LIVE: STS-122 Flight Day 2 - Inspection Day

• LIVE: STS-122 Flight Day 2 - Inspection Day by jacqmans on 08 Feb, 2008 08:12
• Flight Day 2 coverage of STS-122.
  
  First post to be updated as and when needed.
  
  Rules: Only relevant updates should go in here.
  
  Images: Images are great, but let's not go crazy unless it's a nice new updated view. Two images per post please.
  
  

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• #1 by jacqmans on 08 Feb, 2008 08:21

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• #2 by JesseD on 08 Feb, 2008 08:51
• Good morning crew! Peter Gabriel for the wakeup music.
• #3 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 09:08
• >Peter Gabriel<
  
  About as near as the British get into space
• #4 by ArielGold on 08 Feb, 2008 09:09

• Daily Execute Packages for the crew will be posted here. Day 2 is up.
   

   

• #5 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 10:51
• Latest article based on the opening ascent images (L2 exclusive 30 mins after MECO, but included a couple into this article).
  
  http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5351
• #6 by eeergo on 08 Feb, 2008 11:02
• We are now settled in space, and nothing better to start a nice day than an image of the RMS during checkout with beautiful Earth behind.

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• #7 by Andy_Small on 08 Feb, 2008 11:02
• Arm is in motion.  Going thru it's check out

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• #8 by Andy_Small on 08 Feb, 2008 11:07
• flight deck video soon!

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• #9 by Andy_Small on 08 Feb, 2008 11:11
• nc 2 BURN PAD going on board now
• #10 by eeergo on 08 Feb, 2008 11:12
• NC-2 burn is with the right OMS, delta-v 7.8 (not sure if it's mph or m/s)
• #11 by psloss on 08 Feb, 2008 11:14
• Quote

  eeergo - 8/2/2008  7:12 AM
  
  NC-2 burn is with the right OMS, delta-v 7.8 (not sure if it's mph or m/s)

  Feet per second.
  
  TIG is MET 00/16:57:14.1, or 11:42:44 UTC
  
• #12 by JesseD on 08 Feb, 2008 11:14
• the burn being scheduled has a deltaV total of 7.8 fps, scheduled for 7.42AM EST
  
  edit: AK... too slow! : :laugh:
• #13 by eeergo on 08 Feb, 2008 11:34

• Atlantis' crew has reported they found yesterday the SSV cables and now have good video. Now passing over Japan.

  Thanks for the correction

• #14 by psloss on 08 Feb, 2008 11:36
• That's SSV, which stands for sequential still video.
• #15 by eeergo on 08 Feb, 2008 11:36
• CBS and MSNBC interviews with Tani and Peggy are starting.

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• #16 by eeergo on 08 Feb, 2008 12:00

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• #17 by eeergo on 08 Feb, 2008 12:19
• Have they changed the orbiter's cameras? The colors look extremely good to me, better than in previous missions...

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• #18 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:19
• At school, can rely on video for updates, but no pictures, unless they come from chan2large.
  
  
  RMS going in for grapple of the OBSS:

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• #19 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:22
• RMS closer to grapple of the OBSS:

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• #20 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:24
• David, they must have done something.  These colors are outstanding!

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• #21 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:28

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• #22 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:29
• MCC is happy with OBSS heating config, Atlantis pressing on with step 3.

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• #23 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 12:32
• pre-grabble:

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• #24 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:32
• Holy cow, either I lagged, or that RMS moved faster than ever before!
  
  RMS now at PRE-GRAPPLE position.
• #25 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:32
• Grapple!

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• #26 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 12:36

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• #27 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:37
• 3500NM behind the ISS, closing around 500NM per orbit.

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• #28 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:39
• MCC likes current grapple config, go to unberth!

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• #29 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 12:44
• OBSS Unbearthing

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• #30 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:44
• Missed the start of unberthing, but here it is!

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• #31 by on 08 Feb, 2008 12:47
• Have they updated the camera quality?  They look extremely better than previous missions.
• #32 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:49
• Quote

  Justin Wheat - 8/2/2008  8:47 AM
  
  Have they updated the camera quality?  They look extremely better than previous missions.

  
  They appear to be HD to me.  I'm noticing the "flicker" of watching a HD show on a non-HD feed.
  
  
  OBSS has not moved yet, from the unberthed position.

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• #33 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 12:52

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• #34 by ntschke on 08 Feb, 2008 12:52
• Yes, I believe the video from most of yesterday's launch and today's activities all seem to be "down-converted" from HD to display on ED feed.
  
  Which is the current checklist they're going against in preps for OBSS and TPS inspections?
  
