Author Topic: STS-121: July 1 Launch SCRUB (Read 137038 times)

Spirit · « **Reply #80 on:** 07/01/2006 02:33 pm »

There are 44 RCS thrusters. I think they will make it with 43

In case they scrub today's launch due to poor weather, could they fix the thruster for tomorrow?

kneecaps · « **Reply #81 on:** 07/01/2006 02:37 pm »

It isn't the thruster, its the heater for the thuster...its about thermal conditioning. It 'may' or 'may not' work without that heater, the thinking seems to be they can troubleshoot on orbit. Station keeping can still be done should the thruster fail (or be inhibited) due to the heater issue. I beleive that the end result of not having this vernier thruster available is increased rcs prop usage.

DaveS · « **Reply #82 on:** 07/01/2006 02:39 pm »

Quote

kneecaps - 1/7/2006 4:24 PM

It isn't the thruster, its the heater for the thuster...its about thermal conditioning. It 'may' or 'may not' work without that heater, the thinking seems to be they can troubleshoot on orbit. Station keeping can still be done should the thruster fail (or be inhibited) due to the heater issue. I beleive that the end result of not having this vernier thruster available is increased rcs prop usage.

Well, the flight ruls state if the heater is failed, the thruster's failed. So they don't have this thruster right now.

psloss · « **Reply #83 on:** 07/01/2006 02:41 pm »

According to a recent PAO announcement, if the heater for the thruster has failed, the thruster is considered failed. There are 44 RCS "jets," but only 6 verniers and only 4 in the aft.

Avron · « **Reply #84 on:** 07/01/2006 02:50 pm »

Any chance of a scrub.. have internet for one hour ( the joys of been up on the waterways).. but I would rather have them launch today, less cycles on the tank...

Svetoslav · « **Reply #85 on:** 07/01/2006 02:55 pm »

There IS indeed chance of a scrub, but NASA is calling for a plan that the heater could be repaired on orbit and launching the shuttle as is.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #86 on:** 07/01/2006 02:55 pm »

Quote

Avron - 1/7/2006 3:37 PM

Any chance of a scrub.. have internet for one hour ( the joys of been up on the waterways).. but I would rather have them launch today, less cycles on the tank...

You're in a boat again?

We're still where we are as previously noted. They are looking to see if they can still launch with this - and that meeting is still being worked. Engineers will present for and against rationale - managment will make a decision. That's what we're waiting to hear.

Svetoslav · « **Reply #87 on:** 07/01/2006 02:57 pm »

Wow, Chris, what are these clouds over the horizon? I don't like this!

Jim · « **Reply #88 on:** 07/01/2006 02:58 pm »

It's florida

HKS · « **Reply #89 on:** 07/01/2006 02:58 pm »

Look on image from the STS-114 launch, you'll se that from that view, it was also alot of clouds that day...

DaveS · « **Reply #90 on:** 07/01/2006 02:58 pm »

They're not showing up any of the recent radar images on the KSC weather channel, so I'm not too wooried about them. Also, clouds like that have been passing into/out of view for the past few hours.

nacnud · « **Reply #91 on:** 07/01/2006 02:59 pm »

Their only clumulus clouds, so far.

Flightstar · « **Reply #92 on:** 07/01/2006 03:01 pm »

Weather update: The weather for today's 3:49 pm EDT launch of the Space Shuttle will probably be OK at the launch site, since an easterly sea breeze is expected to push today's thunderstorm activity inland. However, upper level westerly winds may carry the upper "anvil" portion of any thunderstorms that might develop west of the launch site back east over the Shuttle, creating high clouds that the shuttle cannot fly through. I give the Shuttle a 60% chance of good enough weather to fly today.
Dr. Jeff Masters

Jim · « **Reply #93 on:** 07/01/2006 03:05 pm »

watching HDNET. The video is unreal. Especially the taped stuff.

Commentator is bad, though.

Avron · « **Reply #94 on:** 07/01/2006 03:06 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 1/7/2006 10:42 AM

Quote
Avron - 1/7/2006 3:37 PM

Any chance of a scrub.. have internet for one hour ( the joys of been up on the waterways).. but I would rather have them launch today, less cycles on the tank...

You're in a boat again?

Yes... my view on the world.. waiting to lock through:

rdale · « **Reply #95 on:** 07/01/2006 03:07 pm »

NWS will put the satellite in "rapid scan" mode which will give us 5-min instead of 15-min updates starting at 12:26pm EDT (1626Z) and running through 1026pm EDT (0226Z) for Shuttle ops and for severe weather. Best image is available http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/get-goes?satellite=GOES-E%20CONUS&info=vis&lat=27.3&lon=-80.8&width=900&height=700&zoom=1

Unfortunately early look at observed data from soundings launched out of KSC and Tampa showing winds slightly stronger at upper levels than earlier forecast which would whip anvil clouds from any afternoon convection to overspread the region sooner.

Svetoslav · « **Reply #96 on:** 07/01/2006 03:13 pm »

We still don't know whether we are go or no-go. Debates about the faulty thruster continue.

Stardust9906 · « **Reply #97 on:** 07/01/2006 03:14 pm »

Members of the ice team at the base of the pad. Certainly puts the size of this bird into perspective.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #98 on:** 07/01/2006 03:16 pm »

Quote

Svetoslav - 1/7/2006 4:00 PM

We still don't know whether we are go or no-go. Debates about the faulty thruster continue.

We don't, but we've got a long way to go yet.

I'm speaking with one of the guys on a console relating to the ET - obviously when he's able to communicate.

I'm also speaking with an observer in the Launch Control Center.

RDale's the best guy for the weather updates.

We have about 100 Shuttle related people as members on the site, so you guys can chip in if and when you can with relevant updates.

kraisee · « **Reply #99 on:** 07/01/2006 03:34 pm »

Weatherwise, I heard that the expectation last night was some disturbed weather early this afternoon (maybe even anvils), clearing later in the afternoon, HOPEFULLY in time for the launch.

If that's the case (and I don't know that it is), the sooner the clouds build, the better - because hopefully then the sooner they'll git moving away too.

Ross.