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LIVE: Atlantis Rollover to VAB (July 24)
by
Chris Bergin
on 20 Jul, 2006 21:16
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Space Shuttle Atlantis Set to Move to Vehicle Assembly Building
NASA invites news media to witness an important milestone for the upcoming Space Shuttle Atlantis mission, designated STS-115. On Monday, July 24, Atlantis is scheduled to be moved out of its hangar at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The first motion is expected at 6 a.m. EDT. Media must arrive at Kennedy's News Center by 5 a.m. to attend the event.
The move from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building is referred to as a "rollover." Inside the assembly building, Atlantis will be attached to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters.
Atlantis' launch window begins Aug. 28. During its 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the STS-115 crew of six astronauts will install the Port 3/4 truss segment with its two large solar arrays.
Permanently badged media should contact Kennedy's News Center at 321-867-2468 by 4 p.m. Friday, July 21. As dates and times of events are subject to change, updates are available by calling 321-867-2525. Media without Kennedy credentials should submit their request via the accreditation Web site at:
https://media.ksc.nasa.gov/ Video of the rollover will air on NASA TV's Video File. For NASA TV downlink, streaming video and scheduling information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For information on the STS-115 mission and its crew, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttleCONTACT: Katherine Trinidad, Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-3749, or Tracy Young, Kennedy Space Center, Fla., +1-321-867-2468, both of NASA.
PRNewswire -- July 20
Source: NASA
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#1
by
astrobrian
on 20 Jul, 2006 21:27
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A day earlier than originaly planned. That bodes well for things
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#2
by
Chris Bergin
on 23 Jul, 2006 17:44
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Well, rollover tomorrow, so let's keep things in the right threads once she starts moving out of the OPF.
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#3
by
Mark Dave
on 23 Jul, 2006 18:14
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I'll be awake very early anyway to see that and later go to work. I'm use to being up at 4:30 in the morning.
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#4
by
DaveS
on 23 Jul, 2006 20:56
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#5
by
Austin
on 23 Jul, 2006 22:09
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Anyone know what the current date is for rollout to the pad following stacking?
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#6
by
DaveS
on 23 Jul, 2006 22:21
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July 31, 7 days post-rollover as usual.
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#7
by
Rocket Guy
on 23 Jul, 2006 23:15
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The storms are afternoon time (and boy is it storming as I write this); should be ok at 6am but there are occasionally offshore rainshowers which form at night that creep ashore.
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#8
by
DaveS
on 23 Jul, 2006 23:23
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Ben - 24/7/2006 1:02 AM
The storms are afternoon time (and boy is it storming as I write this); should be ok at 6am but there are occasionally offshore rainshowers which form at night that creep ashore.
Yes, I understand that but I was just "what-iffing" about the rollover getting delayed a few hours. The past three rollovers hasn't exactly been on-time.
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#9
by
psloss
on 23 Jul, 2006 23:36
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DaveS - 23/7/2006 7:10 PM
Yes, I understand that but I was just "what-iffing" about the rollover getting delayed a few hours. The past three rollovers hasn't exactly been on-time.
We'll see...hopefully the issue with the jackscrew isn't around now and it was reported that the orbiter has been on the transporter since mid/late last week waiting for the tank to be "ready to mate." (Which is fairly unusual.)
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#10
by
DaveS
on 23 Jul, 2006 23:45
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I'm just not concerned about the jack screws in the sling, but also other issues that could hold up the move.
For example, we never got an explanation of what held up the second rollover attempt for so long for 121 on May 12.
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#11
by
Rocket Guy
on 24 Jul, 2006 00:14
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The second attempt was delayed because they were still fixing the jack screw. It seemed in fact that they didn't work on it at night..they just came in first shift and finished up.
This time, one of the 18 wheels will probably go flat or something ;-)
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#12
by
astrobrian
on 24 Jul, 2006 00:18
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Or a turtle might decide it is his road too
On a serious note, at what time will they start the mate to ET/SRB? will that be sometime tomorrow or waiting until later in the week?
