STS-124 Processing Latest

[psloss]

Felix15 - 27/11/2007  6:52 PM

Can you tell me where in the ISS section ?

Here:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=3207&start=331&posts=338#M216763

[Ford Mustang]

Not real sure if this should go here, so if not, please delete.

SRB segments being prepped to go to Utah from STS-120.. Pictures now on the KSC Hot Pics gallery:

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

[jacqmans]

Mission: STS-124 - 26th International Space Station Flight - Kibo
Pressurized Module, Japanese Remote Manipulator System
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeted for April 24, 2008
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Ham, Nyberg, Garan, Fossum, Hoshide
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 3, engine No. 2 was removed
this week, and engines No. 1 and 3 will be removed next week.
Functional checkout of the forward reaction control system is
finished. Thermography inspection of the nose cap and chin panel is
under way. The functional checkout of the orbital maneuvering system
pods is also in progress. Window No. 4 was removed and replaced.
Post-flight inspection of the thermal protection system is 89 percent
complete. The removal and replacement of fuel cell No. 1 began today.

Mission: STS-124 - 26th International Space Station Flight - Kibo Pressurized Module, Japanese Remote Manipulator System
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeted for April 24, 2008
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Ham, Nyberg, Garan, Fossum, Hoshide
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 3, the orbiter PVD door functional test, fuel cells 1 and 3 functional checkout, and RMS turnaround verification preps were completed. Port MPMs were moved to the vertical position on Dec. 13. The MADS data recorder removal, replacement, and retest are scheduled for Friday. The floor plate, side panels and phenolic panels were installed this week for aft skirt joint closeout and floor plate installation.

[Lee Jay]

Don't know where this question should go.

If the SARJ and BGA difficulties on the ISS are going to prevent proper operation of the arrays during the 124 flight, and if it is determined that the power systems could not support the expanded ISS, would the flight be reconfigured as a logistics flight and a flight dedicated to repairing those problems?

[Analyst]

A lot of ifs. You don't need an extra flight to repair these. You need (relatively small) spares (already manifested) and (depending on what you will do) EVA time. I doubt there is a desire to switch SARJ rings unless absolutely need. You give up redundancy.

Analyst

[Lee Jay]

Analyst - 15/12/2007  9:55 AM
A lot of ifs.

Indeed, just thinking ahead.

You don't need an extra flight to repair these. You need (relatively small) spares (already manifested) and (depending on what you will do) EVA time.

The EVA time is what I was thinking about.  You'd remove the other planned flight activities and add 4-5 EVAs to repair issues on the ISS.  But you can't bring up the planned cargo and remove the rest of the flight activities at the same time, hence the idea of a logistics flight.[/QUOTE]

[Analyst]

I understand. But a logistics flight needs EVAs: repostitioning ORUs and this kind of stuff. And if you bring up a MPLM you want to bring up science racks, but these are not ready (STS-126 is the next MPLM flight). I would prefer stage EVAs: has been done before and does not "waste" a shuttle flight.

Analyst

[Lee Jay]

Analyst - 15/12/2007  10:51 AM

I understand. But a logistics flight needs EVAs: repostitioning ORUs and this kind of stuff. And if you bring up a MPLM you want to bring up science racks, but these are not ready (STS-126 is the next MPLM flight). I would prefer stage EVAs: has been done before and does not "waste" a shuttle flight.

Analyst

If they're going to do all of the repairs under stage EVAs, would they need additional supplies (consumables, perhaps) in order to add 4 or more EVAs to the stages?  Obviously they'd need any replacement parts that were planned to be used, I'm asking about the rest.  What about time?  The lack of people on board ISS means they spend a lot of their time doing normal maintenance, and have relatively little time left for work on science and/or repairs.  If they needed half a dozen extra EVAs between now and April, could they do it?

[Analyst]

There were three stage EVAs in January/February 2007 and three in November 2007. I would say it can be done. Of coure, other (science) work will slip.

