STS-129

Infobox Space mission
mission_name = STS-129
insignia = Shuttle_Patch.svg
shuttle = Discovery
launch_pad = 39A
launch = October 15, 2009 [ [http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/jul/HQ_08167_Final_Shuttle_Manifest.html NASA - NASA Sets Launch Dates for Remaining Space Shuttle Missions ] ]
landing = TBD
duration = 15 days
orbits = TBD
altitude = 122 nautical miles (225 km)
inclination = 51.6 degrees
distance = TBD
crew_photo =
crew_caption =
previous = STS-128
next = STS-130

STS-129 is a planned Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) which is expected to be flown by Space Shuttle "Discovery". The launch date for the mission is planned for no earlier October 15, 2009.This will be ISS assembly mission ULF3. This mission will focus on staging spare components outside the station. The 15-day flight includes at least three spacewalks. The payload bay will carry two large External Logistics Carriers holding two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly, a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm, a spare trailing umbilical system for the Mobile Transporter and a high-pressure gas tank. The completion of this mission will leave four space shuttle flights remaining until the end of the program.

Crew

On September 30, 2008 NASA announced the official STS-129 crew.Cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/sep/HQ_08250_STS129_Crew.html|title= NASA Assigns Crew For Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-129 Mission |accessyear=2008|accessmonthday=September 30|publisher=NASA|year=2008|author=NASA]

*Charles Hobaugh (3) - Commander
*Barry Wilmore (1) - Pilot
*Michael Foreman (2) - Mission Specialist 1
*Randy Bresnik (1) - Mission Specialist 2
*Leland Melvin (2) - Mission Specialist 3
*Robert Satcher (1) - Mission Specialist 4

Number in parentheses indicates number of spaceflights by each individual prior to, and including this mission.

Expedition 19

Robert Thirsk will be returning aboard STS-129 after his arrival and stay aboard the ISS as an Expedition 19 flight engineer. This is the last scheduled shuttle mission to transport an Expedition crewmember to or from the international space station.

Mission parameters

* Mass: TBD
* Perigee: TBD
* Apogee: TBD
* Inclination: 51.6 degrees
* Period: TBD

Mission payload

The primary payload of STS-129 is scheduled to be the EXPRESS Logistics Carrier (ELC1) and the ELC2 holding two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly, a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm, a spare trailing umbilical system for the Mobile Transporter and a high-pressure gas tank.

Mission background

Mission timeline

ee also

* 2009 in spaceflight
* List of ISS spacewalks
* List of space shuttle missions
* List of spacewalks and moonwalks
* List of human spaceflights chronologically

References