NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
NASA Shuttle Specific Sections => Atlantis (Post STS-135, T&R) => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 05/23/2009 11:20 pm
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Shall we try this again...
Live coverage of STS-125's Flight Day 14:
Previous Article (will be modified in the morning on the latest): http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/atlantis-targets-expansive-asa-contingency-plan/
Current Article: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/atlantis-heading-to-california-fleet-status-update/
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L2 Member Resources (Selected - full list would convolute this post - on top of the 4,200mb L2 STS-125 Special Section):
Several Full Re-entry (115 mins) from Deorbit preps to post landing videos (including handheld camcorder on the flight deck - such as 115, where Heide was doing the filming).
(Free Trailer for 115: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=4813.0
(Free Trailer for Endeavour: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8873.0)
STA HUD Videos (all runways) from 80,000 ft, and KSC STA HAC and Landings.
Checklists and Handbooks - Gen and STS-125 from Deorbit onwards (not the NASA.gov FDF checklists). L2 members are welcome to snip/copy and paste interesting checklist items into this live thread.
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Please note, this is interactive, but all posts need to be on topic. If you post images, no more than two per post.
Ground tracks for the first opportunity:
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Let's get this one right!
I'll upload two PADs before I head off to bed.
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Current forecasts ( see weather thread for detail) still point to violation of landing criteria for Day 14. However, no decision to give up on KSC has been made. EDW weather still OK and expected to remain so.
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Crew Wake up in about 10 mins at 12:01 CDT
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Entry Team on Console 3:00 am CDT
Wx Brief at 3:50 CDT
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Crew Wakeup Call: I have no idea what this song is....but I like it!
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Good Morning Atlantis
Crew hopes it's a nice day in FL
Theme Song from Iron Flight?
Cryo Config in work
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Song was Wagner's Flight of the Valkyries
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Good Choice
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Crew in Post Sleep....soon to step into De Orbit Prep
Crew is playing a song to the ground.
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Crew song is "Take Me Home" by Phil Collins.
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MCC: We got the message we're doing our best
Crew is having a great time and in good spirits
Now going over timeline issues
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per PAO Wx looks good at EDW not looking great at KSC. Thunderstorms at 30 nm of KSC pretty good chance of Preicp in FL for the next couple of days.
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Some times from PAO for the first landing opportunity (times CST):
0300 Entry team on console
0350 Weather briefing from SFMG
0357 Crew starts deorbit preps (completion of post-sleep activities)
0427 Chief Astronaut Steve Lindsey takes off in T-38
0512 GO/NO GO for PLBD closure
0517 PLBD closure
0527 GO/NO GO for OPS3
0557 Crew advised to don suits
0617 Chief Lindsey takes off in STA
0635 Don suits
0657 Seats
0713 OMS gimbal checks
0723 APU start
0737 GO/NO GO for deorbit burn
0757 Deorbit burn (2:31 burn, slows 251 fps (171 mph))
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Crew getting ready to fly over northern South America
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no White Sands (thank god) it's wet
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Crew waived off the PMC.
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Is it true that they will land today, regardless of the Weather at KSC?
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Handover from Orbit 3 team to entry team complete.
KSC still not looking good. EDW still OK but no decisions yet.
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Atlantis IMU align good.
Seems as though landing will be today, only the location is up for debate.
Steve Lindsay will be flying weather asessment flights in Florida, Chris Johnson in California.
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Crew wil be stepping into the deorbit timeline in around 20 min.
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Is it true that they will land today, regardless of the Weather at KSC?
Yes, barring a major systems failure, today is "pick-em" day.
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Steve Lindsay will be flying weather asessment flights in Florida, Chris Johnson in California.
Nit: Chris Ferguson will be flying out at Edwards.
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Steve Lindsay will be flying weather asessment flights in Florida, Chris Johnson in California.
Nit: Chris Ferguson will be flying out at Edwards.
Thanks, I had the feeling I may have had that wrong
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MCC Big Picture:
Show complete with filght plan activities and ready to move into deorbit prep.
Going to move through door closure, looking at KSC for first opportuinity then second orbit make a call for Edwards or KSC. Weather at Edwards is looking great. Sky clear, wind down the runway at 17 kt.
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Not sure about the radar over KSC...
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Polling for PLBD closing.
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Polling for PLBD closure
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"Similiar Deorbit preps as yesterday. Proceed through to PLBD closing. Next tag up will be entry suit up."
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One hour to suit up for the first opportunity, so we'll know more on KSC op 1 at that time.
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Heading over the land of annoyingly good cricket...
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Buwahahaha
Capcom was using this weird tone when relaying info earlier and the latest call back they pulled it on him.
Funny little things that help the time pass...
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Go for payload bay closing!
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Atlantis has go for PLBD closing.
(From the good cricketers. Looking forward to the Ashes)
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Port door now closed
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Starboard door now closed
Doors are all latched
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Doors now closed with no issues.
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Starboard door now closed
Doors are all latched
Very good sir! Nice to see the radiator hose retract issue appears to be licked.
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Go for OPS3 transition.
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Norm Knight (head down below the console) and team...
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payload bay floodlights - OFF
payload bay cameras - OFF
OBSS heaters - OFF
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2hrs 32min 'til first TIG
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Go to suit up!
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Not the best weather picture
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"The weather at Kennedy is better than yesterday"
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"Weather is a little better than yesterday (at KSC), we'd like you to suit up as per the plan."
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Dull but much less that previous days
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now in OPS3
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Atlantis is ready for the PAD
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State vector update not required, targets coming on board and PAD is under discussion at MCC
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PAD is ready. Atlantis has three poised pencils ready to copy
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TIG 12 18:55:10,0
TIGO 02:29
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Landing currently KSC rwy 33. Surface wind is pretty much straight down the strip.
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taking some GPS data to PASS and BFS
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Steve Lindsay will be airbourne shortly in STA. Still some Cb's in the area.
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Steve Lindsay will be airbourne shortly in STA. Still some Cb's in the area.
There's more...CCTV camera out at Pad A looking off towards the southeast...
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Reentry switch list verification in work.
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Live coverage of STS-125's Flight Day 14:
Article (will be modified in the morning on the latest): http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/atlantis-targets-expansive-asa-contingency-plan/
Also writing another article (including STS-125 IFA notes, STS-127 pre-FRR, 128 latest via L2), which will go on via a go for the deorbit burn or wave off decision etc.
Now do I use a KSC or Edwards landing image? :)
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Still a full radar pattern.
Lindsey heading off in the STA shortly.
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Better just now but still some cloud incursions to the 30 mile
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There's going to be some crow eating via the people angry they didn't take Edwards yesteday if this continues to improve at KSC.
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Then again....weather to the sound isn't great.
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Better just now but still some cloud incursions to the 30 mile
It's possibly marginal; still a lot of showers off to the south and southeast on radar. Sounds like they may take this decision down close to the burn time for this rev.
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No (agreeing with Chris' post).
So far offshore but concern is that daytime heating may promote showers onshore
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I'm in north Merritt Island, only five miles south of the SLF and I have to say it looks beautiful out there this morning!
Unless there are some high winds at altitude, from the ground this looks like a near-perfect morning to try for a landing here.
There are clouds and some rain offshore (http://cfnews13.com/Weather/Radar/Default.aspx), but those systems currently seem to be heading Northwards, not towards KSC and the Shuttle isn't going to be flying through that area. Lets hope things stay this way.
Ross.
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SLF Weather
KTTS 241125Z VRB04KT 10SM FEW020 FEW150 SCT240 23/23 A2998 RMK CB AND TCU DSNT E MOV N SLP152 1CU /0/ 1AC 3CI /2/ N1004/06 C1107/09 S1004/09
KTTS 2402/2502 14010KT 9999 VCSH FEW020 SCT050 SCT100 BKN250 QNH2995INS
BECMG 2414/2415 13010G18KT 9999 -SHRA VCTS FEW020 SCT040CB BKN250 QNH2993INS
BECMG 2500/2501 13008KT 9999 NSW FEW020 SCT040 BKN250 QNH2994INS T28/2419Z T21/2410Z 240934 LAST NO AMDS AFT 2402 NEXT 2415
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Not sure if it's a usual situation, but thought it was a nice touch that the STS-126 commander is flying the STA for Edwards (no issues) and communicating with his STS-126 pilot (Boe), who's serving as Weather CAPCOM at MCC-H.
