Mar 16 2011

From The Space Library

RELEASE: 11-077 EXPEDITION 26 CREW AND CAPSULE LAND SAFELY IN KAZAKHSTAN

WASHINGTON -- Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Russian Flight Engineers Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka safely landed their Soyuz spacecraft on the Kazakhstan steppe Wednesday, wrapping up a five-month stay aboard the International Space Station. Kaleri, the Soyuz commander, was at the controls of the spacecraft as it undocked at 12:27 a.m. EDT from the station's Poisk module. The trio landed at 3:54 a.m. (1:54 p.m. local time) at a site northeast of the town of Arkalyk. Working in frigid temperatures, Russian recovery teams were on hand to help the crew exit the Soyuz and adjust to gravity. Kaleri and Skripochka will return to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, outside of Moscow, while Kelly will fly directly home to Houston. The trio launched aboard the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Oct. 8, 2010. As members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews, they spent 159 days in space, 157 of them aboard the station. During their mission, the Expedition 25 and 26 crew members worked on more than 150 microgravity experiments in human research; biology and biotechnology; physical and materials sciences; technology development; and Earth and space sciences. A quick succession of international space vehicles arrived on the station's loading docks during Expedition 26. The Japanese Kounotori2, or "white stork," H-II Transfer Vehicle 2; the Russian cargo ship Progress 41; the European Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle; and space shuttle Discovery delivered more than 11 tons of supplies necessary for working and living aboard the station. Kelly has logged more than 180 days in space, and Kaleri has more than 770. Skripochka has completed his first space mission. Expedition 27 Commander and Russian Cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratyev and Flight Engineers Cady Coleman of NASA and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency remain aboard the station. A new trio of Expedition 27 flight engineers, NASA astronaut Ron Garan and Russian cosmonauts Andrey Borisenko and Alexander Samokutyaev, will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome no earlier than March 29.

RELEASE: 11-079 NASA CELEBRATES TRAILBLAZERS DURING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH EVENT

WASHINGTON -- NASA's women took the spotlight Wednesday in a Women's History Month event showcasing their achievements in aeronautics and space exploration initiatives. The event gave students a chance to interact with an astronaut and other women working in science and technology careers. NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver hosted the event for an audience of approximately 200 elementary through high school-level students from the Washington area. "Women have made tremendous contributions to NASA over the years," she said. "They've been astronauts, scientists, engineers, program managers and served in many other capacities. We have an obligation to reach out to the next generation and inspire today's girls to pursue science and technology careers. Expanding opportunities in these fields will give perspectives and expertise to win the future." During the event, NASA announced the creation of a new website that features women in NASA careers telling their stories in their own words. The website has 32 video interviews with women of diverse backgrounds who represent different aspects of the agency's work. Subjects include Garver, astronauts, engineers and scientists. They discuss their accomplishments and offer encouragement to women and girls considering technical careers so they can become the trailblazers of tomorrow. The site also provides information about NASA internships and career opportunities. Garver took part in the event with NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson. Dyson recently returned from a six-month stay aboard the International Space Station. She shared her experiences aboard the orbiting laboratory and noted how a NASA role model stirred her aspirations to become an astronaut. That role model was Teacher in Space Christa McAuliffe, who died in the space shuttle Challenger accident along with six fellow crewmates in 1986. Valerie Jarrett, a senior White House advisor, assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and public engagement, and chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, also spoke. She discussed the importance of encouraging young women to pursue a solid education and providing them with more opportunities to enter any career field they choose, even those sometimes perceived as traditionally male. NASA aerospace education specialist Trena Ferrell conducted an interactive science demonstration. The students also watched a performance by the Science Cheerleaders, a group of professional cheerleaders-turned-scientists and engineers who challenge stereotypes while helping to inspire young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). STEM education is a key focus of NASA's education efforts aimed at developing the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers. This special Women's History Month event featured a panel discussion that allowed the students to interact with the female NASA trailblazers featured in the show.

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