NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
NASA Shuttle Specific Sections => Atlantis (Post STS-135, T&R) => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 11/27/2009 05:24 am
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Live coverage of STS-129's Flight Day 12 - Nominal EOM (End Of Mission):
Recent STS-129 Articles: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/sts-129/
Previous Article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/eom-1-flight-controllers-review-thermal-margin-control-for-atlantis/
Landing Article: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/flawless-atlantis-home-kennedy-space-center/
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L2 Member Resources (On top of the L2 STS-129 Special Section):
Several Full Re-entry (115 mins) from Deorbit preps to post landing videos (including handheld camcorder on the flight deck).
(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, all sites) from 80,000 ft, and KSC STA HAC and Landings.
Live Orbiter Telemetry embedded into Google Earth Program.
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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.
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Crew "wake up" - "Home sweet home" by Motley Crue
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Was TriDAR flown aboard Atlantis on STS-129?
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FD 12 Execute package is available:
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/407729main_fd12_exec_pkg.pdf
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Was TriDAR flown aboard Atlantis on STS-129?
No, but they are planning to fly it again on STS-131. Reminds me to write a report as we have the PRCB presentation on that.
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Still in post sleep for a while on Atlantis.
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Orbit 3 set to handover to the Entry team soon.
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Orbit 3 will be handing over for what should be the final time for STS-129.
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4:52am* Central for GO to close Payload Bay Door Closure. 4:56am Central for that to be carried out.
*That's 10:52am GMT/UK for reference.
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Farewells from the Orbit 3 team. Charlie sends his appreciation.
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Chris Ferguson's started the banter early! Not sure what he said, but something to do with his record, and Charlie said "That's cold blooded!" (laughter).
You can see how the tracks are starting to edge towards Florida.
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Meanwhile, an expended Delta launch vehicle body is causing a bit of concern for a conjunction event. DAM may be required - decision tonight. Would affect the Soyuz undocking if required.
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IMU Star align in work.
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Chris Ferguson's started the banter early! Not sure what he said, but something to do with his record, and Charlie said "That's cold blooded!" (laughter).
Chris said he was full, prompting Scorch's response.
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Having a weather briefing.
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And they are complete on the flight plan for the mission. Now into the deorbit checklist.
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First wx brief is complete and good. No clouds in the area; visibility is good; winds are pretty much down the runway at a direction of 320°s at 14 kts.
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Charlie reports Atlantis' flight deck and middeck are in a good config for the opening landing attempt.
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Change to the TIG for Deorbit Burn on Op1.
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Atlantis' attitude passing over Algeria:
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Change of attitude ahead of Payload Bay door closure.
Interest from the DAT in three visible marks on the 5L panel of her port wing, but still cleared for entry (writing it up in the landing day article).
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FES (Flash Evaporator System) checks in work (required for Payload Bay Door closure (takes over from the radiators).
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Charlie wants to come home, asking again about landing weather.
Fergie says things are looking really good.
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Brett Jett has been flying the route and the skies are clear.
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Good radiator bypass checkout. FES ready to take over.
GO for payload bay door closure.
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PLBD closure in work now. Monitoring the four radiator retract hoses will be in work too.
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Doors closed. Polling to transition to OPS3.
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DPS config in work as part of the deorbit checklist
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Reminder with the updated TIG for Deorbit burn:
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Landing day article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/flawless-atlantis-home-kennedy-space-center/
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Sunrise at the SLF:
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Go to AUTO GPS in PASS.
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A bit windy at the SLF, but they are expected to die down.
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Final IMU Align on time, everything else as written too. Working on final config of the flight deck.
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Setting up the PAD content, such as APU pre-start notes. Not a million miles away from the deorbit burn folks.
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Tracking a landing at 2,500 feet down the runway at 195 knots. - speedbrakes closed.
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Nice and sunny over the SLF now.
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From the top of the VAB:
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Crew has a go ahead for fluid load.
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Less than one hour to the deorbit burn.
Concentrating on weather briefings - all looking good.
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50 minutes to the deorbit burn. Pretty much a done deal pending technical issues.
On to the entry checklist.
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More on the weather:
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What is an 18-08-60? Scorch said it was the first time he had seen one of those.
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Waiting on uploading a new target vector.
The call came down that it's the first time they have seen a 1808 60. Not sure what that means, but MCC was curious too for them having seen it.
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Heading to her final Rev.
STA flying the route again.
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What is an 18-08-60? Scorch said it was the first time he had seen one of those.
It sounds like a time code. Obviously you wouldn't see a 60.
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Going to do go-no-go for deorbit burn a little early due to ratty com period shortly before the burn.
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Atlantis: "what number cup of coffee are you guys on?"
MCC: Three and counting
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Go to load new State Vectors.
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40 minutes to the burn. OMS Engine Nozzle Gimbal checks in work.
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It sounds like a time code. Obviously you wouldn't see a 60.
But of course! 10 days, 18 hours, 8 minutes and (for some reason) 60 seconds .... thanks.
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Good single APU prestart.
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They adjusted this time early this morning by one minute, perhaps that has something to do with the "60 seconds" registering in this manner.
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GO/NO GO for Deorbit Burn poll.
GO for the deorbit burn. Crew about to get the call.
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OMS burn preps complete
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Just posted the STS-129 generic+entry checklist over on L2 for those who want to following along with the proper document. (sorry for the delay).
