STS-123 status update

I know we are all interested in Atlantis STS-122 mission right at this time. I’d like to add a few notes about STS-123, scheduled to fly next Februray, though. One reason is that I found some cool pictures ;)

STS-123 will deliver the Japanese Kibo module to the international space station ISS. Kibo can right now seen in its processing facility:

Kibo module in its processing facility

The external tank has also arrived on November, 30th. Actually, this was one day earlier than scheduled.

External Tank for STS-123 arrives

Also on November, 30th, the crew equipment interface test, a process of familiarization with payloads, hardware and the space shuttle happened. For this test, the STS-123 crew was present. Here you can see Commander Dominic Gorie inspecting the window in space shuttle Endeavour:

Commander Dominic Gorie inspecting the window in space shuttle Endeavour

Even though it is early right now, it looks like things are progressing quite smoothly for Endeavour’s STS-123 mission.

But now let’s hope for a flawless STS-122 launch ;)