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IMU Align in work.
Scooter knows the score, with "I know you're probably working the weather right now..."
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1hr 10 mins to the deorbit burn for Op 1 at KSC. So probably about an hour to the decision.
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still seriously evaluating weather. mostly clear right now, but strong chance of thuderstorms developing in the next 2 hours
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P-3 in flight for the DTO:
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Not foregoing the opportunity at KSC, go for fluid loading, but on a conservative basis as they continue to evaluate the weather.
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New weather from NWS just came up...
KTTS 241140Z VRB04KT 10SM FEW022 FEW150 SCT240 23/23 A2998 RMK TCU DSNT E-DSNT SE SLP152 1CU /1/ 1AC 3CI /3/ N1204/09 C1206/10 S1205/09
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FYI, there's a weather thread for posting the raw data:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=17113.0
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First deorbit burn is scheduled in one hour. Atlantis starting orbit 196.
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good IMU alignment
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Crew on final page of the deorbit checklist. Crew beginning to climb into their seats.
KSC SLF:
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Based on his observation of the buildups/ceilings off the coast, Lindsey sounds hopefull for this rev.
Mark Kirkman
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There's going to be some crow eating via the people angry they didn't take Edwards yesteday if this continues to improve at KSC.
Well I'll offer that the KSC weather looks much better than the forecasts yesterday seemed to suggest. The last two days were pretty ugly but today looks to have been worth making a try for.
It sounds like they either make the first opportunity at KSC or wind up going to EDW. It doesn't seem like things would improve at KSC as it warms up. (But what do I know)
A KSC landing saves me 3 hours of driving :)
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state vector ready for uplink shortly
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Weather at the cape is marginal, still watching it. Going to need a little more time to analyze it. Going to march down the timeline for a potential deorbit burn.
Scooter: "Thank you Houston, keep our options available."
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Shadow over SLF and Pad area is dissipating so this may cause buildups over land as temp increases - that is what the ground WX guys appear to be worried about at this point.
Mark Kirkman
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Also reading up some changes to the delay one orbit checklist.
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Listening to the KSC ground scatter, sounds like they are go to support a landing today. Again, waiting on Houston, but... sounds hopeful.
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Shadow over SLF and Pad area is dissipating so this may cause buildups over land as temp increases - that is what the ground WX guys appear to be worried about at this point.
Mark Kirkman
Some earlier comment indicated that only two to four degrees of heating was required to trigger local cloud formation over land
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Go to load targets!
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Shadow over SLF and Pad area is dissipating so this may cause buildups over land as temp increases - that is what the ground WX guys appear to be worried about at this point.
Mark Kirkman
Some earlier comment indicated that only two to four degrees of heating was required to trigger local cloud formation over land
Noted a bit of the PAO commentary on that in the weather thread...the concern was when the temp got to 77F. At the time, that was expected around the TIG for the 1st KSC opportunity, around 9 am.
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Hold off on APU Prestart until back with COMM.
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Shadow over SLF and Pad area is dissipating so this may cause buildups over land as temp increases - that is what the ground WX guys appear to be worried about at this point.
Mark Kirkman
Some earlier comment indicated that only two to four degrees of heating was required to trigger local cloud formation over land
Noted a bit of the PAO commentary on that in the weather thread...the concern was when the temp got to 77F. At the time, that was expected around the TIG for the 1st KSC opportunity, around 9 am.
Yeah it is all going to be down to the time of TIG. Shadow over the area is intermittent so we don't have the full affect of ground heating. Listening to the WX loop, the team is just on the edge of getting comfortable - we'll se soon!!!
Mark Kirkman
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Crew has go to continue fluid loading but delay on APU start pending further weather evaluation. Still a foot in both camps.
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ugly clouds:
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we are waved off for this KSC d/o
but will look at both KSC and EDW next rev
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we are waved off for this KSC d/o
but will look at both KSC and EDW next rev
Thanks very much!
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My non WX background says we are not going to get to KSC today for second rev either as the ground heats up. Dohhh!!
Mark Kirkman
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we are waved off for this KSC d/o
but will look at both KSC and EDW next rev
You can hear the disappointment (if that's the right word) in Scooter's voice when he called back to Houston. Hopefully they'll get her down today.
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we are waved off for this KSC d/o
but will look at both KSC and EDW next rev
That was sooooo cool to read the call from you two minutes before we heard it on NASA TV ;D Thank you for taking the time to keep us informed!
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You can hear the disappointment (if that's the right word) in Scooter's voice when he called back to Houston. Hopefully they'll get her down today.
They will get her down today, but the families are probably at KSC and Atlantis and crew may not be.
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you can see the clouds inside the circle:
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you can see the clouds inside the circle:
The problem would be precip, not necessarily clouds, but as CapCom noted, that was the forecast for the 1st KSC rev. It's possible they were observed go, but definitely not forecast that way.
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13/20:22:45 TIG for EDW
13/20:39:00 TIG for KSC
Still holding on page 3-6 prior to APU prestart.
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A little under two hours from TIG for EDW 197 , precisely two hours from TIG KSC 197
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Crew won't be called for around 45 minutes following the first wave off.
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Can someone remind me why a landing on the current orbit was not a possibility? The shuttle passed right over KSC around 8:17 ET.
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Can anyone recall the actual TIG and Landing time's for next rev for both landing sites?
thanks,
Dan.-
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Can anyone recall the actual TIG and Landing time's for next rev both landing sites?
thanks,
Dan.-
13/20:22:45 TIG for EDW
13/20:39:00 TIG for KSC
Still holding on page 3-6 prior to APU prestart.
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I was under the impression that Atlantis must land today due to the dwindling supply of LOX and LH2 for the fuel cells.
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Thanks Ford, can you post it in CST or EST?
Dan
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Darn: I was hoping that I would be able to eat crow and have the landing at KSC on the first try instead for EDW. Hopefully with the clouds to the east and moving north, the next orbit may be better. Fingers crossed.
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I was under the impression that Atlantis must land today due to the dwindling supply of LOX and LH2 for the fuel cells.
NO, they have saved supplies to last till tomorrow if there is a technical issue, or all Landing runways are No Go.
But you don't what to cut it that fine, so home today if weather is Go at Any site.
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Thanks Ford, can you post it in CST or EST?
Dan
Times are EDT:
Landing: 11:40 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 10:25 a.m.)
Landing: 11:49 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 10:41 a.m.)
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Darn: I was hoping that I would be able to eat crow and have the landing at KSC on the first try instead for EDW. Hopefully with the clouds to the east and moving north, the next orbit may be better. Fingers crossed.
Not impossible, but the forecast is for the weather at KSC to trend the opposite way with the daytime heating.
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NO, they have saved supplies to last till tomorrow if there is a technical issue, or all Landing runways are No Go.
Mostly just the former.
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Thanks to user stockman, we have some nice NTV screenshots showing the burn and landing times on page 1 of this thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=17172.msg410574#msg410574
Thank you to the mods who are trying to keep this live thread clean. Those of you new to the forum and with questions, welcome, but please take just a couple minutes to read through this thread at least (it's really not that long), since your question is probably well covered. See also the latest article or two posted on the home page of this site. Thanks to all!
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Yeah it is all going to be down to the time of TIG. Shadow over the area is intermittent so we don't have the full affect of ground heating. Listening to the WX loop, the team is just on the edge of getting comfortable - we'll se soon!!!
