STS-300?

• #20 by Jim on 16 May, 2006 20:03
• Quote

  Spirit - 16/5/2006  3:15 PM
  
  So where would Atlantis dock on STS-300? Is there another hatch for shuttles on the ISS?

  
  PMA 3
• #21 by Spirit on 16 May, 2006 20:06
• Thanks for the answers
• #22 by rfoshaug on 22 May, 2006 12:21
• In case STS-300 is launched, would the damaged orbiter be ditched without attempting to save it or land it unmanned?
• #23 by Jamie Young on 22 May, 2006 18:11
• Quote

  rfoshaug - 22/5/2006  7:08 AM
  
  In case STS-300 is launched, would the damaged orbiter be ditched without attempting to save it or land it unmanned?

  
  Not yet confirmed, although Discovery is understood to have the ability to land herself in California.
• #24 by astrobrian on 22 May, 2006 22:03
• I thought someone has to be around to at the very least drop the landing gear.
• #25 by Wisi on 22 May, 2006 22:25
• There are rumours aroud, that NASA developed a box to do this automatically. This box can be installed on the flight deck of Discovery. The rest can be done automatically anyway. But let's hope the 'box' won't be used...
• #26 by astrobrian on 22 May, 2006 22:42
• Does anyone know for sure about this box? And if it is around if it is on STS-121?
• #27 by Chris Bergin on 22 May, 2006 22:55
• Quote

  astrobrian - 22/5/2006  11:29 PM
  
  Does anyone know for sure about this box? And if it is around if it is on STS-121?

  
  I'll try and confirm, but it IS available for STS-121.
• #28 by Spirit on 23 May, 2006 18:38
• There is a thread about the box as far as I remember. I read that such box has been tested in a laboratoray and that there is one on ISS but I am just specualting.
  
  EDIT
  
  Here is the thread about the box and the automated landing: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=2374&mid=35277#M35277
• #29 by shuttlefan on 29 Jun, 2006 18:18
• They said this morning that the STS-300 vehicle should also be ready in time to support a possible STS-121 rescue.
• #30 by Mark Dave on 30 Jun, 2006 01:18
• Hopefully it won't  have to be used. But just to be safe I'm ok with it.
  
  You know also to help, why not have both stacks there on both pads. There is a photo of Columbia and Atlantis together rolling to their respective pads. IMO something like that  would be better, and if there is need of a rescue the other orbiter is already set up to fly. This is how I would view this situation.
• #31 by Jim on 30 Jun, 2006 01:33
• Quote

  MarkD - 29/6/2006  9:05 PM
  
  Hopefully it won't  have to be used. But just to be safe I'm ok with it.
  
  You know also to help, why not have both stacks there on both pads. There is a photo of Columbia and Atlantis together rolling to their respective pads. IMO something like that  would be better, and if there is need of a rescue the other orbiter is already set up to fly. This is how I would view this situation.

  
  One was rolling back from a pad in that photo.
  
  They don't want to configure the other orbiter for rescue and then have to roll it back after a successful STS-121 and reconfigure it.
• #32 by Mark Dave on 30 Jun, 2006 02:14
• Good point, but keep it in the VAB just incase if needed.
• #33 by shuttlefan on 30 Jun, 2006 02:21
• MarkD.:  " Good point, but keep it in the VAB just incase if needed."
  
  I totally agree that the whole vehicle should at least be stacked together.
• #34 by Jim on 30 Jun, 2006 02:23
• Quote

  shuttlefan - 29/6/2006  10:08 PM
  
  MarkD.:  " Good point, but keep it in the VAB just incase if needed."
  
  I totally agree that the whole vehicle should at least be stacked together.

  
  They still would have to destack the orbiter to reconfigure it.
  
  Right now, the ET and SRB's will be mated.  They will just be waiting for the orbiter.
• #35 by shuttlefan on 30 Jun, 2006 04:07
• Anyone know what date ET/SRB mating is scheduled to be achieved?
• #36 by psloss on 30 Jun, 2006 10:34
• Quote

  shuttlefan - 29/6/2006  11:54 PM
  
  Anyone know what date ET/SRB mating is scheduled to be achieved?

  As of yesterday's countdown status briefing estimate, end of next week.
  
  
• #37 by norm103 on 30 Jun, 2006 18:51
• will the sts 300 obiter bring back the mplm if it flys.  or will it be lost with the other obiter?
• #38 by mainengine on 01 Jul, 2006 19:25
• It should remain docked at the ISS.
• #39 by Mark Dave on 01 Jul, 2006 21:05
• Good idea, leave the MPLM on the station as it will be needed in the future anyway. If the rescue vehicle can bring it back as well, they should. Why, redundency is better, have a back up plan if the first try doesn't work.