Atlantis flies again (no really)
President Barack Obama has signed off on the conversion of Atlantis’ Launch On Need (LON) mission (in case the final mission of Endeavour hits trouble) into a full mission. As long as she isn’t needed for Endeavour’s STS-134, Atlantis will launch on her final (and the final) ISS supply mission. The launch is targeted for 28th June 2010.
A crew of just four, all veterans, will be riding to orbit on this one, to maximise load-carrying capacity. In case you’re wondering, no, a LON mission will no be prepared for this mission. Should Atlantis be unable to return due to heat tile damage, the crew will be able to make use of a Soyuz “lifeboat” docked to the station.
