LIVE: STS-115 Flight Day 3

• LIVE: STS-115 Flight Day 3 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 02:22
• Live update thread for Flight Day 3 for STS-115.
  
  Attached are two overview screenshots of FD3 on the 207 page STS-115 Final Flight Plan on L2. Third image is the correct times for the events of the day.

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• #1 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 02:45
• Programing note (as NASA PAO say) for those on L2:
  
  STS-115 Orbit Operations Checklist. STS-115 Rendezvous Handbook.
  STS-115: Ascent Checklist.
  STS-115: Ascent Checklist and Entry Checklist.
  STS-115: Robotics Flight Supplement (428 pages).
  STS-115: Photo/TV Checklist (399 pages) inc. Helmet Cam etc.
  STS-115: Flight Rules.
  STS-115: Full EVA overview and images (326 pages, 56 meg).
  STS-115: PDRS Operations Checklist (68 meg - 517 pages) - as well as others are downloable on L2, where they are really coming into play for this mission from FD3.
• #2 by mkirk on 11 Sep, 2006 02:49
• I noticed a couple of questions since launch on the various threads and I figured I would answer them here.
  
  What is a force fight?  This occurs when servovalves/drivers for a given flight control system fight each other over where the surface should be positioned.  The systems and flight procedures are designed to prevent a bad driver from fighting the good ones.  In the case of the rudder-speed brake, hannel 3 was apparently generating bad commands.  While the Rudder is not used for Ascent it does need to be commanded to the appropriate position (null – closed) and also needs to be available for flight control during the entry & landing portion of an Abort.
  
  What is the FES (flash evaporator system)?
  
  During flight the flash evaporator is used to cool the Freon loops which take away the heat generated by various systems such as the fuel cells, avionics cold plates, and hydraulic heat exchangers, radiators, NH3 boiler, and so on.  In simple terms the hot Freon loops are sprayed with water from the FES which then flashes and evaporates away the heat.  During ascent at about 3 minutes into the flight the crew will check the Evap Out Temp on the overhead meters in front of the Commander to ensure they are decreasing which means that the FES which is activated at SRB Separation is working as advertised.  The FES is not activated until SRB Sep because it is not as efficient at removing heat at lower altitude (higher atmospheric pressure).
  
  During Launch, MCC (mission control center) noticed that the EVAP Out Temperatures were lower than they should be prior to FES activation do to water in the ducts from the recent rains at the Cape – the crew was told to cycle the heaters in order to prevent the water from freezing.
  
  I will have to listen to the tapes again but I believe PAO was getting the FES functions confused with those of the Water Spray Boilers (WSB) which are used to cool the APU (auxiliary power unit) lube oil and hydraulic system fluid.  The FES is not used to cool the hydraulic fluid as I believe PAO was implying, rather the hydraulic fluid cools the Freon loops by taking away the heat and rejecting it in the Waster Spray Boilers.  In the past the WSB spray bars have had problems because of the tendency to freeze up – I think PAO was confusing the two systems – he was certainly confusing me because I was trying to hear Air to Ground Communications so I could track what was happening.
  
  What is APU EGT?
  
  This is the Exhaust Gas Temperature of the Auxiliary Power Units.  During launch the reading for APU 3 was erratic – the temperature is usually in the 940 degree F range.  There is more than one sensor for this reading on each APU one of the readings on #3 was erratic but the other sensor reading is still available and observable by the crew.
  
  Mark Kirkman
  
• #3 by Andy USA on 11 Sep, 2006 02:59
• Mark, thank you so much for that excellent run down.
• #4 by Jason on 11 Sep, 2006 03:13

• Quote

  mkirk - 10/9/2006 10:36 – I think PAO was confusing the two systems – he was certainly confusing me because I was trying to hear Air to Ground Communications so I could track what was happening. Mark Kirkman

  Is there a site where you can listen to just the air to ground loop without the PAO interjecting all the time? Is there anyway that could become a part of this site?

• #5 by reubenb on 11 Sep, 2006 03:25
• So what is presleep and postsleep? Is that like take a shower and brush your teeth or are there more complicated tasks involved in space? It sure seems like they schedule a lot of time for that stuff.
• #6 by Avron on 11 Sep, 2006 03:45
• Quote

  reubenb - 10/9/2006  11:12 PM
  
  So what is presleep and postsleep? Is that like take a shower and brush your teeth or are there more complicated tasks involved in space? It sure seems like they schedule a lot of time for that stuff.