Mark Kirkman
Is WX comm loops (and others) available publicly online or is do you have special ninja accesses? :) It would be amazing to listed to some other teams chatter at various times! Just curious while we wait here...
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Chris Fergueson about to take off at EDW in the STA:
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Chris Fergueson in the STA at Edwards
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In the air:
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Landing: 11:49 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 10:31 a.m.)
actually the deorbit burn is at 10:41 am Eastern
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Well Edwards does look great, so hopefully she will be home soon:
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Yuck on the weather screen:
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Times are EDT:
Landing: 11:40 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 10:25 a.m.)
Landing: 11:49 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 10:31 a.m.)
So that will be 15:40 / 15:49 GMT?
Just want to make shure I have it right.
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Times are EDT:
Landing: 11:40 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 10:25 a.m.)
Landing: 11:49 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 10:31 a.m.)
So that will be 15:40 / 15:49 GMT?
Just want to make shure I have it right.
That's correct. All still quiet on NASA TV.
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Times are EDT:
Landing: 11:40 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 10:25 a.m.)
Landing: 11:49 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 10:41 a.m.)
I have to say, that always blows my mind -- the difference between landing three time-zones apart is only 9 minutes...
Ross.
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Weather at KSC not looking good - my prediction is an EDW landing on orbit 197.
So it looks like well be watching a few SCA flights next weekend!! That's why I love Florida weather :)
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Fergueson flying a low approach on RWY 22. Going to set up for a low approach to RWY 04 next.
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Landing: 11:40 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Edwards (deorbit burn at 10:25 a.m.)
Landing: 11:49 a.m., Orbit 197, landing at Kennedy (deorbit burn at 10:41 a.m.)
Geee...I wish I could get a flight from California to Florida in NINE MINUTES!!! ;)
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Steve Lindsay in the STA at KSC as well. Heading far out [South and South East] to see if any weather will come within 30.
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That weather has certainly flattened out a lot. There is a lot of high level cloud which may just delay heating enough to get them in before local Cu develop.
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Fergueson pulling up after a low approach from RWY 04 at EDW:
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IMU alignment is good and will be good for KSC and EDW. Tagging up the DEL PADs, starting with EDW 197 first. 15 minutes before the EDW deorbit burn we will make a decision to go with either EDW or KSC.
Crew: "Hope things improve and hope you guys go with Kennedy!"
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good imu align, god for both options
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APU start sequence
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No more weather links and thoughts on winds etc on this thread, there is a weather thread for such things. This thread is for the loop, MCC and Atlantis, etc.
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Holding off on PADS for KSC
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For EDW 197
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new state vector being built to be sent onboard
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MS1 and MS2 have good pressure checks on entry suits, complete with deorbit prep
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No more weather links and thoughts on winds etc on this thread, there is a weather thread for such things. This thread is for the loop, MCC and Atlantis, etc.
yy..
Ferguson still in STA :
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"Getting EDW targets and state vectors on-board. Will give you the GO to load at appropriate times. Going to read you up the KSC DEL pad as well."
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Targets onboard for the EDW TIG, GO to load. Once loaded, go to press through procedures.
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Go for APU pre-start.
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EDW convoy headed out to the RWY:
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DEL PAD KSC 197 FOR RWY 15
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Is that the SCA on the left?
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Is that the SCA on the left?
Yes.
Expected GO/NO-GO for EDW should be shortly after the top of the hour.
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apu pre start complete
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The SCA at Edwards is N911NA, a 747-100SR purchased from Japan Airlines. It is the second SCA after N905NA
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Getting latest WX Brief now, listening to Steve Lindsay in the STA as well. Lindsay is tracking NW of the RWY to check some low-level clouds.
32 minutes from the EDW Deorbit burn. Expected GO/NO-GO in 15 minutes or so.
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EDW convoy headed out to the RWY:
Isn't that a bit premature? They haven't made the decision yet.
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EDW convoy headed out to the RWY:
Isn't that a bit premature? They haven't made the decision yet.
Want to be in a position to support if Edwards is called up.
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Go for vent door close on time and then the transition to OPS 302.
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Go to maneuver on time for the de-orbit burn.
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pressing to EDW
waved KSC
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Less than 10 minutes till decision - EDW or KSC.
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Could not get comfortable with KSC weather. Press with EDW opportunity this rev.
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EDWARDS IT IS!!
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Press to Edwards!
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Woohoo, love ferry ops!
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Runway 22 for the boys, then.
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deorbit burn will be at 10:24 EDT (about 20 minutes)
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Here's our landing opportunity:
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we are GO for deorbit burn
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Norm Knight polling for a GO/NO-GO for the burn.
EDIT: Thanks Moonbase for the advance word!
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(Thanks to Moonbase for the advance on Kyle relying the call).
Article for Edwards landing and a fleet update on their flows (will be updated as we go on Atlantis).
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/05/atlantis-heading-to-california-fleet-status-update/
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go for burn, great weather winds down the runway
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Scooter relaying his words: "Thanks guys, beautiful day in the desert."
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line perpendicular and intersecting orbital track over the Indian ocean is the deorbit burn point
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Posting two screencaps from a RWY 22 app with the STA (available on L2).
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Atlantis pitching over to the de-orbit burn attitude.
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10 mins to deorbit burn.
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APU #2 to start shortly.
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5 mins to deorbit burn.
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APU 2 is up and running in great shape. Deorbit burn in 4 minutes, 10 seconds.
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here are links to convoy operations information, full STS-115 cockpit reentry video, and STA HUD Edwards landing video all available for L2 members:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=10926.0
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=4789.0
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8514.0
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line perpendicular and intersecting orbital track over the Indian ocean is the deorbit burn point
That's orbital sunset, not the deorbit burn point. If it is, it's coincidental.
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2 minutes from the burn. Good config.
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60 seconds from the burn.
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burn is now enabled. it is not underway.
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we are now burning
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starting deorbit burn
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Burn underway. Burn lasts 2 minutes and 36 seconds.
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no action on apu 2, over africa
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MCC-H called up "NO action on APU 2". Slightly higher drainline temp on it.
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good d/o burn.
no trims required
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Good burn, no trim required. Atlantis on her way to Edwards Air Force Base. She'll now continue to pitch around, nose forward, 40 degrees up where she will hit Entry Interface at 399,000 feet.
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good d/o burn.
no trims required
Excellent, you're obviously way ahead of NTV (with the natural lag) and Kyle passing on the info, so really appreciated.
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"No issue at all on APU 2, just a thermal issue on it.. pushing that limit slightly."
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Gee! "Good burn, Atlantis is a fantastic ship"
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OPS 303
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maneuvering to entry attitude
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Atlantis maneuvering to the nose forward, 40 degree pitch attitude.
Secondary actuator check is not required. HYD fluid thermal conditioning not required. FRCS dump time being calculated.
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Atlantis is 1 hour, 7 minutes from touchdown.
FRCS dump time is about 16 seconds, dump occurs in 10 minutes or so.
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Interesting angle
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(http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=17172.0;attach=136585;image)
What does that big yellow circle mean ? (around australia and asia ?)
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DOB happened way before the marks previously mentioned here. In fact happened where there is no mark at all in the map.
Looking at the other mark, would those mean apogee an perigee?
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Atlantis attitude to nose forward. Safe trip home.
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APU messages will be nuisance messages. Toggling right near the limit. Can ignore messages.
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(http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=17172.0;attach=136585;image)
What does that big yellow circle mean ? (around australia and asia ?)
Portions of the ground track that TDRS east (comm sat) does not cover.
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DOB happened way before the marks previously mentioned here. In fact happened where there is no mark at all in the map.
Looking at the other mark, would those mean apogee an perigee?
Orbital sunrise and sunset.
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one hour to landing
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Atlantis will touch down in 60 minutes. Under 30 minutes from EI.
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30 minutes to Entry Interface (EI). There is no Boundary Layer DTO on Atlantis.
