LIVE: STS-118 - Flight Day 2 - Inspection Day

[Chris Bergin]

Two burns: NC2 and NC3 as they close in on the ISS.

Day of inspections to check the health of the orbiter's TPS (Wing Leading Edge RCC - Nose cap etc.) Ahead of FD3's Rbar Pitch Maneuver which will allow for photography of Endeavour's TPS.

Associated L2 section for FD2: Set of hi res External Tank images (after it was seperated) shows some foam loss, but overall looks like the ET performed well. Set of images of ascent debris events too. Checking into them too and will write up an article, which will include news of a master alarm overnight during crew sleep.

Article with some of that L2 info and small versions of the L2 images: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5193

Overall, status looks good.

Attached are a more complete overview of the FD:

[jacqmans]

Current position of the Shuttle...and ISS

[Chris Bergin]

Today's OBSS Survey is projected to end two hours earlier than normal. New methords being employed from previous experience of what's needed on the ground from the survey.

[David BAE]

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5193
Looks like the tank did well. Nothing off the IFRs?

[Chris Bergin]

There's various stages of image gathering, but the opening ones look pretty damn good. Popcorning is your normal stuff, couple of noted areas of liberation...but the IFRs have been very clean for a few flights now I believe.

[nathan.moeller]

Sounds like they only have two events of possible concern at T+24 and T+58.  But if they're smaller than the maximum allowable size, there's not much to worry about.  But the 'light colored spray noted two frames later' doesn't sound great.  Hopefully nothing.  Looking forward to OBSS work to get a look at those RCC panels.

[Ford Mustang]

Crew wake now.

Music: Where My Heart Will Take Me - Russel Watson [Performed for Rick Mastracchio]

[jmjawors]

Ford Mustang - 9/8/2007  7:38 AM  Crew wake now.

Theme from Enterprise.  "Where My Heart Will Take Me"

[Starline]

What about the red/orange flame from each SSME some second after the lift off? (all the engine in rapid sequence, seen in launch replay video camera UCS-12 )

Never seen in any STS launch.

Starline

PS maybe wrong topic but flight day 1 already closed

[Ford Mustang]

Now onboard Endeavour.

Picture 2:  So much work, yet so little people!

[shuttlefan]

Starline - 9/8/2007  7:47 AM

What about the red/orange flame from each SSME some second after the lift off? (all the engine in rapid sequence, seen in launch replay video camera UCS-12 )

Never seen in any STS launch.

Starline

PS maybe wrong topic but flight day 1 already closed

I actually noticed some flares in the SSME exhaust as I was watching the ascent live.

[Ford Mustang]

shuttlefan - 9/8/2007  9:32 AM

Starline - 9/8/2007  7:47 AM

What about the red/orange flame from each SSME some second after the lift off? (all the engine in rapid sequence, seen in launch replay video camera UCS-12 )

Never seen in any STS launch.

Starline

PS maybe wrong topic but flight day 1 already closed

I actually noticed some flares in the SSME exhaust as I was watching the ascent live.

Explained here: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=9256&posts=4#M171430

[Ford Mustang]

42 minutes for the next course correcting burn.

About an hour and some time until the OBSS is grappled and unberth'd.

[Chris Bergin]

20 minutes to NC2 burn.

[Ford Mustang]

About to maneuver Endeavour to the NC-2 burn attitude.