  
  
  I hope just goof around...
• #7 by Avron on 11 Sep, 2006 04:15
• A pan of the payload bay created from 27 frames..

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• #8 by Avron on 11 Sep, 2006 04:29
• Pan created from 20 plus images of the truss in payload bay from the SRMS as it was flown over the bay..

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• #9 by Joffan on 11 Sep, 2006 04:34
• Quote

  Avron - 10/9/2006  10:02 PM
  
  A pan of the payload bay created from 27 frames..

  Thanks Avron - that's the best view of the docking ring I've seen.
  
  Kind of folky medieval music this morning - was it for Burbank?
• #10 by reubenb on 11 Sep, 2006 04:58
• Quote

  Avron - 10/9/2006  10:32 PM
  
  

  Quote

  reubenb - 10/9/2006  11:12 PM
  
  So what is presleep and postsleep? Is that like take a shower and brush your teeth or are there more complicated tasks involved in space? It sure seems like they schedule a lot of time for that stuff.

  
  
  I hope just goof around...

  
  Oh, ok, so basically just free time.
• #11 by Zachstar on 11 Sep, 2006 05:31
• Waste Dump! Awesome shot of it on Nasa TV!!
  
  Edit: Just how long do these dumps take anyway? It's been a ton of time now.
• #12 by reubenb on 11 Sep, 2006 06:02
• Some cool flight deck video now. Too bad I don't have a player that takes screen shots.
• #13 by nitin52 on 11 Sep, 2006 06:24
• Dose sombody recording it. Can we download it? We missed it on NASA TV.
• #14 by Zachstar on 11 Sep, 2006 06:47
• I have one but I cant upload big files sorry.
  
  You will be able to see it on the FD highlights after the crew sleeps tho.
• #15 by Zachstar on 11 Sep, 2006 07:06
• ISS Spotted!!
  
  Edit: (If im reading this right) It looks like there is going to be good TDRS coverage for docking.
  
  Edit2: If you arent watching you are missing some good forward flight deck video. Links for NTV streams below
  
  ----NASA TV-----
  
  http://news.yahoo.com/fc/science/space_shuttle (Click Watch NASA TV 500K Super High Quality Stream)
  
  http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=177&Itemid=2
  
  http://www.idb.com.au/pages/nasatv.html (Many NTV Feeds)
  
  Here is to a good docking today!
• #16 by Stardust9906 on 11 Sep, 2006 08:27
• TI Burn just completed.  Good burn no trim required.
• #17 by MKremer on 11 Sep, 2006 08:32
• NASA-TV has been showing the orbiter as viewed from an ISS camera. It's still a bright smudge, but the puffs of RCS trims are easily visible.
• #18 by rosbif73 on 11 Sep, 2006 08:48
• Today's execute package (128 pages!) has just been posted at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts115/mission_docs/execute_packages.html
  
  

  Quote

  Welcome to a wonderful day in micro gravity and thanks for your excellent work! Today your
  extraterrestrial peers are looking forward to greeting you and to getting your help to upgrade
  their home! Have a smooth docking!
  
• #19 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:19
• Range is about 11200 feet, range rate about 12 fps...third mid-course correction burn in about 10 minutes...
  
• #20 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:24
• A little bit more (perhaps last we'll hear, hopefully) about the fuel cell issue in the MMT wrap-up from the execute package:
  
  

  Quote

  There is no plan to push in the phase A circuit breaker unless the H2
  motor is struggling, the fuel cell is flooding, or the pH sensor is needed to
  troubleshoot an issue with the fuel cell. The cb retention device was installed as a
  precaution. You can expect no additional discussion of this item in the MMT
  summaries unless the situation changes.

  
  Edit: there's also a good explanation about the issue with the speedbrake channel in the flight control system during launch.
  
• #21 by Zachstar on 11 Sep, 2006 09:29
• And we have a good burn!!
  
  I wonder if we will be able to have the Flight Deck Camera coverage during docking like in STS-114? Sure Hope So as it really is cool as you can barely make out the station running into the ODS.
• #22 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:31
• Range now 4100 feet, range rate about 6 fps; possibly one more mid-course correction burn
  
  
• #23 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:37
• More TV from ISS; orbiter should reach the station R-bar at about 5:38 am Eastern.
  
