Author Topic: RED threshold late notice conjunction threat to ISS - Crew may evac into Soyuz (Read 51435 times)

bodge · « **Reply #20 on:** 03/12/2009 03:20 pm »

Anyone have the guidelines for what make a conjunction 'Red' vs medium or low?

bodge · « **Reply #21 on:** 03/12/2009 03:22 pm »

Also, looking at the tracking map, it looks like the conjunction will occur somewhere over the west coast of Africa, if not slightly inland.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #22 on:** 03/12/2009 03:27 pm »

Less than 10 minutes to the requirement for crew to be in Soyuz.

mmeijeri · « **Reply #23 on:** 03/12/2009 03:30 pm »

If like me you are struggling to get multi-tracking to work, here's a link:

http://www.n2yo.com/?s=25090|25544

If you click 'draw lines', it makes it easier to find both the ISS and the debris. You will have to copy the URL, since the |25544 bit gets left off by the forum software.

NavySpaceFan · « **Reply #24 on:** 03/12/2009 03:32 pm »

Finke and Magnus now on board Soyuz.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #25 on:** 03/12/2009 03:32 pm »

Col. Finke: "We are ready to depart" (in the case they need to).

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #26 on:** 03/12/2009 03:36 pm »

Now just minutes away from the conjunction threat.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #27 on:** 03/12/2009 03:38 pm »

This is hardly to scale, obviously...

Edgecrusher · « **Reply #28 on:** 03/12/2009 03:38 pm »

Looking at the real-time satellite tracker is really unnerving....

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #29 on:** 03/12/2009 03:40 pm »

Ok, so now we wait on instrumentation, such as pressure checks I assume.

simonbp · « **Reply #30 on:** 03/12/2009 03:40 pm »

If it's hit, it's already happened...

Simon

Colds7ream · « **Reply #31 on:** 03/12/2009 03:40 pm »

Awaiting a signal with held breath...

bodge · « **Reply #32 on:** 03/12/2009 03:42 pm »

Anyone speak Russian? All I got from the downlink was 'Good'.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #33 on:** 03/12/2009 03:42 pm »

Staying in Soyuz for five more minutes - MCC-M.

psloss · « **Reply #34 on:** 03/12/2009 03:44 pm »

Sorry if I missed this post earlier, but nasa.gov notes the conjuction, also notes the :35 to :45 period in the Soyuz:
http://www.nasa.gov/station/

Quote

Station Crew Takes Precautionary Measures Due to Space Debris

International Space Station Expedition 18 crew members are taking precautionary measures due to space debris that has been determined to be within the range where a collision is possible. News of the close approach came too late for flight controllers to coordinate an avoidance maneuver. A portion of a spent satellite motor is within the distance of the station's debris avoidance maneuver requirement "box."

Crew members are entering their Soyuz TMA-13 capsule and soft-locking the hatches, in case the debris should affect the space station and they are required to undock. The closure of the hatches ensures the safety of the crew and the ability to quickly depart the station in the unlikely event the debris collided with the station causing a depressurization.

The time of closest approach of the debris to the station is 12:39 p.m. EDT. Once the object is clear of the station, the crew will exit the Soyuz and reopen the hatches.

The crew will be in the Soyuz from 12:35-12:45 p.m. EDT. They will remain in the Soyuz until the debris risk has passed. Moving the crew into the Soyuz is a precaution, as the probability of impact is low. The crew is currently putting space station into an unmanned configuration, including several interior station hatches.