NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
NASA Shuttle Specific Sections => Atlantis (Post STS-135, T&R) => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 11/24/2009 04:32 am
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LIVE and interactive coverage of STS-129's Flight Day 9:
Previous article: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/sts-129-final-eva-sts-130-etsrb-mate/
FD9 Article: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/sts-129-atlantis-ready-to-bring-crew-hardware-home/
FD9: Off-Duty, Final Transfer, Hatch Closure
– BCM R/R
– Final middeck transfer, including EMUs to Shuttle
– Crew Off-Duty (afternoon)
– Hatch Closure and pressure leak checks (evening)
(Not too sure about how much off duty they'll get - per Brian's "busy day" comment at the MSB - but that's what the FRR had for today. Same goes for the BCM R/R - I'm sure it's obvious and I'm just drawing a blank).
Please note, this is interactive, but all posts need to be on topic. If you post images, no more than two per post.
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Thanks to Roger for capturing the day ahead slide:
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STS-129 - ISS FLIGHT DIRECTOR UPDATE FD 8-9
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5545
STS-129 - FLIGHT DAY 8 HIGHLIGHTS
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5544
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I got a question related to the mission's duration. Seems like NASA has not extended the mission (as correctly predicted in the post earlier).
** Due to bad weather at KSC, what if Atlantis has to spend one more day in space? Keeping such a "possible" delay in mind, would it be better to stay docked to the ISS so that astronauts can do more "productive work" (not many shuttles to go up in the future as well).
** Though Atlantis has not station-to-shuttle power transfer system, the longest mission of Atlantis STS 117 (13 days, 20 hours, 12 minutes). If STS 129 ends in the planned timeline, the mission duration will be 10 days and 19 hours? (so have some room to stay more up in orbit)
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I can't find it in the FRR presentations (at least not yet), but I believe "BCM R/R" is Battery Charger Module Removal/Replacement. Replacement of the unit in Quest that handles charging all of the EVA batteries (suit, PGT, etc). I'll keep looking for it though.
EDIT: Confirmed.
The MOD FRR Flight Director Office presentation, (sAgenda_Item_02) page 11 lists "Remove and Replace Airlock Battery Charger Modules (Two)".
The SSP FRR EVA Office presentation (sEVA Office) page 8 of the presentation (bottom of page 4 of the pdf) has a picture and briefly describes the changes.
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The wakeup song for today was Marine Corps Hymn by the US Marine Corps Band for Scorch.
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I got a question related to the mission's duration. Seems like NASA has not extended the mission (as correctly predicted in the post earlier).
** Due to bad weather at KSC, what if Atlantis has to spend one more day in space? Keeping such a "possible" delay in mind, would it be better to stay docked to the ISS so that astronauts can do more "productive work" (not many shuttles to go up in the future as well).
** Though Atlantis has not station-to-shuttle power transfer system, the longest mission of Atlantis STS 117 (13 days, 20 hours, 12 minutes). If STS 129 ends in the planned timeline, the mission duration will be 10 days and 19 hours? (so have some room to stay more up in orbit)
- Remember they need at least a full day after the late inspection day for stowage and reconfiguring the mid deck and flight deck to prepare for reentry, plus control surface and RCS hot fire tests. NASA also needs enough time to fully examine the late inspection images sent down.
- There are contingency days taken into account for consumables in case of reentry weather delays.
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FD9 Execute package is available:
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/406541main_fd09_exec_pkg.pdf
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A snap of the some of the ISS russian segment (and the damaged radiator) at orbital sunrise:
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Close-up of the damage (1st snap) and a picture of Atlantis attached to the ISS complex:
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Atlantis to perform reboost of the ISS in just over an hour.
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Atlantis has control of the stack.
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Reboost started.
Reboost will take 27 minutes for a DeltaV of 2.5 ft/sec. Altitude raised by 1.5km approx.
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Reboost attitude:
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And reboost is all done.