• #24 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:39
• Also getting some sequential stills from the orbiter again.
  
• #25 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 09:41
• Final approach now being performed.

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• #26 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:43
• That top capture is a nice shot of the mobile transporter and the SSRMS out at work site 7 ready for install tomorrow...
  
  ...final mid-course correction was completed; the remainder of the rendezvous will be flown by the commander
  
• #27 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:46
• Range under 1100 feet
  
• #28 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 09:47
• Go for RPM.
• #29 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:50
• Range under 800 feet, range rate now about 1 fps
  
• #30 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 09:52
• 5 minutes to RPM initiation.
• #31 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 09:53

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• #32 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:55
• Range 610 feet; just about to halt closure for RPM...
• #33 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:56
• RPM underway...
  
• #34 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 09:56
• RPM started at this time.
• #35 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:58
• Beautiful video from ISS
  
• #36 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 09:58
• Start photos call
• #37 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 09:59
• Oh my God. Beautiful..

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• #38 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 10:00
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 11/9/2006  5:44 AM
  
  What's with the lack of ISS video for the RBAR?

  Possibly Ku blockage, if I had to guess; the P6 gets in the way to some extent...
  
• #39 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 10:00
• End photos call
  
• #40 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 10:02
• Beautiful shots...

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• #41 by Justin Space on 11 Sep, 2006 10:03
• Wow, some keepers there. Some amazing shots of her, with an apt pink background.
• #42 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 10:07
• Heading for the Plus V Bar for docking.
• #43 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 10:13

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• #44 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 10:15
• Less than 500 ft to go.
• #45 by rfoshaug on 11 Sep, 2006 10:15
• Wow, that was beautiful.
• #46 by nitin52 on 11 Sep, 2006 10:18
• Time remaining for docking?
  
• #47 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 10:20

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• #48 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 10:24
• Quote

  nitin52 - 11/9/2006  11:05 AM
  
  Time remaining for docking?
  

  
  Timeline is on the very first post of this thread.
  
  About 40 minutes.
• #49 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 10:26
• Poll gives go for docking.
• #50 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 10:28

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• #51 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 10:31
• Range 250 feet
  
• #52 by Stardust9906 on 11 Sep, 2006 10:33

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• #53 by nitin52 on 11 Sep, 2006 10:34
• What are those lights?
  
• #54 by MATTBLAK on 11 Sep, 2006 10:35
• Beautiful sight. I've got "The Blue Danube" on constant rotation!!
• #55 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 10:40
• Inside 170 feet, range rate about 0.17 fps
  
• #56 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 10:41

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• #57 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 10:47
• Range now 100 feet, range rate down to about 0.1 fps
• #58 by Stardust9906 on 11 Sep, 2006 10:48

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• #59 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 10:49
• 12 minutes to go until docking.
• #60 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 10:49

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• #61 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 10:52
• Range 75 feet
  
• #62 by Zachstar on 11 Sep, 2006 10:52
• Range 75 Ft.
• #63 by JimO on 11 Sep, 2006 10:53
• I invite folks to get more background on orbital rendezvous at my home page special section, here: http://www.jamesoberg.com/trajectories.html  
• #64 by Stardust9906 on 11 Sep, 2006 10:53

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• #65 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 10:54

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• #66 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 10:54
• Quote

  JimO - 11/9/2006  6:40 AM
  
  I invite folks to get more background on orbital rendezvous at my home page special section, here: http://www.jamesoberg.com/trajectories.html  

  Thanks, Jim.
  
• #67 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 10:55
• Sounds like Jeff Williams is reporting on the RPM photography downlink...just finishing first card.
  
• #68 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 10:56
• Inside 50 feet.
  
• #69 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 10:57
• Quote

  JimO - 11/9/2006  11:40 AM
  
  I invite folks to get more background on orbital rendezvous at my home page special section, here: http://www.jamesoberg.com/trajectories.html  

  
  Never heard of him
  
  Closing range at a 1/10th of a foot per second. Five minutes to docking.
• #70 by Stardust9906 on 11 Sep, 2006 10:57

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• #71 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 10:58

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• #72 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 10:58
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 11/9/2006  6:44 AM
  
  

  Quote

  JimO - 11/9/2006  11:40 AM
  
  I invite folks to get more background on orbital rendezvous at my home page special section, here: http://www.jamesoberg.com/trajectories.html  

  
  Never heard of him

  I'm still curious about yesterday's post about who was in what seat in the MCC for STS-1 and 2...
  
