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#360
by
robertross
on 20 Jun, 2011 17:23
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Since it's quiet now, here's a unique shot of the crane at the pad.
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#361
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 20 Jun, 2011 17:33
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I believe the MPLM on STS 126 currently holds the record for carrying the heaviest payload.
This being the last MPLM, will it surpass the weight carried on 126?
Thank you.
From what I've seen, no. The MPLM weight (in terms of cargo) on STS-135 will not exceed the MPLM cargo weight on STS-126. But I have not yet seen the final MPLM weight from STS-135.
The MPLM on STS-135 will be the heaviest MPLM ever flown for both launch and landing. All 16 rack bays will be fully loaded with cargo, and six Resupply Stowage Platform (RSP) racks have been modified to enable them to carry more cargo than ever before.
In the attached image, you can see that the RSPs on the left and right sides are packed with cargo from "floor to ceiling", which has never been done before.
But what's the weight? The last weight I saw for Raffaello was not heavier for launch than Leonardo was for STS-126.
Yup, you are right - corrected my original post. 
Final weight of STS-135 MPLM is 25,359 lbs. STS-126's MPLM was 28,100 lbs.
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#362
by
Chris Bergin
on 20 Jun, 2011 17:36
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MFV R&R work is now in work. Will write up a flow article as there's a lot going on.
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#363
by
ccpetersen
on 20 Jun, 2011 20:53
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Padrat,
Not sure now to feel either. Back in grad school, I worked on an HST team and we came down to the site for launches. Although I knew the missions would someday come to an end, it just seems unreal now that the day is here. We were there for Endeavour's last launch and the rollout of Atlantis for the last time. That rollover brought it home in a personal way the human story here. Thank you for all your hard work.
SW
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#364
by
robertross
on 20 Jun, 2011 23:58
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A little eye candy as the sun sets at KSC
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#365
by
padrat
on 21 Jun, 2011 01:08
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Well, today was just.......different. Started out pretty normal, the usual procedures, conversations, joking, etc. Hell, even our manager and the move director, who both are usually straight and serious, were in lighter spirits and even cracking the joking comment or to and getting a chuckle. It was just ..... weird. It was actually a pretty smooth transfer all in all. But when we finally transfered the weight to the Orbiter, disconnected the J-hooks, and started preparing to back the PGHM away, you could just feel the atmosphere change. For about the last hour, the room was quiet save for the usual communications. No joking or talking, strictly business. I just don't know, it was just surreal, probably even more so than my first payload transfer. There was even a small memorial on the back PCR wall for Jim. Almost seemed fitting, considering the situation. Just an all around weird day.....
I mean, if this is how it felt today, I can't begin to imagine what its going to be like when Atlantis takes to the heavens for the last time.
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#366
by
robertross
on 21 Jun, 2011 01:55
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Well, today was just.......different. Started out pretty normal, the usual procedures, conversations, joking, etc. Hell, even our manager and the move director, who both are usually straight and serious, were in lighter spirits and even cracking the joking comment or to and getting a chuckle. It was just ..... weird. It was actually a pretty smooth transfer all in all. But when we finally transfered the weight to the Orbiter, disconnected the J-hooks, and started preparing to back the PGHM away, you could just feel the atmosphere change. For about the last hour, the room was quiet save for the usual communications. No joking or talking, strictly business. I just don't know, it was just surreal, probably even more so than my first payload transfer. There was even a small memorial on the back PCR wall for Jim. Almost seemed fitting, considering the situation. Just an all around weird day.....
I mean, if this is how it felt today, I can't begin to imagine what its going to be like when Atlantis takes to the heavens for the last time.
I don't know how anyone on here can respond to that...not unless they've worked the flow. Very touching comments Sir.
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#367
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Jun, 2011 02:57
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Well, today was just.......different. Started out pretty normal, the usual procedures, conversations, joking, etc. Hell, even our manager and the move director, who both are usually straight and serious, were in lighter spirits and even cracking the joking comment or to and getting a chuckle. It was just ..... weird. It was actually a pretty smooth transfer all in all. But when we finally transfered the weight to the Orbiter, disconnected the J-hooks, and started preparing to back the PGHM away, you could just feel the atmosphere change. For about the last hour, the room was quiet save for the usual communications. No joking or talking, strictly business. I just don't know, it was just surreal, probably even more so than my first payload transfer. There was even a small memorial on the back PCR wall for Jim. Almost seemed fitting, considering the situation. Just an all around weird day.....
I mean, if this is how it felt today, I can't begin to imagine what its going to be like when Atlantis takes to the heavens for the last time.
I'm glad you posted that. Needs to be known!
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#368
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Jun, 2011 02:57
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#369
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Jun, 2011 03:51
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#370
by
mdeep
on 21 Jun, 2011 04:58
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Here's the pans from the media event on Friday with Atlantis:
Thanks for linking these up Chris. I was in the group with John, and it was interesting to see how these were done. He was very patient waiting for the rest of us to take our shots and clear out.
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#371
by
MadameConcorde
on 21 Jun, 2011 07:05
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I mean, if this is how it felt today, I can't begin to imagine what its going to be like when Atlantis takes to the heavens for the last time.
Disheartening.
I will not have a smile on my face.
:-(
Thank you all for the good work.
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#372
by
janmb
on 21 Jun, 2011 07:16
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I don't know how anyone on here can respond to that...not unless they've worked the flow. Very touching comments Sir.
Well spoken.
Knowing how sentimental I feel myself over all of this, knowing the lump I'm going to have in my throat and the tears I'll have in my eyes when Atlantis launches for the last time, speaking as a fan I can never start to imagine how all the guys who have been involved in the program over years must feel.
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#373
by
glanmor05
on 21 Jun, 2011 07:59
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If STS 135's MPLM is the heaviest ever and she will visit the ISS in a ~37km higher (more efficient) orbit (which is better for other VVs) why wasn't the ISS placed in that orbit earlier?
Can STS 135 only go to the higher orbit with less crew?
Or were the other payloads carried, much heavier?
Chris noted in his recent article "the higher operating altitude of the ISS will not be an issue, and any reduction in Shuttle payload capacity is negligible".
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#374
by
Mapperuo
on 21 Jun, 2011 11:15
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Small HD video file of External Tanking Scanning / Engine Valve Work
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#375
by
marshallsplace
on 21 Jun, 2011 12:04
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Crane and shuttle at pad:
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#376
by
Mapperuo
on 21 Jun, 2011 12:36
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#377
by
Jason Davies
on 21 Jun, 2011 13:01
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#378
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Jun, 2011 14:50
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#379
by
Mapperuo
on 21 Jun, 2011 16:24
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Being a 3D videographer I love seeing this yet again for STS-135.
Big 3D camera by the looks of it for TCDT Arrival.. *Hopes they capture launch in 3D too*
