STS-125 and STS-127

[nexstar114]

This is my first post, so bear with me. I don't know if this has been discussed here before, and can't find any other message board where this question would be more appropriate.

So here we go.

STS-125, the upgrade mission to Hubble, is presently scheduled to launch on May 12, 2009.

STS-127, the mission to deliver the Kibo Japanese Experimental Logistics Module to the ISS, is presently scheduled to launch May 15, 2009.

Can NASA launch 2 shuttles within 3 days of each other?

Can they manage 2 shuttles in orbit at the same time?

I expect one of these dates might change, but then maybe they can do it.

That would be great to follow both missions at the same time.

[neufer]

<<STS-127 is a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) which will launch no earlier than May 15, 2009, a launch date dependent on whether STS-125 is given the go-ahead for a May 12 launch. If it is, NASA will reschedule STS-127 for June 13, 2009. It is expected to use Space Shuttle Endeavour. Its primary purpose is to deliver and install the final two components of the Japanese Experiment Module: the Exposed Facility (JEM EF) and the Exposed Section of the Experiment Logistics Module (ELM-ES). This will be ISS assembly flight "2J/A". After STS-127, Endeavour is scheduled to fly next on STS-130.>>

[nexstar114]

Thanks for the answer, neufer. Good stuff that wikipedia! I would have never thought to look for the answer there, but it keeps amazing all the time what you can find there.