Author Topic: LIVE: STS-120 Flight Day 9 - Transfers, EVA-4 Prep, Continuing Array/SARJ Evaluations (Read 61610 times)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #40 on:** 10/31/2007 12:49 pm »

Yes, there are two rips. The hi res images (we have a number on L2, but Robert's got a couple too) show a second, smaller rip on the right of the main rip.

catdlr · « **Reply #41 on:** 10/31/2007 12:50 pm »

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stockman - 31/10/2007 6:43 AM

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Chandonn - 31/10/2007 9:41 AM

CNN is reporting there are now 2 rips in the array. I thought we were still counting 1?

there are two. The big one that is very noticable and just to one side of it on another fold there is a small one. There is a good high res photo of that somewhere on this site that maybe someone can copy over.

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ehartwell - 30/10/2007 6:22 PM
From the RE: ISS Solar Array Tear - What Next? thread

[big]Tear on dotted line?[/big]

Medium-high resolution photos have been posted: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-120/flightday08/ndxpage1.html

It's hard to tell for sure, but what looks like a small box at the top is probably just the strap material folded back.

See above (and format was off, so went with your link only - Chris).
(No problem, thanks for the correction - Tony)

el_nino · « **Reply #42 on:** 10/31/2007 12:52 pm »

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Chris Bergin - 31/10/2007 9:31 AM

Also working a lot on the MMOD strike.

Will they be able to determine anything more than they already know about it until they can get a good look at it after the shuttle undocks?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #43 on:** 10/31/2007 12:56 pm »

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el_nino - 31/10/2007 2:52 PM

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Chris Bergin - 31/10/2007 9:31 AM

Also working a lot on the MMOD strike.

Will they be able to determine anything more than they already know about it until they can get a good look at it after the shuttle undocks?

It's not clear at this time, as soon as I know more, I'll report it.

haywoodfloyd · « **Reply #44 on:** 10/31/2007 12:56 pm »

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stockman - 31/10/2007 9:43 AM

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Chandonn - 31/10/2007 9:41 AM

CNN is reporting there are now 2 rips in the array. I thought we were still counting 1?

there are two. The big one that is very noticable and just to one side of it on another fold there is a small one. There is a good high res photo of that somewhere on this site that maybe someone can copy over.

..

sorry, the photo is on L2

Actually, if you take a good look at the hi-res photo it looks like it's not torn at all but just folded over and un-zipped (unless un-zipped means torn).
I know it's hard to tell 3D from a 2D image but I really see no tear at all.
I've looked at it really carefully and it looks folded over.
Anyone else see that?

charlieb · « **Reply #45 on:** 10/31/2007 12:57 pm »

My fear is that over time - array motion dynamics mixed with thermal dynamics may propagate the tears into the electrical array string-bus leads that are along the edge of the array. Besides arcs and sparks, this sort of thisg would seriously impact the power availability. Befoe you ask - the thermal issue is that the array goes from very hot to very cold every 90 minutes - and it may over time really become a problem...... Time to get out the 2 inch yellow kapton tape and beging patching and strengthening things up....

Chandonn · « **Reply #46 on:** 10/31/2007 01:10 pm »

Somehow I have the feeling that trying to get astronauts to tape an electrically-charged solar array is not going to be considered. I wish it was as simple as that.
My feeling is that they'll try to un-snag the wire and finish the deploy at a 1/2-bay-at-a-time rate and leave it as is, at least until (and if) they bring up blanket-box spares.

EDIT: actually, after assembly complete, it might not be a bad idea to have a blanket box or two as ORU spares.

rdale · « **Reply #47 on:** 10/31/2007 01:10 pm »

NASA TV leaves mission coverage for a Griffin appearance before Congress at 1230pm EDT - the Mission Status Briefing will be on the Media Channel only at 1pm ET.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #48 on:** 10/31/2007 01:12 pm »

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5271 - only an abstract right now, as I've got to right up the presentations, but this looks like the plan - that's awaiting refinement and approval by MMT.

Lots of trade offs making this complicated.

Chandonn · « **Reply #49 on:** 10/31/2007 01:19 pm »

CNN Headline news reporting "serious power problems" at the ISS. And if it can't be fixed, they say "NASA says it will delay the next shuttle flight". As I understood yesterday's MSB, it's stable as is and shouldn't affect 122. Is Marcia Dunn writing this stuff?

rdale · « **Reply #50 on:** 10/31/2007 01:21 pm »

Mike S said that he would not be comfortable sending up the next mission unless this is fixed. It _can_ be done, he just isn't comfortable.

