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Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => NGIS (Formerly Orbital ATK) - Antares/Cygnus Section => Topic started by: John44 on 03/13/2006 10:15 am

Title: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 22 2006
Post by: John44 on 03/13/2006 10:15 am
ST5 Mission

NASA's Space Technology 5 (ST5) Project is building and testing three smaller satellites called micro-satellites. These micro-sats will test and validate new technologies for future science missions.

- Launch Vehicle: Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL
- Launch Date: March 14, 2006

Launch Window: 8:57 a.m. to 10:19 a.m.

Target Drop Time: 9:02 a.m.

- ST5 Pre Launch Media Briefing (video)
- ST5 Mission Science Media Briefing (video)

http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=2 (http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=2)

website ST5 Mission :

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/st-5/main/index.html (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/st-5/main/index.html)
http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov/st5/index.html (http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov/st5/index.html)

NASA TV: 7:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - ST5 Launch Coverage Begins (Launch Scheduled 9:02 a.m.) - Vandenberg (Mission Coverage)
All times Eastern (EDT).





Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/13/2006 12:45 pm
Nicely done John. I'll make this the live launch thread as it's a good opening post of reference.

Also note the pre-mission thread: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1158&posts=21#M24920
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: jcm on 03/13/2006 01:04 pm
But no press kit as far as I can see? Does anyone have one?
I assume the planned drop point is the usual 36.0N 123.0W ?
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/13/2006 02:47 pm
Quote
jcm - 13/3/2006  8:04 AMBut no press kit as far as I can see? Does anyone have one?I assume the planned drop point is the usual 36.0N 123.0W ?

Right here
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/143648main_ST5PressKit.pdf
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: DaveS on 03/13/2006 04:11 pm
Mission delayed 24 hrs to Wednesday due to predicted unfavorable weather conditions on Tuesday. 80% chance of favorable weather on Wednesday.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/13/2006 04:55 pm
Quote
DaveS - 13/3/2006  5:11 PM

Mission delayed 24 hrs to Wednesday due to predicted unfavorable weather conditions on Tuesday. 80% chance of favorable weather on Wednesday.

We can live with that.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: jcm on 03/13/2006 10:36 pm
Thanks. I see the link on the NASA HQ site now. Could have sworn it wasn't there
when I looked this morning :-). Oh well...
 
Some nice things in the press kit. Spacecraft dimensions 0.53m dia 0.48m high stowed, mass 25 kg fully fuelled. Planned orbit 300 x 4500 km x 97 deg.
Drop at 12.2 km altitude.
Timeline: Drop+0:05 stage 1 burn, +1:17 stage 1 burnout at 55 km, +1:31 stage  2 burn at 72 km, +2:11 fairing sep at 115 km, +3:06 stage  2 burnout at 156 km,
+5:03 stage 3 burn at 283 km, +6:11 stage 3 burnout at 302 km, +9:31 ST5-FWD sep, +12:41 ST5-MID sep, +15:51 ST5-AFT sep.
GSFC has in-house prime contractor/integrator role, as far as I can tell.

Some things not in the press kit, but maybe someone here knows:
 - Dry mass of spacecraft (or equally good, mass of propellant loaded)
 - Drop point coords
 - Nominal delta-v of stage 3 burn
- Span of spacecraft once boom is deployed (I guess about 1.0 meter)
- WHAT ARE THE THREE S/C GOING TO BE CALLED ONCE ON ORBIT? The only hint in the press kit is the
diagram calling them FWD, MID and AFT. But maybe they have serial numbers like S/N 1,2,3? and maybe they will be
given individual names (Larry, Curly, Moe? :-)). Any clues?


Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/14/2006 01:05 am
Quote
jcm - 13/3/2006  5:36 PMThanks. I see the link on the NASA HQ site now. Could have sworn it wasn't therewhen I looked this morning :-). Oh well... Some nice things in the press kit. Spacecraft dimensions 0.53m dia 0.48m high stowed, mass 25 kg fully fuelled. Planned orbit 300 x 4500 km x 97 deg.Drop at 12.2 km altitude.Timeline: Drop+0:05 stage 1 burn, +1:17 stage 1 burnout at 55 km, +1:31 stage  2 burn at 72 km, +2:11 fairing sep at 115 km, +3:06 stage  2 burnout at 156 km,+5:03 stage 3 burn at 283 km, +6:11 stage 3 burnout at 302 km, +9:31 ST5-FWD sep, +12:41 ST5-MID sep, +15:51 ST5-AFT sep.GSFC has in-house prime contractor/integrator role, as far as I can tell.Some things not in the press kit, but maybe someone here knows: - Dry mass of spacecraft (or equally good, mass of propellant loaded) - Drop point coords - Nominal delta-v of stage 3 burn- Span of spacecraft once boom is deployed (I guess about 1.0 meter)- WHAT ARE THE THREE S/C GOING TO BE CALLED ONCE ON ORBIT? The only hint in the press kit is thediagram calling them FWD, MID and AFT. But maybe they have serial numbers like S/N 1,2,3? and maybe they will begiven individual names (Larry, Curly, Moe? :-)). Any clues?

56 lbs

Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/14/2006 01:36 am
GN2 is the propellant
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: John44 on 03/14/2006 05:09 am
NASA'S ST5 LAUNCH POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST

Predicted weather conditions postponed Tuesday's scheduled launch of
NASA's Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft. It will launch Wednesday,
March 15, at 9:02 a.m. EST.

The forecast improves on Wednesday with only a 20 percent chance of
not having acceptable weather.

ST5 launch coverage on NASA TV begins Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. EST. NASA
TV's Public
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: jcm on 03/14/2006 01:01 pm
| 56 lbs
Are you sure? , 56 lbs is the fully fuelled mass according to the sources I've seen, not the dry mass.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/14/2006 03:26 pm
Quote
jcm - 14/3/2006  8:01 AM| 56 lbsAre you sure? , 56 lbs is the fully fuelled mass according to the sources I've seen, not the dry mass.

For the size of the spacecraft, how much GN2 do you think they can compress to really make a difference?  There isn't a "dry" or "wet" mass, since it uses GN2. 
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: John44 on 03/14/2006 04:55 pm
Live Vandenberg video feed  ST5 mission (realplayer): http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/stream/Vandenberg_Select_TV.php

Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/14/2006 05:48 pm
Better yet

Actual countdown status and events with 4 video feeds



http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/index-vafb.html

Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: jcm on 03/14/2006 10:01 pm
Quote
Jim - 14/3/2006  11:26 AM

Quote
jcm - 14/3/2006  8:01 AM| 56 lbsAre you sure? , 56 lbs is the fully fuelled mass according to the sources I've seen, not the dry mass.

For the size of the spacecraft, how much GN2 do you think they can compress to really make a difference?  There isn't a "dry" or "wet" mass, since it uses GN2.  

Ahh, good point. Wasn't thinking straight.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: DaveS on 03/15/2006 11:19 am
Everything looking good for a a launch today. L-1011 take-off is planned for 8:04 am EST, 1304 UTC. Weather is predicted to be 100% go at Pegasus XL drop time.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/15/2006 12:16 pm
Trying to watch all the feeds on

http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/index-vafb.html

plus NASA select

Is there anyway of opening more than one Realplayer window?
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: DaveS on 03/15/2006 01:33 pm
Pegasus drop-4 minutes.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/15/2006 01:35 pm
Keep on it Dave. I've got no feed here, for some reason.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/15/2006 01:37 pm
Quote
Chris Bergin - 15/3/2006  8:35 AMKeep on it Dave. I've got no feed here, for some reason.

