STS-130/(20A) Mission Thread

[EarthlingX]

Final Spacewalk of STS-130 Continues
Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:32:54 AM GMT

Mission Specialists Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken are conducting the mission’s third and final spacewalk.

The ammonia loops are open. With the cupola now located on its permanent home on Tranquility’s Earth facing port and the Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 on the end of the node, Patrick and Behnken are free to begin getting them into the right configuration. Patrick is connecting the mating adapter’s heater and data cables to Tranquility. Then he will work with Behnken to remove six panels of insulation over the cupola’s windows.

Once the insulation is out of the way, Patrick will be able release the three bolts on each of the seven window’s covers; those bolts held the covers in place during Endeavour’s launch. While he does so, Behnken will get back to outfitting Tranquility by installing four worksite interfaces and five more handrails.

STS-130-08:17:03:00 ..
on internal power, spacewalk started ..
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STS-130-08:17:19:00 ..
.. both outside ..
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STS-130-08:17:25:00 ..
.. internal work on Cupola continues ...






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STS-130-08:17:54:00 ..
.. over Poland, astronauts saying 'hi' to the cloudy Poland ..
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STS-130-08:18:05:00 ..
.. ammonia lines complete, next are power lines ..
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STS-130-08:18:08:00 ..
.. heater and data cables connected ..
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STS-130-08:18:28:00 ..
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over Australia ..
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STS-130-08:18:31:00 ..
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beginning to remove cover from Cupola ..
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STS-130-08:18:56:00 ..
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.. first part of insulation getting into bag ..
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STS-130-08:19:01:00 ..
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ahead of a schedule, next 5 min break ..
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STS-130-08:19:07:00 ..
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.. break over, they were taking photos ..
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STS-130-08:19:26:00 ..
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cover removed, sunrise over London ..
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STS-130-08:19:29:00 ..
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.. removing launch locks on the window shutters ..
.. will take about 40 min ..
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STS-130-08:19:58:00 ..
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.. final bolts, one more to go ..

 

[EarthlingX]

First Cupola Window Shutter Opens
Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:27:10 AM GMT

At 12:25 a.m. EST, the crew opened the first window shutter of the cupola.

At this point into today’s spacewalk, Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick will come back together to route cables for the station’s video signal converter, or VSC. The VSC is used with power and data grapple fixtures, of PDGFs, which provide locations on the exterior of the station’s modules for the station’s robotic arm to attach to.

Behnken and Patrick will wrap up the last of the spacewalk activities for the mission with two final tasks. First, they will close off the centerline camera that was used on the zenith, or space-facing, port of the Harmony node when the pressurized mating adapter 3 was attached it. And finally, they will each remove six clamps and the flex hose rotary coupler on the port 1 segment of the station’s truss.

Astronauts Bask in Spectacular Views From New Space Windows

(comment on the pictures in SDC article : Soichi strikes agaaaaiiiin ... ! )

posted: 16 February 2010
10:08 pm ET

This story was updated Feb. 17 at 6:35 a.m. ET.

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have cranked open the shutters on a new window-covered observation dome for the first time and basked in what they called "absolutely spectacular" views of Earth.

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STS-130-08:20:00:00
.. over Australia ..
.. bolts released ..

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STS-130-08:20:11:00
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first window (No7) getting open ..







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STS-130-08:21:01:00
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2 more window tests, astronauts have to stay away from the windows ..
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STS-130-08:21:04:00
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.. sunrise over Europe ..
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STS-130-08:21:12:00
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all shutters tested ..
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STS-130-08:21:14:00
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.. routing remaining cables ..
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[Zipi]

First view on uncovered Cupola:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC9wHSvZt7I[/youtube]

Timelapse of uncovering Cupola:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGgCkbfJdEo[/youtube]

 

[EarthlingX]

STS-130-08:21:23:00
...

