Author Topic: Reviewing the STS-120 FRR - how NASA prepares for safe flight (Read 13865 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 10/14/2007 05:48 am »

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5253 - Part 1.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5254 - Part 2.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5257 - Part 3.

from the summary of the STS-120 FRR presentations on L2.

Writing it up in parts, as there's so much info it needs to be written up as a series.

Super George · « **Reply #1 on:** 10/14/2007 04:00 pm »

That is a superb article! Can't wait for the others.

NASA rocks.

George CA · « **Reply #2 on:** 10/14/2007 08:55 pm »

Really enjoyable read, interesting throughout and a lot of respect to NASA USA and others for all their work in making the flights happen smoothly.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #3 on:** 10/15/2007 12:27 am »

Love the picture of her through the clouds, illuminating them. Do you happen to have a bigger/full res of it?

Great article, too. Loved reading that.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #4 on:** 10/15/2007 12:58 am »

Thanks.

The image used is one of the images in the NASA Starscapes (internal presentations) on L2 Historical. Here's the best I could manage from screenshoting the powerpoint:

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #5 on:** 10/15/2007 01:02 am »

Thanks for that, Chris. I'll use that as a desktop!

Rocket Guy · « **Reply #6 on:** 10/15/2007 01:11 am »

It is here:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=9012

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #7 on:** 10/15/2007 01:21 am »

Oh, it's the Hubble launch, the one at dawn?

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=961&start=1 - one of my favorite launch videos for sure!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #8 on:** 10/15/2007 04:00 pm »

Part 2 added, see first post. (Got to use my favorite orbiter image of all time too)

By the way, I know we've got some screenshotted off NASA TV, but if anyone's got a good picture of a laptop on the flight/middeck, please add it here, or mail me, as I'd like to put it into the body of the article.

Orbiter Obvious · « **Reply #9 on:** 10/15/2007 04:43 pm »

Cool reads. So is OI-32 the 32nd modification to the flight software? Was STS-1 OI-1?

dotdk · « **Reply #10 on:** 10/15/2007 04:47 pm »

"Windows has been the preferred operating system for NASA, and this continues with the upgrade of the laptops from Windows ME to Windows XP, which makes its debut on Discovery with STS-120."

Windows ME?? Are you serious about that? I thought it was Windows 2000.

Dear god if true

Jorge · « **Reply #11 on:** 10/15/2007 05:00 pm »

Quote

dotdk - 15/10/2007 11:47 AM

"Windows has been the preferred operating system for NASA, and this continues with the upgrade of the laptops from Windows ME to Windows XP, which makes its debut on Discovery with STS-120."

Windows ME?? Are you serious about that? I thought it was Windows 2000.

Dear god if true

You're correct. The PGSCs previously used Windows 2000. And before that, Windows 98. NASA skipped Windows Me entirely.

dotdk · « **Reply #12 on:** 10/15/2007 05:03 pm »

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Jorge - 14/10/2007 7:00 PM

NASA skipped Windows Me entirely.

Like almost everybody else

Jorge · « **Reply #13 on:** 10/15/2007 05:09 pm »

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Orbiter Obvious - 15/10/2007 11:43 AM

Cool reads. So is OI-32 the 32nd modification to the flight software? Was STS-1 OI-1?

No - the OFT flights used a different flight software numbering scheme. And it got complicated at some point, with OI-8A through 8F. After the new GPCs (AP-101S) were introduced, they restarted the OI numbering scheme at OI-20 and incremented it normally from there. Then it got complicated again when the Cockpit Avionics Upgrade (CAU) was being planned. There was an OI (OI-31) that was dedicated to laying the groundwork for CAU. When CAU was cancelled, OI-31 went away and the FSW skipped from OI-30 to 32.

Bottom line is I'd have to dig up some history to figure out just how many versions of the FSW there have been.

j2_ · « **Reply #14 on:** 10/15/2007 05:18 pm »

Anyone know where I can buy a full size poster version of the Orbiter flight deck with the MEDS displays all lit up like the picture in the article? I desperately need it for my office.