  Thanks
• #35 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 12:55
• Atlantis and her crew now moving into orbital night.

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• #36 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 12:59
• Quote

  ntschke - 8/2/2008  1:52 PM
  
  Yes, I believe the video from most of yesterday's launch and today's activities all seem to be "down-converted" from HD to display on ED feed.
  
  Which is the current checklist they're going against in preps for OBSS and TPS inspections?
  
  Thanks

  
  Robotics, I believe. Let me check (or someone more savvy on the checklists can beat me to it).
• #37 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 13:01
• Looks like a shot of the right (starboard) OMS pod.  [small]Not too good with all that port and starboard speak.  Someone can fill me in later.  [/small]
  
  EDIT:  Thank you, Chris.  Gotta write it across my forehead now.   :bleh:
  EDIT2: Time to go to class.  Good luck with inspections!

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• #38 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 13:04
• Quote

  Ford Mustang - 8/2/2008  2:01 PM
    [small]Not too good with all that port and starboard speak.  Someone can fill me in later.  [/small]

  
  Port is left and starboard is right.
• #39 by marktowler on 08 Feb, 2008 13:10
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 8/2/2008  2:04 PM
  
  

  Quote

  Ford Mustang - 8/2/2008  2:01 PM
    [small]Not too good with all that port and starboard speak.  Someone can fill me in later.  [/small]

  
  Port is left and starboard is right.

  
  This method should help to memory which side is port or starboard.
  
  "Port" and "left" are 4 letters words. Otherwise it is starboard.
  
  Hope this will help to remind
  
• #40 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 13:15

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• #41 by psloss on 08 Feb, 2008 13:20
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 8/2/2008  9:04 AM
  
  

  Quote

  Ford Mustang - 8/2/2008  2:01 PM
    [small]Not too good with all that port and starboard speak.  Someone can fill me in later.  [/small]

  
  Port is left and starboard is right.

  Is that stage left and stage right?   That's what always screws me up...
  
• #42 by jbirdav8r on 08 Feb, 2008 13:24
• Quote

  psloss - 8/2/2008  8:20 AM
  
  

  Quote

  Chris Bergin - 8/2/2008  9:04 AM
  
  

  Quote

  Ford Mustang - 8/2/2008  2:01 PM
    [small]Not too good with all that port and starboard speak.  Someone can fill me in later.  [/small]

  
  Port is left and starboard is right.

  Is that stage left and stage right?   That's what always screws me up...
  

  
  Say you're looking at the Orbiter on the pad from the front--starboard is the right side of the vehicle and port is the left.
• #43 by Celebrimbor on 08 Feb, 2008 13:30
• Surely, its with reference to direction of travel in combination with the clear definition of nadir and zenith. So with head pointing zenith and going forwards, port is left.
  
  EDIT: but then if direction of travel IS zenith... then... oh I don't know
• #44 by haywoodfloyd on 08 Feb, 2008 13:30
• Port and Left have the same number of letters.
  
  You can also use that for the green and red lights on vehicles...remember Red Port Wine.
  
  
• #45 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 13:39

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• #46 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 13:44

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• #47 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 13:44

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• #48 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 13:48

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• #49 by ntschke on 08 Feb, 2008 13:52

• Quote

  Gary - 8/2/2008 9:32 AM

  Quote

  marktowler - 8/2/2008 2:10 PM This method should help to memory which side is port or starboard. "Port" and "left" are 4 letters words. Otherwise it is starboard. Hope this will help to remind

  For a bit of history - Port is left because the port drink is PASSED to the left at dinner. The port light is red because port is red. Port replaced larboard on sailing ships because larboard and starboard where too easy to confuse.

  OK, but the crew can't drink booze...so they'll have NO clue where they're going.  Call the BBC Chris, tell them THIS is the story they've been waiting for..."Without alcohol, shuttle/ISS crews doomed"

  BTW, I believe I found the RMS-related checklist (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/flightdatafiles/index.html) under STS-122 mission specific files.  I did fine a generic one on here as well but not sure what the difference is.

• #50 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 13:57

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• #51 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 13:59

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• #52 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 14:02

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• #53 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 14:05

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• #54 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 14:08
• About 40 minutes left on the Starboard Wing Survey. Looks very clean, but as we say on each mission - what we see on the screen is not exactly what they get on the ground, but you'd likely see something obvious.
• #55 by pippin on 08 Feb, 2008 14:08
• Quote

  OK, but the crew can't drink booze...so they'll have NO clue where they're going.  Call the BBC Chris, tell them THIS is the story they've been waiting for..."Without alcohol, shuttle/ISS crews doomed"

  Didn't we have this cultural thingy half a year ago ;-) ?
• #56 by Jim on 08 Feb, 2008 14:10
• Quote

  Gary - 8/2/2008  9:32 AM
  
  For a bit of history - Port is left because the port drink is PASSED to the left at dinner. The port light is red because port is red.
  