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STS-130-08:21:32:00
.. Connecting and routing complete ..
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STS-130-08:21:46:00
.. EVA 30 min shorter ..
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STS-130-08:22:11:00
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smaller changes in the work schedule ..
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STS-130-08:22:18:00
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.. heading to the airlock, checking tool inventory ..
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STS-130-08:22:21:00
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over Michigan ..
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STS-130-08:22:47:00
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last procedures before spacewalk ends
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STS-130-08:22:50:00
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spacewalk finished ...

 

[EarthlingX]

Astronauts Complete Third and Final Spacewalk
Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:04:40 AM GMT

Spacewalkers Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken have completed the third and final spacewalk of the STS-130 mission. The 5-hour, 48-minute spacewalk began Tuesday at 9:15 p.m. EST and ended Wednesday at 3:03 a.m.

This was the last of three STS-130 spacewalks, the 233rd conducted by U.S. astronauts, the sixth for Behnken and the third for Patrick. It was the 140th in support of International Space Station assembly and maintenance, totaling 873 hours, 16 minutes.

A Mission Status Briefing will air at 5:30 a.m. with STS-130 Lead Space Station Flight Director Bob Dempsey and STS-130 Lead Spacewalk Officer Art Thomason.

STS-130-08:23:05:00
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.. spacewalkers can come into the station ..
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STS-130:08:23:30:00
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[EarthlingX]

2010.02.17 09:16 GMT

STS-130-09:00:00:00

STS-130 Flight Day 11 Planned Activities
Published by Klaus Schmidt on Wed Feb 17, 2010 9:05 am

21:14 GMT (4:14 pm EST) – Endeavour / ISS Crew Wakeup
0:59 GMT (7:59 pm EST) – ECLSS Rack Transfers Begin
5:04 GMT (12:04 am EST) – Robotics Work Station Relocation To Cupola
7:28 GMT (2:28 am EST) – ISS Reboost
12:14 GMT (7:14 am EST) – ISS Crew Sleep Begins
12:44 GMT (7:44 am EST) – Endeavour Crew Sleep Begins

 

[Zipi]

Cupola windows unwrapped on mission's last spacewalk

The Endeavour astronauts cranked open aluminum shutters protecting the windows in the space station's new observation deck early Wednesday, giving the crew inside an "absolutely incredible" vista of the Earth 220 miles below.

Whole article from Spaceflight Now: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/s ... ndex2.html

 

[Zipi]

Flight Day 10 Highlights:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKqsJixa5UM[/youtube]

 

[MeteorWayne]

Guidelines for viewing ISS/shuttle from the surface.

So this doesn't get buried in the flood of images, I will repost the remaining events when they come up.

If you are using Heaven's-Above or the NASA Site, in order for the predictions to be accurate, you must ensure that the epoch (time of the prediction) is AFTER the times listed, or the orbit is outdated.

For looking for the ISS/docked shuttle:

ISS reboost is scheduled for 2:28 AM tomorrow morning EST, or 0728 GMT. This means that for the early morning US passes tomorrow, you need to check that the orbit has been updated for an accurate prediction.

Undocking is scheduled for 7:54 PM EST Feb 19 (0054 GMT) after that the two objects will be close together until...

3:05 AM EST (0805 GMT) the morning of Feb 21 when the shuttle does an orbit adjustment. That means that for accurate shuttle predictions across the US on the morning of the 21st, you need to ensure the epoch is later than 0805 GMT.

Post MMT briefing is scheduled for 4: 30 PM EST (2130 GMT) on the 20th.

Deorbit burn is scheduled for 9:18 PM EST Feb 21(0218 GEMT Feb 22), with landing at 10:20 PM EST (0320 GMT) about an hour later.

 

[EarthlingX]

I will try to hold back a little, but it is not easy .. No more spacewalks, and my Photobucket account is under severe stress, so i'll try not to spam too much ..

Maybe just a couple, here and there .. :roll:

 

[Zipi]

More images: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shutt ... llery.html

 

[MeteorWayne]

What a view. I'll bet the future ISS visitors will be glad they got their rides now!!