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About to head over Europe for the final time on this mission.
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Landing day article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/flawless-atlantis-home-kennedy-space-center/
Great article Chris, and happy birthday! ;D
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Landing day article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/flawless-atlantis-home-kennedy-space-center/
Great article Chris, and happy birthday! ;D
Thanks and sssssh! More important things going on right now ;)
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roll excusion of about 25 deg expected (or possible)...didn't catch at which point
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3-10 complete on the Entry checklist.
13 mins prior to the burn will be ratty comm, through to the start of the burn.
"And you are go for the deorbit burn"
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roll excusion of about 25 deg expected (or possible)...didn't catch at which point
Think he said during EI - but not sure. Interesting, never heard that before.
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Same cam view almost all the time so far today - but it'll get more interesting real soon.
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roll excusion of about 25 deg expected (or possible)...didn't catch at which point
First roll reversal at M=17.4. Roll excursion not caused by a density shear, just the way the entry profile have shaped up.
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Atlantis attitude now heading to tail first for the burn.
Nice weather!
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Atlantis now in the correct attitude.
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Burn expected to start over Indonesia
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After the deorbit burn, they land on the following orbit, right?
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Less than 10 minutes to the burn.
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After the deorbit burn, they land on the following orbit, right?
No, then land on this orbit. The track is showing you on the screenshots.
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Bottom of the first post:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=4813.0
Click "Deorbit115.wmv" and you will see what it's like for the crew during the deorbit burn.
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Five minutes to the burn. Comm still seems good.
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Atlantis in attitude, ready for the twin firing of her OMS engines.
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Media at KSC's SLF.
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Good config for the deorbit burn.
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60 seconds.
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Deorbit burn has begun.
Atlantis heading home.
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60 seconds remaining in the burn.
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Good burn - no trim required.
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64 minutes to landing.
Atlantis now changing attitude for entry interface.
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George Diller reporting on KSC's readiness.
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For those on L2: don't miss the live re-entry tracking data for Google Earth. Live data link from 5 minutes before entry interface.
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31 seconds for the FRCS dump - on the loop.
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For those on L2: don't miss the live re-entry tracking data for Google Earth. Live data link from 5 minutes before entry interface.
I'll post a few screenshots into the this live thread when I get a chance as it's very cool :)
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23 mins to EI.
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20 mins to Entry Interface.
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Passing South of Australia
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Just found this link with real-time shuttle location updates
http://www.n2yo.com/
Edit: Don't know if this site is updated with correct trajectory for landing..
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She's starting to pitch up for her belly to take the heat and stress of EI.
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Passing below Austrailia and New Zealand.
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The Landing Convoy of strange and wonderful vehicles heading to their positions.
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All three APUs now up and running.
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Atlantis almost pitched up to the required attitude for EI.
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9 mins to EI.
40 mins to landing.
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Crossing South Pacific
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Convoy continues it's slow procession to staging at runway
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Five mins to EI.
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As far as I understand, the orbiter doesn't actually pitch up to EI attitude.
The orbiter is holding an inertial attitude that is selected so that at the time of EI will be about +39 degrees pitch from the local horizontal.
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Two mins to EI.
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Convoy in place at the SLF.
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Charlie asking a few questions about conditions at the HAC and diving to runway 33 as Atlantis heads into EI.
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Mach 25.
400,000 feet.
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She's speeding across the ocean on the tracker now.
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The first roll command should (according to DOL pad) have been about one minute ago.
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48 miles altitude.
16,000 mph
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Rolling to the left.
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44 miles altitude.
Mach 22.
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I notice the ground track always seems to avoid going over Cuba.. is that intentional?
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13,000 mph
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From Jester's tracker, gives an idea of altitude going over Central America.
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Into Central America.
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37 miles altitude.
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Roll reversal.
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189,000 feet.
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Radar shows on energy.
Atlantis responds :)
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10 minutes to landing.
Mach 8.
Take TACANs, take GPS.
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"Taking" means to take Tacans and GPS into entry guidance. Air data will be next.
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There she is :)
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Mach 2 -
Take air data.
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Approaching the HAC.
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"Looks like a clear day".
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Subsonic. 44,000 feet.
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BOOM BOOM :)
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Slightly low at the 180.
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Slightly low at the 90.
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Runway in sight.
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Preflare.
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Picture perfect mission from start to finish.
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Main Landing Gear touchdown.
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Nose Landing Gear touchdown and Rollout.
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Picture perfect mission from start to finish.
Agreed. Well done NASA!
Beautiful landing.
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Wheels stop :)
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Great coverage Chris & team
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Orbiter shining like a beacon coming down through the sky. Just gorgeous!
Beautiful beginning to end coverage guys, to everyone here at NASASpaceflight, including my fellow posters. :)
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Thanks for the morning coverage. Great mission for Atlantis and the Shuttle program mission.
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Both MLG wheels were on the deck at the same time. Very nicely landed.
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ET Umbilical doors open.
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Shot from L2 tracker showing path of final descent. Gives an interesting view.
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Positions the convoy are heading to - per Convoy manual on L2:
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Looks like a Mexican standoff! My money's on Atlantis ;)
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Thanks go to everyone here for great coverage.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0gScchnzKY
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Thanks go to everyone here for great coverage.
Totally agree. Thanks to all posters for covering an almost flawless mission and landing.
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Great ship, awesome team.
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Well... at least "Scorch" did NOT start a grass fire on landing!