  Port replaced larboard on sailing ships because larboard and starboard where too easy to confuse.
  

  
  You are mixing definitions. Port is on the left because that is where the ship moored, opposite of the "steerboard"
• #57 by pippin on 08 Feb, 2008 14:15
• Quote

  Jim - 8/2/2008  4:10 PM
  
  

  Quote

  Gary - 8/2/2008  9:32 AM
  
  For a bit of history - Port is left because the port drink is PASSED to the left at dinner. The port light is red because port is red.
  
  Port replaced larboard on sailing ships because larboard and starboard where too easy to confuse.
  

  
  You are mixing definitions. Port is on the left because that is where the ship moored, opposite of the "steerboard"

  Can't be. The other explanation sounded way more realistic ;-)
• #58 by stan on 08 Feb, 2008 14:21
• At the risk of thread drift..
  Starboard derives from the days of double-ended ships before rudders were hung on the centerline.  I believe it came into the Engish language through the danish and norsk invaders. The steering oar used to be hung from the aft, "steerboard" side.  The other side, the larboard side, was usually the side of the ship that was placed against the wharf.  If I remember correctly from my merchant shipping days, the Norwegians still use the term "larboard".
  
  
• #59 by ntschke on 08 Feb, 2008 14:28

• Actually this is all very interesting...and is a good way to pass the time during one of the less-exciting portions of most shuttle missions-TPS inspections.

   

• #60 by zappafrank on 08 Feb, 2008 14:33
• Easiest way to remember, port has 4 letters, so does left.
  
  You will never forget it.
• #61 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 14:39

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• #62 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 14:41

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• #63 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 14:44

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• #64 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 15:18
• Btw ISS coming over Europe momentarily
  
  Shtuttle Airlock

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• #65 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 15:19

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• #66 by kimmern123 on 08 Feb, 2008 15:22
• Quote

  stan - 8/2/2008  4:21 PM
  
  At the risk of thread drift..
  Starboard derives from the days of double-ended ships before rudders were hung on the centerline.  I believe it came into the Engish language through the danish and norsk invaders. The steering oar used to be hung from the aft, "steerboard" side.  The other side, the larboard side, was usually the side of the ship that was placed against the wharf.  If I remember correctly from my merchant shipping days, the Norwegians still use the term "larboard".
  
  

  
  This is a bit off topic but anyway   . We don't say "larboard" in Norway, but it's not that far from the actual word. Port is called "babord" and starboard is "styrbord" (directly translated, steerboard)
  
  Okay, now back to the TPS-inspections
• #67 by stan on 08 Feb, 2008 15:44
• 
  Thanks for the correction.  It has been 37 years since I spent a summer working on a Norwegian freighter, and I have forgotten almost all the Norwegian I learned back then.
• #68 by ApolloLee on 08 Feb, 2008 15:46
• OK.... I'm issuing a challenge... How can they make TPS-Inspections more exciting?
  
  I vote for painting random bingo numbers throughout the spacecraft so we can all play TPS inspection bingo at home...
  
• #69 by pippin on 08 Feb, 2008 15:53
• Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  5:46 PM
  
  OK.... I'm issuing a challenge... How can they make TPS-Inspections more exciting?
  
  I vote for painting random bingo numbers throughout the spacecraft so we can all play TPS inspection bingo at home...
  

  They DO. Haven't you found them?
• #70 by psloss on 08 Feb, 2008 15:54
• Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  11:46 AM
  
  OK.... I'm issuing a challenge... How can they make TPS-Inspections more exciting?
  
  I vote for painting random bingo numbers throughout the spacecraft so we can all play TPS inspection bingo at home...
  

  It's a necessary part of the mission.  Why does it have to be exciting?
  
• #71 by nathan.moeller on 08 Feb, 2008 15:56
• Quote

  psloss - 8/2/2008  10:54 AM
  
  

  Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  11:46 AM
  
  OK.... I'm issuing a challenge... How can they make TPS-Inspections more exciting?
  
  I vote for painting random bingo numbers throughout the spacecraft so we can all play TPS inspection bingo at home...
  

  It's a necessary part of the mission.  Why does it have to be exciting?
  

