Tag: ISS
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Dream Chaser’s European deal points to multi-role ambitions
The new European allies of Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser have officially announced “cooperative understandings” that not only combine a transatlantic engineering boost for the baby orbiter, but may also result in Dream Chasers hitching rides atop of an Ariane rocket. More importantly, the announcement provided extra details on the vehicle’s future ambitions. Dream Chaser Deal:…
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Russian duo break EVA record – Main task suffers issue
Expedition 38 Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy broke the Russian spacewalk duration record on the outside of the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, following their work on photographic and scientific equipment. However, the main EVA objective suffered a failure after one of two Canadian cameras failed to provide data to the…
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Astronauts complete installation of new ISS Pump Module
Two astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have completed the replacement of a failed Pump Module outside the station. The spacewalk, designated US EVA-25, took place on the backbone of the hugely successful EVA-24, allowing for the completion of all spacewalk tasks in just two EVAs. EVA-25 background: Three EVAs were originally planned to…
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Spacewalkers complete first Pump Module replacement EVA
US astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have completed the first of the planned Extra Vehicular Activities (EVAs) to replace a failed Pump Module outside the orbital laboratory. The spacewalk, which carried the designation US EVA-24, ended slightly early, but made great progress on the overall objectives. Pump Module failure background – Refer to…
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Cygnus ISS mission delayed until January – Three EVAs planned
Orbital’s Antares rocket rolled out to its launch pad on Tuesday. However, due to the uncertainty surrounding the cooling system issue on the International Space Station (ISS) – which will require three EVAs – the ORB-1/CRS-1 mission to launch the Cygnus spacecraft on its first operational mission to the orbital outpost has been delayed until…
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ISS suffers external coolant loop issue – contingency spacewalks planned
The International Space Station (ISS) is currently experiencing an issue with one of its two external ammonia coolant loops, with one loop operating much too cold due to the apparent failure of an ammonia temperature control valve. The issue, if not resolved via other means, could result in several spacewalks being required in the immediate…
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Oleg Kotov manually docks misbehaving Progress M-21M
The Progress M-21M resupply vehicle was manually docked with the ISS, following an extended trip in space towards its arrival on Friday. The vehicle was tasked with testing a more-efficient KURS automated rendezvous system. However, the system failed at 60 meters distance from the Station, requiring a rare manual docking that was ably completed by Commander…
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Troublesome ISS EVA conducts Olympic torch relay in space
Expedition 37 Flight Engineers Oleg Kotov and Sergey Ryazanskiy have concluded their EVA-36 spacewalk, which opened with the unique event of conducting an Olympic torch relay on the outside of the International Space Station (ISS). The two cosmonauts then enjoyed mixed success with their main EVA tasks. EVA-36: Saturday’s EVA was conducted by Kotov – as EV-1…
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Soyuz TMA-11M docks increasing ISS to nine person crew
The three person crew of Soyuz TMA-11M have arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, just six hours and 14 minutes after being launched by their Soyuz FG rocket. Using the fast track rendezvous, the arrival has temporarily increased the orbital outpost’s crew compliment to nine. Soyuz TMA-11M: Veteran Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin…
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European duo heading for fiery farewells
Two European spacecraft are currently enjoying their final moments high above the planet, as they continue their descent towards a fiery re-entry. ATV-4 – which recently undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) – is set to re-enter on Saturday, while the GOCE spacecraft has already begun its slow drop towards its ultimate fate. GOCE:…