STS-126 Launch

The STS-126 mission lifted off at 7:55 p.m. EST, 14th November 2008 on a mission to prep the International Space Station for expanded crews.

NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson commands the seven-member crew, which includes Pilot Eric Boe, Mission Specialists Donald Pettit, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus..

In Endeavour's payload bay, the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo is packed full of about 14,500 pounds of equipment and supplies, making it one of the heaviest modules in shuttle history.

Also included in the payload, are additional sleeping quarters, a second toilet, an exercise device and other household-type equipment.

The prime objective of the 15-day mission is to prepare the International Space Station to accommodate six members for long-duration stays.

Four planned spacewalks will focus on servicing the station's two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, or SARJ, which are needed to track the sun for electric power.

Endeavour and its crew are set to land at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after more than two weeks in space.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• STS-126
• STS
• 126
• Launch
• Liftoff
• Space
• Shuttle
• Endeavour

[sheepwshotguns]

we really need a space elevator.

[MewFushisDad]

THAT IS AMAZING!

Many Thanks

[kurrentessa]

STS-126 was carrying spiders so the ISS crew can study 0 gravity on arachnids . Its amazing because they make 3-D webs !

[kurrentessa]

It was built to replace the challenger .

[Blabist]

I watched that live! did you know that the endeavor is the newest orbiter?

[deepsinK]

huh? Orion ftw

[bowensk8er109]

haha my uncle was on that

[hyperthreaded]

@ 1:02: "altitude 1 mile, downrange distance 6 1/2 miles".

@ 1:28: "altitude 5 miles, downrange 8 miles"

That makes no sense, does it? It doesn't fly into space on a corkscrew-shaped path, going almost horizontally right after the start. It's not a plane!

[tturaiderjohn]

Of course its cheaper to develop when you pretty much directly copy someone elses design. It only had one unmanned orbital flight without any life support systems or crew. The program was cancelled before any work of actual scientific value was done.

[NonStampCollector]

Fucking awesome.

Those things are already travelling at 100km/h by the time the bottom of the rocket passes the top of the launching tower.

[547212436]

just a random fact. the russian space shuttle was more advanced and cheaper to build, maintain and develop