morukov concentrated their efforts on transferring, organizing and stowing equipment and supplies from Atlantis to the station. The 1,300 pounds of gear aboard the Progress cargo spacecraft that is docked to the aft end of the Zvezda module already has been unloaded, and that vehicle is now being utilized as a trash container that eventually will be remotely undocked to burn up harmlessly in the Earth's atmosphere.

  So far, 3,700 pounds of hardware and supplies has been moved into the ISS, including six, 100 pound bags of water, all the food for the first resident crew, office supplies, onboard environmental supplies, a vacuum cleaner and a computer and monitor.

  Atlantis' astronauts will go to bed mid-morning today and will be awakened from Mission Control at 6:46 this evening. Their next workday will focus on the assembly of the station's treadmill exercise equipment.

• 2000 September 15 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #16. 

  With one full day of docked operations remaining to complete its work on the International Space Station (ISS), the seven-member crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis continued setting up equipment for the station's first inhabitants.

  The astronauts began their sixth day attached to the Space Station this evening, as Mission Control awakened the crew at 6:46 p.m. Central time with the University of Connecticut Fight Song, performed by the University of Connecticut Band. The music was played for Rick Mastracchio, an alumnus of that school.

  On the timeline for flight day nine will be the setup of the ISS treadmill and its associated equipment. The device, known as the Treadmill with Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (TVIS), allows station crews to maintain physical conditioning during their extended flights without shaking sensitive experiments.

  Astronauts also will reinstall the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) Controllers that had been removed by the STS-96 crew to facilitate logistics transfer during the ISS supply and setup missions. The CBM controllers are suitcase-size devices that control the latching of modules and ISS hardware to the Unity node. They were removed to avoid damage to the units and to ease the transfer of bulky items through the hatches. This reinstallation was a get-ahead task that the crew was able to work into its timeline.

  Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialist Ed Lu will participate in a series of in-flight interviews with three media outlets Saturday. They will talk with WHEC-TV in Rochester, NY, Fox News Network and the Orlando Sentinel beginning at 6:56 a.m. CDT.

  Cargo transfer is proceeding well with more than 3,500 pounds of supplies, water and equipment having been moved from the orbiter into the station. The crew has unloaded approximately 1,300 pounds from the Progress resupply vehicle presently docked to the end of the Zvezda module. The empty Progress is now being used as a trash receptacle and will be remotely deorbited prior to the arrival of the first resident crew to the Station later this fall.

  Atlantis is in a 206 x 199 nautical mile orbit with all systems functioning normally.

• 2000 September 16 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #17. 

  In the final hours of docked operations between Atlantis and the International Space Station the seven member crew continued transferring supplies and equipment, including an exercise treadmill, for use by the first resident crew later this year.

  In an activity that occupied much of their work day, Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Dan Burbank and Boris Morukov completed installing the treadmill in the Zvezda module of the station this morning. The treadmill includes a sophisticated vibration isolation system that prevents exercise-induced vibrations from being transmitted into the hull of the Space Station and disturbing sensitive experiments that will be conducted on board by resident crews.

  Inside the Unity module, Burbank and Rick Mastracchio reinstalled four Common Berthing Mechanism controllers in the port leading from Unity to the docking port currently occupied by Atlantis. The CBM controllers were removed by the STS-96 crew to provide greater clearance during the transfer of supplies from the Shuttle to the Space Station. The installation of the controllers sets the stage for the arrival of the U.S. laboratory module, Destiny, early next year.

  Cargo transfer continues to proceed ahead of schedule with 4,285 pounds of supplies, water and equipment being moved from Atlantis to the station and 762 pounds of material carried to Atlantis for the return trip home. Among the supplies transferred to station today were additional food, a food warmer, a ham radio and the last of the computer equipment for the first station residents. About six hours of transfer activity remains for the crew tomorrow when they will move some final water containers and food to the station. The crew also has completed unloading supplies from the Progress cargo craft and reloading that craft with trash. The cargo craft will be undocked from the station remotely before the first resident crew arrives later this year.

  The astronauts will begin an eight-hour sleep period later this morning, with a wake-up call from Mission Control scheduled for 6:46 p.m. CDT. After almost one week working on board the station, the astronauts and cosmonauts will begin turning off lights and closing the doors of their home in space in preparation for Atlantis' departure from the station on Sunday night. The crew will back out of the station module-by-module, closing a series of 12 hatches beginning at the Progress cargo ship shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday and ending with closing hatches between Unity and Atlantis shortly after 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

  Atlantis is in a 206 x 199 nautical mile orbit with all systems functioning normally.

