Author Topic: NASA managers approve STS-135 mission planning for June 28, 2011 launch (Read 160644 times)

lucspace · « **Reply #140 on:** 01/11/2011 09:06 pm »

Is there a likelyhood that the decision whether to fly STS-135 will be taken after STS-134 has been completed?

rdale · « **Reply #141 on:** 01/11/2011 09:33 pm »

Quote from: lucspace on 01/11/2011 09:06 pm

Is there a likelyhood that the decision whether to fly STS-135 will be taken after STS-134 has been completed?

CHrisG's post above reflects the best known plan for now.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #142 on:** 01/11/2011 10:18 pm »

Quote from: rdale on 01/11/2011 09:33 pm

Quote from: lucspace on 01/11/2011 09:06 pm
Is there a likelyhood that the decision whether to fly STS-135 will be taken after STS-134 has been completed?

CHrisG's post above reflects the best known plan for now.

As rdale stated, my post above is the best known plan right now, but NASA managers have alluded to the fact that they could go as late as the end of March/beginning of April before making a firm decision on STS-135. Of course, that is based on a NET 28 June 2011 launch date.

cd-slam · « **Reply #143 on:** 01/12/2011 12:08 am »

Quote from: asmolenski on 01/11/2011 08:20 pm

Quote from: ChrisGebhardt on 01/11/2011 06:59 pm

Launch date is still NET 28 June 2011. ISS program would like to fly the mission "as late in the fiscal year as possible."

Is there anything, anywhere, on what the other windows may be for 'late in the fiscal year'?

For info, there is a beta angle cut-out which ends on August 15. Usually NASA will schedule their launch dates immediately after a cut-out to maximize the launch window (April 18 is also immediately after a beta angle cut-out).

So I'd be looking for a date around August 16. Of course this will be subject to ISS program discussion and previous shuttle missions, it's far too early for a precise date.

steveS · « **Reply #144 on:** 01/12/2011 01:47 am »

Quote from: cd-slam on 01/12/2011 12:08 am

So I'd be looking for a date around August 16. Of course this will be subject to ISS program discussion and previous shuttle missions, it's far too early for a precise date.

I think Discovery should seriously think of leaving the pad on Feb-end to help her sister Atlantis

.

As I read, Senator Bill Nelson seems to have viewed some opinion on STS-135 based on the delays with STS-133.

asmolenski · « **Reply #145 on:** 01/20/2011 06:03 pm »

NASA Press Release:

Space Shuttle Program baselines STS-135
Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:20:22 PM CST

On Thursday, the Space Shuttle Program baselined the STS-135 mission for a target launch date of June 28. It is NASA’s intent to fly the mission with orbiter Atlantis carrying the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module to deliver supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems.

In late December, the agency’s Space Operations Mission Directorate requested the shuttle and International Space Station programs take the necessary steps to maintain the capability to fly Atlantis on the STS-135 mission.

The Authorization Act of 2010 directs NASA to conduct the mission, and baselining the flight enables the program to begin preparations for the mission with a target launch date of June 28. The mission would be the 135th and final space shuttle flight.

Prepping for the next shuttle mission, STS-133, continues in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida where technicians are making good progress in their work to modify the stringers on Discovery's external fuel tank. Discovery and its six astronauts are targeted to launch on the STS-133 mission to the International Space Station on Feb. 24.

Having been joined by their newest crew member, Steve Bowen, Discovery’s astronauts will review robotics procedures today and review spacewalk timelines at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Bowen, who flew into space on STS-132 in May 2010, will be the first astronaut to fly on consecutive missions.

rdale · « **Reply #146 on:** 01/21/2011 12:14 am »

Good to have this monkey off our back finally!

robertross · « **Reply #147 on:** 01/21/2011 12:42 am »

Quote from: rdale on 01/21/2011 12:14 am

Good to have this monkey off our back finally!

Agreed. Should make OV-106 a little bit happier too

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #148 on:** 01/21/2011 03:01 am »

Now that's out of the way, let's see if they can slip it to around August as preferenced. June 28 is still great, given the mission, but Gerst's already noted the preference if they can find the money to stretch.

I'll write up a new 135 article on processing and relevant notes when there's a gap (Russian EVA tomorrow, HTV-2 launch tomorrow etc.)

rdale · « **Reply #149 on:** 01/21/2011 01:27 pm »

Liftoff scheduled at 3:48pm EDT.

steveS · « **Reply #150 on:** 01/22/2011 04:01 am »

A SPACE.com article says STS-135 will have one EVA. Will this be conduced by the shuttle crew or as informed earlier in the forum, this is just an ISS EVA planned during Atlantis' visit to the ISS?

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #151 on:** 01/22/2011 04:25 am »

Quote from: steveS on 01/22/2011 04:01 am

A SPACE.com article says STS-135 will have one EVA. Will this be conduced by the shuttle crew or as informed earlier in the forum, this is just an ISS EVA planned during Atlantis' visit to the ISS?

ISS EVA conducted by ISS crew to support ammonia pump operations.

Martin FL · « **Reply #152 on:** 01/22/2011 04:14 pm »

Steve, read the STS-135 articles on this site. The stage EVA for STS-135 was reported in August of last year!

Robwi · « **Reply #153 on:** 01/22/2011 07:47 pm »

Long time no see. I used to visit this forum a lot before STS-128, which I visited on the causeway, but was delayed twice. Then I had to take my flight home.... I wached the launched a day later from the summerplace.

I'm sorry to say I haven't followed the progress so closely lately, so I beg your pardon, but is STS-135 a reality, or is it a "maybe"? I do want to visit a launch, so should I try for April or June?

Lee Jay · « **Reply #154 on:** 01/22/2011 07:49 pm »

Quote from: Robwi on 01/22/2011 07:47 pm

Long time no see. I used to visit this forum a lot before STS-128, which I visited on the causeway, but was delayed twice. Then I had to take my flight home.... I wached the launched a day later from the summerplace.

I'm sorry to say I haven't followed the progress so closely lately, so I beg your pardon, but is STS-135 a reality, or is it a "maybe"? I do want to visit a launch, so should I try for April or June?

STS-135 is a "probably", I would say.

Robwi · « **Reply #155 on:** 01/22/2011 07:55 pm »

Thank's. I guess I have to follow more closely. I was so close at the 128, but thunder pulled the plug. Anyway, I met a lot of nice people, and was at place the causeway, watching flashes all around the bay. It was close for a launch, but half an hour before the launch, they pulled the plug. The next launch attempt the pulled the plug when I was on the bus on my way to the launch. Well, well, that's life. Anyway. I want to see another launch, for real! If it's april or june does not matter!

Orbiter · « **Reply #156 on:** 01/26/2011 08:05 pm »

Trying to understand this, maybe someone could help me. Is STS-135 the confirmed by NASA last space shuttle mission? Is there now offically 3 Space shuttle missions on the books this year? Looking at the presser released last week by NASA, I'd say yes but I've seen some places still refer to STS-135 as a 'possible' mission v. a confirmed one. I know that STS-135 isn't still funded but still, I'm a little confused.

Orbiter

rdale · « **Reply #157 on:** 01/26/2011 09:17 pm »

Given the Congressional situation, I'd never say it's a "lock" but it is on the books.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #158 on:** 02/14/2011 03:53 am »

New STS-135 article on the mission:

NASA managers insist STS-135 will fly – Payload options under assessment
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/02/nasa-insist-sts-135-will-fly-payload-options-assessment/

lucspace · « **Reply #159 on:** 02/17/2011 05:33 pm »

So what about the preference of flying STS135 later in the year. How likely is a move to August, and what would be the beta cut-out around then?