STS-123: Space Shuttle Endeavour

This recording captures the launch coverage for STS-123, detailing the countdown from T minus 9 minutes and holding to liftoff at 2:28 AM. Distinctive moments include the first launch overseen by Flight Director Brian Lunney, the solid rocket booster separation at 2 minutes 5 seconds, and the main engine cutoff at approximately 8 minutes 29 seconds. Notably, this mission marks the 30th night launch in the Space Shuttle program, with Endeavour carrying the Kibo logistics module and Dextre to the International Space Station.

This recording captures STS-123's docking sequence with the International Space Station, occurring at 10:49 PM Central Time. Commander Don Gorey and Pilot Greg Johnson lead the approach, which includes a rendezvous pitch maneuver starting at 9:26 PM, allowing station crew members Peggy Whitson and Yuri Malenchenko to photograph Endeavour's underside for damage assessment. The docking, confirmed as successful over Singapore, marks a significant milestone in the mission's objectives, including the installation of the Japanese Kibo laboratory module.

This recording captures STS-123's fourth spacewalk, which lasted 7 hours and 2 minutes. Astronauts Mike Massimino and Mike Good successfully replaced the low voltage power supply card in the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, with Massimino cutting thermistor wires to detach the old card. The spacewalk also included a glove inspection due to a small hole in Massimino's glove, but he was cleared to continue the EVA without early termination.

This recording captures the launch coverage for STS-123, detailing the countdown from T minus 57 minutes and holding to liftoff at 2:28 AM. Distinctive moments include the solid rocket booster separation at 2 minutes 5 seconds, the main engine cutoff at 8 minutes 29 seconds, and the external tank separation at 8 minutes 51 seconds. The countdown window opens at 062814 GMT and closes at 063305 GMT, with a loss drain back hold time of 3 minutes 33 seconds.

This recording captures the launch coverage for STS-123, detailing the countdown from T minus 3 hours to liftoff at 2:28 AM. Distinctive moments include the solid rocket booster separation at 2 minutes 5 seconds, main engine cutoff at approximately 8 minutes 29 seconds, and external tank separation at 8 minutes 51 seconds. The countdown window opens at 062814 GMT and closes at 063305 GMT, with a notable built-in hold of 2 hours 30 minutes before launch.

Descriptive summary pending processing.

STS-123 program overview briefing, held 24 hours before launch, features John Shannon discussing the successful completion of the flight readiness review with no major issues. Key highlights include the decision to leave the survey boom on the ISS and the planned use of the T-RAD tile repair technique, which aims to validate repair capabilities for future missions. Kurt Shireman notes the significance of this flight as it marks the first time all international partners will have elements on orbit.

This recording features STS-123's on-orbit activities on flight day 10, highlighting a significant conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda regarding the successful attachment of the Kibo module to the International Space Station. Commander Peggy Whitson and Commander Don Gori express gratitude for the support from Japan, while astronaut Takao Doi discusses the module's experiments and the importance of pursuing dreams. The recording also captures the crew's preparations for the upcoming fourth spacewalk, scheduled to start at 5:28 PM Central Time.

Descriptive summary pending processing.

This recording captures STS-123's on-orbit activities on flight day 9, featuring the successful stowage of the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (Dextre) by pilot Greg Johnson and flight engineer Garrett Reisman. The operation, which took place at 10:54 PM Central Time, involved moving Dextre to its new position on the US Laboratory Destiny after its assembly during previous spacewalks. Additionally, preparations for the upcoming fourth spacewalk, scheduled to start at 5:28 PM Central Time, are discussed, highlighting the roles of astronauts Bob Behnken and Mike Foreman.

This recording captures STS-123's on-orbit activities, focusing on the testing of the Dextre robot's arms by mission specialists Bob Behnken and Garrett Reisman. The brake run tests, which began at approximately 4 hours 50 minutes into the EVA, revealed a failure in the wrist pitch joint of arm two, prompting a repeat of the test. Additionally, the crew discusses the challenges faced during the assembly of Dextre and the significance of its operational capabilities for future missions.

Descriptive summary pending processing.

Descriptive summary pending processing.

This recording captures STS-123's post-launch activities, focusing on the crew's setup of equipment and systems aboard Endeavour after liftoff at 1:28 AM Central Time. Notably, astronaut Bob Behnken troubleshoots a downlink issue with the umbilical well camera, confirming a successful download of 23 images taken during ascent. The mission is highlighted as the longest to date to the International Space Station, with significant milestones including the installation of the Japanese Kibo laboratory component and the Canadian robotic device Dextre.

Descriptive summary pending processing.

This recording documents the landing coverage for STS-123, highlighting Endeavour's touchdown on Runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center at 7:39 PM Central Time, marking the 16th night landing at the site. Commander Dom Gorey confirmed visual contact with the runway at 13,000 feet, and the main gear touched down at a mission elapsed time of 15 days, 18 hours, 10 minutes, and 54 seconds. The landing concluded a mission that included 250 orbits and nearly 12 days docked at the International Space Station.

Descriptive summary pending processing.

This crew debrief for STS-123 features Commander Dom Gorey discussing the mission's international collaboration, highlighting the delivery of the Japanese Logistics Module (JLP) to the ISS. Crew members, including Dr. Garrett Reisman and Takao Doi, emphasize the significance of their roles in robotics and spacewalks, with Doi specifically noting the delicate maneuver required to install the JLP. The crew reflects on their extensive training and the excitement of conducting five spacewalks during the mission.

This STS-123 mission overview briefing, held less than a week before launch, features Mike Moses discussing the mission's complexity, including the first Japanese logistics module (JLP) and the Canadian-built SPDM robotic system. Key highlights include the planned five EVAs, the longest assembly mission at 16 days, and the unique challenge of coordinating multiple international partners for the mission's objectives. The crew includes first-time flyers Garrett Reisman and Mike Foreman, alongside veteran Rick Linehan.

This STS-123 post-FRR briefing features Bill Gerstenmaier announcing the launch date set for June 8th at 7:38 PM, following a successful review with no major issues. Key discussions include the extensive repairs made to the external tank after a hailstorm and the team's confidence in the safety of the tank for flight. The briefing also highlights the unanimous agreement on the readiness for launch and the importance of upcoming flights to meet the ISS assembly schedule.

Descriptive summary pending processing.

This recording documents the pre-landing coverage for STS-123, focusing on the decision to bypass the first landing opportunity due to unstable weather conditions at Kennedy Space Center. Flight Director Richard Jones confirmed the deorbit burn at 6:33 PM Central Time, leading to a night landing at 7:39 PM Central Time, which would be the 16th night landing at the site. Commander Dom Gorey expressed confidence in the night landing despite weather concerns, stating, 'Both Fox and I feel really comfortable with that.'

This recording captures the post-landing coverage for STS-123, detailing the crew's safe exit from Endeavour at Kennedy Space Center after its landing at 7:39 PM Central Time. The first crew member disembarked at 9:17 PM, with Commander Dom Gorey being the last to exit at 9:36 PM. The crew transport vehicle began its 20-minute ride back to astronaut quarters shortly after, while the ground convoy team prepared Endeavour for towing to the processing facility.

This recording captures the pre-landing coverage for STS-123, detailing the crew's preparations as they approach the first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center. Commander Dom Gorey and Pilot Greg Johnson are seen configuring the flight deck for entry, with the payload bay doors successfully closed at 2:26 PM Central Time. Flight Director Richard Jones is polling for a go on the deorbit burn scheduled for 6:05 PM Central Time, while Chief Astronaut Steve Lindsey provides real-time weather updates from a T38 flight over the landing site.

Descriptive summary pending processing.