STS-127 will be the 29th mission to the ISS and the 23rd mission for Endeavour. This mission’s objectives will be primarily to continue the building of JAXA’s JEM (Kibo) as well as bringing up regular equipment to perform regular maintenance to the station.

Launch: July 15 6:03:10 EDT (22:03:10 UTC)

Landing: July 31

Mission Priorities:

(As listed in the Press Kit P.18)

• Crew Rotation: NASA astronaut Tim Kopra to exchange places with JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata
• Transfer of water from shuttle to ISS
• Transfer of stow critical items
• Installation of JEM-EF(External Facility) to JPM (Japanese Pressurized Module)
• Install ICC (Integrated Cargo Carrier) to POA (Payload Orbital Replacement Unit Accommodation)
• Install ELM-ES (Japanese Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Section) onto JEM-EF
• Replacement of six P6 batteries
• Install Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s ICS (Inter-satellite Communications System) to POA
• Install ELM-ES (Exposed Section) onto JEM-EF(Exposed Facility)
• Install All-Sky X-Ray Images (MAXI)  and Space Environment Data Acquisition equipment -Attached Payload (SEDA-AP) on JEM-EF using the JEM’s robotic arm [Worded strangely, no clue what it means. I shall find out.]
• Return ELM-ES to shuttle’s payload bay.
• Perform crew handover of 12 hours.
• Transfer of remaining cargo items.
• Install/Activate/Checkout JEM-EF forward camera
• Deploy ANDE an DRAGONSAT payloads (Post undocking)
• Perform ISS payload research operations tasks
• Transfer of nitrogen and oxygen from Shuttle to ISS airlock high-pressure gas tanks. [In order to fulfill requirements to have them full for Shuttle retirement]
• Perform Detailed Test Objective (DTO) 701, DragonEye
• Perform DTO 695, Thrust Oscillation Seat
• Perform program-approved spacewalk get-ahead tasks:
  • Deploy S3 Upper Inboard PAS [STS-133]
  • Install Wireless Video System External Transceiver Assembly (WETA) No. 3
• Opening of Node 1 Port Centerline Berthing Camera System (CBCS) center disk cover flap.
• Perform HTV readiness tasks:
  • Install/Activate JEM-EF aft camera
  • Open Node 2 Zenith CBCS center disk cover
• Daily ISS payload status checks (as required)

Tasks scheduled but may be deferred if EVA(s) are behind Schedule:

• Removal of grounding tabs on JEM’s robotic arm end effector.
• Deployment of Port 3 Nadir Unpressurized Cargo Carrier Attach System (UCCAS) [for STS-129]
• Deployment Starboard 3 Upper Outboard PAS [for STS-129]
• Zenith 1 Patch Panel reconfiguration
• Installation of 6 Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS) floating power connector grounding sleeves.
• Deployment of Lower Inboard PAS and open target cover [for STS-133]
• Tuck down Lab/Node 2 cables
• Install JPM spacewalk handrails and worksite interfaces.
• Install gap spanner to replace Harmony handrail
• Reboost station (if needed)
• Perform imagery survey during fly around
• Perform an additional four hours handover per rotating crew member
• Perform Maui Analysis of Upper Atmosphere (MAUI), Shuttle Exhauster Ion Turbulence Experiments (SEITE), and SIMPLEX (payloads of opportunity – not during docked operations)
• Perform Station Detailed Test Objective 1300-U, ISS Structural Life Validation and Extension during Shuttle Mated Reboost and undocking.

*Update* Mission managers at NASA have rescheduled the launch for Wednesday.  If Endeavour doesn’t launch, LRO/LCROSS will launch instead.

Today, NASA will make the decision on a new launch date for Endeavour after scrubbing the launch attempt on Saturday. The launch was scrubbed early on, before suit up, because of a leaky gaseous hydrogen venting system. If there is no delays in repairs, the launch is more than likely going to be rescheduled for Wednesday. If there is going to be a launch attempt on Wednesday, the LRO/LCROSS launch will have to be delayed to the 19th or 20th.

Launch Status Page

Launch: May 11,2009 2:01PM EST (18:01 UTC)
Landing: May 22,2009 11:41AM EST (15:41 UTC)

STS-125 is the fifth and final mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. This mission is one of the more risky missions ever taken on using a Space Shuttle. The main reason why this is risky is because the shuttle will be unable to dock with the International space station in the event that something does happen. Because of this, it will be required that a backup shuttle be placed on launch pad 39B. In this mission astronauts will:

• Replace the fine guidence sensor
• Replace six gyroscopes
• Change Batteries
• Install new thermal blanket
• Install soft-capture mechanism (for deorbiting)
• Repair Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS)
• Replacement of the Data Handling Units (which failed in Sept.)
• Installation of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS)
• Installation of Wide Field Camera 3

Crew:
Scott Altman – Commander
Gregory Johnson – Pilot
Michael Good – Mission Specialist 1
K. Megan McArthur – Mission Specialist 2
John Grunsfeld – Mission Specialist 3
Micael Massimino – Mission Specialist 4
Andrew Feustel – Mission Specialist 5

To View Live Coverage of STS-125 Visit SpaceVidCast

Mozilla prism is a program that can take your everyday web applications straight to the desktop. Prism is already in use by Yahoo! for their Zimbra suite and is now open to end users to use for their favorite web applications.