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#13
by
Jim
on 24 Jul, 2006 00:21
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They don't roll over unless they are going to lift the same day
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#14
by
DaveS
on 24 Jul, 2006 00:35
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Ben - 24/7/2006 2:01 AM
This time, one of the 18 wheels will probably go flat or something ;-)
Actually, the OTS has
76 wheels.
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#15
by
DaveS
on 24 Jul, 2006 00:36
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Jim - 24/7/2006 2:08 AM
They don't roll over unless they are going to lift the same day
Yes. Usually it's about 12 hours later, could be more/less depending on how the work in the VAB progresses.
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#16
by
Rocket Guy
on 24 Jul, 2006 00:55
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DaveS - 23/7/2006 8:22 PM
Actually, the OTS has 76 wheels.
Even more likely!
I hope it goes on time...could get some pretty sunrise shots.
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#17
by
Austin
on 24 Jul, 2006 02:02
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Muchas gracias, Dave
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#18
by
dutch courage
on 24 Jul, 2006 08:38
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From NASA: 'Video of the rollover will air on NASA TV's Video File'. This would imply no live coverage. Probably still pictures only.
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#19
by
dutch courage
on 24 Jul, 2006 10:19
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The weather looks good for the move of Atlantis. Nothing going on yet. Any word on a possible rollover delay?
EDIT: Thanks, DaveS.
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#20
by
DaveS
on 24 Jul, 2006 10:25
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#21
by
Rapoc
on 24 Jul, 2006 10:44
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from spaceflightnow.com
The hangar doors on Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 are opening right now as preparations continue for this morning's move of Atlantis to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The transfer is expected to begin within the hour.
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#22
by
HKS
on 24 Jul, 2006 11:12
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#23
by
DaveS
on 24 Jul, 2006 11:39
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#24
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 11:40
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#25
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 11:41
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(Hope they have jumper cables...)
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#26
by
Jester
on 24 Jul, 2006 11:48
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Florida Today has reported it has started now
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#27
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 11:51
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#28
by
Jester
on 24 Jul, 2006 11:56
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Florida Today reports she is moving !
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#29
by
dutch courage
on 24 Jul, 2006 11:56
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Spaceflight.now:
MOVE IN PROGRESS! Space shuttle Atlantis has started to slowly back out of the hangar. It should take about an hour for the 106-foot long trailer-like transporter to ferry the shuttle over to the Vehicle Assembly Building.
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#30
by
Jester
on 24 Jul, 2006 12:02
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Still no video
somebody at NASA please point that AXIS 2400 cam the correct way !
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#31
by
dutch courage
on 24 Jul, 2006 12:19
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I'm afraid there will be no LIVE coverage. No stills and defenitely no video.
We'll have to wait for the NASA Video file to see some recorded views.
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#32
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 12:32
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dutch courage - 24/7/2006 8:06 AM
I'm afraid there will be no LIVE coverage. No stills and defenitely no video.
As noted with the last rollover, it's very unusual to get live coverage. We'll probably see stills some time today from both "the rags" and NASA.
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#33
by
HKS
on 24 Jul, 2006 12:35
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They have several cameras in and around the VAB, and we saw pictures from the transfer aisle when Discovery rolled over...
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#34
by
DaveS
on 24 Jul, 2006 12:38
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HKS - 24/7/2006 2:22 PM
They have several cameras in and around the VAB, and we saw pictures from the transfer aisle when Discovery rolled over...
Probably because STS-121 was "Return To Flight". STS-115 is just another assembly mission to ISS.
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#35
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 12:45
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HKS - 24/7/2006 8:22 AM
They have several cameras in and around the VAB, and we saw pictures from the transfer aisle when Discovery rolled over...
Several of those OTV cameras in the area are following the transporter right now; however, only occasionally have we seen them "selected" on the KSC video "frame grab" page (I've watched that since 1997) and very unusally was that broadcast live.
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#36
by
Jester
on 24 Jul, 2006 13:06
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Florida Today reports:
Shuttle Atlantis has moved into the Vehicle Assembly Building.
