Author Topic: LIVE: STS-116 - Flight Day 12 - Late Inspections (Read 39633 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 12/20/2006 12:18 pm »

Live update pages for FD12. On Orbit "late" inspections to the orbiter for MMOD damage etc.

Looking to add some L2 content into here on this - will update this post in due course.

northanger · « **Reply #1 on:** 12/20/2006 12:20 pm »

did you catch the wakeup call?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #2 on:** 12/20/2006 12:30 pm »

Quote

northanger - 20/12/2006 1:03 PM

did you catch the wakeup call?

Yeah, another obscure one

Crew Wakeup:

"Say You'll Be Mine" - Christopher Cross

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #3 on:** 12/20/2006 12:32 pm »

Ha!! Those on L2 will know we post important "MER" notes (Mission Evaluation Room) - which is THE fastest way to know what's going on, especially on missions.

Check this out:

"2006:354:12:47:51
12/20/06 06:47:51 ***** Crew wakes up to a song I have no clue about..."

Got that right!

northanger · « **Reply #4 on:** 12/20/2006 12:38 pm »

Didn't Cross do "Sailing"? Who did they play it for?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #5 on:** 12/20/2006 12:42 pm »

Quote

northanger - 20/12/2006 1:21 PM

Didn't Cross do "Sailing"? Who did they play it for?

Rod Stewart?

northanger · « **Reply #6 on:** 12/20/2006 12:50 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 20/12/2006 7:25 AM

Quote
northanger - 20/12/2006 1:21 PM

Didn't Cross do "Sailing"? Who did they play it for?

Rod Stewart?

i need to get on L2, i shall pout all day.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #7 on:** 12/20/2006 12:55 pm »

Quote

northanger - 20/12/2006 1:33 PM

Quote
Chris Bergin - 20/12/2006 7:25 AM

Quote
northanger - 20/12/2006 1:21 PM

Didn't Cross do "Sailing"? Who did they play it for?

Rod Stewart?

i need to get on L2, i shall pout all day.

We don't have any documentation about Rod Stewart on L2

Anyway, I'm digressing!

Back to the mission

rosbif73 · « **Reply #8 on:** 12/20/2006 02:14 pm »

The FD 12 Execute Package has just been posted.

Quote

Good Morning Discovery!!!!

Now that you have started station well on its way to full power, executed a record breaking
four EVAs in a single shuttle mission, exchanged Suni for Thomas, it is time to think about
coming home. We can hardly wait to tell you in person what a terrific mission this has been!
When you check today’s flight plan, you can see that we are going to take the opportunity
we have and do a voice check with White Sands right after inspection is finished.

Have a great inspection day!

Quote

FD11 MMT Crew Summary

Congratulations on your fourth successful EVA! The team was very proud of your
accomplishment. It was an awesome sight to see the P6 solar array fully retracted and
latched. Clearly, your expert touch, along with the help of hundreds of people here on the
ground, has made the docked portion of STS-116 a huge success. The orbiter continues to
perform near flawlessly and there are no new anomalies to discuss. The MMT closed with
an in-depth review of the decision that was made on FD8 to perform late inspection in lieu of
preserving a weather wave off day. All MMT team elements unanimously reaffirmed this
decision as the correct course of action.

Weather Forecast - The Spaceflight Meteorology Group presented a weather forecast for
all three CONUS sites, focusing on the EOM-1, EOM, and EOM+1 days. KSC was
characterized as marginal on both EOM and EOM+1 due to low clouds and the chance of
rain showers within the 30 nmi circle. Edwards was characterized as marginal on EOM due
to high crosswinds, but the site returns to solid “GO” conditions on EOM+1. The Northrup
lakebed condition is being watched closely as showers move through the area today. The
Northrup forecast is “GO” on EOM and marginal on EOM+1 due to a slight chance of rain
showers within the 30 nmi circle.

While assessing the weather forecast, the MMT team briefly touched on the option whereby
a modified late inspection could be performed on the same day as FCS checkout in order to
preserve the option of landing on FD13. This option is not feasible from a timeline
perspective and will not be considered further. The intent of the MMT is for the mission
operations team to land the vehicle on EOM unless it is precluded by bad weather at all
three sites or a systems problem.

