Russell Space Team

STS-22 Mission Cancellation

I have decided to cancel the STS-22 mission simulation and to no longer pursue plans to complete it at a later date. There are simply too many obstacles at this point and the dynamic nature of the pandemic situation makes it impossible to plan, adapt, and accommodate accordingly.

 

I do not make this decision lightly. I value the sacrifices and commitment that each and every team member has put forth for five months. It hurts my heart to take away their opportunity to finish what they started.

 

It has been my honor to work with the students in the program this year as it is every year. They can be proud of what they accomplished, even if it finished in a most unpredictable and disappointing way.

 

Godspeed STS-22 Team!

 

Chris Laster

***STS-22 Mission Cancelled***

 

The STS-22 mission is cancelled. Of course, this is devastating to me personally but, more importantly, it is devastating to the team members who have worked so hard to get to this point. I also know that because of the unprecedented nature of this, you will understand why this decision is necessary.

 

Depending on the trajectory of the pandemic and other factors, we may explore the possibility of a 3 week intensive training period followed immediately by the simulation in late July. Because of all the unknown variables, this is only a discussion right now and in no way a commitment.

 

Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. I will respond as best I can with whatever information is available.

 

Please share this message freely.

 

Chris Laster

[email protected]

Russell Space Team Facebook Page

If you have an ongoing interest in the Russell Space Team...maybe you are a parent, teacher, or media personnel...I highly recommend you subscribe to the team's Facebook page. This is where current news about the team will be posted. It will also contain stories about the program past, present, and future.

Here is the link to the Russell Space Team Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RussellSpaceTeam/

**Russell Space Team Application**

Officially the Space Team applications will not be sent home for a couple of weeks yet. However, if you want to get a head start on becoming part of the program, you can download the complete APPLICATION and information letter/calendar from the Space Team shared folder at the following link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=16Nu5dmmdzyy9GN4t0uiueV-oCun5Khcs

Applications can be returned to me (Mr. Laster) in room 301 (Mission Control) or placed in the gray Space Team/Radio Club document drop box on the door.

 

Purpose of the Space Team website

The Russell Space Team website is primarily a repository of information about the program and an access point to view and/or download files, documents, forms, calendars, etc. that you might need to refer to throughout the year.

Most files, etc. can be accessed through the Space Team shared folder. You can access the Space Team shared folder below:

Space Team shared folder

 

The Russell Space Team Facebook page is where current events, news, announcements, etc. about the team will be posted. You can access our Facebook page HERE.

 

Certain files can only be access through the team's password site. There is a link at the bottom of the page to the password site. You must have a username and password to access this. Only team members have been provided with a username and password.

Flight Director's Loop during the Apollo 13 Mission

This is great training material. Listen to the astronauts and flight controllers manage a massive multiple system failure. This system failure was on a scale that no one had trained for because it was assumed if so many systems were lost, the cause would have to be so catastrophic that the crew and vehicle would have been instantly destroyed. Listen to the calmness and professionalism and the attention to detail and communication.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWfnY9cRXO4

Who is STS-21? (#4 in a series of 4 posts)

The Astronaut Crew

The astronauts work the controls of the Intrepid flight deck during launch and landing and also spend 27 hours inside the Intrepid simulator conducting experiments and maintaining the vehicle. The two teacher astronauts for STS-21 are not pictured.

Who is STS-21? (#3 in a series of 4 posts)

SimSups

The SimSups, short for Simulation Supervisors, are the ones who work behind the scenes to make the mission as realistic as possible. In addition to controlling telemetry at the different Mission Control consoles, they also monitor and maintain all of the audio-visual and the live YouTube broadcast stream.

***ATTENTION: All Russell Space Team Alumni!!!!***

This is the 21st mission of the Russell Space Team dating back to 1998. All Russell Space Team Alumni are invited to walk in front of the line during the Space Team Walk at 9:30 AM. The STS-21 team is eager to walk in your footsteps, literally and metaphorically.

 

If you are able to join the team in the walk, please be at Russell by 9:15 AM on May 8. Check in at the front desk and let the Space Team representative know that you are an alumnus present to take part in the walk.

 

Pass this information on to anyone you know who is an alumnus of the Russell Space Team!

Who is STS-21? (#2 in a series of 4 posts)

The White Team

The White Team is the second of two flight control teams. The White Team is responsible for setting up the orbiter to spend an extended period of time in orbit, as well as many of the checks to prepare the orbiter to return to Earth.

Russell Space Team Facebook

Many people do not know that the Russell Space Team has a Facebook page. You can follow our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/RussellSpaceTeam/