Article Posted on : - Sep 08, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC (BNS): Owing to the bad weather conditions, NASA made a slight change in the launch of its two space shuttles scheduled for later this year. Shuttle Atlantis' STS-125 mission to the Hubble Space Telescope is now set for October 10, a delay of two days from the previous date of October 8. Even Endeavour's STS-126 supply mission to the International Space Station has now been shifted to November 12.

All preparations have begun for the launch of Shuttle Atlantis. Now that Tropical Storm Hanna’s threat has declined, Atlantis was rolled on to the launch pad 39 A on Thursday at 9:19am from Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building. After making a slow journey, the shuttle reached the pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at about 2 pm. and was secured firmly by 3:52 pm.

According to the NASA managers Shuttle Atlantis is set to take off at 12:33 am EDT, on Friday, October 10. It has been said that NASA Television will cover the launch from 7:30 pm EDT on Thursday, October 9. NASA managers have said that Shuttle Atlantis STS-125 will be on an 11-day mission, which will include five space walks to repair and upgrade the Hubble Telescope. It is expected to return home on October 20 at 10:21 pm.

The STS-125 will be commandeered by Scott Altman, while Gregory C Johnson will be the pilot. Other members on the mission include experienced space walkers John Grunsfeld and Mike Massimino, and first time space fliers Andrew Feustel, Michael Good and Megan McArthur.

On the other hand, Shuttle Endeavour will be on a 15-day flight to deliver supplies and cargo to the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus will relieve Greg Chamitoff as an Expedition 18 crewmember on the station during the STS-126 mission. Chamitoff returns to Earth after spending five months in space. The Endeavour mission is scheduled to lift off at 8:43 pm EST, on Wednesday, November 12. Landing is expected to take place on Thursday, November 27 at 2:45 pm.

The STS-126 will be commandeered by Chris Ferguson, while Eric Boe will serve as the pilot. Other mission members are Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Donald Pettit, Magnus and Chamitoff.

Just two weeks before the actual dates a final Flight Readiness Review is undertaken. The STS-125 review is set for September 22-23 and STS-126 for October 30.

A launch dress rehearsal known as terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, for STS-125 is set for Sept 22-24 at Kennedy Space Centre. The test will help shuttle members to have a feel of simulated countdown activities, including getting to know the equipment and handling any emergency.

NASA has released a schedule for the media, which is as follows:

* Sept. 21 - STS-125 crew arrival: The astronauts will arrive at 7 pm at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. The arrival will be not be broadcast live on NASA Television, but will be replayed as a NASA TV Video File.

* Sept. 23 - STS-125 crew availability: The crew will take news media questions at Launch Pad 39A at 8:30 a.m. The event will be carried live on NASA TV.

* Sept. 24 - STS-125 crew walkout photo opportunity: The astronauts will depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 am wearing their launch and entry suits in preparation for the countdown demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will not be broadcast live, but will be included in the NASA TV Video File.