STS-124 Processing Latest

[sts1canada]

I think the Pegasus barge was towed to MAF a few weeks ago (to take ET-128 to KSC when it is ready to be shipped), so when ET-128 is ready, it will won't have to wait long for a ride to KSC. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I don't think they would have towed Pegasus there to MAF if the tank shipping delay was going to be too long, I think the Pegasus is usually based at the port at the Cape, isn't it?

Richard

[ChrisGebhardt]

sts1canada - 14/2/2008  8:06 PM

I think the Pegasus barge was towed to MAF a few weeks ago (to take ET-128 to KSC when it is ready to be shipped), so when ET-128 is ready, it will won't have to wait long for a ride to KSC. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I don't think they would have towed Pegasus there to MAF if the tank shipping delay was going to be too long, I think the Pegasus is usually based at the port at the Cape, isn't it?

Richard

Hm... I think Pegasus' home port is at (or near) MAF.  After it delievers a tank to KSC, it sits in the turn basin and then, Freedom Star or Liberty Star tow it back to MAF weeks, sometimes, month(s) before the next tank is ready for shipment to KSC.

[Chris Bergin]

Wayne Hale hopes the delay will only be in the days, not the weeks, as per L2 quotes.

[Bubbinski]

Since the beta cutout starts May 8 - and the mission would last 11-13 days or so - what would be the last day in the STS-124 window where they could still get all their mission objectives done, all the docked time with ISS that they need?

[ChrisGebhardt]

Bubbinski - 16/2/2008  1:08 PM

Since the beta cutout starts May 8 - and the mission would last 11-13 days or so - what would be the last day in the STS-124 window where they could still get all their mission objectives done, all the docked time with ISS that they need?

May 7. The cutout dates we see are for launches. If you launch on May 7 (assuming analysis holds the 8th as the cutoff date), then Discovery would complete her mission before running into the beta angle restrictions.  At least, that's how I've always understood it.

[Jorge]

Trekkie07 - 16/2/2008  2:09 PM

Bubbinski - 16/2/2008  1:08 PM

Since the beta cutout starts May 8 - and the mission would last 11-13 days or so - what would be the last day in the STS-124 window where they could still get all their mission objectives done, all the docked time with ISS that they need?

May 7. The cutout dates we see are for launches. If you launch on May 7 (assuming analysis holds the 8th as the cutoff date), then Discovery would complete her mission before running into the beta angle restrictions.  At least, that's how I've always understood it.

That is correct.

[Bubbinski]

Thanks, both of you.  Here's hoping that they can get the tank ready in time to make it before the beta angle comes in.  If it's pushed to early May it will become a night launch.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Bubbinski - 16/2/2008  6:47 PM

Thanks, both of you.  Here's hoping that they can get the tank ready in time to make it before the beta angle comes in.  If it's pushed to early May it will become a night launch.

Even if the launch were to slip until after the cutout, that would not affect the Atlantis/Hubble mission in late August/early September and would still provide more than enough time to turn Discovery around for her next mission in December.  So really, there are no worries even if the launch does slip by a month.  And right now, at least, it doesn't look like that will happen.

[penguin44]

Keep your fingers crossed on that one!

[rdale]

penguin44 - 17/2/2008  4:35 AM

Keep your fingers crossed on that one!

I know I will  :cool:

Kennedy Media Gallery has images of the JEM Module hatch being closed for the final time in preparation to being loaded into the playload canister for the trip to pad 39-A.

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4

[Moonbase_Alphan]

sts1canada - 14/2/2008  5:36 PM
So if the launch of STS-124 is delayed into May, it probably won't be able to launch until May 25th at the earliest (this date is subject to change)

that's correct, it is now NET 5/25 for STS-124

If they don't launch until late May, what would be the time of launch?

[Bubbinski]

Someone said earlier it would be about 8 pm Eastern.  

If this is true and it IS off until May 25, when are we going to see more info about that?

[dsmillman]

My estimate is that STS-124 would launch around 7:45 - 8:00 PM EDT on May 25.

[Chris Bergin]

Bubbinski - 19/2/2008  3:48 AM

If this is true and it IS off until May 25, when are we going to see more info about that?

We've been covering it with ET-128 in L2 for a few weeks and noted the delay in a previous article. As for May 25...the tank isn't four weeks down. Rest is the Beta Angle, but I believe this has already been noted. As for May 25 being an official NET - yep, but only just got to hear about that via a CR.

Will do a full news article after Atlantis lands and via CR/PRCB documentation etc.

[Lee Jay]

5/25 is 75 days after 3/11.  Usually, LON is required earlier than that due to supplies on ISS (day counts in the 50s and 60s spring to mind).   Is there reason to believe that either the time can be increased, or they could launch during the Beta cutout in a LON situation?  I've searched L2 and haven't found anything.

Chris Bergin - 19/2/2008 8:13 AM

Bubbinski - 19/2/2008 3:48 AM If this is true and it IS off until May 25, when are we going to see more info about that?

We've been covering it with ET-128 in L2 for a few weeks and noted the delay in a previous article. As for May 25...the tank isn't four weeks down. Rest is the Beta Angle, but I believe this has already been noted. As for May 25 being an official NET - yep, but only just got to hear about that via a CR. Will do a full news article after Atlantis lands and via CR/PRCB documentation etc.

They couldn't catch up with the tank processing and have the tank ready for a launch before the beta angle cutout?  So NET 5/25 is the earliest Discovery can launch because the tank can't make it before the cutout right?  Could they catch up and make it before the cutout?

[psloss]

Lee Jay - 19/2/2008  9:25 AM

5/25 is 75 days after 3/11.  Usually, LON is required earlier than that due to supplies on ISS (day counts in the 50s and 60s spring to mind).   Is there reason to believe that either the time can be increased, or they could launch during the Beta cutout in a LON situation?  I've searched L2 and haven't found anything.

I believe a LON would occur regardless of the Beta angle; no idea what the 5/25 date refers to, whether it's a 124 launch or a 324 launch, but part of the LON plan in terms of processing at KSC would be to expedite hardware processing and shorten the pad flow.  If that's a hypothetical 124 launch date, then perhaps they could shave some time off that date.

[Bubbinski]

Thanks, Chris.  I'd seen the L2 stuff and the blurb in the article about the tank processing issues.  I was more looking for "official word" since there'd been some talk about the delay only being in days earlier.  And now that's come.

If they do get off the ground on 5/25, and fly their full duration, they land before June 10th.  It would be about six months before STS-119 on 12/4, are they still able to support that date?