The orbiter was taken from its processing hangar to the VAB on a special transporter. The parade was briefly delayed as workers stopped to take pictures.
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#37
by
t walker
on 24 Jul, 2006 13:19
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When/where do you think some of those pictures will be viewable? Im fascinated by this flight...
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#38
by
DaveS
on 24 Jul, 2006 13:39
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#39
by
shuttlefan
on 24 Jul, 2006 14:54
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Disappointing that there is no live video feed of the VAB transfer aisle so we could see when Atlantis begins its lift later today. Maybe someone reading this can make a pitch...
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#40
by
shuttlefan
on 24 Jul, 2006 15:07
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Also, could the forecasted afternoon t-storms affect the mating work in the VAB or aren't VAB ops. affected at all by the weather outside?
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#41
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 15:17
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#42
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 15:31
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#43
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 15:44
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And they're showing replays on the ISS hour right now:
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#44
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 15:53
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Here's a shot from OTV Camera 082; I believe the countdown clock time you see on the graphics is part of sim training that
Mark was referring to.
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#45
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 15:56
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#46
by
dutch courage
on 24 Jul, 2006 15:56
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shuttlefan - 24/7/2006 4:54 PM
Also, could the forecasted afternoon t-storms affect the mating work in the VAB or aren't VAB ops. affected at all by the weather outside?
From:
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/release/1990/72-90.htmSome of the facilities at KSC that incorporate extensive lightning shielding devices include the service structures at Launch Pads 39A and 39B, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and the hanger-like Orbiter Processing Facility.
So unless there's a hurricane threat they will continue.
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#47
by
punkboi
on 24 Jul, 2006 16:23
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shuttlefan - 24/7/2006 7:41 AM
Disappointing that there is no live video feed of the VAB transfer aisle so we could see when Atlantis begins its lift later today. Maybe someone reading this can make a pitch...
Don't worry, if STS-121 was any indication, you'll have 7-8 hours worth of live footage on NASA TV of Atlantis rolling over to the launch pad next Monday.
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#48
by
dutch courage
on 24 Jul, 2006 16:24
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#49
by
Rocket Guy
on 24 Jul, 2006 16:34
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And I posted some additional ones on my site (two pages worth)...including what I thought were some interesting closeups of things like the hatch and other markings...and the shadow! We were much closer to this rollout than the last couple.
http://www.launchphotography.com/STS-115_rollover.html
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#50
by
dutch courage
on 24 Jul, 2006 16:47
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Great pictures of Atlantis and some nice closeups. Nicely done Ben as usual
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#51
by
shuttlefan
on 24 Jul, 2006 17:19
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#52
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 17:39
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They appear to be adding things to an area in one of Ben's closeups:
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#53
by
punkboi
on 24 Jul, 2006 17:44
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psloss - 24/7/2006 10:26 AM
They appear to be adding things to an area in one of Ben's closeups:
I don't see them adding anything... They're attaching one part of the crane to the orbiter
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#54
by
John44
on 24 Jul, 2006 17:45
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#55
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 17:46
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punkboi - 24/7/2006 1:31 PM
I don't see them adding anything... They're attaching one part of the crane to the orbiter
I wasn't being serious...nice pic, though...
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#56
by
psloss
on 24 Jul, 2006 17:47
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#57
by
DaveS
on 24 Jul, 2006 20:33
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Anyone heard any updates on how the work progresses in the VAB?
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#58
by
Rocket Guy
on 25 Jul, 2006 00:03
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Thanks for the comments. I've been hoping to make 115 better than 121 as I wasn't the happiest then. It was nice lighting this morning.
And I think that was the closest to an on-time rollover in the last five years :-)
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#59
by
shuttlefan
on 25 Jul, 2006 00:10
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Ben, have you heard whether or not the lifting of the Shuttle is underway in the VAB yet?
