NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
NASA Shuttle Specific Sections => Atlantis (Post STS-135, T&R) => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 03/31/2009 04:17 am
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Processing coverage of Atlantis/STS-125 Rollout to Pad, through to S0007 launch countdown.
Specific Article: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/03/atlantis-rollout-to-pad-39a-fcv-plan-set-up-for-sts-125400/
Lots of articles already, starting with mission overviews and processing:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2008/02/sts-125-processing-for-hubble-atlantis-to-be-super-modified/
From mission planning to processing to the point of the HST issue:
and even before that from 2006: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/page/12/?s=STS-125
And from the HST issue onwards:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/sts-125/
L2 Members follow the dedicated Space Flight L2: STS-125/LON-400 Special (which was already the biggest mission special).
Rollout first motion due to start at 4am local. We might see some shots via:
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/ - prior to NASA TV coverage at 6:30am.
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Rollout coverage started w/shot from OTV 001...
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Rollin' rollin' rollin'...
(fascinating watching the water truck spraying the crawlerway in front of all those lights)
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Now playing live on NASA-TV, BTW.
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Early morning nature sounds from around the press site, but no PAO commentary as of yet.
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Morning processsing report is in. MLP first motion occurred at 0354L.
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I was wondering for a long time now how the start time for a shuttle rollout to the pad is determined?
thx, Stefan
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Early morning nature sounds from around the press site, but no PAO commentary as of yet.
Commentary would be unusual (though not unprecedented).
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Early morning nature sounds from around the press site, but no PAO commentary as of yet.
Commentary would be unusual (though not unprecedented).
Highly unusual! Commentary during rollouts since RTF have only been on the two STS-114 rollouts.
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bish48: Please post screen captures in jpg please! This reduces the file size.
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bish48: Please post screen captures in jpg please! This reduces the file size.
Sorry, I selected the wrong images and hit the button, tried to stop it but was too late.
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Look great now Bish, thanks - and also to Mike, who never seems to sleep :)
Article surrounding rollout, Atlantis' FCV status and more on site in about an hour.
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Fresh water truck coming.
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Great camera view of birds fishing in the water.
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That's a beautiful sight first thing in the morning!
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Great camera view of birds fishing in the water.
I think the "bird" in the background is a bit more impressive ;)
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Security chopper?
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Now in sight of camera 070
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Great camera view of birds fishing in the water
During the STS-119 countdown I saw a bird fight break out over that turning basin -- a half dozen ospreys swarming around a bald eagle!
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Coming up on the curve.
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Well that was an impressive drive by.... if you weren't careful you could have closed your eyes for 15 minutes and missed the whole thing... ;)
Question- I may have missed it - Is the payload already at the pad waiting? I can't recall if it was sent out already or if that is coming yet?
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Question- I may have missed it - Is the payload already at the pad waiting? I can't recall if it was sent out already or if that is coming yet?
Payloads go to pad on April 18.
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Paused at the start of the slope.
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Problem?
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Problem?
May just be letting the track bearings cool down.
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Rollout article, with a lot of the forward plan for Atlantis and Endeavour's Flow Control Valves:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/03/atlantis-rollout-to-pad-39a-fcv-plan-set-up-for-sts-125400/
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Nice view (crawler still not moving)
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Nice view (crawler still not moving)
Yeah. If the payload and the STS-400 vehicle get to the pad(s) about the same time like last September, that would be another nice vantage point for some imagery.
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Water truck is starting to spray again, so they may be ready to go.
Moving!
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STS-125 payloads to pad: April 18
STS-400 rollout to pad B: April 21
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STS-125 payloads to pad: April 18
STS-400 rollout to pad B: April 21
Last I saw/heard, the intent was to move 400 rollover to 10 April, and rollout to pad to 17 April.
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Nice view of the new lightning towers on Pad B.
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In picture 2873 and the one following have some great pictures of the lighting towers on 39B. Looked huge on NASA TV with the lights blinking.
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Can't watch enough of this camera angle!
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She's made good time. About 90 minutes to expected hard-down. They could ease off the revs if they wanted to ;)
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What are those small trailers in the foreground at the moment?
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What are those small trailers in the foreground at the moment?
Lights & generators.
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Creeping forward slowly.
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Seems amazing to me that the entire pad/stack sit on what amounts to match sticks in the ground... I am assuming that the pad is held up by a few of this white towers??
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STS-125 payloads to pad: April 18
STS-400 rollout to pad B: April 21
Last I saw/heard, the intent was to move 400 rollover to 10 April, and rollout to pad to 17 April.
Yes, I saw those same dates (10 and 17) just yesterday. I recall because I put them in my Outlook calendar so I wouldn't miss the events. I can't recall where I saw it (Harwood's site) because I was reading stuff everywhere yesterday, so I'm unable to confirm the source.
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Seems amazing to me that the entire pad/stack sit on what amounts to match sticks in the ground... I am assuming that the pad is held up by a few of this white towers??
Right. They're not quite as fragile as matchsticks, though. :)
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Click to animate
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Is the crawler limited to 1mph all the time or is that just the limit when it's carrying the shuttle stack and MLP?
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They must have told him he was on TV!
(he was waving at the camera)
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Yes, I thought maybe it was padrat. The crawler transport is 1 mph loaded and 2mph empty if I recall.
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If I undestand correctly, this is the MLP-2.
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They must have told him he was on TV!
(he was waving at the camera)
It must be a bit intimidating standing there with so much weight hanging almost directly over your head... BUt on the other hand,, I would love to stand there.. I kind of envy him.. :)
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In the NASA TV view at the moment we can obviously see 39A and 39B. How far apart are the two pads? This camera angle is deceptive and shrinks the distance.
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Looks like the platform has been lowered a few inches so far.
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10 minutes to ISS hour and probably end of live coverage...
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39B is about 1.7 miiles NW of 39A.
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end of live coverage, but KSC video feeds have two cameras still in:
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/
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Going down
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Getting lower.
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Almost there:
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These pictures give you a good view of the grounding cable that they use to connect the MLP to the Support to prevent shock and sparks. It also shows the size of the flange that they use to bolt the two together. It is just not a pin that holds them.
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These pictures give you a good view of the grounding cable that they use to connect the MLP to the Support to prevent shock and sparks. It also shows the size of the flange that they use to bolt the two together. It is just not a pin that holds them.
Padrat answered recently that the pads aren't bolted down for Shuttle launches. The MLP just sits on the pedestals.
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So close...
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And that should be hard down.
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These pictures give you a good view of the grounding cable that they use to connect the MLP to the Support to prevent shock and sparks. It also shows the size of the flange that they use to bolt the two together. It is just not a pin that holds them.
Padrat answered recently that the pads aren't bolted down for Shuttle launches. The MLP just sits on the pedestals.
Yes I remember him saying that, but if you look at the flanges the do have bolt holes. Maybe they don't use them though.
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Harddown confirmed. Great work Mike!
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Yes I remember him saying that, but if you look at the flanges the do have bolt holes. Maybe they don't use them though.
Too much trouble to change the flanges from the original Apollo/Saturn days, I imagine.
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Images now up at KSC:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
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Maybe asking this question too early (if so please let me know when (i.e. what meeting) this is decided at), but what is the launch window and therefore proposed launch time on 12/05/09 and what will be the countdown timeline?
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crawler has been lowered:
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Maybe asking this question too early (if so please let me know when (i.e. what meeting) this is decided at), but what is the launch window and therefore proposed launch time on 12/05/09 and what will be the countdown timeline?
On May 12 the launch time would be about 1:11 PM EDT. That would be 5:11 PM GMT. For a launch to Hubble the daily launch windows are about one hour long. The launch window is aprroximately 30 minutes earlier for each day after May 12.
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crawler leaving:
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crew access arm and beanie cap are in place.
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Yes I remember him saying that, but if you look at the flanges the do have bolt holes. Maybe they don't use them though.
They may have bolted them down during apollo, I'm not sure. But nowadays it just sits on there. If you were to get a closer look at them, you'd see that the whole flange assembly is basically like a huge screw. It can be rotated to raise and lower it, probably to make up for any leveling differences between the MLPs. I would assume that is one good reason not to bolt it down, also that it just isn't needed as the MLPs have just sat there since the beginning of the shuttle program without a problem. BTW, only six of those pedestals actually hold the MLP, the rest are actually sound suppression and ventilation lines.
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Thanks Padrat for the answer.
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Is that an alignment "pin" I see hanging down from the MLP's side of the pad interface (inside the flange itself)?
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Is that an alignment "pin" I see hanging down from the MLP's side of the pad interface (inside the flange itself)?
It is. Each mounting flange has one (3 per side).
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Why would the beanie cap be in place already?
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Why would the beanie cap be in place already?
If I'm not mistaken, just a fit check and then it's retracted until later in the pad flow.
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http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
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OTV-070 is zoomed in on the APUs, not sure if it'll stay that way for hot fire or not:
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HST SM4 On the pad, sweet.
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Guys, absolutely stunning coverage. Thanks especially to MKremer this time for all the great captures. Thoroughly enjoyed reading through all this!
Hoping to see a hotfire test tonight (all 3 APUs), but doubt it will be shown live.
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Hoping to see a hotfire test tonight (all 3 APUs), but doubt it will be shown live.
About as described (not by me). Would probably be more interesting to hear -- either the test team executing the test or the units chugging away.
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Was the damaged tile fixed in the VAB or are they going to do that at the pad? Just wondering as I have not heard anything about it.
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Was the damaged tile fixed in the VAB or are they going to do that at the pad? Just wondering as I have not heard anything about it.
Was in the article a few days ago; first paragraph, last sentence:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/03/sts-125-atlantis-tile-damage-during-et-mating/
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And for what it's worth, RSS rotation to mate position is complete. OWPs are still extended.
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And for what it's worth, RSS rotation to mate position is complete. OWPs are still extended.
Retracted actually. Extended is when they're protecting the orbiter.
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Was the damaged tile fixed in the VAB or are they going to do that at the pad? Just wondering as I have not heard anything about it.
