General Chat

Wishing the crew a safe journey ..NASA TV LINK ON THIS PAGE http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html or on FOX news NOW

Space shuttle cleared for return NASA has given the green light for Discovery to attempt landing on Monday, after an inspection showed no signs of damage to the space shuttle. Engineers reviewed images from an inspection of the shuttle's wings and nose cap conducted by Discovery's crew. The shuttle had been docked with the International Space Station (ISS) during the 13-day mission. Six astronauts are on board, after German astronaut Thomas Reiter was left behind for a six-month ISS stay. The shuttle had been kept 74km (46 miles) from the ISS so it could return should serious damage be found. The shuttle is now scheduled to land at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The landing will bring to an end a mission that NASA hopes will help reduce heightened safety concerns over the shuttle program since the 2003 Columbia shuttle disaster. The mission is just the second to be carried out since the space shuttle Columbia broke up on re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere in January 2003, killing all seven crew on board. Accident investigators said that disaster had been caused by insulating foam falling from Columbia's external fuel tank during launch and striking the shuttle's wing, compromising the heat shield needed to protect it during re-entry. Discovery's heat shield scan was done with the same laser and camera system which was used to check for possible damage from flying debris during launch earlier in the flight. It also checked for micrometeoroid impacts which could have occurred during the stint in space. The mission has included three spacewalks and repairs vital to resuming building work on the ISS.

Thanks for the reminder Elaine. I hope they all reach home safely. Rosi

Thanks Elaine, any idea of time yet ?

Hi Polly Not yet, but it does say on the NASA site, but its american time Elaine x

Will keep and eye on your thread then !

got this from the NASA site Landing is set for 9:14 a.m. EDT Monday at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The crew is scheduled to fire the shuttle’s engines at 8:07 a.m. to begin Discovery’s descent to Florida. A second landing opportunity in Florida also is available for Monday. The crew would fire the engines at 9:43 a.m. for a landing at 10:50 a.m. Weather forecasts call for a chance of showers at the landing site. Flight controllers do not plan to consider any landing site other than Florida on Monday. can anyone find out the time in English lol...well what time it will be here when they land lol ! E x

I know lynda and mine was first..and they know that but we can all se the motives of the people on the other thread cant we and they have the cheek to call me bully !! Hope others can see their true colours Elaine x

Me , too Elaine..

Elaine. I honestly don't think it was a deliberate attempt to 'bully' you. The other thread isn't really about the shuttle, it's more about the Clangers the Moon being made out of Cheese, and the 'man in the moon'. lol The two threads are very different, and both have different reasons why they should be up there. try not to take it as an attack, because I honestly dont think it is; Paul.

I've been watching this shuttle with great interest. Mainly because the whole space programme depends on it, the shuttle is near retireing. I watched one of the walks when they were repairing something with 'cement' and a spatuala. It was really interesting to think I was watching them as they were flying miles above me. I'll watch the landing - maybe not live - hope all goes well for them.

Hi Fitz I hope to watch the landing as well, ive driven the kids mad with Nasa tv on the pooter each day Its lovely to watch the space walks and the earth from so far above Ive so enjoyed this mission Im just hoping im not at work lunchtime (at school) or picking the kids up from school at the time it will be sids law that I am lol ! Elaine x

Thanks for your reply Elaine, Reading through I have no idea of whats going on, I answered this thread at it was serious about the shuttle and had no idea (aprt from man in the moon and cheese) what other thread is going on about. Isn't it a wonderful world where your children can see these things on the internet? I meant to add on here and I sent it twice. Just wanted to ask have you ever seen a live lift off? I haven't but would love to.

Fitz lol ! Have you got hiccups lol ! Elaine x ps I nag my two..'Come and see this'...all I get is awwww mum ! E x

So sorry about that have deleted the hiccup.

Hi Elaine - I'll also be watching and wishing the crew a safe return home To convert to GMT add four hours to the estimated EDT arrival time. Patty :-)

I think everyone will be hoping and praying for a safe and un-eventful landing, I know I will Vikki

Thank you, Elaine, for this informative thread. Fitz, I haven't seen a live lift off but would love to ... :-) Joy

They've had to do a bit of repair work on one of the tiles I heard on the news. The filler bit came out. Here's hoping they have a safe journey.

Hi Elaine, Think you missed bit I added on - if you'd ever seen a live launch? I haven't would love to. Just been looking at site - hope we're around in 30 yrs or more when they send someone to Mars! Have to get your kids to go on there - you can give tips for what you want on next exploration! What a chance! Great school project!