Table of Contents

Mission Overview - Day-by-day

STS-111: Day-by-Day Summary of Mission

Day 1 – Launch

Wednesday June 5, 2002 at 17:23 EDT

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Endeavour's crew launched early evening with a five-minute launch window that began the process of rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS).

 

Once in orbit, the Shuttle crew powered up and activated heaters on the airlock in the cargo bay to keep its content from being damaged by the cold of space.

Day 2 - Equipment checkouts, Rendezvous preparations
Thursday June 6, 2002

Endeavour's crew spent its first full day in space checking out equipment such as the Shuttle's Docking Mechanism (Endeavour’s jets were fired several times to optimize the rate at which it is closing on the ISS), the orbiter-based rendezvous tools and systemswere tested and the Shuttle’s robotic arm or Canadarm -- which will be used for upcoming major activities -- was activated. The Canadarm's cameras were also used to survey the contents of the payload bay.

Day 3 - Rendezvous, Docking, Airlock Installation

Friday June 7, 2002

ISS rendezvous, culminating in docking with the Station, was the day's major activity. The Shuttle docked to the Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 on the forward endcone of the U.S. laboratory Destiny. After docking and Orbiter Docking System (ODS) preparation, the crew opened the ODS hatch and the ISS and Shuttle crews met for the first time in space. The ISS crew gave a safety briefing to the Shuttle crew. Spacewalking equipment and one of the custom seatliners for the Soyuz crew return vehicle were transferred later in the day.

Day 4 – Crew Transfer, MPLM Installation, Canadarm Transfers the MPLM

Saturday June 8, 2002

The two remaining Expedition 5 crewmembers, Onufrienko and Korzun, transferred their seat liners to the Soyuz. The crew also checked the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) environment, installed, activated and outfitted the vestibule and prepared for entering the MPLM. The Shuttle's Canadarm operated by Commander Cockrell unberthed the MPLM from the Shuttle payload bay and mated it to the Node Nadir Port. Some equipment and supplies were transferred from the middeck to the Station and other cargo were moved from the Station to the Shuttle for return to earth. The crew then performed the EVA 1 (Extravehicular Activity) procedure review.

Day 5 – First Spacewalk, Canadarm and Canadarm2 at work

Sunday June 9, 2002

The first spacewalk of this mission focussed on the pre-installation of the Mobile Base System (MBS), Canada's second contribution to the ISS. Astronauts Philippe Perrin and Franklin Chang-Diaz suited up and ventured out by the ISS Airlock. Astronaut Walz and cosmonaut Korzun operated Canadarm2 to move spacewalkers around, while Commander Cockrell operated the Canadarm to document spacewalk activities using its cameras. Astronauts Lockhart and Whitson provided intravehicular support, providing guidance and advice to the spacewalkers to help them through their tasks and keep them on their timeline.

Canada's Space Base Installation Begins

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Canadarm2 grappled the MBS located in the Shuttle's payload bay. Once Canadarm2 provided power to the MBS, the astronauts proceeded to the removal of the temporary thermal blankets covering the MBS. Canadarm2 then removed the MBS from the cargo bay and manoeuvred it to a preinstall position close to the Mobile Transporter where the MBS will remain overnight. This delay was essential to the creation of temperature equilibrium between the MBS and the ISS. Prior to Canadarm2 and MBS interactions, spacewalkers removed a Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF), which can serve as a base for Canadarm2, from a carrier in the payload bay and Chang-Diaz installed it on the P6 Truss. Then, spacewalkers removed Service Module Debris Panel shields and installed them temporarily on Pressurized Mating Adapter 1. The MBS was to be attached to the Mobile Transporter (MT) the next morning. In addition, throughout the day the MPLM transfer preparations continued and handover operations between both ISS Expedition crews took place.

Day 6 - MBS Installation using Canadarm2

Monday June 10, 2002

On Flight Day six, astronauts Walz and Korzun proceeded with the installation of the MBS on the Mobile Transporter. Using Canadarm2, the operators mated the MBS to the MT by means of a capture latch system (located under the MBS).

During this procedure Canadarm2 remained grappled to the MBS to provide heater power and video from a berthing camera on the MBS. Once the crew had successfully mated the MBS to the MT, they proceeded with the second spacewalk procedure review. On that day, most of the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module transfer activities took place. The Shuttle also fired its thrusters to perform a re-boost of the ISS.

