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New thread, as the others are getting messy.
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Just thrilled to see the sea in the background of the pic again...
Awesome.. gents... just awesome...
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Briefing comming up... NET 4:30
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I'm guessing it'll be Cain, Suffredini, Hale and Leinbach.
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Anyone knows when wind speed will exceed 49mph? Is there still a chance to rollback to the VAB *today*?
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Felix - 29/8/2006 3:31 PM
Anyone knows when wind speed will exceed 49mph? Is there still a chance to rollback to the VAB?
Probably sometime Thursday. I doubt they'll try another rollback because they'd get hit by the storm while they're out on the track.
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4:45 or 5:00?
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Looks like she has turned the corner, so the start of the Ramp cannot be far off
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May as well pre-empt this, but here's some lovely images of Atlantis arriving at the pad the first time around :)
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Avron - 29/8/2006 3:35 PM
Looks like she has turned the corner, so the start of the Ramp cannot be far off
i'm pretty sure that's 39A.
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spaceshuttle - 29/8/2006 3:40 PM
Avron - 29/8/2006 3:35 PM
Looks like she has turned the corner, so the start of the Ramp cannot be far off
i'm pretty sure that's 39A.
Yeah it's Pad A. Pad B's off camera to the left.
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Press briefing starting.
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DO NOT LOOK AT THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW.. !!!! that is launch weather...
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Full 3 day countdown....
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There has just been an update from a USA guy on SDC that the rollback is to be hatled and reversed! Atlantis is going back to the pad!
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And here i was all down and depressed at work today, get home to hear this great news :) Go Atlantis ! Hers to a 6th 7th or 8th launch :)
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Those poor crawlerway stones have been taking a beating today. ;)
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nacnud - 29/8/2006 4:09 PM
There has just been an update from a USA guy on SDC that the rollback is to be hatled and reversed! Atlantis is going back to the pad!
HA. That'll teach you for reading space.com's message board. We've been talking about that for the last four-five hours here.
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now it looks like Atlantis is on the straight to the pad!
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I know :( dam 56k slow internet too many updates to read, the SDC post is 3 hrs old too. I'll go back to sleep now.
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nacnud - 29/8/2006 4:09 PM
There has just been an update from a USA guy on SDC that the rollback is to be hatled and reversed! Atlantis is going back to the pad!
Did he also mention about the invention of the wheel and the death of Elvis? ;)
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Way cool. They've made great time today both ways. Glad Leinbach explained why they'd be ready next week because I was sure confused. They've already got most of the work done.
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Started to turn the final corner, then paused and backed up to straighten out the tracks. The crawler needs a rest for a few minutes?
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Probably cooling the engines again or switching back to primary hydraulics.
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As mentioned in the press briefing, they switch between primary and secondary systems to keep things balanced during every rollout.
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Yes, but if it's a scheduled, or timed, switchover, you'd think they'd do that *before* rounding the corner rather than having to back up again to do it.
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MKremer - 29/8/2006 4:23 PM
Yes, but if it's a scheduled, or timed, switchover, you'd think they'd do that *before* rounding the corner rather than having to back up again to do it.
They backed up to straighten the treads out.
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Scheduled or timed makes no difference here, first time ever doing a rollback to the pad halfway through, so I doubt the timing is really happening :)
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nathan.moeller - 29/8/2006 5:24 PM
They backed up to straighten the treads out.
He's saying the crawler is stationary - it doesn't sit still to straighten out ;>
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It's backed up quite a bit away from the turn, 100 yards or so.
Chopper is landing in front of the crawler (in the middle of the corner, actually). Wonder what that's about?
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MKremer - 29/8/2006 4:29 PM
It's backed up quite a bit away from the turn, 100 yards or so.
Chopper is landing in front of the crawler (in the middle of the corner, actually). Wonder what that's about?
KSC Security. Making sure no one's near the shuttle that isn't supposed to be.
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Backed up? It's supposed to be coming towards the camera unless it is facing the wrong way
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video feeds are going away as they shutdown systems in various facilities
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They've got several vehicles and people on foot pacing the crawler, plus security folks on the MLP itself, and everyone is talking back and forth. They don't need the chopper folks to land just because they may have seen something suspicious.
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astrobrian - 29/8/2006 4:34 PM
Backed up? It's supposed to be coming towards the camera unless it is facing the wrong way
Yes, you're right (forgot about the orientation). ;)
In any case, things were delayed and the crawler has stopped.
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OK, on the move again, but slowly.
And the chopper lifted off a little earlier.
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With the various video feed shut downs, will they have footage up until they get to the pad?
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It's GONE!
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Expect the crawler to stop every now and then.. the bearings need to cool down.. and some lube is required...
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All vid pics down.
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/
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I'm sure one or two of you won't get this as humour....that's all it is. Astrobrian at it again with the spare time and video skills. :)
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4077&start=1&posts=1
Ok. I'm moving that video to the video section. You guys can comment there and this thread will get back on to news updates. Deleting this thread back on topic.
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She'll be at the pad now.
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Last weather I saw the winds aren't bad at all right now around the Keys. <30 mph with the eye to make landfall in about 3 hours. I think this decision will be looked at as a great one to bring her back to the pad given what I am seeing so far.
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astrobrian - 29/8/2006 5:46 PM
Last weather I saw the winds aren't bad at all right now around the Keys. <30 mph with the eye to make landfall in about 3 hours. I think this decision will be looked at as a great one to bring her back to the pad given what I am seeing so far.
Yep. Starting to look like Mr. Liebach made the right decision.
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Can anyone get on to the KSC website or am I the only one having trouble?
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KSC website is up but no video is available... Same scene as slipstream's screen cap earlier.. Other threads said KSC shutting down with end of second shift...
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I really hope by now she is back on the pad with the RSS enclosed around her... I also hope that a lot of the connections have been made.. that means, if tomorrow we see a half day, but hoping for a full day as there will be no storm comming... finish connections on Thurday and check out the Pad.. so piros can go back in and repress can take place, maybe even do some charging of the payload (Friday).. but that mean some work in parellel.. now that will leave us on Sat, to start the count, or start the count late on Friday.. L-3 so that make Monday/Tuesday as an option..( if some Holds in the count can be shortened, as a number of processes in the count have already been done and some systems gone through some of the count without issues, so the probability of hitting an issue is lower (new issues cannot be ruled out) but the amount of time reserved in the count for problem resolution can be shortened, thus I think we can get back to T-11 a lot quicker, but still do all the needed steps (some may be complete) and testing that they are complete.. I see Wednesday as a delay in the process based on the above... i.e two days for pad reset and 3 days for the count.. Note that I am not saying remove any item that is in the process (while the clock is not running) and not asking for any change while the clock is running...
Can it be done?? (after today - its a whole new MMT...:) )
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I'm sure most of you have heard, but Hale said they're reconsidering the daylight launch requirement since it could mean the difference of launching Atlantis later next month or early next year. He wants the engineers to take a good hard look to see if they can expand the October window by a couple of days and even if the requirement is even truly necessary after seeing good (though not perfect) performance on tanks 121 and 119 for STS-114 and STS-121 respectively. Launching after Soyuz TMA-8 returns would mean a predawn launch and the first night operation since Endeavour's STS-113 launch in November 2002. Of course that was just talk going on at KSC earlier today while Atlantis was heading for the VAB so what will or won't come of that remains to be seen. Either way there is going to be some serious investigation into what the options are and what can be accomplished with or without the lighted launch.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station may have webcams, but cannot find links :(
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Sergi Manstov - 30/8/2006 12:40 AM
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station may have webcams, but cannot find links :(
It doesn't have a website, any CCAFS webcams related to NASA missions go thru KSC websites. But anyways, just as KSC website is down, so would any CCAFS website
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Any word on when KSC will resume operations? Hope everyone's okay.
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nathan.moeller - 30/8/2006 2:19 PM
Any word on when KSC will resume operations? Hope everyone's okay.
No eariler than Thursday.
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Shut down all of today
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Jim - 30/8/2006 7:24 AM
Shut down all of today
Going to be a pretty quite day it seems.
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NASA (spaceflight in general) just isn't KSC, the rest is at work (JSC, MSFC, JPL, ESA)
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Justin Space - 30/8/2006 7:36 AM
Jim - 30/8/2006 7:24 AM
Shut down all of today
Going to be a pretty quite day it seems.
