Author Topic: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread  (Read 62629 times)

Online Chris Bergin

121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« on: 05/20/2006 12:25 pm »
APU hot fire the next event....
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Offline Spirit

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RE: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #1 on: 05/20/2006 01:27 pm »
What does APU stand for?
Regards,
Atanas

Online Chris Bergin

RE: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #2 on: 05/20/2006 01:48 pm »
Quote
Spirit - 20/5/2006  2:14 PM

What does APU stand for?

Auxilary Power Unit.
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Online DaveS

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Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #3 on: 05/20/2006 01:52 pm »
Any idea when the hotfire will happen? Also, are they just starting the APUs or do they the aerosurface/SSME gimbal check too during the hotfire?
"For Sardines, space is no problem!"
-1996 Astronaut class slogan

"We're rolling in the wrong direction but for the right reasons"
-USA engineer about the rollback of Discovery prior to the STS-114 Return To Flight mission

Offline mkirk

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Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #4 on: 05/20/2006 02:25 pm »
Quote
DaveS - 20/5/2006  8:39 AM

Any idea when the hotfire will happen? Also, are they just starting the APUs or do they the aerosurface/SSME gimbal check too during the hotfire?

The hotfire is schedule for today.  That is why the RSS is still in the retract position if you look at the KSC video feeds.  The RSS will be extended once the test is complete.

The RSS needs to be out of the way because the APU exhaust duct is near the vertical stabilizer (note the red remove before flight streamer in the picture).

This is just a functional test of the APU itself and not full operational check of the entire hydraulic system.  I will have to look at the procedure and double check.


Later tonight I will post a rundown of the major "Pad" activities between now and the start of the countdown.

Mark Kirkman
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Online DaveS

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Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #5 on: 05/20/2006 02:41 pm »
Mark: Thanks! BTW, what's up with the missing tiles on the OMS pods at rollout?
"For Sardines, space is no problem!"
-1996 Astronaut class slogan

"We're rolling in the wrong direction but for the right reasons"
-USA engineer about the rollback of Discovery prior to the STS-114 Return To Flight mission

Offline astrobrian

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Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #6 on: 05/20/2006 04:40 pm »
Is it the APU port that is seen "puffing" in the FLIR shots during landing?  
And somehow I never noticed the remove before flight tag, maybe just not expecting it the :)

Offline HKS

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RE: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #7 on: 05/20/2006 05:19 pm »
I remember that an APU update (electrical APU's) was one of several proposed update to the space shuttles before the Columbia accident. To extend their operational time untill 2020.

Edit: Fixed typo...

Offline Jim

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Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #8 on: 05/20/2006 05:55 pm »
Quote
astrobrian - 20/5/2006  12:27 PM

Is it the APU port that is seen "puffing" in the FLIR shots during landing?  
And somehow I never noticed the remove before flight tag, maybe just not expecting it the :)

Yes, and they make the chugging soulnd prelaunch

Offline Jim

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RE: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #9 on: 05/20/2006 06:01 pm »
Quote
HKS - 20/5/2006  1:06 PM

I remember that an APU update (electronic APU's) was one of several proposed update to the space shuttles before the Columbia accident. To extend their operational time untill 2020.

It wasn't electronic, it was electrical motors (powered by batteries)  that would have been used to turn the hydraulic pumps

Online DaveS

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Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #10 on: 05/20/2006 09:44 pm »
Has anyone heard how the hotfire went? Since there has been very little mention of it, I assume it well and they're preparing for the RSS to roll around the vehicle.
"For Sardines, space is no problem!"
-1996 Astronaut class slogan

"We're rolling in the wrong direction but for the right reasons"
-USA engineer about the rollback of Discovery prior to the STS-114 Return To Flight mission

Online DaveS

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Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #11 on: 05/20/2006 11:49 pm »
"For Sardines, space is no problem!"
-1996 Astronaut class slogan

"We're rolling in the wrong direction but for the right reasons"
-USA engineer about the rollback of Discovery prior to the STS-114 Return To Flight mission

Offline Flightstar

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Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #12 on: 05/21/2006 12:23 am »
Quote
DaveS - 20/5/2006  4:31 PM

Has anyone heard how the hotfire went? Since there has been very little mention of it, I assume it well and they're preparing for the RSS to roll around the vehicle.

I'm not in work this weekend, but I have made a call and it was completed without any issues or flags.

