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Atlantis Gives ISS A Boost
Washington (AFP) May 24, 2000 - The space shuttle Atlantis has moved the International Space Station (ISS) into a higher orbit to avoid its sliding into the Earth's atmosphere. Commander Jim Halsell and pilot Scott Horowitz fired the shuttle's thrusters 27 times late Tuesday and early Wednesday, moving the 30-tonne complex up 16 kilometers (10 miles) to a total altitude of 344 kilometers (215 miles). The maneuver will be repeated later Wednesday and Thursday, raising the ISS a total of 43 kilometers (27 miles). As a result, the American module Unity and the Russian Zaria will be at the correct altitude for the expected arrival of the Russian service module Zvezda in July. Meanwhile, the Atlantis crew is proceeding with repairs and the transfer of more than a tonne of material from the shuttle to the space station, according to NASA officials in Houston (Texas). The the seven-member crew of astronauts have changed three defective batteries on Zaria, and must replace another on Wednesday. They are also in the process of transferring more than a tonne of equipment to be used by future occupants of the station. The first crew is scheduled to arrive at the station later this year. The repairs and equipment transfer are proceeding more quickly than planned, according to NASA officials. Atlantis is scheduled to separate from Unity and Zaria Friday. The first visit to the station early Tuesday morning showed that, despite fears to the contrary, there was no accumulation of polluted air in the Russian module Zaria and no humidity had accumulated on the American module Unity. The space station has been empty since the beginning of June 1999. Astronaut Susan Helms and cosmonaut Yuri Usachev immediately began their electrical work, changing the first two of the four batteries that were showing signs of weakness in Zaria without difficulty. Their most important task is to replace a charger and four of the six batteries needed to generate electricity for the ISS that no longer work. The crew also installed three new extinguishers and new conduits to improve circulation in the module. The seven astronauts have been working as movers in order to transfer more than a ton of furnishings from the shuttle to the station for future crews. Computers, exercise equipment, clothing and video cameras will be stored on Zaria and Unity. At the end of the day, the motors of the shuttle will be fired in order to raise the ISS 15 kilometers (nine miles). The complex orbits currently at 330 kilometers (205 miles) above the earth and before the end of the mission, it will be raised a total of 43 kilometers (27 miles) in preparation for the arrival of the Russian service module Zvezda next July. Copyright 2000 AFP. All rights reserved. The material on this page is provided by AFP and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. CommunityEmail This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Space
Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India. |
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