







Departing Discovery leaves station stocked with supplies

BY WILLIAM HARWOOD

STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION

Posted: April 17, 2010



The Discovery astronauts bid their station counterparts farewell early Saturday, sharing a final round of hugs and handshakes before moving back aboard the shuttle and undocking from the lab complex. Separation occurred at 8:52 a.m. EDT as the two spacecraft sailed 220 miles above Papua, New Guinea.

Credit: NASA



"Houston and station, Discovery, physical separation," shuttle commander Alan Poindexter radioed as the docking systems disengaged. "Discovery, departing," Expedition 23 flight engineer Soichi Noguchi called out, ringing the ship's bell in the lab's Harmony module. "Dex you and your crew were excellent guests, we loved having you here, you helped us leave the station in a better place than when you got here," flight engineer Timothy Creamer radioed a moment later. "We'll miss you. Come back soon." "Thanks, T.J., we enjoyed every minute of it," Poindexter replied. "Thanks for the great hospitality. We'll talk to you soon." With shuttle pilot James Dutton at the controls on Discovery's aft flight deck, Discovery pulled straight away in front of the station before beginning a 360-degree photo-documentation fly around. Once back at the starting point in front of the outpost, Dutton will fire Discovery's maneuvering rockets and depart the area. "The pilot's big moment of glory is getting to do the fly around of the space station," Dutton said in a NASA interview. "So we'll undock, back away around 400 to 450 feet in front of the space station and then begin to fly a maneuver over the top in front of the space station, essentially complete a 360-degree arc around the space station. Then we'll continue to maneuver to essentially break out of our orbit with the station, so we'll get a real panoramic view. As big as the station is now, I can't really imagine how breathtaking that will be, getting to see it from every perspective." But the public will have to wait until Discovery lands to fully share that perspective. While occasional still photos from the shuttle are possible using the shuttle's S-band communications system, the failure of the orbiter's Ku-band antenna earlier in the mission will prevent routine live television from the shuttle for the remainder of its mission. The combined 13-member shuttle-station crew gathered in the forward Harmony module earlier Saturday for a brief farewell ceremony. "This is time when we have to say goodbye to our friends and colleagues," said Expedition 23 commander Oleg Kotov, one of three Russians on the station crew. "It was an excellent crew, shuttle Discovery flight 19A did excellent job, we enjoyed working with them and it's really, really sad to let them go, but it's time. Let me say again, thank you very much, we're really grateful for your help and your job you did for us. Thanks a lot." Poindexter thanked the station crew for help with "a very successful docked mission and that is in large part due to the preparation that you did ahead of time." "You treated us with just the utmost hospitality and we felt welcome the whole time," he said. "We hope we didn't tear up your house too much. We tried to do a good job of cleaning when we left. It was a great docked mission, very successful, we had three just outstanding EVAs and a lot of great robotics. The transfer team was just fantastic. "Again, I want to thank you and your crew for all the help you gave us with transfer," Poindexter said. "It was just great. We're sorry to go. I know we'd all like to stay much longer, but we have to let you guys get back to your normal routine and get ready for (the next shuttle visit). So with that, we want to say thanks again and we hope to see you soon back home. Take care." The two crews then exchanged embraces and handshakes and the shuttle crew floated back aboard the orbiter for the last time. Hatches were closed around 6:30 a.m. to set the stage for undocking. Poindexter and his crewmates face a relatively light schedule for the rest of the day. A final heat shield inspection, normally carried out just after undocking, was performed Friday so the crew could use the station's Ku-band communications system to downlink the laser scans and video. On Sunday, Poindexter, Dutton and flight engineer Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger will test Discovery's re-entry systems while their crewmates pack up and rig the ship for entry. Landing back at the Kennedy Space Center is targeted for 8:51 a.m. Monday, but the weather could cause problems. The Spaceflight Meteorology Group at the Johnson Space Center in Houston is predicting showers within 30 miles of the Kennedy Space Center at landing time Monday with a slight chance of showers Tuesday. The forecast for Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., calls for good weather Monday and Tuesday. Weather permitting, Discovery's re-entry trajectory will carry the orbiter above the heartland of America during its descent to the Kennedy Space Center, possibly the last time viewers in the continental United States will have a chance to witness the fiery streak of a shuttle entry. Detailed ground track charts and timelines are posted on the CBS News STS-131 Quick-Look page. Here is a timeline of the remainder of today's activity (in EDT and mission elapsed time; includes revision M of the NASA television schedule; best viewed with fixed-width font): EDT........DD...HH...MM...SS...EVENT 08:37 AM...12...02...15...37...Sunset 08:52 AM...12...02...31...00...UNDOCKING 08:52 AM...12...02...31...05...Maintain corridor 08:53 AM...12...02...32...00...Initial separation 08:54 AM...12...02...32...40...ISS holds current attitude 08:57 AM...12...02...36...00...50 ft 08:59 AM...12...02...38...00...75 ft 09:12 AM...12...02...50...51...Sunrise 09:20 AM...12...02...58...35...ISS Ku band un-park 09:21 AM...12...03...00...00...400 ft; start flyaround 09:30 AM...12...03...09...30...600 feet 09:32 AM...12...03...11...30...Shuttle directly above ISS 09:40 AM...12...03...18...58...Noon 09:44 AM...12...03...23...00...Shuttle directly behind ISS 09:55 AM...12...03...34...30...Shuttle directly below ISS 10:07 AM...12...03...46...00...Shuttle directly ahead of ISS 10:07 AM...12...03...46...00...Separation burn 1 (1.5 fps radial burn) 10:08 AM...12...03...47...05...Sunset 10:35 AM...12...04...14...00...Separation burn 2 (3.0 fps retrograde burn) 10:36 AM...12...04...15...00...Group B computer powerdown 10:40 AM...12...04...18...35...US solar arrays unlocked 11:30 AM...12...05...09...00...Mission status briefing on NTV 11:56 AM...12...05...35...00...EVA unpack and stow 12:41 PM...12...06...20...00...OBSS stow 01:56 PM...12...07...35...00...Ku antenna stow 02:00 PM...12...07...39...00...Post-MMT briefing on NTV 03:21 PM...12...09...00...00...ISS crew sleep begins 04:21 PM...12...10...00...00...STS crew sleep begins 05:00 PM...12...10...39...00...Daily highlights reel on NTV