Not if you're on L2. :o There's some amazing presentations going on there at the moment.
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We just got this info:
RSC Energia president Nikolay Sevastyanov has announced that NASA now have the third launch date option of September 8.
Sevastyanov made the announcement at today's press-conference at GCTC - although it is unclear at this time if the extra date is related to an agreed delay to the launch of Soyuz TMA 9.
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Thank goodness! The 6th is really pushing it but we might just make it.
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According to Florida Today's Blog:
"NASA thinks the storm will be clear of the area by around 2 a.m. Thursday. Preliminary damage assessments will begin as soon as possible. If damage is minimal and there is no hazard to personnel, NASA might be able to reopen the center for first shift Thursday. A decision in that case likely would be made between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Thursday."
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I imagine we are having water intrusion in the VAB. The damage we received two years ago still hasn't been repaired completely. Hope we don't go into too many phase twos tomorrow-and definitely no more lightning hits!
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Sure hope there's no water intrusions at the OPFs.
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Chris Bergin - 30/8/2006 9:35 AM
We just got this info:
RSC Energia president Nikolay Sevastyanov has announced that NASA now have the third launch date option of September 8.
Sevastyanov made the announcement at today's press-conference at GCTC - although it is unclear at this time if the extra date is related to an agreed delay to the launch of Soyuz TMA 9.
That is good info.
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Just got the word a little while ago that we need to be ready to kick off S0007 Sunday night.
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Spacetech1031 - 30/8/2006 3:58 PM
Just got the word a little while ago that we need to be ready to kick off S0007 Sunday night.
Cool. We have the S0007 on L2 :)
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OPFs are in pretty good shape.
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Russian info:
If Atlantis will be launched on September 6-8, then Soyuz TMA-9 launch will be postponed till September 18... If not, then Soyuz TMA-9 will be launched on September 14.
So you can all start to thank the Russians for actually agreeing to help Atlantis in what appears to be a compromise.
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Thanks comrades! :)
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Boy it's been a long week.
Well, that could mean the second time they try three consecutive days (should it go that far) after STS-101. But I'm hoping for a nice on time launch the second attempt.
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I have a feeling the DART team will be called in sooner than planned.
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To all KSC and USA workers: Way to go guys. You all have done an incredible job and we couldn't be more proud. Hope all of you are weathering the storm in good condition. Good news from the Russians! Glad they budged a bit to give us a little extra wiggle room if needed. Thanks comrades!
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The winds here in Cocoa are almost dead calm. I'm itching to get back out there because we have alot of work to do-also because the kids are out of school today they are driving me NUTS!
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Spacetech1031 - 30/8/2006 6:27 PM
I have a feeling the DART team will be called in sooner than planned.
Just for those who doesn't know what "DART" means: Damage Assesment and Recovery Team.
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Spacetech1031 - 30/8/2006 10:48 AM
I imagine we are having water intrusion in the VAB.
That should make for quite a story! There's been less than a tenth of an inch of rain so far - you get more from a generic thunderstorm than this. Is it shoddy construction? I'd think they woud at least be able to have patched holes by now...
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The old roofing material was ripped off by the roofing contractor and they are in the process of putting on the new roofing material but they aren't finished. I've been there 20 years and the roof has leaked ever since . Most of the problems associated with the VAB can be traced to lack of proper maintenance due to lack of funding for the maintenance-but that has changed since the 2004 hurricane season.
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I hope they concentrate on the plumbing soon. The proper procedure now is flush and pray! :)
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"The old roofing material was ripped off by the roofing contractor and they are in the process of putting on the new roofing material but they aren't finished."
Gotcha - but you got TORRENTIAL rains in the past week, why would these little showers be an OPF concern (or are you saying it flooded last week too?)
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Spacetech1031 - 30/8/2006 12:27 PM
I have a feeling the DART team will be called in sooner than planned.
with wind speeds terrorizing the cape at what 20Kts... I would hope the DART was out already... If the Russians can make a plan, so can KSC....
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No real concerns for flooding in the OPFs. So far as I know, DART has not been called in yet.
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What are the chances third shift will be called in later tonight to continue shuttle processing at the pad? When I worked third shift 20 years ago, that was around 10:00p.
The eye of the storm (depression) is forcasted to be right over the cape at 8:00p tonight.
shuttle_buff
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Flightstar was worried about OPF - you were worried about VAB - I'm saying: no worry ;>
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The VAB will be okay-probably just some puddles in the transfer aisle. I had a phone conversation earlier this afternoon about third shift coming in but no one is sure yet. We have worse weather during afternoon thunderstorms. I think the big concern is driving on the causeways to KSC.
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Nice to see so many fellow KSCers on here.
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About to get some heavy rain bands here. Looks like the eye will pass to the west of KSC. Winds aren't bad at all.
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Are there any updated photos of the Cape or the shuttle?
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Just checked NASA Select on my cable TV-no live shots from KSC.
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If there were any new photos, we wouldn't be able to see them anyway until KSC's web sites come back online.
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Just saw a report of a doppler indicated tornado in Osceola County. That's next to Brevard County which has KSC.
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For any KSC workers, any word on how the storm rideout crewmembers are doing?
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I called the shop but no one answered.
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All they are getting is some rain and 20-30mph winds. It's safe to say - they are safe.
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There hasn't been any winds, just rain. went shopping and to a movie. Have had worse weather during the typical afternoon T-storm. Eye is approaching my home. If it wasn't for the radar and the prior warnings, I couldn't tell this weather from any other day
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Great news! Thanks guys. Still looking at opening for first shift tomorrow sometime?
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I'm positive we're going in tomorrow.
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Get that bird flying. :)
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Jim - 30/8/2006 9:20 PM
There hasn't been any winds, just rain. went shopping and to a movie. Have had worse weather during the typical afternoon T-storm. Eye is approaching my home. If it wasn't for the radar and the prior warnings, I couldn't tell this weather from any other day
Well firstly, I'm glad everyone is ok and that it wasn't a bad arse storm. Secondly, let's get that lady uphill.
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L -7 :)
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Agreed on all points. Kick the big bird upstairs, guys! We're rooting for you!
Mark
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Why not start the countdown tomorrow for Sunday launch? Ernesto will have done precisely zero damage. Atlantis has already been checked over (and could have launched Monday, but nevermindthat). What's the delay?
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The BHP9099 interface with the MLP was disconnected for rollback. Every system that uses those cables must be reverified.
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Joffan - 30/8/2006 2:55 PM Why not start the countdown tomorrow for Sunday launch? Ernesto will have done precisely zero damage. Atlantis has already been checked over (and could have launched Monday, but nevermindthat). What's the delay?
KSC personnel would want to make sure there was absolutely no damage...and they need to power up all the systems at the space center that were shut down yesterday in preparation of Ernesto's "landfall"
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Plus who is to say lightning hasn't hit the pad again :( not trying to be a pain, but with a storm it is possible, so they have to check everything out. Then, it's on with the show :)
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We have two systems that would let us know if we got hit. One is called CWLIS which stands for Catenary Wire Lightning Instrumentation System. It measures lightning strikes that hit the big cone on top of the tower. The other is called LIVIS which is Lightning Induced Voltage Instrumentation System. It measure any lightning voltage on key cables going to the orbiter. Both systems detected the big strike last week. They can detect much smaller strikes also.
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Sorry to repeat,but the launch date for next week. Is that true or a guess to fly on 9/6 or 9/7? I want to see Atlantis fly fellas. :)
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That is how it stands currently, and the Russians will let us have the 8th as well if we need it :)
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Just got a call. The ride out crew will do a walkdown at 0200. Dart may not be needed.
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Very cool , Thanks for the update Spacetech :)
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Pending what we find tomorrow, 9/6 looks possible.