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#60
by
Rocket Guy
on 25 Jul, 2006 00:40
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Not directly, but Florida Today reports it's in the vertical position undergoing engineering imaging for tile damage later in the flight.
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#61
by
Jim
on 25 Jul, 2006 01:28
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dutch courage - 24/7/2006 11:43 AM
Some of the facilities at KSC that incorporate extensive lightning shielding devices include the service structures at Launch Pads 39A and 39B, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and the hanger-like Orbiter Processing Facility.
So unless there's a hurricane threat they will continue.
They shut down all hazardous ops including lifts for lightning.
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#62
by
astrobrian
on 25 Jul, 2006 02:25
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Is the protocol the same as LCC when it comes to lightning then?
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#63
by
Jim
on 25 Jul, 2006 02:40
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astrobrian - 24/7/2006 10:12 PM
Is the protocol the same as LCC when it comes to lightning then?
Launch Commit Criteria? No.
Different facilities have different rules based on the facility, the operations, hazardous commodities and the safety organization in charge of it (NASA, USAF or Astrotech). Those rules are applied to the operations and any procedure run in the facility
No lifts end up being generic to most facitities (especially one with SRM's in it)
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#64
by
Paul Howard
on 25 Jul, 2006 03:09
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#65
by
shuttlefan
on 25 Jul, 2006 13:35
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Atlantis must be hard-mated to the ET by now!!
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#66
by
jacqmans
on 25 Jul, 2006 14:33
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#67
by
rdale
on 25 Jul, 2006 16:54
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shuttlefan - 25/7/2006 9:22 AM
Atlantis must be hard-mated to the ET by now!!
Based on the picture below - either they took it down after mating or you need a better source of info...
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#68
by
psloss
on 25 Jul, 2006 17:02
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#69
by
DaveS
on 25 Jul, 2006 21:11
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#70
by
Austin
on 26 Jul, 2006 02:07
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It's great to see Atlantis verticle again -- it'll be even better to see her airborne!
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#71
by
psloss
on 26 Jul, 2006 10:43
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Austin - 25/7/2006 9:54 PM
It's great to see Atlantis verticle again -- it'll be even better to see her airborne!
This is her third trip to the VAB since STS-107; she even made a little roll-around trip after the disaster for the first destacking. It'll be good to see her out at the pad again, too.
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#72
by
Mark Dave
on 26 Jul, 2006 19:11
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Yeah, she's been stuck on the ground for a long time now. 3 years of sitting there in the OPF, already set to fly. IMO it's like putting a new car in the garage and never driving it.
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#73
by
astrobrian
on 26 Jul, 2006 20:15
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You can almost here the sibling rivalry going on.
Atlantis: She's always getting to launch
Discovery: You're just jealous
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#74
by
jacqmans
on 26 Jul, 2006 20:44
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astrobrian - 26/7/2006 10:02 PM
You can almost here the sibling rivalry going on.
Atlantis: She's always getting to launch
Discovery: You're just jealous
And Endeavour the pinguin, the bird that can't fly......
But it used to be Columbia that was the pinguin, the bird that won't fly...acording to German TV during the launch campaign for STS-55 (Spacelab D2), all the delays that kept her on the ground, the German TV reporters gave her that name.....
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#75
by
shuttlefan
on 26 Jul, 2006 20:52
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Columbia was the flagship of the fleet. Too bad it was destroyed and didn't end up in a museum. I think Columbia was so special in everyones' hearts.
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#76
by
Jim
on 26 Jul, 2006 21:14
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speak for yourself, as mentioned on another thread, OV-102 was the pig of the fleet and was a hangar queen for awhile
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#77
by
DaveS
on 26 Jul, 2006 21:44
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Jim - 26/7/2006 11:01 PM
speak for yourself, as mentioned on another thread, OV-102 a hangar queen for awhile
So was Discovery between August 2001 and September 2002 when Discovery was stored inactive in the VAB transfer aisle.
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#78
by
TFGQ
on 31 Jul, 2006 21:39
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Endeavour is not a pengun that happens to be my favorite bird Columbia was 2nd