Additional coverage for subscribers:

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 12 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: FRIDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: LEONARDO PLACED INTO SHUTTLE BAY FOR LANDING PLAY

VIDEO: THURSDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 11 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: ROBOTIC ARM PLUCKS LEONARDO OFF THE STATION PLAY

VIDEO: SEALING LEONARDO FOR DETACHMENT FROM HARMONY PLAY

VIDEO: THURSDAY AFTERNOON'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: NASA RULES OUT EXTRA EVA FOR DISCOVERY CREW PLAY

VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 11 ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: WEDNESDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 10 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR POSSIBLE FOURTH EVA PLAY

VIDEO: EDUCATIONAL EVENT WITH NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL PLAY

VIDEO: WEDNESDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: JOINT SHUTTLE AND STATION CREW NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY

VIDEO: TUESDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 9 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: CREW'S HOME MOVIES FOR FLIGHT DAY 9 PLAY

VIDEO: TUESDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: ROBOT ARM MOVES OLD TANK SHUTTLE PAYLOAD BAY PLAY

VIDEO: SPACEWALKERS REMOVE HANDLING BAR FROM OLD TANK PLAY

VIDEO: UMBILICALS HOOKED UP TO NEW AMMONIA TANK PLAY

VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 9 ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: MONDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 8 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: MONDAY AFTERNOON'S MISSION STATUS UPDATE PLAY

VIDEO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT CALLS THE SPACE STATION PLAY

VIDEO: SPACE STATION CREW MARKS COSMONAUTICS DAY PLAY

VIDEO: ABC, MSNBC, FOX NEWS AND KUSA-TV INTERVIEWS PLAY

VIDEO: JAXA EVENT WITH JAPANESE ASTRONAUTS PLAY

VIDEO: SUNDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY



HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7: MEAL TIME IN ZVEZDA PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7: GRUELING 7.5-HOUR EVA FINSHES PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7: VENTURING OUTSIDE THE STATION PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7: GETTING READY FOR ANOTHER EVA PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7: OLD CREW SLEEP BUNK REMOVED PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 7: TRANSFERS AND MORE TRANSFERS PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 7 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: CREW'S HOME MOVIES FOR FLIGHT DAY 7 PLAY

