when will nasa be ready for the atlantis launch?”
The space shuttle Atlantis has been in space for exactly 24 hours since its launch yesterday as I type this. Here’s an update for how the mission is going: Atlantis Astronauts Inspect Shuttle in 1st Full Day in Orbit The astronauts aboard the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis have inspected the craft for possible damage from Monday’s launch, ahead of a rendezvous with the International Space Station Wednesday. The six astronauts began their first full day in orbit Tuesday by surveying the shuttle’s thermal shielding using a special camera attached to the shuttle’s long robotic arm. They were also to install a camera, and examine space suits and docking procedure equipment in preparation for Wednesday’s docking. The shuttle is carrying more than 13 tons of spare parts for the space station, including equipment for the outpost’s robotic arm. Inspecting the shuttle for damage after a launch has became standard practice following the 2003 space shuttle Columbia disaster. Columbia’s wing was punc