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just a note, with entry in work it will get silent at times, will get an APU alarm but no action, 22 minutes until EI
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22 minutes from Entry Interface (399,000 feet). About to get another APU message for APU 2.
APU's 1 and 3 will be started in about 8 minutes.
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Mr Knight and his team:
"You'll get an APU alarm, no action required. It's working great, just elevated pressure in the drain line."
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just a note, with entry in work , will get an APU alarm but no action, 22 minutes until EI
APU 2 has slightly elevated pressure in drain line, near the limit but still OK.
Other 2 APU's to be started in about 8 minutes
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Did not hear anything, but with a shaky internet can't be sure. FRCS dump complete?
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There is no Boundary Layer DTO on Atlantis.
Hmm, it was mentioned on the HYTHIRM document on L2, maybe it will just be a control test?
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=16774.0
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Great call on the weather it seems, via SLF guys saying it was looking fine, but now it being covered in clouds.
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16 minutes from EI, 47 minutes to touchdown. FRCS has been dumped.
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FRCS dump complete per PAO. No more FRCS firings on this flight.
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APU 1 and 3 are up and running. Looking good. 12 minutes from EI, 43 minutes from touchdown.
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In attitude for another of her re-entries. All three APUs now up and running.
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Is that the sun on the display over the orbiter?
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Missed that call, as it was cutting out on the comm. CAPCOM, go to press system 1, on the reaction to it.
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Near Papa New Guinea:
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It was for SSME HYD repress, I think
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7 minutes from EI.
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It was for SSME HYD repress, I think
That's what I heard too.
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Will lose entry COMM in about 9 minutes, due to plasma. Should get COMM back 6 minutes later. Certainly get it back by the first roll reversal (21:22). Handing down to Dryden at 21:26.
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talking about brief loss of comm during 41:22
Should last about 6 minutes
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reentry track on the screen
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2 minutes from EI.
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Atlantis should be hitting Entry Interface at this time. Godspeed to her and her crew.
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real time tracking: http://www.n2yo.com/?s=34933
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Atlantis now 350,000 feet in altitude. Under 30 minutes to landing. 4,500 miles to touchdown. 16,800 mph.
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28 minutes from touchdown. About a minute from the GNC software to conduct the first roll reversal, to the left.
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first roll command underway, to the left
elevons,tail rudder and RCS working together
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First roll command initiated. Have lost COMM with the vehicle, as expected.
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lost comm, as expected
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PLT and CDR will be watching ENTRY TRAJ 1 at this point:
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passing Hawaii, commercial flight from Hawaii to LA is about 5 hours 30 minutes, Atlantis will do the same in about 20 minutes!
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MCC-H back with Atlantis a bit early on the upper antenna.
Atlantis "just starting to get light where we are now, looks real good."
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I hope folks in Hawaii are awake and looking north!
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Comm back early on upper antenna!
Just north of Hawaii
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Excellent, comms are back and they are nearly through the "hottest" part of re-entry.
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2,200 miles to EDW.
21 minutes to touchdown.
RCS Roll jets are deactivated.
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Sometimes you can see this track move very slightly left and right of the centerline, but she's practically on rails with this entry.
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Looks like she will go feet dry over Vandenberg
Edit closer to Santa Barbara, hope they are awake because she will wake them up!
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18 minutes to touchdown. Atlantis riding smooth through the atmosphere.
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Only NASA PAO could make the world's most incredible hypersonic flight sounds so...boring. Unbelievable.
Thank goodness we have NSF and these excellent posts!
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Onto ENTRY TRAJ 2 display about now.
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16 mins to landing. "Right down the pipe" as Rob Navais would say :)
202,000 ft altitude.
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Now 202K feet altitude.
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15 minutes to touchdown:
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First roll reversal started, from left to right. Guided by the onboard guidance computers. Atlantis 15 minutes from touchdown. RCS Pitch jets are now deactivated.
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189,000 feet in altitude.
10,400 MPH.
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Mach 15
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189,000 feet. She lost over 10,000 ft in about a minute!
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Nice and relaxed control room:
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189,000 feet. She lost over 10,000 ft in about a minute!
well they dont say the shuttle flies like a brick for nothing ;)
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8,200 MPH.
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Less than 13 minutes to go.
Speed 8200 mph.
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should be getting s-band soon
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153,000 ft in altitude.
320 miles to touchdown.
10 minutes to touchdown.
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320 miles, 10.5 minutes to touchdown
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Seems to be deviating a bit to one side of the line?
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Energy, ground track, and NAV are go.
2600 feet at 205 MPH. NOM NOM.
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Onto ENTRY TRAJ 3.
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Take TACANs, take GPS.
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Will touch down 2600 feet in at 205 knots, nominal & nominal
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131,000 ft, sinking at 260ft/sec.
4,100 MPH.
9 minutes to touchdown.
Atlantis approaching the Southern California coast:
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TRAJ 4
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Atlantis now being guided by GPS.
220 miles to EDW, speed 4100 mph.
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First views! Quite hard to see.
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first shot
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Seems to be deviating a bit to one side of the line?
They do that, which is what made me note how she was hugging the track beforehand. Onboard computers just going with what they need to. Totally nominal (I know as I asked about it myself on one of the first re-entries we covered here :))
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Approaching CA coast
Touch down in 9 min on runway 22
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8 minutes to touchdown.
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Visual sighting...awesome. :)
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Now 107K feet altitude at 3000 mph.
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TRAJ 5 and HORIZ SIT should be up by now.
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Take AIR DATA.
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81,000 feet, falling at 260ft/sec.
1,700 MPH.
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Now using pitot probes for guidance.
Altitude 81K feet, 1700 mph.
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Guidance navigating Atlantis to the HAC for a heading to RWY 22.
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Super impressive delta wing shape in the sky. Should get some amazing views of the HAC.
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Losing altitude at rate of 260 feet per second
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Atlantis on energy approaching the HAC. Winds picked up to 15kt, peak 21kt. Right down the RWY. Nominal chute. 2900ft touchdown at 205.
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Scott Altman now flying Atlantis.
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VERT SIT 1
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Around 4:30 to go.
Now 730 mph, 15K feet.
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BOOM BOOM, Atlantis has arrived in EDW! Sonic booms!
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VERT SIT 2
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HUD display
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On at the 180. Greg Johnson now flying Atlantis through the HAC.
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Altitude 34K feet at 560 mph.
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Scott Altman now taking the stick back from Greg Johnson.
On at the 90.
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Runway in sight. 12,000 feet in altitude.
"Houston Atlantis, field in sight at 10k feet!"
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Atlantis preflaring.
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Landing gear arm.
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7000 feet.
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Gear down and locked.
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2000 ft pre flare
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Speedbrakes open,
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Touchdown!
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Gear down.
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main gear touch down
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Smooth as they get touchdown!
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Touchdown!
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"Houston Atlantis, wheel stop, Edwards 22."
"Was a thrill from start to finish, took a great team to get us through this. Hats off to you all."
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Onto post landing. Page 5-3.
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Wheels stop.
Welcome home Atlantis!
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No post landing deltas.
Convoy and Shuttle now hooking up.
Those APU chugs sure do sound good. ;)
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Another beauty, and still love the TV views of Edwards approach and land.
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Very smooth landing!
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did not want to crowd the live updates, but got an image of Atlantis with the convoy in the background:
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That was a beautiful approach and landing. Fantastic ending to a great mission! I got a little teary at wheels stop. :'(
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RCS/OMS safing for CDR and ET door opening for PLT.
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cool!
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What an aerial shot!
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An end to a great mission!
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Love those aerial shots!!!
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Can someone tell me what that sireny sound is that is heard after the shuttle lands? It sounds like it is coming from the orbiter, but I'm not sure.
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I see one ET door open so far...
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That was a beautiful approach and landing. Fantastic ending to a great mission! I got a little teary at wheels stop. :'(
Shuttle is the most majestic thing that ever graced the skies. I get all excited every time I see her returning. There has never been anything her and no matter what they ever do in the future I cannot imagine anything else that will ever affect me the wat Shuttle does. She is beyond beautiful.