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Aww, I'm working that morning. :( Oh well, I'll tape it off NASA TV, though nothing beats see it LIVE. :)
I was just thinking. Can you imagine the crew's reaction on what happened with rollback? It reminds me of this joke I heard. A guy finds his motehr in law is to live with him. One day he comes home to find her unconcious. At the hospital he's nervous. The doctor comes in, " I have good news and bad news. Your mother in law won't die. She had a massive stroke but she's ok. The problem with this is it left her unable to speak so she just makes this screeching sound now. It also has left her unable to use her arms so for the next 20 or so years you have to feed her baby food and it also left her incontnent so you'll have to change her diapers and clean her up for the rest of her life. " The guy goes, "Oh my God. What's the good news?" The doctor laughs and says, "I'm just kidding she died." lol :) Fitting isn't it?
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Good analogy! :)
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LMAO, thats so wrong, yet so funny! Though I would like to know what the crew really did when they found out :) if anyone here has access to that
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Spacetech1031 - 30/8/2006 5:24 PM
Just got a call. The ride out crew will do a walkdown at 0200. Dart may not be needed.
How much assessment can be completed with the ride out crew alone?
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All they will look for is downed power lines, trees, damage to buildings-that sort of thing. Basically that it's safe to work. More detailed inspections will be done tomorrow.
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I seriously doubt they will find any major problems.
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Looks like OTV powered down their equipment for the storm.
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Thanks for the updates spacetech! Its good to have any amount of info in this dropout period.
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Roger, you folks at KSC are doing one hell of a job.. you got to know that there must be millions of people on the plannet rooting for ya all..
To a easy launch!!! I would guess that tomorrow, may be more planning/preping that doing or is the plan in place and the teams will just follow the process ? ( would guess tha pad checkout and connections will be no one on the list of things to do... aslo when would the payload door be opened or the recharge?
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Actually both planning and processing will be happening at the same time. A lot of things don't have to be reperformed. We have a procedure to follow to get us back in configuration without too much fuss. As to the payload-not really sure if anything has to be done.
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I'll try to give you all a good update tomorrow on how things are going.
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Spacetech1031 - 30/8/2006 8:24 PM
I'll try to give you all a good update tomorrow on how things are going.
We are thankful for your updates. Thank you.
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KSC re-opens: http://www.floridatoday.com/floridatoday/blogs/spaceteam/2006/08/ksc-reopens-launch-preps-resume.html
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At the office!
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DaveS - 31/8/2006 5:13 AM
KSC re-opens: http://www.floridatoday.com/floridatoday/blogs/spaceteam/2006/08/ksc-reopens-launch-preps-resume.html
Wow, no way! The excuse of another link there is getting close to hilarious. What next?
DaveS - 31/8/2006 5:13 AM
It's lunch time!
http://www.floridatoday.com/floridatoday/blogs/spaceteam/2006/08/ksc-reopens-launch-preps-resume.html
;)
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KSC live feeds are back online
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"Ok Bob, start taking down the plastic sheets" ;)
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Do those bags/tarps have the Safety warnings stamped on them "THIS IS NOT A TOY" like the grocery store bags?
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Actually, they are sheets taped together.
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Checking her over....
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Good morning gentlemen! Glad you are all well and back at the center. Weather looks beautiful from the webcasts! Any initial report from DART or the ride out crew on any damage? Go Atlantis!
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No one informed me there was a press conference on NASA TV! ;)
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Hello again! Here I am after the beach holidays, and I find these wonderful preparation images... Great to lift the mood :)
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Any official word on when the countdown will start?
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Chris Bergin - 31/8/2006 3:03 PM
No one informed me there was a press conference on NASA TV! ;)
You are so funny, Chris :(
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If I'm not mistaken, the photos showing workers around the SRBs (above) indicates they are loading back the charges that separate the boosters after 2 minutes.
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that is done on a different day. They are working on the SRB IEA's
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Jim - 31/8/2006 5:19 PM
that is done on a different day. They are working on the SRB IEA's
Ordnance connection is to be done tommorow. Today they'll reconnect everything between the the pad and MLP and perform the pad validation test.
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nathan.moeller - 31/8/2006 8:09 AM
Any official word on when the countdown will start?
I believe the countdown starts at 12:00 am Sunday, I'll check on the exact time later today and post it f nobody else does. Shift schedules and all of that other stuff are just now getting worked out. Launch is still targeted for Sept 6 at 12:29
Mark Kirkman
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Thanks Mark. Any press briefings going on today?
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Anybody know where this picturesque spot at KSC is and what important thing is being looked at?
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That is at the VAB, looking at MLP-1 in High Bay 3.
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DaveS - 31/8/2006 12:11 PM
That is at the VAB, looking at MLP-1 in High Bay 3.
does that mean that 116/301's leaving from 39a?
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Looks like our crawler is done for the day.. a lot of back and forth motion... but it got the job done.. compare to the image above before the bend..
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More awesome Atlantis rollback and forth images: Thanks to NASA people at KSC for the images.
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spaceshuttle - 31/8/2006 7:25 PM
DaveS - 31/8/2006 12:11 PM
That is at the VAB, looking at MLP-1 in High Bay 3.
does that mean that 116/301's leaving from 39a?
There's no MLP at 39A. MLP-2 is out at 39B with Atlantis, MLP-1 is in HB 3 being used for stacking of the 116 elements and MLP-3 is at the MLP refurbishment site just north of the VAB.
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Chris Bergin - 31/8/2006 1:33 PM
More awesome Atlantis rollback and forth images: Thanks to NASA people at KSC for the images.
These Images are great!
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Chris Bergin - 31/8/2006 10:33 AM
More awesome Atlantis rollback and forth images: Thanks to NASA people at KSC for the images.
There's a wonderful serenity to those shots isn't there?
Beautiful, beautiful. Thanks, Chris
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Chris Bergin - 31/8/2006 7:33 PM
More awesome Atlantis rollback and forth images: Thanks to NASA people at KSC for the images.
Very nice photo's...but I can't find part I were is that posted ?
Thanks,
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Any news on MMT press confs today?
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jacqmans - 31/8/2006 1:49 PM
Chris Bergin - 31/8/2006 7:33 PM
More awesome Atlantis rollback and forth images: Thanks to NASA people at KSC for the images.
Very nice photo's...but I can't find part I were is that posted ?
Thanks,
Right before "images" where it says "attachment"
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DaveS - 31/8/2006 12:41 PM
spaceshuttle - 31/8/2006 7:25 PM
DaveS - 31/8/2006 12:11 PM
That is at the VAB, looking at MLP-1 in High Bay 3.
does that mean that 116/301's leaving from 39a?
There's no MLP at 39A. MLP-2 is out at 39B with Atlantis, MLP-1 is in HB 3 being used for stacking of the 116 elements and MLP-3 is at the MLP refurbishment site just north of the VAB.
Speaking of 39A, why haven't they used it for any of these missions? I know they're planning on decommissioning 39B sometime late next year to support CLV operations but when will see 39A operations resume?
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nathan.moeller - 31/8/2006 1:19 PM
DaveS - 31/8/2006 12:41 PM
spaceshuttle - 31/8/2006 7:25 PM
DaveS - 31/8/2006 12:11 PM
That is at the VAB, looking at MLP-1 in High Bay 3.
does that mean that 116/301's leaving from 39a?
There's no MLP at 39A. MLP-2 is out at 39B with Atlantis, MLP-1 is in HB 3 being used for stacking of the 116 elements and MLP-3 is at the MLP refurbishment site just north of the VAB.
Speaking of 39A, why haven't they used it for any of these missions? I know they're planning on decommissioning 39B sometime late next year to support CLV operations but when will see 39A operations resume?
yeah, that's what i meant. when will they be using 39a again?
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jacqmans - 31/8/2006 6:49 PM
Chris Bergin - 31/8/2006 7:33 PM
More awesome Atlantis rollback and forth images: Thanks to NASA people at KSC for the images.
Very nice photo's...but I can't find part I were is that posted ?
Thanks,
Let me find it and I'll put them both on a seperate thread (where further documents can go too).
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Latest report from MSNBC says the shuttle has been cleared for launch next Wednesday. Report indicates that KSC took no damage that would inhibit the launch attempt and there was no water intrusion in any operational area.
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Aug. 31, 2006
Grey Hautaluoma
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0668
Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
RELEASE: 06-308
NASA ANNOUNCES SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LAUNCH DATE
Following a detailed inspection of NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis at
the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., the six-member crew has a new launch
date to begin the STS-115 mission to the International Space Station.
The lift-off from Kennedy is set for 12:29 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept.