Northrup Discussion - KSC ground operations personnel summarized the capabilities
available at Northrup. The community is confident that the orbiter can safely land at
Northrup and there are adequate faculties to egress the crew. One of the main concerns
with a landing at Northrup is how it affects the post-processing of the vehicle. During the
extended period where the orbiter would remain at Northrup, the orbiter could be exposed to
low temperatures that would increase the chances of leaking thrusters and freezing
hydrazine/water lines. This concern extrapolates into some additional risk to the ground
personnel that are post-processing the orbiter. After taking a poll, the MMT team
unanimously agreed that crew safety will not be traded at the expense of vehicle turnaround
concerns. With this decision, a full-up late inspection will remain in the FD12 timeline.

Oh, and Oefelein is now "Boom of Mine"

jmjawors · « **Reply #9 on:** 12/20/2006 02:51 pm »

Speaking of booms, the OBSS is just about to be unberthed.

DaveS · « **Reply #10 on:** 12/20/2006 03:01 pm »

OBSS has been grappled.

jmjawors · « **Reply #11 on:** 12/20/2006 03:01 pm »

OBSS grapple completed

DaveS · « **Reply #12 on:** 12/20/2006 03:10 pm »

OBSS is now being unberthed by the SRMS for the upcoming inspections of the TPS.

kneecaps · « **Reply #13 on:** 12/20/2006 04:34 pm »

Whats the deal with the strange names they have had in the detailed timelines in the EX packages for Bill Oefelein over the past few days?

jacqmans · « **Reply #14 on:** 12/20/2006 04:35 pm »

jacqmans · « **Reply #15 on:** 12/20/2006 04:44 pm »

jmjawors · « **Reply #16 on:** 12/20/2006 05:13 pm »

Starboard wing inspection completed.

DaveS · « **Reply #17 on:** 12/20/2006 05:13 pm »

Starboard wing survey complete at 11:52 am CST. Manuevering SRMS/OBSS to the nosecap survey position.

RCC panels looked good. Noticed a few MMOD impacts on the HRSI tiles on the upper surface of the wing. Not deep at all or very large in size.

jacqmans · « **Reply #18 on:** 12/20/2006 05:13 pm »

dutch courage · « **Reply #19 on:** 12/20/2006 05:14 pm »

Starboard wing inspection completed. Continuing with the nose cap.

JimO · « **Reply #20 on:** 12/20/2006 05:18 pm »

"Noticed a few MMOD impacts on the HRSI tiles on the upper surface of the wing"

Do we have any before-after images?

gordo · « **Reply #21 on:** 12/20/2006 05:18 pm »

what wing were they worried about shortly after docking, that they had a look at with the SSRMS?

DaveS · « **Reply #22 on:** 12/20/2006 05:21 pm »

Quote

gordo - 20/12/2006 7:01 PM

what wing were they worried about shortly after docking, that they had a look at with the SSRMS?

Left wing, wing leading edge sensors between RCC panels 19-21 detected a very weak impact. No damaged was observed at it was about 100x weaker than required to even scratch the panels.

DaveS · « **Reply #23 on:** 12/20/2006 05:25 pm »

Quote

JimO - 20/12/2006 7:01 PM

"Noticed a few MMOD impacts on the HRSI tiles on the upper surface of the wing"

Do we have any before-after images?

No. But I'm quite certain that it was MMOD impacts. They had a 3D structure and was very white in color on a surface that is supposed to be black in color. They also had an appearance of a crater.

Most of them was about half the size of the waterproofing holes on the tiles.

gordo · « **Reply #24 on:** 12/20/2006 05:29 pm »

Quote

DaveS - 20/12/2006 6:04 PM

Quote
gordo - 20/12/2006 7:01 PM

what wing were they worried about shortly after docking, that they had a look at with the SSRMS?
Left wing, wing leading edge sensors between RCC panels 19-21 detected a very weak impact. No damaged was observed at it was about 100x weaker than required to even scratch the panels.