Peter NASA · « **Reply #51 on:** 10/31/2007 01:22 pm »

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rdale - 31/10/2007 9:21 AM

Mike S said that he would not be comfortable sending up the next mission unless this is fixed. It _can_ be done, he just isn't comfortable.

Yes, RDale. Remember, everyone, stick to this site for the news without dramatization.

ckiki lwai · « **Reply #52 on:** 10/31/2007 01:25 pm »

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he plan is still being worked, though it will involve a spacewalker being sent to the damaged area on the end of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and the OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System) arm, possibly minus its sensor package.

This will be an assembly mission to remember then

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #53 on:** 10/31/2007 01:29 pm »

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Peter NASA - 31/10/2007 3:22 PM

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rdale - 31/10/2007 9:21 AM

Mike S said that he would not be comfortable sending up the next mission unless this is fixed. It _can_ be done, he just isn't comfortable.

Yes, RDale. Remember, everyone, stick to this site for the news without dramatization.

Are you saying I'm a boring writer

Anyway folks, let's not play "slap wire reports" as it'll get convoluted in here otherwise.

To add:
The reason the MMOD has a lot of attention is because not taking off the sensor package would likely kill it and they'd have no late inspections.

Additional: Ok, so they can't take off the sensor package! Its integrated, so that would lead to the deletion of late inspections via the OBSS, only via the SRMS.

joncz · « **Reply #54 on:** 10/31/2007 01:34 pm »

I was thinking about issues around replacing a blanket box... I see a few big issues:

1. You have to be able to retract the mast at least far enough for an astro on the SSRMS to reach the end of the mast to disconnect the far side of the blanket...

2. You have to be able to jettison an unsecured blanket in such a way that it doesn't hang up on the station or wrap itself around the astro (position the station with P6 in the -V direction?)

3. You have be able to the retract the mast and remaining blanket far enough to manually deploy the newly attached blanket to reach the far end of the mast, with two further issues:
3a. Are you going to damage the remaining original blanket on retraction or deployment, and does this suggest that you want to jettison both blankets on this bad wing and start with two new boxes instead of -
3b. Manually pulling the replacement blanket out to reach the end of the mast, with its attendant tensioning and live voltage issues.

redgryphon · « **Reply #55 on:** 10/31/2007 01:36 pm »

They are leaving it late to decide between SARJ inspect and P6 repair for EVA-4. Procedure review is due in 90 minutes.

Any words on doing SARJ on EVA-4, P6 on EVA-5 and shifting the Whitson-Malenchenko's turn to EVA-6 or the stage?

Analyst · « **Reply #56 on:** 10/31/2007 01:43 pm »

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joncz - 31/10/2007 4:34 PM

I was thinking about issues around replacing a blanket box... I see a few big issues:

1. You have to be able to retract the mast at least far enough for an astro on the SSRMS to reach the end of the mast to disconnect the far side of the blanket...

2. You have to be able to jettison an unsecured blanket in such a way that it doesn't hang up on the station or wrap itself around the astro (position the station with P6 in the -V direction?)

3. You have be able to the retract the mast and remaining blanket far enough to manually deploy the newly attached blanket to reach the far end of the mast, with two further issues:
3a. Are you going to damage the remaining original blanket on retraction or deployment, and does this suggest that you want to jettison both blankets on this bad wing and start with two new boxes instead of -
3b. Manually pulling the replacement blanket out to reach the end of the mast, with its attendant tensioning and live voltage issues.

You have to retract the mast completely if you want to only change the blanket box (with the blanket inside). You may tolerate some damage to the old blanket and box in doing this. If you can't do this, you have to replace the whole unit (mast and blanket boxes).

Analyst

JMS · « **Reply #57 on:** 10/31/2007 01:47 pm »

Why can't SARJ inspection/repair be carried out by the station crew?

Chandonn · « **Reply #58 on:** 10/31/2007 01:50 pm »

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JMS - 31/10/2007 10:47 AM

Why can't SARJ inspection/repair be carried out by the station crew?

It can, but the timeline between this flight and the next is very tight. And STS-122 has a very small launch window in December. If we delay any activities after the shuttle leaves, we may end up delaying STS-122 to January or later.

EDIT: remember also that the shuttle program ends in 2010. Each flight that is delayed has a ripple effect that delays the rest. As it stands now, the final flights after assembly complete will bring up spares to the station for problems arising after the shuttle is out of commision. Each flight we push back may end up cancelling much-needed spares down the road.

collectSPACE · « **Reply #59 on:** 10/31/2007 01:53 pm »

Per Harwood, EVA-4 delayed to Friday and dedicated to P6 (as reported by Chris) and EVA-5 delayed until after Discovery leaves.