Atlantis (space shuttle)
ascent of the Atlantis (STS-27) |
rendezvous: Docking of the Atlantis with the Russian space station me in the context of the shuttle me program |
 landing of the Atlantis assistance of a drag parachute |
the space shuttle Atlantis is a space shuttle of NASA. Designated afterthe research ship Atlantis, it became to 6. April 1985 finished and had its maiden flight at the 3. October 1985. The internal name for the Atlantis reads OV -104.
From 1995 to 1997 the Atlantis became exclusive for the flightsto the Russian space station me used in the framework of the shuttle me program, for which she was equipped with a Dockingadapter of Russian design.
It is planned to deactivate the Atlantis in the autumn 2008 vorfristig. As NASA admits in the middle of February 2006 gave, becomesthe orbiter still five employments fly, in order as spare parts depots for the two remaining shuttles ( Discovery and Endeavour) to be then used. The Atlantis is after internal planning still the missions STS-115 (August 2006), STS-117 (December 2006), STS-120 (June 2007), STS-124 (November 2007) and STS-127 (May 2008) accomplish.
construction of the Atlantis
the Atlantis profited from the experiences, which one had made with the building and tests of the Enterprise , Columbia and Challenger. With the completion weighedit 3,200 kilograms less than the Columbia. In addition the made experiences in the building of shuttles reduced the working hours by 49,5 per cent (in the comparison to the Columbia). That is particularly on the use of heat shield - covers at the top of the orbiterinstead of leading back from small tiles.
During the construction of the Discovery and the Atlantis NASA decided to let the different manufacturers make „structural spare parts “in order to facilitate the repair in case of an accident. The contract had altogether oneWorth of 389 million dollar and consisted of spare parts for the rear and the middle trunk, as well as front trunk halves, vertical rudders, wings and flaps. These spare parts were used later for the Endeavour.
The Atlantis became because of improvements and adjustments afterCalifornia ships. These modifications contained a drag parachute, new pipes and wirings, which guaranteed a longer durability, more than 800 new heat shield tiles and - covers, new isolation for the landing gear doors and structural modifications at the airframe of the Atlantis. Altogether became165 changes in the 20 months implemented, in which the Atlantis was in Palmdale, California.
missions of the shuttle OV-104 „Atlantis “
Web on the left of
- NASA: Description and flights (English)
- Raumfahrer.net: Atlantis (OV-104) (dt.)
