Yes, I have thought about another post about something that I've finally read of someone who had to tell ya, but first comment that has already returned to Earth orbit, the STS-125 mission aboard Atlantis, which has been 13 days orbit to repair the Hubble and extend its operational life step, given the results that has brought so far.

Certainly the two-day delay, the mission has been extended two days for reasons weather in Florida, as NASA prefers a "window" of landing at central facilities in one of the choices that entails both a logistically and financially. It must be said that missions are operated by the old ferry, from the disaster of the Columbia (not to remember what happened with the Challenger , in the 80s), are extreme security measures. In fact, the first spacewalk mission (which is called space walk) is always seeking to establish that the vehicle, in this case the Atlantis, has not experienced any significant damage, especially in the thermal layer. Remember that it was a problem of detachment of "thermal tiles" which led to the fatal outcome that destroyed the Columbia on reentry process.

So despite all the reservations of even having prepared the Endeavour for a possible rescue mission, and after two days late. The mission has completed its landing at Edwards Base in California on this day, which was the first shuttle mission in years after the last of Columbia for a project is not allocated to the ISS (Space Station International).

We will see that NASA gives us the coming years.

Oh, and ESA in this day and quieter operation confirmed the smooth deployment of the telescopes Herschel and Planck. These self surprises awaiting us and, hopefully, new insights into the distant universe. No noise, but leaving high scientific level in Europe in this new century.

We will continue to report ...

The mission of Atlantis went into Earth orbit as planned and scheduled, in which only an unexpected ice accumulation on the liquid hydrogen umbilical and the emergence of some clusters accounted for a minimum of concern but that ultimately did not affect the launch . STS 125 left from the Kennedy Center's Pad 39A at 2:01 PM (20:01 Spanish time GMT), without any complication.

During the eleven-day mission will be carried out in five spacewalks to install two new instruments on the telescope, the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (Cosmic Origins Spectrograph) and the Wide Field Camera 3 (Wide Field Camera 3) some components are replaced by new ones in order to maximize the life of the telescope, and will install a mechanism for when he completes his mission he may be fitted to a propeller that will break down in a controlled manner over the Pacific without damaging anyone.

This mission has a special dimension. This is number 30 of the Atlantis mission, the first of which is not going to the International Space Station since STS-66 in 1994 and the first and only mission since the Columbia disaster will not go to the ISS.

If you are conversant in English you can follow the blog at the following link launch STS-125 .

Then I leave the photo spectacular launch:

The new mission of Atlantis, the STS 125 , is prepared in the pad 39A in Cape Kennedy , for launch today, bound for a thorough repair of the mills of the man who has given more satisfaction to the astronomical community world.

19 years ago that was put into orbit, and I still remember when I was an active member of the Astronomical Society Granada discussions and debates about what the findings mean that the first telescope in orbit would report to the human race to make us aware of what we are insignificant to the cosmos and what we still need to learn about ourselves by looking at the stars.

The truth is that expectations about its functioning have exceeded their creators and after several earlier missions maintenance, this will be crucial for several reasons. Optimization will work in depth. To understand that all is as if they were to put a "glasses" special so you can see better. After so many years in space the lens has defects that are necessary to correct and update various electronic equipment that allow you to target the objectives and study in different wavelengths. Also necessary, replace various life support systems, particularly as to energy and batteries are concerned that given the opportunity to extend its operational life until 2015.

This is the essential nature of this mission, on the other hand were significant more than likely the last mission of a space orbiter type Shuttle , before NASA finally leave this special program, which saw its beginnings in 80, the benefit of the program Orion , which will use non-reusable orbital devices (like the Apollo 60 and 70).

Let's hope the launch will occur smoothly, since each launch of a shuttle from the misfortune of Columbia , is an exercise in risk. In part because these units have exceeded their operational life expectancy and partly because of budget cuts the Bush-Cheney have meant that certain business processes are not of the quality and excellence that should fit a space program of its kind.

The Atalantis is scheduled for launch at 20:01 hours in Spain, with a favorable weather forecast 80% in Florida and a similar one in Moron de la Frontera, which is the designated track in this mission to an emergency landing. Along with the shuttle Endeavour is placed in the Pad 39B , the crew prepared for if I had to do a rescue mission of the crew of Atlantis in case of emergency or disaster in the orbit.

NASA has planned several "windows" to take off next Wednesday, which should not occur on the same mission would be aborted.

But I hope the full success of the mission, and I hope to report on my blog of how events are developing.

Here you have a striking picture of the state of the ship 15 hours after taking off light. I will keep you informed.