6.
Shuttle managers decided on the launch date after assessing conditions
at Kennedy following Tropical Depression Ernesto. The center's
facilities and Atlantis, which sits on Launch Pad 39-B, sustained no
damage during the storm.
If weather or other issues prevent Atlantis' launch on Sept. 6,
opportunities are available on Sept. 7 and 8. All dates allow for
completion of the mission's objectives and allow for shuttle
undocking from the station by Sept. 17. This is necessary so the
Russian Soyuz taking the next space station crew up to the orbiting
laboratory can launch Sept. 18.
Many of the standard launch preparations were completed before the
shuttle's partial move to the center's landmark Vehicle Assembly
Building and return to the launch pad on Tuesday. During the next
several days, teams will focus on completing pre-launch tasks, so an
official countdown can begin Sunday at 8 a.m. EDT.
The STS-115 crew, Commander Brent Jett, Pilot Chris Ferguson, and
mission specialists Joe Tanner, Dan Burbank, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper
and Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean, is in Houston conducting launch
simulations. The astronauts will return to Kennedy on Saturday
morning. They already have begun adjusting their sleep cycles to
match their timeline in orbit that changed due to the new launch
time.
During STS-115, Atlantis' astronauts will deliver and install the
17.5-ton, bus-sized P3/P4 integrated truss segment on the station.
The girder-like truss includes a set of giant solar arrays, batteries
and associated electronics. The P3/P4 truss segment will provide
one-fourth of the total power-generation capability for the completed
station.
For information about the STS-115 crew and mission, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
-end-
-
So everything, again, comes down to the weather on launch day.
-
"So everything, again, comes down to the weather on launch day. "
Not at all... There could be a problem with the shuttle prior to launch day. Ground support issues could push things back. A whole variety of things still have to go well through then!
Monday's launch wasn't postponed due to weather if you recall...
-
Lightning is due to weather, ain't it? :)
-
And right now at the pad... sure they don't wanna have their cars there in 5 days time ;)
-
Depends on how friendly they are with their insurance agents. ;)
-
For this kind of work, I imagine their insurance agent is NASA.
-
Joffan - 31/8/2006 5:14 PM
For this kind of work, I imagine their insurance agent is NASA.
I would think that just about every street vehicle you see at the pad is either a contractor vehicle, or a private vehicle belonging to a contractor employee. In which case NASA (or the U.S. gov't) wouldn't have anything to do with insurance coverage for them.
-
A fine example of potential energy ;) and here's to Atlantis and her crew, may September 6th have clear skies and a go for launch
-
Go for launch fellas. :)
-
astrobrian - 31/8/2006 3:52 PM
may September 6th have clear skies
Yes, of Chamber of Commerce quality
-
First shift went well today. No issues that I know of. Still looks good for Wednesday. Congrats to LM on Orion!
-
No lightning strikes from Ernesto or today's thunderstorm.
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Spacetech1031 - 31/8/2006 6:25 PM
No lightning strikes from Ernesto or today's thunderstorm.
Are they beginning the countdown 6 hours early again, in order to avoid t-storms during PRSD load? ;) Also, what time on Sat. is Crew Arrival? ;)
-
Are T-Storms in the forecast for the "regular" PRSD load time?
-
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=62
Awesome photos from the Rollback and Rollback!
-
In terms of processing, tomorrow is piros and repress (from what I understand), then what is on for Sat and Sun before The count starts at 8pm Sun?
Pad validation must be done by now to have no issues and the good press release of no damage...?
-
The countdown will begin at 8 AM EDT Sunday.
-
So they get three attempts to launch. Any news on the weather?
-
Heather - 1/9/2006 10:57 AM
So they get three attempts to launch. Any news on the weather?
Read the weather thread: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4126&posts=7&start=1
-
Copied across from L2. NASA is considering a fourth launch day option for STS-115, undocking a day earlier.
-
Chris Bergin - 1/9/2006 7:55 AM
Copied across from L2. NASA is considering a fourth launch day option for STS-115, undocking a day earlier.
Looking at William Harwood's master flight plan, this looks eminently doable. The only major thing happening on the final docked day is the completion of transfers, which the crews have historically been ahead of schedule on (and I would guess that the major transfer on this day would be the water product from the PRSD).
It's better that the shuttle crew can rest 40 miles away from station than 215 miles away.
-
What processing is in work today?
-
Ordnance re-connection.
-
Should be Shuttle Status report later today...hopefully... ;)Probably also preperations to pickup the count again Sunday.
-
That's good to hear.
-
DaveS - 1/9/2006 1:11 PM
Ordnance re-connection.
Thanks Dave.. I was wondering if I was on the right thread.... Do you happen to know what items in the process flow are still needed to be compled before the count is started SUN...
-
How many cables need to be hooked up to the MLP? I remember seeing them being disconnected from Discovery's MLP last summer before it rolled back to the VAB before STS-114 and there were quite a few of them!
-
Here's a photo of some of the cables going between the MLP and the pad:
-
shuttlefan - 31/8/2006 9:03 PM Also, what time on Sat. is Crew Arrival? ;)
About 10:30 a.m. EDT. NASA TV will broadcast the arrival.
-
DaveS - 1/9/2006 1:23 PM
Here's a photo of some of the cables going between the MLP and the pad:
Yeah I'd say that's quite a few. 10:30 for crew arrival tomorrow? I should be able to watch it this time ;)
-
Stormy weather now at KSC....
-
Here's the great thing about KSC weather. It's usually pretty clear in the morning and around noon when they're planning to launch next week.
-
. 1, 2006
Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4769
Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
MEDIA ADVISORY: M06-141
NASA STARTS SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS COUNTDOWN SEPT. 3
NASA will start the launch countdown for Space Shuttle Atlantis'
STS-115 mission at 8 a.m. EDT Sunday, Sept. 3, at the T-43 hour
point.
During this mission, Atlantis' crew will resume construction of the
International Space Station, which is the goal of the remaining space
shuttle flights until the spacecraft are retired in 2010.
The first countdown for Atlantis' launch was stopped because of
Tropical Storm Ernesto.
The countdown includes 33 hours, 24 minutes of built-in hold time
leading to a preferred launch time at approximately 12:29 p.m. EDT
Wednesday, Sept. 6. The launch window for Wednesday extends an
additional five minutes.
A detailed list of launch countdown milestones and times is available
at:
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/sep/HQ_06141_atlantis_countdown.html
This mission is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for
Atlantis and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station.
STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a landing at NASA's Kennedy
Space Center, Fla., about 8:03 a.m. EDT Sunday, Sept. 17.
Atlantis' last mission was STS-112 in October 2002. In preparation for
STS-115, Atlantis was moved into Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building
on July 24. Atlantis then was attached to its modified external tank
and solid rocket boosters. Space Shuttle Atlantis was rolled out to
Launch Pad 39B on Aug. 2. The initial launch date of Aug. 27 was
scrubbed to evaluate the shuttle and its systems after a lightning
strike at the launch pad. A partial rollback to the Vehicle Assembly
Building took place Aug. 29 due to concerns about Tropical Depression
Ernesto.
The STS-115 crew is Commander Brent Jett, Pilot Chris Ferguson, and
mission specialists Joe Tanner, Dan Burbank, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper
and Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean.
During STS-115, Atlantis' astronauts will deliver and install the
17.5-ton, bus-sized P3/P4 integrated truss segment on the station.
The girder-like truss includes a set of giant solar arrays, batteries
and associated electronics. The P3/P4 truss segment will provide
one-fourth of the total power-generation capability for the completed
station.
-
nathan.moeller - 1/9/2006 12:09 PM
Here's the great thing about KSC weather. It's usually pretty clear in the morning and around noon when they're planning to launch next week.
Very true. The thunderstorms usually crop up later in the afternoon. With launch planned for 12:28pm, that bodes well.
-
Sept. 1, 2006
Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4769
Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
MEDIA ADVISORY: M06-142
NASA UPDATES SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS PRE-LAUNCH EVENTS
News conferences, events and operating hours for the NASA Kennedy
Space Center News Center are set for the Sept. 6 launch of Space
Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-115 mission to the International Space
Station. The first countdown for Atlantis' launch was stopped Tuesday
because of Tropical Depression Ernesto.