  
  I could be way off base but I can't help but think he was kidding
• #72 by ApolloLee on 08 Feb, 2008 15:59
• Quote

  psloss - 8/2/2008  8:54 AM
  
  
  It's a necessary part of the mission.  Why does it have to be exciting?
  

  
  
  Understood..... just trying to break the monotony.... I'm certainly not really suggesting they turn a vital part of the mission into an excuse for bingo....
  
  Though if they want to use the tiles to have people answer trivia questions that start with certain letters like "Blockbusters," that's fine with me.....
  
  
• #73 by elmarko on 08 Feb, 2008 16:13
• Some people need to lighten up
• #74 by psloss on 08 Feb, 2008 16:15
• Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  11:59 AM
  
  

  Quote

  psloss - 8/2/2008  8:54 AM
  It's a necessary part of the mission.  Why does it have to be exciting?
  

  Understood..... just trying to break the monotony....
  

  Understood as well...but also understand that several parts of the shuttle missions are very monotonous.  Monotonous doesn't have to mean boring -- though I'm sure it is boring to many people (I doubt they'd spend a lot of time on this site).  The inspections may not be continuously engaging, either, but that doesn't mean I'm disinterested.
  
• #75 by Mark Nguyen on 08 Feb, 2008 16:20
• Funny, I was told that when a ship was at port, you'd better see the stars from the other side of the boat than the side where you had to deal with all the lights of the city. Hence, starboard...
  
  Mark
• #76 by Oli4 on 08 Feb, 2008 16:27
• Lets end this discussion
  
  Port and starboard
  Port and starboard are shipboard terms for left and right, respectively. Confusing those two could cause a ship wreck. In Old England, the starboard was the steering paddle or rudder, and ships were always steered from the right side on the back of the vessel. Larboard referred to the left side, the side on which the ship was loaded. So how did larboard become port? Shouted over the noise of the wind and the waves, larboard and starboard sounded too much alike. The word port means the opening in the "left" side of the ship from which cargo was unloaded. Sailors eventually started using the term to refer to that side of the ship. Use of the term "port" was officially adopted by the U.S. Navy by General Order, 18 February 1846.
  
• #77 by Analyst on 08 Feb, 2008 16:29
• Quote

  psloss - 8/2/2008  5:54 PM
  
  It's a necessary part of the mission.  Why does it have to be exciting?
  

  
  Isn't the whole return to the moon thing mostly because "going around in circles" is so boring?
  
  The public needs something exiting: be it a gapfiller, some foam falling, a solar array blanket repair or the first lunar landing after Apollo. They will turn away the second time. You eigher accept space missions - manned or unmanned - can be boring, or you jump from one target to another just to keep the public exited (and the big tax payer money coming). I vote for the first option. Going around in LEO is not boring at all, at least not more boring than the 20th lunar surface EVA or the fifth lunar landing. But this is just me.
  
  Analyst
• #78 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 16:39
• There's always a number of ROIs (Regions Of Interest) from an OBSS Survey, but so far we're hearing they've really not seen anything of real interest so far...so that's good.
• #79 by William Barton on 08 Feb, 2008 16:40
• Quote

  Analyst - 8/2/2008  12:29 PM
  
  

  Quote

  psloss - 8/2/2008  5:54 PM
  
  It's a necessary part of the mission.  Why does it have to be exciting?
  

  
  Isn't the whole return to the moon thing mostly because "going around in circles" is so boring?
  
  The public needs something exiting: be it a gapfiller, some foam falling, a solar array blanket repair or the first lunar landing after Apollo. They will turn away the second time. You eigher accept space missions - manned or unmanned - can be boring, or you jump from one target to another just to keep the public exited (and the big tax payer money coming). I vote for the first option. Going around in LEO is not boring at all, at least not more boring than the 20th lunar surface EVA or the fifth lunar landing. But this is just me.
  
  Analyst

  
  That's sounds rational, but unless your secret identity is Bill Gates, that big taxpayer money has to be justified to the big taxpayer, whose got a lot of hands in his pocket.
• #80 by James Lowe1 on 08 Feb, 2008 16:49
• Ok everyone. No more posts that are not specific to this flight day.
• #81 by triddirt on 08 Feb, 2008 17:00
• Caught an Interesting exchange just now re CO2 Levels higher than expected... Checking for Obstructions on LIOH canisters..
• #82 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 17:59
• Quote

  triddirt - 8/2/2008  6:00 PM
  
  Caught an Interesting exchange just now re CO2 Levels higher than expected... Checking for Obstructions on LIOH canisters..