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Port door coming open now.
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HYD load test not required.
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RAD Reconfig in work. Both ET doors open.
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Waiting MCC call to see if hydraulic load test procedures are called for (usually not).
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MCC Call...HYD load test not required.
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That was a beautiful approach and landing. Fantastic ending to a great mission! I got a little teary at wheels stop. :'(
Shuttle is the most majestic thing that ever graced the skies. I get all excited every time I see her returning. There has never been anything her and no matter what they ever do in the future I cannot imagine anything else that will ever affect me the wat Shuttle does. She is beyond beautiful.
Couldn't of said it better.
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Can someone tell me what that sireny sound is that is heard after the shuttle lands? It sounds like it is coming from the orbiter, but I'm not sure.
The APUs
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Welcome home Atlantis and well done to CAPT Altman and his amazing crew!!!! With this, all four post-Challenger orbiters completed HST servicing mission.
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Phew! I've never watched a re-entry and landing live! I have to say that, when the blackout ended, my stress level dropped quite a bit! However, nothing quite describes how you feel when you see that incredible bird coming out of the blue for the first time.
Say what you like about the STS in terms of engineering and safety. There is no doubt, however, that it is a beautiful and unique machine. When it is finally retired, I think that we will all miss it.
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A beautiful end to a great mission. Thanks for the outstanding coverage!
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Atlantis in work on setting the body flap. Houston is ready.
Go for OPS 9.
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Starboard ET door looks to be hung up. Is that normal??
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Next up should be GPC transition to OPS 9.
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Starboard ET door looks to be hung up. Is that normal??
I was just going to post that too!
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Did someone get the aerial of the latest on the landing strip? Not much runway left! Oh, I see Ron did :)
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That was a beautiful approach and landing. Fantastic ending to a great mission! I got a little teary at wheels stop. :'(
Shuttle is the most majestic thing that ever graced the skies. I get all excited every time I see her returning. There has never been anything her and no matter what they ever do in the future I cannot imagine anything else that will ever affect me the wat Shuttle does. She is beyond beautiful.
Couldn't of said it better.
Concur and amen.
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SSME reposition in work.
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TCS deact complete. GPS powerdown in work. Waiting for a go for extended powerup.
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It is sad to think that we're going to be privileged to see only a smaller and smaller number of these landings with each passing mission. Truly breathtaking! This mission was a real demonstration of human engineering, exploration, and teamwork.
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Go for GPS power-down. When that's complete, go for extended power-up. Convoy crew starting to arrive at Atlantis.
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HOLD on Vent Door Purge Positioning.
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Did someone get the aerial of the latest on the landing strip? Not much runway left! Oh, I see Ron did :)
In and of itself, doesn't look like a big deal. Given the slight uptick in the winds, the touchdown point was about 3000 feet down the runway and they look way in front of the 1 board...might be in front of the 2 board.
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Body flap repositioned:
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Are the body flap and SSME repositioning different here than for a nominal KSC landing? I'm thinking of the tail cone fit, and wondering if there is a different positioning because of that.
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Are the body flap and SSME repositioning different here than for a nominal KSC landing? I'm thinking of the tail cone fit, and wondering if there is a different positioning because of that.
Unlikely, since they will be repositioned for installing the tail cone, anyway.
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have to go to lunch, could someone upload my video after it is done processing please?
http://www.youtube.com/my_videos
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SSME Repositioning complete. Moving to APU/HYD shutdown. MCC-H concurs.
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Go to DOFF suits. Scooter is go to collapse the set.
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APU/HYD SHUTDN on ENTRY C/L page 5-9 .
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Main gear touch down: 12/21:37:09
Nose gear touchdown: 12/21:37:19
Wheel Stop: 12/21:38:19
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MS2 will work LRU DEACTIVATION on 5-18.
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APU/HYD Shutdown complete!
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Go to DOFF suits. Scooter is go to collapse the set.
Sorry what does that mean?
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Shuttle is the most majestic thing that ever graced the skies.
Correction: Shuttle is the most majestic brick that ever graced the skies.
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Go for post-landing MPS reconfig, then able to press on with Vent Door Purge Positioning
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Go to DOFF suits. Scooter is go to collapse the set.
Sorry what does that mean?
Doffing suits means they can get out of their orange LES suits. I'm not sure on collapsing the set, though.
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GPC powerdown complete. Switching to KSC for the post-landing news conference soon, expected 12:10 PM EDT.
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STS-125 - LANDING ATLANTIS
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5007
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I'm not sure on collapsing the set, though.
Handing control of the flight busses (and most likely all others) to just one GPC....so they can power down the other GPCs. We hear his usually called a 'Set Contraction'
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Go to DOFF suits. Scooter is go to collapse the set.
Sorry what does that mean?
Doffing suits means they can get out of their orange LES suits. I'm not sure on collapsing the set, though.
Cheers
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GPC powerdown complete. Switching to KSC for the post-landing news conference soon, expected 12:10 PM EDT.
Hope to see some landing replays after.
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Go to DOFF suits. Scooter is go to collapse the set.
Sorry what does that mean?
Ford typed it as an abbreviation but it's not. "Doff" just means "take off." The opposite ("put on") would be "don."
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RCS, OMS VALVE TEST over on 5-11.
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More convoy vehicles creeping up to Atlantis:
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What is that thing that looks like a section of airliner fuselage on high-suspension wheels? From the side camera, it seems to be parked a little behind the egress stairs.
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Thanks to everyone for the great coverage and the the completion of another Suuttle successful mission. It is always great to see these landings.
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Post landing news conference starting shortly, will provide a transcription.
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What is that thing that looks like a section of airliner fuselage on high-suspension wheels? From the side camera, it seems to be parked a little behind the egress stairs.
I bekieve that is the crew check out vehicle
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More convoy vehicles creeping up to Atlantis:
Couple of screenshots from a Convoy Ops presentation on L2:
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Ed Weiler: Now, and only now, can we declare this mission a total success; the astronauts are safely on the ground. Was thinking about this this morning. This mission that we've just completed successfully, cancelled on Jan 16, 2004, one day after my birthday. If you told me that I'd be sitting here 5 years later, with a successful telescope and mission, I wouldn't have bet you a penny. Well, here we are. The people at Goddard are already checking out the instruments. No problems so far.
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What is that thing that looks like a section of airliner fuselage on high-suspension wheels? From the side camera, it seems to be parked a little behind the egress stairs.
I bekieve that is the crew check out vehicle
That is the crew transport vehicle. There is one at KSC and dozens at Dulles International Airport
http://www.metwashairports.com/_/Image/_/dulles_history_4.gif
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What is that thing that looks like a section of airliner fuselage on high-suspension wheels? From the side camera, it seems to be parked a little behind the egress stairs.
That would be the "people mover", or mobile lounge. They were standard vehicles here in Washington DC at the Dulles Intl. airport for decades. Would drive passengers back & forth between the terminal and the airplanes. Hydraulically capable of vertical movement, to match up with the hatch height of different types of aircraft. I've had many a ride in them!
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Mike Moses: I will concur that this has been a great mission, successful EVAs, and great surgery.. Wish Atlantis could be here in Florida today, but EDW isn't bad at all. Had a few issues for this mission, with the ASA. Have to give my hats off to the STS-125 and her crew, and the OV-104 crew as well. Never had two birds on the pad within 7 days of launching. Thanks to the folks at MCC for letting us take our stabs at KSC, but the weather just wasn't right... and with the APU, had a nuisance with the messages, APU was running fine. No issues. Will get ready for the ferry flight, get Atlantis in the queue, and get that to go. Still targeting June 13 for STS-127, had a few problems with getting the payload into the PCR, due to weather, but we don't think we have delays at the moment. Too early to ask the teams.
