Collins, Eileen

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Status: Inactive; Active 1990-2006. Born: 1956-11-19. Spaceflights: 4 . Total time in space: 36.34 days. Birth Place: Elmira, New York.

Educated USAFA; Edwards.

Official NASA Biography as of June 2016:Eileen Marie Collins (Colonel, USAF, RET.)
NASA Astronaut (FORMER)

PERSONAL DATA: Born November 19, 1956, in Elmira, New York. Married. She enjoys running, golf, hiking, camping, reading, photography, astronomy.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Elmira Free Academy, Elmira, New York, in 1974; received an associate in science degree in mathematics/science from Corning Community College in 1976; a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and economics from Syracuse University in 1978; a master of science degree in operations research from Stanford University in 1986; and a master of arts degree in space systems management from Webster University in 1989.

SPECIAL HONORS: Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury, October 1983), French Legion of Honor, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, NASA Space Flight Medals, Free Spirit Award, and the National Space Trophy.

EXPERIENCE: Collins graduated in 1979 from Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, where she was a T-38 instructor pilot until 1982. From 1983 to 1985, she was a C-141 aircraft commander and instructor pilot at Travis AFB, California. She spent the following year as a student with the Air Force Institute of Technology. From 1986 to 1989, she was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, where she was an assistant professor in mathematics and a T-41 instructor pilot. She was selected for the astronaut program while attending the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California, from which she graduated in 1990.

She has logged over 6,751 hours in 30 different types of aircraft. Collins retired from the Air Force in January 2005.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in January 1990, Collins became an astronaut in July 1991. Initially assigned to Orbiter engineering support, Collins has also served on the astronaut support team responsible for Orbiter prelaunch checkout, final launch configuration, crew ingress/egress, landing/recovery, worked in Mission Control as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), served as the Astronaut Office Spacecraft Systems Branch Chief, Chief Information Officer, Shuttle Branch Chief, and Astronaut Safety Branch Chief. Collins served as pilot on STS-63 (February 3-11, 1995) and STS-84 (May 15-24, 1997), and was the commander on STS-93 (July 22-27, 1999) and STS-114 (July 26 to August 9, 2005). A veteran of four space flights, Collins has logged over 872 hours in space. Collins retired from NASA in May 2006.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS -63 Discovery (February 3-11, 1995) was the first flight of the new joint Russian-American Space Program. Mission highlights included the rendezvous with the Russian Space Station Mir, operation of Spacehab, the deployment and retrieval of an astronomy satellite, and a space walk. Collins was the first woman pilot of a Space Shuttle.

STS -84 Atlantis (May 15-24, 1997) was NASA's sixth Shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the flight, the crew conducted a number of secondary experiments and transferred nearly 4 tons of supplies and experiment equipment between Atlantis and the Mir station.

STS -93 Columbia (July 23-27, 1999) was the first Shuttle mission to be commanded by a woman. STS -93 highlighted the deployment of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Designed to conduct comprehensive studies of the universe, the telescope has enabled scientists to study exotic phenomena such as exploding stars, quasars, and black holes. On STS-93, Collins was the first woman Shuttle Commander.

STS -114 Discovery (July 26-August 9, 2005) was the Return to Flight mission during which the Shuttle docked with the International Space Station and the crew tested and evaluated new procedures for flight safety and Shuttle inspection and repair techniques. After a 2-week, 5.8 million mile journey in space, the orbiter and its crew of seven astronauts returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

MAY 2006

This is the only version available from NASA. Updates must be sought direct from the above named individual.

NAME: Eileen Marie Collins (Lieutenant Colonel, USAF)

NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA:

Born November 19, 1956, in Elmira, New York. Married to Pat Youngs, originally from San Antonio, Texas. They have one child. She enjoys running, golf, hiking, camping, reading, photography, astronomy. Her parents, James and Rose Marie Collins, reside in Elmira, New York. His parents, Pat and Jackie Youngs, reside in San Antonio.

EDUCATION:

Graduated from Elmira Free Academy, Elmira, New York, in 1974; received an associate in science degree in mathematics/science from Corning Community College in 1976; a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and economics from Syracuse University in 1978; a master of science degree in operations research from Stanford University in 1986; and a master of arts degree in space systems management from Webster University in 1989.