• #73 by DaveS on 11 Sep, 2006 11:00
• 25 ft.
• #74 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 11:00

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• #75 by Zachstar on 11 Sep, 2006 11:00
• 25 FT
• #76 by DaveS on 11 Sep, 2006 11:01
• 20 ft.
• #77 by DaveS on 11 Sep, 2006 11:02
• 15 ft.
• #78 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 11:02

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• #79 by Zachstar on 11 Sep, 2006 11:03
• 10 Feet good luck Atlantis!!!
• #80 by DaveS on 11 Sep, 2006 11:03
• 10 ft.
• #81 by JimO on 11 Sep, 2006 11:04
• Just a reminder to watchers -- that black "+" cross in the center is a 'stand-off cross' on a pole,
  so any angular position errors can be noted and manually flown out prior to contact. Looks perfectly aligned.
• #82 by DaveS on 11 Sep, 2006 11:04
• Contact.
• #83 by Zachstar on 11 Sep, 2006 11:05
• Atlantis has docked to the International Space Station!!
  
  Thanks NASA, NASASPACEFLIGHT, and everyone involved with today's docking for making this morning a very interesting one!
  
  Looking forward now to the Grapple of the Truss.
• #84 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 11:06

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• #85 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 11:19
• NASA S&MA  hooks closed (12) go for attitude control.
  
  Great images, but let's not go too crazy with the volume of images.
• #86 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 11:26
• ISS is go to proceed up to opening the station hatch.  Orbiter now moving docked spacecraft.
  
  Edit: fixed, given later call
  
• #87 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 11:38
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 11/9/2006  1:06 PM
  
  Great images, but let's not go too crazy with the volume of images.

  
  I think its better to limit it to two images per post...
  
  And also, reading back, I see lost of post that say the same.. (For example 75 ft...)  We can hear that by watching NASA - TV...
  
   
• #88 by Stardust9906 on 11 Sep, 2006 11:39

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• #89 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 11:40
• Scanner listeners reporting good comms on 259.7 MHz on passes over Europe.
• #90 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 11:42
• Quote

  jacqmans - 11/9/2006  7:25 AM
  
  And also, reading back, I see lost of post that say the same.. (For example 75 ft...)  We can hear that by watching NASA - TV...

  By that token everything noted in this thread is redundant to an external NASA source (TV, website).  There's going to be some overlap in updates during events like ascent and rendezvous.
  
  The point is to try to strike a balance between news updates and imagery and consider which might be more important to communicate at a given time.
  
• #91 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 11:49
• I'll do some "station keeping" by deleting duplicate posts too. This is also a historical thread, for those unable to get near a PC or NASA TV etc...and in years to come.
• #92 by rosbif73 on 11 Sep, 2006 11:57
• Quote

  psloss - 11/9/2006  1:29 PM
  
  

  Quote

  jacqmans - 11/9/2006  7:25 AM
  
  And also, reading back, I see lost of post that say the same.. (For example 75 ft...)  We can hear that by watching NASA - TV...

  By that token everything noted in this thread is redundant to an external NASA source (TV, website).  There's going to be some overlap in updates during events like ascent and rendezvous.
  
  The point is to try to strike a balance between news updates and imagery and consider which might be more important to communicate at a given time.
  

  
  And also to provide a good balance for those who missed an event live. When looking back through the thread later, what is needed IMO is a good balance of commentary and photos. Too many photos makes a thread indigestible, text only news updates often give little more information than can be gleaned from just reading the timeline.
  
  Incidentally, I'll take this opportunity to mention to Chris and/or abacus that when the forum had inline images disabled for the launch on Saturday, there was a problem when clicking on the get attachment button, in that (at least under Firefox on Windows) the images were opened in an external application (Photoshop in my case) rather than being displayed in a browser window. To me that suggests that the MIME type isn't set correctly in the HTTP headers...
  