• 2000 September 16 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #18. 

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

  The wake up call for Wilcutt and his crew - Pilot Scott Altman along with Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov - was the U.S. Coast Guard's "Semper Paratus" (Always Ready), played for Burbank, a Lieutenant Commander in the Coast Guard.

  The Atlantis astronauts will finish checking the three tons of supplies and equipment that have been transferred from the Shuttle and an unmanned Russian supply vehicle in preparation for the arrival of the first station crew in November. Then in a reversal of the procedures they followed last Monday when they entered the station, the crew will close and secure the hatches that connect each of the station components. The first hatch closure between the Progress vehicle and the Zvezda Service Module should take place just after 10 p.m. Central. The final hatch between the station and Atlantis will be secured around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.

  In addition to station closeout activity, the STS-106 astronauts will checkout rendezvous tools and install the centerline camera in the orbiter docking system that will be used to support the undocking and fly around of the station Sunday night.

  The fourth and final in a series of jet thruster firings to gently raise the station's altitude will occur while the hatch closing activity is taking place. Beginning about 10:30 p.m., Atlantis' maneuvering thrusters will be pulsed to gently raise the station about 3½ statute miles. In all, the four maneuvers will have raised the average altitude of the orbiting facility by 14 statute miles.

  The STS-106 crew will begin an eight-hour sleep period at 10:46 a.m. tomorrow morning. Following their wake up, the astronauts will immediately move into undocking preparations with undocking scheduled for 10:44 p.m. Sunday.

  All of the systems on Atlantis and the International Space Station are functioning normally.

• 2000 September 17 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #19. 

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

  The last hatch to the station was closed at 7 this morning, ending 5 days, 9 hours, 21 minutes inside the station for Atlantis' crew. Undocking is scheduled for 10:44 tonight.

  The exit from the station began late last night when the hatch leading to the Russian Progress supply ship was closed. The Progress has been filled with trash and packing materials and eventually will be remotely commanded to undock and burn up harmlessly in Earth's atmosphere.

  Before closing off the shuttle from the station, a fourth altitude boost was given to the orbiting complex. The final series of shuttle thruster firings raised the station's orbit another 3½ statute miles (5.6 km) to 241 by 233 miles (388 x 375 km). In all, the four maneuvers raised the average altitude of the ISS by 14 miles (22.5 km).

  Before going to bed in a few hours, the crew will prepare rendezvous tools to be used during the undocking from the station. Also, the centerline camera will be placed in the orbiter docking system window.

  After wake up at 6:46 p.m. today, the crew will move into preparations for undocking. Wilcutt and Altman will guide Atlantis through a double-loop fly around of the station to fully document its current configuration.

  Atlantis leaves the station in excellent shape to await its next visitors, who will board Discovery in early October on the STS-92 mission to deliver another tunnel adapter and a small truss support for the station's propellant-saving gyroscopes. The Z1 truss element also will provide support for the large communications antenna and first set of U.S. solar arrays.

  Shuttle Program managers met earlier this morning and elected to leave Discovery on the launch pad based on the expected path of Hurricane Gordon, forecast to make landfall along the upper west coast of the Florida peninsula.

• 2000 September 17 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #20. 

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

  Commander Terry Wilcutt, Pilot Scott Altman along with Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov received their wake up call from Mission Control at 6:46 p.m. Central. The wake up song, "YMCA" was played for Scott Altman at the request of his wife.

  The seven STS-106 astronauts will shortly begin the final preparations for undocking. Atlantis is scheduled to separate from the station at 10:44 p.m. while the two spacecraft are flying over the northeastern portion of the Ukraine.

  The initial separation will be performed by springs in the docking mechanism that will gently push the shuttle away from the station. Both Atlantis and the station's steering jets will be shut off to avoid any inadvertent firings during this initial separation.

  Once the docking mechanism's springs have pushed Atlantis away to a distance of about two feet, when the docking devices will be clear of one another, Altman will turn the shuttle's steering jets back on and fire them to begin very slowly moving away from the station. From the aft flight deck, Altman will manually control Atlantis within a tight corridor as he separates from the station, essentially reversing the task performed by Wilcutt when Atlantis docked.