VIDEO: SUNDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: FINALLY WINNING THE BATTLE WITH TANK BOLTS PLAY

VIDEO: NEW COOLANT TANK MANEUVERED INTO POSITION PLAY

VIDEO: DEPLETED AMMONIA TANK REMOVED FROM STATION PLAY

VIDEO: STEP-BY-STEP WALKTHROUGH OF EVA NO. 2 PLAY

VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 7 ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: SATURDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY



HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 6: LIFE OF A SHUTTLE ASTRONAUT PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 6: "BUCKET BRIGADE" ON THE STATION PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 6: WORF INSTALLED IN DESTINY LAB PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 6 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: CREW'S HOME MOVIES FOR FLIGHT DAY 6 PLAY

VIDEO: SATURDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: SCIENCE RACK INSTALLED BY JAPANESE ASTRONAUTS PLAY

VIDEO: NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL EVENT PLAY

VIDEO: CBS AND NEBRASKA MEDIA INTERVIEWS WITH CREW PLAY

VIDEO: SMOKE ALARM IN THE ZVEZDA SERVICE MODULE PLAY

VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 6 ACTIVITIES PLAY



VIDEO: MISSION EXTENSION NEWS FROM FLIGHT DIRECTOR PLAY



HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 5: SPACEWALKERS RETURN TO AIRLOCK PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 5: UNLOADING THE LEONARDO MODULE PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 5: STATION'S NEW EXERCISE MACHINE PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 5: OPERATORS OF THE ROBOTIC ARM PLAY

HIGH DEFINITION TV DAY 5: SPACEWALKERS FREE AMMONIA TANK PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 5 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: CREW'S HOME MOVIES FOR FLIGHT DAY 5 PLAY

VIDEO: STOWAGE RACKS MOVED INTO STATION PLAY

VIDEO: NEW LABORATORY FREEZER FOR KIBO PLAY

VIDEO: FRIDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: RATE GYRO ASSEMBLY REMOVED FROM STATION PLAY

VIDEO: NEW AMMONIA TANK STOWED IN TEMPORARY SPOT PLAY

VIDEO: ANCHORING FIXTURE ATTACHED TO AMMONIA TANK PLAY

VIDEO: EXPERIMENT RETRIEVED FROM JAPAN'S SCIENCE DECK PLAY

VIDEO: STATION'S ROBOTIC ARM LIFTS TANK FROM SHUTTLE PLAY

VIDEO: NEW AMMONIA COOLANT TANK UNBOLTED FROM CARRIER PLAY

VIDEO: SPACEWALKER PREPS AMMONIA TANK IN SHUTTLE BAY PLAY

VIDEO: THE START OF MISSION'S FIRST SPACEWALK PLAY

VIDEO: STEP-BY-STEP WALKTHROUGH OF EVA NO. 1 PLAY

VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 5 ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: THURSDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY

VIDEO: THURSDAY AFTERNOON'S MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: RADIO AND TV INTERVIEWS WITH CREW PLAY

VIDEO: THURSDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: LEONARDO MODULE ATTACHED TO SPACE STATION PLAY

VIDEO: STATION'S ARM GRAPPLES THE LEONARDO MODULE PLAY

VIDEO: NARRATED PREVIEW OF LEONARDO'S INSTALLATION PLAY

VIDEO: WEDNESDAY EVENING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY

VIDEO: WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON'S MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 3 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: WEDNESDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: SHUTTLE CREW WELCOMED ABOARD THE STATION PLAY

VIDEO: POST-DOCKING OF THE SHUTTLE BAY AND TAIL PLAY

VIDEO: DISCOVERY DOCKS TO THE SPACE STATION PLAY

VIDEO: SHUTTLE PERFORMS 360-DEGREE BACKFLIP PLAY

VIDEO: PREVIEW OF RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: OBJECT LOST FROM SHUTTLE TAIL DURING LAUNCH PLAY

VIDEO: TUESDAY AFTERNOON'S MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY

VIDEO: THE FULL STS-131 LAUNCH EXPERIENCE PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: TUESDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 2 ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: NARRATED TOUR OF DISCOVERY'S PAYLOAD BAY PLAY

VIDEO: DESCRIPTION OF KU-BAND ANTENNA PROBLEM PLAY



VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY

VIDEO: SHUTTLE DISCOVERY BLASTS OFF! PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: GO INSIDE MISSION CONTROL DURING LAUNCH PLAY

