After the installation of the AMS, is there any place left to attach ELC-5? Are there any items left that would need to be attached via ELC to take up when the extra shuttle flight is added by congress? (OK - still optimistic this will become a reality)?
Thanks for that info - but I was curious if there was any physical attach points left. If not, the question is moot. Or if there are any other places it could be attached besides the truss. Or if there are any other ESPs that could go up and any attach points for them left.
There will be no attachment points left on the Truss after STS-134/ULF-6 - all 4 PASs (Payload Attach Systems) on the S3 Truss and all 2 UCCASs (Unpressurised Cargo Carrier Attach Systems) on the P3 Truss will be occupied.
The ESPs aren't deployed to PASes–The ESP-3 is deployed to a PVRGF (PhotoVoltaic Radiator Grappling Fixture) and ESP-2 is mounted to a ESPAD, or ESP Attachment Device (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/External_Stowage_Platform). ESP-1 is unclear.
Quote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 03:31 amThe ESPs aren't deployed to PASes–The ESP-3 is deployed to a PVRGF (PhotoVoltaic Radiator Grappling Fixture) and ESP-2 is mounted to a ESPAD, or ESP Attachment Device (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/External_Stowage_Platform). ESP-1 is unclear.• ESP-1 is attached to the aft-portside facing Trunnion pin on the Lab.• ESP-2 is attached to the ESPAD, and the ESPAD is attached to the two forward facing Trunnion pins on the A/L.• ESP-3 is attached to the nadir-outboard PAS (PAS no. 4) on the S3 Truss.
PVRGFs have nothing to do with the ESPs - I think they attach to the TCS radiators to allow them to be grappled by the SSRMS (never rely on Wikipedia for technical space info ). An image of a PVRGF (mounted atop the P5 Truss and grappled by the SRMS during STS-116) is attached.
Quote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 12:45 pmQuote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 03:31 amThe ESPs aren't deployed to PASes–The ESP-3 is deployed to a PVRGF (PhotoVoltaic Radiator Grappling Fixture) and ESP-2 is mounted to a ESPAD, or ESP Attachment Device (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/External_Stowage_Platform). ESP-1 is unclear.• ESP-1 is attached to the aft-portside facing Trunnion pin on the Lab.• ESP-2 is attached to the ESPAD, and the ESPAD is attached to the two forward facing Trunnion pins on the A/L.• ESP-3 is attached to the nadir-outboard PAS (PAS no. 4) on the S3 Truss.Can't we "add" more trunion pins to Tranquility or Harmony and (A) attach the ELC-5 to it; -or- (B) move the ESP-3 and put the ELC-5 in its place on the Truss?
Quote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 01:17 pmQuote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 12:45 pmQuote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 03:31 amThe ESPs aren't deployed to PASes–The ESP-3 is deployed to a PVRGF (PhotoVoltaic Radiator Grappling Fixture) and ESP-2 is mounted to a ESPAD, or ESP Attachment Device (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/External_Stowage_Platform). ESP-1 is unclear.• ESP-1 is attached to the aft-portside facing Trunnion pin on the Lab.• ESP-2 is attached to the ESPAD, and the ESPAD is attached to the two forward facing Trunnion pins on the A/L.• ESP-3 is attached to the nadir-outboard PAS (PAS no. 4) on the S3 Truss.Can't we "add" more trunion pins to Tranquility or Harmony and (A) attach the ELC-5 to it; -or- (B) move the ESP-3 and put the ELC-5 in its place on the Truss?Definitely not - Trunnion pins are load-bearing structural elements that attach to the structure of the module pressure shell. In other words, they are part of the "core structure" of a module, and cannot simply be "bolted on". There are numerous "free" Trunnion pins on the ISS currently, so another ESPAD-type device could probably be attached to any of those. However, ELC-5 is a fairly large and heavy item, and so clearances and structural loading would probably be "show stopping" issues for attaching ELC-5 to another ESPAD.