• #93 by elmarko on 11 Sep, 2006 11:58
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 11/9/2006  12:27 PM
  
  Scanner listeners reporting good comms on 259.7 MHz on passes over Europe.

  
  Wait, what?
  
  As a scanner user myself I always thought that it was just for Launch/Landing. Can you give a little background, please? I always thought that by this time they'd be using digital satellite downlinks?
  
  I had wonderful comms on Launch Day.
  
  Edit: And also, do they still use the analogue UHF comms for EVAs anymore or is that over to a digital UHF system too?
• #94 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 12:02
• ISS is back in attitude control, as heard from call from ISS MCC-H Capcom Pam Melroy...
  
• #95 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 12:05
• Site related questions should go into the Site FAQ thread.
• #96 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 12:32
• Getting PMA-2 ready.
  

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• #97 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 12:33
• Sounds like they are starting into the P3/P4 grapple procedures...
  
• #98 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 12:38
• View from one of the SSRMS joints:
  

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• #99 by DaveS on 11 Sep, 2006 12:39
• The SRMS is now in motion moving in for the grapple of P3/P4.

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• #100 by nathan.moeller on 11 Sep, 2006 12:47
• Arm has the truss!
• #101 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 13:00
• I wonder if they'll have a two minute silence for the people murdered during 9/11. I see absolutely no reason why not.
• #102 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 13:01
• Getting more downlink from the lab...PAO reported that the hatches were all opened at 8:30 am Eastern...
  
• #103 by SimonShuttle on 11 Sep, 2006 13:08
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 11/9/2006  7:47 AM
  
  I wonder if they'll have a two minute silence for the people murdered during 9/11. I see absolutely no reason why not.

  
  Obviously not, seen as the babbling NASA commentator had to be muted.
• #104 by DaveS on 11 Sep, 2006 13:30
• Jeff Williames now getting the SSRMS ready for the P3/P4 handover activties.
• #105 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 13:32
• First RPM images being acquired, including the strangest gap filler protrudance you'll ever see. On L2 live, but will write an article etc.
• #106 by shuttlefan on 11 Sep, 2006 13:46
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 11/9/2006  8:19 AM
  
  First RPM images being acquired, including the strangest gap filler protrudance you'll ever see. On L2 live, but will write an article etc.

  
  Is there really a protruding gapfiller again?
• #107 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 13:56
• P3-P4 unberthing procedures are underway...

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• #108 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 14:01
• Next mission status briefing will be at the top of the hour... Let's hear about that gapfiller :O
• #109 by MKremer on 11 Sep, 2006 14:05
• RMS is in motion with the truss.
  
• #110 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 14:06
• Unberthing started, the latches are free.

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• #111 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 14:13
• Quote

  eeergo - 11/9/2006  2:48 PM
  
  Next mission status briefing will be at the top of the hour... Let's hear about that gapfiller :O

  
  They may, or may not. The images are only 30 minutes old.
  
  Here is a cropped view of one of the images on this:

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• #112 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 14:16
• very bad timing to have a status briefing while the are unberthing the truss..
  
• #113 by chksix on 11 Sep, 2006 14:19
• It's good for the press to have a gapfiller to ask about. Otherwise they'll just fabricate problems  
  
  I guess they have the briefing after each orbit team shift in mission control.
• #114 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 14:20

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• #115 by lcs on 11 Sep, 2006 14:20
• This is typical of NASA television.  What I can't understand is why they don't use the four channels of NASA TV more effectively during missions.  Put the downlink video from ISS on Channel 1, downlink from Atlantis on Channel 2, Mission status briefings on Channel 3, Flight Day Highlights on Channel 4.  Why do they have four channels and not use them?
• #116 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 14:22
• He doesn't know about the gapfiller then.
• #117 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 14:23
• No word on the gapfiller yet...
  
• #118 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 14:27
• **Puts hand up** I've got 85 more questions........oh, oh well.
• #119 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 14:27
• MMT briefing at 5 pm CDT..
  