VIDEO: POST-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY



VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: VAB ROOF PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PRESS SITE PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PATRICK AFB PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD PERIMETER PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: BEACH TRACKER PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD CAMERA 070 PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD CAMERA 071 PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PLAYALINDA BEACH PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD FRONT CAMERA PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: KSC WEST TOWER PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS LEAVE CREW QUARTERS PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: CREW FINISHES GETTING SUITED UP PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: NARRATED REVIEW OF SHUTTLE'S PREPARATIONS PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: NARRATED REVIEW OF PAYLOADS' PREPARATIONS PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: PREPARING AN EXTERNAL TANK FOR LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE OF GANTRY ROLLING BACK FOR LAUNCH PLAY

VIDEO: LAUNCH PAD'S SERVICE TOWER RETRACTED PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: PAYLOAD BAY DOORS CLOSED FOR LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS INSPECT THE PAYLOAD BAY PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: STS-131 MISSION PREVIEW MOVIE PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH COMMANDER POINDEXTER PLAY

VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH PILOT JIM DUTTON PLAY

VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH RICK MASTRACCHIOPLAY

VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH METCALF-LINDENBURGER PLAY

VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH STEPHANIE WILSON PLAY

VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH NAOKO YAMAZAKI PLAY

VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH CLAY ANDERSON PLAY



VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY

VIDEO: COUNTDOWN STATUS AND WEATHER OUTLOOK PLAY

VIDEO: PREVIEW OF DISCOVERY'S LAUNCH COUNTDOWN PLAY

VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE FOR LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: FULL FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW NEWS BRIEFING PLAY

VIDEO: RECAP OF THE FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: HELIUM VALVE NO CONSTRAINT TO LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: MANAGERS ASSESS ISSUES BEFORE FLIGHT PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: UPDATE ON PRE-LAUNCH PREPS AT PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: SPACEWALKING SUITS LOADED ABOARD PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH STS-131 PAYLOAD MANAGER PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH BOEING PAYLOAD MANAGER PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: PAYLOADS DELIVERED TO LAUNCH PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: TRANSPORT CANISTER ROTATED VERTICALLY PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LEONARDO PLACED INTO THE TRANSPORTER PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: STATION'S NEW AMMONIA COOLANT TANK PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LEONARDO HATCH CLOSED FOR FLIGHT PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: FILLING UP ONE OF THE SUPPLY RACKS PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: CAN THE SHUTTLE PROGRAM AVOID LOOMING RETIREMENT? PLAY

VIDEO: WHAT ABOUT ADDING ONE MORE SHUTTLE MISSION? PLAY

VIDEO: FULL BRIEFING BY SHUTTLE AND STATION OFFICIALS PLAY

VIDEO: THE STS-131 MISSION OVERVIEW PRESENTATIONS PLAY

VIDEO: PREVIEW BRIEFING ON MISSION'S SPACEWALKS PLAY

VIDEO: THE ASTRONAUTS' PRE-FLIGHT NEWS BRIEFING PLAY



VIDEO: SHUTTLE EVACUATION PRACTICE PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: CREW MODULE HATCH IS CLOSED PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS BOARD DISCOVERY PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: CREW BRIEFED ON EMERGENCY PROCEDURES PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: TEST-DRIVING AN EMERGENCY ARMORED TANK PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: NIGHTTIME APPROACHES IN TRAINING AIRCRAFT PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS CHAT WITH REPORTERS AT PAD 39A PLAY

VIDEO: CREW ARRIVES FOR PRACTICE COUNTDOWN PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: GANTRY PLACED AROUND DISCOVERY PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: DISCOVERY REACHES PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: OVERNIGHT ROLLOUT BEGINS PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: SHUTTLE HOISTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO TANK PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: CRANE ROTATES THE ORBITER VERTICALLY PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: DISCOVERY MOVES TO ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS VISIT THEIR SPACECRAFT PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: CREW GOES INSIDE LEONARDO MODULE PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: EXTERNAL TANK ATTACHED TO BOOSTERS PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: FUEL TANK LIFTED INTO CHECKOUT CELL PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: EXTERNAL TANK ARRIVES AT SPACEPORT PLAY | HI-DEF



VIDEO: DISCOVERY'S NOSE POD ATTACHED PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: INSTALLING DISCOVERY'S MAIN ENGINES PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: KSC'S SHUTTLE MAIN ENGINE SHOP PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: GASEOUS NITROGEN TANK REMOVED PLAY | HI-DEF

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