ORGANIZATIONS:

Member of the Air Force Association, Order of Daedalians, Women Military Aviators, U.S. Space Foundation, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Ninety-Nines.

SPECIAL HONORS:

Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury, October 1983), and the NASA Space Flight Medal.

EXPERIENCE:

Collins graduated in 1979 from Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, where she was a T-38 instructor pilot until 1982. From 1983 to 1985, she was a C-141 aircraft commander and instructor pilot at Travis AFB, California. She spent the following year as a student with the Air Force Institute of Technology. From 1986 to 1989, she was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, where she was an assistant professor in mathematics and a T-41 instructor pilot. She was selected for the astronaut program while attending the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California, from which she graduated in 1990.

She has logged over 4,700 hours in 30 different types of aircraft.

Selected by NASA in January 1990, Collins became an astronaut in July 1991. Initially assigned to Orbiter engineering support, she also served on the astronaut support team responsible for Orbiter prelaunch checkout, final launch configuration, crew ingress/egress, and landing/recovery. From April 1995 to October 1996, she worked in Mission Control as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM). A veteran of two space flights, STS-63 (February 2-11, 1995) and STS-84 (May 15-24, 1997), she has logged over 419 hours in space.

In February 1995, Collins served as pilot on STS-63, the first flight of the new joint Russian-American Space Program. Mission highlights included the rendezvous with the Russian Space Station, Mir, operation of Spacehab, the deployment and retrieval of an astronomy satellite, and a space walk. Collins' first mission was accomplished in 129 orbits, traveling over 2.9 million miles in 198 hours, 29 minutes. She was the first woman pilot of a Space Shuttle.

In May 1997, Collins served as pilot on STS-84, NASA's sixth Shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. In completing this 9-day mission, she traveled 3.6 million miles in 144 orbits of the Earth logging a total of 221 hours and 20 minutes in space.

• Birth of Eileen Marie 'Mom' Collins - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Collins, Eileen. American test pilot astronaut 1990-2006. US Air Force test pilot, first female shuttle pilot and first female spacecraft commander. 4 spaceflights, 36.3 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-63 (1995), STS-84, STS-93, STS-114..

• NASA Astronaut Training Group 13 selected. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Bursch, Chiao, Clifford, Cockrell, Collins, Eileen, Currie, Gregory, William, Halsell, Harris, Helms, Jones, McArthur, Newman, Ochoa, Precourt, Searfoss, Sega, Thomas, Voss, Janice, Walz, Wilcutt, Wisoff, Wolf.

  The group was selected to provide pilot, engineer, and scientist astronauts for space shuttle flights.. Qualifications: Pilots: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. Advanced degree desirable. At least 1,000 flight-hours of pilot-in-command time. Flight test experience desirable. Excellent health. Vision minimum 20/50 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 vision; maximum sitting blood pressure 140/90. Height between 163 and 193 cm.

  Mission Specialists: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics and minimum three years of related experience or an advanced degree. Vision minimum 20/150 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. Maximum sitting blood pressure of 140/90. Height between 150 and 193 cm.. Reported to the Johnson Space Center in late July 1990 to begin their year long training. Chosen from 1945 qualified applicants, then 106 finalists screened between September and November 1989.

• STS-63 - . Call Sign: Discovery. Crew: Collins, Eileen, Foale, Harris, Titov, Vladimir, Voss, Janice, Wetherbee. Backup Crew: Krikalyov. Payload: Discovery F20 / Spacehab SH03 / CGP / ODERACS. Mass: 8,641 kg (19,050 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TM-18 Mir LD-4, Soyuz TM-20, STS-63. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Discovery. Duration: 8.27 days. Decay Date: 1995-02-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 23469 . COSPAR: 1995-004A. Apogee: 342 km (212 mi). Perigee: 275 km (170 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.30 min.

