NASA Schedules ISS Astronaut Rotation

The U.S. space agency set a new schedule for its International Space Station astronauts, with Clay Anderson to go to the station in June.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration controllers in Houston said astronaut Suni Williams will return to Earth aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, targeted for launch June 8. That shuttle mission, STS-117, will carry Anderson, to the space station to begin his duty as an Expedition 15 flight engineer.

The exchange of Anderson and Williams was originally planned for the STS-118 mission, now targeted for launch in August. However, that flight — originally scheduled fly in June — had to be postponed after a hailstorm damaged Atlantis’ external fuel tank and delayed the flight of STS-117.

NASA managers approved the crew rotation Thursday after a review determined there would be no impact on space station operations or future shuttle mission objectives.

During her stay on the ISS Williams set a record for spacewalks by a female astronaut by conducting four excursions for a total of 29 hours and 17 minutes. Upon Williams’ return, she will have accumulated more time in space than any other woman.