When I first used Prism, I first thought it was pointless since it seemed like a simple web browser that opens a URL shortcut on your desktop. But Mozilla does make a great point on the Prism website:

“Unstable applications can slow down or crash your entire browser.”

How many times have we all been writing a paper, either for work or school, using Google Docs or Zoho Writer and listening to Pandora at the same time when Flash decides to stop working? This usually requires a restart of Firefox and the retyping of several lines. With Prism, it allows all those apps to work separately from the browser thus taking a few weights off your browser’s back. If Flash decides to take a dump, only Prism will be effected. Unfortunately for you, you will have no excuse to stop working. I hope you enjoy my little demo below (it was on an older slow computer)!

Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Mozilla Prism can be downloaded at prism.mozilla.com

The Mozilla Prism logo is © Mozilla, Inc. and  is being used for news reporting under fair use.

We are setting out to find a good cologne… not because we stink. I went to Macy’s today and I did notice that there were saleswomen that seriously looked like prostitutes. You couldn’t distinguish them from manequins. Besides the salespeople, I did notice a calogne called “Element” from HUGO BOSS. I swear, It smells like a scene from Disneyland’s and Walt Disney World’s Sorin’. It smelled like the orange groves/ forest. mmmm brings back memories.

For those of you who grew up before the 80s may remember when Pepsi and Coca-Cola used real sugar in their sodas. Unfortunately many of us that were born afterwards weren’t so lucky to taste this sugary goodness, well, unless you lived next to a convenient store that got it’s imports from Mexico.

Just this past week Pepsi introduced Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback. Both Contain real sugar just like it was before they screwed it up. I was lucky enough to get my hands on both Mountain Dew and Pepsi Throwbacks yesterday, and I could really tell the difference. Both are much sweeter than their “Today” versions. I must say, I really wish both Pepsi and Coke would just return to their roots just like they did back in the day. Go out and buy a couple and try them out before their gone. The Throwbacks will be gone sometime in early June, since this is a test run. If Pepsi sees significant numbers in sales, they could possibly switch back or even add Pepsi and Mountain Dew Throwbacks onto their list of permanent products, So go out there and try it! I highly recommend it!

Today, we went to Bangor International Airport (KBGR) and watched aircraft from 2pm-pm. A KC-135 Stratotanker was doing a few touch-and-goes, as well as a P3 Orion, which did hours and hours of touch-and-goes. One of the crew of the P3 told the tower at one point that they thought they saw/heard debris falling off  of the aircraft. I was cruely excited because I thought we might see an emergency landing. Did this happen? hell no. Instead Bangor Tower decided to have an approaching regional jet scan the runway. Yes, you heard me well, not a sweeper car, but a regional jet. They gave this jet a clear for a “low-approach” and my god did that thing go fast down the runway. I could almost swear it was no more than 10 feet above that runway. The sound was almost comparable with an F16. Afterwards the jet circled around and reported that he did not see any debris from the P3, he then landed at his discretion. After all this happened, they decided to send out a sweeper truck to find out. I was shocked that they decided to use a regular regional jet to fly above the runway instead of using a regular sweeper truck. Eventually, everything was clear and everyone went on their way.

Last night, NASA decided to announce Node 3 “Tranquility” instead of the expected “Colbert” after Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central’s Colbert Report, asked his viewers to vote his name in NASA’s competition to name the new node that is expected to be installed onto the International Space Station in August. According to a NASA spokesperson, it is not typical for NASA to name Space Station hardware after living people. The new name “Tranquility” will be named after the landing place of Apollo 11. Apollo 11 landed in the Sea of Tranquility 40 years ago this July.  Even though the actual node won’t be named after Stephen Colbert, NASA decided that they will name a treadmill, the “Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill” or COLBERT for short, after him. COLBERT (See patch below) will be installed in the Tranquility node this summer as well. NASA has invited Colbert to try out the treadmill before launch and to watch the launch. Both Tranquility and COLBERT will launch in August.

Via NASA

Over the past two years  in the dorms, I have learned many ways on keeping my valuables safe, but I have noticed many “stupid” things people have done that could compromise the security of their belonings and livelyhood. Call me paranoid but this is what happens when you grow up in California for most of your life.

• Don’t reserve your table with your keys - I have noticed that people have reserved their table at the dining hall by putting their keys on the table. Not only do most people have their dorm room keys on their keychains, but they also have an ID holder that clearly has their name on it. If someone really wanted to get into your room, all they have to do is snatch those keys up. Most keys don’t have the room numbers on them, but most dorm room doors have your name plastered all over them. Since most of the rooms have names on them, taking your name off of it will help, but only a little, because theres only a few nameless doors. If your dorm has genders separated by floors, the theif can use process of elimination, making it a whole lot easier to find your room. Finally, if your keys are stolen and you never get them back, colleges usually charge a fee (Somewhere around $100) for a lock core change. Simple rule to prevent this, Keep your damn keys in your pocket!
• Do not drape your towels over the stall doors - It only takes sick individual to snatch your towel… and trust me, everyone will know when your running down the hall naked because the idiot with the towel will have probably told everyone by then. To prevent this, keep the towel away from the stall door and in your plain site. Also keep the towel gripped pretty tight when walking through the halls (if you even do walk around with just a towel on, I don’t), because it takes only one bored person to end it all for you, and trust me, boredom isn’t hard to come by in a dorm, trust me.