More fire alarms sound aboard the ISS

HOUSTON, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- NASA said there was another false fire alarm Tuesday morning aboard the International Space Station -- the third such false alarm during the STS-129 mission.

About 7 a.m. EST smoke and fire alarms sounded inside the Japanese Kibo laboratory, but NASA said a rapid investigation proved the alarm was false. The two previous alarms originated in the new Russian Poisk mini research module.

Space agency managers said transfer operations under way aboard the complex might have stirred up dust particles that triggered the sensitive station alarm sensors.

The combined 12-member crew of space shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station finished their remaining tasks Tuesday, in preparation for Wednesday's shuttle uncoupling. Among those tasks was a formal change of ISS command.

The STS-129 crew joined Expedition 21 Commander Frank De Winne, the first European commander of the space station, as he handed over his command to NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, who will command Expedition 22 when Atlantis departs.

Also during Tuesday's final tasks, the shuttle raised the space station's altitude by one nautical mile to refresh its orbit.

The shuttle is to undock Wednesday and make a circuit around the space station. NASA said that will allow ISS crew members to make a final visual inspection of the shuttle's heat shield, while the shuttle's crew inspects the space station, which is now 85 percent complete.

Atlantis is to return Friday to the Kennedy Space Center, weather permitting.