The orbiter Discovery rolls along the tow-way to the Vehicle Assembly

The orbiter Discovery rolls along the tow-way to the Vehicle Assembly Building where it will be mated with an external tank and solid rocket boosters for its launch on mission STS-103. The launch date is currently under review for early December. STS-103, the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission, is a "call-up" due to the need to replace portions of the pointing system, the gyros, which have begun to fail on the Hubble Space Telescope. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. The gyroscopes allow the telescope to point at stars, galaxies and planets. The STS-103 crew will also be replacing a Fine Guidance Sensor and an older computer with a new enhanced model, an older data tape recorder with a solid-state digital recorder, a failed spare transmitter with a new one, and degraded insulation on the telescope with new thermal insulation. The crew will also install a Battery Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit to protect the spacecraft batteries from overcharging and overheating when the telescope goes into a safe mode. 11/04/1999

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Space Shuttle Discovery makes the turn toward Launch Pad 39B

Space Shuttle Discovery makes the turn toward Launch Pad 39B on its trek atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler transporter. Once at the pad, the orbiter, external tank and solid rocket boosters will undergo final preparations for the STS-103 launch targeted for Dec. 6, 1999, at 2:37 a.m. EST. The mission is a "call-up" due to the need to replace and repair portions of the Hubble Space Telescope. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. Four EVA's are planned to make the necessary repairs and replacements on the telescope. The STS-103 crew members are Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr., Pilot Scott J. Kelly, Steven L. Smith, C. Michael Foale (Ph.D.), John M. Grunsfeld (Ph.D.), and Claude Nicollier of Switzerland and Jean-François Clervoy of France, both with the European Space Agency. 11/13/1999

nspecciona el cable de seguridad rango entre el tanque externo y cohetes de combustible sólido (SRB) en la misión STS-103 / transbordador espacial Discovery.

Rodney Wilson, with United Space Alliance, inspects the range safety cable between the external tank and solid rocket boosters (SRB) on STS-103/Space Shuttle Discovery. The cable, which relays a redundant emergency destruction signal between the SRBs in the unlikely event of a contingency, was damaged during close-out operations and is being replaced. Discovery's processing schedule leads to a target launch date of Dec. 6. 11/09/1999

 

 Rodney Wilson, con United Space Alliance, inspecciona el cable de seguridad rango entre el tanque externo y cohetes de combustible sólido (SRB) en la misión STS-103 / transbordador espacial Discovery. El cable, que transmite una señal de destrucción de emergencia redundante entre los SRB en el caso improbable de una contingencia, fue dañada durante las operaciones de cierre de salida y está siendo reemplazado. horario procesamiento del Discovery lleva a una fecha de lanzamiento del objetivo 6 de diciembre 11/09/1999

 

NASA's Earth Minute: Earth Has a Fever

vudeo climate

Earth has a fever and needs our care to get better: [video] http://youtu.be/nAuv1R34BHA

#EarthRightNow #ActOnClimate

California Drying: Satellite data reveals

California Drying: Satellite data reveals the extent of water storage loss in the state since 2002. http://go.nasa.gov/1tkM0ME

For more information on the GRACE mission that made this observation possible, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/grace

captured this image

NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (Little SDO) captured this image today of a solar flare. The flare is the bright flash of light on the right limb of the sun. A burst of solar material erupting out into space can be seen just below it. Details: http://1.usa.gov/1yB2Zm