The Week in Space

November 22-28, 2010

Erector Sets in Space  The space shuttle Atlantis rocketed into orbit twenty-five years ago this week, carrying a crew of seven and a cargo bay filled with satellites and building materials. Early in the STS-61B mission, the crew deployed three communications satellites which later reached geostationary orbit. Astronauts Jerry Ross and Wood Spring conducted two spacewalks on as many days, evaluating ACCESS (Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures) and EASE (Experimental Assembly of Structures in EVA). Their experience erecting a forty-five-foot tower was a prelude to the International Space Station. Atlantis is seen here landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where shuttles were temporarily diverted in late 1985 while issues with their brakes were being resolved.

Image credit: NASA

Weekly Calendar

November 22-28, 2010

Holidays - Sky Events - Space History

Monday 22

1989: STS-33 Discovery launched

Tuesday 23

1977: Meteosat 1 launched
1983: 149-day Salyut 7 mission ends
2002: STS-113 Endeavour launched

Wednesday 24

1991: STS-44 Atlantis launched

Thursday 25

Thanksgiving Day

1970: First powered flight of M2-F3 lifting body

Friday 26

1965: France becomes third nation to launch a satellite
1975: Final X-24B lifting body flight
1985: STS-61B Atlantis launched
1989: Kvant 2 module launched

Saturday 27

1885: First photo of a meteor shower
1971: Mars 2 probe becomes first artificial object to hit Mars
1997: Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission launched

Sunday 28

First Sunday in Advent

Last Quarter Moon 3:36 PM ET

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