Shuttle Atlantis Being Readied For August Launch

DarkNemesis618 writes "The Space Shuttle Atlantis was moved into the Vehicle Assembly Building today to begin the mating process to it's external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Atlantis is scheduled to launch either August 27th or 28th, being only the 3rd launch since the Columbia tragedy in 2003. Atlantis is set to resume construction of the International Space Station by bringing up the second set of massive solar arrays needed for the laboratory modules that are to be added later on in the station's construction. Once the flight review is completed (Aug. 16), an exact date will be set for launch. Pending any problems, rollout to the launchpad is scheduled for July 31st."

Re:What about Endeavour?

[Radius9]

According to NASA, it has been on a 24 month orbiter maintenance/upgrade since 2003, and should be ready to fly sometime later this year. Here's the link to the info on NASA's page: Space Shuttle Endeavour [nasa.gov].

Re:P3/P4 Truss and Solar Arrays

[Aglassis]

Correction: by P5 truss I meant P6 truss and associated arrays. The P5 truss segment will be in between the P6 and the P3/P4 truss.

Re:P3/P4 Truss and Solar Arrays

[Geezle2]

I think you are refering to the P6 truss, which was "temporarily" attached to the Z1 truss. It is staying put for now. [nasa.gov]

They will, of course, hold off on relocating the P6 truss until after the P5 truss is installed, which isn't until STS116 (not yet scheduled). [nasa.gov]

Not as exciting as you were hoping for, perhaps, but at least they are hauling more big pieces up again. They will have enough power now for the European or the Japanese lab modules, though those are not going up until after the first set of PV arrays goes up for the starboard side. . .maybe by next summer if NASA can keep the shuttles from falling apart until then.

Re:Spacex vs. the shuttle

[StrawberryFrog]

Somewhere down the road, America needs to develop an automated system similar to progress.

Europe will have one very soon. [bbc.co.uk]