Another really interesting article. Love the image too!
Thanks.
Had to do something to make up for that "longest abstract of the year"
I'm glad you call them shes. I know technically they are anyway, but I hate it when they are called "it".
I was surprised by Hale's quotes. I thought it was just one of the redundant cables that servered and wasn't an issue?
Here's all I could find:
"Engineers are studying data to learn what may have caused last Friday’s severing of a cable that provides power, command and video connections to the Mobile Transporter rail car. Two redundant cable reels support the Mobile Transporter and Mobile Base System, a movable platform that allows the station’s robotic arm to move back and forth along the truss during construction and maintenance work.
The Trailing Umbilical System 2 cable appears to have been cut by the system designed to sever it if it ever became snarled or tangled. Video down linked from station cameras confirmed the cable was cut. The Trailing Umbilical System 1 was not affected.
The inadvertent severing of the cable tripped one of two redundant circuit breakers on the S0 Truss, which provides power to the Mobile Transporter. The transporter is not scheduled to be used in the near future, but the severed Trailing Umbilical System 2 cable can be replaced through a spacewalk to provide the required redundancy."
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2005/dec/HQ_SS05059_iss_status_report.html
Following the failed attempt on installing a safing bolt on TUS-1 of MT during Expedition 12's last EVA, the MT is inoperable as they had to disconnect it from the MT and relocate the TUS-1 cable to a nearby handrain in order to prevent it from being cut.
I want to see Atlantis finally make it out to the launch pad again -- she's been in the VAB twice in a row now, stacked and ready to go, only to be recalled to the OPF.
Philip Sloss
"Atlantis was set to follow in July on STS-115, but that mission date has been pushed back to the end of August. She will, however, be on standby to rescue the crew of Discovery, should a major problem occur during the eight and a half ride uphill."Might want to throw the word "minute" in there Chris. We all know what you mean, but others may get confused