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Just asking, but, low at the 180, low at the 90 and a couple of post landing deltas. Or am i way out?
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Great ship, awesome team.
Which LC is that in the background of that view of Atlantis on the runway?
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STS-129 - ATLANTIS LANDING
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5559
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Great coverage guys !!..Thanks
Also, Just curious about the "being Low on the 180 and 90".....aI'm assuming this meant low on energy ??...did this mean they landed a bit short ??...did Atlantis make up the low energy ??
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Great ship, awesome team.
Which LC is that in the background of that view of Atlantis on the runway?
Probably LC-41 (Atlas V)
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Atlantis being powered down in sequence. GPCs being powered down at present.
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Convoy moving in. Crew access vehicle has arrived.
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Atlantis' friends have arrived to give her some a good purging.
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From looking at the satellite image of SLF the towway exit is on the south end of the runway. So after landing on 33, do they do a 180 of the shuttle+attached convoy vehicles within the width of the runway or is there some other route for them to back to the OPF?
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are they powering down everything, including fuel cells? I missed watching the landing with audio this time, so I really didn't hear the post-landing deltas.
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From looking at the satellite image of SLF the towway exit is on the south end of the runway. So when landing on 33, do they do a 180 of the shuttle+convoy vehicles or is there some other route for them to back to the OPF?
There's two staging points, according to the Convoy manual. One at the MDD, and one where they drive up a "B Road" for the other end of the runway.
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Crew will be egressing shortly.
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From looking at the satellite image of SLF the towway exit is on the south end of the runway. So when landing on 33, do they do a 180 of the shuttle+convoy vehicles or is there some other route for them to back to the OPF?
There's two staging points, according to the Convoy manual. One at the MDD, and one where they drive up a "B Road" for the other end of the runway.
Gotcha: 2nd towway exit route. Thanks Chris! Love this site and all the participation and contributions!
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Landing replays on. Feel free to add some screenshots as I'm modifying the news article.
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TPS Team completed measurements of 10 gap sites
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Love that Pilot PoV: could clearly see the causeway from Titusvile and the KSC Visitor Center, while in the last 90 of the HAC.
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Beautiful landing!!!! Looks like COL Hobaugh brought her down right on Spot 9! Well done to Atlantis, her crew and the crew of NSF for a great mission and great mission coverage!!!
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Did scorch just ask if there was going to be free hot dogs in the Crew Transfer vehicle? Heh.
Orbiter
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Charlie can smell hotdogs and wants to egress ;D
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Landing rev of the main news article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/flawless-atlantis-home-kennedy-space-center/
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IR landing replay:
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Big bird vs small bird:
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Interesting to see the heat delta between the LH MLG and the RH MLG prior to touchdown.
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Are you sure the dark one isn't the nose gear?
Analyst
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Are you sure the dark one isn't the nose gear?
Analyst
Positive. It was easy to tell the difference as the viewing angle changed as she approached. The nose gear had a fairly cold strut, but warm tires.
The main gear difference was rather striking.
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Are you sure the dark one isn't the nose gear?
Analyst
Very sure. Here's one of my own captures:
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Are you sure the dark one isn't the nose gear?
Analyst
Positive. It was easy to tell the difference as the viewing angle changed as she approached. The nose gear had a fairly cold strut, but warm tires.
The main gear difference was rather striking.
Thanks. I only did see the picture, not the whole film.
Analyst
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Interesting to see the heat delta between the LH MLG and the RH MLG prior to touchdown.
Makes me wonder if there might have been a small thermal 'leak' in the door seal.
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Charlie's getting his hotdogs it would appear.
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"Taking pictures inside the vehicle still"
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STS-129 - ATLANTIS LANDING REPLAY
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5560
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On the thermal replay, looked like a small piece of debris fell away just as the MLG doors opened. Hard to tell where it came from. Sorry, no screen capture, but it was very evident in the replay. Couldn't see anything on the normal video.
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CTV-1 is asking for permission to back away from the cleanroom truck...
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just noticed the "porta-potty party pack" showed up in image 864 ;)
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Atlantis to be towed back to OPF-1 at 2pm local.
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On the thermal replay, looked like a small piece of debris fell away just as the MLG doors opened. Hard to tell where it came from. Sorry, no screen capture, but it was very evident in the replay. Couldn't see anything on the normal video.
You are right. I noticed that. Not sure what it was or whether it is anything to be concerned about.
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Crew is on the runway.
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Charlie Bolden with Mike.
"All the reports we've got from the ground crews working on Atlantis is that she's come home in very good shape" - Nice one George Diller
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Nicole departing in the crew transporter. Rest of the crew will ride in the astrovan.
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Mike L and Gerst.
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Here's a first. Atlantis is going to say a few words! ;)
"I'd like to thank the KSC engineers for preparing me for this flight, and I had a lot of fun teasing MRM-2 on Station. GO EXTENSION, WOOOO" - oh, they've turned the mic off.
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Crew getting a turn at the mic now.
"I don't know how I can put this. We had an amazing mission. It's not about JSC, KSC, MSFC, it's one huge integrated team. The Station is an amazing place. I had a cast of five around me, they were awesome, I was extreemly lucky. Station is just incredible, just like shuttle, amazing vehicle. We want to thank you all."
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Crew on the astrovan and off for some more hotdogs.