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Atlantis payload bay now pretty empty:
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Some nifty transfer work!
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ISS now has attitude control.
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EMU transfer from Quest to Atlantis middeck.
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looks like they are relocating a full rack. - Which rack is this and where is it going? (picture #1)
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And have question - earlier we could see that they had stowing one EMU in Columbus, does someone know which one was that? I guess that ISSs old one, but it could also be new one (refered to what Anik said about delivering 4 EMUs to station till end of shuttle missions - already 2 are on station).
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looks like they are relocating a full rack. - Which rack is this and where is it going? (picture #1)
No, It's Quest's Avionics rack. They are R&R the Battery Charger Module (BCM).
MikeMi.
I think this EMU transfer is temporary for the R&R BCM task.
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complex just passing over Brazil... a few nice landform shots
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We got fire/smoke alarm in Kibo, stand by for more info.
Seems false alarm..
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Bugs current status
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Kibo smoke alarm (false alarm). Possibly due to dust from all the crew activity.
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Houston confirmed - false alarm (third one during this mission).
Crew can back to their work, if I heard correctly ECLSS needs restart.
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Guessing this is the northern coast of Africa and eastern coast of spain
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upcoming news conference
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All 12 crew together:
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I can't find it in the FRR presentations (at least not yet), but I believe "BCM R/R" is Battery Charger Module Removal/Replacement. Replacement of the unit in Quest that handles charging all of the EVA batteries (suit, PGT, etc). I'll keep looking for it though.
EDIT: Confirmed.
The MOD FRR Flight Director Office presentation, (sAgenda_Item_02) page 11 lists "Remove and Replace Airlock Battery Charger Modules (Two)".
The SSP FRR EVA Office presentation (sEVA Office) page 8 of the presentation (bottom of page 4 of the pdf) has a picture and briefly describes the changes.
Thanks, very good work.
Missed the first part of the PAO event, but seems to be mainly Russian.
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MCC-H pulling away some of the crew to work transfers.
Russians giving the Americans "extra points" for the great EVA work :) "That is why we're all smiling."
Canadian segment on - HD mic is struggling a bit.
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Bob Thirsk misses his family, but also the the wind and the sunshine.
Shuttle is the end of an era, but it's a beginning of an era with the Station nearly complete.
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From the pics on the previous page
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ESA (French) questions pimping up Frank as commander and if this is a sign the Europeans are at the same level as the US and Russian (meh).
Good answer from Frank, noting the Columbus module is a big European achievement.
ISS is just the start, as humans explore further. Can't come to the water conculsions on the moon just yet, but it's heading in the right direction.
Yay, English bloke! Asking about planning long term missions - how micro-oganisms helps (reckon that's his subject).
Frank: Need to be more self-sustainable for long term flight. Notes the science on ISS.
Over. Looks like I missed the US segment, but John 44 will have a video of all of this.
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Shot of transfers in work.
30 minutes to the handover of command on ISS.
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Crew photos taking place.
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Chuckles...
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Remember to change your images to jpg, from png, otherwise you have 600kb images!
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Change of command.
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Nicole Thanking Everyone.. saying how amazing everything was
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"As the first European commander it's been a privilage." - Frank.
"Amazing adventure, want to thank all the control centers. We've seen some cool vehicles arriving here." - Nicole.
"Change of command in the presence of a shuttle crew - for the first time.
"The first time I came here there were two modules - 10 years ago. We're here thanks to the hard work of the teams developing the Station. We are the experiement on this orbital outpost." - Jeff, who goes on to praise Roman, a natural cosmonaut "like father, like son".
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A bit of a nit, but the first five ISS Changes of Command took place with shuttle crews on board.
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Jeff awards Nicole with a gold astronaut pin he took up on Soyuz TMA-16 for her first ISS flight.
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I like passing out the gold astronaut pins while on station, very cool and classy.
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Four bells. "I stand relieved".
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Four bells. "I stand relieved".