Day 7 - Second Spacewalk

Tuesday June 11, 2002

The second spacewalk focussed on connecting video/data cables and power umbilicals from the Mobile Transporter to the MBS and bolting it to its MT base. Once the MT provided power to the MBS, the spacewalkers deployed the MBS Payload/ORU Accommodation (POA) and finalized the connection of the MT to the MBS. The MBS was secured to the MT using four bolts and the MBS camera, the CLPA (Camera Light Pan & Tilt Assembly), was relocated to its final location on the MBS Mast, from its original berthing viewing location. Canadarm2 was not needed for the second spacewalk; however, the Shuttle arm, operated by Commander Cockrell, was used to record activities. Astronaut Lockhart provided intravehicular support. An initial power up confirmed that the recabling was performed correctly.

Day 8 – First Checkout of the MBS Performed by CSA Lead Flight Controller

Wednesday June 12, 2002

Following the installation of the MBS a series of checkouts took place, performed by people on the ground. CSA Lead Flight Controller Tim Braithwaite powered it up and sent the first commands to the MBS. This first check out confirmed the success of the installation procedure. A Crew News Conference took place that day, providing an opportunity for media to interact with astronauts in orbit. A 7-minute window was allocated to Canadian media.

Day 9 – Third Spacewalk , Joint Change of Canadarm2

Thursday June 13, 2002

During the third spacewalk astronauts Chang-Diaz and Perrin replaced a wrist roll joint on Canadarm2 with a backup unit brought aboard Endeavour. This spacewalk was added to the mission in late March, which resulted in additional crew training delaying the launch by a month.

During the third spacewalk astronauts Chang-Diaz and Perrin replaced a wrist roll joint on Canadarm2 with a backup unit brought aboard Endeavour.

During this operation the spacewalkers first removed Canadarm2's latching end effector (LEE) from the wrist roll joint and temporarily stowed it on an Articulated Portable Foot Restraint (APFR) located on the Destiny laboratory module, using EVA labelled "ball stack" and "scoop" attachment mechanisms.

To detach the latching end effector, six bolts (known as expandable diameter fasteners – EDF) were demated using a pistol drill tool to break the mechanical interface, as well as a mate/demate mechanism to break the electrical interface. Once the latching end effector was stowed, the spacewalkers proceeded to remove the wrist roll joint from Canadarm2 using the same tools and a similar EDF and Mate/Demate mechanism interface between the wrist roll and wrist yaw joint. After the removal of the joint the spacewalkers secured it temporarily in the Shuttle cargo bay. The new joint was installed on the exposed yaw joint and the six EDF and mate/demate mechanisms put back in place. With the wrist roll joint in place, the LEE was reinstalled on Canadarm2 to complete the operation. Power was then applied to Canadarm2 to confirm the success of the operation.

Day 10 – Canadarm Unberths the MPLM

Friday June 14, 2002

Canadarm was powered up to unberth the MPLM and returned it to the Shuttle payload bay. The MPLM was filled with unneeded equipment and refuse from the Station for return to earth. Once there, crewmembers turned on its shell heaters.

Day 11 – Shuttle-Station Hatch Closing, Undocking, Fly Around

Saturday June 15, 2002

The departing crewmembers bid Expedition 5 farewell. After the hatches were closed and other preparations completed, Endeavour undocked from the Station. Pilot Lockhart flew Endeavour around the Station providing an opportunity to take new pictures of the Station before moving the orbiter away to begin its return to earth.

Day 12 – Entry Preparations

Sunday June 16, 2002

The crew will spend the day stowing items and then configuring the Shuttle for landing by performing routine checks of Endeavour's systems.

Day 13 – Entry and Landing

Monday June 17, 2002

Endeavour's landing was postponed to Tuesday June 18, 2002 at 11:55 a.m. EDT at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Day 14 – Entry and Landing

Tuesday June 18, 2002

Endeavour's landing was postponed a second time. The landing was rescheduled for Wednesday June 19 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Day 15 – Entry and Landing

Wednesday June 19, 2002

Endeavour landed Wednesday June 19, 2002 at 13:58 p.m. EDT at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Space Shuttle Endeavour lands at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to conclude STS-111.

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