Was in the article a few days ago; first paragraph, last sentence:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/03/sts-125-atlantis-tile-damage-during-et-mating/
I am so blind!! I read that article didn't even see that. Thanks psloss
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Probably because they repaired it so fast I updated that article, rather than writing a new one, so understandable. Noted it in the thread, but it's easy to miss a post.
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And for what it's worth, RSS rotation to mate position is complete. OWPs are still extended.
Retracted actually. Extended is when they're protecting the orbiter.
Ah... that makes sense.
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STS-125 crew familiarization activities with the flight SIC&DH replacement tray at KSC:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
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Pre-empting Hubble: MOD reviews STS-125/400 requirements
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/pre-empting-hubble-mod-reviews-sts-125400-requirements/ - By Chris Gebhardt
I'll start a FRR article specific thread shortly.
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Pre-empting Hubble: MOD reviews STS-125/400 requirements
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/pre-empting-hubble-mod-reviews-sts-125400-requirements/ - By Chris Gebhardt
I'll start a FRR article specific thread shortly.
Wow, very insightful article! They have really thought through everything carefully. One question that someone may know the answer to is the "group C" powerdown? What parts are involved with that, and what are the other groups (assuming at least an A and B)?
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Hoping to see a hotfire test tonight (all 3 APUs), but doubt it will be shown live.
About as described (not by me). Would probably be more interesting to hear -- either the test team executing the test or the units chugging away.
Shucks...well that was anti-climactic. I was hoping for a little more 'flame', and less 'smoke'. But thanks for posting anyway!
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Pre-empting Hubble: MOD reviews STS-125/400 requirements
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/pre-empting-hubble-mod-reviews-sts-125400-requirements/ - By Chris Gebhardt
I'll start a FRR article specific thread shortly.
Great article Chris G. Between you and Chris B, it's almost like a DJ session of well laid down rifs.
From the article:
"Furthermore, should STS-125 incur multiple delays, resulting in a night time launch, ET photography will be satisfied through the use of Atlantis’ ET Umbilical Well camera and associated flash system."
Would they wait for results on why the camera system failed on STS-119 before moving forward with a night launch? There could be an underlying issue that requires attention.
EDIT: Woooppss, sorry Chris B
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Great article Chris G. Between you and Chris C, it's almost like a DJ session of well laid down rifs.
Chris C? ;)
Great article on Hubble, as much as I feel it is a shame that destructive re-entry would be the only option for a damaged Atlantis.
Will have to bump the MOD FRR presentations on L2, as I forgot how great the graphics are.
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I riffed who now? :)
(bows to Chris B and Chris G)
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Pre-empting Hubble: MOD reviews STS-125/400 requirements
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/pre-empting-hubble-mod-reviews-sts-125400-requirements/ - By Chris Gebhardt
I'll start a FRR article specific thread shortly.
Great article Chris G. Between you and Chris C, it's almost like a DJ session of well laid down rifs.
From the article:
"Furthermore, should STS-125 incur multiple delays, resulting in a night time launch, ET photography will be satisfied through the use of Atlantis’ ET Umbilical Well camera and associated flash system."
Would they wait for results on why the camera system failed on STS-119 before moving forward with a night launch? There could be an underlying issue that requires attention.
Thanks.
And for the camera, I would say that ET photography is not a mandatory aspect of the mission. It helps for ET foam loss data compilation, but remember that the thruster firings during ET separation illuminate the tank as well. I would not think that NASA would delay a mission because the camera flash didn't work (unless it was a larger issue regarding wiring). Also, remember that they didn't have the flash installed during STS-116. The first time it was used was during STS-123 last year.
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Well, the problem on 119 was that neither the flash or download worked! They couldn't get any ET umbilical well photos. T/S in the OPF have confirmed this.
So even to this day, nobody has seen those umbilical well photos!
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Today's latest update on NASA website:
Hubble Space Telescope engineers from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center had a busy week at the Kennedy Space Center preparing SM4 hardware for its ride to orbit on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The replacement Science Instrument Command and Data Handling (SIC&DH) unit arrived on Monday. It was integrated onto the Multi-use Logistics Equipment (MULE) carrier.
The spacewalking flight crew arrived on Wednesday for two days of hardware familiarization activities with Goddard engineers in the Payload Hazardous Systems Facility (PHSF). They examined tool stowage locations, inspected interfaces, and practiced spacewalking procedures with flight tools.
They also had an opportunity to participate in the SIC&DH integration activities, something they will have to do on-orbit as part of the SIC&DH replacement task on SM4. The engineers also had an opportunity to see Atlantis arrive back at launch complex 39A. The Hubble payload is scheduled to be loaded into Atlantis on April 19.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/servicing/SM4/news/Crew_fam_KSC_042009.html
And photo below:
SM4 spacewalking astronaut Andrew Feustel, wearing EVA suit gloves and using the Pistol Grip Tool, practices installing the replacement SIC&DH in the PHSF during the last crew familiarization activity for SM4
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Pre-empting Hubble: MOD reviews STS-125/400 requirements
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/pre-empting-hubble-mod-reviews-sts-125400-requirements/ - By Chris Gebhardt
I'll start a FRR article specific thread shortly.
Very fine article, Chris G. It answered my question about whether or not the HST tasks would be performed anyway if severe TPS damage is found on FD-2. They would go straight into the power down mode.
One question: If the worst case happens, and we have to launch STS-400 and then send Atlantis on a destructive rentry, is there any desire or plan to aquire some engineering data during her reentry that might be useful? Max temps, pressures, and such (I'm not on L2 currently so if there has been talk about it there I won't have seen it).
It may sound too "clinical", regarding what will surely be a sad day, but I was thinking that it could be her last act for science (if it's even possible).
Thanks,
David
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I have a question about the vehicle at launch pad 39a as of now. I have a concern about the Composite Overwrap Pressure Vessels in Atlantis. I hear that Orbiter Atlantis has the Oldest fuel cells of the three orbiters and I am just posing a concern because I'm sure many would not want Atlantis to have her fuel cells burst on a mission assent of 300 nautical miles as opposed to flying to lower orbit of ISS.
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There's nothing to worry about, I'd suggest a quick reading of many of the articles on the homepage here.
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Pre-empting Hubble: MOD reviews STS-125/400 requirements
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/pre-empting-hubble-mod-reviews-sts-125400-requirements/ - By Chris Gebhardt
I'll start a FRR article specific thread shortly.
Very fine article, Chris G. It answered my question about whether or not the HST tasks would be performed anyway if severe TPS damage is found on FD-2. They would go straight into the power down mode.
One question: If the worst case happens, and we have to launch STS-400 and then send Atlantis on a destructive rentry, is there any desire or plan to aquire some engineering data during her reentry that might be useful? Max temps, pressures, and such (I'm not on L2 currently so if there has been talk about it there I won't have seen it).
It may sound too "clinical", regarding what will surely be a sad day, but I was thinking that it could be her last act for science (if it's even possible).
Thanks,
David
Thanks, David.
And I haven't seen anything on L2 about gaining science data during the potential destructive reentry. That doesn't mean it's not on the drawing board, but I would assume that this would be the last thing on the teams' minds if that situation were to actually become a reality.
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One question: If the worst case happens, and we have to launch STS-400 and then send Atlantis on a destructive rentry, is there any desire or plan to aquire some engineering data during her reentry that might be useful? Max temps, pressures, and such (I'm not on L2 currently so if there has been talk about it there I won't have seen it).
It may sound too "clinical", regarding what will surely be a sad day, but I was thinking that it could be her last act for science (if it's even possible).
Thanks,
David
Seeing as how the entry would be carried out in a destructive, tail-first attitude, there probably wouldn't be much to find out. Plus, most of what they want to know about TPS on the orbiters is already known. The main goal throughout all of this would be to get the STS-125 crew home safely.
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A 3d anaglyph of STS-125 after roll out so you will need a pair red/blue glasses to view this. I put this together from a couple of images on the KSC website.
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Processing update via L2:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/processing-on-track-as-mission-heads-to-frr-sims/
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Processing update via L2:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/processing-on-track-as-mission-heads-to-frr-sims/
Thank you Chris for this update.
A question for you. In your article you used a picture of the harware in the payload bay. Do you have this bigger? Or can i found it on L2? If so do you have a link for me?
Thanks!
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Processing update via L2:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/processing-on-track-as-mission-heads-to-frr-sims/
Thank you Chris for this update.
A question for you. In your article you used a picture of the harware in the payload bay. Do you have this bigger? Or can i found it on L2? If so do you have a link for me?
Thanks!
It's one of several payload drawings on the MOD FRR presentations for STS-125 (L2 link:)
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=tags&tags=STS-125|MOD%20FRR - this one being in the STS-125: MOD FRR: Mission Overview Presentation (Flight Director).
PDFs, so you can blow the images up to very large sizes, but I'll add a bigger one in the thread anyway:
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Processing update via L2:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/processing-on-track-as-mission-heads-to-frr-sims/
Thank you Chris for this update.
A question for you. In your article you used a picture of the harware in the payload bay. Do you have this bigger? Or can i found it on L2? If so do you have a link for me?
Thanks!
It's one of several payload drawings on the MOD FRR presentations for STS-125 (L2 link:)
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=tags&tags=STS-125|MOD%20FRR - this one being in the STS-125: MOD FRR: Mission Overview Presentation (Flight Director).
PDFs, so you can blow the images up to very large sizes, but I'll add a bigger one in the thread anyway:
Thanks Chris! Keep up the great work here on the best website there is what has to do with space.
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Thanks Chris! Keep up the great work here on the best website there is what has to do with space.
Seconded! :) Great roundup article.
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Thanks :) Although we're a space flight site. Space.com is the monster when it comes to space in general. I think we're the only one that a specific to the vehicles and hardware.
Anyway, I digest ;)
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I riffed who now? :)
(bows to Chris B and Chris G)
Yeah, my bad. Corrected that. Sorry guys.
