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#180
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 17 Nov, 2009 20:18
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#181
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 17 Nov, 2009 20:20
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#182
by
psloss
on 17 Nov, 2009 20:20
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Timeline constraints post-dock would be extremely tight if they had to dock, then unberth SRMS, then grapple ELC-1, then remove ELC-1. Grappling ELC-1 tonight simplifies the timeline tomorrow.
It's on the timeline during crew sleep, but there's also a Mobile Transporter translation that needs to happen between completion of the ELC install and the beginning of EVA-1. (From Work Site 7 for the former activity to Work Site 4 for the latter.)
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#183
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 17 Nov, 2009 20:26
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#184
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 17 Nov, 2009 20:34
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docking ring has been extended
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#185
by
psloss
on 17 Nov, 2009 20:49
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Might miss it as it's downlinked, but I believe it was Butch that called down a few minutes ago that they have the flight deck video recorded during ascent available. I believe he said with audio, too. As Megan McArthur was out of the room momentarily, Gary Horlacher called up that they're in a period of ratty comm right now. The Post MMT briefing is scheduled for the top of the hour, so we'll see what happens.
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#186
by
psloss
on 17 Nov, 2009 20:57
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Still looking to downlink the video tonight, but they are configured to transfer OMS pod survey images right now and there's about 40 of those that need to be transferred, along with some config to downlink video and then back for overnight after. They were going to start transferring the OMS pod images in about 10 minutes or so...guess it's kind of 'play it by ear.'
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#187
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:05
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Post MMT Presser on.
LeRoy couldn't be happier with the launch. Notes four launches in a short period. Proud of the team.
Notes the Atlantis' extension to 2010 via the HST challenges, FCVs, GUCP, F&D, weather and other issues.
High praise for the shuttle processing team, along with their help for the I-X team.
Amazing team, that stretches througout the country and couldn't be more proud of that team.
A great start to the mission.
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#188
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:09
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First MMT - everything going very well.
Prelim assessment is that Atlantis' performance was really good. Outstanding performance of the ET. Prelim very few events of interest.
MMT discussed some challenges on ISS. DA on the UPA is not working properly. They'd like to remove and replace that part - so DA is coming home on Atlantis. LeRoy notes the way shuttle is good at allowing for late changes. New pieces may go up on 130.
WPA also has challenges, but they should be able to manage for the interim until Endeavour arrives in Feb, 2010.
Everything still on for a nominal docking and mission. Very much looking forward to 10:53am Central docking.
Atlantis and the Atlantis crew are doing very well. We're in great shape.
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#189
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:15
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Bill Harwood asking about ET liberations from footage.
LeRoy:
Number of events hasn't been refined (was 3). 177 second event - bipod ramp. Past the time of concern for liberation (all 3 are). No new data from Gerst's quick-look.
On the minicam: Really neat thing. Another illustration of the team where they can implement such items at a very short period of notice. It's a Sony lipstick camera. The neatest thing about the video is just watching, as they roll and punch through the clouds - that's really neat.
Video may be enhanced some more, may use a different lens or tweak it some more on other missions, due to sun angle - which also gave great ET photos. Washed out the powered flight for the minicam, however.
Prelim on the tank is no losses from the IFRs.
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#190
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:17
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Bill on loss of up and down mass after shuttle (using DA as the example).
LeRoy: It'll be challenging. The partners can certainly accomplish the same ability, but relies on all their vehicles to be ready to support. These other plans will have to come to fruitition. If that happens, all the upmass and downmass ability can be successful. It will be a great challenge to maintain their schedule for the outpost and the shuttle has demostrated to perform that mission. Some of the other assests are yet to show that ability (Good stuff!)
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#191
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:22
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Gina on minicam and other abilities to watch the tank:
LeRoy: Integration team continually update what the shuttle flies through. It's a work in progress, such as the MEI on the stinger via enviorments.