On Saturday, Sept. 2, the six STS-115 crew members are scheduled to
arrive at Kennedy at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Media planning to cover the
event must be at the Kennedy News Center by 9:30 a.m. for
transportation to the Shuttle Landing Facility. Commander Brent Jett
will make a brief statement to the media. NASA Television will have
live coverage of the arrival and Jett's remarks.
NASA TV will also broadcast live a countdown status briefing and news
conference on Monday, Sept. 4. Complete listings of news briefing
times, participants, Kennedy News Center and media credentialing
hours of operation are available in the online version of this media
advisory at:
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/sep/HQ_M06142_115_pre-launch.html
For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information,
visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
For the latest information about the STS-115 crew and mission, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
-end-
-
Mission: STS-115 - 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) -
P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Sept. 6, 2006, 12:29 p.m. EDT
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
At Launch Pad 39B, preparations for Wednesday's launch are under way,
with the launch countdown scheduled to begin on Sunday at 8 a.m. The
liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen transfer lines used for filling the
external fuel tank (ET) were reconnected to the mobile launch
platform. The ET hydrogen vent line hook-up is complete. The ordnance
was disconnected to allow for vehicle power-up and will be
reconnected this weekend. The Orbiter Midbody Umbilical Unit (OMBUU)
mate is complete. This is the connection point for lines that will be
used to provide hydrogen and oxygen reactants for the fuel cells.
Weekend work includes pressurization of the orbital maneuvering
system, the reaction control system and the main propulsion system.
The two doors to the aft compartment of Atlantis were removed for
access to ordnance, and they will be closed during the weekend to
allow for the aft confidence test on Sunday. This test involves
powering up and testing all aft systems, such as the main propulsion
system circuits.
On Tuesday, the shuttle was moved off the pad in advance of Tropical
Storm Ernesto, then returned to the pad after traveling about 2 miles
toward the Vehicle Assembly Building when the storm predictions
became more favorable. On Thursday, engineers inspected the ET
thermal protection system, post-rollback, and found three areas of
minor foam damage. One area, about 3/8 inches long, is located at the
midsection of the liquid oxygen tank, about 2 feet outboard of the
ice frost ramps. A second area, about 1 inch long by 1/16 inch wide,
is located near the ET/right SRB aft fairing, which is the attach
point between the two components. Both of these resemble a scratch,
are accessible and are expected to be easily repaired. The third
area, a missing foam nodule from the liquid hydrogen barrel between
the ET and the left SRB, about five feet below the intertank flange
closeouts, will not need repair.
-
Mission: STS-115 - 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) - P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Sept. 6, 2006, 12:29 p.m. EDT
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
At Launch Pad 39B, preparations for Wednesday's launch are under way, with the launch countdown scheduled to begin on Sunday at 8 a.m. The liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen transfer lines used for filling the external fuel tank (ET) were reconnected to the mobile launch platform. The ET hydrogen vent line hook-up is complete. The ordnance was disconnected to allow for vehicle power-up and will be reconnected this weekend. The Orbiter Midbody Umbilical Unit (OMBUU) mate is complete. This is the connection point for lines that will be used to provide hydrogen and oxygen reactants for the fuel cells. Weekend work includes pressurization of the orbital maneuvering system, the reaction control system and the main propulsion system. The two doors to the aft compartment of Atlantis were removed for access to ordnance, and they will be closed during the weekend to allow for the aft confidence test on Sunday. This test involves powering up and testing all aft systems, such as the main propulsion system circuits.
On Tuesday, the shuttle was moved off the pad in advance of Tropical Storm Ernesto, then returned to the pad after traveling about 2 miles toward the Vehicle Assembly Building when the storm predictions became more favorable. On Thursday, engineers inspected the ET thermal protection system, post-rollback, and found three areas of minor foam damage. One area, about 3/8 inches long, is located at the midsection of the liquid oxygen tank, about 2 feet outboard of the ice frost ramps. A second area, about 1 inch long by 1/16 inch wide, is located near the ET/right SRB aft fairing, which is the attach point between the two components. Both of these resemble a scratch, are accessible and are expected to be easily repaired. The third area, a missing foam nodule from the liquid hydrogen barrel between the ET and the left SRB, about five feet below the intertank flange closeouts, will not need repair.
-
STS-115 crew arriving at KSC. All six have landed together.
-
The STS-115 crew arrived an hour earlier than planned?
-
things look very quiet at the pad this morning
-
-
arrival
-
-
-
-
dutch courage - 2/9/2006 8:49 AM
The STS-115 crew arrived an hour earlier than planned?
Yeah it surprised me too. It was about 9:35 EDT when they touched down. I had just woken up and looked at the site and saw Jett and Burbank hopping out of the jet. The weather is beautiful! What a sight to wake up to!
-
-
If, for some reason, they do not make the launch attempts next week and have to delay until late-October, will the plan be to roll back to the VAB or will they wait it out on the pad.
I would think they would not want to have it exposed to the elements out there for that long if they know they aren't flying for another month and a half...
-
shuttlefan - 2/9/2006 10:39 AM
If, for some reason, they do not make the launch attempts next week and have to delay until late-October, will the plan be to roll back to the VAB or will they wait it out on the pad.
I would think they would not want to have it exposed to the elements out there for that long if they know they aren't flying for another month and a half...
Depends on how bad they think the "elements" will be. But, I think they'll probably leave it considering rollout usually occurs about six weeks or prior to the scheduled liftoff date anyway. Plus, they're considering relaxing the daylight launch requirement so they can get it off the ground after the Soyuz returns to Earth on September 29. All this remains to be seen but I'm just laying out some facts to which you can compare the situation. As for storms, I think they may be okay next week. All the rain has come to Texas! Thanks Florida! Go Atlantis!
-
nathan.moeller - 2/9/2006 10:46 AM All the rain has come to Texas! Thanks Florida! Go Atlantis!
Yeah??? Where!?! just kidding, I know its coming south to Austin eventually and we need it. Would easily rather have rain here then there :)
-
nathan.moeller - 2/9/2006 11:46 AM
As for storms, I think they may be okay next week. All the rain has come to Texas! Thanks Florida! Go Atlantis!
Nice, look who is comming to my neck of the woods tonight...
-
Avron - 2/9/2006 11:51 AM
nathan.moeller - 2/9/2006 11:46 AM
As for storms, I think they may be okay next week. All the rain has come to Texas! Thanks Florida! Go Atlantis!
Nice, look who is comming to my neck of the woods tonight...
Wow I didn't think those storms went that far North! Hope you guys come through it as clean as KSC did! Be safe!
-
As shown in Naamloos-9kopie.jpg in one of the posts in this thread and as shown in previous posts (probably this thread), at least one
astronaut seems to be wearing two watches. In this case both appear to be on the left hand. In one of the previous posts (where ever) one
watch appeared to be on each hand.
Are they both watches or is one something else that is helpful or useful?
What purpose do those astronauts find is well served by using the two watches (or whatever they really are)?
Signed:
Hey You
-
nathan.moeller - 2/9/2006 1:14 PM
Avron - 2/9/2006 11:51 AM
nathan.moeller - 2/9/2006 11:46 AM
As for storms, I think they may be okay next week. All the rain has come to Texas! Thanks Florida! Go Atlantis!
Nice, look who is comming to my neck of the woods tonight...
Wow I didn't think those storms went that far North! Hope you guys come through it as clean as KSC did! Be safe!
Its a little less exciting.. but wind is around 10 kts and its a light rain... as long as the Brandy holds out I will be good ;)
-
nathan.moeller - 2/9/2006 1:14 PM
Avron - 2/9/2006 11:51 AM
nathan.moeller - 2/9/2006 11:46 AM
As for storms, I think they may be okay next week. All the rain has come to Texas! Thanks Florida! Go Atlantis!
Nice, look who is comming to my neck of the woods tonight...
Wow I didn't think those storms went that far North! Hope you guys come through it as clean as KSC did! Be safe!
Its a little less exciting.. but wind is around 10 kts and its a light rain... as long as the Brandy holds out I will be good ;)
-
Definitely great to see the crew back in town. Any word yet on the possible relaxation of the lighted-launch requirement for this flight? I know they're already planning to give it up after this mission anyway but I'm wondering if they may go ahead and do it now if Atlantis isn't off the ground by the 8th. Hopefully it'll be a moot point!