 

[EarthlingX]

WoW :shock:

Hi-res rulz ...

 

[Zipi]

STS-130 Gallery: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shutt ... index.html

 

[EarthlingX]

President Obama Scheduled to Speak to Orbiting Astronauts
Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:35:02 PM GMT

The crew of space shuttle Endeavour awoke at 4:17 p.m. EST to the song “Oh Yeah” by Johnny A., played for Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson.

President Obama, congressional leaders and middle school students will speak with the combined crews of Endeavour and the International Space Station at 5:14 p.m. EST to congratulate them on their successful ongoing mission. The call will take place from the Roosevelt Room of the White House.

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBuJyE8kGlc[/youtube]
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STS-130-09:13:31:00
.. live event finished ..

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President Obama Quizzes Astronauts on Life in Space

posted: 17 February 2010
06:56 pm ET



President Barack Obama quizzed astronauts aboard the International Space Station about life in orbit Wednesday and said he was committed to continuing the United States' space exploration program, even as NASA's plans for human spaceflight are in flux.

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STS-130-09:13:38:00
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Presidential Phone Call Replay
Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:00:15 AM GMT

At 9 p.m. EST, NASA Television will replay today’s phone call from President Obama to the STS-130 and Expedition 22 crews aboard the International Space Station.

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President Obama Speaks With Astronauts
Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:09:16 AM GMT

President Obama, congressional leaders and middle school students spoke with the astronaut crews of the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle Endeavour at 5:14 p.m. EST Wednesday and congratulated them on their successful ongoing mission. The call took place from the Roosevelt Room of the White House.

A Mission Status Briefing will be broadcast on NASA TV at 5:30 a.m. Thursday.

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STS-130-09:19:58:00
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racks mostly moved, connecting ...
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STS-130-09:21:26:00
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.. oxygen regeneration rack on the move ..
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STS-130-09:21:54:00
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.. maneuvering ISS for the reboost ..
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STS-130-09:21:58:00
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.. all racks moved, connecting, transferring stuff between the Shuttle and ISS ..
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STS-130-09:22:19:00
.. reboost on the way ..

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STS-130-09:22:52:00
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.. reboost complete ..
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STS-130-09:23:15:00
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.. fixing hard-drive trouble with one of the notebooks ..
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STS-130-09:23:20:00
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.. fixed with better power connection ..
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STS-130-09:23:45:00
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.. oxygen regeneration rack connections complete ..
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STS-130-09:23:48:00
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.. altitude control transfered from the Shuttle to ISS after reboost ..
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[EarthlingX]

2010.02.18 09:16 GMT

STS-130-10:00:00:00

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STS-130-10:00:39:00
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.. transfer from the Shuttle almost complete ..
.. over Africa ..
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STS-130-10:01:07:00
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mission status briefing in about 10 min, ..
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Crews Back to Work After Speaking With President
Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:53:56 AM GMT

President Obama, congressional leaders and middle school students spoke with the astronaut crews of the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle Endeavour at 5:14 p.m. EST Wednesday and congratulated them on their successful ongoing mission. The call took place from the Roosevelt Room of the White House.

Afterwards, crew members transferred and installed racks in the station’s new Tranquility node, reboosted the station using Endeavour’s thrusters, reconfigured spacesuits and passed the 75-percent mark of supply and equipment transfers between the two spacecraft.

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STS-130 Flight Day 12 Planned Activities

Published by Klaus Schmidt on Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:15 am

20:44 GMT (3:44 pm EST) – Endeavour / ISS Crew Wakeup
23:49 GMT (6:49 pm EST) – Endeavour / ISS Transfers Resume
2:39 GMT (9:39 pm EST) – Joint Crew News Conference
5:29 GMT (12:29 am EST) – Rendezvous Tool Checkout
7:34 GMT (2:34 am EST) – Endeavour / ISS Farewell And Hatch Closure
8:04 GMT (3:04 am EST) – Centerline Camera Installation
11:44 GMT (6:44 am EST) – ISS Crew Sleep Begins
12:14 GMT (7:14 am EST) – Endeavour Crew Sleep Begins

 

[MeteorWayne]

Just a quick note on sightings from the ground, assuming the ISS reboost took place as scheduled early this morning, both the NASA and Heavens-Above sites are now out of date as neither has been updated with the new orbit yet. My sense of what should happen would be that the ISS would be higher in the sky, and slightly later than the times listed. When they are updated, I'll make an announcement here.