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Processing update via L2:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/processing-on-track-as-mission-heads-to-frr-sims/
great article Chris 'B' :)
I'll try not to screw that one up again. ;)
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Pre-empting Hubble: MOD reviews STS-125/400 requirements
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/pre-empting-hubble-mod-reviews-sts-125400-requirements/ - By Chris Gebhardt
I'll start a FRR article specific thread shortly.
Wow, very insightful article! They have really thought through everything carefully. One question that someone may know the answer to is the "group C" powerdown? What parts are involved with that, and what are the other groups (assuming at least an A and B)?
Group C+ powerdown assumes that you start in Group B powerdown and shuts down all possible remaining loads such as fans, lights, transmitters, and really important items such as RCS/OMS heaters.
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LC-39A white room:
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She doesn't look to happy to be in there. I would be freaking out to be in there. :D
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Heh...you know how much I'd pay to get into the white room?
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She looks like she's about to fall asleep...must've had a bg lunch.
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Processing update via L2:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/processing-on-track-as-mission-heads-to-frr-sims/
great article Chris 'B' :)
I'll try not to screw that one up again. ;)
"B"..."G" It's all good. ;) 8)
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http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/sts-119-fcv-performance-boosts-flight-rationale-sts-125/
Includes processing latest and FCV Flight Rationale boost.
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Good article Chris! Have an one question regarding to -
“Two of the three looked really good, no cracks. The other one picked up a little scratch."
So in fact we can't say that valves are in perfect condition if third one shows "a little scratch". It has to be so little and unimportant that we dont take to consideration how it come into existence, ya?
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Thanks and yes. Scratch is fine. A crack would have been bad news.
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A view of the starboard side of Atlantis' FRCS module.
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Some photo updates on the SIC&DH hardware being installed in the Lightweight carrier:
More in STS-125's section: http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=180
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I do believe the tankers have arrived:
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I'm not familiar with the view depicted by camera 61. Is that LOX or LH2?
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I'm not familiar with the view depicted by camera 61. Is that LOX or LH2?
LH2.
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I do believe the tankers have arrived:
A little later on (around 10 am local):
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Any word of lightning at the pad today? I know that pad 39B with the new lighting towers got plenty of lightning. I wouldn't want to be on one of those today. :o
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STS-125: NASA updates debris risks for Atlantis' mission to Hubble
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/sts-125-nasa-updates-debris-risks-for-atlantis-hubble/ - by Chris Gebhardt.
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I do believe the tankers have arrived:
A little later on (around 10 am local):
Interesting to see them unload several trucks at the same time. The pipe they are connected to doesn't look big enough the carry all of the LH2 at the same time
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Ronsmythiii, what exactly are we looking at in the image immediately above, "Space Mummy?"
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Ronsmythiii, what exactly are we looking at in the image immediately above, "Space Mummy?"
Hubble servicing payload shrouded in plastic being loaded into the payload canister
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Click to animate
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I do believe the tankers have arrived:
A little later on (around 10 am local):
Interesting to see them unload several trucks at the same time. The pipe they are connected to doesn't look big enough the carry all of the LH2 at the same time
It is. It doesn't look like it, but it does increase in diameter compared to the flexhoses. The tankers are pressurized to 40 psi, but the line only gets to about 20. Takes them about 40 mins or so to offload, even with all five going at once.
FYI, there was a pretty intense storm front that came through here yesterday morning. They got one wave done but had to shut down for weather. We didn't get to finish tankers until about 6 that night. The wind was screaming, felt like a hurricane!
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Just read the latest Press Release:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=16554.msg391635#new
regarding tomorrow's/Friday's media event and the intent to roll back both RSS's after Endeavour's roll-out to 39B. According to Chris G's article yesterday ("with the STS-125 mission’s payload scheduled to be delivered to Pad-A later this week"). So I assume that this roll back of the RSS at 39A won't conflict with this flow? And I'm assuming that the 39A RSS roll-back is only temporary, and it will once again be rolled back against Atlantis so payload loading can occur?
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Just read the latest Press Release:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=16554.msg391635#new
regarding tomorrow's/Friday's media event and the intent to roll back both RSS's after Endeavour's roll-out to 39B. According to Chris G's article yesterday ("with the STS-125 mission’s payload scheduled to be delivered to Pad-A later this week"). So I assume that this roll back of the RSS at 39A won't conflict with this flow? And I'm assuming that the 39A RSS roll-back is only temporary, and it will once again be rolled back against Atlantis so payload loading can occur?
RSS rollback for payload delivery is part of the pad flow for this mission. The RSS will be rolled back Friday morning (~10am) ahead of payload delivery to the pad on Saturday morning. After the payload is transfered into the PCR, the RSS will moved back into position around Atlantis. Her PLBDs will then be opened and the payload installed into her bay.
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So I assume that this roll back of the RSS at 39A won't conflict with this flow? And I'm assuming that the 39A RSS roll-back is only temporary, and it will once again be rolled back against Atlantis so payload loading can occur?
Right -- it was factored into the dual pad flows. More often than not in the last several years, the payload arrives at the pad ahead of the shuttle, so this isn't necessary; however, in instances where the shuttle gets to the pad before the payload does, the orbiter is "exposed" at the pad while the payload is loaded into the Payload Changeout Room.
Posted thumbnails of payload canister ops with and without shuttle at pad. Top one is a canister with the STS-119 payload, which is the more typical case presently. Bottom one is a canister with the STS-93 payload in June, 1999.
(And of course, there are other pictures of the STS-125 payload complement on its first trip to the pad last September.)
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payload canister set to roll
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Is the Shuttle Program flight readiness review still due to take place around April 20/21 for STS-125? If so, am I correct in saying that they will set the official launch date after this meeting? So just a few more days to wait before we get a solid target launch date?
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Is the Shuttle Program flight readiness review still due to take place around April 20/21 for STS-125? If so, am I correct in saying that they will set the official launch date after this meeting? So just a few more days to wait before we get a solid target launch date?
From recent article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/processing-on-track-as-mission-heads-to-frr-sims/
"The Agency SOMD FRR will be conducted on April 30 - which is when the launch date will be officially set."
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Doh! Thanks for that. Can't believe I missed that when I read the article. :-[
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RSS still set to move ~10am (EDT) today (i.e. in 45mins)?
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RSS still set to move ~10am (EDT) today (i.e. in 45mins)?
I think it was moved to be more closely timed with the media photo opportunity. The live coverage has already started on the Media Channel. (Unfortunately looks like it will only be on the Media Channel.)
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RSS rollback on Pad A has started.
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Here she is.
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Watching this on the NASA media channel, nice!!!! The weather, though, does not look as nice as it did the last time they did this. Still, can't wait to see the pictures!
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Some stills of RSS retract and the two shuttles are showing up on the NASA-KSC Media Gallery now:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
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Is the Shuttle Program flight readiness review still due to take place around April 20/21 for STS-125? If so, am I correct in saying that they will set the official launch date after this meeting? So just a few more days to wait before we get a solid target launch date?
What psloss said, and also yes: the SSP FRR is still set for April 20-21.
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Via Mike Massimino's Twitter feed:
Completed our final practice for spacewalk 2 in the big pool, huge IMAX camera was in the pool with us filming a 3D movie, really fun day
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Some stills of RSS retract and the two shuttles are showing up on the NASA-KSC Media Gallery now:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
STS-125: the last great shuttle adventure?
- Ed Ky
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STS-125: the last great shuttle adventure?
- Ed Ky
I would say yes. ISS missions are more "standard", "every day hard work" missions.
STS-125 is in a line with STS-1, 41B (MMU), 41C (Solar Max), 51A (Westar 6 + Palapa B2), 51I (Leasat 3), STS-34 (Galileo), STS-31 (HST), STS-49 (Intelsat 6-F3), STS-61 (HST-SM-1), STS-71 (Mir), STS-88 (Node-1), STS-98 (Destiny).
Analyst
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When are we expecting the payload to move?
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STS-125: the last great shuttle adventure?
- Ed Ky
I would say yes. ISS missions are more "standard", "every day hard work" missions.
STS-125 is in a line with STS-1, 41B (MMU), 41C (Solar Max), 51A (Westar 6 + Palapa B2), 51I (Leasat 3), STS-34 (Galileo), STS-31 (HST), STS-49 (Intelsat 6-F3), STS-61 (HST-SM-1), STS-71 (Mir), STS-88 (Node-1), STS-98 (Destiny).
Analyst
I think you can put all 4 HST SM's in that category. Short mission, a lot of spacewalks and not much time to sit back for a minute and reflect.
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There won´t be another TCDT, right?
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There won´t be another TCDT, right?
I do not believe there will be another TCDT.
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Payload Canister should be moving down the road soon:
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There won´t be another TCDT, right?
I do not believe there will be another TCDT.
Didn't they have a mini TCDT a couple weeks ago when they were all at KSC checking out the new hardware?
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Looks like the cables for the canister have been lowered from the RSS:
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Why doesn't NASA provide live feed for these webcams? It would be a lot nicer. ;)
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Click to animate:
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Any issues loading the payload canister? It seems to sitting there.
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Any issues loading the payload canister? It seems to sitting there.
It's usual, they don't lift it immediately.
They have lowered the PCR "crane", you can call it:
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Any issues loading the payload canister? It seems to sitting there.
It's usual, they don't lift it immediately.
They have lowered the PCR "crane", you can call it:
Okay, slow and easy aye!
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hoist now visible:
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Lifting started, very slow:
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OTV-070 providing a good closeup of the PCR and the canister:
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Very slow until they are in the PCR, must be perfectly aligned.
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Bottom of the Payload Canister in the second image:
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Supports installed so techs can get up close with the canister:
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There won´t be another TCDT, right?
I do not believe there will be another TCDT.
Didn't they have a mini TCDT a couple weeks ago when they were all at KSC checking out the new hardware?
There was a mini TCDT refresher aka Safety Walk Down done April 3rd with the crew.
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Some more nice shots of the two shuttles on the pad, including pictures of the payload canister reaching Pad A last night:
http://www.pbase.com/rod_ostoski/sts125
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Can someone tell me when the payload canister will leave the pad (if it hasn't already) and when both the RSSs will be moved (think I read somewhere that Atlantis's will be tomorrow sometime)?