SpaceNutz SA · « **Reply #15 on:** 10/15/2007 05:22 pm »

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Ford Mustang - 15/10/2007 3:02 AM Thanks for that, Chris. I'll use that as a desktop!

Ditto - looks awesome!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #16 on:** 10/15/2007 05:37 pm »

Quote

Jorge - 15/10/2007 6:00 PM

Quote
dotdk - 15/10/2007 11:47 AM

"Windows has been the preferred operating system for NASA, and this continues with the upgrade of the laptops from Windows ME to Windows XP, which makes its debut on Discovery with STS-120."

Windows ME?? Are you serious about that? I thought it was Windows 2000.

Dear god if true

You're correct. The PGSCs previously used Windows 2000. And before that, Windows 98. NASA skipped Windows Me entirely.

Crikey, thanks. I could have sworn I saw a laptop boot up with Windows ME during the last mission. It was FD13 and Commander Kelly booted it up on NASA TV, see below:

Anyway, will correct.

Chandonn · « **Reply #17 on:** 10/15/2007 09:49 pm »

Quote

Jorge - 15/10/2007 1:00 PM

Quote
dotdk - 15/10/2007 11:47 AM

"Windows has been the preferred operating system for NASA, and this continues with the upgrade of the laptops from Windows ME to Windows XP, which makes its debut on Discovery with STS-120."

Windows ME?? Are you serious about that? I thought it was Windows 2000.

Dear god if true

You're correct. The PGSCs previously used Windows 2000. And before that, Windows 98. NASA skipped Windows Me entirely.

Wise choice! ME had so many problems there were rumors that, after XP came out, they were going to rename it "Windows Y-ME?" :laugh:

EDIT: Also, XP is based on the relatively-stable Windows 2000 architecture. That's one reason you don't often hear about the Blue Screen of Death and multiple reboots like you did back in the 95/98/ME days...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #18 on:** 10/15/2007 10:21 pm »

Quote

j2_ - 15/10/2007 6:18 PM

Anyone know where I can buy a full size poster version of the Orbiter flight deck with the MEDS displays all lit up like the picture in the article? I desperately need it for my office.

All I know is it's of Columbia's flight deck (sadly). It's a NASA image for sure, but I can't for the life of me remember where I put the orginal or where it is on NASA.gov. I orginally used it for a YERO article.

sticksux · « **Reply #19 on:** 10/15/2007 10:23 pm »

Quote

Jorge - 15/10/2007 6:00 PM
You're correct. The PGSCs previously used Windows 2000. And before that, Windows 98. NASA skipped Windows Me entirely.

I didn't know this. I hoped they are using some flavor of Unix. What is PGSC?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #20 on:** 10/15/2007 10:32 pm »

Quote

sticksux - 15/10/2007 11:23 PM

Quote
Jorge - 15/10/2007 6:00 PM
You're correct. The PGSCs previously used Windows 2000. And before that, Windows 98. NASA skipped Windows Me entirely.

I didn't know this. I hoped they are using some flavor of Unix. What is PGSC?

I'll send myself a PM telling myself off for this, but:

Jorge · « **Reply #21 on:** 10/15/2007 10:38 pm »

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sticksux - 15/10/2007 5:23 PM

Quote
Jorge - 15/10/2007 6:00 PM
You're correct. The PGSCs previously used Windows 2000. And before that, Windows 98. NASA skipped Windows Me entirely.

I didn't know this. I hoped they are using some flavor of Unix. What is PGSC?

PGSC = Payload and General Support Computer

PGSCs run Windows because they must be compatible with the office applications at JSC and they can use Windows because they are not used for mission-critical applications.

The ISS counterparts to the PGSCs are Station Support Computers (SSCs), which also run Windows. ISS also has laptops that run mission-critical software, which run Solaris. Those laptops are called the Portable Computer System (PCS).

j2_ · « **Reply #22 on:** 10/15/2007 10:55 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 15/10/2007 3:21 PM

Quote
j2_ - 15/10/2007 6:18 PM

Anyone know where I can buy a full size poster version of the Orbiter flight deck with the MEDS displays all lit up like the picture in the article? I desperately need it for my office.

