Astronauts on the Space shuttle Atlantis completeted the installation of two platforms to the International Space Station's truss. The platforms hold large spare parts to sustain station operations after the shuttles are retired.
STS-129 Commander Charlie Hobaugh was joined on Atlantis' STS-129 mission by Pilot Barry Wilmore and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Bobby Satcher. Atlantis returned with station resident Nicole Stott, who spent 91 days in space. This marks the final time the shuttle is expected to rotate station crew members.
A welcome ceremony for the astronauts will be held Monday, Nov. 30, in Houston. The public is invited to attend the 4 p.m. CST event at Ellington Field's NASA Hangar 990. Highlights from the ceremony will be broadcast on NASA Television's Video File. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
The shuttle landing was successful and the Atlantis and its crew are safely home. The stage is now set for launch of shuttle Endeavour on its STS-130 mission, targeted to begin in February. Endeavour will deliver a pressurized module, known as Tranquility, which will provide room for many of the space station's life support systems.
Written by Cheryl Phillips
HULIQ.com
source: newscom, nasa.gov
Posted November 27th, 2009 by Cheryl Phillips
