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#60
by
LostInSpace
on 15 Sep, 2009 16:24
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The PRCB CR to accelerate the STS-129 launch date will be withdrawn; will now proceed towards a November 12, 2009 launch.
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#61
by
rdale
on 15 Sep, 2009 16:27
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Interesting news... The launch window ends on November 12 (13th if Atlas will move a day) - what are the odds they'll even bother trying for only one or at best two shots? Any reason why the CR was withdrawn?
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#62
by
LostInSpace
on 15 Sep, 2009 16:37
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They won't move the 5R/MRM2 launch/docking dates so yes, looks like only a 5 day launch window (12th-17th) unless they can renegotiate the range with Delta IV.
Isn't the Atlas now planned for Oct 30?
The potential range conflict is currently the Delta IV for Nov 17-20?
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#63
by
rdale
on 15 Sep, 2009 16:42
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Dual-docked ops constraint begins on the 13th then the Atlas V has the range per the latest on L2.
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#64
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 15 Sep, 2009 19:30
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Dual-docked ops constraint begins on the 13th then the Atlas V has the range per the latest on L2.
Is the dual docked ops constraint for MRM-2? They did not make that clear in the presentation on L2. If it because of MRM2, why withdraw the CR for Nov. 9?
Also, for someone in the know: If they're not off by November 12 (or just decide not to try for November at all now), when can they try again? I know the Soyuz TMA-17 launch has changed, as has the previous Soyuz undocking which has been scheduled for late-November.
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#65
by
The-Hammer
on 15 Sep, 2009 20:03
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View of one of the ELC's:
Per the FDRD and Delta-LSFR on L2 this is ELC-2. We are seeing the zenith side as it sits in the payload bay and the inboard side as it is mounted on the S3 truss.
The item in the top left is a High Pressure Gas Tank which will be installed on the Airlock during EVA 3.
The top right is a CMG, bottom right is a Cargo Transport Container which will store RPCMs.
The other two FRAMs will be vacant at launch.
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#66
by
The-Hammer
on 15 Sep, 2009 20:14
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Members of the STS-129 crew spend time in NASA Kennedy Space Center's Space Station Processing Facility looking over the payloads installed on the Express Logistics Carrier, or ELC. The crew is at Kennedy for a Crew Equipment Interface Test, which provides hands-on training and observation of shuttle and flight hardware.
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
Also per the FDRD and Delta LSFR on L2:
5079 is a view of ELC-2 from a different angle.
5074 is a view of ELC-1. We are seeing the top side as it sits in the payload bay and the outboard side as it sits on the P3 truss.
Foreground right is another CMG. Foreground left should be a spare LEE for the SSRMS. Background behind the CMG should be a BCDU (per the Delta LSFR).
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#67
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 Sep, 2009 04:35
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#68
by
Harold KSC
on 16 Sep, 2009 19:02
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#69
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 Sep, 2009 22:26
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Thanks Harold!
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#70
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2009 02:37
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#71
by
rdale
on 17 Sep, 2009 02:47
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Gotta read that several times to figure out - but nice explainer!
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#72
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 17 Sep, 2009 03:06
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Gotta read that several times to figure out - but nice explainer!
Thanks. That was a bear to figure out and then write up.
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#73
by
D.A.
on 17 Sep, 2009 13:16
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Bunch of questions:
What are the launch priorities at KSC? Priority to whoever chooses a date first or does the mission (and it's launch requirements) being flown factor in?
I assume the cost of delay is factored in, what would be the cheapest option for range conflicts? Delaying a shuttle, Atlas V, Delta IV or whatever other launch vehicle they use?
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#74
by
abholmes
on 17 Sep, 2009 17:55
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Question: I seem to recall reading, back in the whole Y2K frenzy days, that the shuttle flight software cannot handle calendar year rollovers (i.e. Dec 31, 2009 to Jan 1, 2010). Is that still the case with the recent upgrades and so forth?
The only reason I ask is because, given the kind of unanticipated delays and so forth with flights like STS-127, it seems like there's a possibility of STS-129 having launch opportunities that could carry their 11+1+2 mission over that New Year's Day line. No one's mentioned launching that late in December yet and I was just wondering if the reason for that was the limitation of the flight software still existing (assuming it was ever real in the first place).
Thanks!
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#75
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 17 Sep, 2009 18:06
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Question: I seem to recall reading, back in the whole Y2K frenzy days, that the shuttle flight software cannot handle calendar year rollovers (i.e. Dec 31, 2009 to Jan 1, 2010). Is that still the case with the recent upgrades and so forth?
The only reason I ask is because, given the kind of unanticipated delays and so forth with flights like STS-127, it seems like there's a possibility of STS-129 having launch opportunities that could carry their 11+1+2 mission over that New Year's Day line. No one's mentioned launching that late in December yet and I was just wondering if the reason for that was the limitation of the flight software still existing (assuming it was ever real in the first place).
Thanks!
No. The software has a patch that will allow Orbiters to be on orbit and docked to the ISS during the YERO. However, they won't do this because it is not necessary. If they can't launch in November and December, they'll wait until January.
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#76
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 17 Sep, 2009 18:08
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Bunch of questions:
What are the launch priorities at KSC? Priority to whoever chooses a date first or does the mission (and it's launch requirements) being flown factor in?
I assume the cost of delay is factored in, what would be the cheapest option for range conflicts? Delaying a shuttle, Atlas V, Delta IV or whatever other launch vehicle they use?
It differs from mission to mission. It depends on who has the range, costs of delaying, how long the mission as already slipped, wishes of the consumer, etc. It's not a clear cut answer.
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#77
by
abholmes
on 17 Sep, 2009 18:13
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No. The software has a patch that will allow Orbiters to be on orbit and docked to the ISS during the YERO. However, they won't do this because it is not necessary. If they can't launch in November and December, they'll wait until January.
Thanks, Chris! That's one of those things I've wondered for a while now.
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#78
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2009 21:02
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#79
by
kneecaps
on 18 Sep, 2009 16:09
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