Offline mkirk

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RE: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #13 on: 05/21/2006 12:43 am »

Here is a basic rundown of typical launch pad activities between now and the start of the shuttle launch countdown. Some steps may occur in parallel or in a different order, others are sub steps of a previously mentioned task. The OMI (operations maintenance instruction) is the title of the controlling document for the particular procedure. I will have a detailed overview of the launch countdown when we get to that point.

• SSV (space shuttle vehicle) Transfer to Pad B – OMI A5214
• Launch Pad Validation Checks – OMI S0009
• APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) Confidence Run/Hot Fire
• RSS (Rotating Service Structure) Extend
• Open Payload Bay Doors
• Install Payload
• Engine Flight Readiness Test – OMI V1046
• SSME Ball Seal Leak Checks – OMI V1046
• OMBUU (orbiter mid body umbilical unit) Mate/Leak Checks
• Helium Signature Test – OMI V1202
• Countdown Simulation – OMI S0044 (if required/desired)
• TCDT (Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test) – OMI S0017
• Ordnance Installation Operations Part I – OMI S5009
• Pre-Launch Hypergolic Propellant Loading – OMI S0024
• Ordnance Installation Operations Part II – OMI S5009
• FCE (Flight Crew Equipment) Stowage Operations
• Hypergolic Closeouts – OMI S0024
• LOX System Dew Point/Conditioning/ET Purges – OMI S1005
• LH2 System Dew Point/Conditioning/ET Purges – OMI S1006
• Payload Bay Closeout
• Payload Bay Doors Closed for Flight
• Orbiter Aft Closeouts – OMI S1287
• Pre-Count Operation Support Setups
• Launch Countdown – OMI S0007

Mark Kirkman
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Offline Avron

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Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #14 on: 05/21/2006 07:52 pm »
Nineteen steps to go -:)

Offline Wisi

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Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #15 on: 05/22/2006 02:47 pm »
So Payload bay doors are open?

Offline HKS

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RE: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #16 on: 05/22/2006 02:48 pm »
Update from Florida Today:

Looks like the APU test went fine... :)

Quote
Shuttle engine test preps under way
Preparations for a key prelaunch engine test are under way at Kennedy Space Center today as NASA marches toward the planned July 1 launch of Discovery on the agency's second post-Columbia test flight.

The Flight Readiness Test involves gimbaling the engines and cycling valves within them........
http://www.floridatoday.com/floridatoday/blogs/spaceteam/2006/05/shuttle-engine-test-preps-under-way.html

Offline mkirk

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RE: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #17 on: 05/22/2006 04:38 pm »
Yeah they engine FRT (flight readiness test) is set for Tuesday.  It is about a 24 hour process that will involve powering up the main engine controllers, activating the flight control system, checking the actuators, pneumatics, and engine valves then closing  everything up and securing the systems.

Here are a couple of pics from PAO of Discovery at the PAD.  One is shot from the hyrogen vent arm area and the other is from the fixed service structure.

Mark Kirkman
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Offline mkirk

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RE: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #18 on: 05/22/2006 05:18 pm »
Here is the KSC PAO Shuttle Status for Discovery

Mission: STS-121 - 18th International Space Station Flight (ULF1.1) -
Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Launch Processing Window July 1-19, 2006
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Lindsey, Kelly, Sellers, Fossum, Nowak, Wilson and Reiter
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

On May 19, the crawler transporter carrying Space Shuttle Discovery
left the Vehicle Assembly Building at 12:45 p.m. on its 4.2-mile
journey to Launch Pad 39B and arrived nearly eight hours later.

Technicians performed a "hot fire" test of the auxiliary power units
on Saturday to ensure they are properly functioning. Later that
evening, the rotating service structure was moved back around the
vehicle to protect it from potential damage and the elements while at
the pad.

Today, the launch team at the pad began preparing for the flight
readiness test of the space shuttle main engines. Liquid hydrogen and
liquid oxygen system leak checks are scheduled for this afternoon.
The test will ensure the engine hydraulics are working properly.

The payload arrived at the pad last week. Technicians will open the
payload bay doors on the orbiter this afternoon and the payload will
be transferred into the payload bay on Tuesday.


Mark Kirkman
Mark Kirkman

Offline eeergo

Re: 121: Discovery at the pad update thread
« Reply #19 on: 05/22/2006 06:44 pm »
What is the whitish strip on the lower part of the tank, on the orbiter-free side? I don't recall seeing it in any other flights... There aren't any PAL ramps down there, are they?
-DaviD-

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