Credit: NASA

On 8 June 2007, Space Shuttle Atlantis was launched toward the International Space Station (ISS) on an 11-day mission, designated STS-117. The objectives of STS-117 include adding a new structural component to the ISS, deploying a new set of solar arrays and retracting an existing array.

Atlantis was originally scheduled for launch in March 2007, but the foam insulation on the shuttle's external fuel tank was damaged due to a hail-storm on 26 February 2007. Shuttle managers were forced to roll the spacecraft off the pad for repairs.

STS-117's crewmembers are Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and mission specialists Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John "Danny" Olivas, Jim Reilly and Clayton Anderson.

Shortly before launch, on behalf of the entire crew, Sturckow thanked the teams that help make this launch possible, and then added "See you in a couple of weeks".

Astronaut Clayton Anderson will remain onboard the ISS till October 2007, as crewmember of the ISS Expedition 15. Astronaut Sunita Williams, who has been aboard the station since December 2006, will return to Earth with the Atlantis crew. Anderson is scheduled to return to Earth on Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-120 mission.

The first spacewalk of STS-117

Credit: NASA

STS-117 features spacewalks to install the 17.5 ton S3/S4 truss segments. This includes a new set of solar arrays and will extend the right side of the truss. The 240-foot arrays will provide additional power to the station in preparation for the arrival of new science modules from the European and Japanese space agencies. The crew also will retract a solar array to enable the new arrays to track the Sun.

The first spacewalk of STS-117 was performed on 11 June. The S3/S4 was attached to the station 11 June before the start of the spacewalk, during which astronauts began activating the truss. On 12 June, the ISS spread its new set of wings, and the STS-117 crew members prepared for the STS-117’s second spacewalk on 13 June.

During this spacewalk, Mission Specialists Steve Swanson and Pat Forrester will continue the activation of the S3/S4 and assist in the retraction of the starboard solar array on the Port 6 (P6) truss. Also, on 12 June, the mission was extended from 11 to 13 days, to allow the astronauts to repair a minor damage near Atlantis' tail that occurred during launch.  

Further Information

Station Spreads New Wings; Crew Preps for Spacewalk

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html    

Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem

Senior Astronomy Specialist