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Good job Atlantis and NASA! STS-129 was most likely the smoothest mission I've ever seen. Now Atlantis gets towed to the OPF to undergo its last ever processing to a mission, STS-132.
Orbiter
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Here's a first. Atlantis is going to say a few words! ;)
"I'd like to thank the KSC engineers for preparing me for this flight, and I had a lot of fun teasing MRM-2 on Station. GO EXTENSION, WOOOO" - oh, they've turned the mic off.
She can actually speak, but only late at night when noone is around, ssshhhhh! ;)
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Heres 3 shots of the IR view of the Landing Gear deploy ..
You can clearly see the "item" as it drops away,
Awsome flight,and Awsome coverage as per usual
JJ..
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Anyone know when the post landing presser will be?
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Anyone know when the post landing presser will be?
I think 11:45 a.m.
Orbiter
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Anyone know when the post landing presser will be?
I think 11:45 a.m.
Orbiter
Thanks. Someone keep an eye on it if so as I'm in and out for the next 15 mins.
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Spectacular Landing!
Here's my first attempt at uploading a video to You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dYycUGDXjA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dYycUGDXjA)
*Sigh* Only one flight left for this ship....
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Presser started, but I have no sound. Hope some is following.
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Tweaking Feb 4th launch to Feb 6th based on making sure landing took place today.
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Crew is fine, operations going well on the ground.
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Back. Noting Gerst about being hungry and using instrumentation like the MEI stinger.
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Mike L -
Some small TPS damage (happens post launch). Still a very clean vehicle. The ship looks very, very clean.
Mike M -
Didn't see anything like the ground TPS damage on orbit.
Finish the manifest and stop and reflect only after that.
Gerst -
I'm blessed to work with this team. I cherish each day I get to work with this team. I look at that and do my absolute best and not worry about the future.
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Bobby Block asking about COTS.
Gerst -
Falcon 9 flying next year - not a COTS milestone. Will be interesting to see how that flight goes.
Rumors of resigning soon? (That's news to me).
Gerst -
No truth to that at all.
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Questions we all already know the answer to, such as PLM on ISS via 133.
Question about what Nicole will do to recover.
Gerst -
So introduction back to 1 G, such as no running, no driving for a while. Fairly structured activity.
Question on the DAM for ISS due to Delta debris.
Gerst -
Waiting for a tracking update. Will carry out the DAM tomorrow if needed. Either raise or lower. Waiting for good tracking data. Got to be careful as it would affect Soyuz landing and the other Soyuz launch. Those are the three things to take into consideration. DAM will be less than a km.
Q) How likely is the DAM?
Gerst -
Based on what I heard yesterday, I don't know. Will be based on tracking data today. It's not a big thing. We're always ready, we're always tracking.
CBS New York guy loves NASA! :) Asks about such a great year, great mission.
Gerst -
We've been in this business long enough that there can be something out there. We're always careful not to say too much as we're supersistous.
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Any more questions that won't jinx us - Allard :)
James Dean on flyout of manifest.
Mike M -
Last flight on Sept 16, 2010. Spacing looks good, odds wise the odds are high we'd make that, but we'd like that wiggle room.
STS-129 was a month late based on a year ago. But that was after a number of hurdles.
My job is to take the pressure away of having to cancel a flight. The cutouts on the launch schedule are the biggest challenge.
Fully expects they'll get the check to fund a manifest stretch.
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Someone laughed, Brian tells them to "watch them to rollout".
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The low at the 180 and 90 was expected.
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Chris B said a couple hours ago:
"Atlantis to be towed back to OPF-1 at 2pm local."
Is this still accurate? I'm at the KSC VC and trying to time a bus tour to possibly catch a glimpse of her rolling on the towway. I heard (from an unreliable source) that processing was running well later than 2pm.
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STS-129 - POST-LANDING NEWS CONFERENCE
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5561
STS-129 - ENTRY FLIGHT CONTROL TEAM VIDEO REPLAY
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5562
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Chris B said a couple hours ago:
"Atlantis to be towed back to OPF-1 at 2pm local."
Is this still accurate? I'm at the KSC VC and trying to time a bus tour to possibly catch a glimpse of her rolling on the towway. I heard (from an unreliable source) that processing was running well later than 2pm.
That's what George Diller said. No idea if that has changed since. If you hear more please post :)
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back to live shots
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I didn't hear the sonic booms or much of the usual comms on the landing coverage. Was it talked over? The NASA TV commentator seems to have a rather individual way with words. Is there any coverage where the booms, usual comms etc are more apparent? Thanks :)
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Looks like we might see the tow live for once?
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This will be the entourage for Atlantis for her tow back to OPF-1.
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I didn't hear the sonic booms or much of the usual comms on the landing coverage. Was it talked over? The NASA TV commentator seems to have a rather individual way with words. Is there any coverage where the booms, usual comms etc are more apparent? Thanks :)
Yep, we heard them on the NTV feed. PAO didn't talk over them.
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Looks like we might see the tow live for once?
I hope so... I love it when they do that... It puts closure to the mission watching her get towed all the way back to where she started this mission... :)
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Hatch access stairs have backed away
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stairs moved away a bit now..
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should be ready to move
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This will be cool if we get to watch live. Not sure they have the camera coverage, but maybe if could do long shots from the VAB etc.
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First motion!
A U-turn!
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Moving!
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Right on schedule. I told you my source was unreliable!