Notes the instrumentation for the MEI IOP data (not sure how he's got to the MEI addition - must have missed part of Gina's question).
Ah.....LeRoy: That's an example of tweaking the system, to get better data, such as the minicam watching the tank. These new capabilities allow us to allow to monitor the vehicle better.
Putting the minicam and the Stinger instrumentation.....Yes, we're going to continue to make changes to add capabilities, all the way up to the last flight of this vehicle. We need to stay hungry.
This vehicle is still very much a test vehicle in a test program. This is the 129th flight. Compared to other test flight programs that's a small number.
We need every ounce of data from these flights.
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#192
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:27
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AP's Marcia asking about the FD2 inspections:
LeRoy: Prelim, the engineers monitoring the scans in real time shows no issues with the RCC. They will do level 1 and level 2 and then peer review of that data. So far it's all very good. No issues at all.
Q) Any idea when the removal of the UPA will take place? How big is the unit?
LeRoy: Relatively late in the mission - FD8 when we do the removal. There's a lot of planning to go on.
The size - it's bigger than a toaster, it's smaller than a WV
It's 150lbs and about the size.....couple of feet wide, couple of feet long, a foot depth.
Q) WPA having trouble?
LeRoy: I don't want to get too much into detail as I'm not ISS. The system may of been contaminated via one of the hoses to fill the system. May have caused some friction in the rotating parts of the system. Saw some pressures that made them uncomfortable with, or should operation nominally, so shut it down.
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#193
by
robertross
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:29
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Bill on loss of up and down mass after shuttle (using DA as the example).
LeRoy: It'll be challenging. The partners can certainly accomplish the same ability, but relies on all their vehicles to be ready to support. These other plans will have to come to fruitition. If that happens, all the upmass and downmass ability can be successful. It will be a great challenge to maintain their schedule for the outpost and the shuttle has demostrated to perform that mission. Some of the other assests are yet to show that ability (Good stuff!)
Good stuff indeed. Read it and understand the issue peopel (as in politicians).
I might make that my new bottom header...
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#194
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:34
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Todd H: Five more flights for a program going out of business, what's the biggest challenges?
LeRoy: This is something we pay a lot of attention to. The biggest concerns we have are the ones we always have. The next mission is always the priority (when not actually flying a mission). The challenges are the same at least we understand them. We're dealing with extreemly volitle systems, and incredible amount of energy.
Beyond that are the things we don't know about. We are continuing to stay hungry as we can, as curious as we can, to follow things to the finest degree. Our challenges, in that regard, will be unchanged.
Our rocket, the shuttle, is not easy. When we do it like we did yesterday, there's nothing more spectacular than when we bring the vehicle home.
There may be more FCV problems, there may be more GUCP problems etc. Understanding challenges from the previous flight is how we see the year forward.
Manifest - I have very high confidence we can make the manifest, as shown over the past few years by overcoming challenges. We have an incredibly creative and highly motivated team. Someone asked me on a plane how we're doing, if we're operating at a safe way, I said yes, I do believe we are, but at the same time that is what concerns me the most. I do feel like that and we're having a lot of success, so we as a team are staying dedicated and don't rest on our laurels (sp).
That we fly every mission as best we can, right to the last one being the safest on the manifest. We have a team capable of overcoming obsticles. This is the fourth in six months, I have every belief we can complete the manifest.
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#195
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:41
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Todd H on retirement again, that a survey said 80 percent of workers will stay loyal to the last mission despite the shutdown.
LeRoy: I don't think you would find that in other industrys. I don't think I can explain it, but in my experience of getting to know these team, it's something that comes from within.
In the HSF business, the highs are pretty high, and the lows are pretty low, but the rewards are there. I'm not a very creative person, and can't articulate proper the notions about how these people love their work, they believe in it, they believe in each other. They trust each other, they trust the leadership, the leadership trusts them.
To be part of 129's launch yesterday was pretty special, that he saw people experience their first launch, you can only describe that yourself. But to do it as part of that team, where you were partly responsible for making that happen. It's incredible to watch.
