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#20
by
Chris Bergin
on 24 Aug, 2010 21:42
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#21
by
robertross
on 25 Aug, 2010 02:03
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Great history on the tanks Chris.
This is so awesome...the chance at another shuttle launch. JOY!
And a chance to bring down the failed Pump Module: very important in my books.
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#22
by
steveS
on 26 Aug, 2010 09:23
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Has Atlantis' sensor package now repaired? (which had a snag cable problem during STS-132)
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#23
by
robertross
on 26 Aug, 2010 15:20
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Has Atlantis' sensor package now repaired? (which had a snag cable problem during STS-132)
Yes, that was cleared up, and they will do a confirmation of cable routing during processing with the closeout photos.
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#24
by
Chris Bergin
on 02 Sep, 2010 04:01
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#25
by
steveS
on 03 Sep, 2010 04:45
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1. Is the funding for the STS-134 LON mission approved? (if so, what additional funding is required for STS-135?)
2. Regarding the ET swap, how long can NASA wait to hear about the funding decision? I remember, in one article, December period was mentioned regarding the possible ET swap. If the funding decision drags till the new year, hope this will affect. Also, in case, STS-135 does not fly will the LON mission be assigned with ET-122 instead of the ET-138?
3. About the 11 member astronaut pool, can someone name them?
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#26
by
Chris Bergin
on 03 Sep, 2010 05:12
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1. Is the funding for the STS-134 LON mission approved? (if so, what additional funding is required for STS-135?)
2. Regarding the ET swap, how long can NASA wait to hear about the funding decision? I remember, in one article, December period was mentioned regarding the possible ET swap. If the funding decision drags till the new year, hope this will affect. Also, in case, STS-135 does not fly will the LON mission be assigned with ET-122 instead of the ET-138?
3. About the 11 member astronaut pool, can someone name them?
Good questions there Steve.
On 3 - no, it's a bit taboo to mention names before they are selected.
1) Good question. I'm tempted to say yes, but I'm not sure how final flight LON funding works, as we moved to next flight being the natural LON for the past few years (when the manifest was busy and CSCS was healthy).
2) Right, this is ironic timing, as today's PRCB produced a lengthy presentation on this. I'm still reading through it (we have it on L2), and it covers this subject. Let me work through it and I'll get some answers, but it'll also become another article on 135 (and 134, 335).
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#27
by
Ben E
on 03 Sep, 2010 13:07
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Chris,
Out of curiosity, will you be able to release the 11-name 'pool' AFTER the 135 crew has been formally announced? It would be interesting to know who is in the pool and the criteria for their selection.
Ben
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#28
by
Chris Bergin
on 03 Sep, 2010 13:55
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Chris,
Out of curiosity, will you be able to release the 11-name 'pool' AFTER the 135 crew has been formally announced? It would be interesting to know who is in the pool and the criteria for their selection.
Ben
If I get the 11 names, and if I get permission. Got to be very careful with astros. Orbiters don't answer back, astro office probably would
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#29
by
nathan.moeller
on 03 Sep, 2010 14:58
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Does anyone have a general idea of what liftoff time a June 28, 2011 launch date would target?
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#30
by
Skylon
on 03 Sep, 2010 15:07
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The entire "pool" concept seems a bit odd. Did someone in the crew selection line say "I've narrowed it down to 11...." and want to pick four by committee, or defer to someone above them?
Or are 11 astronauts the only ones currently engaged in any sort of "generic" shuttle work that would have them suitably ready for an actual mission?
The only possible guess I can hazard is the following. Of the last two MPLM missions (STS-128 and STS-131), there are nine active US astronauts (excluding Kevin Ford as he's assigned to an ISS crew). Add two former ISS crew members to the pool, and you have 11. I'd be shocked if that wild estimation comes close to right though.
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#31
by
nathan.moeller
on 03 Sep, 2010 15:53
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The entire "pool" concept seems a bit odd. Did someone in the crew selection line say "I've narrowed it down to 11...." and want to pick four by committee, or defer to someone above them?
Or are 11 astronauts the only ones currently engaged in any sort of "generic" shuttle work that would have them suitably ready for an actual mission?
The only possible guess I can hazard is the following. Of the last two MPLM missions (STS-128 and STS-131), there are nine active US astronauts (excluding Kevin Ford as he's assigned to an ISS crew). Add two former ISS crew members to the pool, and you have 11. I'd be shocked if that wild estimation comes close to right though.
