HOME   NEWS   SPECIAL REPORT   PHOTO   COMMENTARY   VOICE   LEARNING CHINESE
NEWS > Technology
Space station computers pass test, Atlantis to undock Tuesday
2007-06-18 15:36:39 Xinhua English

WASHINGTON, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian navigation computers on the International Space Station received a passing grade following a test Monday morning. As a result NASA mission managers gave the Atlantis crew the nod to undock the shuttle from ISS on Tuesday, according to NASA mission updates.

During the computers meltdown last week, the shuttle's thrusters were used to help the station maintain its position. The test was to determine if the revived Russian computers were ready to control the station's orientation.

Now, the Atlantis crew is scheduled to bid farewell to the Expedition 15 crew before the hatches close at 6:23 p.m. EDT (2223GMT) Monday between Atlantis and the station. Atlantis is slated to undock at 10:42 a.m. (1442 GMT) Tuesday and land at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. on Thursday.

The crew will conclude final transfers before saying goodbye to their hosts, the Expedition 15 crew.

Atlantis arrived at the station June 10, delivering the new truss segment to the orbiting outpost. The crew installed the truss June 11 and conducted four space walks to activate the new component and assist in the retraction of an old solar array. During the third space walk, the crew repaired an out of position thermal blanket on the left orbital maneuvering system pod.

Atlantis also delivered a new station crew member, Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson. He replaced astronaut Sunita Williams, who is the new record holder for a long-duration single space flight for a woman. She arrived at the station in December with shuttle Discovery.

MORE NEWS
EU, U.S. launch initiative to cut airline emissions  
Japan: 1st giant manta ray born in captivity  
MS eyes ad revenue, launches cell phone portal  
UK experts: human-animal embryos OK for research  
Tennessee aquarium hatches endangered turtle  
Microsoft, Chinese electronics maker announce venture  
China to develop carrier rockets with increased payload capacity  
China to increase payload capacity of carrier rockets for lunar exploration  

SINA English is the English-language destination for news and information about China. Find general information on life, culture and travel in China through our news and special reports£¬or find business partners through our online Business Directory. For investment opportunities with SINA, please click the link "Investor" below.
| About SINA | Investor | Media Kit | Comments or Question? |
Copyright © 1996-SINA Corporation, All Rights Reserved