We challenge them day in, day out. They love the challenge and they love the reward of a successful launch and a successful mission. When they get to bring the orbiter back and take the tires off and give the tender loving care of processing for the next mission - they are dedicated. They love the job that they do.
Some point we will no longer be flying orbiters. We'll lose some people. Even in the midst of all of that being just around the corner, they still indicate they want to stay to the end, they want to give it their all. To me that means everything. It's the kind of team I want to be part of. I personally plan to stay to the end, to as long as they'll have me. I can't describe it very well, but they love their jobs.
((WOW!))
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#196
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:41
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This is the fourth in six months, I have every belief we can complete the manifest.
I'll do you two better. It's the sixth Shuttle flight in one year and two days.
STS-126 (Nov. 14, 2008)
STS-119 (March 15, 2009 -- accomplished after FCV discussions and analyses)
STS-125 (May 11, 2009 -- accomplished with STS-400 dual pad flow)
STS-127 (July 15, 2009 -- accomplished after resolution of GUCP leaks)
STS-128 (August 28, 2009 -- accomplished after PV-12 discussions)
STS-129 (November 16, 2009 -- accomplished with Ares I-X dual pad flow)
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#197
by
robertross
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:43
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Todd H on retirement again, that a survey said 80 percent of workers will stay loyal to the last mission despite the shutdown.
LeRoy: I don't think you would find that in other industrys. I don't think I can explain it, but in my experience of getting to know these team, it's something that comes from within.
In the HSF business, the highs are pretty high, and the lows are pretty low, but the rewards are there. I'm not a very creative person, and can't articulate proper the notions about how these people love their work, they believe in it, they believe in each other. They trust each other, they trust the leadership, the leadership trusts them.
To be part of 129's launch yesterday was pretty special, that he saw people experience their first launch, you can only describe that yourself. But to do it as part of that team, where you were partly responsible for making that happen. It's incredible to watch.
We challenge them day in, day out. They love the challenge and they love the reward of a successful launch and a successful mission. When they get to bring the orbiter back and take the tires off and give the tender loving care of processing for the next mission - they are dedicated. They love the job that they do.
Some point we will no longer be flying orbiters. We'll lose some people. Even in the midst of all of that being just around the corner, they still indicate they want to stay to the end, they want to give it their all. To me that means everything. It's the kind of team I want to be part of. I personally plan to stay to the end, to as long as they'll have me. I can't describe it very well, but they love their jobs.
((WOW!))
Wow indeed! For someone who says they can't articulate how their workers feel, he does a good job himself. Great speaker, great words.
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#198
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:43
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Todd H on the seven year gap and skill set.
LeRoy: I am concerned about it. For a lot of reasons I've concerned about having a gap in HSF. But I'm optimistic we can do better (on the gap). We will make a plan and execute that plan to minimize that gap and retain that the national assest of the workforce.
(Backing SDLV?)
In any case, we'll carry out the desires of the national leadership, and we'll do it in a way to minimize the gap.
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#199
by
robertross
on 17 Nov, 2009 21:44
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This is the fourth in six months, I have every belief we can complete the manifest.
I'll do you two better. It's the sixth Shuttle flight in one year and two days.
STS-126 (Nov. 14, 2008)
STS-119 (March 15, 2009 -- accomplished after FCV discussions and analyses)
STS-125 (May 11, 2009 -- accomplished with STS-400 dual pad flow)
STS-127 (July 15, 2009 -- accomplished after resolution of GUCP leaks)
STS-128 (August 28, 2009 -- accomplished after PV-12 discussions)
STS-129 (November 16, 2009 -- accomplished with Ares I-X dual pad flow)
Yeah, and there were a LOT of days in there for troubleshooting the GUCP & FCVs. Great bunch of workers.
It's 150lbs and about the size.....couple of feet wide, couple of feet long, a foot depth.