MW

 

[Zipi]

FD11 Highlights:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOI0pYlYihc[/youtube]

FD11 Crew Video Choice: (HD)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCNpFNi8IMU[/youtube]

 

[EarthlingX]

Shuttle, Station Crews Begin Final Day Together
Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:25:39 PM GMT

The crew of space shuttle Endeavour awoke at 3:44 p.m. EST to the song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by Steven Curtis Chapman, played for Pilot Terry Virts.

The combined crews of Endeavour and the International Space Station will field questions from reporters during a Joint Crew News Conference at 9:39 p.m. At 11:39 p.m., they will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate Tranquility and the cupola before closing hatches between the spacecraft at 2:34 a.m. Friday.

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STS-130-10:12:03:00
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STS-130-10:12:42:00
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.. transfer to the Shuttle yesterday was 87 % complete, rest of it on the schedule ..
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STS-130-10:13:39:00
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STS-130-10:14:19:00
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.. work on the station continues, troubleshooting water recycling, transferring material, inventory checks ..
.. cleaning and checking spacewalk suits and equipment in the Quest airlock ..
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STS-130-10:14:53:00
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[3488]

This was just on NASA TV.

Andrew Brown.

 

[EarthlingX]

This is what i meant with 'it's not easy to not flood with photos'

I might make a selection when this is finished, maybe check through the hi-res videos for some extremely jaw dropping moments .. :? :roll:

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STS-130:10:15:00:00
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STS-130:10:15:24:00
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[nimbus]

Unless anyone objects, I reckon you can flood all you want It'll be that much better a record of the mission.

 

[EarthlingX]

Unless anyone objects, I reckon you can flood all you want It'll be that much better a record of the mission.

Thanks for the support

I have approximately 10 min beat now, will change to 2 or 1 min when action starts ..

Oh, and if you notice i have very or too long posts, don't hesitate to interrupt
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STS-130:15:33:00
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.. leak checks on the water recovery system ..
.. some sensor misbehaving ( on of the water level sensors ? ) no biggie, they use shuttle watter in the mean time ..
.. part of the water recovery system connection procedure, after relocating ..
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STS-130:15:43:00
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[MeteorWayne]

Just a quick note, the NASA "sightings" site for the ISS has been updated with the new orbit.

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/si ... index.html

Heavens-Above hasn't been yet. Very little change, other than for me, it eliminated the second of two early morning passes tomorrow morning. I suspect it slid too close to sunrise. The timing went a minute or so later, and elevation didn't change much.

Meanwhile, the Heavens-Above site lists daytime ISS passes as well; this one for me at 6:38 Am should be easily visible in the "daytime" sky. It's about 10 minutes before sunrise, so with a 60 degree pass (so the ISS should be at least -2 Mag) I should have no trouble spotting it, clouds permitting.

MW

 

[EarthlingX]

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STS-130-10:15:48:00
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STS-130-10:16:33:00
.. ground team hand-over complete ..
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.. ISS-22 and STS-130 joint crew news conference at 9:39 pm ET ( 02:39 GMT) ..
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STS-130-10:17:27:00
.. live event ..

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(crew reacts to tricky question about the chicken by Nancy Atkinson, Universe today) (edit 2010.02.20 - What chicken ? )

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.. ( ISS would make a great pub ) ..
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.. ( questions from Japan )

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGt-UkL05HA[/youtube]
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STS-130-10:18:03:00
.. event finished, lunch ..
.. after that still work on the water recycling and toilet plumbing ..
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STS-130-10:18:24:00
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