Orlando's CW 18


sponsor

Homepage > Local News > Space News
Related To Story
Space Shuttle

NASA Sets Shuttle's Final Launch Dates

8 Missions Remain For Shuttle

POSTED: 10:03 pm EDT July 7, 2008
UPDATED: 8:10 am EDT July 8, 2008

NASA has set launch dates for the remaining space shuttle missions.

NASA has decided on the target launch dates in 2009 and 2010 for the eight remaining space shuttle missions.

One flight to the Hubble space telescope, seven assembly flights to the International Space Station and two station contingency flights are planned before the shuttle retires.

Although the dates could still change, NASA hopes to finish assembly of the station and to phase out the shuttle fleet as they move toward new launch vehicles, such as Ares and Orion.

The shuttle flights in 2009 will begin on Feb. 12 with a launch of space shuttle Discovery for a 14-day mission.

The second flight of 2009 will be on May 15 with Endeavour's 23rd mission. This is a 15-day mission with five planned spacewalks. It will be delivering six new batteries for the P6 truss, a spare drive unit for the Mobile Transporter and a spare boom assembly for the Ku-band antenna.

On July 30, 2009, will be the third flight of the year. Atlantis will set sail on its 31st flight -- an 11-day mission carrying science and storage racks to the station with three planned spacewalks.

Oct. 15 marks the fourth flight of 2009 with the Discovery's 37th mission. It will be a 15-day flight with at least three spacewalks.

Endeavour will finish up 2009 on Dec. 10 with its 24th mission that will last 11 days and have at least three spacewalks.

The shuttle flights of 2010 begin on Feb. 11 with space shuttle Atlantis' 32nd mission.

On April 8, 2010, Discovery will have its 38th mission. At least three spacewalks are planned to stage spare components outside the station.

May 31 marks the third flight of 2010 and the final flight of the manifest. Endeavour's 25th mission will carry critical spare components that will be placed on the outside of the station. The mission will last 15 days and will be the 35th to the station.

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Restless Leg Syndrome can be calmed. Learn symptoms, treatments and management for RLS here. More

Think you can’t own a little slice of personal heaven for less than $100,000? Think again. Check out these less well known spots where you can relax and get away from it all without breaking the bank. More

Are your aging parents becoming a threat to themselves and others on the road? Find out if it's time to take away the keys. More

House, home, garage
Been reading stories about the increase in home foreclosures? In the market to invest? Search a national database of homes on the block. More


Don’t be left out. Make the switch to Digital TV.

Sponsored Links

Desktop Alert

Desktop Alert
Download Desktop Alert, and get up-to-the-minute alerts:
* Breaking News Alerts
* Severe Weather Alerts
Click here to download Desktop Alert!