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Mike Leinbach: Would also like to congratulate the Hubble teams. Locally, Atlantis and Endeavour, thanks. You guys are the best. In the process of preparing Endeavour for her runaround, next Friday night. Gonna take tomorrow off, so we are rested and ready. Hats off to Norm Knight today for landing at EDW. Ready to press on and getting Atlantis back in 8 or 9 days.
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That was a beautiful approach and landing. Fantastic ending to a great mission! I got a little teary at wheels stop. :'(
Shuttle is the most majestic thing that ever graced the skies. I get all excited every time I see her returning. There has never been anything her and no matter what they ever do in the future I cannot imagine anything else that will ever affect me the wat Shuttle does. She is beyond beautiful.
Agree 100%... and a fine landing for what has been an outstanding mission, definitely one for the history books! The crew and all at NASA involved with this voyage, from start to finish, have proved to be such fine instruments for human space exploration.
Also, I echo others here in thanking all those for providing the superb coverage on this forum… the technical commentaries have made it much easier for the relative newbie like myself to follow the mission. Many thanks!
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John: Weather is vulnerable in the morning, especially when we were trying to land today. You heard them talking about convective temperatures, and a tremendous amount of other rules. Hats off to the spaceflight meteorologist guys, they were challenged today. No place harder to forecast than KSC. Would have been violating on the first rev for sure, but not sure about the second without an aircraft there. Very very close with that. Concerned about the Anvil because it may have electric charges, could strike when we passed through. Great calls all around, had to be made in favor of not coming here. Too many unknowns for landing here today.
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Q&A now.
Evan Brown from FOX News Radio: Safe to say that the scratches on the other side of the Shuttle had no effect today? Can you reflect on that? And two, have the Shuttle / mated vehicle stack ever sat on the pad during the adverse weather this long?
Mike Moses: Did all analysis on the TPS during the flight, well within margins of heating. Going to go out and take molded impressions of the heat to compare to our Arc Jet testing.
Leinbach: Relative to 105 being out on the pad, doesn't really bother us. Have taken a few strikes close to the pad, but no issue with the orbiter at all. Good procedures to do a re-test if we need. Have been out there a while, but Endeavour is fine.
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Bill Harwood: ASA 1, need to make sure you don't have issues for 127, I assume. Will you have that data to make sure it's good for the FRRs? Will that also have an effect to have 127 to fly it?
Moses: Had a review board in-flight with the ASA. We do need to close that issue, can close in multiple ways. Need to find out what happened, though. Close not meaning stop talking about it, close meaning find out what happened, and see if it can effect us next flight. Going to be a constraint to launch for Atlantis next time, as we want to find out where this short is and make sure that is fixed. Will have the data we need before we flight, and if we don't, then we'll hold up launch.
Leinbach: Because we did land out in the west, had to make sure we had sufficient work force out there. Not much left to do on Endeavour. Disconnected the ordinance last night, and will adjust the hypergolic fuel loading. Payload will be transferred from the canister to the PHGM. Will be able to make June 13th.
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Is'nt it amazing; Atlantis and her crew have just wrapped up a highly significant mission that will have a major impact on the science of astronomy for probably another decade, and all the first question the media ask is about the minor scrapes on the chine!
Just amazing, they just dont get it do they.
paul
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Irene: When does Pad-B get formally turned over to Constellation?
Leinbach: Essentially once we roll off, but there should be a ceremony. Not sure when scheduled.
Irene: Any word on checkout of the Hubble?
Weiler: Checking out the systems, see no issues so far. Everything going far. I see no impact to getting you guys data.
Irene: What about having Charlie Bolden nominated for NASA admin?
Weiler: I think that's great. Not only because he was on our Shuttle mission to launch the Hubble, but he also has ties to the Shuttle and science. Senate has to confirm him, and a ways to go.
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The panel for reference
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Todd Halverson: What types of scientifications investigations will you get 'first dibs' Hubble?
Weiler: People have been waiting for years, literately, for first usage of the WFC/3, and our new spacecraft. Can look at anything, really, besides Venus, Mercury, and Sun.
Halverson: Thought rollaround was Saturday? Should be done with Hypers by Tuesday, so you can roll earlier?
Leinbach: Thinking like an ops manager now, Todd, aren't you? Glad to see you came around! Nah, rolling at "triple balls 1 (0001 local)", as we call it, on Friday.
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Questions from the Johnson space center -
Houston Chronicle up first: Seems like the current task now is to finish the ISS, since Hubble is in your rear view mirror. Can you complete the ISS within the remaining manifested missions?
Moses: Not really any new revelation on the ISS, HSM has been trouble to put into the manifest, need both pads, etc.. but the remaining manifest is the same. Have Ares I-X to fly, and a few others. I don't look too far down the manifest, usually flight by flight.
Leinbach: Last major piece of the ISS arrived here 2 days ago, Node 3. That'll start their processing in the SSPF.
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Leinbach: Thinking like an ops manager now, Todd, aren't you? Glad to see you came around! Nah, rolling at "triple balls 1 (0001 local)", as we call it, on Friday.
To clarify, that's 0001L on Saturday, which is Friday night into Saturday morning.
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Robert Pearlman: This is the last HSM, wasn't even expected to come back since it was canceled, but it's completed successfully. Part of it was the grass roots that supported the flight. How do you manage that and them wanting NASA to go back?
Weiler: We've got bigger and better telescopes to go up, the JWST for example. Can not change the mirror size in Hubble, it's limited to 2.4 meters, whereas JWST will be 6.4 meters. Hubble can't see so far back to see when stars became stars, or when galaxies became galaxies. Have to go infrared for that, which the JWST will do. We were told to get one more mission to HST, and get to 2010 with Hubble. We'll get well beyond 2010 with HST, maybe 2015.
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James Dean: Can you outline the timeline on the ferry flight?
Leinbach: Ferry flight timed for day 7, today can either be day 1 or day 0, we usually like to confuse things. Probably a 2 day ferry.
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Tariq: Last time we spoke with you, Shuttle didn't leave Hubble yet. What were your thoughts on the Shuttle flying away from the spacecraft?
Weiler: Was watching with a few others.. and I can say this. We all had.. wouldn't say wet eyes, but it was emotional for sure. Trying to get people off of the negative with this, I mean jeez! We've got a brand new HST! This is truly the best of times, not the worst! Please!
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Conference over, heading back to MCC-H and waiting for the crew to egress.
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Tariq: Last time we spoke with you, Shuttle didn't leave Hubble yet. What were your thoughts on the Shuttle flying away from the spacecraft?
Weiler: Was watching with a few others.. and I can say this. We all had.. wouldn't say wet eyes, but it was emotional for sure. Trying to get people off of the negative with this, I mean jeez! We've got a brand new HST! This is truly the best of times, not the worst! Please!
That was a GREAT answer by Weiler.....
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Ha, the space.com wrter, who always uses the word "curious" in every question he asks gets beaten up by the Hubble guy for being negative. That was funny.
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Tariq: Last time we spoke with you, Shuttle didn't leave Hubble yet. What were your thoughts on the Shuttle flying away from the spacecraft?
Weiler: Was watching with a few others.. and I can say this. We all had.. wouldn't say wet eyes, but it was emotional for sure. Trying to get people off of the negative with this, I mean jeez! We've got a brand new HST! This is truly the best of times, not the worst! Please!
That was a great and poignant response from him. "we got a new telescope". :)
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All crew are off the vehicle, with Scott Altman (tradition!) leaving last at 12:37 PM EDT.
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Tariq: Last time we spoke with you, Shuttle didn't leave Hubble yet. What were your thoughts on the Shuttle flying away from the spacecraft?
Weiler: Was watching with a few others.. and I can say this. We all had.. wouldn't say wet eyes, but it was emotional for sure. Trying to get people off of the negative with this, I mean jeez! We've got a brand new HST! This is truly the best of times, not the worst! Please!
That was a great and poignant response from him. "we got a new telescope". :)
Yes, that was great. Ed Weiler is an excellent speaker, and I've always admired him as "Dr. Hubble" over the years. Did you notice the press room breaking into applause right as the conference ended?