  
  Interesting. I believe we saw LIOH mentioned a few times by the PRCB. Lemme check..
• #83 by jmjawors on 08 Feb, 2008 18:06
• I think there was some sort of tape on those canisters causing an obstruction.  It's since been removed and all is well (at least there's been no more talk about it).
• #84 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 18:08
• Ah, the previous discussion about LiOH was with regards to the dust hazard.
  
  Here's a good image of them from that PRCB presentation anyway:

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• #85 by psloss on 08 Feb, 2008 18:37
• PAO (Pat Ryan with Orbit 2 for this mission) just noting that the mission status briefing and the post MMT briefings are going to be "combined" at the top of the hour (3 pm Eastern).
• #86 by jarthur on 08 Feb, 2008 18:59
• Quote

  psloss - 8/2/2008  12:37 PM
  
  PAO (Pat Ryan with Orbit 2 for this mission) just noting that the mission status briefing and the post MMT briefings are going to be "combined" at the top of the hour (3 pm Eastern).

  
  They must not have had much to talk about. A good sign.
• #87 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 19:06

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• #88 by Felix on 08 Feb, 2008 19:12
• Shannon:
  "The vehicle could not be performing better"
  
  Debris report:
  "Absolutely nothing of interest [..] Extremely clean launch"
  
  SRB videos are expected to come in on Wednesday
• #89 by PaulyFirmbiz on 08 Feb, 2008 19:25
• I love the SRB videos.. really dramatic POV givin the relativly short time they capture the launch itself. But as a video editor and someone that loves to be anul.. I Recorded the launch video via the ET and brought it into my Final Cut Program on the mac and went frame for frame.. the take performed wonderfuly
• #90 by PaulyFirmbiz on 08 Feb, 2008 19:25
• Quote

  PaulyFirmbiz - 8/2/2008  2:25 PM
  
  the take performed wonderfuly

  
  Tank i mean lol :bleh:
• #91 by jimmiemac on 08 Feb, 2008 19:33
• Anyone else notice how all the PAO commentators are making an effort to pause their commentary when space/ground communications take place?  This is a welcome change and a big improvement from earlier missions.
• #92 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 19:35
• Back with a live shot of Atlantis on orbit.

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• #93 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 19:49
• Atlantis closing in on the ISS by about 500 Nautical Miles per orbit (every 90 minutes).  Has caught up a lot since this morning!!

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• #94 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 19:55
• NASA TV now playing a "Columbus Intro" video, provided from the ESA:

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• #95 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 19:56
• Say this name 10 times fast!

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• #96 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 19:58
• And now back with a live shot of Atlantis, and Columbus's new home, starting Sunday:

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• #97 by eeergo on 08 Feb, 2008 20:00

• Quote

  Ford Mustang - 8/2/2008 9:56 PM Say this name 10 times fast!

  I really don't want to dribble... :laugh:

  Relaxing in the ISS:

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• #98 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 20:16
• EVA1 and 2 spacewalkers in the first image, while EVA3 walkers in the second.

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• #99 by Chandonn on 08 Feb, 2008 20:22
• Quote

  jimmiemac - 8/2/2008  3:33 PM
  
  Anyone else notice how all the PAO commentators are making an effort to pause their commentary when space/ground communications take place?  This is a welcome change and a big improvement from earlier missions.

  
  THey must have heard our comments regarding that on the last few flights...  
• #100 by eeergo on 08 Feb, 2008 21:03

• Centerline camera installed in the ODS, Atlantis' crew reports. Now comes the orbiter docking ring extension. NC-3 coming up in 20 minutes too.

  And great view of the radiators and RS of the ISS:

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• #101 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 21:21
• 3 minutes from the NC3 burn.  Maneuver for Atlantis finishing up.
• #102 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 21:23
• Atlantis is now in proper attitude.  30 seconds until the 10 second NC3 burn.
• #103 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 21:24
• PROP console reports burn started.
  
  
  Good burn!  No trim required.  

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• #104 by Spiff on 08 Feb, 2008 21:38
• Ok, this may have to go in the Q&A section, but on the other hand maybe not... Anyway....
  
  The PAO commentator kept talking before and after the NC3 burn about it increasing Atlantis velocity and so increasing the speed of approach. However, to my best knowledge of orbital mechanics, (which I admit isn't very large,) increasing something's velocity in orbit will cause its orbit to take longer (the whole raise apogee by increasing velocity at perigee stuff...) Thus Atlantis should catch up less fast with the station.
  
  What am I missing?
  
