STS -97 (English Space Transportation System) is the designation for a flight mission of the U.S. Space Shuttle Endeavour ( OV -105 ) from NASA. The launch took place on 1 December 2000. It was the 101st space shuttle mission, the 15th flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the sixth flight of a shuttle to the International Space Station (ISS).
- Brent Jett ( third space flight), Commander
- Michael Bloomfield ( second space flight), Pilot
- Marc Garneau ( 3 space flight), Mission Specialist (CSA / Canada)
- Carlos Noriega ( second space flight), Mission Specialist
- Joseph Tanner ( third space flight), Mission Specialist
The STS -97 there was a further flight equipment for the International Space Station. In addition to the P6 structure element, the main photovoltaic panels and radiators were delivered to their cooling. Overall, the Endeavour was associated with five days of ISS, while the crew three exits ( EVAs ) conducted to carry out the assembly of the elements brought. The structural element P6 was the heaviest module that was delivered to the ISS with 17 tons of mass. The solar panels had to be transported in a folded state. Unfolded, it measures about 73 meters.
With the Endeavour, the first side truss segment P6 came with solar panels, batteries and radiators to the International Space Station. It was lifted after docking on the second day of flying with the manipulator of the shuttle out of the loading bay. Thus, all parts of the module could be adapted to the temperatures in open space. Subsequently, several cargo boxes were transported to the lock coupling between Shuttle and Unity. The crew of the station they took later from there. Be performed by the shuttle from spacewalks, the pressure in the shuttle is lowered. Thus, the outboard workers get used to a lower air pressure prevailing in their space suits later. The U.S. astronauts breathe in their space suits in pure oxygen. Due to the lower pressure, the space suits inflate not as strong and can be built easily. Even the fingers are moving. In the space station, however there is normal air pressure. Therefore, the pressure could be compensated and carried a short transition until after the extravehicular activities.
On 3 December the astronauts Tanner and Noriega for 7 hours and 33 minutes, got out of the shuttle, led preparatory work for the installation of the power module and monitored its coupling to the grille element Z1. Then they combined multiple power and data cables and triggered latches on the extension mechanism of the solar panels. While panel 1 could leave within 13 minutes, suggested this in the second panel initially failed because a lock is not replaced. This was the second attempt. The panel was extended significantly slower than the first in several stages on the fourth day of flying. In the rapid deployment of the first panel, the tension wires had jumped out of its leadership. Therefore it was decided in the second panel for another procedure.
In a second exit on December 5 ( 6:37 hours) joined Tanner and Noriega electrical lines between new grid composite P6/Z1 and the Unity module. All 12 batteries were already charged and delivered soon after the first power for the station. No longer required temperature protection covers the S- band antenna coolant lines were dismantled Moreover, moved to its final location, the lock is released and installed a radiator. This was later extended and used for heat regulation of solar panels. Finally, Tanner and Noriega cable broke on the second docking port of Unity. This is published by the arrival of the research module Destiny to another location. For all work Marc Garneau supported the outboard mechanics with the manipulator arm of the Shuttle.
The third exit on December 7 ( 5:10 hours) was used for a repair of the first solar cell panel. There was briefly moved back by about one meter. Then the guy wires were unraveled and stretched. For the second mounted Tanner and Noriega an instrument for measuring the electric potential in the vicinity of the station at the top of the solar cell module P6. At high electrostatic charge to electron emitters ensure that no arcs occur on the panels. Finally, the two astronauts installed a camera cable on Unity. A small camera will facilitate the docking of the laboratory module Destiny the next shuttle flight.
On December 8, the spaceman opened the hatches between the two spacecraft. They transported equipment, supplies, and waste and undertook a joint experiment in which the stability of the complex was tested during a short drive phases. After Abkopplen the shuttle flew around the station. Meanwhile, detailed images were taken mainly from the new members. The Endeavour landed as scheduled on December 11 in Florida.