• #120 by chksix on 11 Sep, 2006 14:28
• If Tarek was a member here and used a laptop he would have been first to ask about it
• #121 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 14:29
• Well, no gapfiller news... but still some wonderful shots from space

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• #122 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 14:29
• Back to live Space TV

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• #123 by astrobrian on 11 Sep, 2006 14:30
• What was with the press conference?  Seemed rushed and hardly any questions at all.
• #124 by chksix on 11 Sep, 2006 14:33
• Just the Florida Today guy and Tarek from Spacenews were there I think. And KSC didn't have audio so they skipped them.
• #125 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 14:33
• Quote

  astrobrian - 11/9/2006  4:17 PM
  
  What was with the press conference?  Seemed rushed and hardly any questions at all.

  
  
  The reporters do not watch this site, so that is why they have no questions...If they did they would have lots and lots of questions      

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• #126 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 14:34
• Quote

  chksix - 11/9/2006  3:15 PM
  
  If Tarek was a member here and used a laptop he would have been first to ask about it

  
  Tariq is SDC, he'd have to accredit us. There's a number of fellow journalists hanging around here, but they are likely respecting the fact that they need to get their own info rather than using us (which are the correct rules).
• #127 by chksix on 11 Sep, 2006 14:37
• What if he (his website) paid a lot for "media access" to L2 with rights to use the info with credits?
  
  Edit: Might be too hard to administer that and watch that it's not being abused.
• #128 by jacqmans on 11 Sep, 2006 14:41

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• #129 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 14:53
• The truss is at the handoff location, standing by for the station's arm to grapple it.

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• #130 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 15:04
• No exercise allowed when the station's arm grapples until the shuttle's arm is released... guess the crew train too hard, they make everything shake
  
  Anyway, the final approach is underway!
• #131 by dutch courage on 11 Sep, 2006 15:06
• I think most crew members are glued to a window or screen watching the handover.
  
• #132 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 15:10
• P3-P4 grappled! Good job!
• #133 by eeergo on 11 Sep, 2006 15:13
• The GO to ungrapple Canadarm (shuttle's robotic arm) has been given... so the handoff has finished.
• #134 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 15:15
• Quote

  dutch courage - 11/9/2006  10:53 AM
  
  I think most crew members are glued to a window or screen watching the handover.
  

  If that's what they're assigned to do...there's probably some serious EVA prep going on, too...
  
• #135 by triddirt on 11 Sep, 2006 15:26
• Compared to the in-depth TPS studies done yesterday with the OBSS.. Does the RPM manuever really generate engineering data? What areas are covered by the RPS that can not be seen by either the OBSS or on-vehicle cameras?
• #136 by elmarko on 11 Sep, 2006 15:32
• Can someone please return to my earlier question about shuttle radio comms, if possible? I was wondering why there were still UHF comms being heard on 259.700. I always thought that they stopped using the UHF this far into the mission, and started using it again for deorbit and landing.
• #137 by MKremer on 11 Sep, 2006 15:38
• The RPM allows imagery of the entire underside of the orbiter from different angles. The initial OBSS inspections are primarily for nose cap and leading edge coverage. There's no way the OBSS would have enough time to inspect the bottom TPS over the whole orbiter, but it can be used for detailed focused inspections for items of interest, if needed, from the RPM pictures.
• #138 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 16:00
• Gap Filler now classed as "Critical" and is going under evaluations now.
  
  Got a load more images and information on L2, so I've written a short article, with more to come.
  
  http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=4797
• #139 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 16:09
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 11/9/2006  11:47 AM
  
  Gap Filler now classed as "Critical" and is going under evaluations now.
  
  Got a load more images and information on L2, so I've written a short article, with more to come.
  
  http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=4797

  Chris, any inkling about whether this means doing focused inspections on Flight Day 5...instead of EVA-2?
  
  Thanx.
  
• #140 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 16:32
• Pretty sure it's FI, but we're assuming this will be an EVA, as it's in the wrong area, and the wrong dimensions to remain where it is...at least that's what I'm hearing. We'll see.
  
  We need send Steve Robinson up to deal with it
• #141 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 16:46
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 11/9/2006  12:19 PM
  
  Pretty sure it's FI, but we're assuming this will be an EVA, as it's in the wrong area, and the wrong dimensions to remain where it is...at least that's what I'm hearing. We'll see.
  
  We need send Steve Robinson up to deal with it

  OK, thanks; just curious if anyone was saying anything specifically about that.  As already noted, we'll hear about this at the post MMT briefing later today.  Still lots of time (relatively speaking) to decide about the plan for FD5, which may factor in how well tomorrow's install and EVA go.
  