  Deployed ODERACS 2A-2E; deployed and retrieved Spartan 204. Discovery rendezvoused with Russia's space station, Mir, to a distance of 11 m and performed a fly-around, but did not dock with Mir. Payloads: SPACEHAB 03, Shuttle Pointed Autonomous Research Tool for Astronomy (SPARTAN) 204, Cryo Systems Experiment (CSE)/GLO-2 Experi-ment Payload (CGP)/Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Spheres (ODERACS) 2, Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE), Air Force Maui Optical Site (AMOS), IMAX Cargo Bay Camera (ICBC)

• Landing of STS-63 - . Return Crew: Collins, Eileen, Foale, Harris, Titov, Vladimir, Voss, Janice, Wetherbee. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Collins, Eileen, Foale, Harris, Titov, Vladimir, Voss, Janice, Wetherbee. Program: Mir. Flight: Soyuz TM-18 Mir LD-4, Soyuz TM-20, STS-63. STS-63 landed at 11:51 GMT. .

• STS-84 - . Call Sign: Atlantis. Crew: Clervoy, Collins, Eileen, Foale, Kondakova, Lu, Noriega, Precourt. Backup Crew: Titov, Vladimir. Payload: Atlantis F19 / Spacehab Double Module. Mass: 115,900 kg (255,500 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TM-25, STS-81 Mir NASA-3, STS-84, STS-84 Mir NASA-4. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Duration: 9.22 days. Decay Date: 1997-05-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 24804 . COSPAR: 1997-023A. Apogee: 393 km (244 mi). Perigee: 377 km (234 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 92.30 min.

  Atlantis blasted off on a night launch to Mir, docking with the station on May 17 at 02:33 GMT. Jerry Linenger, who had begun his stay on Mir in mid-January aboard STS-81, would return aboard STS-84. Michael Foale would be left at the station for his stint as the American crew member of Mir. The crew transfered to Mir 466 kg of water, 383 kg of U.S. science equipment, 1,251 kg of Russian equipment and supplies, and 178 kg of miscellaneous material. Returned to Earth aboard Atlantis were 406 kg of U.S. science material, 531 kg of Russian logistics material, 14 kg of ESA material and 171 kg of miscellaneous material. Atlantis undocked from Mir at 01:04 GMT on May 22. After passing up its first landing opportunity due to clouds over the landing site, the Shuttle fired its OMS engines on the deorbit burn at 12:33 GMT on May 24. Atlantis landed at 13:27 GMT at Kennedy Space Center's runway 33.

• Landing of STS-84 - . Return Crew: Clervoy, Collins, Eileen, Kondakova, Linenger, Lu, Noriega, Precourt. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Clervoy, Collins, Eileen, Kondakova, Linenger, Lu, Noriega, Precourt. Program: Mir. Flight: Soyuz TM-25, STS-81 Mir NASA-3, STS-84, STS-84 Mir NASA-4. STS-84 landed at 13:27 GMT with the crew of Precourt, Collins Eileen, Clervoy, Lu, Noriega, Kondakova and Linenger aboard..

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 01 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Jett, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93.

  The Space Shuttle Columbia blasted off late Thursday night (early Friday morning, Eastern time) to carry five astronauts to orbit for the long-awaited deployment of Chandra X-Ray Observatory, which will unveil previously invisible mysteries of the universe. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 03 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93.

  Chandra was deployed from Columbia a little more than seven hours into the flight at 6:47 a.m. CDT. Thanks to a pair of burns by its inertial upper stage (IUS), the third of NASA's four great observatories is now on its way to an elliptical orbit that will support five years of observations into the X-ray mysteries of the universe. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 02 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Collins, Eileen. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93.

  A little more than seven hours after Columbia and its five astronauts were launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Chandra was spring-ejected from a cradle in the shuttle's cargo bay at 6:47 a.m. Central time, as Columbia flew over the Indonesian Island chain. Commander Eileen Collins, the first female Shuttle Commander, maneuvered Columbia to a safe distance away from the telescope as an internal timer counted down to the first of a two-phase ignition of the solid-fuel Inertial Upper Stage. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 - . Call Sign: Columbia. Crew: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Payload: Columbia F26 / Chandra. Mass: 115,900 kg (255,500 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: North American. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-93. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Columbia. Duration: 4.95 days. Decay Date: 1999-07-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 25866 . COSPAR: 1999-040A. Apogee: 280 km (170 mi). Perigee: 260 km (160 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 89.90 min.