• #105 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 21:40
• Orbiter Docking Ring has been extended!
• #106 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 21:42
• Atlantis is behaving really well. No issues of any note, and then issues that are noted have things like: "Probably important enough to put in the FD2 MMT charts - at least to decide whether to keep it in there or not."
• #107 by Andrewwski on 08 Feb, 2008 21:42
• Wow...according to my local news:
  
  "As the space shuttle Atlantis orbits the Space Station..."
• #108 by Jim on 08 Feb, 2008 21:43
• Don't PAO literally
• #109 by dember on 08 Feb, 2008 21:45
• Columbus control centre up and running.
• #110 by psloss on 08 Feb, 2008 21:45
• Running ascent flight deck video replay now...

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• #111 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 21:45
• Looks like ascent from inside orbiter now:

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• #112 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 21:49
• Looking out the overhead windows:
  
  Picture 2: Open visors!

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• #113 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 21:55
• MECO!

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• #114 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 22:00
• We were supposed to see Payload Bay Door opening, but just some video of the KU Band Antenna deploy:

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• #115 by psloss on 08 Feb, 2008 22:01
• Here comes payload bay door opening now...
• #116 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 22:02
• Payload Bay Door opening, starboard first!

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• #117 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 22:05
• Now comes port!
  
  PAO:  Atlantis now open for business.

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• #118 by JohnV on 08 Feb, 2008 22:06
• Is it standard for the starboard door to open part way, re-close, then completely open?  Just curious since the port door didn't seem to follow the same pattern.
  
  EDIT:  Thought maybe it was to test the reversal of the drive assembly, but when the port door didn't seem to do the same thing it made me wonder.
• #119 by Ford Mustang on 08 Feb, 2008 22:07
• Now cameras looking directly into the RMS end effector camera:

  ---

  

  
• #120 by ChrisC on 08 Feb, 2008 22:18
• Quote

  JohnV - 8/2/2008  6:06 PM
  Is it standard for the starboard door to open part way, re-close, then completely open?  Just curious since the port door didn't seem to follow the same pattern.

  That was tape deck shuttling.  They fast forwarded to the interesting part, then backed it up, then played back at regular speed.  You can tell because A) it did the motion reversal, B) the door moved WAY too fast, and C) you see macroblocking artifacts.  It's not really macroblocking (in the MPEG2 sense), but typical of shuttling DigiBeta decks, which is what I assume they're using.  Could be hard drive, of course, but it's still the same thing.  Overshoot the start, go back, play.
  
• #121 by ntschke on 08 Feb, 2008 22:21

• Quote

  Spiff - 8/2/2008 5:38 PM Ok, this may have to go in the Q&A section, but on the other hand maybe not... Anyway.... The PAO commentator kept talking before and after the NC3 burn about it increasing Atlantis velocity and so increasing the speed of approach. However, to my best knowledge of orbital mechanics, (which I admit isn't very large,) increasing something's velocity in orbit will cause its orbit to take longer (the whole raise apogee by increasing velocity at perigee stuff...) Thus Atlantis should catch up less fast with the station. What am I missing?

  I'm curious about this too.  the higher the satellite, the longer it will take to complete 1 orbit right? (just like the furhter out a planet is)l.  So if the burn was in the plus x direction they're in effect  raising the altitude in order to catch/raise up to ISS.  Right?

  Any experts want to enlighten us?

• #122 by Jim on 08 Feb, 2008 22:28
• my reply stills applicable.  PAO simplifies things
• #123 by Avron on 08 Feb, 2008 22:35
• Quote

  Jim - 8/2/2008  6:28 PM
  
  my reply stills applicable.  PAO simplifies things

  
  
  Slowing down in closing with the ISS, yes?
• #124 by Jim on 08 Feb, 2008 22:38
• "increasing Atlantis velocity and so increasing the speed of approach"
  
  in this point.  one half can only be true
• #125 by ApolloLee on 08 Feb, 2008 22:43
• Marcia Dunn never fails.... (though mind you, writers don't usually write the headlines)
  
  Headline of Dunn's AP shuttle right now: Astronauts check shuttle for damage
  
  Atlantis is doomed
• #126 by nathan.moeller on 08 Feb, 2008 22:45
• Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  5:43 PM
  
  Marcia Dunn never fails.... (though mind you, writers don't usually write the headlines)
  
  Headline of Dunn's AP shuttle right now: Astronauts check shuttle for damage
  
  Atlantis is doomed

  
  Dunn is not a journalist in my book.  Just ignore her.  Anyway, sounds like a great report so far from the higher-ups.
• #127 by Avron on 08 Feb, 2008 22:53
• Quote

  nathan.moeller - 8/2/2008  6:45 PM
  
  

  Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  5:43 PM
  
  Marcia Dunn never fails.... (though mind you, writers don't usually write the headlines)
  
  Headline of Dunn's AP shuttle right now: Astronauts check shuttle for damage
  
  Atlantis is doomed

  
  Dunn is not a journalist in my book.  Just ignore her.  Anyway, sounds like a great report so far from the higher-ups.

