Table of Contents

STS-115 Mission Timeline

Flight Day 1

• Launch.
• Twelve minutes after launch, Steve MacLean takes pictures of the external tank to analyze its condition.
• Payload bay door is opened.
• KU-band antenna is deployed.
• The crew powers up Canadarm.
• The crew plays back handheld launch video of the external tank and loads digital photos of the tank and data from sensors on the leading edges of Atlantis' wings into a laptop computer for downlink.
• Overnight, Mission Control will downlink data from the wing leading edge sensors for analysis by engineers looking for indications of debris impact during launch.

Flight Day 2

• The Shuttle crew completes checkout of Canadarm, if necessary, and installs the centreline camera in the Orbiter Docking System.
• Daniel Burbank, assisted by Steve MacLean, grapples and unberths the Canadian-built orbiter boom with the sensor system at its tip; attached to the Shuttle's Canadarm to extend its reach, they use it to conduct a survey of the leading edges of Atlantis' wings and nose cap.
• The crew begins checking the rendezvous tools.
• Orbiter Docking System is extended.
• The crew performs system checks on the spacesuits and tools in preparation for upcoming spacewalks.
• The crew berths the orbiter boom and surveys the upper surfaces and crew cabin of Atlantis using Canadarm.

Flight Day

• The crew begins the final stage of rendezvous operations as Atlantis closes in for docking with the International Space Station (ISS).
• Atlantis performs the Rendezvous Pitch Manoeuvre, enabling the ISS crew to photograph the Shuttle's thermal protection systems.
• Steve MacLean and Joseph Tanner operate the docking system as Atlantis docks with the Space Station.
• The Shuttle and station crews open the hatches and shake hands.
• The crews begin transferring cargo from Atlantis to the station.
• The crew uses the Shuttle's Canadarm to grapple P3/P4 trusses and hand them off to Canadarm2 on the ISS.
• Steve MacLean operates Canadarm2 to pick up the truss segments from Canadarm.
• Tanner and Stefanyshyn-Piper sleep in the Quest Airlock as part of the pre-breathing protocol in preparation for a spacewalk.

Flight Day 4

• Steve MacLean operates Canadarm2, turns on the Space Vision System to proceed with P3/P4 truss installation on the P1 truss attachment.
• Joseph Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper begin the first spacewalk (EVA 1).
• The spacewalkers connect power cables, release the Solar Array Blanket Box and Beta Gimbal Assembly Restraints; they prepare the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint for operations.
• Activation of the P4 array assembly.
• Burbank and MacLean sleep in the Quest Airlock as part of the pre-breathing protocol in preparation for a spacewalk.

Flight Day 5

• Daniel Burbank and Steve MacLean begin the second spacewalk (EVA 2).
• The spacewalkers complete preparations for the activation of the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) for further operations.
• MacLean removes six launch restraints, four thermal covers and sixteen launch locks on the SARJ.
• Activation of the SARJ and checkout by ground controllers as the crew sleeps.
• Canadarm2 is manoeuvred into position to view the deployment of the P4 array.

Flight Day 6

• P4 Solar Array deployment.
• MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper manoeuvre Canadarm2 for camera viewing.
• The crew participates in two in-flight interviews (one to Canada and one to the U.S.).
• MacLean operates Canadarm2 and walks it off the Mobile Base System to the Destiny Lab to prepare for the third spacewalk (EVA 3) and for checking out Worksite 8 in preparation mission STS-116.
• Tanner and Stefanyshyn-Piper sleep in the Quest Airlock as part of the pre-breathing protocol in preparation for a spacewalk.

Flight Day 7

• Joseph Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper begin the third spacewalk (EVA 3).
• The spacewalkers release the photovoltaic radiator restraints for deployment, they deploy the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint braces, and remove the P3 keel pin to clear the way for the Mobile Transporter.
• They retrieve the MISSE 5 experiment, install an external wireless TV transmission antenna, and conduct other get-ahead work for future spacewalks.
• Steve MacLean uses Canadarm2 to perform support for the spacewalkers.
• The Mobile Transporter is moved from Worksite 7 on the truss to Worksite 8 to checkout that location in preparation for mission STS-116, then it is moved back to its normal parking spot on Worksite 4. This operation is performed by Canadian Space Agency Ground Controllers based at Houston.

Flight Day 8

• Crew is off duty for half the day.
• Crew participates in a joint crew news conference.
• Transfer activities and water supply transfers from Shuttle to Station.

Flight Day 9

• Garbage from the Station is transferred to the Shuttle.
• Checking of the rendezvous tools in preparation for undocking.
• Atlantis and Station crews bid farewell and close their hatches.
• Atlantis undocks and separates from the Station.

Flight Day 10

• Canadarm grapples the Canadian-built Orbiter Boom extension.
• Daniel Burbank, assisted by Steve MacLean, perform late inspection of Atlantis' starboard wing and nose cap using Canadarm and the Orbiter Boom extension.
• Daniel Burbank, assisted by Steve MacLean, complete inspection of Shuttle tiles using Canadarm and the Orbiter Boom.
• Canadarm berths the Orbiter Boom.
• Final powering down of the Shuttle's Canadarm.

Flight Day 11

• Atlantis' crew checks the Flight Control System and begins cabin stowage in preparation for tomorrow's landing.
• The crew performs Reaction Control System hot fire and reviews the timeline for tomorrow's return.
• KU-band antenna is stowed.

Flight day 12

• Atlantis' crew begins preparations for deorbiting.
• Payload bay door is closed for entry.
• Deorbit burn occurs.
• Landing occurs at Kennedy Space Center.