STS-117 Processing latest (through to Rollover to VAB)

• #220 by Chris Bergin on 06 Jan, 2007 19:42
• Welcome to the site Alex (and well done on the Ashes *grumble*)
  
  There's a few threads from previous launches that cover reccomendations for going to a launch, so when I get a chance I'll start a new thread for 117 and link up the previous, so as to get some decent level of info for this.
• #221 by Alex on 07 Jan, 2007 00:23
• Thanks for the Welcome Chris im looking forward to seeing the thread.
• #222 by Chris Bergin on 07 Jan, 2007 03:12
• Moved from the extensive Jan 5 report on L2:
  OV-104 (STS-117) OPF-1
  OV-105 FRCS bushings found to not be seated properly on the attach points; OV-104 may have the same issue. Data from attach point gap dimensions before and after final torque on 104 will be evaluated by engineering again to determine if any rework will be required; results are expected mid-next week. TPS rework will be an issue if inspections are required.
  Forward compartment closeout and hatch operations continue.
  Chin panel carrier panel installation continues. Picked up new PR FWD-4-28-6471 15 O/T step, gap and recession conditions exist at chin panel/nose cap interface
  Operations to support final PLBD closure continue.
  Payload bay centerline camera adjust is complete with no anomalies.
  ODS scan retest was successfully completed yesterday.
  PLBD-0880 was picked up Wednesday on LH #1 Tile broken during PLB door opening. R&R is in work and will continue through next week.
  Payload bay closeout photos began last night and continue today.
  OMS post-flight vernier thruster pressure chamber tube flush is complete and good; drying continues 1st shift today.
  Potable H2O servicing picked up last night and continues today. Complete at this time with fill and sample less results.
  IPR 117V-0053 FRCS F5L oxidizer injector temperature reading -34F (lower limit); initial T/S indicates a broken circuit (wire); further T/S and dispo in-work
  V1009.002 MPS electrical checks are scheduled for Monday.
  Weekend work: Cabin air recirc/maintenance, forward compartment closeout/hatch ops, flipper door closeouts, TPS ops, SSME carrier panels, and pyro hi-pots.
• #223 by mkirk on 07 Jan, 2007 16:31
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 5/1/2007  6:00 PM
  
  

  Quote

  shuttlefan - 5/1/2007  11:00 PM
  
  

  Quote

  nathan.moeller - 5/1/2007  4:31 PM
  
  Good to see them stacked and ready.  Thanks Anik.  Do we have a date for ET mate?  If I remember correctly Atlantis' rolloever is set for February 2.

  
  Nathan, ET/SRB mate is targetted for 1/19/07. I believe rollover is set for Feb. 7th, unless that has indeed changed to the 2nd. (?) ;)Maybe Chris can shed some light on this.

  
  http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=4983
  
  "Atlantis is due to be stacked with ET-124 and her SRBs (Booster Integration - BI-129, Reusable Solid Rocket Motors - RSRM-96) on February 2, according to ATK."

  
  I believe the Rollover Date is “under review”.  Orbiter processing activities are/were scheduled to be completed on February 1 (i.e. Orbiter ready to roll).  So as long as no issues arise with ET/SRB mate or the remaining Orbiter Processing activities then I would guess Rollover would get moved up to the 2nd to preserve as much margin in VAB and "On Pad" schedules as possible.
  
  Mark Kirkman
  
• #224 by mdmcgrory on 08 Jan, 2007 15:52
• The launch time during this window is around 6am local time, right?
• #225 by DaveS on 08 Jan, 2007 16:01
• Quote

  mdmcgrory - 8/1/2007  5:35 PM
  
  The launch time during this window is around 6am local time, right?

  6:20 am EDT.
• #226 by Rocket Guy on 08 Jan, 2007 18:44
• 6:20 is the time on March 16th. It gets an average of 23 minutes earlier each subsequent day like all ISS flights.
• #227 by Chris Bergin on 09 Jan, 2007 04:51
• STS 117  / OV104 / OPF 1
  Power is up
  Power up Tuesday 08:00
  Forward closeouts in work
  Elevon ops in work
  Payload bay door closeout photos in work
  Right hand stringer door installation in work
• #228 by Alex on 09 Jan, 2007 13:01
• At 6:20AM EST is there daylight yet?
• #229 by shuttlefan on 09 Jan, 2007 14:14
• Quote

  Alex - 9/1/2007  7:44 AM
  
  At 6:20AM EST is there daylight yet?

  
  No, as mentioned  earlier in this thread, in response to me asking the same question.
• #230 by Chandonn on 10 Jan, 2007 14:22
• I read on another site (a couple of dated references already) that today (January 10) was set for closure of Atlantis' payload bay doors.
• #231 by mkirk on 10 Jan, 2007 15:19
• Quote

  Chandonn - 10/1/2007  9:05 AM
  
  I read on another site (a couple of dated references already) that today (January 10) was set for closure of Atlantis' payload bay doors.

