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#400
by
psloss
on 22 Jun, 2011 16:20
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Yes, 48 hours turnaround to allow the launch team to get home and get enough rest.
That decision still depends on the timing and the nature of a scrub, if there is one.
I was told this by a mission controller (The 48 hour turnaround) this morning.
Those aren't incompatible. As noted during the last launch countdown, if a scrub is called, it depends on when. If it were called early enough, before a lot of the spectator traffic comes in, the 24-hour turnaround option is available.
What's more common, especially if the weather is marginal, is to take the count down to the last planned hold. In that case, given the expected crowd conditions for the first launch attempt, 48 hours is more likely if that attempt was called off based on weather.
It's unlike the Shuttle program to dismiss an available option until they have no choice. Hopefully they don't have to worry about it, but they wouldn't have to make that call until launch day.
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#401
by
msc
on 22 Jun, 2011 16:48
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Is there any chance that they'll ask the delta IV to wait as they have in the past with other rocket launches? Or is this delta launch time sensitive?
I'm wondering about this too. What's the rationale for having a ready-to-launch Shuttle stand down for a Delta launch? Seems (to someone with very little knowledge of such things) like it'd be a lot more expensive, a lot more work, and a lot more risk to have a Shuttle sit on the pad rather than a rocket.
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#402
by
cycleroadie
on 22 Jun, 2011 16:53
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Is there any chance that they'll ask the delta IV to wait as they have in the past with other rocket launches? Or is this delta launch time sensitive?
I'm wondering about this too. What's the rationale for having a ready-to-launch Shuttle stand down for a Delta launch? Seems (to someone with very little knowledge of such things) like it'd be a lot more expensive, a lot more work, and a lot more risk to have a Shuttle sit on the pad rather than a rocket.
I hear ya, surprising to me also, but nothing I am hearing is pointing to pushing the Delta launch. All I know is it is an Air Force bird they are launching. I think it's already been delayed once ? If anyone can confirm that, please do. Might be why they won't wait for the Shuttle.
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#403
by
Endeavour Forever
on 22 Jun, 2011 16:58
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Is there any chance that they'll ask the delta IV to wait as they have in the past with other rocket launches? Or is this delta launch time sensitive?
I'm wondering about this too. What's the rationale for having a ready-to-launch Shuttle stand down for a Delta launch? Seems (to someone with very little knowledge of such things) like it'd be a lot more expensive, a lot more work, and a lot more risk to have a Shuttle sit on the pad rather than a rocket.
I hear ya, surprising to me also, but nothing I am hearing is pointing to pushing the Delta launch. All I know is it is an Air Force bird they are launching. I think it's already been delayed once ? If anyone can confirm that, please do. Might be why they won't wait for the Shuttle.
Delayed from June 23, I believe.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/03/live-delta-iv-nrol-27/
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#404
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 22 Jun, 2011 17:28
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Is there any chance that they'll ask the delta IV to wait as they have in the past with other rocket launches? Or is this delta launch time sensitive?
I'm wondering about this too. What's the rationale for having a ready-to-launch Shuttle stand down for a Delta launch? Seems (to someone with very little knowledge of such things) like it'd be a lot more expensive, a lot more work, and a lot more risk to have a Shuttle sit on the pad rather than a rocket.
I hear ya, surprising to me also, but nothing I am hearing is pointing to pushing the Delta launch. All I know is it is an Air Force bird they are launching. I think it's already been delayed once ? If anyone can confirm that, please do. Might be why they won't wait for the Shuttle.
It has nothing to do with Shuttle having seniority. The Air Force has booked the range for July 11-15, and they have every right to use the range for a launch in the time regardless of anyone else's schedule. If other vehicles get delayed, it's not the Air Force's fault or concern. It would be the same if Shuttle scheduled the range for a specific date, and then an Atlas delayed and wanted the same date as Shuttle. Shuttle would have every right to say, "No. We booked the range and need to get our vehicle off the ground."
In the past, we have seen the Air Force both yield to and not yield to Shuttle. Totally depends on the payload and the nature of the situation.
And who's to say it would be more expensive and dangerous to have Shuttle wait out Delta than Delta delay for Shuttle? The Delta will be just as "ready-to-launch" as Shuttle by this point. Delta and Boeing are also being paid by the Air Force to launch a satellite and could stand to lose money if they delay because of Shuttle.
There are many pieces at play here, but it's really not productive to start thinking about this until we're into a scrub for Shuttle. I understand there's curisoity, but there's really nothing anyone can say aside from "We don't know what the outcome will be until we're into a launch scrub scenario for Atlantis. Obviously, if they launch on 8th, 9th, or 10th, than this is a non-starter. And NASA is being VERY responsible in informing the rather large number of people coming to the launch of what the windows are for Atlantis's mission.
