The US space shuttle Atlantis is set to lift off on Sunday on a construction mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Its six-strong crew is taking giant new power-generating solar arrays to the ISS.

 

The mission marks only the third shuttle flight since the loss of Columbia and seven astronauts in 2003.

 

The half-built $100bn space station must be completed before 2010, when the shuttle fleet is due to be retired.

 

Atlantis and its astronauts are scheduled to lift off at 1630 local time (2030 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

 

The mission's main objective is to fit the P3/P4 truss, a 17-tonne segment of the station's truss backbone that includes a huge set of solar arrays and a giant rotary joint to allow them to track the Sun.

 

The second of four sets of solar arrays, they span 240ft (73m) when fully extended.

 

The wings will provide power for three science laboratories, two living chambers and other systems onboard the ISS. They effectively double the station's current ability to generate power from sunlight.

 

The Atlantis crew arrived at Cape Canaveral on Thursday for final launch preparations.

 

"There's been a lot of talk in the press lately about Nasa being back," commander Brent Jett told reporters. "But we have a saying back in Texas: 'It's time to walk the walk'."

 

Jett will fly with pilot Chris Ferguson, flight engineer Dan Burbank, and mission specialists Joe Tanner, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, and Steve MacLean of the Canadian Space Agency.

 

During the 11-day mission, the crew will undertake three spacewalks to complete their construction duties.

 

"I can assure you that we are ready for the challenge," Jett said. "All we need is a little good weather on Sunday and we'll be out of here."

 

Some 16 shuttle flights are needed to finish the ISS. Nasa hopes one orbiter flight can also be found to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5284820.stm

Lightning delays Atlantis launch

 

Sunday's planned launch of the US space shuttle Atlantis has been put back by a day, Nasa has announced.

Officials said they wanted more time to evaluate the effects of a lightning strike on the site, and to ensure that weather conditions had improved.

 

Atlantis is due to undertake a construction mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

 

Its six-strong crew is taking giant new power-generating solar arrays to the space station.

 

The mission marks only the third shuttle flight since the loss of Columbia and seven astronauts in 2003.

 

The half-built $100bn space station must be completed before 2010, when the shuttle fleet is due to be retired.

 

Atlantis and its astronauts are now scheduled to lift off at 1504 (1904 GMT) on Monday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

 

The mission's main objective is to fit the P3/P4 truss, a 17-tonne segment of the station's truss backbone that includes a huge set of solar arrays and a giant rotary joint to allow them to track the Sun.

 

The second of four sets of solar arrays, they span 240ft (73m) when fully extended.

 

The wings will provide power for three science laboratories, two living chambers and other systems onboard the ISS. They effectively double the station's current ability to generate power from sunlight.

 

The Atlantis crew arrived at Cape Canaveral on Thursday for final launch preparations.

 

"There's been a lot of talk in the press lately about Nasa being back," commander Brent Jett told reporters. "But we have a saying back in Texas: 'It's time to walk the walk'."

 

Jett will fly with pilot Chris Ferguson, flight engineer Dan Burbank, and mission specialists Joe Tanner, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, and Steve MacLean of the Canadian Space Agency.

 

During the 11-day mission, the crew will undertake three spacewalks to complete their construction duties.

 

Some 16 shuttle flights are needed to finish the ISS. Nasa hopes one orbiter flight can also be found to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5284820.stm