-
I don't believe they plan to waive the daylight launch rule for this flight. If it isn't off the ground next week, it will be delayed until October. ;)
-
shuttlefan - there is discussion if it doesn't get off next week of waiving the daylight rule to open up more opportunities in the near-term.
-
Whether they would outright lift it, or waive part of it for ET sep, would remain to be seen.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts115/060829windows/
-
Talking of bad lighting.. it does not look so good right now at KSC..
-
Avron - 2/9/2006 5:14 PM
Talking of bad lighting.. it does not look so good right now at KSC..
though it is raining there (according to the site you got that picture from), the picture is under-exposed. they can change the exposure of the OTV cameras like any video camera. ;)
-
Any hail in the area down there? :o
-
spaceshuttle - 2/9/2006 6:44 PM
Avron - 2/9/2006 5:14 PM
Talking of bad lighting.. it does not look so good right now at KSC..
though it is raining there (according to the site you got that picture from), the picture is under-exposed. they can change the exposure of the OTV cameras like any video camera. ;)
Looks nasty.. look at the sky...
-
Avron - 2/9/2006 5:57 PM
spaceshuttle - 2/9/2006 6:44 PM
Avron - 2/9/2006 5:14 PM
Talking of bad lighting.. it does not look so good right now at KSC..
though it is raining there (according to the site you got that picture from), the picture is under-exposed. they can change the exposure of the OTV cameras like any video camera. ;)
Looks nasty.. look at the sky...
--Hopefully the pad doesn't get hit by lightning again... :o :o
-
Avron - 2/9/2006 5:57 PM
spaceshuttle - 2/9/2006 6:44 PM
Avron - 2/9/2006 5:14 PM
Talking of bad lighting.. it does not look so good right now at KSC..
though it is raining there (according to the site you got that picture from), the picture is under-exposed. they can change the exposure of the OTV cameras like any video camera. ;)
Looks nasty.. look at the sky...
it's getting dark out and it STILL looks s****y! SO not good...
-
It is dark there because it's approaching sunset. Only some showers going on, no lightning.
The pad gets hit by lightning quite regularly. Last week's was a freak strike, there's no sense in getting worried every time there is a storm.
Hail is very rare in Florida since much of it melts well before reaching the surface.
-
Last week's strike was unusual - 2 to 4 times stronger than a typical strike.
Hopefully the new front coming through the mid-west and plains will push a ridge over the KSC area by mid-week.
-
rdale - 2/9/2006 6:53 PM
It is dark there because it's approaching sunset. Only some showers going on, no lightning.
The pad gets hit by lightning quite regularly. Last week's was a freak strike, there's no sense in getting worried every time there is a storm.
Hail is very rare in Florida since much of it melts well before reaching the surface.
alas...the story of sts-96... :)
-
Countdown has startet! T-43 Hours and counting!!
-
Just received the word that we took a lightning strike last night - at Pad A thank goodness. No damge.
-
Spacetech1031 - 3/9/2006 3:40 PM
Just received the word that we took a lightning strike last night - at Pad A thank goodness. No damge.
Crikey. Good news it was the "wrong" pad though!
-
Chris Bergin - 3/9/2006 11:19 AM
Spacetech1031 - 3/9/2006 3:40 PM
Just received the word that we took a lightning strike last night - at Pad A thank goodness. No damge.
Crikey. Good news it was the "wrong" pad though!
Its Pad A higher than Pad B in terms of height above see level?
Not to violate L2 rules... maybe we can post some of the highlights of the process items for today until say the the 4 hour hold this evening at T-27
-
I believe both pads are very close to the same height above sea level.
-
Actually, 39A is located 48 ft above MSL, while 39B is located at 55 ft above MSL.
-
Avron - 3/9/2006 11:45 AM
Not to violate L2 rules... maybe we can post some of the highlights of the process items for today until say the the 4 hour hold this evening at T-27
Done - http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/sep/HQ_M06141_atlantis_countdown.html
-
Any word on how severe the strike on Pad A was?
-
nathan.moeller - 3/9/2006 1:30 PM
Any word on how severe the strike on Pad A was?
The strike is what is called a near field strike. It didn't hit the tower. The strike shows up on our system as as a low voltage spike. This happens quite often.
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Spacetech1031 - 3/9/2006 3:08 PM
nathan.moeller - 3/9/2006 1:30 PM
Any word on how severe the strike on Pad A was?
The strike is what is called a near field strike. It didn't hit the tower. The strike shows up on our system as as a low voltage spike. This happens quite often.
Okay cool. Let's hope it steers clear of Pad B for the next 7 days! Everything still looking good as far as countdown milestones go?
-
I haven't heard of any problems but I won't know for sure until I go in at 2200 tonight.
-
T-31:30 and counting...
-
They've already got the high beams on her ;)
-
Just a stopped-open camera overexposing the lights. They don't put the xenons on till the RSS is open.
-
Yeah I feel dumb now. I didn't bother to notice the dim lighting on the second image until AFTER I posted it hahaha. Yeah that one's on me. I guess they'll open the RSS sometime Tuesday afternoon?
-
Targetted for 3pm.
-
Has anyone heard whether or not any of the three major US TV networks will be doing this one? Seemed like ABC was the prominent one for 121.
-
Don't count on it. Just the cable news networks.
-
My friend Lindsay said it was on C-Span last time without any annoying news commentary. Just pure NASA is how it should be.
-
T - 27 h and holding for 4 hours to test vehicle's pyrotechnic initiator controllers
-
Yea, CSPAN too.
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Felix - 4/9/2006 12:01 AM
T - 27 h and holding for 4 hours to test vehicle's pyrotechnic initiator controllers
and Spacetech1031 and his colleagues have it covered.. guess we will hear feedback once the shift is over... then on to cryogenic loads at 4am.. T-19 at noon EST... and we are back to where we where a week or so ago...
just to confirm we only have a 4 hour hold at T-19 or was this an early start? HQ states -"Resume countdown (10 p.m.)"??
-
Darn shame I might be 30 seconds behind on NASA TV for the launch since I'll have to watch the webcast of it in class instead of live TV. Oh well. Any word from Roger on latest processing ops?
-
nathan.moeller - 3/9/2006 10:20 PM
Darn shame I might be 30 seconds behind on NASA TV for the launch since I'll have to watch the webcast of it in class instead of live TV. Oh well. Any word from Roger on latest processing ops?
I feel your pain, man. I'll be teaching a class, but might have to momentarily find parallels between English and a space shuttle launch, directing my students to NASA TV via my laptop. Shouldn't be too much of a stretch should it?
: )
-
"T-19 at noon EST"
We here in the states use Daylight Saving Time - so it'll be noon EDT.
-
shuttlefan - 3/9/2006 9:32 PM
Has anyone heard whether or not any of the three major US TV networks will be doing this one? Seemed like ABC was the prominent one for 121.
ALWAYS count on cnn and c-span. c-span more than cnn because they (c-span) don't have the news commentary and the titles that take up half the screen.
-
Would it be C-SPAN 1, C-SPAN 2, or C-SPAN 3 ?
(it's best to check all 3, as their scheduling can change at the last minute depending on whatever 'hot' topic is developing at that time.)
-
Since Congress is not in session now, it'd likely be the main C-Span. But it will be listed on their page Wednesday, and if you are curious what other networks might cover it - use your remote control that afternoon...
-
rdale - 4/9/2006 3:13 AM
Since Congress is not in session now, it'd likely be the main C-Span. But it will be listed on their page Wednesday, and if you are curious what other networks might cover it - use your remote control that afternoon...
Nice thing about living here near the Cape. We get analog NASA TV, digital NASA TV, and HD NASA TV. Decisions, decisions...
I think I'll watch NASA TV. :)
Cheers,
Larry
-
A nice shot (for a webcam) of sunrise at LC39B. Fuel cell loading should be starting soon...
-
Actually, PRSD reactants load should have begun at 05:30 am EDT with LOX load. Should be complete at the top of the hour(08:00 am EDT).
At the same time as LOX load concludes, LH2 load should begin and get completed at 10:30 am EDT.
There's a countdown status briefing coming up at 10 am EDT.
