NASA STS-135 Report #13 4:30 p.m. CDT Thursday, July 14, 2011

Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas

HOUSTON – Continuing cargo transfer, news media interviews and exercise sessions kept Atlantis crew members busy Thursday morning. They enjoyed some welcome off-duty time during their afternoon.

Unloading of the multi-purpose logistics module Raffaello,s 9,400 pounds of cargo was well over half complete. Transfer of its remaining cargo to the International Space Station was expected to be finished Friday or Saturday.

Raffaello is to be reloaded with almost 5,700 pounds of gear from the station, mostly unneeded equipment and trash. It is to be replaced in Atlantis, cargo bay Monday morning for return to Earth.

A little before their midday meal, about 6 a.m. CDT, shuttle commander Chris Ferguson and Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus talked with representatives of FOX News Radio and KTVI-TV and KSDK-TV, both in St. Louis. All four shuttle crew members chatted with WBBM-TV of Chicago, KTVU-TV of Oakland, Calif., and WTXF-TV of Philadelphia at about 8:20 a.m.

Afterward the shuttle crew had most of the afternoon off. Station crew members also had some free time early in their afternoon.

The crew,s supper was special. That All-American Meal was initially scheduled for July 4 but wound up being enjoyed today because of Atlantis, launch delay. Grilled chicken, corn, baked beans, cheese and more, topped off with apple pie, were on the menu.

The next status report will be issued after crew wakeup or earlier if warranted. The crew is scheduled to awaken at 11:29 p.m.