  
  
  And thus no news for AP's view of the world -- need a story of doom
• #128 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 23:02
• Needs to be said that technically they did check Atlantis for damage, that's what the inspections are for, and it was probably a subeditor who wrote the headline - which was loaded, as Joe Public would read that and might assume there's damage to check for...
• #129 by Lee Jay on 08 Feb, 2008 23:07
• Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  4:43 PM
  Headline of Dunn's AP shuttle right now: Astronauts check shuttle for damage

  
  Ummmm....isn't that what they were doing?
• #130 by Avron on 08 Feb, 2008 23:13
• Quote

  Lee Jay - 8/2/2008  7:07 PM
  
  

  Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  4:43 PM
  Headline of Dunn's AP shuttle right now: Astronauts check shuttle for damage

  
  Ummmm....isn't that what they were doing?

  
  Could be "Clean launch for Shuttle "or "shuttle problem board is clear"
• #131 by Chris Bergin on 08 Feb, 2008 23:16
• Quote

  Avron - 8/2/2008  12:13 AM
  
  

  Quote

  Lee Jay - 8/2/2008  7:07 PM
  
  

  Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  4:43 PM
  Headline of Dunn's AP shuttle right now: Astronauts check shuttle for damage

  
  Ummmm....isn't that what they were doing?

  
  Could be "Clean launch for Shuttle "or "shuttle problem board is clear"

  
  Works for a space flight specific site like us, but mass media are about getting eyeballs, and that's why the headline is as they've got it. Doesn't mean it's right, but that's how it is.
  
  I've worked mass media. You wouldn't believe how much a subeditor can angle your copy to grab eyeballs.
• #132 by DaveS on 08 Feb, 2008 23:20
• Quote

  Ford Mustang - 8/2/2008  12:07 AM
  
  Now cameras looking directly into the RMS end effector camera:

  That's the EE camera. It's the EE itself! The camera+light fixture is mounted on top of the EE cylinder.
• #133 by ntschke on 08 Feb, 2008 23:23

• Quote

  Jim - 8/2/2008 6:28 PM my reply stills applicable. PAO simplifies things

  Your reply didn't answer the question.  If you don't want to that's fine...just trying to determine if the vehicle is actually "speeding up" to compensate for the higher (and larger) orbit or if there are other factors involved.

• #134 by MKremer on 08 Feb, 2008 23:32
• Quote

  Avron - 8/2/2008  6:13 PM
  
  

  Quote

  Lee Jay - 8/2/2008  7:07 PM
  
  

  Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  4:43 PM
  Headline of Dunn's AP shuttle right now: Astronauts check shuttle for damage

  
  Ummmm....isn't that what they were doing?

  
  Could be "Clean launch for Shuttle "or "shuttle problem board is clear"

  
  Wire service reporters don't write the headlines for their stories (and don't have any control over what ends up as the headline).
  
• #135 by Jim on 08 Feb, 2008 23:34
• Quote

  ntschke - 8/2/2008  7:23 PM
  
  

  Quote

  Jim - 8/2/2008 6:28 PM my reply stills applicable. PAO simplifies things

  Your reply didn't answer the question.  If you don't want to that's fine...just trying to determine if the vehicle is actually "speeding up" to compensate for the higher (and larger) orbit or if there are other factors involved.

  
  Can't answer it.  Don't know the actual direction of the burn.
  
  It physically can't speed up in a higher orbit.  For a each point in a given orbit, velocity and altitude are fixed.  change the velocity and it changes the orbit
  
  A  positive burn would result in a higher orbit and therefore slower.
  
  Hence the confusion in what PAO said.
  
  
• #136 by MKremer on 08 Feb, 2008 23:41
• Quote

  ntschke - 8/2/2008  6:23 PM
  
  

  Quote

  Jim - 8/2/2008 6:28 PM my reply stills applicable. PAO simplifies things

  Your reply didn't answer the question.  If you don't want to that's fine...just trying to determine if the vehicle is actually "speeding up" to compensate for the higher (and larger) orbit or if there are other factors involved.

  
  Adding energy raises the apogee. The actual velocity in a higher orbit is slower than a lower orbit, even though it requires more energy (ie- acceleration from an engine or thruster) to get there.
  