Well done to the crews!!! I like that this took place with Nichole Stott still on board, again very classy.
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Yeah, that was very cool. Glad we got to share in that. Quality words from Jeff, with a mix of heartfelt and formal.
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Handover in the ISS FCR.
Notes 1,400lbs of water bags transfered!
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We're in a long period of LOS.
MSB at the top of the hour.
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On Cruise control with during LOS..
Just reacquired signal
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Lost message 504.. stowage serial numbers.. going to look for it.
May have to re-arrange now that has diagram.
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Re-arrange not required as long as all the required parts are in a slot.
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Battery charging initiated(EMU?)
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Handovers..
Megan Mcarthur handling com for Shuttle
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Wrapping up docked ops.. final transfer activities underway.
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Now have Solid comm.. Ready for transfer brief
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Briefing started
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Final transfer activities underway.
Crew doing well.. ready to wrap up mission.. crew's been working hard.
False fire alarm earlier while number of crew in Kibo prepping to rack to be returned.. think dust in module.. Total alarm time 4 minutes
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MSB:
Reviews the timeline for hatch closure and through to late inspections - calls Atlantis "her" (good man :))
"Usually a bit of a firedrill and we had a false fire alarm today. Originated in a rack with JAXA experiments, false indication via dust. Four minute drill and then back to the timeline."
ISS reboost was 1 nm - 189x180m orbit. Took 30 minutes and went well.
2,400 lbs transfered from Atlantis. 2,100lbs returning on Atlantis. 1,400lbs of water sent to ISS.
One lap flyaround of ISS tomorrow. Waste dump and then Late Inspections. Landing on Friday.
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Accomplishments.
Raised altitude using shuttle vernier.. raised 1 nautical mile 189x180 orbit
transferred 1400lbs water.
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Station 85% complete.. Looking forward to final assembly mission bringing up Node 3.
Establishing Redundant Power feed for Node 3 by adding coupler during EVA was very important.
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bring home lots of UPA parts..
Bringing home failed CEDRA bed.
Reverting back to old method of Urine collection for now.
Trading how much urine to keep on-board for when DA's are back up and running and how much to get rid off.
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Notes how successful the mission has been.
"The three EVAs were as smooth as you can remember."
Really happy with the Node 3 work - coupler lines. And the Node 1 work for the arrival of STS-130 next year. Few more tasks they need to do, but it's all on the timeline.
UPA DA now on Atlantis, and a Russian container of urine (or water that came from the UPA).
Plan to get a new DA up on STS-130. Will be modified after engineers have looked at the first failed DA. Trading how much urine they want to keep on station ahead of the new DA's arrival.
WPA performing as well as required. Healthy amount of water from shuttle means they are fine.
Working hard with the Russians on the MRM-2 false indications. Developed a patch to upload, which will reject commands from the suspect panel. Two way attack with the Russian inhibit.
19S readiness for undock is a go for Dec 1. Dec 8 MRM-2 will sep its instrumentation module.
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Working with Russian's on false alarms.. Panel has been powered off.
Patch will be uploaded tomorrow that will inhibit and reject alarms from that panel
Will allow Russians to bring panel back up and troubleshoot.
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Bill on DAs.
Two in play, third unit is due Oct 2010 - looking to push that forward. Three more are on the books - six in total. Will look to see if they need more building.
Long term we need a DA. The amount of water we'd have to carry up with the other vehicles would take away from other upmass.
Robert on when the ISS will be 100 percent complete:
Additional ELCs, perminent MPLM, AMS. Will be tail end of the of the shuttle manifest. Isn't entirely sure.
Robert Q) On smaller two man crew ISS.
A) Reviewed it yesterday. One plus side is we have Jeff Williams - very experienced. Won't overload the crew. And the ground is 24/7, so we feel comfortable for the three week period.
Notes they've done 2 man crew during the RTF period after Columbia.
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Permanent MLPLM(PMM).. changes are mainly debris shielding. No restriction on use.
