Shuttle Program Winds Down

BuffaloNews.com: Shuttle Program Winds Down

NASA’s space shuttle program is coming to an end. At this time, only two more missions are scheduled, in November and February.

The Mini Page talked with an expert from NASA to learn more about this important space program.

The shuttle and space station

Even as men were flying to the moon in the 1960s and ’70s, people were already planning the next stage of space exploration. Scientists believed building a station in space was the smart next step.

But if we were going to build a permanent station out in space, we had to have a way to get people and construction materials out there. We needed a vehicle that could fly into space and return safely to Earth again and again. We needed a shuttle.

Finishing the space station

During the last two shuttle missions, astronauts will complete the construction of the International Space Station, or ISS. The shuttles will bring as many spare parts to the ISS as possible.

There are several storage compartments on the outside of the ISS. Stored parts range from a gyroscope to computer boxes. (A gyroscope – JIE-ruh-skope –is an instrument used to help hold the station’s position in space.)

The storage areas are bolted to the ISS and protected from dangers such as cold. If the crew needs parts, they can do a space walk to the storage areas.

The shuttles share space station transportation duties with other countries, including Russia, Japan, Canada, and countries in the European Space Agency, or ESA.

After the shuttle program ends, ISS crews will depend on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft to transport astronauts and cosmonauts back and forth. Many countries in the partnership will help bring cargo to the ISS.

Space Shuttle Atlantis launches into space for what was its last scheduled mission on May 14.The last flight for Discovery is scheduled for Nov. 1. The last flight for Endeavour is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2011.