STS-92 Day 1 Highlights
Return to STS-92 Mission Summary
-
- On Wednesday, October 11, 2000, 7:00 p.m. CDT, STS-92 MCC Status Report # 1
reports:
- Discovery's seven astronauts blasted off from the Kennedy Space
Center on the 100th mission in Space Shuttle history tonight to
deliver the first external framework structure and a new docking port
to the International Space Station.
- Commander Brian Duffy, Pilot Pam Melroy and Mission Specialists
Leroy Chiao, Bill McArthur, Jeff Wisoff, Mike Lopez-Alegria and Koichi
Wakata rocketed away from Launch Pad 39-A at 6:17 p.m. Central time,
lighting up the central Florida skies as they began their pursuit of
the international complex. At the time of launch, the ISS was orbiting
at an altitude of about 230 statute miles over the Indian Ocean, east
of India.
- Less than nine minutes after liftoff, Discovery^Òs astronauts
went to work to prepare the Shuttle^Òs systems for their planned
11-day mission. The first major task on the flight plan was to open
Discovery^Òs cargo bay doors prior to receiving a ^Ógo^Ô for
orbital operations from Ascent Flight Director Wayne Hale. The
astronauts are expected to set up computers and flight deck gear
before beginning an eight-hour sleep period at 11:17 p.m. Central
time. The crew will be awakened at 7:17 a.m. Thursday morning to begin
its first full day in space.
- With this evening^Òs successful launch behind them,
Discovery^Òs astronauts will turn their attention to their chase of
the International Space Station, performing several firings of the
ship^Òs jet thrusters over the next two days to set up a docking
with the outpost on Friday at 12:43 p.m. Central time. Over the
ensuing week, the crew will install the so-called Z1 truss structure
and a third Pressurized Mating Adapter to the Unity module and will
perform four space walks to electrically connect the new components.
- The Station itself continues to orbit the Earth every 90 minutes in
good shape with the exception of two sets of batteries in the Zvezda
Service Module which have been disconnected from the module^Òs
electrical system because of suspected problems with voltage
converters. Battery component spares are expected to be launched on
the next unmanned Progress resupply ship to the ISS in November for
installation by the first resident crew. Meanwhile, Zvezda is
operating normally on six healthy batteries with more than enough
electrical power for ISS systems.
- After an engine firing to circularize its orbit, Discovery will be
flying at an altitude of about 190 statute miles in pursuit of the
international station and its linkup Friday afternoon. The next STS-92
status report is scheduled at about 7 a.m. Central time Wednesday
morning, or sooner, if developments warrant.
-
Go to STS-92 Flight Day 2 Highlights: