Airmen support space shuttle launch

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Airmen around the United States supported the Monday launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour, providing airspace control, launch support and satellite communications capability for the STS-130 mission.

Air Force Academy graduate Col. Terry Virts Jr. is the pilot for the STS-130 mission, which will deliver modules for the International Space Station.

Officials with the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Air Forces Northern enforced the temporary "no-fly" zone around Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., using F-15 Eagles from Langley Air Force Base, Va. The CONR also deployed the Joint-Based Expeditionary Connectivity Center team, which provides rapid response communications capability for air defense, to Cape Canaveral AFS.

The 45th Space Wing, based at Patrick AFB, Fla., provided Eastern Range support, including weather forecasts, launch and range operations, safety and public affairs. The wing also provided radar, telemetry, optical and communications instrumentation to facilitate the launch.

"The 45th Space Wing is proud to participate with NASA and our mission partners," said Brig. Gen. Edward Bolton Jr., the 45th SW commander, who served as launch decision authority for the mission. "This mission is a testament to all the hard work that culminates in a safe, successful launch. Congratulations to all on a job well done."

The 50th SW at Schriever AFB provided satellite communications support through the Air Force Satellite Control Network, a worldwide system of satellite control centers and tracking stations that provide on-orbit tracking, telemetry, command and mission data retrieval services.

Air Force Space Command also provided space situational awareness for the shuttle mission, allowing NASA planners to plot the shuttle's launch and orbital path while avoiding possibly damaging man-made objects.

"It (the launch) was a very important event -- even more important for us because the shuttle was full of European hardware," said Jean-Jacques Dordain, the European Space Agency's director general, who thanked the crew and ground teams for "a very beautiful launch."

Endeavour will deliver the Tranquility node and a seven-windowed cupola that will be used as a robotics control room. The mission will feature three spacewalks.

(Information compiled from Air Force News Service, Air Force Space Command releases and staff reports.)