Have stripped out refrigeration and plumbing to increase upmass capability.
Launching all shielding in place.
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Russians may still have 2 or 3 more "mini" research modules planned.
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Marcia on PLM.
A) The main mod is the debris shields to protect it on Node 2 Zenith. The hatch will be always open.
Also taken out some component, such as plumbing, to give it more upmass capability.
Will launch with the MMOD shields.
Q) Are the Russians planning any more modules?
A) PLM will be the last US module. Discussion on Russian side to launch smaller modules, on top of MRM-1. Maybe two or three more of these MRMs.
James Dean on the spares 129 has added.
A) Two spare CMGs from 129 have the corrections they've learnt from previous issues. Pump modules spares, will be a total of four spares in th end. ATA hoses added. CTCs are the other ORUs that have helped, allowing robotic RPCM R&R. Good supply of spares.
Amazing they can get 14 to 14 ORUs up on one flight. HTV will allow for some more.
Q) Final shuttle flight for 2009, reflect on ISS changes this year.
A) Truely remarkable, it's been fun living it as MMT. Highlight was going from three to six crew. ELCs on this mission has been several years in the making. Was a challenge, and we've made us of the capability of the shuttle. Been a great year.
Bill on a PIRs replacement module from the Russians.
A) Just don't have the latest information.
MSB over.
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2 CMGs we brought up have fixes for all issues we could identifiy.. confident in those updated Gyros.
Pumps are another critical ORU. Want to have 4 spares on station.
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It's been a great year!
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Some question about timing and execution of last large Russian module(MLM?) that's supposed to come up. Anyone have more info on this?
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Shuttle back using it's own assets.. Mail syncs slow due to full inboxes.. need crew to move things from inbox to personal folders.
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Expecting low pressure system to push away from Florida for Landing Friday
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MSB:
2,400 lbs transfered from Atlantis. 2,100lbs returning on Atlantis. 1,400lbs of water sent to ISS.
Look at the downmass, and with an empty PLB to boot.
We're gonna seriously miss this capability for a while.
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Funny you should say that Robert.........
Article on FD9 and the UPA DA return evaluations by the MMT:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/sts-129-atlantis-ready-to-bring-crew-hardware-home/
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That Huntsville transfer lady has the best accent ever! Could listen to her all day.
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A little friendly football rivalry before leaving.
Have to like #54.. That was my son's number this year.. Lost this past weekend in state football semi-finals.
Jeff Williams(Army) and Barry Wilmore(Navy) shown below
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That Huntsville transfer lady has the best accent ever! Could listen to her all day.
She has a pure Alabama accent, very nice to listen to.
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Sounds like comm may be coming back.
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Coming up shortly...
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Nicole in good spirits as hatch closing nears.
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Delaying the farewell a few minutes - Jeff.
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Shot of Quest Airlock.. OK.. there has to be a better camera feed somewhere.
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Farewell being delayed a few minutes - Last minute conference?
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Getting ready for farewell ceremony
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Shuttle shots
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Fast and Furious last minute preps
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Here we go:
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Hot mic, but we can't hear them talking.
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Have live audio.. Nicole being "tagged"
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"See you on the ground."
Ha, they "pushed" Nicole to the 129 crew.
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Goodbyes underway.
Traditional Farewell ceremony
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What is it they stick to Nicoles back ?
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More Army vs Navy banter. Frank being educated about who the Marines belong to ;)
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What is it they stick to Nicoles back ?
"To Transfer" or something.
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Didn't they ring 5 bells for Col. Hobough?
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Nicole Tagged and Transferred
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Didn't they ring 5 bells for Col. Hobough?
Didn't hear it, but they had bad audio at the start and it cut off before they actually left.
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What is it they stick to Nicoles back ?
Item 914.
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Nicole Hugs everyone on way out..
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Thanks for the coverage everyone.
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Final Farewells and ringing of bell
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Smooth Sailing..
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Is it correct that according to current plan, Nicole is the last U.S. astronaut to return home via Shuttle?
