STS-101 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
STS-101

Williams outside Unity during the mission's sole EVA
Mission type	ISS assembly/logistics
Operator	NASA
Mission duration	9 days, 21 hours, 10 minutes, 10 seconds
Distance travelled	6.6 million kilometres (4.1 million miles)
Orbits completed	155
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Space Shuttle Atlantis
Landing mass	100,369 kilograms (221,276 lb)
Payload mass	1,801 kilograms (3,971 lb)
Crew
Crew size	7
Members	James D. Halsell Scott J. Horowitz Mary E. Weber Jeffrey N. Williams James S. Voss Susan J. Helms Yury V. Usachov
EVAs	1
EVA duration	6 hours, 44 minutes
Start of mission
Launch date	19 May 2000, 10:11 (2000-05-19UTC10:11Z) UTC
Launch site	Kennedy LC-39A
End of mission
Landing date	29 May 2000, 06:20 (2000-05-29UTC06:21Z) UTC
Landing site	Kennedy SLF Runway 15
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Low Earth
Perigee	319 kilometres (198 mi)
Apogee	332 kilometres (206 mi)
Inclination	51.5 degrees
Period	91.04 minutes
Epoch	21 May 2000
Docking with ISS
Docking port	PMA-2 Unity forward
Docking date	21 May 2000, 04:31 UTC
Undocking date	26 May 2000, 23:03 UTC
Time docked	5 days, 18 hours, 32 minutes
STS-101 crew (left to right): Weber, Williams, Horowitz, Usachov, Voss (in white suit), Halsell, Helms Space Shuttle program ← STS-99 STS-106 →

STS-101 was a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was flown by the Space Shuttle Atlantis from May 19 to May 29, 2000. This 10-day journey was important for bringing supplies to the ISS, which was still being built at the time.

The STS-101 mission was delayed three times in April because of strong winds. During its flight, Atlantis traveled 4.1 million miles and orbited Earth 155 times. It landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission was also special because it was the first time a Space Shuttle flew with a new "glass cockpit," which uses computer screens instead of many traditional dials and gauges.

Meet the Astronauts: STS-101 Crew

The STS-101 mission had a crew of seven brave astronauts. They were responsible for flying the Space Shuttle and completing all the tasks needed for the International Space Station.

Position	Astronaut
Commander	James D. Halsell Fifth and last spaceflight
Pilot	Scott J. Horowitz Third spaceflight
Mission Specialist 1	Mary E. Weber Second and last spaceflight
Mission Specialist 2	Jeffrey N. Williams First spaceflight
Mission Specialist 3	James S. Voss Fourth spaceflight
Mission Specialist 4	Susan J. Helms Fourth spaceflight
Mission Specialist 5	Yury V. Usachov, RSA Third spaceflight

Spacewalks: Working Outside the Station

During the STS-101 mission, two astronauts, James Voss and Jeffrey Williams, performed a spacewalk. This was a very important part of the mission.

• The spacewalk, called EVA 1, started on May 22, 2000, at 01:48 UTC.
• It ended on May 22, 2000, at 08:32 UTC.
• The spacewalk lasted for 6 hours and 44 minutes.

Key Goals of the Mission

The STS-101 mission had several important goals to help build and prepare the International Space Station. It was originally planned to happen after another module, Zvezda, arrived. But when Zvezda was delayed, STS-101 was split into two parts. The astronauts on this mission, including some who would later be part of Expedition 2 on the ISS, helped get the station ready for future crews.

Delivering Supplies and Equipment

The Space Shuttle Atlantis carried many important items to the ISS. These supplies were stored in a special module called a Spacehab and on an Integrated Cargo Carrier pallet.

• Air and Safety Checks: Astronauts took air samples, checked carbon dioxide levels, and replaced air filters. They also replaced fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in the Zarya module.
• Repairs and Replacements: They fixed or replaced four batteries on Zarya and other electronic parts. They also replaced a memory unit for the Radio Telemetry System and an antenna.
• Assembly and Upgrades: The crew helped put together parts of the Strela crane, which is used to move things outside the station. They also installed more handrails and set up cables for cameras.
• General Supplies: The mission also brought water, office supplies, personal items for astronauts, and equipment for exercise and medical support.

Boosting the Station's Orbit

One key task was to "reboost" the International Space Station. This means pushing it to a higher orbit. The crew raised the station's altitude from about 230 miles (370 km) to 250 miles (400 km). This is important because the station slowly loses altitude over time due to tiny amounts of drag from Earth's atmosphere.

A Close Call: Tile Damage

During the mission, there was a serious issue with a damaged heat shield tile on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. This damage allowed superheated gas to enter the left wing during its return to Earth. Luckily, the gas did not go too deep, and the damage was fixed before the next flight. This incident showed how important it is to check every part of the Shuttle for safety.

New Technology: The Glass Cockpit

STS-101 was the first Space Shuttle mission to fly with a "glass cockpit". This is a modern flight deck that uses computer screens to display information, rather than many separate dials and gauges. It makes it easier for astronauts to see and understand important flight data.

During STS-101, Atlantis was the first Shuttle to fly with a glass cockpit.

Wake-up Calls: Music in Space

NASA has a fun tradition of playing music to wake up astronauts in space. This started during the Gemini program and was first used to wake up a crew during the Apollo 15 mission. Each song is chosen carefully, often by the astronauts' families. The music usually has a special meaning to an astronaut or relates to their daily tasks in space.

Images for kids

• 

  Atlantis after SRB ignition

• 

  ICC STS-101 with SOAR, SHOSS Box, and Strela

• 

  STS-101 launches from Kennedy Space Center, 19 May 2000.

• 

  Illustration of the ISS during STS-101

• 

  STS-101 landing at the Shuttle Landing Facility, 29 May 2000.

See also

In Spanish: STS-101 para niños