LIVE: STS-122: LAUNCH and FLIGHT DAY 1

• #300 by nathan.moeller on 07 Feb, 2008 19:06
• Quote

  elmarko - 7/2/2008  2:03 PM
  
  "Spreading" ?

  
  The time-period shortly after launch when the crew and ground are out of communication with one another for about a minute or so.  I believe the ground can communicate to the crew, but the crew can't respond.
• #301 by nathan.moeller on 07 Feb, 2008 19:06
• Launch replays coming up on NASA TV.
• #302 by Avron on 07 Feb, 2008 19:06
• Looked great... Eh.. where is the IFR closest to the ET camera?
• #303 by gordo on 07 Feb, 2008 19:06
• I think the made a mess of the TV coverage, you would have thought they had it sorted by now, after all they know exactly whats going on.
• #304 by astrobrian on 07 Feb, 2008 19:07
• Awesome coverage to all , was stuck at work but had you guys up and running the whole day , many thanks
• #305 by haywoodfloyd on 07 Feb, 2008 19:07
• Why does the graphic show Atlantis flying backwards?
  
• #306 by nathan.moeller on 07 Feb, 2008 19:07
• Quote

  DaveS - 7/2/2008  2:06 PM
  
  

  Quote

  elmarko - 7/2/2008  9:02 PM
  
  There was an issue requiring no action from the crew, anyone catch it?
  
  Also, did they really roll the other way?

  Cabin DP/DT and yes. The roll to heads-up have been done for quite a while now!

  
  Yes, but they rolled the opposite direction this time.  Is was clockwise instead of counter clockwise.
• #307 by VB94 on 07 Feb, 2008 19:08
• Replays:

  ---

  

  
• #308 by Chris Bergin on 07 Feb, 2008 19:08
• Someone grab images of the replays please.
• #309 by VB94 on 07 Feb, 2008 19:09

• ---

  

  
• #310 by Felix on 07 Feb, 2008 19:09
• Page 3-7: ET UMBILICAL DOOR CLOSURE  in work
• #311 by eeergo on 07 Feb, 2008 19:09
• ET door closure in work.
• #312 by VB94 on 07 Feb, 2008 19:09

• ---

  

  
• #313 by VB94 on 07 Feb, 2008 19:10

• ---

  

  
• #314 by mikes on 07 Feb, 2008 19:11
• Quote

  Why does the graphic show Atlantis flying backwards?

  I believe she flys backwards to minimize risk of MMOD hits on the crew cabin, but doubtless someone who actually knows can confirm/correct.
  
  (edit: must stop calling her "it"!)
• #315 by VB94 on 07 Feb, 2008 19:11

• ---

  

  
• #316 by Chris Bergin on 07 Feb, 2008 19:12
• Good work VB!
• #317 by sts1canada on 07 Feb, 2008 19:12
• Quote

  nathan.moeller - 7/2/2008  2:56 PM
  
  Did anyone notice that they rolled the opposite way?  Very interesting.  Also, lots of debris shedding from the aft.  I'm assuming that's ice.  Saw a large chunk of what I'm sure was ice under the left wing at ET sep.  Beautiful flight!  Go Atlantis!

  
  Yes the guidance system on Atlantis will decide to roll to heads-up either rolling left or right to improve comm with the TDRS system through S-band only (KU is not available until the payload bay doors are open of course). This left or right roll to heads up decision is decided by the GPCs and is completely normal.
  
  We saw more ice coming from the aft of the vehicle this time as the sun was directly behind the ET/shuttle at ET sep and it highlighted the ice particles more than usual, once again completely normal.
  
  Richard
• #318 by psloss on 07 Feb, 2008 19:12
• Quote

  nathan.moeller - 7/2/2008  3:03 PM
  
  I agree.  It was a very back-lit scene, similar to STS-121.  Probably the best launch I've seen yet!  Just gorgeous.  Good luck Atlantis!  See you in a couple of weeks!

  Looking at ET sep on 121, this ascent takes that lighting pretty much to its extreme.  The ET camera was in the orbiter's shadow at MECO and Sun becomes visible after the orbiter separates.  On 121, the sun is just out of the field of view of the camera.
  
• #319 by VB94 on 07 Feb, 2008 19:12

• ---