  You can't go both higher and faster (that is, unless you want to escape Earth orbit altogether, or waste a whole bunch of fuel speeding to your higher target then braking to match velocities).
  
• #137 by Lee Jay on 08 Feb, 2008 23:47
• Quote

  Avron - 8/2/2008  5:13 PM
  
  

  Quote

  Lee Jay - 8/2/2008  7:07 PM
  
  

  Quote

  ApolloLee - 8/2/2008  4:43 PM
  Headline of Dunn's AP shuttle right now: Astronauts check shuttle for damage

  
  Ummmm....isn't that what they were doing?

  
  Could be "Clean launch for Shuttle "or "shuttle problem board is clear"

  
  Sure, but that doesn't describe today's activities.  The primary task for today was, in fact, to inspect the orbiter for damage.  So far, they haven't found any, and none was expected, but that doesn't mean they weren't looking for it - they were.
  
  I've seen some unbelievably bad headlines relating to Shuttle flights and ISS issues in the past.  This wasn't one of them.  It was more-or-less accurate, if a bit eye-ball catching.
• #138 by Ford Mustang on 09 Feb, 2008 00:32
• Someone's playing around with the RMS camera!   :bleh:

  ---

  

  

  
• #139 by Ford Mustang on 09 Feb, 2008 00:46
• Atlantis and her crew have now entered the official crew sleep period, ending Flight Day 2.
• #140 by apollo13 on 09 Feb, 2008 00:57
• Is the LiOH proposing a safety threat?
• #141 by Ford Mustang on 09 Feb, 2008 01:15
• Wave!

  ---

  
• #142 by MKremer on 09 Feb, 2008 01:47
• Quote

  apollo13 - 8/2/2008  7:57 PM
  
  Is the LiOH proposing a safety threat?

  
  Nope. Resolved. All the tape wasn't removed from the cannister openings when they were first installed. All OK now.
• #143 by ChrisC on 09 Feb, 2008 02:17
• FYI, the Flight Day Highlights package that they are running at the top of every hour (during crew sleep) is 15 minutes long.
  
• #144 by dember on 09 Feb, 2008 02:22
• They have enough consumables for an extension. If there was an extension it would only be by one day right?
• #145 by Ford Mustang on 09 Feb, 2008 02:24
• Quote

  dember - 8/2/2008  10:22 PM
  
  They have enough consumables for an extension. If there was an extension it would only be by one day right?

  
  Yes.
• #146 by JohnV on 09 Feb, 2008 03:00
• Quote

  ChrisC - 8/2/2008  5:18 PM
  
  

  Quote

  JohnV - 8/2/2008  6:06 PM
  Is it standard for the starboard door to open part way, re-close, then completely open?  Just curious since the port door didn't seem to follow the same pattern.

  That was tape deck shuttling.  They fast forwarded to the interesting part, then backed it up, then played back at regular speed.  You can tell because A) it did the motion reversal, B) the door moved WAY too fast, and C) you see macroblocking artifacts.  It's not really macroblocking (in the MPEG2 sense), but typical of shuttling DigiBeta decks, which is what I assume they're using.  Could be hard drive, of course, but it's still the same thing.  Overshoot the start, go back, play.
  

  
  Ahh, ok, thanks.  I thought it was kind of odd.  I didn't notice any speed oddities, mainly because the internet connection I was on does strange things anyway.
  
  Thanks again!
• #147 by ChrisC on 09 Feb, 2008 04:57
• Yeah, well, I was watching it straight off the NASA satellite feed  The only way you're going to get higher quality than that is to sit in their TV control room ...
  
• #148 by Spiff on 09 Feb, 2008 08:39
• Quote

  Jim - 9/2/2008 1:34 AM

  Quote

  ntschke - 8/2/2008 7:23 PM

  Quote

  Jim - 8/2/2008 6:28 PM my reply stills applicable. PAO simplifies things

  Your reply didn't answer the question. If you don't want to that's fine...just trying to determine if the vehicle is actually "speeding up" to compensate for the higher (and larger) orbit or if there are other factors involved.

  Can't answer it. Don't know the actual direction of the burn. It physically can't speed up in a higher orbit. For a each point in a given orbit, velocity and altitude are fixed. change the velocity and it changes the orbit A positive burn would result in a higher orbit and therefore slower. Hence the confusion in what PAO said.

   Ok, glad to know that my knowledge of orbital mechanics is enough to understand that PAO's statement couldn't make sense. Even if I didn't trust my own judgement.

  Thanks everyone for your answers!

• #149 by Chris Bergin on 12 Feb, 2008 20:22
• Bump'n'lock to keep the running order..