  Atlantis will continue away to a distance of about 450 feet, where Altman will begin the close fly-around of the station, first crossing a point directly behind, then directly underneath and then again above the station. Altman will circle the station twice in 90 minutes as the crew records views of the exterior with still photography and video. As Atlantis crosses directly above the station for the second time, Altman will fire Atlantis' jets to perform a final separation.

  Early on Monday, all seven astronauts will conduct an in-flight press conference during which they will answer questions from reporters at various NASA centers and the Russian mission control center outside of Moscow. The press conference is scheduled to begin at 2:11 a.m. CDT.

  Atlantis' astronauts will get some off duty time just after 3 a.m. Central before they turn in for an eight hour sleep period at 9:46 a.m. When they wake up early Monday evening, the crew will checkout the orbiter systems used for reentry and landing and secure equipment and transfer items in preparation for landing at Kennedy Space Center at 2:56 a.m. Central on Wednesday.

• 2000 September 18 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #22. 

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

  STS-106 Mission Commander Terry Wilcutt along with Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov were awakened at 5:46 p.m. Central to begin what should be their final full day in orbit. This evening's wake-up song was "Home in the Islands" by The Brothers Cazimero, played for Lu who considers Honolulu a hometown.

  This evening Wilcutt and Altman will test the systems that will be used during the return home to Kennedy Space Center to ensure that equipment remains in good condition. Around 8:45 p.m. Central, a test of the flight control systems that maneuver the shuttle once it re-enters the atmosphere and begins to operate like an airplane will be conducted. Just before 10 p.m., a test fire of all 44 thruster jets on Atlantis will be performed to verify they are in good working order.

  The astronauts also will spend part of their work day putting away the equipment they have been using over the last week along with items being brought back from the International Space Station in preparation for their return to Earth.

  Atlantis remains in excellent operating condition, as does the International Space Station, now more than 100 statute miles behind the shuttle. The two spacecraft are moving about 8.8 miles farther apart with each orbit of Earth. For a touchdown in Florida at 2:56 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, Atlantis would fire its engines to begin a descent at 1:49 a.m. CDT. A second opportunity also exists for a landing in Florida on the next orbit. The second opportunity would have the deorbit burn taking place at 3:27 a.m. CDT and Atlantis touching down on the 3-mile-long runway at KSC at 4:33 a.m. CDT.

• 2000 September 18 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #21. 

  Atlantis' seven astronauts and cosmonauts successfully undocked from the International Space Station after accomplishing all mission objectives in outfitting the station for the first resident crew.

  "We laid out the red carpet for the first crew to come aboard," said Bob Cabana, manager of international operations for the International Space Station Program.

  Undocking occurred at 10:46 p.m. CDT Sunday over Russia near the northeastern portion of the Ukraine. When Atlantis was at a safe distance from the station, about 450 feet, Pilot Scott Altman performed a 90-minute, double-loop fly around to enable the crew to document the station's exterior. He fired Atlantis' jets one final time to separate from the station at 12:35 a.m.

  "It glistened out there in the different sunlight, watching the sunrise and sunset. The way it illuminated the solar arrays on the service module was just phenomenal," Altman said, when asked about the fly around during a crew news conference early Monday. "It sparkled like a jewel against the blue background of the oceans."

  Commander Terry Wilcutt, Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov all answered questions posed by reporters at NASA centers and the Russian mission control center outside of Moscow.

  Wilcutt said he had no advice for the first station residents - Bill Shepherd, Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko -- other than to "enjoy it like a new home." When asked about living conditions aboard the station, in particular noise levels inside the Zvezda service module, he said "We all think it's just fine. No louder than the shuttle. It's just fine the way it is."

  Following the in-flight press conference, Malenchenko and Morukov remained in Atlantis' middeck to field questions from Russian reporters in Moscow before enjoying six hours of off-duty time and an eight-hour sleep period.

  When the astronauts are awakened at 5:46 p.m. CDT this afternoon, they will check out the shuttle systems used for reentry and landing and secure equipment and transfer items in preparation for their homecoming. Landing is scheduled for 2:56 a.m. CDT Wednesday at Kennedy Space Center.

• 2000 September 19 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #23. 

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

  Winding down from the hectic pace of International Space Station outfitting, which saw the crew move more than 6,600 pounds of supplies into the station, the crew of five astronauts and two cosmonauts spent much of today tearing down their campsite. They'll turn in for one last night in space about 10 this morning and receive a wakeup call from Mission Control at 5:46 this afternoon.