-
Oops... Not sure how I made 1300 CET correspond to 0500 EDT... Off to get another coffee, maybe that'll help :)
-
"We get analog NASA TV, digital NASA TV, and HD NASA TV."
There is no analog NASA TV anymore, they went all digital last summer.
-
-
Were the payload doors opened for the recharge?
-
rdale - 4/9/2006 1:53 AM
"T-19 at noon EST"
We here in the states use Daylight Saving Time - so it'll be noon EDT.
My Bad...
Question, did we start early, is the next hold 4 hours or is it extended?
edit: answered.. 6 hours early
-
PRSD reactants fully loaded, both LH2 and LOX.
-
-
-
-
No recharge requested.. 15 days is ok, if needed...
Two items in middeck to be changed out..
-
spaceshuttle - 4/9/2006 1:37 AM
shuttlefan - 3/9/2006 9:32 PM
Has anyone heard whether or not any of the three major US TV networks will be doing this one? Seemed like ABC was the prominent one for 121.
ALWAYS count on cnn and c-span. c-span more than cnn because they (c-span) don't have the news commentary and the titles that take up half the screen.
Yeah, I get CNN on my satellite package. I also forgot, that because there is a Canadian on this one, our two major 24-hour news channels ( CTV Newsnet and CBC Newsworld ) up here will have extensive coverage. They always cover the launches Live but it will probably be more extensive because of Maclean. :) :)
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Austin - 4/9/2006 12:50 AM
nathan.moeller - 3/9/2006 10:20 PM
Darn shame I might be 30 seconds behind on NASA TV for the launch since I'll have to watch the webcast of it in class instead of live TV. Oh well. Any word from Roger on latest processing ops?
I feel your pain, man. I'll be teaching a class, but might have to momentarily find parallels between English and a space shuttle launch, directing my students to NASA TV via my laptop. Shouldn't be too much of a stretch should it?
: )
Well I'll help ya think of something. My dad minored in English in college so if we come up with anything we'll let ya know. Maybe just try saying "Who wants to watch a space shuttle launch live?" You may be surprised by the response. What's ten minutes out of a ninety-minute course? Hopefully I'll be able to convince my instructor to let me loose a little early since we're usually gone at 11:30 anyway. What's once a semester anyway?! Next shuttle launch isn't until two days after final exams ;) Maybe I can make the five-minute hike to the apartment from the architecture building in time to catch it on CSPAN :)
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T-19 and holding...
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Demate orbiter mid-body umbilical unit (12:30 p.m.)
Resume orbiter and ground support equipment closeouts
Resume countdown (10 p.m.)
"
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STS-115 Countdown Status Briefing
At the 10 a.m. EDT countdown status briefing on Monday, all systems were reported "go" for the scheduled launch of Atlantis on Wednesday at 12:29 p.m.
Jeff Spaulding, NASA test director, said that the loading of both the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen has been completed and they are "tracking no issues at this time and we're right on track with all of our timelines." Spaulding indicated that the retraction of the rotating service structure is currently planned for 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Spaulding said, "I'm pleased to announce that the wait is nearly over and we'll be ready on Wednesday for Atlantis' launch."
Robbie Ashley, STS-115 payload manager, explained that the STS-115 payload had "no work planned or required during the delay" and that the only payload work remaining would be an experiment stow on Tuesday.
Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer, reported favorable weather for the midday launch time on Wednesday, with only 20 percent chance of weather interfering with liftoff.
Later today, NASA TV will also carry the Launch Readiness News Conference live from Kennedy. Updating the launch status and answering questions from the media will be LeRoy Cain, launch integration manager, Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director, and U.S. Air Force First Lt. Kaleb Nordgren of the 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Coverage will begin at approximately 4 p.m.
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Press conference in five minutes.
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We *might* get one of *our* questions asked in this conference. We'll see :)
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Irene reads this site.
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Irene Cox of Retures asking a question directly from this site's article this morning!
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I suppose that's one way to get quotes to the questions the article asks ;)
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Flightstar - 4/9/2006 3:36 PM Irene Cox of Retures asking a question directly from this site's article this morning!
Very very cool guys! Maybe we can get some contact info for her too??? Wishful thinking :)
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STATUS REPORT: S-090406
NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
Note: NASA's Kennedy Space Center issues Space Shuttle Processing
Status Reports periodically and is the source for information
regarding processing activities associated with the vehicles and
payloads. If you are a member of the media and would like further
information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/index.html
Mission: STS-115 - 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) -
P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Sept. 6, 2006, 12:29 p.m. EDT
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
At Launch Pad 39B, preparations for Wednesday's launch are under way.
The launch countdown began on Sunday at 8 a.m. The pressurization of
the orbital maneuvering system, the reaction control system and the
main propulsion system is complete. The aft confidence test is
complete. This test involves power-up and testing of all aft systems,
such as the main propulsion system circuits. The power reactant
storage and distribution system fuel loading is complete.
Weather officials are predicting favorable conditions for Wednesday's
launch attempt, with a 20 percent chance of weather prohibiting the
launch. Dryer conditions are expected to arrive on Wednesday, and the
early launch time should avoid the afternoon thunderstorms. The
primary concerns for launch are cumulus clouds within 10 nautical
miles of the launch pad, and isolated showers within 20 nautical
miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.
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FYI, it's Irene Klotz (formerly Irene Brown, I believe)...she's been a KSC beat writer for a long time.
An example (http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-08-31T195807Z_01_B405032_RTRUKOC_0_US-SPACE-SHUTTLE.xml) of some recent work.
Google is your friend for shuttle press trivia:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Irene+Reuters+shuttle&btnG=Google+Search
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Ready to Fly
At the launch readiness news conference on Monday afternoon, Wayne Hale, shuttle program manager, said that even though the tropical weather put them behind earlier in the week, thanks to hard work by the launch team, the vehicle is ready for liftoff and "we are looking forward to a really good mission."
LeRoy Cain, launch integration manager, reported that after reviews by the mission management team, "At the end of the day we did our readiness poll to continue from here toward launch and we got a "go" from all the elements and we feel like we're in very good shape."
Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach said the countdown is going smoothly and they are looking for a good, on-time liftoff on Wednesday.
U.S. Air Force First Lt. Kaleb Nordgren of the 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station provided an update on the prospects for launch-day weather issues. Conditions continue to look favorable, with only a 20 percent chance of a "no go" due to weather at the liftoff time of 12:29 p.m.
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astrobrian - 4/9/2006 10:32 PM
Flightstar - 4/9/2006 3:36 PM Irene Cox of Retures asking a question directly from this site's article this morning!
Very very cool guys! Maybe we can get some contact info for her too??? Wishful thinking :)
I don't see why. She works for the AP, and they are the dark side of the media.
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Chris Bergin - 4/9/2006 7:26 PM
astrobrian - 4/9/2006 10:32 PM
Flightstar - 4/9/2006 3:36 PM Irene Cox of Retures asking a question directly from this site's article this morning!
Very very cool guys! Maybe we can get some contact info for her too??? Wishful thinking :)
I don't see why. She works for the AP, and they are the dark side of the media.
Maybe that can be changed... wishful thinking... but who knows
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T - 19 h and counting:
- Final preparations of the shuttle's three main engines for main propellant tanking and flight (10 p.m.)
- Begin filling pad sound suppression system water tank (midnight)
- Pad sound suppression system water tank filling complete (3 a.m.)
- Close out the tail service masts on the mobile launcher platform Begin star tracker functional checks (5:50 a.m.)
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Next is T-11 at 6 am EDT...
Planned hold will be for 13 hours, 34 minutes
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Ship looks nice tonight! Which lights do they have shining on her? Those are too dim to be the xenons but too bright to be the pad flood lights.
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nice glowing effect, its a good lighting to have her in
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Vent arm is above ET now...
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Hold at T-11 hours for 13 hours, 34 minutes
Activate orbiter's inertial measurement units
Activate the orbiter's communications systems
Install film in numerous cameras on the launch pad (6:55 a.m.)
Flight crew equipment late stow (11:10 p.m.)
Move Rotating Service Structure to the park position (3 p.m.)
Perform ascent switch list
Fuel cell flow-through purge complete
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Good morning beautiful! ;) I want to see another early morning launch. The rising sun is always a perfect backdrop for these things.
