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#540
by
Orbiter
on 03 May, 2010 20:09
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Jerry Ross is making a presentation on his favorite orbiter, Atlantis. (Unusual for these preflight briefings, but understandable since this is planned to be her last flight.)
5 of his 7 space shuttle flights were also on Atlantis too..
Orbiter
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#541
by
psloss
on 03 May, 2010 20:14
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#542
by
pechisbeque
on 03 May, 2010 22:43
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STS-132 - Mission Overview Briefing
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5922
The simulations of the unberth of the ICC-VLD as viewed from the Cupola are just out of this world! These simulations just keep getting better and better.
I had to double check if there had been any previous Space Station also with a cupola and another Space Shuttle called Atlantis because this video looks so much like the real deal!
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#543
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 04 May, 2010 03:30
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Working late on the GUCP:
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#544
by
cd-slam
on 04 May, 2010 04:17
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ET-137 is on the barge at MAF and ready for delivery to KSC; however, the big oil spill in the Gulf forced them to come up with an alternate plan. Freedom Star could only make it as far as Gulfport (Mississippi); the route around the oil slick to New Orleans is too shallow for it. MAF has got some tugs to take the tank to Gulfport and hand off to Freedom Star.
I took the time to watch the video and your quote is absolutely accurate. So I think John Shannon was just simplifying the issue. Later on he refers to the checks which had been done concerning possible oil vapours impact on the tank foam; I think this is more likely where the delay comes from.
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#545
by
DaveS
on 04 May, 2010 07:02
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Working late on the GUCP:
Ordnance techs connecting and testing the GUCP ordnance. All part of S5009 Ordnance Installation.
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#546
by
ChrisC
on 04 May, 2010 15:38
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I'm confused about something. Back on April 26th or so when they made the decision to flip STS-133 and STS-134, one of the immediate impacts stated here* was that the STS-335/135 flight would move from Atlantis to Discovery. I didn't understand why -- perhaps because Atlantis lacks SSPTS and so Discovery would be preferred. I read and re-read the opinions posted and it was clear they were talking about STS-335/135, not the STS-132 LON role, which I realize also moved over to Discovery.
So since then, I have be operating under the belief that at wheels-stop for STS-132, that is the end of Atlantis' career, even as STS-335 continues to process and possibly convert to STS-135. But in watching the briefings yesterday, Shannon et al still seem to be saying that Atlantis still has the 335/135 slot. Was my reading wrong, or is this a case of where we (NSF) see what's coming before they've made the official decision?
I realize that this may get clarified further at the post-FRR briefing tomorrow. If it's unclear to others here, perhaps someone will ask at that briefing
* alas now I can't find those posts, but people here were saying "well, that's it for Atlantis then"
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#547
by
psloss
on 04 May, 2010 15:52
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But in watching the briefings yesterday, Shannon et al still seem to be saying that Atlantis still has the 335/135 slot.
What was said yesterday is where things stand right now. Atlantis is still assigned to STS-335, but I wouldn't infer that Atlantis or any orbiter is assigned to the hypothetical STS-135, because there's no formal work on STS-135 and probably won't be any further action on it until/unless another mission beyond 133 and 134 is authorized by Congress and the President.
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#548
by
ChrisC
on 04 May, 2010 16:29
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Sure, but they still will start the processing flow and get it ready for STS-335. If that mission is staying on Atlantis then they would start on that in the OPF right after the STS-132 post-landing tasks are done.
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#549
by
psloss
on 04 May, 2010 16:37
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Sure, but they still will start the processing flow and get it ready for STS-335. If that mission is staying on Atlantis then they would start on that in the OPF right after the STS-132 post-landing tasks are done.
Then we're in violent agreement -- my additional point is that there's not necessarily any correlation between the 335 assignment and a possible 135 assignment. Just because Atlantis will support 335 after this mission doesn't imply it would fly 135.
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#550
by
cd-slam
on 04 May, 2010 16:58
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* alas now I can't find those posts, but people here were saying "well, that's it for Atlantis then"
The posts are all on L2.
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#551
by
Space Pete
on 04 May, 2010 17:00
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Take a good look people - last time and all.
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#552
by
ChrisC
on 04 May, 2010 17:06
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The posts are all on L2.
Indeed, in fact several good ones from you
In the STS-134 processing thread. Thanks.
I'll hope for clarification of this (perhaps even an official decision) during the post-FRR briefing tomorrow.
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#553
by
psloss
on 04 May, 2010 18:06
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I'll hope for clarification of this (perhaps even an official decision) during the post-FRR briefing tomorrow.
Quite possible the questions will be asked again tomorrow, but all this ground was covered yesterday and as noted they're going to wait until at least the early summertime before looking at the schedule again.
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#554
by
cian
on 04 May, 2010 18:25
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What time is the FRR at and how long will it do on for roughly?
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#555
by
DaveS
on 04 May, 2010 18:28
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What time is the FRR at and how long will it do on for roughly?
They usually start around 8 am EDT. And it takes most of the day.
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#556
by
cian
on 04 May, 2010 18:34
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What time is the FRR at and how long will it do on for roughly?
They usually start around 8 am EDT. And it takes most of the day.
Thanks, waiting to book flights.
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#557
by
psloss
on 04 May, 2010 19:42
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But one of the arguments for STS-135 is that it is already mostly paid for. Adding another processing flow for Discovery would negate that to a degree. It would seem likely on the "already paid for" standpoint that whichever orbiter gets STS-335 LON would get STS-135.
The hardware is paid for and it will be ready, but there's no guarantee (yet) that the operations team will be paid long enough to fly an additional mission. They are paid for through the end of the calendar year, but even flying ULF-6/134 by that time -- and perhaps by the February timeframe discussed yesterday -- might be a challenge.
Atlantis is the orbiter that can support 335 the soonest; however, there are some scenarios that have Shuttle operations continuing well into next year. We've been in a period recently where LON has been 'fly the next mission,' but the situation towards the end of the year is either very unusual or unique, and 'fly the next mission' might not be the favored choice for all scenarios and periods of time.
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#558
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 04 May, 2010 22:08
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#559
by
Chris Bergin
on 04 May, 2010 22:50
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Looking good for the FRR to set the 14th. Two articles in work. First will be a flow report and pre-FRR, second will be end of FRR.
