25 February, 2011 20:34

Hi folks,

Thought I would give an update as best I can…Launch was spectacular!! There was a tremendous sense of excitement and the added drama of the Range issues sure made it interesting! In case they didn’t make it clear on NASA TV- the range person/group is the one who has to push the big red button ( the blow up button ) if something was going wrong on ascent and it was necessary to destroy the shuttle so that it didn’t hurt other people. There was a computer issue with the range folks (who are miliary folks), not sure what or how it got resolved but everything worked out great!

It was such a clear day. You could see with your own eyes the solid rocket boosters separating and falling away. We could follow the shuttle for a very long time. I did learn that I can hold my breath for 8 1/2 min. too!

Alvin’s very first job was as soon as they reached orbit he very quickly got out of his seat, grabbed a camera and started taking pictures of the external tank falling away. Then the whole crew had several hours of work turning Discovery from a rocket into a spaceship that they can live in. They had to hook up computers and communications and turn on the plumbing etc. This was a super long day for the crew but one I am sure they were happy to finally see!!!!

Day 2 – today they did some boosts, positioned the shuttle for tile inspection and continued getting closer to Space Station. For 6 hours today they used the robotic arm with a boom (extension) on it and a camera at the end of that to look at all the tiles and check for any damage. All the video and images go down to the ground and experts there will be looking it over the next day or two to see how the shuttled fared on ascent.

Right now they are in finishing up their day and getting ready for sleep.

Not sure when Alvin will have time to do a personal update but we will do our best to keep you informed. I will check with Jack (our website creator) as to how to do this but if you have pictures from your adventure out to either the first launch attempt or this launch and you don’t mind sharing them we could put together a great digital photo album for Alvin. I will get back to you on how we will do this!

Cheers,
Patricia

23 February, 2011 22:15

All my check lists are ready, bags are packed and ready to blast off into space tomorrow.

Had a good day putting finishing touches on things, then had time and dinner with Patricia and got to go out and view the shuttle all lit up at night. Breathtaking! Saw family and friends at the wave across which was great.

Thanks to everyone who has send messages and made it out to the launch, hopefully tomorrow you will see quite the show!

22 February, 2011 23:15

Good day today. Got a nice run in. Was kinda fun to be out jogging and have the swat team, as discreetly as possible, following me keeping me safe.

Got to tackle some of the great emails I have received. Great to hear from folks and thanks for all the best wishes.

Shuttle is looking good, not working any issues at the moment. Weather is looking good, so all is still a go right now.

20 February, 2011 17:37

Yesterday we had some more reviews and time to do some studying. Did a weight workout and had supper with Patricia and spouses.

Now we are out in Florida to try again. Had a good flight out, did a brief press conference and have gotten settled into quarantine here in crew quarters.

19 February, 2011 10:16

It was a busy day in quarantine yesterday. Started with a review of the photo, TV, Video systems. Then a review of the storage and transfer items as there have been updates.

Then the afternoon was a 3 hr. EVA review. We went through out Tie Down Plan. And yes, this is really practicing how to tie things down when out on EVA. Things have a tendency to float away up there so working this procedure into your tasks is very important!

Then we got to have some fun with the real drill (approx. 1/2million dollar tool that they don’t let out much!) & hardware. Great to have hands on the real stuff, which is different than the equipment we use in the pool because the stuff in the pool is plastic (so it floats). The real stuff is a very sturdy, solid tool & when we have it out there it is weightless but still needs to do real construction work.

Finished the day with a swim which felt great and then some therapy on the shoulder to keep it happy.

17 February, 2011 22:28

Today was filled with errands, getting my haircut, getting papers organized and I am now settled into quarantine here in JSC with the rest of the crew. We will be here until the 20th and then we move to quarantine in Florida.

16 February, 2011 10:47

Yesterday was a day filled with EVA training. We were not in the pool this time, instead we were reviewing what all the systems are on the suit and what happens in an emergency situation. Basically how to operate my own little space craft.

What buttons do what on our front pack, what happens if the vent van breaks (which they found was broken on my suit when they were doing the saftey check on it yesterday out at the Cape), etc. It was a very good review and I am glad we had it.

A tidbit of information that I have been told pertaining to the EVA’s. Apparently, I will be the 200th human being in all of humanity to do a space walk. An easy number to remember and a bit humbling. I am excited about this adventure.

15 February, 2011 07:58

Yesterday was a full day.

We started with our medical tests. They took a bunch of blood & an uncomfortable swab up the nose! They are testing for any viruses or bacteria that they may want to treat us for over the next 10 days before launch. We are the first crew to be tested for a bacteria that can cause ulcers. This is not really for our benefit but this bacteria and be contagious and they don’t want us to spread that bacteria to the station crew since an ulcer on a long term flight is not a good thing.

Then we had a stowage review. Good to know where all the items you will need are stored.

Afternoon consisted of an Entry sim which went well. They weren’t too mean to us and we made it back to Earth.

11 February, 2011 00:26

Today started with meetings to discuss our next NBL run which is tomorrow. Went through our plan and what tasks we are going to practice.

Then the rest of the day was spent doing Airlock Pre and Post preparations. This is all the stuff we have to do before a spacewalk and then after we come in, prep for the next one and packing everything up when all done. There is a lot of preparation for a spacewalk.

9 February, 2011 22:19

Busy day, went from one thing to the next to the next….

Started with a class on packing and unpacking the bags we use for the EVA’s. You need different things for each EVA and it’s not like you can just open the door and go back in to get what you might have forgotten. After the first EVA we have a bag called "Done" for the items we have used and don’t need again. How’s that for a fancy NASA name.

The shuttle is stuffed full so we are not taking up enough food. This means we have to raid the Space Station food supplies. We had a video conference with the Space Station Crew members today to chat about how we do that.

Afternoon was spent practicing our robotic maneuvers wit the Express Logistic Carrier pallet that we do a robotic hand over, so one robotic arm passing to the other robotic arm and back.

Then we had another session of Abort Sim’s. They were killing the engines on us all over the place. We never made it across the ocean, did go swimming once though!

Finally, went to the gym and had some more rehab on my shoulder with this fancy new machine. It is like a stud finder for your inflammed tissue. You move it along your arm, in my case, and when it comes across inflammed tissue it makes a different sound and starts stimulating the tissue.