Don't suppose any of that is likely to be on NTV?
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...when both the RSSs will be moved
Pad 39A's RSS was scheduled for first motion at 5:00 a.m. EDT; Pad 39B at 9:00 a.m. EDT, both on Monday.
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The Payload Canister that held the STS-125 payloads has been lowered and is now leaving pad A.
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The RSS is now being rotated to once again enclose Atlantis for payload installation.
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And that is now complete.
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Hi,
When will the RSS be removed before the launch. Looking forward to visit KSC on 11 of may. And view the launch from the causeway.
Best regards,
Mike
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Hi,
When will the RSS be removed before the launch. Looking forward to visit KSC on 11 of may. And view the launch from the causeway.
Best regards,
Mike
For a launch on May 12, RSS Rotation to Park position is scheduled for 5 pm EDT on May 11.
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Hi,
When will the RSS be removed before the launch. Looking forward to visit KSC on 11 of may. And view the launch from the causeway.
Best regards,
Mike
It's not removed, per se, but rolled back to a park position. If you look through the information in this link for STS 125,
http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/125/125countdown.html
you'll see the time for "RSS Rolled Back to Park Position" scheduled in the countdown sequencing. Assuming everything goes as scheduled, this would be on Monday, May 11, at 5:00 pm local (Eastern time).
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Some stills of RSS retract and the two shuttles are showing up on the NASA-KSC Media Gallery now:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
Additional pictures, and ones of payload canister operations are now posted at the link above.
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NASA appear to have posted an updated press kit on their site:
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/331922main_STS-125_Shuttle_Press_Kit.pdf (http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/331922main_STS-125_Shuttle_Press_Kit.pdf)
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Managers considering May 11 for STS-125 - ET cam troubleshooting -
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/considering-may-11-sts-125-et-cameraflash-troubleshooting/
Held until now so as to include late updates on the ET Cam issue via L2.
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What would the launch time be if they decide to go with the 11th?
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What would the launch time be if they decide to go with the 11th?
Probably about 2:01pm EDT with about a 50min launch window.
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That ET camera issue needs to go away! Never a dull processing flow!
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What would the launch time be if they decide to go with the 11th?
Probably about 2:01pm EDT with about a 50min launch window.
What's the likelihood of this happening? My flight arrives in Orlando on May 11 at 6 pm EDT!
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What would the launch time be if they decide to go with the 11th?
Probably about 2:01pm EDT with about a 50min launch window.
What's the likelihood of this happening? My flight arrives in Orlando on May 11 at 6 pm EDT!
I'm expecting status later today on what KSC integration sent back to JSC on enabling May 11, I'll post as soon as I know (won't hold it to L2).
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Cheers Chris.
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Not yet official, but the 11th is looking "pretty good" as a new NET for 125. Few items to get a green light for, but they really want the three attempts via a May 11th NET.
The tone I'm getting back from SSP is making it sound like the 11th will be the NET. They might officially update tomorrow at the presser, though as always, the official launch date is set at the Agency SOMD FRR next week.
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Great info as always Chris. Can we take it then that the camera flash issue is not looking like it will be a constraint to launch considering they now seem to be shifting focus to an earlier launch on the 11th?
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Great info as always Chris. Can we take it then that the camera flash issue is not looking like it will be a constraint to launch considering they now seem to be shifting focus to an earlier launch on the 11th?
Correct. One of the engineers who work that system said on L2 that "cutting and repairing or replacing the baggie should be no impact to launch." The camera work itself wasn't going to be an impact, so that clears moving to the 11th as far as the flow.
The other item was the need by date for her FCVs, but that's on time too.
I'll find out what other boxes they are aiming to tick to move to the 11th and update as we go.
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You know I really wish they would not use NET if they do not mean it. >:(
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You know I really wish they would not use NET if they do not mean it. >:(
NET means "No Earlier Than". It can come after that date, but the current planning means they don't think they will launch earlier.
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You know I really wish they would not use NET if they do not mean it. >:(
NET means "No Earlier Than". It can come after that date, but the current planning means they don't think they will launch earlier.
Hence the basis for my planning for No Earlier Than May 12.
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They did mean it at the time they set it...
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Chris,
Thank you for the information, it is very appreciated. I am just more than a bit disappointed after waiting my whole life to see a launch and spending over $1,000 on plane tickets only to miss it by a few hours. I'll probably be somewhere over Texas when Atlantis goes up now.
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Chris,
Thank you for the information, it is very appreciated. I am just more than a bit disappointed after waiting my whole life to see a launch and spending over $1,000 on plane tickets only to miss it by a few hours. I'll probably be somewhere over Texas when Atlantis goes up now.
Sure thing, and I know the frustration with the "NET" term...it's just how it's done. Technically it's planning purpose talk for the flows and they can - and have - moved up and down as required.
HOWEVER, remember there isn't an official or internal change of the launch date yet, this is still being evaluated. They very well may find they can't do the 11th and will stick with the 12th. It's just looking more likely as of a few hours ago that they will make the 11th, and they really want to allow for a switch to the 11th to allow for three launch attempts before handing the range over for the Delta IV launch. They are close to making the switch, pending a green light from a few outstanding evaluations. Those outstanding evaluations may be no go for the 11th, we'll soon know.
And even if they do go with the 11th, just takes a scrub and you're back on track with your plane tickets, and anything could happen with the pad flow between now and launch.
Anyway, I know there's a lot of people in the same boat with travel plans etc, so I promise any launch date changes will be copied over from L2 within minutes (if I've posted it) or asap if a manager posts it etc.
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Atlantis has suffered some slight damage during processing, writing it up, it does not appear to be too serious.
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Quick write up of some of the morning L2 processing info, an update on the FCV plan, and mainly on the damage to Atlantis' radiator (along with some screenshots of the hi res images on L2):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/atlantis-suffers-slight-damage-radiator-fcv-plan-eases-sts-125/
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from presentation today
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Quick write up of some of the morning L2 processing info, an update on the FCV plan, and mainly on the damage to Atlantis' radiator (along with some screenshots of the hi res images on L2):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/atlantis-suffers-slight-damage-radiator-fcv-plan-eases-sts-125/
Wow, close escape there!
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crew conference on NASA-TV
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You know I really wish they would not use NET if they do not mean it. >:(
I agree but I do always show up one extra day early when going down to a launch. But I do that so that A) I have some wiggle room if I have a "systems issue" (like car breakdown on drive down) and B) I can do a dry-run visit to KSC the day before and just make sure everything's set before the big day.
I am more annoyed by their flexible approach to NET when it comes to press conferences. Lots of us schedule our days to be waiting and watching at the appointed time, and I can recall specific instances recently when NASA PAO has advanced the start time of the presser. In February I stepped out to get some food, only to come back and find the presser in progress. At STS-119, at the last minute they advanced a presser (post launch, I think) from 3pm to 2:30pm, and half an hour into the thing there was a wave of reporters and cameramen entering the briefing room just before 3:00pm, on time they thought but actually late, providing an annoying distraction.
I realize that the presser participants are important people and need to get on with their day, but when PAO says NET they should mean it. Advance the NET time for the next launch, if it is indeed possible that they might be ready quicker. Delays we can deal with, advancements not so much :)
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Other media catching up several days after Chris's story, but noting some of the media now starting to call the orbiters "shes" like Chris always does.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_space_thewritestuff/2009/04/nasa-considers-launching-shuttle-atlantis-to-hubble-a-day-early.html
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It's not certain the radiator won't require a repair, they are taking a closer look at it.
No mention of it potentially impacting the launch date, which is 95 percent going to be May 11.
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payload instillation images:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
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Bill Harwood reports mgmt concluded no repair needed for the radiator.
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If the above is based on Mike Moses' comment on the standup, then yep, but the NTD this morning seemed to backtrack and that they need to do some additional checks. Will follow that, but the point is it's not bad damage as reported yesterday.
May 11 decision coming very shortly. Noon Board decision today (they don't always meet at noon). Will copy it across in real time, due to people's travel plans.
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Unsure how he came up with it -- his report was sent out just before noon so odds lean against that being his source.
"Ultrasound inspections showed possible debonding between the face sheet and the underlying honeycomb where the socket impacted. But additional inspections showed the dented face sheet was not cracked and managers decided no repairs were necessary. "
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MAY 11 is now OFFICIAL. Will write up the Noon Board memos and create an article.
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thanks for keeping us up to date with the dates Chris - very much appreciated.
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Sure thing, thanks!
Article on the May 11 CR:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/shuttle-managers-decide-to-advance-sts-125-launch-target-to-may-11/
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We've been told that the radiator will be repaired when it's back in the OPF after the flight.
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We've been told that the radiator will be repaired when it's back in the OPF after the flight.
Good news PR!
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Sure thing, thanks!
Article on the May 11 CR:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/shuttle-managers-decide-to-advance-sts-125-launch-target-to-may-11/
And thanks from me too. It took 36 hours for any other news site to report the possibility of the 11th, but we know it'll be true when we read it here, as it became.
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Anyone have an updated (11/05/09) countdown timeline?
Bill Harwood still showing 12/05/09.
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Don't think so, but Bill is usually on the ball with those things, so I'm sure someone will like his site when it's updated.
Additional: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/nasa-reviews-mission-parameters-for-hubble-flight-via-frr/ - by Chris Gebhardt. First of a run of FRR based articles leading up to launch. There's a dedicated thread for it.
There are evaluations into repairing the radiator damage http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/atlantis-suffers-slight-damage-radiator-fcv-plan-eases-sts-125/ - after all. Will write up engineering notes (still collating them in L2) on the crack they've found and impacts.
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The times for the countdown are likely to be very similar, with a few exceptions, just moved up a day. Probably still start the clock at the top of whichever hour and adjust the hold duration at T-11 hours as necessary. Timing of the holds on launch day (T-6, T-3, T-20, T-9) can pretty much be determined based on the targeted T-0. (The durations of those holds are fairly standard; the duration of the hold at T-9 is slightly different, but isn't going to change much from one day to the next.)
