The 8th Day

Well, EVA #3 was a success. The ISS has been successfully re-wired and nearly every mission objective has been acheived. One objective, the retraction of the solar array (the 110 foot map folding task), still needs to be accomplished. There was some extra time after the main tasks of last night's EVA so the EVA crew members attempted to shake the solar array into submission. Unfortunately, the solar array is being stubburn.

Since this solar array hasn't been retracted successfully, an extra EVA has been scheduled to hopefully remedy that. That means I will spend an extra day on console as another day has been added to the mission. This doesn't affect any more of my Christmas plans...

Today's shift was a little more calm than the last two nights. We did some more execution tasks today and started to plan the extra EVA and undocking day timelines. I would've gotten that plan put together too, if it weren't for those meddling kids and that dog. Sorry...couldn't resist. I would've gotten that plan together, if it weren't for the shuttle guys who were a little behind on their planning tasks. Sometimes in this business you wait for someone to finish their work before you can complete your work, so that someone else can do their work based on your work. Get that? Good. An then it's a pain in the butt when the first party decides to change the timeline back to what was previously planned...after you did the work to plan it the way they wanted it....ahhhh...oh well...that's what we do.

On a non-mission related note, my Godson came to visit me today before leaving on Christmas break. Luke brought me gifts and a cute little smile! Next time you are over, you can see the "priceless" work of art he made for me! It sits on my end table for all to see. Thank you Luke.

And yesterday before work, i met with an old friend from college. I haven't seen him in years and it was a good visit. Good to see you again, Ramon. Thanks for the Freebirds!! It'll be my treat next time.

Well, that concludes my morning briefing. Off to get some sleep while it is still dark outside.