NASA up-date? Want one?
 

I don't have the whole skinny yet but just what I've picked up out of the last couple days I've been back...

STS-124 moves to the VAB (vehicle assembly building) 4/28, then to the pad 5/5. Launch - 5/31. Biggest job - install 2nd part of Japanese lab module. I'm primary Center Ops mission manager for this flight.

We're up-grading servers in the international space station control room in building 30M this week so all the folks there are relocated to the shuttle control room in building 30S for the week. This is somewhat of a PITA for me as I gotta replace the screens (projectors) in the ISS control room at the same time. You know - those big display things in the front of the control room?

There was some professional finger pointing this morning between us (NASA), ESA (european space agency) and JAXA (japanese space agency) about lost transmission feeds. At least the russians weren't involved (although I think the jaxa problem might be a russian server). And no mention of CSA (canadian space agency usually gets some blame...). Trust me - that space station up there is truly international. And the Italian space agency is somehow separate from the european space agency. I haven't figured that one out yet...

The european maiden flight of their unmanned re-supply vehicle was launched before STS-123 and is still up there. We're doing primary control from our control rooms.

STS-125 going to the hubble telescope is still slated for late August but may slip until after STS-126. The schedule for the next few flights is somewhat up in the air due to external tank manufacturing schedules.

Tom

Great update!

Thanks for keeping us posted.

-Vic

Thanks Tom~ Your job just blows my mind.... way coooool!

Love the updates Tom - keep um coming!

Thanks, Tom! I love it when you talk rocket to us!

What's the "jail key"? During the Endeavor landing, someone said, "I have the jail key." This has been driving me crazy!

In space, no one can hear you argue.

U Da Man, Big Tom!

Uh huh! I love the rocket speak! You rock Tom!! Shall I sing Rocket Man to you??? Eh hem......wait, where are my pink furry sunglasses?????:eek:

Thanks Tom!

It's good to have you back at the helm!!

P.S....keep ignoring AMN's question :p
I wanna see her head pop from curiousity...LOL!! :D

Glad you are back in the saddle tom, :rocket:

who is up there at the station now, younget female astronaut? she looked like a high school kid is that just south korea or? curios watched some of it last night but cogfog is a bit thicker than normal, so wasnt sure if its live or memorex, thought i saw the launch a few nights ago, but again that london cogfogfog is thick as pea soup this month

LOL, knock it off, hag!:mad:

Thanks for the updates. It is so very cool.

My son, who is 6, recently asked "Is infinity an even or odd number?"

He's a leftie and loves math :)

Cheers!

Niko

* snickering like Mutley here over that one *

this all sounds very exciting tom.
altho i don't understand the lingo much, it's still exciting.
i look forward to your updates and tidbits.

thanks.

Okay, since Tom is steering clear of this one, my guess is that it was an unofficial "secret/special" communication to a girlfriend or family member of whoever said it.

So, Tom, on the next landing, make them say for me, "I fell of the turnip truck.":D:cool:

Actually, I just keep forgetting to ask when I'm with one of the astronauts. It's kinda stupid - I'm in a meeting daily with at least a couple of them.

When did ya hear it said? Was it by chance when they waved off the first landing? I'm thinking CAPCOM astronaut on the ground saying it...

Tom

It was during control communications in the last 5-10 minutes of the landing. I think the transmission came from the Endeavor, not the ground. Thanks!

this is so cool thanks tom for taking time to fill us in on info, and facts

how are you meanding? still doing well I hope

Infinity is 42.

Jail key is an Irish ale.

Any more questions?

:D

Blame it on the Italians - it's fun to watch them when they're mad. They argue with their hands.

Thanks for the update, and for keeping the space thang rockin'.

:cool:

Dates changed today - STS-124 moves to VAB 4/26, to pad 5/3. 2 day bump. Launch is still 5/31. We got the foam issues resolved early.

Tom

Hmpf. I thought that 42 was the meaning of life!