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 5G.

  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...more.

• 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...more.

• 1998 November 20 - Zarya.  Spacecraft: ISS Zarya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K.

  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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

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

• 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 - 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...more.

• 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....more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 1998 December 7 - EVA STS-88-1.  Spacecraft: International Space Station.

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

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 1998 December 9 - 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 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 1998 December 12 - 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 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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....more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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"...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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.

• 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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....more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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....more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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....more.

• 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...more.

• 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 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 2000 August 6 - Progress M1-3.  Spacecraft: Progress M1. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U.

  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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 2000 September 10 - 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 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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....more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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,...more.

• 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...more.

• 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...more.

• 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 o