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Tariq: Last time we spoke with you, Shuttle didn't leave Hubble yet. What were your thoughts on the Shuttle flying away from the spacecraft?
Weiler: Was watching with a few others.. and I can say this. We all had.. wouldn't say wet eyes, but it was emotional for sure. Trying to get people off of the negative with this, I mean jeez! We've got a brand new HST! This is truly the best of times, not the worst! Please!
That was a great and poignant response from him. "we got a new telescope". :)
Yes, that was great. Ed Weiler is an excellent speaker, and I've always admired him as "Dr. Hubble" over the years. Did you notice the press room breaking into applause right as the conference ended?
Yes, it was a great feeling. That kind of emotion is what is required to put some focus back on spaceflight. So often these pressers can be dry, but the emotion and drive that Mr. Weiler showed was exemplary. He would be a great motivational speaker for classrooms.
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Confirmation of good ground cooling on Atlantis. All post-landing safing is complete. MCC-H has completed their job of bringing Atlantis home safely after 13 days in space.
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Great coverage everyone, and of course it doesn't stop, not just because we're really big on processing, but because we've got a SCA ferry flight to cover, along with Endeavour's pad rollaround for a launch in three weeks time! :)
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STS-125 - POST-LANDING NEWS CONFERENCE
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5009
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Looks like medical helicopters are being released:
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Best coverage on the net, said it before, but has to be said again. Really don't know how the public coped before this site, but that's a sign of how great this place is. And that goes for those of us who work with the missions too, we love being here too, very motivating to see so much interest and respect.
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Best coverage on the net, said it before, but has to be said again. Really don't know how the public coped before this site, but that's a sign of how great this place is. And that goes for those of us who work with the missions too, we love being here too, very motivating to see so much interest and respect.
We really need to thank you guys who sit at the consoles and get her up and back safely. This was a tremendous mission, and that's a testament to all the guys on the ground making decisions (such as the bypass across the board during the roll maneuver) on the minute, that's another reason I got into spaceflight. A majestic vehicle that takes many decisions, on a fraction of a second, to run. It's amazing. Thanks for your hard work.
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Quick question: when do we expect to see the crew walk-around?
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Closeup of the CTV (Crew Transport Vehicle), which has the crew inside. Hopefully it will back away soon and the crew will egress.
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Quick question: when do we expect to see the crew walk-around?
Kind of a wait and see thing -- likely based on when the crew is ready. Often the people mover backs away from the side hatch first and then it is after that.
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Cherry picker is out
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Stairs on the CTV have been raised - looks like their are getting ready to back away from the Atlantis!
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CTV backing away!
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Now lowering:
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Best coverage on the net, said it before, but has to be said again. Really don't know how the public coped before this site, but that's a sign of how great this place is. And that goes for those of us who work with the missions too, we love being here too, very motivating to see so much interest and respect.
Amen to that. This site as given me such a broader view of spaceflight, beyond anything I could have ever imagined. After looking around at other sites, with all the nonsense, poor/slow reporting, but most of all the unsensored attacks & disrespect...I keep coming back and loving every minute of it.
Cheers to this team, and the great coverage (once again) you put out. When I get down for my first shuttle launch, I'm buying the first round! :)
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"Wait, they come out THAT way!"
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Out of the CTV!
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Standing mere inches from Atlantis:
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Scott Altman surveying his vehicle for the past 13 days:
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Landing photos starting to show up in the KSC Media Gallery:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
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Ken Ham and Shane Kimbrough:
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Landing photos starting to show up in the KSC Media Gallery:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
Going to want to keep this link handy for the next week:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/multimedia/imagegallery/STS-125/index.html
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Do we know who the ASP was at Edwards? Kay Hire was probably at KSC?
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girl talk...
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Post-landing crew photo:
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The crew
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Scott Altman: When we got down to Florida, I looked at everyone and said "at last!" I didn't realize it would be that hard to get back to the earth.. so I say the same thing! At last! Great to be back here at EDW in California. Saw the field from about 100 miles out. Landing here just felt great to everyone. All thrilled and congratulations to the teams all across the country, especially Edwards for giving us a place to land and they don't mind us taking up their runway for a few hours.
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I see a couple of kids walking around there. What a special treat for them!
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Boarding the astrovan that's at EDW:
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replays coming up.. good coverage everyone...
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Landing replays up next. I've got to jet, and can't cover them at the moment. Sorry!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjnLVPQ-muA
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STS-125 - Crew after Landing.
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5012
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And that is all folks... now back to live coverage for as long as that lasts
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And that is all folks... now back to live coverage for as long as that lasts
Thanks for the images. It was a beautiful landing to watch (again) :)
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And that is all folks... now back to live coverage for as long as that lasts
Thanks for the images. It was a beautiful landing to watch (again) :)
Thank you... Happy to add my little bit... Actually I feel privileged to be able to participate in a forum like this ...
The cherry picker bucket now moved to this side of the shuttle.. lots of people using the shuttle as a sun block it seems... :)
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I liked the single camera view of the approach, it illustrated the flare very well.
Just like to add my thanks to the other for great coverage throught the mission.
Paul
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Do we have anyone on here who is affiliated with or knows media in Hawaii? I'm wondering if anyone was up at 5:30am HST to get some footage of the plasma trail as Atlantis passed high to the northwest of the Hawaiian Islands.
(I'm posting this here instead of in the viewing thread because I thought it might be of interest to the media folks who tend to hang out more on this thread)
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STS-125 - LANDING ATLANTIS REPLAYS
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5008
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Well that looks like the end of coverage... now moving to mission highlights and replays... must go do some work before the wife finds out I have been on here all day so far...
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Shame we won't get to see this live, but this is her convoy off the runway:
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I'm guessing that there won't be a post landing crew news conference? Don't think I've ever seen one from Edwards...
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Only the USA can return from space like you-all just saw...lets keep it flying!!!
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I'm guessing that there won't be a post landing crew news conference? Don't think I've ever seen one from Edwards...
Not sure, since this is a pretty high profile mission, but news conferences from Dryden are rare, especially when it's not the primary landing site. Last one was after STS-114. The crews usually will saw a few words to the folks at Dryden before leaving, but in the distant past it was a bit more ceremonial.
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Thanks to Everyone
Sun, 24 May 2009 08:05:16 PM UTC+0200
Before leaving Runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base in California, Commander Scott Altman spoke for his crew to thank everyone for getting them safely back home.
"At last! I didn't realize it was going to be so hard to get back to the Earth, landing here just felt great to everybody," said Altman.
"We're all thrilled to have the mission complete and it was a testament to the teamwork and cooperation of folks all across the country."
The STS-125 astronauts will be honored with a welcome home ceremony that will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Houston's Ellington Field.
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NASA Managers Praise the STS-125 Mission and Crew
Space shuttle Atlantis landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 11:39 a.m. EDT, completing a 13-day journey of approximately 5.3 million miles in space.
During a press conference held at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate Ed Weiler said, "Now, and only now can we declare this mission a total success -- the astronauts are safely on the ground."
Weiler called NASA's Hubble Space Telescope the great comeback story. He said the public continues to be captivated by the telescope's images of the universe and he hopes to see Hubble operate into its third decade of service.
NASA Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses agreed that this was a fantastic mission. "It's good to have Atlantis back here on the ground," said Moses. He also said the crew did a great job trying to get the shuttle back to Kennedy, even though the weather wouldn't cooperate.
Mike Leinbach, NASA space shuttle launch director, congratulated the STS-125 crew and also commended the crew members who were ready and standing by in case space shuttle Endeavour was needed for a rescue mission.
He also said NASA still is targeting June 13 for Endeavour's mission to the International Space Station.
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So damn' sad that in a generations' time people will not think it is true when you tell them that once people came back from space landing on a runway just like an airplane does. It will look like science fiction, just as the moon landings look unreal to us today...
