D-Day for July launch is June 30

[Chris Bergin]

June 30 - Griffin will give the go, no go for the July launch.
 
I'm informed by two seperate sources, one with USA, one with NASA that it is bang on 50/50 right now....due to the Ice Debris concerns. They both, ironically, used the 50/50 term.

[JamesSpaceFlight]

What happens if it comes back a no?

[WARPed]

JamesSpaceFlight - 16/6/2005  10:20 AM

What happens if it comes back a no?

I give up on waiting and go out to Florida on vacation anyway.  

[NASA_Twix_JSC]

JamesSpaceFlight - 16/6/2005  4:20 AM

What happens if it comes back a no?

Then we go to a September window.

[Chris Bergin]

To update, testing is still on-going and a number of days over the timeline that has a 'clean run to verfication and certification'.

Cert plan was on the timeline as the 13th of June.

Baseline Schedule 14th
ICB 15th
PRCB Info Presentation Requirements for BIN 16th.

My info may not be totally up to date, so I'm shooting to find out if we get to "90% FEC Engineering Review" by the 21st.

Big one is Delta DVR Review Presentation on the 24th.

Then the FRR on the 29th.

D-Day is the 30th, where Griffin decides if to proceed or not with the July window

[NASA_Twix_JSC]

You can see how the relevant timelines merge to this 29th and 30th meetings.

[Chris Bergin]

Yeah - but I'll assume they'll leave her on the pad if it's pushed back again?

[NASA_Twix_JSC]

Yes.

[Chris Bergin]

Mission: STS-114 - 17th ISS Flight (LF1) - Multi-Purpose Logistics Module    Location: Launch Pad 39B    Launch Date: Launch Planning Window: July 13 to 31    Launch Pad: 39B    Crew: Collins, Kelly, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Lawrence and Camarda    Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles  

Discovery was rolled out Wednesday to Launch Pad 39B on a Crawler Transporter. The four-mile journey began at 1:58 a.m. EDT and ended at 12:17 p.m.

The payload canister, including NASA's Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, was transferred to the launch pad on June 13. Payload installation began today. Payload connections are scheduled this weekend. Payload/orbiter interface testing begins early next week.

Loading hypergolic propellants is scheduled for June 22. This process includes loading the propellants, monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, into the Orbiter Maneuvering System and the Forward Reaction Control System.

[NASA_Twix_JSC]

It's not mentioned, but it's all on the DVR relevant to Ice, as we know.

[Chris Bergin]

Progresses success means there's enough oxygen on board the ISS for any STS-300 requirement.

[NASA_Twix_JSC]

Helps, but I think we may have an issue with Atlantis' ET-119 now. Remember, we need both Shuttle ready if we're going to launch Discovery.

[anik]

NASA_Twix_JSC - 20/6/2005  7:08 AM

Helps, but I think we may have an issue with Atlantis' ET-119 now. Remember, we need both Shuttle ready if we're going to launch Discovery.

Small correction... It's now planned to use ET-120 for Atlantis (STS-121)...

NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 17 June 2005
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=17054

"In the Vehicle Assembly Building, the External Tank (ET-120) and Solid Rocket Boosters originally scheduled to fly with Space Shuttle Discovery are located in high bay 1. This stack will now fly with Atlantis."

"The third redesigned External Tank (ET-119) arrived at Kennedy Space Center today. It will be offloaded Monday and transferred to the Vehicle Assembly Building. ET-119 is currently scheduled to fly with Atlantis on mission STS-115."

[NASA_Twix_JSC]

anik - 20/6/2005  10:36 AM

NASA_Twix_JSC - 20/6/2005  7:08 AM

Helps, but I think we may have an issue with Atlantis' ET-119 now. Remember, we need both Shuttle ready if we're going to launch Discovery.

Small correction... It's now planned to use ET-120 for Atlantis (STS-121)...

NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 17 June 2005
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=17054

"In the Vehicle Assembly Building, the External Tank (ET-120) and Solid Rocket Boosters originally scheduled to fly with Space Shuttle Discovery are located in high bay 1. This stack will now fly with Atlantis."

"The third redesigned External Tank (ET-119) arrived at Kennedy Space Center today. It will be offloaded Monday and transferred to the Vehicle Assembly Building. ET-119 is currently scheduled to fly with Atlantis on mission STS-115."

I saw that, but I believe that's an error.

ET-120 is going back to Michoud for modifications and a new diffuser, ET-119 flies with Atlantis.

[Chris Bergin]

Thanks Anik. A week ago this wasn't decided. I'm just asking some ET people at KSC if the Status report is right.

[anik]

NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 27 June 2005
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=17120

This week, Discovery is at Launch Pad 39B, and technicians are completing the final steps in preparation for a launch to the International Space Station in the July 13-31 window. Loading of hypergolic propellants began on Wednesday and is scheduled to be completed next week. This process includes loading the propellants, monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, into the Orbiter Maneuvering System and the Forward Reaction Control System.

The cargo, including NASA's Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello, was installed in the payload bay on June 17, followed by payload connections and payload/orbiter interface testing. Next week, the payload bay sharp-edge inspection will be performed and the payload bay doors will be closed for flight.

Yesterday, the Space Shuttle Program completed the Design Certification Review (DCR). The review was held to ensure that major program baseline changes since the DCR have been properly integrated and certified for flight.

Today, program leaders met for the Debris Verification Review (DVR) to summarize the extensive debris assessment effort that has been completed and to present the flight rationale for the debris. The DVR reached the conclusion that the potential for debris had been reduced to a more reasonable level, and this was the recommendation the Shuttle Program Manager accepted.

Next week, the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) will be held on June 29 and 30, and a launch date could be selected at the end of the review.

[anik]

Interesting information from "NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 28 June 2005"
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=17152

"Tomorrow the ISS will perform a translational reboost maneuver using Progress 18 propulsion, to optimize the upcoming LF-1/STS-114 launch window opportunities. The burn, at 4:18pm EDT, will last approximately 5m 8s for a delta-V of 1.3 m/s and altitude increase of 2.3 km (1.2 nm). [The maneuver will optimize the STS-114 launch season to allow for FD3 launch opportunities on July 13, July 15 and July 17 through 31. July 14 and 16 are the only two days within the July launch season that are not optimized for FD3 docking opportunities using this burn plan.]"

So Discovery willn't be launched on 14 and 16 July!...

[Rocket Guy]

This is true, Anik, but it will be further changed to allow for the early part of the window from what I have been informed.

If NASA decides to launch July 13, they will perform another ISS burn on July 6 to allow for FD-3 docking on July 14 and 16 (to keep those days intact).

This second burn will make July 25 and 27 FD-4 launches (and thus no attempt on those dates) and July 23 and 29 "marginal" dates.

[anik]

Ben - 29/6/2005  2:51 AM

This is true, Anik, but it will be further changed to allow for the early part of the window from what I have been informed.

If NASA decides to launch July 13, they will perform another ISS burn on July 6 to allow for FD-3 docking on July 14 and 16 (to keep those days intact).

Yes, of course, Ben!… When I said «So Discovery willn't be launched on 14 and 16 July!...», I didn’t take into account additional ISS maneuver on July 6…

Ben - 29/6/2005  2:51 AM

This second burn will make July 25 and 27 FD-4 launches (and thus no attempt on those dates) and July 23 and 29 "marginal" dates.

Hm… Expert from MCC-M told me that ISS maneuver on July 6 will provide the following Discovery’s launch dates – July 13 through 22, July 24, July 26 and July 28 through 31!

So...

1. Discovery willn't be launched on July 14 and 16 if ISS maneuver on June 29 will be only…

2. Discovery willn't be launched on July 23, 25 and 27 if ISS maneuvers on June 29 and July 6 will be…