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Hehe, the tow truck looks like it's beckoning Atlantis to follow "Here shuttle, shuttle" and she's dragging a load of wacky vehicles behind her!
Then again, I do have a messed up outlook on this sort of thing :)
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From looking at the satellite image of SLF the towway exit is on the south end of the runway. So when landing on 33, do they do a 180 of the shuttle+convoy vehicles or is there some other route for them to back to the OPF?
There's two staging points, according to the Convoy manual. One at the MDD, and one where they drive up a "B Road" for the other end of the runway.
Gotcha: 2nd towway exit route. Thanks Chris! Love this site and all the participation and contributions!
Haha! Nope, see NTV now (sorry no screenshot capability here). They do perform a 180 on the runway to lead Atlantis back to SPF via southern towway.
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loosing it off the edge.. I hope they switch views... or pan the camera...
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thank you :)
looks turned around now
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turning, turning, turning,,,,,, rawhide... ... sorry...
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From looking at the satellite image of SLF the towway exit is on the south end of the runway. So when landing on 33, do they do a 180 of the shuttle+convoy vehicles or is there some other route for them to back to the OPF?
There's two staging points, according to the Convoy manual. One at the MDD, and one where they drive up a "B Road" for the other end of the runway.
Gotcha: 2nd towway exit route. Thanks Chris! Love this site and all the participation and contributions!
Haha! Nope, see NTV now (sorry no screenshot capability here). They do perform a 180 on the runway to lead Atlantis back to SPF via southern towway.
Then they aren't going back the way they came. Interesting, as I've seen photos of an orbiter being towed back on a road too. Maybe that road was at the MDD, but the Convoy 100 percent went up the B Road, as we saw them on NTV.
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all lined up now and heading in the correct direction..
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And it's Atlantis in the lead, Atlantis, closely followed by purge truck making up ground on rail. Fan Van looks out of the running.
(No one ever gets my jokes, but it's my site, so I'll amuse myself ;))
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And it's Atlantis in the lead, Atlantis, closely followed by purge truck making up ground on rail. Fan Van looks out of the running.
(No one ever gets my jokes, but it's my site, so I'll amuse myself ;))
After racing around the world for the last 10+ days, Atlantis gets to lead the pack to the barn, at a very leisurely pace (in comparison anyway). :)
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And it's Atlantis in the lead, Atlantis, closely followed by purge truck making up ground on rail. Fan Van looks out of the running.
(No one ever gets my jokes, but it's my site, so I'll amuse myself ;))
Crikey!!! an Armadillo with a 6 pack on his back could win this race... :)
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Three mile runway, this might take a while!
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Three mile runway, this might take a while!
I have nothing I would rather be doing... :)
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MDD in sight! Actually closer to the turn to the OPF route than I thought they'd be.
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From looking at the satellite image of SLF the towway exit is on the south end of the runway. So when landing on 33, do they do a 180 of the shuttle+convoy vehicles or is there some other route for them to back to the OPF?
There's two staging points, according to the Convoy manual. One at the MDD, and one where they drive up a "B Road" for the other end of the runway.
Gotcha: 2nd towway exit route. Thanks Chris! Love this site and all the participation and contributions!
Haha! Nope, see NTV now (sorry no screenshot capability here). They do perform a 180 on the runway to lead Atlantis back to SPF via southern towway.
Then they aren't going back the way they came. Interesting, as I've seen photos of an orbiter being towed back on a road too. Maybe that road was at the MDD, but the Convoy 100 percent went up the B Road, as we saw them on NTV.
Yeah... there's only one preferred way off the SLF for the Orbiter and that's at the southern end near for the MDD.
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Approaching end of runway
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turning
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Runway vacated
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Crew presser moved up to 330pm EST.
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darn... I would prefer to watch Atlantis... oh well..
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Lots of empty seats at the crew conference. I'd prefer to watch Atlantis' roll back to the OPF too.
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How come Nicole isnt with them?
Do they give special medical attention to the astronauts that have been on the ISS for a long time ?
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Only once do I remember an ISS astro attending the post-landing presser. It was a JAXA astronaut, iirc.
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Just two journalists there. And it was mainly Marcia Dunn asking who ate Turkey.
Feel sorry for the crew when there's so little media interest in them.
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Garrett Reisman was at his post-landing press conference after his long duration flight.
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"there was speculation" on them getting food from the ISS side? That's newsworthy?
I wasn't aware that the computers decide which way to roll during launch.
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Stairs moved back to the hatch
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Just two journalists there. And it was mainly Marcia Dunn asking who ate Turkey.
Feel sorry for the crew when there's so little media interest in them.
It was quite sparse at the SLF when they arrived too.. about 5 minutes before the Gulfstream came in, a few workers from the building at the MDD came out to make it seemingly more attentive, but it was quite poor.
I feel sorry for the crew as well when they've only got 2 people at their press conference after they pulled off one hell of a feat.
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A few words from Nicole Stott in the Crew Quarters is now playing.
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Just two journalists there. And it was mainly Marcia Dunn asking who ate Turkey.
Feel sorry for the crew when there's so little media interest in them.
Same thought here. They just got home from space in a vehicle that the media likes to consider a "flying deathtrap" and Marcia is intrgued by a Turkey dinner.....
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If the press conference is so empty why not just give the rest of the seats to the public who came to watch the landing?
Seems like a good idea to me. Gets fans close to the astronauts.
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If the press conference is so empty why not just give the rest of the seats to the public who came to watch the landing?