  STS-93 was first rolled out to pad 39B on June 7 1999. The Chandra/IUS-27 vehicle was placed in the payload canister on June 19. The first launch attempt was on July 20, but controllers aborted the launch at T-6 seconds, just before main engine ignition, due to a data spike in hydrogen pressure data. This was determined to be due to a faulty sensor and a second attempt was on July 22. A lightning storm prevented launch during the 46 minute window, and the launch was again scrubbed. Finally the vehicle lifted off the pad on July 23, but five seconds after launch a short in an electrical bus brought down two of the three main engine controllers. Backup controllers took over, but a further failure on the backup controller bus would have resulted in engine shutdown and the first ever attempt at an RTLS (Return To Launch Site) abort. To further complicate matters engine 3 (SSME 2019) had a hydrogen leak throughout the ascent, causing the engine to run hot. Controllers sweated as temperatures neared redline. The hot engine's controller compensated as programmed by using additional liquid oxygen propellant. The final result was that the shuttle ran out of gas - main engine cut-off (MECO) was at 04:39 GMT, putting Columbia into a 78 km x 276 km x 28.5 degree transfer orbit. Columbia was 1,700 kg short of oxygen propellant and 5 meters/sec slower than planned. The OMS-2 engine burn at 05:12 GMT circularised the orbit 10 km lower than planned.

  The orbiter payload bay contained only the Chandra spacecraft, the IUS, and the IUS tilt tableTthe following payloads were carried in the shuttle's cabin: STL-B (Space Tissue Loss), CCM (Cell culture module), SAREX-II (Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment), EarthKam, PGIM (Plant Growth Investigations in Microgravity), CGBA (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus), MEMS (Micro-electric Mechanical System), and BRIC (Biological Research in Canisters) and SWUIS (the Southwest Ultraviolet Imaging System, an 0.18-m UV telescope to be used for airglow and planetary observations); GOSAMR (the Gelation of Sols: Applied Microgravity Research experiment) and LFSAH, the Lightweight Flexible Solar Array Hinge. MSX and SIMPLEX experiments were also to be carried out.

  Chandra/IUS-27 was deployed from Columbia at 11:47 GMT July 23. Flight duration was limited; this was the heaviest shuttle (122,534 kg) and heaviest payload (19,736 kg) to that date. Columbia landed at 03:20 GMT on July 28 on runway 33 at Kennedy Space Center. Post-flight inspection found the presence of holes in the cooling lines on the nozzle of SSME 2019 (engine 3) which caused a hydrogen leak. A loose repair pin in the engine broke free and caused the failure. The cause of the short was found to be chaffed wiring inside the shuttle. The entire fleet was grounded for inspection and replacement of wiring as necessary.

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 05 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93. Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot Jeff Ashby and Mission Specialists Cady Coleman, Steve Hawley and Michel Tognini were awakened at 5:31 p.m. CDT with the song "Brave New Girls," performed by Teresa.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 04 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93.

  Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot Jeff Ashby and Mission Specialists Cady Coleman, Steve Hawley and Michel Tognini worked on experiments involving everything from astronomy to biomedicine to plant growth as the shuttle continued to orbit the Earth every 90 minutes in excellent shape. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 06 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93.

  Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot Jeff Ashby and Mission Specialists Cady Coleman, Steve Hawley and Michel Tognini conducted experiments ranging from astronomical observations with an ultraviolet telescope to cell culture studies. Investigations also included testing new materials which may one day be used to fabricate sturdier solar arrays. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 07 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93. The five astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia began their fourth flight day at 4:31 p.m. CDT, preparing to make additional celestial observations through the shuttle's windows and continue work with a variety of experiments.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 09 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93. Columbia's crew began packing up experiments today and preparing to return to Earth tomorrow with a touchdown planned on the Kennedy Space Center's shuttle runway in Florida at 10:20 p.m. CDT.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93. Columbia's astronauts entered the homestretch of their mission this morning, conducting additional experiments in the Shuttle's middeck area as they began preparations for their scheduled return to Earth late Tuesday night.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 10 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Ross, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93. Columbia's astronauts tested their ship's systems and packed up their gear, ready for a nighttime homecoming late tonight at the Kennedy Space Center to wrap up their five-day mission.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 11 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Barry, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Ross, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93.