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meteorologists now expect an increase in moisture in the atmosphere, and they say there is only a 70 percent chance that conditions will be acceptable for launch [tomorrow] (Florida Today)
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Felix - 5/9/2006 8:11 AM
meteorologists now expect an increase in moisture in the atmosphere, and they say there is only a 70 percent chance that conditions will be acceptable for launch [tomorrow] (Florida Today)
70% is still great odds! That's pretty much the same forecast they had for the STS-114 liftoff last summer.
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"meteorologists now expect an increase in moisture in the atmosphere, and they say there is only a 70 percent chance that conditions will be acceptable for launch"
We have a weather thread already - might make more sense to talk weather there and news here...
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nathan.moeller - 5/9/2006 8:13 AM
Felix - 5/9/2006 8:11 AM
meteorologists now expect an increase in moisture in the atmosphere, and they say there is only a 70 percent chance that conditions will be acceptable for launch [tomorrow] (Florida Today)
70% is still great odds! That's pretty much the same forecast they had for the STS-114 liftoff last summer.
The earlier-in-the-afternoon launch time this week will definitely be to their advantage, hopefully to beat any foul weather. GO ATLANTIS!! :)
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Pre-launch status briefing coming up at the top of the hour...
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rdale - 4/9/2006 9:39 AM
"We get analog NASA TV, digital NASA TV, and HD NASA TV."
There is no analog NASA TV anymore, they went all digital last summer.
I guess Brighthouse conducts a D to A conversion. On my analog box, I get NASA TV, then on my digital box I get NASA TV with a 4 (not 7) second delay...then HDTV comes with the same delay. I guess they do a D/A conversion and then an A/D conversion? Hey, why not...
I have to say that having a short delay can be very confusing when both TVs are on. When I go out to watch the larger picture from the digital box, I have to turn off the TV connected to the analog box.
Cheers,
Larry
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Everyone on the team is "GO"
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No issues are being worked right now.
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If bad weather comes this afternoon, RSS retraction will be delayed, but right now is targeted for 3 p.m.
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No issues related with having the vehicule wet by the afternoon storms.
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If focused inspection is needed, an extension day could be added between EVA1 and EVA2.
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As long as they dodge the hail they'll be okay for RSS retract. We definitely don't need another STS-96!
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No extra cleaning for potential bird droppings... Atlantis will have to fly dirty :)
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Redesign for IFR likely to be shaping differences in foam, not proposed metal covers over them.
Modified IFR to fly in spring 2007.
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So I should put away the "Car Wash" mp3...since we won't get any screen caps of crews with the Armor All power washers?
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eeergo - 5/9/2006 4:39 PM
Redesign for IFR likely to be shaping differences in foam, not proposed metal covers over them.
Modified IFR to fly in spring 2007.
Yes, Wane also asid that they exptect to have ET-124 (needed for Atlantis on STS-117, or STS-317 (LON for STS-116) ready by mid- December. ET-124 is the first tank with the modified IFR design.
This IFR design is an interim solution, and a final solution will come 7-8 tanks down the line.
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STS-115 Mission Management Team Briefing Update
During this morning's status briefing from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Space Shuttle Program Director Wayne Hale said that the mission management team had a really good review.
"We as a management team need to meet everyday on a regular schedule to make sure we have properly reviewed the entire launch system."
Leroy Cain, Launch Integration Manager said, "We had a good weather briefing, we are working no issues and the vehicle is in really good shape."
"The countdown is going extremely well, we are not tracking any problems," said Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach. "We will just deal with the weather and if we get the RSS back before the weather that's just fine or we'll just wait for it to pass." "We are not tracking any issues on the vehicle or the ground side to prevent us from tanking tomorrow."
Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters reported that afternoon thunderstorms are expected today. "We are a little more concerned about launch day then we were yesterday. It is a little more moist and so we are going to bump up our numbers from 10% to a 30% chance of KSC weather prohibiting launch." The forecast for a 24 to 48 hour period if the launch is delayed remains the same at a 30% chance of weather violation.
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So they plan to have the IFR redesign for STS-117. Any ideas on what will happen if that redesign doesn't work like they plan? Could be bad news for STS-118! Does anyone have a diagram or image of the redesign proposal?
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Not sure that IFR redesing on 117/118 will have any impact on: " STS-115/Atlantis Pre Launch Processing & Preparations"
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rdale - 5/9/2006 11:31 AM
Not sure that IFR redesing on 117/118 will have any impact on: " STS-115/Atlantis Pre Launch Processing & Preparations"
The IFR discussion came up in the thread while the press conference was going this morning so it made sense to keep the topic in here, even though it doesn't impact STS-115. But keep in mind this is thread is for both STS-115 and STS-117.
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I'd suggest starting a new topic, and this thread is not about 117.
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Does anyone know the LON liftoff date if 115 gets into trouble? I know it's in November but I forget the exact date.
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11 November... (you can find that in L2)
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jacqmans - 5/9/2006 12:08 PM
11 November... (you can find that in L2)
Okay. Sorry for getting off topic but I guess I still don't understand why they wouldn't move up the launch of STS-116 AS STS-116 from mid-December to November if 115 goes well. Does the STS-301 LON launch date mean that Discovery goes into around-the-clock processing? That's over one month in between the LON launch date and set launch date. Haha as for L2, I'm a broke architecture student who can't afford it :(
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Mission: STS-115 - 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) -
P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Sept. 6, 2006, 12:29 p.m. EDT
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
At Launch Pad 39B, preparations for Wednesday's launch are under way.
The external tank camera functional test is complete. Rain covers
have been installed on the reaction control system thrusters, and all
engine covers have been removed for launch. Workers continue stowing
flight crew items in the orbiter crew module. The orbiter
communications systems have been powered up for flight. The launch
pad rotating service structure, which protects the shuttle prior to
launch, will be rolled away from the shuttle today.
Weather officials are predicting favorable conditions for Wednesday's
launch attempt, with a 30-percent chance of weather prohibiting the
launch. A low-pressure area may develop over Central Florida on
Wednesday, increasing the potential for moisture in the atmosphere.
However, the early launch time is expected to avoid the afternoon
thunderstorms. The primary concerns for launch are cumulus clouds
within 10 nautical miles of the launch pad and isolated showers
within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.
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Looks like the waether-protection system on the pad is starting to open for RSS retract.
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Is it just me, or did anyone else just see what looked like some pretty good lightning near the pad from the LC-39 camera?
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Still no signs of movement. Has anyone heard anything about delays?
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Tariq at Space.com has an update saying the RSS move is delayed until at least 5pm because of thunderstorms in the area.
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Florida Today reports a delay to 5p or 6p for RSS because of a T-storm.
LL
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c.steven - 5/9/2006 3:26 PM
Is it just me, or did anyone else just see what looked like some pretty good lightning near the pad from the LC-39 camera?
Nope, hasn't been any lightning or storms of any kind anywhere near.
Closest strikes are about 30 miles northwest, I don't see much chance of lightning strikes around KSC.
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Better safe than sorry! How long can they delay before it affects the launch time tomorrow?
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Leinbach mentioned during the L-1 about 4 hours of protected time for the RSS rollback before they impact the timeline.
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They usually book in 4-5 hours for RSS operations.
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Okay so they should be okay. Takes only what 50 minutes for the rollback? Pretty sure that's right. What ops follow RSS rollback?
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Here's a link for the current radar loop of the area. It gets updated every 16 minutes or so.
http://www.intellicast.com/IcastPage/LoadPage.aspx?loc=usflct19310&seg=LocalWeather&prodgrp=RadarImagery&product=RegionalRadarLoop&prodnav=none
Pretty nasty little cell down there today, but KSC looks like it might catch an alley as it rotates.
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RSS is being retracted right now.
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Also live @ NASA TV ... for 3 minutes :-(
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Coverage of RSS retract is on the Media Channel( http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html )
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Sweet!!!!!!
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Looks like it's fully in park position.
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RSS Rollback - Check!
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Looks like she's all ready to go! She's in launch configuration. Of course minus the loading and checkouts that still have to take place of course.
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Looks like she's all ready to go! She's in launch configuration. Minus the loading and checkouts that still have to take place of course.