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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Монтаж Международной космической станции http://www.variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1163859/eng |
Credit & Copyright: STS-88 Mission,
NASA
Explanation:
Batteries and solar panels were included with this version of
the International Space Station (ISS) but some
assembly is still required.
On Saturday, December 5th, the
STS-88 crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavor achieved the
in orbit docking of the
Zarya and
Unity (foreground) ISS modules.
On Monday, astronauts
James Newman (left) and
Jerry Ross continued the assembly
procedures connecting power and data cables
during the first of three planned spacewalks.
Ground controllers were then able to successfully activate the ISS.
Now orbiting planet Earth at an altitude of about 248 miles,
Endeavour and
the ISS are reported to be in excellent shape and
crew members plan to enter the new space station today.
Five Americans, one Russian, and the Unity module itself
were lifted into orbit by the shuttle on Friday, December 4,
while the Zarya (sunrise) module was launched on a
Proton rocket from the
Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan on November 20.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.