STS-122 facts for kids
Atlantis launches with Columbus
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| Mission type | ISS assembly |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| Mission duration | 12 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes, 50 seconds |
| Distance travelled | 8,500,000 kilometres (5,300,000 mi) |
| Orbits completed | 202 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Space Shuttle Atlantis |
| Launch mass | 121,264 kilograms (267,341 lb) |
| Landing mass | 93,536 kilograms (206,212 lb) |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 7 |
| Members | Stephen Frick Alan G. Poindexter Leland D. Melvin Rex J. Walheim Hans Schlegel Stanley G. Love |
| Launching | Léopold Eyharts |
| Landing | Daniel M. Tani |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 7 February 2008, 19:45 UTC |
| Launch site | Kennedy LC-39A |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | 20 February 2008, 14:07:10 UTC |
| Landing site | Kennedy SLF Runway 15 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee | 331 kilometres (206 mi) |
| Apogee | 339 kilometres (211 mi) |
| Inclination | 51.6 degrees |
| Period | 91.23 minutes |
| Epoch | 9 February 2008 |
| Docking with ISS | |
| Docking port | PMA-2 (Harmony forward) |
| Docking date | 9 February 2008, 17:17 UTC |
| Undocking date | 18 February 2008, 09:24 UTC |
| Time docked | 8 days, 16 hours, 7 minutes |
  Left to right - Front row: Frick, Eyharts, Poindexter; Back row: Melvin, Walheim, Love, Schlegel |
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STS-122 was the 121st flight of the Space Shuttle program. This mission took seven astronauts into outer space to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The main goal of STS-122 was to deliver a special science laboratory module, called Columbus, to the space station. The Atlantis carried this important module. The flight began on February 7, 2008, at 7:45 PM UTC, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It ended on February 20, 2008, at 2:07 PM UTC, when Atlantis safely landed back at the Kennedy Space Center.
Contents
Meet the STS-122 Crew
Seven astronauts were on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis for this mission.
- Stephen Frick was the Commander, meaning he was in charge of the entire Space Shuttle mission.
- Alan G. Poindexter was the Pilot, responsible for flying the Shuttle.
- Leland D. Melvin, Rex J. Walheim, Hans Schlegel, and Stanley G. Love were Mission Specialists. Their main job was to help attach the new Columbus module to the space station. They also performed spacewalks.
- Léopold Eyharts was also part of the crew. He stayed on the International Space Station for about a month as an Expedition 16 crew member.
- Daniel M. Tani, who was already living on the space station, returned to Earth aboard Atlantis.
The Flight Journey
Launching into Space
The launch of STS-122 was first planned for December 6, 2007. However, there was a problem with a sensor in the fuel tank. This sensor helps measure how much fuel is left. Because of this issue, the launch had to be delayed. After another attempt on December 9 also had the same problem, the launch was moved to January 2008, and then to February.
Finally, the Space Shuttle Atlantis successfully launched on February 7, 2008. Some people at NASA were worried about bad weather, but the skies cleared just in time for a perfect launch.
Returning to Earth
After completing its mission, Atlantis prepared to return home. At 1:00 PM UTC, the Shuttle performed a special engine burn that lasted for 2 minutes and 43 seconds. This "de-orbit burn" helped slow the Shuttle down so it could leave its orbit around Earth.
Atlantis then entered Earth's atmosphere at 1:35 PM UTC. It touched down on Runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center at 2:07:10 PM UTC. The wheels of the orbiter came to a complete stop just under a minute later, at 2:08:08 PM UTC.
Mission Goals and Achievements
The astronauts on STS-122 had several important jobs to do. Their main task was to add the new Columbus module to the International Space Station. This module is like a new room for the space station.
To attach Columbus, the crew used a large robot arm, called the Remote Manipulator System (RMS). This arm carefully lifted Columbus out of the Space Shuttle's cargo bay. Then, it moved the module over to an empty spot on the side of the space station.
Two of the astronauts then went outside the station on spacewalks. They worked to connect Columbus and install important parts. The Columbus module is now used for many different scientific experiments and research in space.
Images for kids
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Columbus at Kennedy Space Center, ready for launch.
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An illustration of the International Space Station after STS-122, showing the new Columbus laboratory module.
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Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A on November 10, 2007.
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Engineers Peter Johnson and Dr. Carlos Mata working on equipment during a fuel tank test.
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STS-122 begins its mission to deliver the Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station.
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The Columbus module seen in high detail from the station, in this image taken by the Expedition 16 crew, during their photography of Atlantis prior to docking on flight day three.
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Leland Melvin and mission specialists working on robotic equipment in the US lab.
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Hans Schlegel working inside the new Columbus module.
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Rex Walheim moving a Nitrogen tank during a spacewalk.
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Atlantis landing on Runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center.
See also
In Spanish: STS-122 para niños