  Columbia's astronauts made final preparations Tuesday evening to come home after a successful five-day flight. Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot Jeff Ashby and Mission Specialists Cady Coleman, Steve Hawley and Michel Tognini were awakened at 2:31 p.m. CDT Tuesday to "A Little Traveling Music" by Barry Manilow, requested by Hawley's wife Eileen, and "The Air Force Song," played for Collins and Coleman. Additional Details: here....

• STS-93 Mission Status Report # 12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93. Columbia's astronauts glided to a smooth landing tonight at the Kennedy Space Center, wrapping up their five-day mission to deploy the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.. Additional Details: here....

• Landing of STS-93 - . Return Crew: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Ashby, Coleman, Catherine, Collins, Eileen, Hawley, Tognini. Program: STS. Flight: STS-93. STS-93 landed at 03:17 GMT. .

• International Space Station Status Report #05-27 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Collins, Eileen, Krikalyov, Phillips. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  The Expedition 11 crew entered its seventh week in space today, wrapping up a week highlighted by research, maintenance and training for photography tasks to be done during the Space Shuttle's Return to Flight mission in July. Commander Sergei Krikalev and Flight Engineer John Phillips spent several days conducting examinations of each other using an ultrasound device that provides data on the ability of crewmembers to conduct detailed medical exams in space. The experiment could have future applications for telemedicine or rural health care. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #01 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery launched into a clear Florida sky this morning, returning the Shuttle fleet to space and beginning a journey of exploration to the Moon, Mars and beyond.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 - . Call Sign: Discovery. Crew: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Payload: Discovery F31 / Raffaello. Mass: 116,884 kg (257,685 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Agency: NASA. Manufacturer: Boeing. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Discovery. Duration: 13.90 days. Decay Date: 2005-08-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 28775 . COSPAR: 2005-026A. Apogee: 350 km (210 mi). Perigee: 313 km (194 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.20 min.

  Return to flight after loss of Columbia. Delayed extensively as NASA attempted to fix the external tank foam-shedding problem that resulted in the loss of Columbia (first planned for September 12, 2004, the launch slipped to March; May 14, 15 and 22; July 13, 2005). Discovery safely reached orbit at a total mass of 121,485 kg, but extensive video coverage detected external tank foam shedding during ascent. Discovery docked at the Pirs module of the ISS on 28 July 28 at 11:18 GMT. Following replenishment of the station (using the Raffaello MPLM-6 module with 8240 kg of supplies), a series of spacewalks verified the integrity of the shuttle's heat shield and tested repair techniques, Discovery undocked from the ISS at 07:24 GMT on 6 August and landed safely on Runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base at 12:11 GMT on 9 August. However the shuttle fleet was immediately grounded again while NASA attempted to find a permanent fix to the external tank foam woes.