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So in other words the count might still start at 16:00 (EDT), but 8/5 not 9/5, and the rest of the holds remain the same except the hold at T-11hr which would be 13:41:00 instead of 13:11:00 and the T-9min hold would be 00:40:49 to give a launch time of 14:01:49??
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Processing latest and latest on the radiator:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/sts-125-damaged-radiator-on-atlantis-may-require-repair-crack-forms/
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I didn't see it in the article, if they have to replace the radiator panel can they do it at the pad? I am assuming that a complete replacement of the LH4 panel/complete radiator would be the worse case scenario?
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Processing latest and latest on the radiator:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/sts-125-damaged-radiator-on-atlantis-may-require-repair-crack-forms/
I didn't see it in the article, if they have to replace the radiator panel can they do it at the pad? I am assuming that a complete replacement of the LH4 panel/complete radiator would be the worse case scenario?
Depends on the repair. Most of the options are workable at the pad, but replacing the pad is probably a lesser option than others.
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Call is to do a standard repair at the pad. Have notes in L2, so will update the current article (complete), and expand in the next article today.
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Great, thanks for the update Chris.
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NASA's Space Shuttle Main Page reported that (having flown in from Houston for a day) while CDR and PLT practiced A&L's in the STA, the remainder of the crew spent their time performing a payload inspection at the pad. Is the latter activity (to fly all the way in for only one day at KSC at this point prior to launch) typical, or something unique to this HST SM mission? They must, at this point be familiar with the payload cocntents, correct? So is it a briefing of some type at the pad in terms of walking them through how all the contents have been loaded into the orbiter's payload bay? It seems like they would have also known this as well. It just seems a mite superfluous. Somebody please educate me of the benefits of just a one-day trip. Did they need someplace to go to to keep their T-38 edge?
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NASA's Space Shuttle Main Page reported that (having flown in from Houston for a day) while CDR and PLT practiced A&L's in the STA, the remainder of the crew spent their time performing a payload inspection at the pad. Is the latter activity (to fly all the way in for only one day at KSC at this point prior to launch) typical, or something unique to this HST SM mission? They must, at this point be familiar with the payload cocntents, correct? So is it a briefing of some type at the pad in terms of walking them through how all the contents have been loaded into the orbiter's payload bay? It seems like they would have also known this as well. It just seems a mite superfluous. Somebody please educate me of the benefits of just a one-day trip. Did they need someplace to go to to keep their T-38 edge?
It's typical and it may be the first time that the crew has seen the flight hardware for the cargo elements integrated in the orbiter payload bay. (Unless they got a chance prior to last year's delay.)
It may be one of their only chances to see layout and details before they are out there executing the EVAs -- EVA time is precious and it's a lousy time to run into something unexpected.
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Yes, I understand that point. But my thinking was that where a particular piece of equipment is located in the cargo bay so I know where to go and get it in order to proceed with my timelined activity would have all been part of the sims that they've been performing for months/years now. But I can't fault the value of being able to see the actual flight hardware loaded in the actual pallet in the actual cargo bay of the actual orbiter . . . so I'm good with that. Thanks for the reply.
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But my thinking was that where a particular piece of equipment is located in the cargo bay so I know where to go and get it in order to proceed with my timelined activity would have all been part of the sims that they've been performing for months/years now.
There are more details than that.
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They would normally be doing this a part of their emergency training with the slide baskets and the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. I guess since they did all of that stuff when Atlantis was on the pad in September, they don't need to repeat it?
Typically yes, but remember that for both of these 125 pad flows, the payload wasn't delivered to the pad until a couple of weeks after the shuttle was there -- whereas typically in recent times, the TCDT and payload install occur during the first week or so of the pad flow. At the time of the TCDT in September, the payload had just arrived at the pad and was still in the Payload Changeout Room. It hadn't been installed in the payload bay or gone through any integration verification testing yet.
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http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/sts-125-radiator-repair-two-cracks-frcs-swine-flu-plan/
Includes processing, Swine Flu plan (never thought I'd be writing about that), FRCS inspections (worst case - rollback), Radiator repair plan (two cracks now) and FCVs - via L2.
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This is not going to work if they have to roll-back again! :-\
Thanks Chris :)
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Very unlikely, they just have to check these things out. Atlantis gets checked today. Endeavour tomorrow.
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via NASA Twitter:
FRR; The Hubble Space Telescope Program is ready to launch pending closure of planned activities.
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http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/sts-125-radiator-repair-two-cracks-frcs-swine-flu-plan/
Includes processing, Swine Flu plan (never thought I'd be writing about that), FRCS inspections (worst case - rollback), Radiator repair plan (two cracks now) and FCVs - via L2.
Good news from the pad. The FRCS F5R thruster studs have been inspected and are good for flight :)
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Chris, interesting that NASA is considering a Swine Flu plan for the crew. It made me think, however, that given that well over 30,000 people die of SEASONAL influenza every year, does NASA require that its crews get the annual vaccines that are made available to the public for these strains? I am aware that this is not effective for the Swine Flu strain, but I'm asking about seasonal flu propholaxis with respect to astronaut personnel in general. I thought that in writing this particular item up, that you might have some insight to this issue. If this is off thread, and should more appropriately be in Shuttle Q&A, I'm sorry and you can delete the post.
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Chris, interesting that NASA is considering a Swine Flu plan for the crew. It made me think, however, that given that well over 30,000 people die of SEASONAL influenza every year, does NASA require that its crews get the annual vaccines that are made available to the public for these strains? I am aware that this is not effective for the Swine Flu strain, but I'm asking about seasonal flu propholaxis with respect to astronaut personnel in general. I thought that in writing this particular item up, that you might have some insight to this issue. If this is off thread, and should more appropriately be in Shuttle Q&A, I'm sorry and you can delete the post.
That's relevant, given what I wrote about :) However, I don't know the answer. Someone will!
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They are flying through the FRR. We have an article ready at its conclusion which focuses on STS-400 (Special Topics from the FRR presentations) - via Chris G. I'll be writing up processing on Friday.
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FRR go for May 11:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/nasa-approves-may-11-for-sts-125-reviews-sts-400/
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STS-125 Post FRR Briefing upcoming.
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Bill Gerstenmaier:
Had a very thorough review. Launch date is May 11th at 2:01 PM EDT. Went over everything on the vehicle and HST, teams were very detailed. Review is a little shorter than the last ones, but that's just a tribute to the teams. This is a different mission than we are used to, with the back to back EVAs. The EVA tasks are a bit different than the Station flights. Real tribute to the team that they were able to pull this together and get an intricate timeline. Teams are ready and we're ready to go.
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Michael Luther:
SOMD is ready to execute the HST SM-4. Will extend the operational capability of the HST, and the selected subsystems of the HST will be upgraded as well. NASA will be able to put the JWST in orbit during the next decade. Want to commend the Shuttle and the MCC teams on the great work they've done.
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John Shannon:
FRR could not have gone any smoother. Could not find any big issues today, was very easy to conduct this FRR thanks to a smooth STS-119 flight and the crews for this flight are ready to go, for quite a while now too. [Talking a bit here about the EVAs that have been talked about before] This isn't your average Shuttle flight, not only because we are not going to the ISS, but it is a bit different than the previous HST SM missions. The teams have put together a great timeline for the coverage to check the orbiter TPS when we get on orbit. Have the ability for focused inspection if needed. The sense you got today was that the team is ready, it's not just the EVA guys, or those in MCC, but those in Engineering and Mechanics.
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Mike Leinbach:
Not tracking any issues with the orbiters, can fly both if needed. No processing issues have occurred. Better to have the 11th than the 12th for another scrub attempt, should we need it. If we don't need the LON, Endeavour will move to Pad-A on May 29th. Getting ready to go and teams are excited.
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Chris G gets the first question! Nice question to get quotes on the radiator.
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Chris Gebhardt got the first question! Asking about the radiator panel on Atlantis, great question.
Leinbach: Caused a couple dents. Starting to stage repair tomorrow, repair is due on Saturday, can go into Sunday if needed. Have NOT damaged the freon tubes.
Followup: Asking if STS-127 can get off the ground a day early.
Shannon: We'll decide after we get off the ground on May 11th.
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Bill Harwood asking about LON-400, post Late Inspection, can you launch with a few scrubs?
Shannon: Will be a bit rushed, since the consumables on Atlantis haven't been saved. Will try to get off the first day and if we can't, we can get one more day. If we need to do LON, we'll try a repair, then check it the day after. If we needed LON then, we'd have about two attempts. If there was damage that we could repair, it would be from MMOD. For late things, the confidence in the repair capability is high. If we had something gross in the launch, we've got LON-400 two weeks to get off the pad.
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Followup: Asking about the Beta Angle Cutout for 127, I believe.
Shannon: We'll decide after we get off the ground on May 11th.
A nice question: Chris asked if 127 might be moved up a day, to June 12, given that 125 may launch a day early.
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Halverson asking how important this mission is to the HST.
Michael Luther: Quite important to us. The Hubble team have done a great job operating the telescope, looking for new techniques to function this long, but have done so while looking for contingency operations that we haven't had to face. Extension of life could be as much as the middle of the next decade. Probably longer, but we say middle because that's when JWST will come online. If we can do that, then we have achieved our mission for our community. This is hugely important.
Followup asking about the jobs to the end of the Shuttle program.
Shannon: We're actually laying off about 160 people tomorrow, and by the end of the program, we'll lay off about 900 people total. Mostly manufacturing people.
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Followup: Asking about the Beta Angle Cutout for 127, I believe.
Shannon: We'll decide after we get off the ground on May 11th.
A nice question: Chris asked if 127 might be moved up a day, to June 12, given that 125 may launch a day early.
Thanks, fixed!
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Followup asking about the jobs to the end of the Shuttle program.
Shannon: We're actually laying off about 160 people tomorrow, and by the end of the program, we'll lay off about 900 people total. Mostly manufacturing people.
Ouch.
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Jay B asking about the $2.5b extra added to the budget:
Shannon: It was added to the currently manifested missions, not adding new flights. Only if we were directed to add more flights, we wouldn't lay off our manufactures. The missions we have to fly, we can probably finish by 2010. We take them one at a time.