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I really wish the NASA TV PAO wouldn't talk over the live audio, especially when they are spouting irrelevant facts that no-one is interested in hearing right at that moment! >:(
Also, the thing that was stuck on Nicole's back was her item number in the transfer logs - "Item 914"!
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Is it correct that according to current plan, Nicole is the last U.S. astronaut to return home via Shuttle?
Yes, that is correct.
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Back to Business on ISS..
Last post
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Final Preps for Hatch closure. Ventilation tube removed from PMA.. Other items re-situated.
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Houston.. this guy's making a great door.. We need a Window!
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More work in the PMA
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Nearing Hatch Closure..
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Hatch Closed?
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Hatch Closure and Duct removal complete
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Yep 12:12pm Central for closure.
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STS-129 - JOINT CREW NEWS CONFERENCE (REPLAY WITH ENGLISH INTERPRETATION LATER TODAY)
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5546
STS-129 - MISSION STATUS BRIEFING FD 9
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5548
STS-129 - ATLANTIS - ISS FAREWELL AND HATCH CLOSURE
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5549
EXPEDITION 21 - 22 CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5547
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Also, the thing that was stuck on Nicole's back was her item number in the transfer logs - "Item 914"!
As per the note in the Execute Package (page 21): "Thanks again for the great work throughout the mission and let us know if you have a problem with item 914"
:)
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Work to close inner PMA hatch - Picture from earlier.
PMA hatch and Node 2 hatches are closed
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Megan Mcarthur giving crew go to complete steps before depressing Vestibule between PMA and Node 2 Hatches.
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ISS reboost was 1 nm - 189x180m orbit. Took 30 minutes and went well.
2,400 lbs transfered from Atlantis. 2,100lbs returning on Atlantis. 1,400lbs of water sent to ISS.
One lap flyaround of ISS tomorrow. Waste dump and then Late Inspections. Landing on Friday.
bring home lots of UPA parts..
Bringing home failed CEDRA bed.
Reverting back to old method of Urine collection for now.
Trading how much urine to keep on-board for when DA's are back up and running and how much to get rid off.
And there it looms again, the old logistics problem. Starting one year from now.
Analyst
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ISS reboost was 1 nm - 189x180m orbit. Took 30 minutes and went well.
2,400 lbs transfered from Atlantis. 2,100lbs returning on Atlantis. 1,400lbs of water sent to ISS.
One lap flyaround of ISS tomorrow. Waste dump and then Late Inspections. Landing on Friday.
bring home lots of UPA parts..
Bringing home failed CEDRA bed.
Reverting back to old method of Urine collection for now.
Trading how much urine to keep on-board for when DA's are back up and running and how much to get rid off.
And there it looms again, the old logistics problem. Starting one year from now.
Analyst
Agreed.. Time to start Praying that SpaceX's Dragon is successful
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ISS reboost was 1 nm - 189x180m orbit. Took 30 minutes and went well.
2,400 lbs transfered from Atlantis. 2,100lbs returning on Atlantis. 1,400lbs of water sent to ISS.
One lap flyaround of ISS tomorrow. Waste dump and then Late Inspections. Landing on Friday.
bring home lots of UPA parts..
Bringing home failed CEDRA bed.
Reverting back to old method of Urine collection for now.
Trading how much urine to keep on-board for when DA's are back up and running and how much to get rid off.
And there it looms again, the old logistics problem. Starting one year from now.
Analyst
Some of us do agree with you but we don't keep banging on about it all the time.
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Let's not hijack this thread.. but time is growing short to rectify the situation.. NASA is effectively "pocket vetoing" any ability to keep shuttle or shuttle derived vehicles flying.
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just some great view
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Weather looks favorable for Friday Florida Return.
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Seems like they're having some problems with the C/L camera.
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Problem solved, the dreaded O-N/O-F-F switch.
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Problem solved, the dreaded O-N/O-F-F switch.