• #142 by Oli4 on 11 Sep, 2006 17:21
• Any word on the gap filler yet? I read the article Chris wrote and I was wondering if we should be alarmed about this.
  I also saw the little pictures of the gap filler. Any chance someone found a larger version of this picture somewhere on the NASA site? Can we get the link? THX!
• #143 by NASA_Twix_JSC on 11 Sep, 2006 17:37
• Quote

  Oli4 - 11/9/2006  6:08 PM
  
  Any word on the gap filler yet? I read the article Chris wrote and I was wondering if we should be alarmed about this.
  I also saw the little pictures of the gap filler. Any chance someone found a larger version of this picture somewhere on the NASA site? Can we get the link? THX!

  
  There won't be anything on the NASA site for a good while yet, and then it won't be as many as there are of it on L2
  
  Remember, L2 acquires from sources, before any other site. So I'm afraid there is no link on NASA.gov etc until late tonight after the post-MMT conference (if they decide to show any).
• #144 by Stardust9906 on 11 Sep, 2006 17:37
• Quote

  Oli4 - 11/9/2006  6:08 PM
  
  Any word on the gap filler yet? I read the article Chris wrote and I was wondering if we should be alarmed about this.

  
  I think alarmed is probably too strong a word.  If the engineers decide it needs to be removed they will probably add the task on to one of the EVA’S.  Judging by the amount it’s sticking out already I’m sure getting it out all the way won’t be too much of a problem.
• #145 by Oli4 on 11 Sep, 2006 17:38
• OK thank you for that answer.
• #146 by Oli4 on 11 Sep, 2006 17:53
• Is it just me? Those Russians are really funny... Do they actually know what they are doing? Doesn't look like it.
• #147 by DaveS on 11 Sep, 2006 18:06
• Just got some numbers on the RPM:
  
  168 photos taken with a 800 mm lens
  140 photos taken with a 400 mm lens.
• #148 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 18:31
• Quote

  Oli4 - 11/9/2006  6:08 PM
  
  Any word on the gap filler yet? I read the article Chris wrote and I was wondering if we should be alarmed about this.
  I also saw the little pictures of the gap filler. Any chance someone found a larger version of this picture somewhere on the NASA site? Can we get the link? THX!

  
  They've been on L2 for hours, and we're moving on to other stuff, while we wait for MMT comments on it, so here is a better image for you.

  ---

  
• #149 by Oli4 on 11 Sep, 2006 18:37
• Chris thank you so much!
• #150 by dutch courage on 11 Sep, 2006 19:07
• The protuberance looks dark brown like it's been exposed to a fair amount of heat.
  
• #151 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 19:13
• Quote

  dutch courage - 11/9/2006  2:54 PM
  
  The protuberance looks dark brown like it's been exposed to a fair amount of heat.
  

  Yeah, I'm curious about these ones given that the ET doors are obviously in a different position during ascent...not sure what the gap is between the face of the tiles on the doors and the tiles on the belly.
  
• #152 by dutch courage on 11 Sep, 2006 20:29
• POST-MMT BRIEFING rescheduled to 3:30 pm CDT / 4:30 pm EDT
  
  With John Shannon and Kirk Shireman.
  
  
• #153 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 20:46
• Quote

  dutch courage - 11/9/2006  4:16 PM
  
  POST-MMT BRIEFING rescheduled to 3:30 pm CDT / 4:30 pm EDT
  

  Thanks for the update...I can't watch TV at work for some reason
  
• #154 by DaveS on 11 Sep, 2006 20:49
• Seems like they have audio problems. Quite an echo!
• #155 by lcs on 11 Sep, 2006 20:49
• That's cool.  Leave it to NASA to invent the infinite echo.
• #156 by chksix on 11 Sep, 2006 20:50
• Some echo there!
  
  I thought it was my RealPlayer and network connection doing that!
• #157 by gocamels on 11 Sep, 2006 20:50
• WOW...WTF happened to the audio...never heard that much loop back, like a digital replay that just kept looping...major malfunction there at JSC
  
  I thought it was the stream as well...then popped NASA-TV on the DirecTV and it was the same...curious huh?
• #158 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 21:02
• Focused inspection decision needed by tomorrow at 8 am...I'm assuming this time it's CDT.
  