Harwood: No change in funding for this year, we've got our budget for the next two years, just need to take the steps to meet that budget. Money to protect if we slip from FY2010 to FY2011.
Luther in response to Jay's science question about how far you can see back with the HST: Can see from about 500 million years from the big bang with the new improvements.
Linebach answering his question about how fast Endeavour can be launched: 7 days away from launching when Atlantis launched. Can't cut too much out of that.
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Marcia asking about the protections in use for the Swine Flu since Marshall shut down their daycare.
Gerstenmaier: Not doing anything special, crew goes into the quarantine on Monday. We'll have to wait that out and see what the other centers do.
Marcia asking about 1/221 chance for MMOD strike.
Shannon: Now 1/229 chance, just an average number. Anywhere from 1/167 to 1/302.
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FRR go for May 11:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/nasa-approves-may-11-for-sts-125-reviews-sts-400/
Thanks for the article Chris G as that explains some of the FRR presentatons that I found a bit complicated.
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Irene asked about the layoffs as well.
Shannon: Contractor team members will be cut, not all layoffs though. Will be 400 layoffs, about 350 will be attrition, and then some badge changes.
Asked if the badge changes would be to CxP.
Shannon: Not all, most will go to general processing, but yes, some will go to CxP.
Followup on the HST mission about a reboost of the telescope, still planned?
Shannon: No reboost, we'll save our gas and move Atlantis to a safe orbit. No need to do a reboost, either, Hubble's orbit has degraded a lot less than expected.
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Tariq: How does it feel having a final launch date for 125?
Gerstenmaier: The best thing I saw was Angie and the Atlantis team having a "ONE WAY" sign when she was rolling out. It's a good mission to go do, I don't feel any disappointment, it's in the business.. you get used to it. Really good feeling is seeing the teams and seeing them ready to go.
Luther: We'll have a much needed improvement from this flight, we're ready.
Tariq followup about any scrubs, 3 in a row.
Leinbach: We aren't committed to 3 in a row, yet. We ask the teams about that, see if they can support 3 in a row. Barring something unusual, I think you'll see us go 3 in a row if it's needed.
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Ho ho, Gerst intimating he's glad he doesn't work on Constellation!
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Marcia asking about how much lower Atlantis will be after that orbital adjustment.
Shannon: We'll drop one side of the orbit down about 100 miles, so 300x200nm orbit.
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Cool -- Chris getting in some additional technical questions w/Mike Leinbach to follow up things being reported here from shuttle processing.
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Chris Gebhardt also asking about the repositioning the SRB cameras, when and why.
Shannon: Same cameras, just turning them a bit. It's just for engineering data.
Gerstenmaier: We'll lose the ET camera about 450 seconds into flight. We will be out of range, so nothing new.
Gebhardt asking about the stud in the F5R that was found broken.
Leinbach: Prompted us to check the other orbiters. Atlantis is good to go, I expect Endeavour to be good to go, but can not confirm that right now, we have not checked.
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Cool -- Chris getting in some additional technical questions w/Mike Leinbach to follow up things being reported here from shuttle processing.
And the cool thing is when I do a processing report tomorrow on the fleet (post standup - if they had one), there's some nice quotes to pan out the standup or NTD report :) Really is helpful.
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Post-FRR briefing complete.
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Great work Steven!
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I suppose it was inevitable, but did anyone else notice how we seemed to go from shuttle readiness to workforce draw downs? A bit depressing.
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Great coverage here! And very cool to have our own reporter (Chris G) asking questions in person!
[Aside: notice the "our" instead of "your" in my sentence... there really is a sense of community here at NSF. Very different from old media and their separation/independence from their audience. Thanks NSF! ]
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FRR go for May 11:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/nasa-approves-may-11-for-sts-125-reviews-sts-400/
I see a familiar photo in there! ;)
Awesome fly-by.
I must say, as much as I hate the whole notion of a LON and what it represents, it certainly would be cool to see the shuttles orientated like that, and the astronauts coming over to the other shuttle. Let's hope it isn't needed.
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FRR go for May 11:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/04/nasa-approves-may-11-for-sts-125-reviews-sts-400/
Thanks for the article Chris G as that explains some of the FRR presentatons that I found a bit complicated.
You're welcome. And thanks for all the kind words. It was interesting that FRR seemed to a take turn about workforce... but we did have questions pertaining to 125/400 as well. ;D
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Given the 2pm launch time (or thereabouts considering scrubs), can someone give me a sense of what time of the day (Eastern) the EVA's will be happening?
I guess a corollary question: how far into the crew day are they when they reach liftoff? I'm guessing a little past the middle of their 16 hour day. Which tells me that the EVAs will be in the middle of the day.
And now that I've checked the timeline posted by Bill Harwood, I see that the typical egress-ingress times will be 8am-2pm every day (ET).
Awesome, just planning my schedule :)
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Not the most exciting - but snippets of comms from the safety crews prepping for tonight's fueling operations...
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STS-125 Post Flight Readiness Review News Conference
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4910
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Processing update and preview of weekend work via L2:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/sts-125-weekend-focusing-on-radiator-repair-ahead-launch-countdown/
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Great round up Chris and Steven. :)
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Given the 2pm launch time (or thereabouts considering scrubs), can someone give me a sense of what time of the day (Eastern) the EVA's will be happening?
I guess a corollary question: how far into the crew day are they when they reach liftoff? I'm guessing a little past the middle of their 16 hour day. Which tells me that the EVAs will be in the middle of the day.
And now that I've checked the timeline posted by Bill Harwood, I see that the typical egress-ingress times will be 8am-2pm every day (ET).
Awesome, just planning my schedule :)
Here is an activity calender in EDT for a May 11, 2pm launch. It isn't completely up-to-date (I believe the post-release inspections have moved) but it is close. This is HST-centric so it includes post-EVA testing of systems (AT/FT).
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Fantastic! Thank you SM4_Engineer!
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Any idea how the patch turned out?
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Any idea how the patch turned out?
On the radiator? Good!
I think Chris forgot to copy the update across, probably very busy with the extension article, but one of the engineers took pictures of it being repaired on Saturday night in L2, and they were just waiting for heat lamps to seal the area. Looks like that's completed on the latest Sunday processing note.
The Monday morning report will say for sure...the ones Chris writes processing articles from.
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Any idea how the patch turned out?
On the radiator? Good!
I think Chris forgot to copy the update across, probably very busy with the extension article, but one of the engineers took pictures of it being repaired on Saturday night in L2, and they were just waiting for heat lamps to seal the area. Looks like that's completed on the latest Sunday processing note.
The Monday morning report will say for sure...the ones Chris writes processing articles from.
Thanks
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I'll start a weather thread this afternoon after getting a good wrap on the new data, but all signs (especially this time of the year!) are looking positive for launch day. We're in a very warm but very dry pattern for this weekend into next week over the southeast... There should be minimal moisture in place with a high pressure area overhead, so sea breezes will be something to watch but don't have a lot of hope that they'll do more than increasing cloudiness a bit with maybe a few sprinkles.
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I'll start a weather thread this afternoon after getting a good wrap on the new data, but all signs (especially this time of the year!) are looking positive for launch day. We're in a very warm but very dry pattern for this weekend into next week over the southeast... There should be minimal moisture in place with a high pressure area overhead, so sea breezes will be something to watch but don't have a lot of hope that they'll do more than increasing cloudiness a bit with maybe a few sprinkles.
Still in a drought down there, I believe. "Red flag warning" time of the year...
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I'll start a weather thread this afternoon after getting a good wrap on the new data, but all signs (especially this time of the year!) are looking positive for launch day. We're in a very warm but very dry pattern for this weekend into next week over the southeast... There should be minimal moisture in place with a high pressure area overhead, so sea breezes will be something to watch but don't have a lot of hope that they'll do more than increasing cloudiness a bit with maybe a few sprinkles.
Still in a drought down there, I believe. "Red flag warning" time of the year...
Ok... yeah. Drought. I'll give you that (though people tend to take that over the top down here some times). But yes, technically a drought. No "RED FLAG" warning or anything like that though.
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KSC area is in a severe drought, with Red Flag Warnings a little further south. They even had a large brush fire in Brevard County yesterday, and KSC sent some equipment (even a crash truck!) to help fight it...
http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/DM_state.htm?FL,SE
http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ063&warncounty=FLC043&firewxzone=FLZ063&local_place1=12+Miles+W+Buckhead+Ridge+FL&product1=Red+Flag+Warning
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Any idea how the patch turned out?
Went well. Waiting for the full outline (probably via the standup) and will write it all up as an article.
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The trucks have arrived! (what for I am uncertain)
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The trucks have arrived! (what for I am uncertain)
Probably the LOX tankers. Expecting 20 of them today (they did 25 yesterday).
Adding: Man, can you imagine driving down the highway and coming up on a giant convoy of 20-25 cryo tanker trucks ahead of you? :)
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Ron reported on (and attached images of) tankers arriving several days back. If these are definitely LOX tankers, then were those that arrived several days ago LH2 tankers?
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Ron reported on (and attached images of) tankers arriving several days back. If these are definitely LOX tankers, then were those that arrived several days ago LH2 tankers?
I believe it was Monday that 2 LH2 tankers were unloaded.
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Ron reported on (and attached images of) tankers arriving several days back. If these are definitely LOX tankers, then were those that arrived several days ago LH2 tankers?
I believe it was Monday that 2 LH2 tankers were unloaded.
I was referring to the events on page 12 of this thread, Reply #171 on April 14 . . . .
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Ron reported on (and attached images of) tankers arriving several days back. If these are definitely LOX tankers, then were those that arrived several days ago LH2 tankers?
I believe it was Monday that 2 LH2 tankers were unloaded.
I was referring to the events on page 12 of this thread, Reply #171 on April 14 . . . .
Ah. This was reported on 4/15:
- LH2 storage tank replenishment was completed yesterday - 2 waves of 5 tankers (10 tankers total) offloaded.
- LOX storage tank replenishment - 4 waves of 5 tankers planned for each day.
