John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602
john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov
Candrea Thomas
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 08-279
NASA GIVES "GO" FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH ON NOV. 14
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA managers completed a review Thursday of
space shuttle Endeavour's readiness for flight and selected the
official launch date for the STS-126 mission. Commander Chris
Ferguson and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off to the
International Space Station at 7:55 p.m. EST on Nov. 14.
Endeavour's STS-126 flight will feature important repair work to the
station and prepare it for housing six crew members during
long-duration missions. The primary focus of the 15-day flight and
its four planned spacewalks is to service the station's two Solar
Alpha Rotary Joints, which allow its solar arrays to track the sun.
Endeavour will carry about 32,000 pounds to orbit, including supplies
and equipment necessary to double the crew size from three to six
members in spring 2009. The new station cargo includes additional
sleeping quarters, a second toilet and a resistance exercise device.
Endeavour's launch date was announced after the conclusion of
Thursday's Flight Readiness Review. During the meeting, top NASA and
contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission
and determined the shuttle's equipment, support systems and
procedures are ready for flight.
Ferguson will be joined on STS-126 by Pilot Eric Boe and Mission
Specialists Donald Pettit, Steve Bowen, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper,
Shane Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus. Magnus will replace space station
crew member Greg Chamitoff, who has been aboard the station for more
than five months. She will return to Earth during the next shuttle
mission, STS-119, targeted to launch in February 2009.
For more information about the upcoming shuttle flights, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
