Author Topic: SCRUB: STS-119: LAUNCH ATTEMPT 1 and interim processing coverage (Read 101320 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 03/11/2009 11:42 am »

Ok, here we go!

LIVE coverage and updates on Discovery's launch countdown (S0007) launch attempt 1.

This is interactive, but needs to be kept on updates. Use the other threads for items such as viewing the launch, weather and general woo hooing cheerleading posts. The site will get very busy as we get closer to launch, so please appreciate the thread needs to run on updates, not random posts.

Pre-launch article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/03/sts-119-in-prep-for-tanking-following-engineering-overview-for-crew/

The article is based on latest processing info from L2, which is also in live MMT level coverage, such as we'll live tanking updates via console. However, items of interest etc will be summarize into this thread and the pre-launch article.)

The article itself is also based on the power systems such as APUs, Fuel Cells and the SSMEs flying with Discovery, via FRR documentation, rather than writing up another mission outline for the tenth time.

Previous STS-119 articles:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/sts-119/ (and there's more articles, pre-site change, which you can find by searching STS-119 http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=STS-119)

Should Discovery launch, this thread will continue for Flight Day 1 updates. With new threads for each of the upcoming Flight Days.

Godspeed Discovery.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #1 on:** 03/11/2009 11:45 am »

Live shot of the aft end of the stack

cb6785 · « **Reply #2 on:** 03/11/2009 11:58 am »

Here's the planned NTV schedule for Launch and FlightDay 1 coverage:

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #3 on:** 03/11/2009 12:02 pm »

EDT, we switched sunday

EirikV · « **Reply #4 on:** 03/11/2009 12:09 pm »

We're approaching L-12 hrs.

Stunning picture:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1301.html

cb6785 · « **Reply #5 on:** 03/11/2009 12:55 pm »

And we're at T-6hours and HOLDING for two hours. (until 11.55am EDT)

Tasks for this hold include:

- Clear the blast danger area of all nonessential personnel

- Launch team verifies no violations of launch commit criteria prior to cryogenic loading of the external tank

- Clear pad of all personnel

Colds7ream · « **Reply #6 on:** 03/11/2009 01:03 pm »

...and the initiation of loading of cryogenic propellants following the cooling of the feed lines... :-)

cb6785 · « **Reply #7 on:** 03/11/2009 01:05 pm »

Quote from: Colds7ream on 03/11/2009 01:03 pm

...and the initiation of loading of cryogenic propellants following the cooling of the feed lines... :-)

Begin of tanking (LH2 slow fill) is actually scheduled for 12.05pm. 10min after the release of the hold. LOX slow fill is scheduled to start at 12.35pm.

psloss · « **Reply #8 on:** 03/11/2009 01:18 pm »

Those times are probably the soonest they would start chilldowns (given the slight changes after STS-118), but it won't happen until there's a go for tanking, and that could be given before or after the scheduled time. Chris and/or someone from the program usually gives a heads up on when "go for tanking" is given and then when all the chilldown/slow fill/low-level sensors covered events occur.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #9 on:** 03/11/2009 02:06 pm »

ET guys coming on console ahead of tanking.

Latest in works via L2:
Non Critical: Deck bolt issue, FOD issue, transducer issue, and A100739 high point bleed valve cycling issue.

New: FCS-3-36-0931 MINI CAM Intermittent connection problem and Right Hand SRB HPU B (Tilt) Isolation Valve Closed Indication. Also don't appear to be constraints.

marshallsplace · « **Reply #10 on:** 03/11/2009 02:14 pm »

Long range shot of pad 39A:

psloss · « **Reply #11 on:** 03/11/2009 02:18 pm »

Quote from: marshallsplace on 03/11/2009 02:14 pm

Long range shot of pad 39A:

From the roof of the VAB.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #12 on:** 03/11/2009 02:52 pm »

Current conditions at Naval Air Station Oceana, which is a shuttle launch abort site:

cb6785 · « **Reply #13 on:** 03/11/2009 02:55 pm »

T-6 hours and COUNTING!

Coming up are the tanking operations:

- Chill down propellant transfer lines (11:55 a.m.)

- Begin loading the external fuel tank with about 500,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants (about 12:05 p.m.)

Next BIH is at T-3 hours (2.55pm EDT)

rdale · « **Reply #14 on:** 03/11/2009 02:58 pm »

Go for tanking occurred at 11:15am EDT.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #15 on:** 03/11/2009 03:18 pm »

Tanking has started: LH2 chilldown complete, into slowfill.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #16 on:** 03/11/2009 03:40 pm »

Everything going well with tanking. LH2 ECOs went wet at the expected time, with good voltages.

If you're new and are puzzled as to what the importance of good ECOs are, click here: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2008/02/sts-122-atlantis-launches-endeavour-lon-doubt/ and scroll to the "STS-122 ECO related news content". We'll see you sometime next week after reading all those

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #17 on:** 03/11/2009 03:56 pm »

In fast fill. ECOs good through 5 percent and SIM test.

nomadd22 · « **Reply #18 on:** 03/11/2009 04:03 pm »

They're pretty sure that the ECO connections they soldered were the whole problem, right? I never did get straight if they actually saw the problem with a TDR or just hard wired the connector on a best guess.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #19 on:** 03/11/2009 04:07 pm »

They used an Atlas solution of soldering the connections in place from the LH2 feedthrough connector. That's where it was picking up the incorrect indictions - as opposed the ECO sensors themselves (although a previous "cherry pick the best ones" may have helped too).

Meanwhile NASA KSC just poked me in the back to get this video posted, so here it is:

(Video produced by the NASA Direct Web Studio at Kennedy Space Center)