STS-122: Launch Set for Feb 7

Atlantis finally has a new launch date: Thursday, 7 Feb 2008. Ground personnel are busy wiring the external tank sensors with soldered (rather than plug-in) connectors which can withstand the super-cold temperatures of the Shuttle's liquid hydrogen fuel. The seven astronauts will deliver ESA's Columbus module, and berth it to the International Space Station. The flight after that, Endeavour's STS-123 mission, will launch in mid-March. Three other Shuttle flights are scheduled for this year.  NASA reports:

NASA Targets Feb. 7 for Launch

Jan. 11
NASA Friday announced Feb. 7 as the target launch date for shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station and mid-March for the launch of Endeavour on STS-123. Liftoff of Atlantis from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., will be at 2:47 p.m. EST.

A decision by the Russian Federal Space Agency to move up its Progress launch from Feb. 7 to Feb. 5 enables both STS-122 and STS-123 to launch before the next Russian Soyuz mission in early April. This allows astronauts assigned to the space station's Expedition 16 crew to complete the tasks they have trained for, including support of the launch and docking of Jules Verne, the first European Space Agency Automated Transfer Vehicle. Targeting Feb. 7 also allows time to complete modifications to the engine cutoff sensor system that postponed two shuttle launch attempts in December.

Atlantis' main objective during its STS-122 mission to the station is to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of experiments in life, physical, and materials science, Earth observation and solar physics.

Shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission will deliver Kibo, the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's laboratory module, and Dextre, Canada's new robotics system to the space station.

NASA managers will meet in the coming weeks to address the schedule of remaining shuttle flights beyond STS-123.

Media Resources
› STS-122 Press Kit (15 Mb PDF)
› STS-122 Fact Sheet (7.6 Mb PDF)
› STS-122 TV Schedule
› ECO Sensor's Morning Press Briefing (Real Player Video)

Engine Cutoff (ECO) sensors graphics:
› LH₂ ECO Sensor Locations
› Overall Schematic of ECO and Liquid Level (Point) Sensors
› Orbiter Avionics Bays
› Orbiter Aft Avionics Bays
› Functional Block Diagram of Point Sensor Box
› Exploded View of Point Sensor Box

Preflight pics and video are up at the JSC Gallery. More pics here. Discussion here. Shuttle Processing Report here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.