You also have to look at who is up next in the CDR/PLT rotation. Ken Ham just got back from STS-132 and his last flight was STS-124. That would put Chris Ferguson (STS-126 CDR) next in line for the CDR position. If it's not Ferguson, you'd probably see Archambault get the flight.
Antonelli just finished STS-132 and his last mission was STS-119. Look at the pilots who flew after STS-119 - Ray J Johnson, Doug Hurley, Kevin Ford, Barry Wimore, Terry Virts and Jim Dutton. Johnson is retired so that puts Hurley at the front of the line for the PLT position. As mentioned before, Kevin Ford is headed for ISS in 2012 so he won't be flying STS-135. That puts Wilmore, Virts and Dutton in line behind Hurley in case he isn't assiged.
As for the two MSes, look for the most experienced RMS and MPLM crewmembers from recent flights. My guess? Stephanie Wilson and Clay Anderson. Wilson has three flights under heesr belt in the last four years (all with considerable RMS/SSRMS work - Node 2 install, P6 relocation, MPLM, etc.) and Anderson has a four-month stay aboard ISS to his credit, as well as the recent STS-131 MPLM flight.
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#32
by
Space Pete
on 03 Sep, 2010 16:50
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Don't forget that MSs with Soyuz experience will be desirable, as there will be no LON for 135. If a Russian CDR, one MS, and one Shuttle PLT/CDR were in each Soyuz, then that would mean only one inexperienced crewmember would be aboard, instead of two.
My best guess at a crew is as follows:
CDR = Chris Ferguson.
As well as being in line to fly, he's practically the chief's number two man, so I expect he'd get the final Shuttle mission. Also, he has been CDR on an MPLM flight before (STS-126).
PLT = Doug Hurley/Barry Wilmore/Terry Virts/Jim Dutton.
I'm really not sure who'll be PLT. Hurley is next in line, but Wilmore, Virts & Dutton all have more recent experience - Dutton has MPLM experience too.
MS-1: Tracy Caldwell-Dyson.
Was on ISS during STS-131, and so has MPLM experience. Was loadmaster for SPACEHAB SM on STS-118. Now has a lot of EVA experience! Obviously has Soyuz experience. Will have very recent experience that she could pass on to other crewmembers.
MS-2: TJ Creamer.
Same reasons as Tracy, minus SPACEHAB SM & EVA experience.
Also, is only remaining NASA Astronaut not to have flown on Shuttle (apart from Shannon Walker, who won't be down until November. Shannon would be desirable however, as she is fully qualified as a Soyuz co-pilot). TJ also flew with Tracy during Exp. 23, and so there would already be a firm bond between them (not required, but desirable).
If Dutton was PLT, with Tracy & TJ as MSs, then all three would have flown together before (during STS-131).
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#33
by
DavisSTS
on 03 Sep, 2010 19:44
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Does anyone have a general idea of what liftoff time a June 28, 2011 launch date would target?
Refer to the "PRCB Master Manifest - with window constraints - to STS-135 - Sept, 2010" on L2.
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#34
by
Ray125
on 03 Sep, 2010 19:56
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Does anyone have a general idea of what liftoff time a June 28, 2011 launch date would target?
I Saw the CBS Space News that STS-135 might Launch around 3:48 p.m. only if the mission is approved.
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#35
by
Thorny
on 03 Sep, 2010 20:16
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I Saw the CBS Space News that STS-135 might Launch around 3:48 p.m. only if the mission is approved.
Late afternoon in the summer. Be prepared for a scrub or two!
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#36
by
Chris Bergin
on 03 Sep, 2010 22:34
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Does anyone have a general idea of what liftoff time a June 28, 2011 launch date would target?
Refer to the "PRCB Master Manifest - with window constraints - to STS-135 - Sept, 2010" on L2.
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#37
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 05 Sep, 2010 16:58
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The entire "pool" concept seems a bit odd.
Not to belabor this point but:
The pool concept is nothing new. It's a logical progress toward assigning a flight crew. You don't just pick the astronauts. You look at a qualified list, narrow that list down to a more manageable size (but a size that's still larger than the number of seats available), you start discussions, talk to the astros (remember, even though we might find this hard to believe, some astros might turn down a flight for personal/career reasons). Then, from the smaller pool, you select the final flight crew.
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#38
by
Chris Bergin
on 06 Sep, 2010 13:11
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#39
by
steveS
on 12 Sep, 2010 08:57
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Will NASA announce the STS 335/135 crew this coming week?