All I know is it's of Columbia's flight deck (sadly). It's a NASA image for sure, but I can't for the life of me remember where I put the orginal or where it is on NASA.gov. I orginally used it for a YERO article.

I found one reference to the image online. It looks like it was a Smithsonian poster. However, I can't find any online store that seems to be selling that image. I'm actually going to be visiting the Air and Space museum in the next few days, and I'll have to see if their gift shop has it! *Keeping fingers crossed*

TJL · « **Reply #23 on:** 10/16/2007 02:53 am »

Quote

j2_ - 15/10/2007 1:18 PM

Anyone know where I can buy a full size poster version of the Orbiter flight deck with the MEDS displays all lit up like the picture in the article? I desperately need it for my office.

I found this one of Atlantis...

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #24 on:** 10/16/2007 02:58 am »

Found a good link, if this is what you're asking for:

http://oea.larc.nasa.gov/news_rels/2000/GCTHUMBNAILS.HTML

EDIT: Like said, I hope this is what you were wanting.. if not, let me know. I can find others.

Stowbridge · « **Reply #25 on:** 10/16/2007 04:18 am »

Great idea to write up some articles on the FRR. Really enjoyed to read about the OI-32 software upgrade.

Andy L · « **Reply #26 on:** 10/16/2007 05:32 am »

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Stowbridge - 15/10/2007 11:18 PM

Great idea to write up some articles on the FRR. Really enjoyed to read about the OI-32 software upgrade.

Totally agree and I actually understood it, two really great stories. This is easily the best site for shuttle news and it's actually interesting and makes you understand the amount of work that goes into the missions and the vehicles. Before it was launch, uh oh tile damage, have to fix it, landing and it was starting to get boring. Not anymore and thanks to finding this site.

dsmillman · « **Reply #27 on:** 10/16/2007 11:29 am »

What are the scheduled start and completion times of today's FRR?

DaveS · « **Reply #28 on:** 10/16/2007 11:44 am »

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dsmillman - 16/10/2007 1:29 PM

What are the scheduled start and completion times of today's FRR?

The post-FRR news conference is set for NET 3 pm EDT.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #29 on:** 10/16/2007 12:38 pm »

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Andy L - 16/10/2007 6:32 AM

Quote
Stowbridge - 15/10/2007 11:18 PM

Great idea to write up some articles on the FRR. Really enjoyed to read about the OI-32 software upgrade.

Totally agree and I actually understood it, two really great stories. This is easily the best site for shuttle news and it's actually interesting and makes you understand the amount of work that goes into the missions and the vehicles. Before it was launch, uh oh tile damage, have to fix it, landing and it was starting to get boring. Not anymore and thanks to finding this site.

Thanks, that's the whole idea.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #30 on:** 10/18/2007 09:36 am »

Part 3 added (see first post - or here http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5257 ) concentrating on the two FRR documents on L2 which relate to the boosters.

One is ATK's RSRM presentation, the other is USA's RSRB presentation to the FRR.

Lots and lots of interesting things in here, added some of the images too. Was orginally going to include the SSME FRR presentation in this article, but would have been too long.

tommy · « **Reply #31 on:** 10/18/2007 10:54 am »

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Chris Bergin - 14/10/2007 12:48 AM

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5253 - Part 1.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5254 - Part 2.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5257 - Part 3.

from the summary of the STS-120 FRR presentations on L2.

Writing it up in parts, as there's so much info it needs to be written up as a series.

These are brilliant, they really are!

Writer · « **Reply #32 on:** 10/18/2007 11:44 pm »

I agree, these are good, objective articles. It's a shame that most of the posts on this section today have been playing stop the spelling mistake on the NASA press release. It doesn't reflect very well on those that posted in there.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #33 on:** 10/19/2007 12:22 am »

Thanks. How many forum comments aren't really reflective...it's hard a very hard read rate throughout the day, so that's what keeps me happy.