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Anybody else notice how the right main gear brakes locked up about four or five times after nose gear touchdown?
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I think we should all say a big thank you to padrat and his comrades for getting Atlantis ready even though she was kicking and screaming the entire way, the "most successful servicing mission" lies squarely on their shoulders!
Again thanks, and please continue to share your wealth of knowledge, warts and all!
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Hey... Its been over 6 hours since landing...Where is the Max-Q video?? nudge nudge, wink wink, say-no-more... ;)
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Hey... Its been over 6 hours since landing...Where is the Max-Q video?? nudge nudge, wink wink, say-no-more... ;)
In work. Gotta make the HST look good! ;)
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I think we should all say a big thank you to padrat and his comrades for getting Atlantis ready even though she was kicking and screaming the entire way, the "most successful servicing mission" lies squarely on their shoulders!
Again thanks, and please continue to share your wealth of knowledge, warts and all!
Nice post and very well said. I hope the Hubble huggers appreciate the work by the shuttle folks (I'm sure they do).
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Ok plan for Atlantis. We'll set up a post landing processing flow thread that will cover the articles and updates for her stay in California and the SCA trip back - before moving to the STS-129 processing thread when she's back in her OPF.
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A point I noticed from the press conference. Some of the parts brought back from Hubble include radiators and the like which have been exposed to space for 16 years. These will provide some good data to validate the MMOD risk models. That sort of long term data would be rare and valuable.
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A point I noticed from the press conference. Some of the parts brought back from Hubble include radiators and the like which have been exposed to space for 16 years. These will provide some good data to validate the MMOD risk models. That sort of long term data would be rare and valuable.
Yes, this was mentioned & discussed before. However it was noted that due to the costs involved with a forensic examination, items such as the cameras may not get any special examination.
But yes, some pieces of hardware will most likely get a thorough examination and the mmod risk models may well be re-evaluated. Of course, with the exponential increase of satellite breakup debris that was recently generated, it may only provide a certain baseline of information.
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Great mission coverage!
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Anybody else notice how the right main gear brakes locked up about four or five times after nose gear touchdown?
i noticed that too. little puffs of something being kicked up from the runway, wasn't quite sure what it was.
does anyone have any info on this?
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I noticed this too. When I saw it live, I wondered if there was a flat tire, but if it was we surely would have heard of it by now.
Also, when watching the replay, I see that there were several such puffs. Can't recall seeing that on previous landings.
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Hey... Its been over 6 hours since landing...Where is the Max-Q video?? nudge nudge, wink wink, say-no-more... ;)
In work. Gotta make the HST look good! ;)
Thanks for asking Stockman! I'll just add we go through our own review process before release, and that's where we are at. Should be out by the end of day today or tomorrow - but we don't set an exact time. Stay tuned to the video thread, it will be there soon. Thanks again for the interest!
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I noticed this too. When I saw it live, I wondered if there was a flat tire, but if it was we surely would have heard of it by now.
Also, when watching the replay, I see that there were several such puffs. Can't recall seeing that on previous landings.
Came here for this. Was wondering if ABS had gotten a little squirrely.
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Hey... Its been over 6 hours since landing...Where is the Max-Q video?? nudge nudge, wink wink, say-no-more... ;)
In work. Gotta make the HST look good! ;)
Thanks for asking Stockman! I'll just add we go through our own review process before release, and that's where we are at. Should be out by the end of day today or tomorrow - but we don't set an exact time. Stay tuned to the video thread, it will be there soon. Thanks again for the interest!
please, take your time!!! I know I'll just LOVE IT!!!!
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I noticed this too. When I saw it live, I wondered if there was a flat tire, but if it was we surely would have heard of it by now.
Also, when watching the replay, I see that there were several such puffs. Can't recall seeing that on previous landings.
Came here for this. Was wondering if ABS had gotten a little squirrely.
The puff right after the chute was cut loose was from the left main gear. I wonder if he was just on the brakes hard. There was a short balloon roughly at the threshold which may have placed the touchdown a little long.
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I noticed this too. When I saw it live, I wondered if there was a flat tire, but if it was we surely would have heard of it by now.
Also, when watching the replay, I see that there were several such puffs. Can't recall seeing that on previous landings.
Came here for this. Was wondering if ABS had gotten a little squirrely.
The puff right after the chute was cut loose was from the left main gear. I wonder if he was just on the brakes hard. There was a short balloon roughly at the threshold which may have placed the touchdown a little long.
I think it was healthy applications of the breaks for a couple of reasons; there was not a lot of runway remaining and the commander probably was applying quite a lot of breaking to stop her well short, and if you watch very closely as she rolled to a stop, you will see the nose come down from what appears to be a final healthy application of the breaks as she does stop.
Just my observations.
Paul
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I would agree with Paul on this, just looks like hard braking action resulted in the smoke puffs.
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This is the tracking page for N911NA, the SCA currently at EDW and the one which will take Atlantis home:
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA911
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This is the tracking page for N911NA, the STA currently at EDW and the one which will take Atlantis home:
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA911 (http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA911)
SCA, not STA. STA is modified Grumman GII. SCA is modified Boeing 747-100.
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This is the tracking page for N911NA, the STA currently at EDW and the one which will take Atlantis home:
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA911 (http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA911)
SCA, not STA. STA is modified Grumman GII. SCA is modified Boeing 747-100.
I know, just pushed T instead of C... typing problem not a knowledge problem
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Is the thread up yet for Mating and Ferry Flight back to KSC?
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A few pictures of the tow from the runway to the Mate-Demate Device on Sunday have been added to the Dryden gallery for this "visit":
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/multimedia/imagegallery/STS-125/index.html
(These are towards the end of the tow.)
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I noticed this too. When I saw it live, I wondered if there was a flat tire, but if it was we surely would have heard of it by now. Also, when watching the replay, I see that there were several such puffs. Can't recall seeing that on previous landings.
Came here for this. Was wondering if ABS had gotten a little squirrely.
And if you watch the replays closely, including the PPOV/HUD view, you can see that the orbiter wandered left and right slightly as she rolled out. I'm sure I'll get smacked down with "that's normal" but I don't think it was, and I think the ABS did indeed act up. Perhaps we'll hear something interesting about braking performance soon.
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Is the thread up yet for Mating and Ferry Flight back to KSC?
Couple of hours. Wanted to kick it off with a decent processing update. That's upcoming shortly.
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I noticed this too. When I saw it live, I wondered if there was a flat tire, but if it was we surely would have heard of it by now. Also, when watching the replay, I see that there were several such puffs. Can't recall seeing that on previous landings.
Came here for this. Was wondering if ABS had gotten a little squirrely.
And if you watch the replays closely, including the PPOV/HUD view, you can see that the orbiter wandered left and right slightly as she rolled out. I'm sure I'll get smacked down with "that's normal" but I don't think it was, and I think the ABS did indeed act up. Perhaps we'll hear something interesting about braking performance soon.
No 'smack down' necessary at all. My own obsevation that it looked like normal breaking to me is just that - an observation. Yours are just as valid, and like you, I had not seen the puffs of smoke before on roll out.
Paul
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It looked like they landed long, main landing gear touching at about 5000 feet down the runway. I checked a video from an earlier KSC landing that was 2000 feet shorter and the Edwards runway is the same length. Maybe that explains why you saw so much tire smoke.
What is landing distance supposed to be?
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Does anyone know how much runway was left when Atlantis stopped? Surely it was a lot more now than on the mission that landed on the temporary runway at EDW (when the commander and capcom even commented that they used all of it).
On this landing it didn't seem to be that critical to get the orbiter stopped fast.
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Could be differential braking to augment the nosewheel steering maybe?
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Nominal landing is 2,500 to 2,700 feet beyond the threshold. Edwards does not have a displaced threshold. So they were definitely long.
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Looking at this post:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=17172.msg411154#msg411154
There is a bit of runway left, but not that much. Might be the reason for the hard braking.