Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Potential Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Leak: This morning an unexpected caution indicating “UPA Potential WSTA leak” annunciated following use of the Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC). The crew isolated the UPA and WHC was configured to internal [EDV] to isolate the system. An on-orbit inspection by the crew showed pretreated …
Astronauts Release Cygnus Space Freighter From Station
Expedition 50 robotic arm operators Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Thomas Pesquet of ESA (European Space Agency) commanded the International Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to release the Cygnus spacecraft at 8:22 a.m. EST while the space station was flying 251 miles over the Pacific Ocean, off the west coast of Colombia. Earlier, ground controllers …
What on Earth is an Anaglyph?
The science team behind the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) on NASA’s Terra satellite frequently publishes special images called stereo anaglyphs. For example, you might have seen our recent series of anaglyphs celebrating the centennial of the National Park Service. But what exactly is an anaglyph, and how is one made from MISR data? All methods of viewing […]
GOES-R Array Completes Deployment
Pam Sullivan, the GOES-R mission director, confirms that the GOES-R completed its solar array deployment for tonight and the spacecraft. The satellite is flying through space in a transfer orbit that it will eventually circularize on its own. The deployment completes the launch of the GOES-R satellite. There will be about five months of orbit …
Solar Array Deploys on GOES-R Satellite
The GOES-R satellite began deployment of the solar array that will generate electricity for the spacecraft during its mission.
GOES-R Flying On Its Own!
Spacecraft sep! Cheers and applause erupt from the launch teams as the GOES-R spacecraft separates from the Centaur upper stage to fly freely for the first time! Next up, solar array deployment. GOES-R is in a transfer orbit of 19,000 miles by 4,400 miles. It will circularize that orbit to more than 22,000 miles above Earth to be in a position to watch the western hemisphere with the most advanced instruments of their kind.
Centaur Engine Shutdown
The RL10 engine on the Centaur upper stage shut down as planned. The Centaur is positioning the GOES-R satellite for separation shortly.
Third Centaur Burn Underway
The Centaur engine ignited on schedule and is pushing the GOES-R spacecraft into its proper transfer orbit. The burn will last about a minute-and-a-half.
Centaur Making Maneuvers for Final Firing
The Centaur stage is firing its small thrusters to position itself and its GOES-R payload into the proper position to fire its main engine for the final time during this mission. Everything remains on schedule for the flight.