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #03 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Discovery crewmembers completed a camera survey of the heat shields of the leading edges of the orbiter's wings and its nose cone Wednesday. They also began preparations for Thursday's docking with the International Space Station and the mission's spacewalks. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #04 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Visitors on a Space Shuttle will arrive at the International Space Station for the first time in over two years today. The Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to catch up and dock to the Station at 6:18 a.m. CDT Thursday.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #02 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  The crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery has awakened to its first full day in space. Today it will focus on thermal protection system inspections, preparing for docking to the International Space Station and getting spacesuits ready for three spacewalks. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #06 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. The first full day of joint Space Shuttle and International Space Station operations will be highlighted by installation of a cargo transportation module, additional orbiter heat shield inspections and spacewalk preparations.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #05 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. The Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station smoothly and right on time Thursday morning, after doing a planned back flip so Station crewmembers could photograph its thermal protection system.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #07 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Space Shuttle and International Space Station crewmembers installed the Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and began unloading the pressurized cargo carrier Friday. They also carried out a survey of selected areas of Discovery's thermal protection system and continued preparations for Saturday's spacewalk. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Steve Robinson will step outside for their first spacewalk, and the first of this mission, early Saturday. The six and a half hour spacewalk is scheduled to begin from Discovery's airlock at 3:44 a.m. CDT.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #10 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Transfers of additional water and supplies to the International Space Station will continue Sunday as the crew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery begins Flight Day 6. The STS-114 mission was formally extended by one day as mission managers Saturday decided to spend one more day docked to the ISS. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #09 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Space Shuttle Discovery's heat protective tiles and thermal blankets have been pronounced fit for entry after engineers reviewed the imagery and other data to judge their health. Analysis remains on the reinforced carbon-carbon wing leading edges and the protruding gap fillers identified earlier. Aerodynamics experts are evaluating the effect on surface heating that the gap fillers may cause to decide whether any work is necessary to reduce their size. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #11 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. The transfer of equipment and supplies from Discovery to the International Space Station and preparations for Monday's planned spacewalk by Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi and Steve Robinson were the focus of today's activities in space.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Now spacewalk veterans, Astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Steve Robinson will step outside for the second of three planned spacewalks today at 3:14 a.m. CDT. The sole objective of the 6 ½-hour excursion is to replace a failed International Space Station attitude control gyroscope. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #13 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  STS-114 mission managers Monday gave the go-ahead for astronauts to remove two protruding gap fillers in Discovery's heat shield during a Wednesday space walk. Soichi Noguchi and Steve Robinson will attempt to simply pull the thin fabric fillers from between tiles in the forward area of the orbiter's underside. If the pull method is unsuccessful, the two will have tools to cut the material flush with the surface. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #15 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Space Shuttle mission managers Tuesday cleared Discovery's wing leading edge heat shield for re-entry as they methodically deal with concerns over the protruding tile gap fillers. The mission management team also discussed a "puffed out" insulating blanket outside the commander's cockpit window and has decided it poses no risk of overheating during entry. Engineers will continue to analyze whether it could pose a debris problem if it came loose during aerodynamic flight. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #16 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  The Space Shuttle Discovery crew begins their ninth day in space with preparations for the third spacewalk of the mission. This extravehicular activity (EVA) was a preplanned activity for the mission, but now includes a new task -- repair of two protruding gap fillers between tiles on the bottom the Shuttle. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #17 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Despite days of anticipation and intense planning, space-walking astronaut Steve Robinson made it look easy as he gently pulled two protruding gap fillers from between thermal protection tiles on Discovery's underside Wednesday morning.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #18 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. After an eventful day supporting the third spacewalk of the mission, a light duty day of transfer activities, special events and time off lies ahead for the Space Shuttle Discovery crew as they begin their tenth day in space.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #20 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Now in their eleventh day of the mission and with three successful spacewalks behind them, the STS-114 crew of Space Shuttle Discovery is slated to begin preparations for undocking and the final day with their International Space Station counterparts. Their activities for the day include final equipment transfers, stowage and return of the robotic arm, boom and cargo container to the Shuttle payload bay. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #19 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Space Shuttle Discovery's heat shield is cleared for the return to Earth early Monday after mission managers decided today that a fourth spacewalk to deal with a puffed out thermal blanket is unnecessary. Wind tunnel tests overnight at NASA's Ames Research Center in California showed little chance of any significant debris coming from the blanket at supersonic speeds. Further engineering analysis showed any debris released from the blanket was unlikely to hit structures on Discovery. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #21 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery astronauts and their hosts on the International Space Station undocked the Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module from the Station's Unity Node Friday and reberthed it in the Shuttle's cargo bay.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #24 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery's astronauts will begin turning their attention toward coming back to Earth Monday by stowing equipment and verifying operation of the orbiter's flight control surfaces and system.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #23 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery is flying solo today, following its early morning departure from the International Space Station, concluding nine days of cooperative work between the two crews.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #22 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. After more than a week of working together in space, the Space Shuttle Discovery and International Space Station crews bid each other farewell tonight.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #25 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery's crew is spending what should be its last night in space, with an early morning landing planned Monday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, concluding a voyage of 5.35 million miles.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #26 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery's Return to Flight mission is scheduled to conclude with a landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center early Monday morning.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #28 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery glided to a pre-dawn landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California this morning concluding a journey of 5.8 million miles, touching down at 7:11 a.m. CDT.. Additional Details: here....

• Landing of STS-114 - . Return Crew: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-114.