Shuttle crew checks out equipment for return to flight mission

Melissa Mathews/Erica Hupp
Headquarters, Washington March 18,
2005
(Phone: 202/358-1272/4769)

Tracy Young
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 321/867-2468)

RELEASE: 05-080

SHUTTLE CREW CHECKS OUT EQUIPMENT FOR RETURN TO FLIGHT MISSION

The astronauts of the Space Shuttle Discovery got a chance today to
work with some of the equipment they will be taking to space. Flight
commander Eileen Collins and her crew were at NASA's Kennedy Space Center,
Fla., for the Payload Crew Equipment Interface Test.

The Return to Flight mission of the Space Shuttle (STS-114) is targeted for
launch during a window from May 15 to June 3. Returning the Shuttle to
flight and completing the International Space Station are the first steps in
the Vision for Space Exploration, a stepping-stone strategy toward new
exploration goals. STS-114 is the first of two test flights following the
Columbia accident. The seven-member Discovery crew will fly to the Station
to evaluate procedures for flight safety, including orbiter inspection and
repair techniques, and will deliver much-needed supplies.

The astronauts performed tests today to ensure the equipment for the
mission's three spacewalks worked properly, and they inspected the cargo
containers installed in the Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module,
called Raffaello. They performed fit checks on the Thermal Protection System
(TPS) repair sample box, the Control Moment Gyro (CMG), and the External
Stowage Platform-2 (ESP2).

The sample box contains pieces of the Shuttle's heat-shielding tile. The
samples will enable the crew to test new on-orbit repair techniques
recommended by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

The new gyroscope will replace an inoperable one on the International Space
Station. CMGs provide attitude control for the Station, keeping it properly
positioned in space. The ESP2, similar to a large toolbox, will carry
replacement parts to the Station. The platform will be deployed, attached to
the Station's airlock and used as a permanent spare parts facility.

Video b-roll of the crew's activities is airing on NASA TV, which is
available on the Web and via satellite in the continental U.S. on AMC-6,
Transponder 9C, C-Band, at 72 degrees west longitude. The frequency is
3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. In
Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is available on AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band,
at 137 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is
vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz.

For NASA TV information and schedules on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Still photos of today's payload tests are available on the Internet, at:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/index.cfm

For information about NASA, agency programs and future missions on the Web,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov



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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info