[sarex] One Up, One to Go

[Arthur Rowe]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

*One Up, One to Go*
The deployment of the International Space Station’s new set of solar 
arrays reached the halfway point about 7:08 a.m. EDT today when the left 
wing was fully extended. The arrays will span 240 feet when the right 
wing is completely unfurled about 8:30 a.m.

Full deployment is occurring in stages to allow the arrays to warm up, 
which prevents them from sticking while being deployed. The first stage 
began about 6:27 a.m. EDT. The arrays were installed on to the station 
Tuesday and will eventually double the orbital outpost’s power 
capabilities.

Earlier this morning, flight controllers deployed only one bay mast on 
the right and left wings. This step was done to confirm a new procedure 
designed to avoid large motion that occurred during the P6 array 
deployment in 2000.

The deployment activities started later than planned due to a software 
problem with the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint. The Mission Control Center 
team developed a workaround and proceeded with the checkout and 
deployment activities.

In other activities today, STS-115 crewmembers will command the 
International Space Station’s robot arm to move from the Mobile Base 
System to the Destiny Laboratory Module. The STS-115 and the Expedition 
13 crews will prepare for Friday’s spacewalk.

Space Shuttle Atlantis and station crewmembers will take time out of 
their schedules to talk with reporters and officials. Canadian Space 
Agency Astronaut Steve MacLean is scheduled to talk with Canadian Prime 
Minister Stephen Harper at 11:25 a.m. STS-115 Commander Brent Jett, 
Expedition 13 Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Expedition Astronaut Thomas 
Reiter are scheduled to talk with National Public Radio and CNN at 11:50 
a.m. These events will be aired on NASA T