• #159 by triddirt on 11 Sep, 2006 21:02
• No decision on focused inspection yet...
• #160 by Chris Bergin on 11 Sep, 2006 21:04
• 50/50 on the FI. Looks like they think the Gap Filler will drop out soon into re-entry.
• #161 by Mark Max Q on 11 Sep, 2006 21:07
• Hey, I've seen that image they showed somewhere before
• #162 by triddirt on 11 Sep, 2006 21:12
• Decided I'm tired of the term "Camp Out"... It's not like they're sitting around a fire singing songs...
  
  I'm thinking not much difference sleeping anywhere in the shuttle or ISS. Strap yourself down and close your eyes..
• #163 by dutch courage on 11 Sep, 2006 21:25
• Quote

  triddirt - 11/9/2006  10:59 PM
  
  Decided I'm tired of the term "Camp Out"... It's not like they're sitting around a fire singing songs...

  
  This term isn't a technical NASA term like Intra Vehicular Depress Pre Sleep but I think it's catchy.
  
• #164 by chksix on 11 Sep, 2006 21:35
• Will they sleep with oxygen masks on and what happens if something happens to that mask or it's hose during sleep? I guess they are exceptionally cool people but dreams can cause trashing around
• #165 by reubenb on 11 Sep, 2006 21:37
• I don't think they have the masks on. I think they just lower the pressure in the airlock which somehow forces the nitrogen out of the blood.
• #166 by chksix on 11 Sep, 2006 21:43
• During prebreath they breath pure oxygen to purge out the nitrogen and I saw them wearing the masks when they closed the hatch. That's why I was thinking that the camping out would be an extended prebreath session. And isn't 10.5 psi too low to breathe without oxygen?
• #167 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 21:50
• Quote

  chksix - 11/9/2006  5:30 PM
  
  During prebreath they breath pure oxygen to purge out the nitrogen and I saw them wearing the masks when they closed the hatch. That's why I was thinking that the camping out would be an extended prebreath session. And isn't 10.5 psi too low to breathe without oxygen?

  No, it's standard for orbiter EVAs to depress the orbiter crew module to 10.2 psi; they've been doing that for probably decades now.
  
  Edit: according to this, the first shuttle mission to use the protocol was STS-41B in February, 1984.
  
• #168 by chksix on 11 Sep, 2006 21:58
• Thanks for the link.
• #169 by dutch courage on 11 Sep, 2006 22:06
• In the early days the Russian space suits were pressurised to 5.8 psi.
  
  Details: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/spacenews/factsheets/pdfs/EVACron.pdf
  
• #170 by psloss on 11 Sep, 2006 22:53
• PAO just said that focused inspection will not be needed.
  
• #171 by nathan.moeller on 12 Sep, 2006 00:26
• Quote

  psloss - 11/9/2006  5:40 PM
  
  PAO just said that focused inspection will not be needed.
  

  
  Very good!  Did we get word on why the gap filler was darkened?
• #172 by Joffan on 12 Sep, 2006 00:57
• Slightly OT: Did the chairman of the MMT briefing just refer to the "Station erotic arm" (in his concluding remarks) or is it my hearing going?
• #173 by nathan.moeller on 12 Sep, 2006 01:04
• Quote

  Joffan - 11/9/2006  7:44 PM
  
  Slightly OT: Did the chairman of the MMT briefing just refer to the "Station erotic arm" (in his concluding remarks) or is it my hearing going?

  
  Your hearing's going.
• #174 by jcopella on 12 Sep, 2006 02:49
• To anyone who might've missed it, be sure to catch the FD3 highlights reel on NASA-TV.   It's spectacular -- the RPM is gorgeous, and the P3/P4 ops are a sight to behold.
• #175 by Jeff Bingham on 12 Sep, 2006 03:41
• Didn't see the post, but it seems to me Dick Truly was Capcom for STS-1; Jerry Griffin Mission Director? Hehe...guess those are more questions than answers...sorry.
• #176 by Austin on 12 Sep, 2006 04:37
• Quote

  51D Mascot - 11/9/2006  8:28 PM
  
  Didn't see the post, but it seems to me Dick Truly was Capcom for STS-1; Jerry Griffin Mission Director? Hehe...guess those are more questions than answers...sorry.

  
  What does this have to do with STS-115 Flight Day 3?