[sarex] P3/P4 Solar Arrays Deploying

[Arthur Rowe]

:SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468
>   *P3/P4 Solar Arrays Deploying*
>
> Solar array wings Image above: The forward array of the space 
> station's new solar array wings waits to be fully unfurled. Image 
> credit: NASA TV
TO VIEW IMAGE GO 
TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
>
> The International Space Station’s new solar arrays are stretching to 
> their full length with the assistance of the STS-117 and Expedition 15 
> crews. The array is on the Starboard 3 and 4 (S3/S4) truss segment 
> that was attached to the station Monday.
>
> Today’s deployment activities began about 11:43 a.m. EDT. The first 
> array that will be deployed to its length of 115 feet is on the 
> forward-facing side of the S3/S4. After the forward array is deployed, 
> the process will repeat for the rear-facing array.
>
> The STS-117 crew will get a few hours of off duty time this afternoon 
> before they begin preparations for the mission’s second spacewalk on 
> Wednesday. Mission Specialists Steve Swanson and Pat Forrester will 
> continue the activation of the S3/S4 and assist in the retraction of 
> the starboard solar array on the Port 6 (P6) truss. Wednesday’s 
> spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 2:03 p.m.
>
> The P6 will move from its current location atop the station to the end 
> of the Port 5 truss during a future mission.
>
> *Managers Add Spacewalk, 2 Days to Mission*
>
> During a post-mission management briefing Monday, John Shannon, chair 
> of the Mission Management Team, announced NASA will extend the mission 
> two extra days and add a fourth spacewalk. The team extended the 
> mission by two days and added a fourth EVA to provide time to repair 
> the raised thermal blanket on the Orbital Maneuvering System pod. A 
> decision about whether that job will be done on EVA 3 or EVA 4 is 
> expected today.
>
> *STS-117 Mission*
> + The Crew 
> <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/index.html> 
>
> + The Mission 
> <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/mission_overview.html> 
>
> + The Integrated Truss Structure 
> <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/its.html>
>
>
>