The STS-129 Space Shuttle Atlantis is set for launch from the Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, November 12, 2009 on an 11-day mission to deliver two experiment racks [EXPRESS Logistics Carriers 1 & 2] and parts, including a spare gyroscope to the International Space Station. STS-129 will conduct station crew exchange on-orbit and will feature three spacewalks. There are now only six space shuttle launches remaining in the NASA flight manifest. The shuttle launch programs will end in about one year as now planned. Prior to the launch of STS-129 Atlantis, the Russian-Soyuz TMA-16 will liftoff on September 30, 2009 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for subsequent docking with the ISS. The three-member crew will include Canadian entrepreneur and circus billionaire Guy Laliberte who will conduct a show from space.
The Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle will dock with the port on the ISS Harmony module Thursday, September 17th with 4.5 tons of supplies and cargo for the international space station for the first time. The HTV-1 mission at the ISS is for no more than 55-days -- probably undocking prior to the arrival of STS-129.
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