Cool Astronaut Facts:

Inside the shuttle astronauts were controlling the Canadarm. The Canadarm is a long robotic arm that can help grab things in space. It is helpful when making any repairs or building. The astronauts use velcro in space to help hold on to things. That's in addition to being securely attached to the space station when walking in space. We also learned from our teachers that NASA is trying to learn how people can live in space for long periods of time.

Making Repairs on the ISS	The ISS with module Leonardo attached

During a space walk (called an EVA for Extra Vehicular Activity) the astronauts need to keep their helmets on. They have to prevent the air in their helmet from escaping into space. The astronauts see the world on a map as well as the space shuttle.  There is a tracking device on the space shuttle and on earth called a trust. If the truss gets broken the astronauts will float away.  Also, we noticed that they had a hard time taking and putting stuff in and out of their toolbox.  They had to take things apart and fix them for the next space shuttle launch.  In the shuttle they have a place where they store all their garbage.  They store it so it won't smell or float in space.  They bring it back to Earth throw it out so that they don't pollute space.

NASA invented the science behind Pampers. They used something similar for the astronauts to wear during launch.  That was needed because there are times astronauts are very busy or in a situation where they cannot go to the bathroom.   NASA uses microwave technology because they can not use a stove in space.  NASA has even perfected how astronauts use microwave ovens to heat up their food. They just can't have a fire from a stove up in space. The fire would use up all the oxygen in the shuttle or ISS and the astronauts would not be able to breathe.  NASA also created the technology behind dip n' dots which are little balls of ice cream. Those are easy to store and easier to eat when astronauts want an ice cream snack.

Students from Richmond Hill watch the landing on the Internet and discuss the upcoming videoconference with NASA.	Students show our partners in the UK the shuttle landing on our laptop computer that is on the Internet. We are getting ready for the three-way videoconference.

On July 12, 2006 we logged on to www.nasa.gov/shuttle and were amazed to see a live NASA video with the astronauts repairing the shuttle.  Michael Fossum and Piers Sellers were doing the repairs on the shuttle.  Michael Fossum and Piers Sellers were mission specialists on STS 121 which is the number assigned to the mission.

Mike Fossum	Piers Sellers	Piers Sellers in space

The repairs took 7 hours and 11 minutes.  They started the repairs on July 12, 2006 at 6:20 a.m. and finish the same day at 2:31 p.m.  The repairs were done on the nose of the shuttle to make sure that there were no cracks that would release carbon-carbon.  The carbon-carbon is meant to withstand up to 2,000 degrees.  During re-entry the temperatures gets as hot as 1,500 degrees.  The astronauts also repaired 5 thermal panels.  NASA Space Shuttle Discovery left the ISS on July 15, 2006.  The shuttle orbited in space for about a day. The astronauts arrived at Kennedy Space Center at 9 a.m. on July 18, 2006. 

From left: Mission Specialists Piers Sellers and Stephanie Wilson, Pilot Mark Kelly,Commander Steve Lindsey, and Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak and Michael Fossum photos from NASA.	Damon explains sonic boom with the shuttle behind him at KSC
Space Shuttle Discovery	Canadarm

The expected weather at Kennedy space center on Monday was partly sunny, scattered afternoon showers and a chance of thunder storms.  Highs in the lower 90's.  There was a 30% chance of rain.  If bad weather would have occurred, NASA Space Shuttle Discovery would've had to land in Edwards Air Force Base (EDW) in California. Luckily for NASA the weather was perfect for landing.

Richmond Hill students write down their questions for NASA's Damon Talley as they prepare for the videoconference

During the videoconference with KSC and the UK, we make math calculations to estimate how many people can fit in the Kennedy Space Port. We try to figure out the numbers in both the metric and the English system. Yes, we even use the calculator.

Learning about NASA and the astronauts on the International Space Station was special and interesting, especially when we could videoconference with Kennedy Space Center and use the Internet.

One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center