Author Topic: STS-124 Processing Latest (Read 117256 times)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #280 on:** 04/14/2008 03:27 pm »

ET/SRB mate was completed over the weekend. Everything remains on track for a launch in six weeks time.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #281 on:** 04/14/2008 10:55 pm »

Pictures of ET/SRB Mating are now appearing in the KSC Hot Pics gallery. Full resolution are posted there.

K8B · « **Reply #282 on:** 04/15/2008 01:16 am »

I can't remember what/where this was said in the past - - at what time in the Processing/meetings - does it become a safer bet to buy the air tickets to KSC for the launch?

I remember reading a post (I think from Chris Bergin), which I have been unable to find, where there was a "you might want to wait until x?x?x?x?x? point in the processing to purchase airplane tickets".

I promise not to hold people responsible, complain, or fire off angry emails/pm in the event it's the wrong advice. The deal is - many people in this forum would have a better guess than myself.

If this is the wrong thread for it, sorry, but it does pertain to Processing

. Move if necessary. Thanks - If you know where this advice is (which thread & where) please point me in that direction

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #283 on:** 04/15/2008 08:00 am »

Quote

K8B - 15/4/2008 2:16 AM

I can't remember what/where this was said in the past - - at what time in the Processing/meetings - does it become a safer bet to buy the air tickets to KSC for the launch?

I remember reading a post (I think from Chris Bergin), which I have been unable to find, where there was a "you might want to wait until x?x?x?x?x? point in the processing to purchase airplane tickets".

I promise not to hold people responsible, complain, or fire off angry emails/pm in the event it's the wrong advice. The deal is - many people in this forum would have a better guess than myself.

If this is the wrong thread for it, sorry, but it does pertain to Processing . Move if necessary. Thanks - If you know where this advice is (which thread & where) please point me in that direction

You know the deal, launches can slip a day before - and on the same day as - launch, but if you're asking about long term forecast....we're there now.

Critical path was getting the ET into the checkout cell, then moved to mate. They've done that, on the timeline for May 31.

So something new would have to go wrong now to delay:
Discovery rollover (she's fine and practically ready to roll already),
Discovery mating with the stack (on target),
or something to go wrong during the seven days prior to rollout....

...and then we're in the pad flow.

So, if it all goes well, they are good for May 31. Something would need to become a problem to threaten the date now.

Do what I do and check the NTD on L2 for any IPRs - as they are the things with potential to cause a delay (though most of the time they can fix or waiver).

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #284 on:** 04/15/2008 09:20 pm »

L2 based processing update:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5403

May gain an extra day on rollover/rollout.

George CA · « **Reply #285 on:** 04/15/2008 09:33 pm »

Thanks for another great report! That's a great effort by the KSC workers on this flow.

K8B · « **Reply #286 on:** 04/16/2008 04:04 am »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 15/4/2008 1:00 AM

Do what I do and check the NTD on L2 for any IPRs - as they are the things with potential to cause a delay (though most of the time they can fix or waiver).

Chris, Thanks for the breadcrumbs leading me to the "good stuff". I found what I was seeking.

faustod · « **Reply #287 on:** 04/16/2008 08:10 am »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 15/4/2008 4:20 PM

L2 based processing update:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5403

May gain an extra day on rollover/rollout.

These are very good news.
Thanks for the informations!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #288 on:** 04/18/2008 05:50 pm »

As noted, rollover moving up a day. Will be confirmed on Monday (but looks 99 percent on).

Renee · « **Reply #289 on:** 04/18/2008 08:03 pm »

do we have a date for the roll-out to the pad yet? please keep me posted! thanks !!

rdale · « **Reply #290 on:** 04/18/2008 08:32 pm »

Quote

Renee - 18/4/2008 4:03 PM

do we have a date for the roll-out to the pad yet? please keep me posted! thanks !!

Yep - it's in the article on the front page, that Chris even linked to above...

MechTech · « **Reply #291 on:** 04/19/2008 12:33 am »

"Get the OTS (Orbiter Transport System) in on April 21 and be ready to roll on April 28. If this has to be pulled in, there is available margin to do that.'

Other work schedule for this week includes MLG (Main Landing Gear)/NLG (Nose Landing Gear) resistance measurements on Wednesday. Final tire pressurization for flight on Thursday, and the disconnecting of the T-0 umbilicals, also on Thursday.

Tracking April 28 as the rollover date places rollout to Pad 39A one week later - and right on track to make the May 31 launch date"

I have never seen the OTS put into the OPF for 7 days.
Normal from what I have been on for an OTS move is bring it in and the next day she rolls over.

I wonder if they plan on April 21st OTS into OPF and the rollover ASAP. That would mean April 23rd-ish into the VAB rollover, 5 days for mate to rollout to PadA?

?

DaveS · « **Reply #292 on:** 04/19/2008 01:07 am »

Quote

MechTech - 19/4/2008 2:33 AM
I wonder if they plan on April 21st OTS into OPF and the rollover ASAP. That would mean April 23rd-ish into the VAB rollover, 5 days for mate to rollout to PadA??

No. They're going to discuss whether the ET/SRB work can be completed on April 27 to support a rollover and mating on that date. Right now the rollover is April 28 with mating on that same day.

No matter what, ET/SRB work will not allow for an earlier orbiter mate than April 27.

Also, for STS-115 Atlantis completed processing long ahead of ET/SRB work in the VAB witha result that she was waiting fully mated and ready to roll on the OTS, so it is not unprecedented that orbiter processing wraps up before the ET/SRB work does.

Another example is STS-114, Discovery sat in the VAB transfer aisle while final touches on her new stack was completed.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #293 on:** 04/20/2008 04:19 am »

Another update (below the Soyuz stuff):

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5406

Iren · « **Reply #294 on:** 04/20/2008 07:14 pm »

Is May 31 still the targeted launch date? I saw it changing so many times that I'm a bit confused right now

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #295 on:** 04/20/2008 08:26 pm »

Quote

Iren - 20/4/2008 3:14 PM

Is May 31 still the targeted launch date? I saw it changing so many times that I'm a bit confused right now

We're a news site too, check the home page. First article.

NavySpaceFan · « **Reply #296 on:** 04/20/2008 08:26 pm »

Quote

Iren - 20/4/2008 3:14 PM

Is May 31 still the targeted launch date? I saw it changing so many times that I'm a bit confused right now

Yes.

MechTech · « **Reply #297 on:** 04/21/2008 12:49 am »

Talked to a transporter guy, he is going in early for OTS move into OPF. He said he was told it would be left in the OPF a week. They would never let us do that before because of fire hazards..... Apparently they have changed stance on fire hazards of leaving the OTS inside the OPF for extended time.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #298 on:** 04/21/2008 01:52 pm »

Per L2. Managers have just concluded a short meeting, confirming 8am on the 26th is the new advanced rollover date for Discovery.

Rollout will as a result also be one day earlier. Launch remains NET May 31 (with a bit of contingecy).

Rather than creating a new, short article, I've updated the current article to show the new date.

We'll have an STS-119 (Discovery's next flight after 124) feature on site later today.

faustod · « **Reply #299 on:** 04/21/2008 07:31 pm »

I understand that the rollout on pad is now scheduled for the fourth of May.
Am I right?