STS-114 lifted off from Launch Pad 39B, Kennedy Space Center, on 26 July 2005 at 9:39 AM CDT (14:39 GMT). This daylight launch was the most watched in Shuttle history, with the possible exception of STS-1, the initial Shuttle launch on 12 April 1981. The timing and solar angle were chosen to maximise opportunities to film the liftoff, and ascent, from every possible perspective. These even included modified old jet bombers from the 1950s (WB-57 Canberras), carrying special camera turrets in the nose for the purpose of photographing Discovery at high altitude as she was on her way to orbit. The reasoning behind all of this was to make sure that if there were ANY debris strikes on the orbiter's sensitive heat shield, like the one which doomed Columbia in 2003, they would be captured on film for detailed analysis before allowing Discovery to re-enter the atmosphere.

The Crew experienced some facets of Shuttle flight that are entirely new. On orbit inspection of the heat shield, manual repairs to that heat shield, and experiments with different methods of on orbit heat shield repair. In addition, Discovery carried over 15 tons of equipment and supplies to the International Space Station ( in the Raphaello MPLM module ), where she was greeted upon arrival by the Expedition 11 Crew. Three EVAs (Extra-Vehicular Activity or spacewalk) were carried out. These involved Space Station repairs, improvements, and attending to heat shield problems. A fourth EVA to repair a flaw in the insulation below Commander Eileen Collins window was cancelled as unnecessary.

Space Shuttle Discovery and her crew landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base (NASA's Dryden Research Center) in the California desert at 7:11 AM CDT (12:11 GMT) on 9 August 2005. Total flight duration was 13 days 21 hours 32 minutes. The mission was highly successful, accomplishing every goal set for it.

The sad news is that in the wake of continued problems with external tank insulation breaking away during liftoff, the Shuttle fleet has been indefinately grounded until the problem is solved.

An eye opening new relelation was unveiled on 2 August 2005, by the INCO (or CATO) operating the cameras aboard ISSy. ISSy has AT LEAST ONE low-light black & white night camera available!!

This event is significant in that over the past two years, it remained unknown if ISSy even had this capability. NEVER, NOT ONCE, over these years has Mission Control broadcast over NASA Select TV, even one minute of night time television during "slow" times, as we are accustomed to seeing on Shuttle flights. There have been the briefest of exceptions during EVAs (Extra-Vehicular Activity or spacewalk). Here is an example of what I mean with ISS EVA 10b, which also includes an example of what I call "Snow Games". Notably all of the rare footage from ISSy, previous to STS-114, taken outside at night is from the color cameras. Daylight downlink TV from ISSy is not rare at all, being an almost daily feature of the ISS Coverage & Commentary seen on NASA Select TV Monday through Friday at 10 AM Central Time.

During most Shuttle missions of the past, the public were treated to a great deal of night-time television from space. These sessions included fantastic passes over brightly glowing towns and cities on the continents, vast empty and dark expanses of ocean, and views of the stars out in the universe. Earlier flights in the 1990s, and into early 2000 featured crystal clear signals without any interference for long periods. During the year 2000, the characteristic mask of artificial "snow", and the color cycling of "red, blue, green" were added to night-time TV. As time passed into 2001 and 2002, the lenght of these night time downlinks shrank considerably.

The flight of STS-107 (Columbia's last flight) allowed virtually none of the downlink TV from the payload bay cameras. Well over 90% of the downlink TV from STS-107 was confined to views inside the Shuttle, as the crew performed scientific experiments on board.

During STS-114, night TV was allowed on a VERY limited basis, most sessions numbered in SECONDS rather than minutes. In addition, what night TV we were permitted, was mostly plagued with extrememly poorly focus, and plenty of "snow".

As of now, we have undeniable PROOF that ISSy is night TV capable. WHY this capability has never been used for the benefit of public edification, though, remains a mystery.

This particular night session only lasted a few seconds before the feed was cut suddenly, and SSV (Sequential Still Video - like a slide show of still frames) was substituted. BUT, the cat was out of the bag for those who keep an eye on these things. ISSy HAS LOW-LIGHT NIGHT CAPABILITY AFTER ALL!!

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At all times during this event, the camera was under the direct remote control of either the INCO or the CATO. It's not entirely clear which one in this particular case.

(INCO - INstrument & Communication Officer - The man in Houston Mission Control Center who is responsible for operating the Shuttle payload bay, and robotic arm, cameras. He also remotely operates the helmet cameras in space suits. In the case of ISS, this officer is referred to as the CATO - Communications And Tracking Officer. In both cases, these persons CONTROL everything which is PERMITTED to go out on broadcast to the public. It is a commonly believed falacy that the cameras are operated by Astronauts & Cosmonauts on the Shuttles, and Space Station. Very little camera work is done by the crews. They're way too busy for that.)

At the end of the day, it's up to YOU to draw your own conclusions.

© 2005 Jeff Challender