  STS-106 Commander Terry Wilcutt and Pilot Scott Altman tested the systems that will be used during the return home, ensuring that all 44 of Atlantis' thruster jets and flight control surfaces are in good working order.

  The packing and housekeeping chores high on the list of priorities included deactivating systems in the pressurized Spacehab module that served as a cargo hold for the equipment and supplies transferred to the station, and putting away other equipment used in the rendezvous, docking, space walk, undocking and fly around of the previous week.

  With weather conditions favorable in Florida, and nearly perfect in California at the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, managers elected to aim for a landing in Florida only, Wednesday. Edwards would be considered for Thursday, however.

  For a touchdown on the 3-mile-long Shuttle Landing Facility runway on the first opportunity tomorrow, Atlantis would fire its engines to begin a descent at 1:50 a.m. A second opportunity to land in Florida starts with a deorbit burn at 3:27 a.m. and ends with Atlantis touching down at 4:33 a.m. CDT.

  Atlantis remains in excellent shape as it leads the International Space Station by 140 statute miles. That distance increases by 5 miles with each orbit of the Earth.

• 2000 September 19 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #24. 

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

  Commander Terry Wilcutt, Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov were awaken at 5:46 p.m. to the song "Houston", performed by Dean Martin.

  Just before 10 p.m., the astronauts will begin their deorbit preparations. After closing Atlantis' payload bay doors at 11:10 p.m., the crew will put on their pressurized launch and entry suits and strap into their seats shortly before 1 a.m. Entry Flight Director Wayne Hale is expected to poll the flight control team for the final decision for the deorbit burn 20 minutes prior to the planned firing of Atlantis' orbital maneuvering system engines at 1:50 a.m. Central which would result in a landing for Atlantis at 2:56 a.m.

  There is a second landing opportunity available on the next orbit if needed. For the second landing opportunity, Atlantis would fire its engines at 3:26 a.m., for a KSC touchdown at 4:33 a.m. Central.

  During their 12-day flight, the astronauts spent a week docked to the International Space Station during which they transferred more than 3 tons of supplies and equipment, preparing the orbiting facility as a home for the first resident, or Expedition, crew, scheduled to arrive at the new outpost in early November.

• 2000 September 20 - STS-106 Mission Status Report #25. 

  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. Wilcutt and his crewmates, Pilot Scott Altman and Mission Specialists Ed Lu, Rick Mastracchio, Dan Burbank, Yuri Malenchenko and Boris Morukov completed the 23rd consecutive landing of a shuttle at the Florida spaceport, and the 30th landing of a shuttle at the Cape in the last 31 flights.

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

  Atlantis' landing came just two weeks before the launch of Discovery on the next assembly flight to the station, the STS-92 mission, scheduled for liftoff around October 5. Seven astronauts will install a large truss structure to the Unity node of the Station, housing motion control gear and communications equipment. The so-called Z1 truss will also serve as the mounting platform for the large U.S. solar arrays for the station which will be delivered late this year.

  The STS-106 crew is scheduled to return to Houston and a welcome home at Ellington Field about 2 p.m. Thursday.

• 2000 September 20 - Landing of STS-106. 

  STS-106 landed at 07:56 GMT.

• 2000 September 27 - ISS Status Report: ISS 00-41. 

  On its own again following Atlantis' visit, the International Space Station is orbiting the Earth in excellent health and is one step closer to becoming a permanent home to astronauts and cosmonauts.

  After Atlantis departed a little more than a week ago, station flight controllers returned to the routine of cycling the many electricity-generating batteries to maintain their health. Also, controllers have already begun preparing for Discovery's visit to the station scheduled to begin with launch from the Kennedy Space Center a week from now at 8:38 p.m. CDT on Oct. 5.

  With no time to spare in the processing of Discovery, managers okayed the inclusion of additional electronics equipment for the batteries. Those components include two charge-discharge units and one current converter. These items will be stored aboard the station and will serve as extra inventory in the event they are needed.

  Carrying a mass of almost 70 tons now, the ISS is nearly fully outfitted with all the creature comforts required by the first expedition crew scheduled to launch Oct. 30 atop a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Ahead of that, however, Discovery's seven astronauts will deliver 25,000 pounds of external hardware that will be installed using the shuttle's robotic arm wit