Chandonn - 12/10/2007 12:20 PMInteresting, to say the least!Several thoughts:The RPM on approach draws up the nightmare scenario of 2 damaged orbiters (2 loss of crew/vehicle incidents).
shuttlefan - 12/10/2007 2:34 PMLove the article Chris. I know we don't want to dwell on this too much, but my main worry is the rescue vehicle suffering the same problem as the problem that crippled the first orbiter.
rfoshaug - 12/10/2007 4:03 AMExcellent article! "Let's hope this mission remains only as cool pdfs."Well said.STS-125 is really going to be an exciting mission.
Chris Bergin - 12/10/2007 8:50 AMQuoteshuttlefan - 12/10/2007 2:34 PMLove the article Chris. I know we don't want to dwell on this too much, but my main worry is the rescue vehicle suffering the same problem as the problem that crippled the first orbiter. Thanks much I'm sure there are some NASA people thinking "Hmmm, not sure this should be an article, and there's more planning to be done and it's so unlikely to be called" but I do think it's interesting and I'm sure all shuttle fans would like to get a bit of a look into how NASA plan these backup plans.As far as a serious event happening to both orbiters....don't worry too much about that. The chances of the HST orbiter suffering major damage (remember, we're talking damage that can't even be repaired) and then the LON orbiter having the same critical issue is about as rare as it gets.Think of this as the ultimate backup plan.
tesheiner - 12/10/2007 8:33 AMQ: Why is the final "docking" manouver made on the R-bar instead of V-bar like with the ISS?
nathan.moeller - 12/10/2007 12:01 PMAs cool as it would be to see two shuttles linked up, I hope it never comes to pass.
Lee Jay - 12/10/2007 3:05 PMQuotenathan.moeller - 12/10/2007 12:01 PMAs cool as it would be to see two shuttles linked up, I hope it never comes to pass.As I've said before, this'll be the first mission on which I'm *hoping* for a roll-back (or, rather, a roll-over).
Rob in KC - 12/10/2007 4:23 PMRollaround Endeavour moves from Pad B to Pad A for STS-126, probably with the crawler changing direction at the folk in the crawlerway?
GW_Simulations - 12/10/2007 5:13 PMIn the unlikely event of a malfunction on STS-125, or any other Shuttle mission for that matter, that requires LON, would the first Shuttle still complete its planned mission, or would everything be abandoned?
Chris Bergin - 11/10/2007 11:03 PMhttp://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5252Wrote up the main points from the eight new STS-400 presentations in L2 in the best I could manage for a round up.Let's hope this mission remains only as cool pdfs.
Seattle Dave - 12/10/2007 11:29 PMHow much flexibility is there for the launch of Endeavour. It says Endeavour would launch one week later on the rescue mission, but if there was bad weather? The worst case scenario I thought of was the time of year, in the hurricane season. STS-125 Atlantis launches, in good weather, no sign, too far out, of a hurricane. One week later and they are rolling back Endeavour.Horrible pretend scenario, but possible. So how long coud Atlantis be a lifeboat until the weather passed?
GW_Simulations - 13/10/2007 5:24 AMI think the worst-case scenario for not launching Endeavour would be an RSLS. If something like that happened, could Atlantis try to land the crew?
Real Madrid - 13/10/2007 7:02 PMwhat means RSLS
GW_Simulations - 13/10/2007 6:24 AMI think the worst-case scenario for not launching Endeavour would be an RSLS. If something like that happened, could Atlantis try to land the crew?
Chandonn - 13/10/2007 7:27 PMQuoteGW_Simulations - 13/10/2007 6:24 AMI think the worst-case scenario for not launching Endeavour would be an RSLS. If something like that happened, could Atlantis try to land the crew?I don't know. I would think an RTLS abort would be worse. Especially considering how many astronauts think it would not be survivable.
DaveS - 13/10/2007 1:37 PMQuoteChandonn - 13/10/2007 7:27 PMQuoteGW_Simulations - 13/10/2007 6:24 AMI think the worst-case scenario for not launching Endeavour would be an RSLS. If something like that happened, could Atlantis try to land the crew?I don't know. I would think an RTLS abort would be worse. Especially considering how many astronauts think it would not be survivable.He wrote RSLS(Redundat Set Launch Sequencer), not RTLS(Return To Launch Site).
Jason Davies - 13/10/2007 4:03 PMQuoteGW_Simulations - 13/10/2007 5:24 AMI think the worst-case scenario for not launching Endeavour would be an RSLS. If something like that happened, could Atlantis try to land the crew?Is that where the engines ignite? How much of a hit does that involve? Not sure what you mean by Atlantis trying to land the crew, but did have an amussing image of that!
GW_Simulations - 13/10/2007 9:18 PMRSLS requires all 3 SSMEs be replaced, which usually means rollback (although I think it was once done at the pad.)
GW_Simulations - 13/10/2007 9:18 PMAs for Atlantis, I meant that if the rescue orbiter couldn't launch in time, could the crew risk re-entry in the damaged orbiter, if it were a choice between that, and running out of O2
psloss - 14/10/2007 2:14 PMSSME changeout and the 51-F, STS-55, and STS-51 vehicles remained at the pad during their turnarounds.
DaveS - 14/10/2007 9:39 AMQuotepsloss - 14/10/2007 2:14 PMSSME changeout and the 51-F, STS-55, and STS-51 vehicles remained at the pad during their turnarounds.Same thing for Challenger after the three SSME changeout following here first FRF prior to STS-6.
Rob in KC - 12/10/2007 3:23 PMRollaround Endeavour moves from Pad B to Pad A for STS-126, probably with the crawler changing direction at the folk in the crawlerway?
Maverick - 15/10/2007 5:59 AMIsn't there a big drive off at the fork between Pad A and Pad B? Could the MLP turn around or is it easier just putting it into reverse?
Maverick - 14/10/2007 10:59 PMIsn't there a big drive off at the fork between Pad A and Pad B?
Rob in KC - 15/10/2007 1:27 PMQuoteMaverick - 14/10/2007 10:59 PMIsn't there a big drive off at the fork between Pad A and Pad B? Here's an image of that area, not doable.