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#200
by
stockman
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:06
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28 miles to go and descending
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#201
by
stockman
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:12
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9 miles out - 2900 feet.. should be landing soon
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#202
by
xlr82v2
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:17
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Could someone possibly refresh my memory...
Why do they cruise at only 15000 feet enroute?
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#203
by
stockman
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:20
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Arrived...
Welcome to Lackland Afb Arpt (KSKF)
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#204
by
stockman
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:21
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Could someone possibly refresh my memory...
Why do they cruise at only 15000 feet enroute?
Not an expert by any means (so others can correct me) but one thing that comes to mind is the temperature - gets VERY cold at 35000 feet and the orbiter is not powered - may be other reasons as well..
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#205
by
rdale
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:21
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Why do they cruise at only 15000 feet enroute?
Temps. Go back a page and check my link to the story on how they determine flight path / landing sites / etc
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#206
by
MichaelJP
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:30
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New to this forum and have been following STS-125 with great interest.
My question is about the SCA - I know it adds drag but does having the shuttle on board add significant lift for the combination? Or is the angle of attack too low?
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#207
by
collectSPACE
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:31
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@NASA: "Expected to leave for Columbus, MS at 11am CST and arrive there at 1pm CST."
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#208
by
MarsMethanogen
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:33
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Why do they cruise at only 15000 feet enroute?
Temps. Go back a page and check my link to the story on how they determine flight path / landing sites / etc
I went back to your link that you refer to and read the blog. It states,
The Orbiter cannot be exposed to temperatures less than 15 F either in flight or on the ground and the Orbiter cannot fly at an altitude where the pressure is less than 8 psia. These requirements typically limit our altitude to an 11,000 to 16,000 ft range.
I get the part about the rain potentially damaging the tiles, but can someone explain why the orbiter cannot be exposed to tempatures less than 15 F? Also, why can the orbiter not be exposed to pressure less than 8 psia? It's a spacecraft, for heaven's sake! And it's exposed to those low pressures seconds on its climb up the hill. What am I missing here?
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#209
by
xlr82v2
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:35
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Thanks guys for the memory refresh.
And MarsMethanogen, thanks for asking that for me!!
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#210
by
rdale
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:35
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@NASA: "Expected to leave for Columbus, MS at 11am CST and arrive there at 1pm CST."
Probably just a typo - I assume 11am CDT to 1pm CDT.
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#211
by
rdale
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:38
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can someone explain why the orbiter cannot be exposed to tempatures less than 15 F? Also, why can the orbiter not be exposed to pressure less than 8 psia? It's a spacecraft, for heaven's sake! And it's exposed to those low pressures seconds on its climb up the hill. What am I missing here?
It has power and heat and pressurization when it's in space. Turn off all the system when in orbit, and you quickly have a dead orbiter.
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#212
by
MarsMethanogen
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:39
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@NASA: "Expected to leave for Columbus, MS at 11am CST and arrive there at 1pm CST."
Probably just a typo - I assume 11am CDT to 1pm CDT.
What facility in Columbus will they be using?
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#213
by
Fusionlattice
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:40
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Howdy all. Here are some pictures I took as they landed this morning! You can see all the lovely C-5's in the background. It is a bit overcast here but it is clearing nicely. ENJOY!
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#214
by
rdale
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:42
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#215
by
MarsMethanogen
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:42
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Great shots! Has my first post on the Forum beat all to heck!
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#216
by
Jim
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:43
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I get the part about the rain potentially damaging the tiles, but can someone explain why the orbiter cannot be exposed to tempatures less than 15 F? Also, why can the orbiter not be exposed to pressure less than 8 psia? It's a spacecraft, for heaven's sake! And it's exposed to those low pressures seconds on its climb up the hill. What am I missing here?
The orbiter is unpowered and therefore the many heaters are inactive. Hydrazine freezes at 1 C. As for pressures, the same applies, there is no electrical power for vents.
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#217
by
Lawntonlookirs
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:54
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Up on flightware that depart 11:10 CDT for Columbus AFB arriving at 1:18 CDT
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#218
by
rdale
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:54
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#219
by
xlr82v2
on 02 Jun, 2009 14:55
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Thanks Jim for the more informative answers. I wasn't aware that they ferried the orbiter with it unpowered/inert...
I would think that if they could keep the temp critical systems powered up and warm, it sure would open a lot more options for them as far as weather since they could climb to much more efficient altitudes and get above most of the weather instead of having to pick through it.
Why not power up one or 2 of the fuel cells, or have the SCA provide power to the orbiter? I know there are reasons... I just don't know what they are.
The orbiter sure is more delicate than my Learjet that I fly!
Thanks!
