Author Topic: LIVE: STS-120 Flight Day 9 - Transfers, EVA-4 Prep, Continuing Array/SARJ Evaluations (Read 61603 times)

Chandonn · « **Reply #80 on:** 10/31/2007 02:46 pm »

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rdale - 31/10/2007 11:44 AM

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Chandonn - 31/10/2007 11:42 AM

I'm sure the SRMS will do fine at the MMOD strike area. I'm just afraid that cancelling late inspections will become a media feeding-frenzy again.

I haven't read anything that indicates late inspections will be canceled, so that frenzy should be fairly hushed...

I'm speculating that using OBSS on the SSRMS for EVA-4 is expected to render it inoperable, thus cancelling the late inspection.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #81 on:** 10/31/2007 02:50 pm »

You know, this is one of the cases where the risks are less than the benefits. We know that there was not any catastrophic damage from liftoff to the TPS, and besides the MMOD strike which will be inspected nothing has been noted to change that.

Sometimes you've gotta roll the hard six. -William Adama

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #82 on:** 10/31/2007 02:52 pm »

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Chandonn - 31/10/2007 4:46 PM

thus cancelling the late inspection.

Late Inspections with the OBSS you mean. They still do the inspection, but with the SRMS only (worse case scenario).

Chandonn · « **Reply #83 on:** 10/31/2007 02:53 pm »

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Ronsmytheiii - 31/10/2007 11:50 AM

You know, this is one of the cases where the risks are less than the benefits. We know that there was not any catastrophic damage from liftoff to the TPS, and besides the MMOD strike which will be inspected nothing has been noted to change that.

Sometimes you've gotta roll the hard six. -William Adama

I think we all understand that on this site. The general public continues to believe that NASA takes too many risks, thanks to the general media. That's one reason NASA's budget seems to stay near the chopping block as often as it does: the media don't focus on the positives of these flights.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #84 on:** 10/31/2007 02:55 pm »

Last warning, let's get off this "what the media might make of it". This is a live thread for FD9.

There's a whole lot of babbling going on in here and will be deleted back (no offense, just don't want to deal with people saying "I'm catching up and having to read through all manner of stuff")

ckiki lwai · « **Reply #85 on:** 10/31/2007 02:57 pm »

If it just turns out right, it are bonus points for NASA, maybe like the first HST repair mission.

jimmiemac · « **Reply #86 on:** 10/31/2007 03:08 pm »

While NASA TV (Public, Media, and Education) is currently showing a Video file you can still listen to Mission Audio:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/live_tv.html (choose Mission Audio from drop down list).

Chandonn · « **Reply #87 on:** 10/31/2007 03:09 pm »

For those concerned about lack of OBSS for late inspections: consider that every flight before STS-107 did NOT have on OBSS to look for damage, and they landed fine. Also, consider that Discovery's TPS condition at docking time was clear for re-entry. The OBSS late inspection is looking for MMOD damage from that time on. There is one area to be looked at that the SRMS can see. So, lack of OBSS for late inspections shouldn't be a big issue.

EDIT: hopefully, this will put the topic to rest for now.

Jeff Lerner · « **Reply #88 on:** 10/31/2007 03:11 pm »

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ckiki lwai - 31/10/2007 11:57 AM

If it just turns out right, it are bonus points for NASA, maybe like the first HST repair mission.

Thats what I was thinking...this is why we send people into space...machines and robots couldn't even begin to make these kinds of repairs.

An already exciting mission is going to be a spectacular reminder as to why we need a "manned" space program...GO STS-120 !!!!

psloss · « **Reply #89 on:** 10/31/2007 03:15 pm »

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rdale - 31/10/2007 11:43 AM

At 2pm the Mission Status Briefing will only be on the Media Channel - http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

I'm kind of hoping that they hold to form and run a replay of the status briefing on the Public Channel later in the day...

Norm Hartnett · « **Reply #90 on:** 10/31/2007 03:15 pm »

OK I’m a little puzzled. Since they don’t have a fully developed plan for the Solar Array repair EVA they are delaying EVA4 until Friday or Saturday and moving EVA5 to the stage. Wouldn’t it make more sense to run the planned EVA4 SARJ inspection Thursday as planned and spend the time to develop a good plan for EVA5 to do the Solar Array repair and still defer the currently scheduled EVA5 tasks to stage?