Are you on the countdown page?
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: DaveS on 03/15/2006 01:38 pm
L-1 minute
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/15/2006 01:38 pm
Fin batts activated
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/15/2006 01:39 pm
stuck fin, abort
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jonesy STS on 03/15/2006 01:40 pm
I'm getting a faulty page on the countdown link :(
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/15/2006 01:41 pm
Looking at a recycle or scrub
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: DaveS on 03/15/2006 01:42 pm
Launch coverage is live on NASA TV like any NASA launches.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/15/2006 01:44 pm
Quote
DaveS - 15/3/2006  8:42 AMLaunch coverage is live on NASA TV like any NASA launches.

Not everybody gets it at home or the office
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jonesy STS on 03/15/2006 01:45 pm
Quote
DaveS - 15/3/2006  8:42 AM

Launch coverage is live on NASA TV like any NASA launches.

Thanks, as that countdown page was broken for me.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: DaveS on 03/15/2006 01:46 pm
It's availabe through the Internet: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/15/2006 01:47 pm
Quote
DaveS - 15/3/2006  8:46 AMIt's availabe through the Internet: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

or here


http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/

Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: DaveS on 03/15/2006 01:47 pm
It's a scrub for today. The L1011 with Pegasus and ST5 is returning to Vandenberg as the fin battery on the Pegasus has expired. No idea on how long the delay will be.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: DaveS on 03/15/2006 01:57 pm
Minimum 48 hour scrub - George Diller, NASA TV.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/15/2006 04:31 pm
The launch of NASA's ST5 spacecraft aboard an Orbital Sciences Pegasus
XL rocket was called off today when a locking pin in the rocket's
flight control service mechanism did not retract just prior to
launch. Orbital Sciences Corporation and NASA engineers will diagnose
and correct the problem. A new launch date will be established at the
earliest opportunity pending resolution of the issue, the
availability of the Western Range, and acceptable weather conditions
at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., launch site. The delay will
be at least 48 hours.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Avron on 03/16/2006 04:22 am
A battery???
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Jim on 03/16/2006 11:07 am
Quote
Avron - 15/3/2006  11:22 PMA battery???

Don't understand the comment.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: Avron on 03/17/2006 02:30 am
Quote
Jim - 16/3/2006  7:07 AM

Quote
Avron - 15/3/2006  11:22 PMA battery???

Don't understand the comment.

I understand that the power to remove the pins is supplied by a battey that has "limited" life, My question, was the battery not able to provide the power to remove the pin? Maybe a faulty battery or one that had become discharged.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 14
Post by: John44 on 03/17/2006 05:08 am
March 21  ST5 Launch

Launch Window: 5:57:31 a.m. to 7:19:50 a.m. PST
                         8:57:31 a.m. to 10:19:50 a.m. EST
Target Drop Time: 6:02 a.m. PST/ 9:02 a.m. EST
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 22
Post by: Jim on 03/17/2006 01:08 pm
Quote
Avron - 16/3/2006  9:30 PM
Quote
Jim - 16/3/2006  7:07 AM
Quote
Avron - 15/3/2006  11:22 PMA battery???

Don't understand the comment.
I understand that the power to remove the pins is supplied by a battey that has "limited" life, My question, was the battery not able to provide the power to remove the pin? Maybe a faulty battery or one that had become discharged.

The pin was jammed ,  batteries "issue" was unrelated.   The  batteries, which drive the fins, are thermal batteries.  They are high power but with short lives.  They are used because a hydraulic system would be heavier.  Time just ran out on the battery life.


Launch is now schedule for 3/22
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 22
Post by: Jim on 03/17/2006 06:25 pm
Spacex use of range assets is delaying ST-5
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 22
Post by: braddock on 03/17/2006 07:20 pm
SpaceX's use of _Vandenberg_ range assets, or is there a conflict at Kwajalein for tracking capabilities?
I didn't think SpaceX was doing much at Vandenberg since the whole Lockheed flare-up last summer.
Title: RE: LIVE: ST5 Mission - March 22
Post by: Jim on 03/17/2006 08:09 pm
Western Range,  Pacific Missile Range