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#100
by
rdale
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:21
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"Damn if we have to delay (mostly likely ruining a trip for quite a few people and further causing problems with the program PR)"
This is sad to see people whining about safety because somebody isn't going to see the launch. Sad. And I think program PR would be hurt a lot more if only one SRB ignited.
Wow.
"the latest 5 day track chart has it blowing right across northen Florida by 8 pm EDT Thursday. This could lead to a rollback to the VAB. "
So they could cancel a launch attempt on Tuesday if the storm is forecast to hit on Thursday?
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#101
by
DaveS
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:27
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rdale - 27/8/2006 2:08 PM
"the latest 5 day track chart has it blowing right across northen Florida by 8 pm EDT Thursday. This could lead to a rollback to the VAB. "
So they could cancel a launch attempt on Tuesday if the storm is forecast to hit on Thursday?
Yes. Here's the plan on how KSC deals with hurricances:
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/status/weatstat/hurrican.htm
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#102
by
psloss
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:31
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rdale - 27/8/2006 8:08 AM
So they could cancel a launch attempt on Tuesday if the storm is forecast to hit on Thursday?
For a hurricane threat, I don't remember them being in this configuration -- with the orbiter cryos loaded. Perhaps Jim knows for sure, but I assume they'd have to offload the cryos before a rollback. (Past experiences say that among other things, the ordinance would have to be disconnected.)
The issue would probably be how much extra lead time they need to drain the PRSD for a rollback...the tracks for Ernesto with the different models are a little discouraging...
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#103
by
Jim
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:36
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I think they have to drain them. No H2 vents in the VAB
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#104
by
rdale
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:38
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"Yes. Here's the plan on how KSC deals with hurricances"
According to the plan they would not need to - if preps have to occur 48 hours prior to wind breaking the 40kt criteria, and that wouldn't happen until Thursday night, an early-Tuesday launch would give them enough time for one attempt unless I'm missing something...
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#105
by
psloss
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:42
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rdale - 27/8/2006 8:25 AM
"Yes. Here's the plan on how KSC deals with hurricances"
According to the plan they would not need to - if preps have to occur 48 hours prior to wind breaking the 40kt criteria, and that wouldn't happen until Thursday night, an early-Tuesday launch would give them enough time for one attempt unless I'm missing something...
Tuesday launch time would be about 3:30 pm local...if they scrubbed, that would add ET drain/safing to the rollback preps...
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#106
by
DaveS
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:44
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rdale - 27/8/2006 2:25 PM
"Yes. Here's the plan on how KSC deals with hurricances"
According to the plan they would not need to - if preps have to occur 48 hours prior to wind breaking the 40kt criteria, and that wouldn't happen until Thursday night, an early-Tuesday launch would give them enough time for one attempt unless I'm missing something...
Well, that is when not in a countdown configuration which Atlantis is in now with the onboard PRSD reactants loaded. I believe that requires the 72 hour prep version as it takes time to drain the reactants and then allow personell onto the pad again for disconnecting ordinance and facility connections.
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#107
by
psloss
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:44
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SpaceflightNow.com recent update:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts115/status.html1222 GMT (8:22 a.m. EDT)
NASA officials continue to wrestle with the post-lightning strike data collection and analysis, plus trying to decide whether to perform additional tests on the solid rocket booster pyrotechnics. Launch team engineers have been told liftoff is likely to slip to no earlier than Tuesday. However, a NASA spokesman says a decision to delay from Monday has not yet been made.
Also in the mix is Hurricane Ernesto, which has become the Atlantic's first hurricane of 2006. The latest forecast track by the National Hurricane Center now takes the storm into Florida later this week. See the track here.
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#108
by
mkirk
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:49
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I guess I can add my 2 cents here;
Despite the word on the street and at the lower levels of the program late last night, which said the NET (no earlier than) launch date would now be Tuesday at 3:41:42 pm eastern, the PAO says that the Program has not ruled out a possible attempt for Monday. The "official plan" is to meet at the MMT tonight at 6:00 pm eastern and pick a luanch date.
