[sarex] Crew Completes Truss Installation, First Spacewalk

[Arthur Rowe]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468


	*Crew Completes Truss Installation, First Spacewalk*




Mission Specialists Joe Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper wrapped 
up STS-115’s first spacewalk at 11:43 a.m. EDT. Their efforts centered 
on preparing the P3/P4 truss for operation. The new truss was installed 
this morning before the start of the spacewalk. Today’s construction 
efforts marked the resumption of the on-orbit construction of the space 
station.

The spacewalking duo began the excursion at 6:17 a.m., and cruised 
through the timeline. They installed power and data cables between the 
P1 and P3/P4 structures in preparation for solar array deployment. They 
also released launch restraints on the Solar Array Blanket Box and 
performed other tasks to configure the structure for upcoming 
activities. They moved through the spacewalk so quickly flight 
controllers in the Mission Control Center in Houston gave them 
permission to complete tasks scheduled for future spacewalks.

The new truss element, which includes a set of new solar arrays, was 
attached to the station at 3:48 a.m. EDT. Tanner and Piper began their 
excursion after bolts connecting the P3/P4 to the P1 truss were tightly 
secured. The third of four bolts was tightened at 4:35 a.m., officially 
making the P3/P4 a part of the station.

The new 17.5-ton, 45-foot truss will provide power, data and 
communication services for the station. The arrays will be unfurled to a 
full length of 240 feet Thursday and will eventually double the 
station’s power capabilities.

During the early stages of the spacewalk, the Mission Control Center in 
Houston told the STS-115 crew that no focused inspections of Space 
Shuttle Atlantis’ heat shield were needed. The good news allows the crew 
to press ahead as planned with the mission’s second spacewalk Wednesday.

Mission Specialist Dan Burbank coordinated the spacewalk activities. 
Mission Specialist Steve MacLean and Expedition 13 Flight Engineer Jeff 
Williams operated the station’s robotic arm, which was used to install 
the P3/P4.

The astronauts will quickly begin preparations for the mission’s second 
spacewalk, scheduled for 5:15 a.m. EDT Wednesday. Burbank and MacLean 
will conduct the spacewalk and will begin preparations with “camp out” 
in the Quest Airlock at 2:40 p.m. today.

*STS-115 Mission*
+ Read about the crew 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts115/index.html>
+ Read about the mission 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts115/mission_overview.html>
+ Read about the P3/P4 Truss 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/truss_segment.html>

*STS-115 Mission Briefing Materials*
Sept. 11, 2006: + Post-Mission Management Team Briefing 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/sts115/postmmt_091106.html>
Sept. 10, 2006: + Post-Mission Management Team Briefing 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/sts115/postmmt_091006.html>

*STS-115 Media Resources*
+ STS-115 Preflight Briefing Materials 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/index.html>
+ STS-115 Post-launch News Conference Transcript (85 Kb PDF) 
<http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/157077main_sts115_postlaunch_pc.pdf>
+ Press Kit (3.2 Mb PDF) 
<http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/154433main_sts115_press_kit3.pdf>
+ STS-115 Fact Sheet (122 Kb PDF) 
<http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/155942main_115factsheet.pdf>
+ STS-115 Execute Packages 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts115/mission_docs/execute_packages.html>
+ STS-115 TV Schedule 
<http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html>
+ View Images <http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=62>