Shuttle Endeavour STS-130 Final Night Launch to Mark 32nd USA Mission to ISS

6 more astronauts will join the E-22 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) if the launch of Endeavour STS-130, now set for February 7 from Cape Canaveral FL, is successful. Astronauts on board STS-130 include Cmdr George Zamka, pilot Terry Virts and mission specialists Kay Hire, Steve Robinson, Bob Behnken and Nicholas Patrick. When they arrive at the ISS, they will join E-22 crew members Cmdr Jeff Williams, Maxim Suraev, Oleg Kotov, TJ Creamer and Soichi Noguchi. The 13-day mission flight includes 3 spacewalks and implementation of the Tranquility node with attached cupola. Because the ISS was originally constructed to accommodate only 6 astronauts, Tranquility will provide extra room for crew members and a 7-windowed cupola which will add additional space for a robotic control station. After these additions are made, the ISS will be 90% complete. The launch will mark the 24th flight for shuttle Endeavour and the 32nd flight to the ISS. This will also be the 1st mission in space for astronaut Terry Virts. Endeavour is set to launch before dawn at 04:39 EST. (Credit: NASA)

PISCES Media Day To Showcase International Collaboration On Future Moon Missions

Hawaii Island, with its lunar-like landscapes, provides an ideal setting to test technologies for future exploration of Moon and Mars. The Pacific International Space Center for Explorations Systems (PISCES) at the University of Hawaii at Hilo has brought together teams from NASA and the German and Canadian Space Agencies as well as commercial space organizations such as NORCAT and Orbitec for field tests on the slopes of Mauna Kea through February 11. NASA is testing a process that extracts oxygen from the soil, while the German Space Agency (DLR) is testing a system that uses a mechanical mole to dig down several meters beneath the surface and provide measurements. A team of rovers will also work together to build a spacecraft landing pad. On Thursday, Feb 4, a Media Day will be held at the PISCES test site. Participants will be able to see the rovers in action and interview scientists from the organizations involved. PISCES Director Frank Schowengerdt (L) notes that although the timeline for lunar exploration may be changing, "the need to prepare now is essential." Credit: PISCES, NASA, CSA, DLR, Damon Tucker, hawaiianadventure.com)