How do you come to the number of six EVAs? I remember 4 EVAs for switching SARJ race rings, kind of worst case. Adding a fourth/fifth EVA to STS-122/123/124 could augment stage EVAs if needed. But a special shuttle mission: I would say no. Lets wait what the EVA on Dec 18th brings as far as the failure mechanism goes. Are there any working hypothesis for the SARJ failure?

Analyst

[Lee Jay]

Analyst - 15/12/2007  1:33 PM
There were three stage EVAs in January/February 2007 and three in November 2007. I would say it can be done. Of coure, other (science) work will slip.

How do you come to the number of six EVAs?

I made it up!  (It's a hypothetical situation).  4 for SARJ, 2 for BGA.  SWAG?

I remember 4 EVAs for switching SARJ race rings, kind of worst case. Adding a fourth/fifth EVA to STS-122/123/124 could augment stage EVAs if needed. But a special shuttle mission: I would say no. Lets wait what the EVA on Dec 18th brings as far as the failure mechanism goes. Are there any working hypothesis for the SARJ failure?

I don't know if there are or not.

I hope you are right and they get it fixed before the flight that is the subject of this thread.

Lee Jay

[OV-107]

I see in the "schedule of iss flight events" thread that STS 124 spacewalkers is Ron Garan and Mike Fossum.

Is that the first time a pilot trained astronaut performing spacewalks on a ISS assmebly mission?

I know Ken Bowersox was a spacewalker in expedition 6 but I have never seen a pilot doing it on a assembly misson.

[geminy007]

but he was originally trained as PLT,... but selected  as MS2 for this mission

[Chris Bergin]

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5316 - Includes L2 based 124 processing news.

[ShuttleDiscovery]

Gary - 21/12/2007  1:19 AM

PLT's can't due to different requirements whilst on orbit.

PLTs are usually spacewalk coordinators.

[jacqmans]

Mission: STS-124 - 26th International Space Station Flight - Kibo
Pressurized Module, Japanese Remote Manipulator System
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeted for April 24, 2008
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Ham, Nyberg, Garan, Fossum, Hoshide
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 3, the shuttle's payload bay
doors are open. The Ku-band antenna was deployed Jan. 2. The fuel
cell single-cell voltage test is scheduled for today. Window No. 7
purge barrier installation was performed Jan. 3. Radiator repairs
will continue Saturday and Sunday.

[jacqmans]

Mission: STS-124 - 26th International Space Station Flight - Kibo
Pressurized Module, Japanese Remote Manipulator System
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeting April 24
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Ham, Nyberg, Garan, Fossum, Hoshide
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 3
- Thermal control system checkout completed with no anomalies
- Drag chute alignment and installation completed Thursday
- Space shuttle main engine No. 1 liquid oxygen transducer leak checks
performed Thursday with nominal results
- Solid rocket booster stacking date selection expected Jan. 14
- Aft bulkhead check valve retest completed Wednesday with no issues

[jacqmans]

Mission: STS-124 - 26th International Space Station Flight - Kibo
Pressurized Module, Japanese Remote Manipulator System
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeting April 24
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Ham, Nyberg, Garan, Fossum, Hoshide, Chamitoff
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

Orbiter Processing Facility Bay No. 3
- Vernier thruster pressure chamber flushes continue in preparation
for inspections
- Ku band antenna stow scheduled for Friday
- Drag chute flight door checkout scheduled for Friday
- Solid rocket booster stacking scheduled for Jan. 31
- Power redundancy testing was successfully completed
- External tank separation camera interface verification is complete
- Payload premate testing completed Tuesday

[Chris Bergin]

Heck, we should update this:

As per L2:

Critical path is mid-body, mostly on radiator retract hose box removal (have removed and de-serviced all this).  <---this is one of the last remaining issues relating to STS-122 also, as they need to inspect Atlantis to ensure she doesn't have the same issue (will be part of an upcoming article, though I've written about it previously).

124 Cavitys being put through TPS work. 62 completed already.

[rdale]

April 3, Thursday

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. EDT - STS-124 Preflight Briefings - JSC (Public and Media Channels)