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Processing update via L2, along with the latest issue (minor):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/atlantis-ready-launch-countdown-sts-132-crew-assigned/
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Chris, These summary reports are great. Thanks so much!
I believe this is a typo? (should it be pm?)
"The launch window opens up at 1:31 a.m. EDT (launching 30 minutes later) on Monday"
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Chris, These summary reports are great. Thanks so much!
I believe this is a typo? (should it be pm?)
"The launch window opens up at 1:31 a.m. EDT (launching 30 minutes later) on Monday"
Thanks much, and yes indeed, that's a quote from a standup report, so I didn't catch them making a mistake. Changed :)
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do we know when live coverage begins?
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do we know when live coverage begins?
For launch, assuming everything remains on schedule it would be 8:30 am Eastern on Monday. The first mission TV schedule may or may not be out yet, but the near term NASA TV schedule is usually here and notes this:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Breaking.html
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Adding: Man, can you imagine driving down the highway and coming up on a giant convoy of 20-25 cryo tanker trucks ahead of you? :)
Actually you wouldn't see it. The Lox is produced locally in Mims, FL. They offload 2 waves of 5 trucks, refill them, and then offload 2 more waves, you get a couple hour break in-between the sets. Takes alot more tankers for LOX because it's so heavy, so they can only carry so much at a time. FYI, we are taking a wave of 5 tankers tomorrow morning around 7am, so you might see us or the trucks on cameras. They should start filtering in tonight.
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I had always thought it was produced on site..cool info
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Reminder that NASA TV http://www.nasa.gov/ntv is live now.
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20% chance of weather violation on Monday, not bad
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Nothing extraordinary - next one tomorrow at 10am EDT (per PAO) or 11am EDT (per NASA TV schedule.)
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STS-125 Countdown Status Briefing L-3
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4921
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Looking good for entering the count in about three and a half hours time. Will have a processing article ready to go at that time.
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T-38's arrival ------4 hours.
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Not quite - ETA of 3:41pm EDT.
http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KTTS
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Two hours to the count. S0007 CTS in 90 minutes.
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One T-38 in flight
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA907
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Looks like they may be stopping at maxwell AFB on the way over:
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA921
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA904
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA961
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PLBD Closure (Payload Bay Doors) starting in 15 minutes.
Countdown (S0007) begins in 45 minutes. Article on site at that time with the latest flow reports via L2.
There was a late issue spotted with an OMS Pod attach bolt on Discovery - thus the idential harware was inspected on Atlantis, and cleared as good for flight.
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Working some FOD issues on both the +Y and -Y Pad A SRB IEA platforms. Have to be cleared before they can retract those platforms.
Heard it on the KSC comms link found here: http://brevard.fl.scanamerica.us/index.php
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Into S0007 Launch Countdown!
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/sts-125-countdown-crew-atlantis-heads-into-s0007/
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Here they come:
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Astro_MikeOn our way to the cape flying T-38's in formation, stopping in Alabama for fuel
http://twitter.com/Astro_Mike
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Just landed in Gulfport, MS. A cup of sweet tea and some cookies while the jet gets gas. Be airborne in about 15 minutes to KSC.
http://twitter.com/Astro_127
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Some payload bay shots with the payload more or less in launch configuration (during/after the PHGM was retracted) now posted on NASA Kennedy Media Gallery:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=180
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Crew arrival coverage on NASA TV now.
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Pictures of the STS-125 crew arriving in their T-38s now on the KSC Media Gallery website:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
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T-27 hours and holding for 4 hours!
This hold will last for 4 hours during which the Blast Danger Area(BDA) will be cleared, the Power Reactant Distribution and Storage(PRSD) system will be prepared for the loading of the cryogenic reactants and the PRSD loading tankers will be placed and connected to the RSS OMBUU lines. Also during this hold, the SRB and Orbiter Pyrotechnic Initiator(PIC) controllers will be tested and checked out.
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NTV coverage (EDT):
May 9, Saturday
11 a.m. - STS-125 Countdown Status Briefing - KSC (Public and Media Channels)
NET 6:30 p.m. - STS-125 Prelaunch News Conference - KSC (All Channels)
May 10, Sunday
10 a.m. - STS-125 Countdown Status Briefing - KSC (Public and Media Channels)
12:30 p.m. - STS-125 Update Webcast - KSC (All Channels)
1 p.m. - Hubble Space Telescope Program Briefing - KSC (All Channels)
2 p.m. - Wide Field Planetary Camera Retrospective Briefing - KSC (All Channels)
5 p.m. - Launch Pad 39-A Rotating Service Structure Retraction - KSC (Public and Media Channels)
May 11, Monday
8:30 a.m. - STS-125 Launch Coverage and Commentary - KSC/JSC (All Channels)
2:01:49 p.m. - STS-125/Atlantis Launch - KSC/JSC (All Channels)
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If any one has a processing related question that they'd like answered during the press conference this morning or this afternoon PM me and we'll see about asking it.
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You guys can probably answer this here instead of at the press conference however... there's an NSF post that the Delta IV GOES-O launch is no longer a range conflict. What will that do for 125's launch opportunities? What's the window? Is there still a planned 3 day attempt before recycle?
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You guys can probably answer this here instead of at the press conference however... there's an NSF post that the Delta IV GOES-O launch is no longer a range conflict. What will that do for 125's launch opportunities? What's the window? Is there still a planned 3 day attempt before recycle?
The range is still unavailable May 14-19, unrelated to GOES-O. It will be three attempts and then stand down until May 22.
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Then what is the range conflict?
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Then what is the range conflict?
Military Operation
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Briefing participants in the room. Starting shortly = 1min
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NTD: Countdown going smoothly. No problems.
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Cryo reactant load starts around 1:30pm today.
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The range conflict question was asked, it was clarified again that it is not the GOES satellite but another customer -- that was all Jeff would say.
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STS-125 Countdown Status Briefing L-2
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4925
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payload bay doors closed:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
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The range conflict question was asked, it was clarified again that it is not the GOES satellite but another customer -- that was all Jeff would say.
Wondering if I should sleep on my balcony from the 14-19 in case something launches? ;-P
Thanks for asking!
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payload bay doors closed:
Which was not issue free. Didn't finish that operation until 10pm last night.
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when is RSS retract?
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I believe it's 5 pm Eastern Sunday.
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Via Twitter
"From the Mission Management Team meeting: mission operations, the spacewalk team, the crew and life sciences are all ready for launch."
"From the MMT: systems engineering and integration, flight ops and integration are not working any issues for launch."
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Via Twitter
Link:
http://twitter.com/nasa
Also, this is a repeat from info already noted here, but for a few notes on what the crew is up to, Mike Massimino's Twitter feed:
http://twitter.com/Astro_Mike
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Hearing the presser has tentatively been moved up to 6pm.
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Then what is the range conflict?
Military Operation
I'd bet on it being the Minotaur launch being held off until the 19th in order not to conflict with Atlantis (the Minotaur launch team was told probable next attempt not occuring untul the 19th)..
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No briefing yet, but the Video File did include video of payload bay door closing for flight (link to stills of the same posted in this thread earlier).
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Via Twitter (http://twitter.com/nasa)
"From the MMT: The L-2 poll underway. An L-1 MMT will not be required."
"The Mission Management Team concluded. Teams are unanimous "go" for launch. The news conference will begin at 6:30pm ET: www.nasa.gov/ntv"
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Then what is the range conflict?
Military Operation
I'd bet on it being the Minotaur launch being held off until the 19th in order not to conflict with Atlantis (the Minotaur launch team was told probable next attempt not occuring untul the 19th)..
You would lose that bet.
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Briefing participants are arriving. Will be starting momentarily.
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Mike Moses: Everything went well. No issues.
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Issues with RCS pod studs OMS bolts from Discovery talked today. No issue for flight as all tolerances are within limit.
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Leinbach: Right on the timeline.
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Endeavour all buttoned-up for launch of Atlantis.
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Barret: Weather still pretty good. High pressure over KSC for the next few days. Winds out of the east in the afternoon could yield some cumulus clouds. Still 80% favorable weather for Monday.
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Marcia asking about speed and personnel for imagery debris analysis. Moses talking about new scans of TPS. All data expected on ground by the end of FD-2.
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EVA tether issue that delayed PLBD closure last night was a minor thing they'd never seen before. Nothing serious at all.
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EVA tether issue that delayed PLBD closure last night was a minor thing they'd never seen before. Nothing serious at all.
The question was asked by some guy I never heard of named "Chris Gebhardt". ;)
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The question was asked by some guy I never heard of named "Chris Gebhardt". ;)
Yea.. ;) imho very good question. Interestin explanation of this small issue somewhere in the end of Moses comment.
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Endeavour will stay where it's manifested on June 13. It would have stressed the teams too seriously to have considered moving 127 and 125 up a day.
Also, 128 is heading toward launch on August 6 but is contingent upon condition of MLP that Atlantis is sitting on. That MLP will be used for 128. Moses wouldn't be surprised if the 128 NET launch date moved a little.
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Would not take much notice of Twitter updates, as it will be a PAO guy. There was a big meeting between USA and NASA payload with Hubble today over a concern, which I believe has been cleared via a plan, but I understand some people prefer a page of flowers and smiley faces for their updates.
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Irene asking about the range abilities for this mission.
Moses: Range unavailable from 14th - 19th. Could come back on the 20th, but the number of attempts at the beginning of the window determines when they could come back after the cutout. Could be the 20th or the 22nd.
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What part of the Hubble payload was a concern?
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Intruder aircraft at 2600ft about 5 miles north of the port and heading south, just off the shoreline.
- update 733pm
Aircraft has exited restricted airspace to the south, still attempting to contact but not successful.
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Intruder aircraft at 2600ft about 5 miles north of the pad and heading south...
Which one? If A, then they got a bit closer to B.
(Sounds like it might be useful to have 60 minutes on Monday.)
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Played back and they said 5 miles north of the port - I'm not sure exactly where that places it but a search of http://sua.faa.gov/sua/mapsua.do shows pretty wide coverage for no-fly below 7000ft.