Seems like a good idea to me. Gets fans close to the astronauts.
The idea itself is good, yes, but then safety becomes a concern. The public wasn't bussed out to the SLF, it was only media. The public can't get on to the press site, where the briefing is held at.
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Words from Nicole are over, good interview.. only wish we could have heard the questions instead of a rushed edit.
Quickly back to a live shot of Atlantis near her SLF, then off to the video file (STS-129 Mission Highlights).
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Next (and last) major timeline question for this mission: When's the Max-Q video for 129 going to be ready?
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How come Nicole isnt with them?
Do they give special medical attention to the astronauts that have been on the ISS for a long time ?
Yes.
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Next (and last) major timeline question for this mission: When's the Max-Q video for 129 going to be ready?
May be a few days later than our usual two to three days after landing, but this video's gonna have a few treats in it. ;)
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STS-127 - CREW AFTER LANDING
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5563
STS-129 - CREW NEWS CONFERENCE
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5564
STS-129 - VIDEO B-ROLL OF NICOLE STOTT IN CREW QUARTERS
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5565
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Darn, I missed her being towed into her OPF, but you can see some of the convoy still outside.
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Success!!! Got some killer pictures from the tow-way. Will post as soon as I can but it might not be until Sunday.
Thanks for the coverage, was following all day on my Blackberry and using the commentary here to strategize my intersections with Atlantis :)
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I'm going to be SO emotional on Atlantis' last mission in May...Though I'm going to try to not cry...
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On the question of the low turnout of the news media, it probably has a lot more to do with this being a long holiday weekend and the ever-dwindling budgets of news organizations. CNN included the landing in their top five stories in their crawls all day. Lots of TV networks are cutting back and just relying on the NASA feed to get their footage. Tough times in the news business.
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Just two journalists there. And it was mainly Marcia Dunn asking who ate Turkey.
Feel sorry for the crew when there's so little media interest in them.
A disgrace that the general public around the world appear to be so
apathetic/ignorant about space in general.People should look upwards
on a clear night and think.
A superb mission.
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And it is not through lack of interest. I'm looking after the site while Chris is out with his friends for his birthday and the top story about landing has been getting hit/read at an unbelievable pace, even now http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/flawless-atlantis-home-kennedy-space-center/. And that article isn't your average general public news story, you have to be reasonably interested in shuttle to hang around here.
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If you want a REAL "Laugh Out Loud"
I would HIGHLY recommend reading Wayne Hale's current blog:
http://blogs.nasa.gov/cm/blog/waynehalesblog
I have started a topic at:
Topic: Thanksgiving & Shuttle Potty...
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=19656.new#new
so that this STS 129 thread doesn't get hijacked.
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I feel for the crew too, but one thing to remember here is that this is the day after a major holiday here in the U.S. While there were members of the member there for landing, you really can't blame us for not staying around for 6-hrs after landing for a press conference we are repeatedly told "COULD BE CANCELLED AT THE CREW'S WHIM WHENEVER THEY WISH."
But this is still a holiday weekend for many Americans and this is a holiday where A LOT of people go out of town to visit family. The fact that media where there is quite amazing! I agree, I would have liked to see more hardball questions, but this mission was so smooth and so amazing there really wasn't anything to ask the crew.
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I didn't hear the sonic booms or much of the usual comms on the landing coverage. Was it talked over? The NASA TV commentator seems to have a rather individual way with words. Is there any coverage where the booms, usual comms etc are more apparent? Thanks :)
Heh, individual way with words is one way of putting it. I dont know what she is doing when she's on mic at PAO, but I cringe every time she is on-with her stumbling over words, and misquoting, you'd swear that her attention is in some far off place...like Neptune! On landing approach, she actually stated that the shuttle was at 6700 MILES altitude.
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I didn't hear the sonic booms or much of the usual comms on the landing coverage. Was it talked over? The NASA TV commentator seems to have a rather individual way with words. Is there any coverage where the booms, usual comms etc are more apparent? Thanks :)
Heh, individual way with words is one way of putting it. I dont know what she is doing when she's on mic at PAO, but I cringe every time she is on-with her stumbling over words, and misquoting, you'd swear that her attention is in some far off place...like Neptune! On landing approach, she actually stated that the shuttle was at 6700 MILES altitude.
Yes, the sonic boom was heard on NASA TV. No, the commentator didn't talk over it.
I feel for the crew too, but one thing to remember here is that this is the day after a major holiday here in the U.S. While there were members of the member there for landing, you really can't blame us for not staying around for 6-hrs after landing for a press conference we are repeatedly told "COULD BE CANCELLED AT THE CREW'S WHIM WHENEVER THEY WISH."
But this is still a holiday weekend for many Americans and this is a holiday where A LOT of people go out of town to visit family. The fact that media where there is quite amazing! I agree, I would have liked to see more hardball questions, but this mission was so smooth and so amazing there really wasn't anything to ask the crew.
Exactly. It's a 4-day weekend for a lot of folks here in the U.S. Some media folks may be in Vegas right now playing poker or wasting quarters on the slot machines at the Bellagio when the astronauts did the conference. Either that, or they're writing up articles about that couple who crashed that White House dinner party earlier this week. I kid. :)
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Feel sorry for the crew when there's so little media interest in them.
