LIVE: STS-124 Flight Day 15 (EOM) - Deobit, Re-Entry and Landing

[Ford Mustang]

Flight Day 15/EOM coverage of STS-124:

Preview article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5450

STS-124 Mission Articles:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/cat.asp?cid=4


The two deorbit opportunities to Kennedy Space Center occur on orbit 217 and 218.

STS-124 Landing Ground Tracks

Weather Thread - http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=13459.0

**Please note, this is interactive, but all posts need to be on topic. If you post images, no more than two per post**

L2 Members: Select: "Tags" - "Video" - "Entry" and choose which re-entry video you wish to sync up with from payload bay closure or Deorbit burn through to post landing via handheld camcorder on the flight deck.
Also select "Handbooks" or "Checklists" for all Deorbit and Entry proceedure PDFs.

[Ford Mustang]

_{I'll be back for my normal landing coverage around 8:30 AM EDT}

FD-15 / EOM TV Schedule:

[Jones36]

I take it EDW is not being activated for tomorrrow?
I recall reading they did have 4 opportunites to land. Guess the WX is good enough at KSC not to need.

[nathan.moeller]

Weather Thread - http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=13459.0

Edwards will be activated on Sunday should they miss the two attempts today.  Not sure what the story is for White Sands, but that's always a last-ditch option.

[nathan.moeller]

Runway one-five is the current runway of choice for today's landing.  But remember that it can change up until they're close to the HAC.

By my best guess (made from the ground track maps), Kelly will guide Discovery through a 260-degree left overhead turn to line up with Runway one-five.  I'm off to bed.  Will hope to wake up with Discovery in the skies over Florida.

[Chris Bergin]

Landing Day article:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5450

Includes OMS content, mainly relates to some scenarios engineers worked for future info, and a quick preview to her next mission.

[SpaceNutz SA]

2 landing ground tracks for today:

[cb6785]

FD 15 execute package online: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/248059main_fd15_exec_pkg.pdf

[VB94]

All post-sleep activities are complete.
Crew now working on the Deorbit Prep checklist.

[maxx]

The crew received first weather bulletin a few minutes ago: all looking good for the first opportunity. Light wind, few clouds.

RWY33 is currently the runway of choice, however CDR Mark Kelly expressed a preference for RWY15(?) due to sun glare

(please correct if I made a mistake - no morning coffee yet)

[DaveS]

RWY33 is currently the runway of choice, however CDR Mark Kelly expressed a preference for RWY15(?) due to sun glare

Other way around. RWY15 is the current runway of choice, but could be switched to RWY33 due to glare in the CDR window during the HAC fly-around.

[kimmern123]

Any reason for why Kelly would prefer RWY15 over RWY33?

[kneecaps]

Commander Kelly should shortly be working the 'Ensure BFS can command an IDP' procedure in the Deorbit Prep book.

[maxx]

Any reason for why Kelly would prefer RWY15 over RWY33?

I've heard it's due to sun glare...

[kimmern123]

Any reason for why Kelly would prefer RWY15 over RWY33?

I've heard it's due to sun glare...

I thought that's why they're considering to switch to RWY33.

[maxx]

Any reason for why Kelly would prefer RWY15 over RWY33?

I've heard it's due to sun glare...

I thought that's why they're considering to switch to RWY33.

Yep, me too, but DaveS said it was the other way around...
Seems that I wasn't so sleepy after all or maybe I was... Someone can chime in an give an authoritative answer?

[Moonbase_Alphan]

RWY33 is currently the runway of choice, however CDR Mark Kelly expressed a preference for RWY15(?) due to sun glare

(please correct if I made a mistake - no morning coffee yet)

Kelly prefers 15, but it is not being chosen due to sun glare off the windows. Kelly inquired about how bad the glare was, because if it was minor he would press for 15 instead of 33. But the glare is in the sweet spot on approach and not desirable.

[desertflower7]

Yep, me too, but DaveS said it was the other way around...
Seems that I wasn't so sleepy after all or maybe I was... Someone can chime in an give an authoritative answer?

CAPCOM called up to tell Kelly there will be glare on the CDR windows, and said they may change from 15 to 33. Kelly said okay, but called back a moment later to ask how significant the glare will be. Some discussion back and forth led Kelly to conclude that if the glare was minor, he prefers to use 15.

[kneecaps]

The 'partial entry switch list' procedures should now be in work.

[kneecaps]

Standing by for Go/No-go for Payload Bay Door closing.