Problem was an illumination issue. Camera was generating a picture but due to the darkness around the camera, it looked it was not generating a picture.
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Problem solved, the dreaded O-N/O-F-F switch.
Problem was an illumination issue. Camera was generating a picture but due to the darkness around the camera, it looked it was not generating a picture.
I know, Leland Melvin hit the O-N/O-F-F switch and the light came on ;D.
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ISS reboost was 1 nm - 189x180m orbit. Took 30 minutes and went well.
2,400 lbs transfered from Atlantis. 2,100lbs returning on Atlantis. 1,400lbs of water sent to ISS.
One lap flyaround of ISS tomorrow. Waste dump and then Late Inspections. Landing on Friday.
bring home lots of UPA parts..
Bringing home failed CEDRA bed.
Reverting back to old method of Urine collection for now.
Trading how much urine to keep on-board for when DA's are back up and running and how much to get rid off.
And there it looms again, the old logistics problem. Starting one year from now.
Analyst
Basis of my article.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/sts-129-atlantis-ready-to-bring-crew-hardware-home/
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Problem solved, the dreaded O-N/O-F-F switch.
Problem was an illumination issue. Camera was generating a picture but due to the darkness around the camera, it looked it was not generating a picture.
I know, Leland Melvin hit the O-N/O-F-F switch and the light came on ;D.
The lights were on, the problem was that they had flipped the external docking light on rather than the internal vestibule lights.
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Coast of Australia in the background
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Problem solved, the dreaded O-N/O-F-F switch.
Problem was an illumination issue. Camera was generating a picture but due to the darkness around the camera, it looked it was not generating a picture.
I know, Leland Melvin hit the O-N/O-F-F switch and the light came on ;D.
The lights were on, the problem was that they had flipped the external docking light on rather than the internal vestibule lights.
Gents, joke. ;D
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Can someone explain why Ms. Stott was not replaced on ISS by someone from STS-129? What is the reason why ISS crew size was reduced to 5?
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Well I will be asleep for this sadly.. Undock time
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Crew Wakeup time
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Can someone explain why Ms. Stott was not replaced on ISS by someone from STS-129? What is the reason why ISS crew size was reduced to 5?
It gets better than that.... three more will be heading home in a week leaving only 2 on board - about 2 weeks or so later three more will come up on the next soyuz.
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Ya the whole ISS crew rotation the next year or so is kinda messed up.
Well I will be asleep for this sadly.. Undock time
I am debating how to do this as I am out of school the next 5 days for thanksgiving but I don't know if I want to stay up all night or just take a nap now and wake up at 2??
I can do coverage if you won't be here. :) Been a while for me. This will be my first flyaround as I still have yet to be free for one!
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Ya the whole ISS crew rotation the next year or so is kinda messed up.
Well I will be asleep for this sadly.. Undock time
I am debating how to do this as I am out of school the next 5 days for thanksgiving but I don't know if I want to stay up all night or just take a nap now and wake up at 2??
I can do coverage if you won't be here. :) Been a while for me. This will be my first flyaround as I still have yet to be free for one!
I am toying with the idea of getting up at 4:30 my time as well.. it will hurt as I have to work late tomorrow already so getting up will make it a longer day.. Will have to see how I feel when I hear the alarm clock... lol :)
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Well don't feel like you need to wake up for coverage you already do great work! I can do it. But feel free to if you want :)
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I'll be wide awake and working when the undocking happens....but I won't be able to post any screenshots.
Would like to see the new Poisk module as small as it is....maybe they'll have a still shot of it during the flyaround.
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Didn't they ring 5 bells for Col. Hobough?
Just seen this on BBC News and it was SIX bells.
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Didn't they ring 5 bells for Col. Hobough?
Just seen this on BBC News and it was SIX bells.
Thanks... couldn't tell if it was five or not. Five bells would have been very strange. :-\
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STS-129 - FLIGHT DAY 9 HIGHLIGHTS
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5550