  
  It was indeed scheduled for today and closure preparations are underway.  The doors may need to be cycled again late this week in support of final thermal protection system work.
  
  Mark Kirkman
  
• #232 by Chris Bergin on 11 Jan, 2007 02:56
• Here's a snippet on the Atlantis processing - this time from the Stand-up Integration report on L2 (twice a week updates - but expansive). The next update from L2 will be the expansive daily ops reports, which go deeper into every asspect of the day's processing on each orbiter:
  
  
  OV-104 (STS-117)
  
  · They have lost a day; will sit down with their integrated flow people and NASA today to make sure the day will be recovered in the appropriate place.
  
  · Primarily performing closeout work in OPF flow. All midbody bays are closed out except for Bay 3 LH and RH. Will close these early this week, and get into payload bay door closure later this week. Midbody will then not be available for more work until get to the launch pad.
  
  · Critical path is TPS processing, with about 40 cavities remaining. Planned February 1st rollover date is eroding due to tile work. Working toward February 7th rollover.
  
  · SRB stacking is complete. Performing closeouts on ET. Have 19 day test cell flow, and are on track for mate on February 19th. Plan angle and tip roll Wednesday through Saturday. On track for ET/SRB mate.
  
  · Hyper validations are in work on Pad A. Working toward hot flow of hyper systems on January 25th. Proof loads and validations are in work. Working toward February 1st completion of structures work on weather protection and ET access platform. Have plenty of contingency time for Pad A. There has been talk of maintaining Pad B until sure will have Pad A ready. Point of no return for Pad B is January 16th.
• #233 by Concorde on 11 Jan, 2007 17:30
• Quote

  Ben - 8/1/2007  7:27 PM
  
  6:20 is the time on March 16th. It gets an average of 23 minutes earlier each subsequent day like all ISS flights.

  
  That's good information to know. I am not very knowledgeable here but have the opportunity to be in florida in March and am trying to judge a number of contingency days. Is there so many days available after which there is a gap or should I just allow as many extra days as I can?
  
  Is there any deadline/milestone after which March 16 gets a higher or lower possibility?
  
• #234 by lsullivan411 on 11 Jan, 2007 18:25

• Quote

  Concorde - 11/1/2007 1:13 PM

  Quote

  Ben - 8/1/2007 7:27 PM 6:20 is the time on March 16th. It gets an average of 23 minutes earlier each subsequent day like all ISS flights.

  That's good information to know. I am not very knowledgeable here but have the opportunity to be in florida in March and am trying to judge a number of contingency days. Is there so many days available after which there is a gap or should I just allow as many extra days as I can? Is there any deadline/milestone after which March 16 gets a higher or lower possibility?

  My recomendation to you is be as flexible as you can.  Although it looks like launch date will be March 16, or possibly March 15 the final launch date is not confirmed until the FRR about 10 days or so prior to launch.  Assuming the date is set for the 15th, and if the only issue is weather - chances of a launch are pretty good within a couple of attempts, but as seen in 2006 weather may play the biggest role in deciding if the launch occurs!  For planning purposes, I would likely try to be in the area for at least a week, if you have the time.  There is plenty to do in the Orlando/KSC area to keep you busy while waiting for the launch!  Good luck, hope you get to see it!

   

   

• #235 by Concorde on 11 Jan, 2007 19:06
• Thanks for the recommendation. I had thought it was "no earlier than" for March 16 but you mention a possibility for 15th which I will bear in mind. I have about a week but am travelling from England so have flights and a hotel to arrange so don't want to wait until they are booked up!
• #236 by Gerald Andrew Richli on 11 Jan, 2007 19:10
• Hello! I saw on nasa video feeds at space station processing center a payload canister with something in it. What is in the canister at Jan. 11, 2007 at 1:00 pm mst?
• #237 by mkirk on 11 Jan, 2007 19:37
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 10/1/2007  9:39 PM
  
  
  OV-104 (STS-117)
  
  
  · SRB stacking is complete. Performing closeouts on ET. Have 19 day test cell flow, and are on track for mate on February 19th. Plan angle and tip roll Wednesday through Saturday. On track for ET/SRB mate.
  
  

  
  FYI;  This is a typo, ET Mate is schdeduled for Jan 19th not Feb.
  
  Mark Kirkman
• #238 by Gerald Andrew Richli on 11 Jan, 2007 20:58
• Could that be the S3/S4 Trusses in the payload canister?
• #239 by DaveS on 11 Jan, 2007 21:21
• Quote

  Gerald Andrew Richli - 11/1/2007  10:41 PM
  
  Could that be the S3/S4 Trusses in the payload canister?

  No, it's empty. PL roll to pad is approx. 2 days prior to SSV rollout to pad, right now 14/2. So PL roll to pad is 12/2 and PL loading into Canister is about 2 days prior to PL roll to pad.