Sixth Time's a Charm! Endeavour Finally Takes Flight
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Today’s was the sixth attempt to launch the Endeavour from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. This flight, STS-127, has been postponed five times due to two hydrogen leaks and three subsequent weather interferences. The 6:03PM EDT launch occurred as scheduled with no malfunctions.
Only two previous missions have gone to their seventh attempt before success. Those missions were Columbia STS-61C in January of 1986 and Columbia STS-73 in October of 1995.
“It was an unbelievably smooth countdown today. In fact, all of the countdowns have been incredibly smooth,” stated Michael P. Moses, Launch Integration Manager at the post-launch press conference.
The flight is manned by Americans Mark Polansky, Douglas Hurley, David Wolf, Christopher Cassidy, Thomas Marshburn, and Timothy Kopra. Two international astronauts complete the crew, Julie Payette of Canada and Koichi Wakata of Japan.
The team is expected to dock with the International Space Station on Friday and the shuttle will return to Kennedy Space Center on July 31.
During five 6.5 hour spacewalks, the team will complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Kibo lab. It will be operated by the Tsukuba Space Center, just north of Tokyo. This lab, equipped with it’s own air lock and external robotic arm, will serve as the primary contribution to the ISS from Japan.
This will be the first time there have been 13 people aboard the International Space Station and marks the first time two Canadians have been in residence on the station at the same time. Christopher Cassidy will be the 500th person to fly into space given his placement in the shuttle.
According to the mission’s website, Mission Commander Mark Polansky will be taking questions submitted directly to him via this Twitter username "Astro_127". Just four hours from take off on his third flight, Commander Polansky posted, “Hope next tweet is from orbit. We'll see.” sent via text message. We hope so too, Commander Polansky.
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SarahMarie Harman said (7 months ago)
Great title!
Min Cheng said (2 months ago)
with a big start, the story leaves a short and clear image. Then line with title, writer gives the explanation to the "six times". In paragraph 6, give a extension of the story, say apart from spacewalks, some other actions will be done. This seems really natural.
The last two paragraphs really excites me for its structure benefits. I can know the difference and value for this launch, plus the coming related persons' words.
a so perfect work!