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#405
by
cycleroadie
on 22 Jun, 2011 17:32
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Thanks Chris, as always you wrap it all up in a nice neat package !! ;-)
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#406
by
msc
on 22 Jun, 2011 17:58
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Is there any chance that they'll ask the delta IV to wait as they have in the past with other rocket launches? Or is this delta launch time sensitive?
I'm wondering about this too. What's the rationale for having a ready-to-launch Shuttle stand down for a Delta launch? Seems (to someone with very little knowledge of such things) like it'd be a lot more expensive, a lot more work, and a lot more risk to have a Shuttle sit on the pad rather than a rocket.
I hear ya, surprising to me also, but nothing I am hearing is pointing to pushing the Delta launch. All I know is it is an Air Force bird they are launching. I think it's already been delayed once ? If anyone can confirm that, please do. Might be why they won't wait for the Shuttle.
It has nothing to do with Shuttle having seniority. The Air Force has booked the range for July 11-15, and they have every right to use the range for a launch in the time regardless of anyone else's schedule. If other vehicles get delayed, it's not the Air Force's fault or concern. It would be the same if Shuttle scheduled the range for a specific date, and then an Atlas delayed and wanted the same date as Shuttle. Shuttle would have every right to say, "No. We booked the range and need to get our vehicle off the ground."
In the past, we have seen the Air Force both yield to and not yield to Shuttle. Totally depends on the payload and the nature of the situation.
And who's to say it would be more expensive and dangerous to have Shuttle wait out Delta than Delta delay for Shuttle? The Delta will be just as "ready-to-launch" as Shuttle by this point. Delta and Boeing are also being paid by the Air Force to launch a satellite and could stand to lose money if they delay because of Shuttle.
There are many pieces at play here, but it's really not productive to start thinking about this until we're into a scrub for Shuttle. I understand there's curisoity, but there's really nothing anyone can say aside from "We don't know what the outcome will be until we're into a launch scrub scenario for Atlantis. Obviously, if they launch on 8th, 9th, or 10th, than this is a non-starter. And NASA is being VERY responsible in informing the rather large number of people coming to the launch of what the windows are for Atlantis's mission.
This right here? Exactly why I love this site.
Thanks, Chris.
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#407
by
Mapperuo
on 23 Jun, 2011 12:00
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Crew are on their way to the pad!
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#408
by
Mapperuo
on 23 Jun, 2011 12:07
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Nice shot of the white room now.
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#409
by
Mapperuo
on 23 Jun, 2011 12:13
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Tight fit in there!
Pilot now in the white room.
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#410
by
Mapperuo
on 23 Jun, 2011 12:25
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#411
by
Mapperuo
on 23 Jun, 2011 12:38
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Rex Walheim now the last into the white room.
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#412
by
Mapperuo
on 23 Jun, 2011 12:40
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Lovely photo being captured now..
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#413
by
msc
on 23 Jun, 2011 13:01
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They talked at the presser yesterday about how everything is taking a bit longer in training and prep because so many deserving folks are stopping them to tell them stories, ask for pictures, etc, in light of the historic cricumstances of the last flight. And it's just awesome that they are taking the time for that.
Great to see them taking pictures with the photographers!! :-)
I am mesmerized watching this, even though I don't have any sound. I'd have loved to hear Walheim explain the mirror strapped to his wrist. Anyone know why he has that?
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#414
by
Mapperuo
on 23 Jun, 2011 13:04
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Hatch seal being cleaned.
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#415
by
Mapperuo
on 23 Jun, 2011 13:07
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Shot from Pad 39-B I think looking towards Atlantis, Didn't think they'd still have cameras.
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#416
by
psloss
on 23 Jun, 2011 13:12
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Shot from Pad 39-B I think looking towards Atlantis, Didn't think they'd still have cameras.
That's the camera site up on the Pad B water tower. (OTV-160)
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#417
by
Mapperuo
on 23 Jun, 2011 13:15
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Shot from Pad 39-B I think looking towards Atlantis, Didn't think they'd still have cameras.
That's the camera site up on the Pad B water tower. (OTV-160)
Aha thanks for the exact location. Suppose it's just the actual pad cameras they would have removed.
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#418
by
vortec42
on 23 Jun, 2011 13:51
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I'd have loved to hear Walheim explain the mirror strapped to his wrist. Anyone know why he has that?
I noticed this on a video I saw on youtube last week. It looked like it was used to see the view out the window during launch. I assume they can only see sky (or space) if they can even see out the window at all during launch, so they use the mirror to see 'around the corner' (remember they're strapped in pretty well).
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#419
by
djterry11
on 23 Jun, 2011 14:54
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Sorry if this has been asked/discussed before. I've read through a lot but can anyone tell me why it's only a four person crew this time?