Chandonn · « **Reply #91 on:** 10/31/2007 03:18 pm »

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Norm Hartnett - 31/10/2007 12:15 PM

OK I’m a little puzzled. Since they don’t have a fully developed plan for the Solar Array repair EVA they are delaying EVA4 until Friday or Saturday and moving EVA5 to the stage. Wouldn’t it make more sense to run the planned EVA4 SARJ inspection Thursday as planned and spend the time to develop a good plan for EVA5 to do the Solar Array repair and still defer the currently scheduled EVA5 tasks to stage?

I would be concerned about consumables for the EVA. Does anybody know if that sounds feasible?

EDIT: also, if the P6 repair goes well, I suspect they may still do some SARJ inspection.

uko · « **Reply #92 on:** 10/31/2007 03:18 pm »

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Norm Hartnett - 31/10/2007 11:15 AM

OK I’m a little puzzled. Since they don’t have a fully developed plan for the Solar Array repair EVA they are delaying EVA4 until Friday or Saturday and moving EVA5 to the stage. Wouldn’t it make more sense to run the planned EVA4 SARJ inspection Thursday as planned and spend the time to develop a good plan for EVA5 to do the Solar Array repair and still defer the currently scheduled EVA5 tasks to stage?

Good point Norm.. I'm puzzled too..

Jim · « **Reply #93 on:** 10/31/2007 03:21 pm »

OBSS wouldn't be there as an option if the orbiter leaves

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #94 on:** 10/31/2007 03:22 pm »

I believe that the OBSS is wanted as an option for the array repair, and if the shuttle left it would not be available.

Ah, Jim beat me by a minute

rdale · « **Reply #95 on:** 10/31/2007 03:24 pm »

OBSS will still be there on Saturday... He's saying since we already pushed EVA5's tasks to the stage, why not use EVA4 tomorrow for SARJ, then EVA5 on Saturday dedicated to SAW with the OBSS.

Chandonn · « **Reply #96 on:** 10/31/2007 03:24 pm »

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Jim - 31/10/2007 12:21 PM

OBSS wouldn't be there as an option if the orbiter leaves

I think they were talking about an EVA-5 before undocking.

Falcon · « **Reply #97 on:** 10/31/2007 03:25 pm »

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Norm Hartnett - 31/10/2007 11:15 AM

OK I’m a little puzzled. Since they don’t have a fully developed plan for the Solar Array repair EVA they are delaying EVA4 until Friday or Saturday and moving EVA5 to the stage. Wouldn’t it make more sense to run the planned EVA4 SARJ inspection Thursday as planned and spend the time to develop a good plan for EVA5 to do the Solar Array repair and still defer the currently scheduled EVA5 tasks to stage?

The port array has taken priority. Right now both SARJs are inactive. They don't know what's wrong with the starboard, and that EVA will probably only involve searching for a problem. The port is inactive because of the port array tear. So they know what the problem is on the port array, and if they can fix it, the station will have one SARJ active which is what they need. If they run the starboard SARJ inspection and only glean information they still haven't fixed the fact that they're not generating enough power. The port array can be fixed, and so they can develop some repair techniques and worry about the starboard SARJ later.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #98 on:** 10/31/2007 03:26 pm »

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rdale - 31/10/2007 12:24 PM

OBSS will still be there on Saturday... He's saying since we already pushed EVA5's tasks to the stage, why not use EVA4 tomorrow for SARJ, then EVA5 on Saturday dedicated to SAW with the OBSS.

Not enough time for a campout for a full eva.

Norm Hartnett · « **Reply #99 on:** 10/31/2007 03:35 pm »

I had forgotten EVA consumables, that may be the limiting factor. EVA4 was planned as a short one and EVA5 was a full one plus they need consumables for the stage.

The OBSS shouldn’t be an issue since 5 EVAs were planned in any case.

Campout time shouldn’t be an issue since they still have up to two days on Discovery if necessary.

Priorities are one thing and good planning is another, this is looking almost panicky.