THE FOUR ASTRONAUTS WHO WILL BID GOODBYE TO THE SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM
The 4 astronauts who will bid goodbye to a space convey module have been putting in service during a launch desk desk desk pad this week for their Jul 8 send-off.
Command-er Christopher Ferguson and- his organisation will house Atlantis for a ridicule countdown Thursday.
On Wednesday, a astronauts met with dozens of reporters during a bottom of a pad, responding questions and- posing for cinema which will go down in story as NASA’s 30-year convey module ends.
It was such a useful arise which even reporters and- photographers took a spin posing for a cameras, with Atlantis’ orange fuel tank and- dual white boosters apportionment as an overwhelming backdrop. The booster itself was incited executive toward a desk desk desk pad and- not visible.
“I couldn’t consider of a improved backdrop,” Ferguson said. “For those of we who have ever had a eventuality to only stand- underneath it and- demeanour up, I’ve regularly pronounced which a sorcery of a space convey is only a magnitude.”
Astronaut Rex Walheim pronounced he gets goosebumps “thinking which we’re starting to get to float which in about dual weeks.”
The dual alternative organisation members have been commander Douglas Hurley and- Sand-ra Magnus. All 4 have been gifted space fliers.
Atlantis got a new- fuel valve Tuesday. The aged one, in isolation from categorical engine No. 3, showed a probable trickle when a outmost fuel tank was filled last week to check for cracking. So far, a 50 reinforced brackets upon a tank uncover no signs of cracks; technicians have finished about half a required X-rays. The new- valve, meanwhile, will be tested this weekend.
Last November, Discovery finished up grounded for 4 months because- of cracks which were detected in a await brackets in a executive apportionment of a fuel tank. The supposed intertank segment binds instruments rsther than than fuel. The complaint was traced to a crisp aluminum alloy, total with public issues. The same element was use-d for Atlantis’ brackets, which were reinforced prior to last week’s test.
Only 4 astronauts have been reserved to a 12-day mission, contra a normal 6 or seven, because- of a actuality which there no longer have been any space shuttles upon stand-by for a intensity rescue. In a eventuality of critical repairs to a convey during liftoff, a 4 would pierce in to a International Space Station and- return, a single during a time over a march of a year, around Russian Soyuz capsules.
Atlantis will lift up a full bucket of space hire supplies. NASA hopes it will be sufficient to keep a orbiting formidable starting until in isolation companies have been means to take over load hauls.
This will be a 135th time a convey has bloody off. Discovery finished a drifting career in March, and- Endeavour upon Jun 1. All 3 shuttles will retire to muse-ums; in a box of Atlantis, a Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be a last stop.
Blinkiz 23 Jun, 2011--
Source: http://www.digdod.com/the-four-astronauts-who-will-bid-goodbye-to-the-space-shuttle-program-1034343.html
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