The PAOs hope to have some sort of briefing around mid day to explain what is happening.
"Personally" I don't think Monday is an option anymore!
Mark Kirkman
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#109
by
rdale
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:50
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Fight of the sources ;>
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#110
by
mkirk
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:52
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rdale - 27/8/2006 7:37 AM
Fight of the sources ;>
Yeah, you said that right!!!!!
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#111
by
psloss
on 27 Aug, 2006 12:56
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mkirk - 27/8/2006 8:36 AM
I guess I can add my 2 cents here;
Thanks, Mark...the NASA shuttle mission page is saying that the briefing would be after the 6 pm meeting (and also noting that the 10 am meeting was pushed back):
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.htmlHere's an excerpt:
Engineers Continue to Study Lightning Strike
Shuttle managers held a Mission Management Team teleconference Saturday night to discuss the latest information they had about potential effects from the lightning strike at the launch pad Friday. At this point, there are no indications of damage from the strike. While several teams were able to clear their systems of any concerns of impact from the strike, including the orbiter and external tank teams, the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) project had no data because its systems weren't on at the time of the strike. Managers decided to give the teams extra time Sunday to look at all available data and determine whether the SRB could have seen high currents or voltage.
The Mission Management Team will meet again at 6 p.m. EDT Sunday, instead of 10 a.m. as previously scheduled. A news briefing on NASA TV will follow that meeting.
I'd take an additional mid-day briefing (as was scheduled for NET noon Eastern), though...
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#112
by
nathan.moeller
on 27 Aug, 2006 13:31
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What time can we expect a decision about whether to delay the shot until Tuesday? That would suck because I'll be in CLASS!;)
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#113
by
Jim
on 27 Aug, 2006 14:00
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"shot" doesn't apply to launch vehicles anymore. That is an old term, related to artillery, I believe
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#114
by
edkyle99
on 27 Aug, 2006 14:01
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Austin - 27/8/2006 12:54 AM
Zachstar - 26/8/2006 10:31 PM
Damn if we have to delay (mostly likely ruining a trip for quite a few people and further causing problems with the program PR) because of this then we really really need to go install a better protection system on that pad. This isn't cool...
A launch delay is frustrating for everyone, but I can assure you that what would REALLY not be cool would be if the hydrogen vent arm pyrotechnics didn't fire correctly at T-0 and Atlantis' ET was damaged as she pushed away from the pad. (or some other pad related malfunction) This was an unprecedented lightning strike.
No matter how technologically advanced man becomes, Mother Nature will occassionally humble us with a display of her power and remind us that she is in control.
Right. Don't mess with lightning. The stuff is nasty. It does the unexpected, especially when it is a monster strike like this one. I've seen lightning circumvent excellent lightning protection systems before. Lightning protection only reduces the chances of damage. Even the best systems do not offer a 100% guarantee of protection. If they have no way to be certain about the pad or SRB pyrotechnics, they should thoroughly test them, IMO.
- Ed Kyle
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#115
by
Jim
on 27 Aug, 2006 14:02
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Near hits are as bad as direct
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#116
by
psloss
on 27 Aug, 2006 14:34
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#117
by
Avron
on 27 Aug, 2006 14:39
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Oh well, things were going well except for the weather. One allways has to be little worried when management "don't know, but know enought, that they know that they don't know"..
Well to know enough, what will it take to test the SRB's (part of the 96 hours test suite) and what was the results from the ET H2 vent arm ?
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#118
by
astrobrian
on 27 Aug, 2006 14:49
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Loved that quote from yesterday, with lightning I guess it's an accelerated case of ESD. you just cant be too safe with it when it concerns lives. As for Ernesto, I have a boss with that name, will let him know he caused all this on Monday
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#119
by
Chris Bergin
on 27 Aug, 2006 14:49
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For what it's worth, we're going with NET Tuesday, as the testing was no where near completed last night (source: Flightstar, who's involved).
