Space Shuttle Atlantis

Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of five NASA space shuttles. It was the fourth operational shuttle built and as of 2005 is one of only three shuttles remaining in the fleet.

Related Topics:
NASA - Orbiter Vehicle Designation - Space shuttle - As of 2005

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Atlantis was named in honor of the first United States oceanographic research vessel, a two-masted sailing ship operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution from 1930 to 1966.

Related Topics:
United States - Oceanographic - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution - 1930 - 1966

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As the fourth shuttle, Atlantis benefited from experience gained in the construction of its predecessors. On roll-out it weighed nearly 7,000 lb (3 t) less than the first operational shuttle, Columbia, and required about half the time to build. Structural spare parts also built along with Atlantis were used in the later construction of the fifth shuttle, Endeavour.

Related Topics:
Columbia - Endeavour

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Atlantis made its first flight in October 1985, conducting classified military activities, one of five such flights. In 1989 Atlantis deployed two planetary probes, Magellan and Galileo, and in 1991 it deployed the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory.

Related Topics:
1985 - 1989 - Magellan - Galileo - 1991 - Compton Gamma Ray Observatory

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Beginning in 1995, Atlantis made seven straight flights to the Russian space station Mir. On the second Mir flight it delivered a docking module and on the subsequent flights it conducted astronaut exchanges.

Related Topics:
1995 - Russian - Space station - Mir

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From November 1997 to July 1999, Atlantis underwent refitting operations, with about 165 modifications made to the shuttle, including the installation of the Multifunction Electronic Display System, or glass cockpit. It has made six flights since then, all involving assembly activities at the International Space Station.

Related Topics:
1997 - 1999 - International Space Station

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In its most recent flight, in October 2002, Atlantis and its six-person crew completed an 11-day mission to the International Space Station that involved three space walks.

Related Topics:
2002 - International Space Station

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NASA scheduled the 27th launch for Atlantis for September 2005, during the window of September 9 - 24. It is unlikely to fly on schedule, due to the complications during Discoverys launch of mission STS-114 and NASA's subsequent suspension of all future shuttle launches. It is the designated STS-300 rescue orbiter for the STS-114 mission.

Related Topics:
STS-114 - STS-300

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