One officer did have an eyeball on it and never saw any turn towards land, it continued straight south.
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We are now at T-19 Hours and Holding for 4 hours. Countdown will pick up again at 12:00 AM EDT.
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What part of the Hubble payload was a concern?
It wasn't the payload. It was an EVA tether that runs the length of the payload bay.
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What part of the Hubble payload was a concern?
It wasn't the payload. It was an EVA tether that runs the length of the payload bay.
I think the question was in reference to this post:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=16460.msg400422#msg400422
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We are T-19 hours and COUNTING!
Launch-1 Day (Sunday, May 10)
Resume countdown (12 a.m.)
* Begin filling pad sound suppression system water tank (1 a.m.)
* Main engine avionics, pneumatics and controller checkout completed (2 a.m.)
* Pad sound suppression system water tank filling complete (4 a.m.)
* Begin star tracker functional checks (7:50 a.m.)
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STS-125 Prelaunch News Conference
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4926
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What part of the Hubble payload was a concern?
It wasn't the payload. It was an EVA tether that runs the length of the payload bay.
Was it the slidewire and is there any more info on L2?
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Yes, and I'll write it up in the next article (after the one that's just gone on) but I believe SM is talking about the keel fittings, not the tether for PLBD closure. Will check it out, don't think it was anything big.
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STS-125: 106th Rescue Wing Supports Its 100th Space Shuttle Mission
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/sts-125-106th-rescue-wing-supports-100th-mission/ - article and interview by Chris Gebhardt.
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That was great. Very informative article. Thanks Chris G!
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Rest of today's events (times EDT):
Launch-1 Day (Sunday, May 10)
...
Enter planned hold at T-11 hours for 13 hours, 41 minutes (8 a.m.)
Activate the orbiter's communications systems
Move Rotating Service Structure to the park position (6 p.m.)
Perform ascent switch list
Fuel cell flow-through purge complete
Resume countdown at T-11 hours (9:41 p.m.)
Clear the blast danger area of all nonessential personnel
Switch Atlantis’ purge air to gaseous nitrogen (9:41 p.m.)
Activate the orbiter's fuel cells (9:51 p.m.)
Launch Day (Monday, May 11)
Enter planned 2-hour built-in hold at the T-6 hour mark (2:41 a.m.)
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Hi All,
Is anybody aware what time crew walkout is tomorrow?
Much appreciate it!
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Looks like equipment is being removed in preparation for launch:
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Is anybody aware what time crew walkout is tomorrow?
Times in EDT:
Crew departs Operations and Checkout Building for the pad (10:16 a.m.)
Flight crew begins entry into the orbiter (10:46 a.m.)
Begin to close Atlantis’ crew hatch (12:01 p.m.)
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STS-125: 106th Rescue Wing Supports Its 100th Space Shuttle Mission
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/sts-125-106th-rescue-wing-supports-100th-mission/ - article and interview by Chris Gebhardt.
An excellent prospective on something we hope never gets called upon for real, but highly important to have well prepared. Also a rare NSF article that's not based on L2 content.
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Live shot of the pad on NASATV
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Just heard: All pre-RSS Rotation preps have been verified complete!
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Is anybody aware what time crew walkout is tomorrow?
Times in EDT:
Crew departs Operations and Checkout Building for the pad (10:16 a.m.)
Flight crew begins entry into the orbiter (10:46 a.m.)
Begin to close Atlantis’ crew hatch (12:01 p.m.)
Thank you.
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The Space Telescope Operations Control Center (STOCC) is manned and just completed the first block of servicing mission commanding.
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We are still T-11 hours and HOLDING! RSS Retraction to the PARK position will come in about 3 hours time, and for the time being, a live shot on NASA TV! If the shot holds, I'll provide screenshots of the event as well as a video of it. Let's see what kind of coverage, if any, we get.
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We are still T-11 hours and HOLDING! RSS Retraction to the PARK position will come in about 3 hours time, and for the time being, a live shot on NASA TV! If the shot holds, I'll provide screenshots of the event as well as a video of it. Let's see what kind of coverage, if any, we get.
2 hours actually. RSS Rotation is scheduled for 5 pm EDT, 1 hour and 52 minutes from now.
And according to the NASA TV schedule, coverage of the Rotation is planned.
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We are still T-11 hours and HOLDING! RSS Retraction to the PARK position will come in about 3 hours time, and for the time being, a live shot on NASA TV! If the shot holds, I'll provide screenshots of the event as well as a video of it. Let's see what kind of coverage, if any, we get.
2 hours actually. RSS Rotation is scheduled for 5 pm EDT, 1 hour and 52 minutes from now.
And according to the NASA TV schedule, coverage of the Rotation is planned.
Really...? STS-125 Launch Countdown Milestones has it for 6 PM EDT.
Move Rotating Service Structure to the park position (6 p.m.)
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/125_milestones.html
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Ford: Wouldn't be the first time those milestone pages were off. S0007.200 barchart has RSS Rotation between 5 pm and 6 pm EDT.
Not only that, during this morning's Countdown Status Briefing, NTD Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stated that RSS Rotation was 5 pm.
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Ford: Wouldn't be the first time those milestone pages were off. S0007.200 barchart has RSS Rotation between 5 pm and 6 pm EDT.
Not only that, during this morning's Countdown Status Briefing, NTD Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stated that RSS Rotation was 5 pm.
Thanks. Hadn't had a chance to look at the barchart nor listen to any of the countdowns. Again, thanks for the clarification.
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Also, I've received a HD 12.2mbps feed image from a C-Band satellite. It's beautiful. I'll see if I can get one with the RSS open later tonight!
Thanks to the guys at SpaceVidcast for it.
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Just watched the SRB recovery ships leave the port. They passed Grills at 3:50pm.
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Also, I've received a HD 12.2mbps feed image from a C-Band satellite. It's beautiful. I'll see if I can get one with the RSS open later tonight!
Ahh.. lucky You :)
Waitin for next such a nice images.
By the way.. do I see a flyin bat in the middle of this screenshot? ;D
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FYI, I'm doing occasional screenshots over in the NASA HDTV thread; the HD service came up on the C-band satellite on Friday. The answer to your next question is there too :)
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=11551.new#new
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I'm not seeing any RSS movement yet...are they working any issues that anybody knows of?
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I'm not seeing any RSS movement yet...are they working any issues that anybody knows of?
RSS in motion!
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OWP's have been retracted:
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OWP's ahve been extended:
Retracted! Extended are when they're against the orbiter! They were retracted around 11 am this morning.
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I hate the OWPs for that reason alone, DaveS. :P
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RSS looks to be moving at full speed now.
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Here comes the girl!
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OTV-001 is great:
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There she is! Looking great!!
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RSS should be entering INCH mode again shortly.
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Looks like the RSS is in INCH mode.
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RSS is in PARK position!
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Yeah!
Those were some quality shots from NASA's cams this time. I even got to see the RSS retract online live this time from home (normally the servers & connections this time of day are impossible to get through). Had to shut all else down, but hey, it was great!
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I've got a 30 minute recording of the RSS retraction from MATE to Park. It's about 285mb, and I'm working on the upload. Will take about an hour, but I'll post the link unless John44 gets it before I do.
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She's looking great as always!
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And a closeup of the nose:
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Sounds like they are handing out Hazard badges now that they are getting close to LH2 prep. GVA has been lowered, sounds like they also have engineers working with that.
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Not enough consistent camera angles for a gif as I was away, but you have seen those plenty...
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STS-125: RSS Rotation to PARK (http://www.maxqent.com/Backup/STS-125/STS-125%20-%20RSS%20Retraction%20to%20PARK.wmv) (Right click, save as..)
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This post contains C-Band images of today's RSS Retraction. Please go to the link below to get the rest of the set.
Flickr C-Band Photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benjaminhigginbotham/sets/72157617877402183/)
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This post and the next will contain C-Band images of today's RSS Retraction. Please go to the link below to get the rest of the set.
Flickr C-Band Photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benjaminhigginbotham/sets/72157617877402183/)
This will probably be it for me tonight, unless we have a static shot of Atlantis on the pad with the Xenons, in which case I will post one more shot.
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Crane removing equipment from MLP:
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Getting dark at LC-39A. By tomorrow night this pad should be empty!
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Cue the Xenons
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Here's the night shot I promised ya'll with Atlantis on the pad, C-Band style!
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US Fish & Wildlife rep at the pad to go up and remove a nest...
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surveying stack
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@rdale, do we know what made the nest?
Aren't the yellow bars suppose to be removed before launch? Or are those permanent?
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And the glamour shot:
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@rdale, do we know what made the nest?
Aren't the yellow bars suppose to be removed before launch? Or are those permanent?
Those are strongbacks that are placed on the payloadbay doors during processing, this image was taken during payload canister arrival to the pad.
RSS retraction images:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
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No word on exactly what was in the nest...
Starting the zero-level pad walkdown now.
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The probable image that will be used for the next article!
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The probable image that will be used for the next article!
That's a beaut! Don't know that I've seen a better picture of Shuttle on the pad. It's already in the archive!
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Morning! :)
Locking this thread shortly, and moving to the launch day thread.
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@rdale, do we know what made the nest?
Aren't the yellow bars suppose to be removed before launch? Or are those permanent?
Those are strongbacks that are placed on the payloadbay doors during processing, this image was taken during payload canister arrival to the pad.
RSS retraction images:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
Thanks Ronsmytheiii. I didn't realize that was an old image. It was sent by twitter and I don't remember looking to see the date of the pic.
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I have a question and dont know if this is the right place...
I know the ET falls after MECO but at what height (miles) is that. How long does it take to fall? And at what point in the above the Earths surface (miles) does it fall apart..thank you!
Gina
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I have a question and dont know if this is the right place...
I know the ET falls after MECO but at what height (miles) is that. How long does it take to fall? And at what point in the above the Earths surface (miles) does it fall apart..thank you!
Gina
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=9814.msg186120#msg186120
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Thanks a bunch..Most of that was like reading another language but hubby and I were having a heated discussion and I needed to win a bet quick fast and in a hurry.