Keep in mind, the crew news conference is only open to media who are at Kennedy. Unlike the post-landing news conference with managers, news media at other centers cannot call in.*
Were they to open to the press conference to more than one center, or allow use of the off-hours phone bridge, I am positive there would have been more media participating yesterday.
* KSC PAO seems to decide on a mission-to-mission basis if they are going to accept calls from others centers for the managers' post-landing conference, and/or open the phone bridge.
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STS-129 - MISSION HIGHLIGHTS
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5566
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I didn't hear the sonic booms or much of the usual comms on the landing coverage. Was it talked over? The NASA TV commentator seems to have a rather individual way with words. Is there any coverage where the booms, usual comms etc are more apparent? Thanks :)
Heh, individual way with words is one way of putting it. I dont know what she is doing when she's on mic at PAO, but I cringe every time she is on-with her stumbling over words, and misquoting, you'd swear that her attention is in some far off place...like Neptune! On landing approach, she actually stated that the shuttle was at 6700 MILES altitude.
I noticed that too - I take it this is the same woman who, on a previous shuttle mission, mentioned the shuttle-station stack was orbiting 220 feet above New Zealand ::)
Guess I need to rewatch the landing coverage again - at what point (ie minutes before touchdown) do we usually hear the sonic booms?
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Guess I need to rewatch the landing coverage again - at what point (ie minutes before touchdown) do we usually hear the sonic booms?
Usually 4-5 minutes before touchdown.
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I think Brandi Dean was the PAO for yesterday's landing, and you have to feel sorry for her. She just did not have a good day at the office! I lost count of the number of times she mixed up her feet and miles e.g. "Atlantis now 131,000 MILES above the coast of Florida" and also "Atlantis expected to land 24,000 feet down the runway." To be fair, she corrected herself almost immediately (should have been 2400 feet) but I still laughed. That would have been one heck of an over-shoot!
I guess all you can really say is that she's human.
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The Sonic Booms were on the coverage,but they were very quiet,
How many landings at KSC has there been,including was this one ?
JJ..
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How many landings at KSC has there been,including was this one ?
This was the 72nd KSC landing.
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I feel for the crew too, but one thing to remember here is that this is the day after a major holiday here in the U.S. While there were members of the member there for landing, you really can't blame us for not staying around for 6-hrs after landing for a press conference we are repeatedly told "COULD BE CANCELLED AT THE CREW'S WHIM WHENEVER THEY WISH."
But this is still a holiday weekend for many Americans and this is a holiday where A LOT of people go out of town to visit family. The fact that media where there is quite amazing! I agree, I would have liked to see more hardball questions, but this mission was so smooth and so amazing there really wasn't anything to ask the crew.
Could be worse, imagine if I was there.....
George D: "And now to questions, Chris?"
Me (after getting over the shock of getting the first question :)): "Commander, any words for the performance of Atlantis during the mission?"
Commander Hobaugh: "Was impressed, it's a great ship."
George D: "You have a follow-up Chris?"
Me: "Yes, actually. Commander, you mean she, not it, surely??!"
Commander Hobaugh: "Well, suppose. Like I said, it's one very fine ship. And don't call me Shirley."
Me *Grabs hold of the mic on a long stick* "She, she, she!! If it's bloody well good enough for Mike L...."
*George Diller jumps over the desk like a ninja and gets me in a headlock*
Hope someone would be grabbing screenshots ;)
Actually, the reality would be an open-mouthed me, drooling "OMG, it's real astronauts, and I'm in the same room as them".
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I thought we had to pay premium for jokes from Chris lol
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Actually, the reality would be an open-mouthed me, drooling "OMG, it's real astronauts, and I'm in the same room as them".
me too! Bob's landing picture thread on L2 blew me away when he mentioned talking to the CDR as they walked around "her". and he said it so casually... 8o
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...Lots of TV networks are cutting back and just relying on the NASA feed to get their footage. Tough times in the news business.
On average, these days, for every 6 hours of news coverage, there is less than 10 minutes of science reporting.
If you want to be depressed, take a look at Richard Hofstadter's 1966 book, Anti-Intellectualism in American Life and its 2009 counterpart, Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens our Future by Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum.
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Yeah, she mixed up her words several times like you pointed out.... but I will say there is one big thing she did well. When the astronauts were talking on the air to ground loop, she STOPPED TALKING. Anybody with even the fuzziest idea of runway length knows she didn't mean the aimpoint was 24,000 feet down the runway. But no matter how deep your understanding of the shuttle is you can never, ever go back and hear what was covered over by the PAO talking during air to ground transmissions. I'll gladly put up with a lot of "bad day at the office mixups" as long as the PAO lets us listen to the mission as it takes place rather than insisting on telling us about it to the extent we miss out on the event itself.
I think Brandi Dean was the PAO for yesterday's landing, and you have to feel sorry for her. She just did not have a good day at the office! I lost count of the number of times she mixed up her feet and miles e.g. "Atlantis now 131,000 MILES above the coast of Florida" and also "Atlantis expected to land 24,000 feet down the runway." To be fair, she corrected herself almost immediately (should have been 2400 feet) but I still laughed. That would have been one heck of an over-shoot!
I guess all you can really say is that she's human.
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I'm going to be SO emotional on Atlantis' last mission in May...Though I'm going to try to not cry...
I'm going to be crying my eyes out. And when Endeavour retires in July.
Then when STS-133 lands, I think I'll have an emotional break down.