Quote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 01:33 pmQuote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 01:17 pmQuote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 12:45 pmQuote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 03:31 amThe ESPs aren't deployed to PASes–The ESP-3 is deployed to a PVRGF (PhotoVoltaic Radiator Grappling Fixture) and ESP-2 is mounted to a ESPAD, or ESP Attachment Device (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/External_Stowage_Platform). ESP-1 is unclear.• ESP-1 is attached to the aft-portside facing Trunnion pin on the Lab.• ESP-2 is attached to the ESPAD, and the ESPAD is attached to the two forward facing Trunnion pins on the A/L.• ESP-3 is attached to the nadir-outboard PAS (PAS no. 4) on the S3 Truss.Can't we "add" more trunion pins to Tranquility or Harmony and (A) attach the ELC-5 to it; -or- (B) move the ESP-3 and put the ELC-5 in its place on the Truss?Definitely not - Trunnion pins are load-bearing structural elements that attach to the structure of the module pressure shell. In other words, they are part of the "core structure" of a module, and cannot simply be "bolted on". There are numerous "free" Trunnion pins on the ISS currently, so another ESPAD-type device could probably be attached to any of those. However, ELC-5 is a fairly large and heavy item, and so clearances and structural loading would probably be "show stopping" issues for attaching ELC-5 to another ESPAD.Where are these pins located? It may not be necessary, but if we did have an ELC-5, couldn't we do my aforementioned and quoted "Option B" plan and make this a three-step process:1). Deliver an ESPAD on the LMC or ELC-5 slated for launch to the station on STS-135, and then have a crewmember attach it to the trunion pins.2). Take Canadarm2 (or both robotic arms, need be) and relocate ESP-33). Place ELC-5 on the now-opened PAS created by ESP-3 relocation
Quote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 03:45 pmQuote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 01:33 pmQuote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 01:17 pmQuote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 12:45 pmQuote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 03:31 amThe ESPs aren't deployed to PASes–The ESP-3 is deployed to a PVRGF (PhotoVoltaic Radiator Grappling Fixture) and ESP-2 is mounted to a ESPAD, or ESP Attachment Device (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/External_Stowage_Platform). ESP-1 is unclear.• ESP-1 is attached to the aft-portside facing Trunnion pin on the Lab.• ESP-2 is attached to the ESPAD, and the ESPAD is attached to the two forward facing Trunnion pins on the A/L.• ESP-3 is attached to the nadir-outboard PAS (PAS no. 4) on the S3 Truss.Can't we "add" more trunion pins to Tranquility or Harmony and (A) attach the ELC-5 to it; -or- (B) move the ESP-3 and put the ELC-5 in its place on the Truss?Definitely not - Trunnion pins are load-bearing structural elements that attach to the structure of the module pressure shell. In other words, they are part of the "core structure" of a module, and cannot simply be "bolted on". There are numerous "free" Trunnion pins on the ISS currently, so another ESPAD-type device could probably be attached to any of those. However, ELC-5 is a fairly large and heavy item, and so clearances and structural loading would probably be "show stopping" issues for attaching ELC-5 to another ESPAD.Where are these pins located? It may not be necessary, but if we did have an ELC-5, couldn't we do my aforementioned and quoted "Option B" plan and make this a three-step process:1). Deliver an ESPAD on the LMC or ELC-5 slated for launch to the station on STS-135, and then have a crewmember attach it to the trunion pins.2). Take Canadarm2 (or both robotic arms, need be) and relocate ESP-33). Place ELC-5 on the now-opened PAS created by ESP-3 relocationTrunnion pins can be found on any ISS component delivered by the Shuttle (the Trunnion pins are what hold the payloads in the PLB). It may be possible to add another ESPAD to an unused Trunnion pin and relocate ESP-3 to it, but as I said earlier, there would likely be clearance and structural loading issues. Additional wiring would also be needed to provide ESP-3 with electrical power + data/command & control capability.
Quote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 04:43 pmQuote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 03:45 pmQuote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 01:33 pmQuote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 01:17 pmQuote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 12:45 pmQuote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 03:31 amThe ESPs aren't deployed to PASes–The ESP-3 is deployed to a PVRGF (PhotoVoltaic Radiator Grappling Fixture) and ESP-2 is mounted to a ESPAD, or ESP Attachment Device (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/External_Stowage_Platform). ESP-1 is unclear.• ESP-1 is attached to the aft-portside facing Trunnion pin on the Lab.• ESP-2 is attached to the ESPAD, and the ESPAD is attached to the two forward facing Trunnion pins on the A/L.• ESP-3 is attached to the nadir-outboard PAS (PAS no. 4) on the S3 Truss.Can't we "add" more trunion pins to Tranquility or Harmony and (A) attach the ELC-5 to it; -or- (B) move the ESP-3 and put the ELC-5 in its place on the Truss?Definitely not - Trunnion pins are load-bearing structural elements that attach to the structure of the module pressure shell. In other words, they are part of the "core structure" of a module, and cannot simply be "bolted on". There are numerous "free" Trunnion pins on the ISS currently, so another ESPAD-type device could probably be attached to any of those. However, ELC-5 is a fairly large and heavy item, and so clearances and structural loading would probably be "show stopping" issues for attaching ELC-5 to another ESPAD.Where are these pins located? It may not be necessary, but if we did have an ELC-5, couldn't we do my aforementioned and quoted "Option B" plan and make this a three-step process:1). Deliver an ESPAD on the LMC or ELC-5 slated for launch to the station on STS-135, and then have a crewmember attach it to the trunion pins.2). Take Canadarm2 (or both robotic arms, need be) and relocate ESP-33). Place ELC-5 on the now-opened PAS created by ESP-3 relocationTrunnion pins can be found on any ISS component delivered by the Shuttle (the Trunnion pins are what hold the payloads in the PLB). It may be possible to add another ESPAD to an unused Trunnion pin and relocate ESP-3 to it, but as I said earlier, there would likely be clearance and structural loading issues. Additional wiring would also be needed to provide ESP-3 with electrical power + data/command & control capability.So it's possible, but unlikely (not like having ELC-5 was likely to become an STS-135 payload, which is an unlikely mission in and of itself too).
Don't be so sure of that (STS-135) these days!
Quote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 05:52 pmDon't be so sure of that (STS-135) these days! Are you suggesting that you think it will fly?
Quote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 06:27 pmQuote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 05:52 pmDon't be so sure of that (STS-135) these days! Are you suggesting that you think it will fly?I'll stick my neck out and say yes, I think it will fly.
Quote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 06:39 pmQuote from: orbiter62995 on 07/17/2010 06:27 pmQuote from: Space Pete on 07/17/2010 05:52 pmDon't be so sure of that (STS-135) these days! Are you suggesting that you think it will fly?I'll stick my neck out and say yes, I think it will fly. That'd be nice. At this point though, it'll be mid-April 2011 before it does, correct?