Re: STS-120 Rollout and Pad Processing Latest

[DaveS]

Ben - 9/10/2007  11:56 PM
I think they stopped doing the post FRR media briefings.

With the way that the STS-118 briefing went, I can understand them.

[mkirk]

DaveS - 9/10/2007  5:02 PM

Ben - 9/10/2007  11:56 PM
I think they stopped doing the post FRR media briefings.

With the way that the STS-118 briefing went, I can understand them.

There will be a media briefing after the Agency Level FRR scheduled for next week, Oct 16.  Remember this is the first mission with the new FRR process which has the SSP level FRR at KSC, which is going on now, and then the Agency Level FRR next week.

Mark Kirkman

[Rocket Guy]

My mistake there. I forgot there was in fact one for 118 when I wrote that.

has the sts-119 crew been named yet?

[Rob in KC]

Justin Wheat - 9/10/2007  8:03 PM

has the sts-119 crew been named yet?

It has on L2. What it has to do with STS-120 is confusing.

[lsullivan411]

mkirk - 9/10/2007  6:30 PM

DaveS - 9/10/2007  5:02 PM

Ben - 9/10/2007  11:56 PMI think they stopped doing the post FRR media briefings.

With the way that the STS-118 briefing went, I can understand them.

There will be a media briefing after the Agency Level FRR scheduled for next week, Oct 16.  Remember this is the first mission with the new FRR process which has the SSP level FRR at KSC, which is going on now, and then the Agency Level FRR next week.Mark Kirkman

Thanks for the reminder - somehow I thought this week was the agency one.  Think I've got it all straight now.

[Davie OPF]

Chris Bergin - 9/10/2007  4:40 PM

A round up of where things stand.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5249

Will expand with some processing info, but that's obviously the lead part of the news.

This is a big time showstopper if NESC get their way

[Flightstar]

Davie OPF - 10/10/2007  7:53 AM

Chris Bergin - 9/10/2007  4:40 PM

A round up of where things stand.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5249

Will expand with some processing info, but that's obviously the lead part of the news.

This is a big time showstopper if NESC get their way

Yep. Need the FRR to be strong.

[shuttlefan]

Flightstar - 10/10/2007  9:09 AM

Davie OPF - 10/10/2007  7:53 AM

Chris Bergin - 9/10/2007  4:40 PM

A round up of where things stand.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5249

Will expand with some processing info, but that's obviously the lead part of the news.

This is a big time showstopper if NESC get their way

Yep. Need the FRR to be strong.

If the NESC are recommending to replace the panels, then why shouldn't they? Obviously, they're recommending it for a reason, safety, which I trust is top on everybody's list.....

[rdale]

Because you have to balance safety with other issues. You will never get a 100% safe machine, can you be happy with 99.99998% or do you shut down the shuttle for a month to get to 99.999999%?

[jimmiemac]

shuttlefan - 10/10/2007  11:04 AM

Flightstar - 10/10/2007  9:09 AM

Davie OPF - 10/10/2007  7:53 AM

Chris Bergin - 9/10/2007  4:40 PM

A round up of where things stand.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5249

Will expand with some processing info, but that's obviously the lead part of the news.

This is a big time showstopper if NESC get their way

Yep. Need the FRR to be strong.

If the NESC are recommending to replace the panels, then why shouldn't they? Obviously, they're recommending it for a reason, safety, which I trust is top on everybody's list.....

I completely agree.  I was a bit surprised to see the posts hoping/rooting for an overrule of the NESC.  If NASA is going to be conservative on anything it's going to be related to RCC.  I understand that NOBODY here wants them to do anything unsafe.  It will be a big bummer if they delay but IMHO that's what we have to expect given the two tragedies.

[William Graham]

STS-500Cmdr - 9/10/2007  10:36 PM

That would be nice--but the payload bays of both vehicles have already been configured for the specific payloads.

What would it take to swap the configurations?

[rdale]

jimmiemac - 10/10/2007  2:31 PM

I was a bit surprised to see the posts hoping/rooting for an overrule of the NESC.

I'm surprised that anyone thinks the posts on this forum have anything to do with an overrule of NESC. If you're at all familiar with NASA operations these days, if NESC has a valid concern and backing to show it - they won't be overruled. It's all a balance, and the meaningless guesses and wishes here have no impact.

[DaveS]

GW_Simulations - 10/10/2007  8:34 PM

STS-500Cmdr - 9/10/2007  10:36 PM

That would be nice--but the payload bays of both vehicles have already been configured for the specific payloads.

What would it take to swap the configurations?

Alot of work. About a month or two.

[DaveS]

rdale - 10/10/2007  9:09 PM
 If you're at all familiar with NASA operations these days, if NESC has a valid concern and backing to show it - they won't be overruled..

Well, this isn't entirely true. Remember STS-118? JSC Engineering voted to fix the tile damage and they're a pretty powerfull group. But just about everyone else on the MMT boted to reenter as-is.

This goes to show that only because one group wants something, it doesn't magically happen since they must have concurrence and support from other groups. If NESC is alone with this concern, they most likely will proceed with launch and make this a post-flight thing.

[Bejowawo]

DaveS - 10/10/2007  9:11 PM

GW_Simulations - 10/10/2007  8:34 PM

STS-500Cmdr - 9/10/2007  10:36 PM

That would be nice--but the payload bays of both vehicles have already been configured for the specific payloads.

What would it take to swap the configurations?

Alot of work. About a month or two.

In case of a delay with STS-120, wouldn't it be possible to launch STS-122 before and temporarily attach the Columbus module somewhere on the station (if there is any room with free berthing mechanisms)?

[DaveS]

Bejowawo - 10/10/2007  9:31 PM
In case of a delay with STS-120, wouldn't it be possible to launch STS-122 before and temporarily attach the Columbus module somewhere on the station (if there is any room with free berthing mechanisms)?

No. The there isn't any place to temp install Node 2. Remember, an orbiter can only dock at PMA-2 where currently resides on Harmony's permanent location(Lab FWD).

[rdale]

DaveS - 10/10/2007  3:19 PM

Well, this isn't entirely true. Remember STS-118? JSC Engineering voted to fix the tile damage and they're a pretty powerfull group. But just about everyone else on the MMT boted to reenter as-is.

Maybe "valid" was the wrong term. How about "real"?

[DaveS]

rdale - 10/10/2007  9:38 PM

DaveS - 10/10/2007  3:19 PM

Well, this isn't entirely true. Remember STS-118? JSC Engineering voted to fix the tile damage and they're a pretty powerfull group. But just about everyone else on the MMT boted to reenter as-is.

Maybe "valid" was the wrong term. How about "real"?

They still need backing by some other group like JSC Engineering. And remember, JSC Engineering carries alot of weight in the SSP, more than NESC.

[Chris Bergin]

Agreed. And JSC Engineering are deemed a "conservative" group, so if they don't back NESC, then the launch may still go ahead.

It's a really tough call and all the people I know, who are in the know, say this is 50/50 on rollback.