Orbiter
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I'm going to be SO emotional on Atlantis' last mission in May...Though I'm going to try to not cry...
I'm going to be crying my eyes out. And when Endeavour retires in July.
Then when STS-133 lands, I think I'll have an emotional break down.
Orbiter
It's already starting for me. I think I'm in denial...still holding out hope the Congress will the girls an extension for a while longer, maybe until the commercial crew capability comes at least close...
I'm really wanting to see Atlantis on her last flight, and the weather that time of year (May) really makes it an ideal launch time. But I really want to see the AMS-02 go up, which is August, but that's just asking for trouble. I don't know. Time to send a letter to the politicians to see if I can get a closer view from the viewing area, or omething else. My first, and last, shuttle launch should be as memorable as possible, despite the tears...
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Yeah, she mixed up her words several times like you pointed out.... but I will say there is one big thing she did well. When the astronauts were talking on the air to ground loop, she STOPPED TALKING. Anybody with even the fuzziest idea of runway length knows she didn't mean the aimpoint was 24,000 feet down the runway. But no matter how deep your understanding of the shuttle is you can never, ever go back and hear what was covered over by the PAO talking during air to ground transmissions. I'll gladly put up with a lot of "bad day at the office mixups" as long as the PAO lets us listen to the mission as it takes place rather than insisting on telling us about it to the extent we miss out on the event itself.
I think Brandi Dean was the PAO for yesterday's landing, and you have to feel sorry for her. She just did not have a good day at the office! I lost count of the number of times she mixed up her feet and miles e.g. "Atlantis now 131,000 MILES above the coast of Florida" and also "Atlantis expected to land 24,000 feet down the runway." To be fair, she corrected herself almost immediately (should have been 2400 feet) but I still laughed. That would have been one heck of an over-shoot!
I guess all you can really say is that she's human.
True, and I'd give definite benefit of the doubt if it was *a* bad day at the office, but every EVERY time she is on, her commentary sounds as if her attention is diverted elsewhere, thus choppy words, inaccuracies in units (and not even realizing it thus repeating it again and again), or just plain erroneous commentary. Yes, she is the same that thinks the station is flying around 250 feet above earth (duck!). IMO the PAO is the embodiment and voice of all of NASA to the general public. The unprofessionalism that she repeatedly conveys just isn't something that should be tolerated. I would think that someone else in PAO is listening to what is on the air so that she should at least be coached.
So, human, yes. In need of some coaching or replacement, YES.
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Yeah, she mixed up her words several times like you pointed out.... but I will say there is one big thing she did well. When the astronauts were talking on the air to ground loop, she STOPPED TALKING. Anybody with even the fuzziest idea of runway length knows she didn't mean the aimpoint was 24,000 feet down the runway. But no matter how deep your understanding of the shuttle is you can never, ever go back and hear what was covered over by the PAO talking during air to ground transmissions. I'll gladly put up with a lot of "bad day at the office mixups" as long as the PAO lets us listen to the mission as it takes place rather than insisting on telling us about it to the extent we miss out on the event itself.
I think Brandi Dean was the PAO for yesterday's landing, and you have to feel sorry for her. She just did not have a good day at the office! I lost count of the number of times she mixed up her feet and miles e.g. "Atlantis now 131,000 MILES above the coast of Florida" and also "Atlantis expected to land 24,000 feet down the runway." To be fair, she corrected herself almost immediately (should have been 2400 feet) but I still laughed. That would have been one heck of an over-shoot!
I guess all you can really say is that she's human.
True, and I'd give definite benefit of the doubt if it was *a* bad day at the office, but every EVERY time she is on, her commentary sounds as if her attention is diverted elsewhere, thus choppy words, inaccuracies in units (and not even realizing it thus repeating it again and again), or just plain erroneous commentary. Yes, she is the same that thinks the station is flying around 250 feet above earth (duck!). IMO the PAO is the embodiment and voice of all of NASA to the general public. The unprofessionalism that she repeatedly conveys just isn't something that should be tolerated. I would think that someone else in PAO is listening to what is on the air so that she should at least be coached.
So, human, yes. In need of some coaching or replacement, YES.
I am not sure, but I think, she has the whole communications in the fcc on here headphones on the pao desk?!. For me (as a single-brained-man ;-)) it would be impossible, to listen to the chatter in the room, to note that their is air-to-ground comm, to read my pre-formulated phrases placed somewhere on my chaotic desk and to speak in pao style without making a total fool out of me. So, I agree, she is everytime fun to listen (say four times "sensor-system") when she is mixing up, but I am sure, I can't do better.
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Remember, we have a PAOish thread here:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=16228.0 - best to take this sort of thing over there.
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When will MRM-1 arrive in KSC for Atlantis' next STS-132 mission?
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Perhaps a suitable close for this thread (and the start of the 132 processing thread)...
Pictures of Atlantis being towed to her OPF are now surfacing on the Kennedy Media Gallery:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
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When will MRM-1 arrive in KSC for Atlantis' next STS-132 mission?
The latest info, which I saw in media reports, was December.
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Has this picture been posted before?
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-21/hires/iss021e033360.jpg
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That's the first time I've seen it...very cool!
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Here's a video of the STS-129 crew homecoming ceremony at Ellington Field on November 30.
I found the video here: http://video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/atlantis-astronauts-welcomed-home/2422800605
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Post flight article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/12/extension-no-closer-one-heck-of-a-year-for-shuttle/