Thought it was weaker than they expceted from foam, but in range of what an MMOD hit could be? They said the size that could have been caused would not have been seen on the SSRMS cam, so we had to wait the the boom came back out today.

Not in anyway saying this is an potential problem, just can't recall where the MMT left the issue

jacqmans · « **Reply #25 on:** 12/20/2006 05:35 pm »

DaveS · « **Reply #26 on:** 12/20/2006 05:38 pm »

Quote

gordo - 20/12/2006 7:12 PM
Thought it was weaker than they expceted from foam, but in range of what an MMOD hit could be? They said the size that could have been caused would not have been seen on the SSRMS cam, so we had to wait the the boom came back out today.

Not in anyway saying this is an potential problem, just can't recall where the MMT left the issue

No matter if it's foam or anything else, it has to have a certain force to damage the RCC panels. If the force isn't high enough, the RCC panels will be alright.

I believe that 10 Grms is what is needed to scratch the panels, while 20 Grms is needed to damage them.
Take those values with a grain of salt, as I don't remember the exact values.

The impact noted was around 0.2 Grms, not nearly enough force to even scratch the panels, let alone damage them.

gordo · « **Reply #27 on:** 12/20/2006 05:49 pm »

Quote

DaveS - 20/12/2006 6:21 PM

No matter if it's foam or anything else, it has to have a certain force to damage the RCC panels. If the force isn't high enough, the RCC panels will be alright.

Going all the way back to Newton it Depends on the size of the object as to what force it would cause and therefore the reading on the accelerometers

Fire a bullet at a man and he might only know he's been shot when he sees the blood, but fire a larger object at him at the same velocity and he'll know whats hit him....as he picks himslef up of the ground

Jim · « **Reply #28 on:** 12/20/2006 05:52 pm »

Quote

DaveS - 20/12/2006 12:56 PM

Starboard wing survey complete at 11:52 am CST. Manuevering SRMS/OBSS to the nosecap survey position.

RCC panels looked good. Noticed a few MMOD impacts on the HRSI tiles on the upper surface of the wing. Not deep at all or very large in size.

"who" noticed?

Stardust9906 · « **Reply #29 on:** 12/20/2006 05:57 pm »

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #30 on:** 12/20/2006 05:57 pm »

"The managers had faced a tough decision as to which was the bigger risk: skipping the late inspection to see if Discovery was damaged by a micrometeorite while it was docked with the International Space Station during the past week? Or running out of time to land Discovery safely when the shuttle's fuel reserves are close to empty? "

Kinda made it sound like damned if you do, damned if you don't haha. But I thought this quote balanced it out:

"The spacewalk demonstrated that the Apollo 13 "failure is not an option" spirit continues to thrive at NASA."

Nice one I think! Houston taking a close, hard look at the nose cap it seems. Who's that on CAPCOM?

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #31 on:** 12/20/2006 06:09 pm »

I noticed they've changed attitude. Any specific reasons behind the attitudes for the inspections? Of course...other than shielding the heat shield.

Stardust9906 · « **Reply #32 on:** 12/20/2006 06:13 pm »

dutch courage · « **Reply #33 on:** 12/20/2006 06:20 pm »

Quote

nathan.moeller - 20/12/2006 7:40 PM

Who's that on CAPCOM?

It's Kevin Ford.

Stardust9906 · « **Reply #34 on:** 12/20/2006 06:24 pm »

DarthVader · « **Reply #35 on:** 12/20/2006 06:39 pm »

what are these marks on 116_11??

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #36 on:** 12/20/2006 06:40 pm »

Quote

DarthVader - 20/12/2006 1:22 PM

what are these marks on 116_11??

Probably residue from RCS propellant. Crew positioning the arm for port wing inspections before taking a break for lunch.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #37 on:** 12/20/2006 06:42 pm »

Nothing of interest is coming in from sources, so that's all looking fine so far.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #38 on:** 12/20/2006 06:44 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 20/12/2006 1:25 PM

Nothing of interest is coming in from sources, so that's all looking fine so far.

Aye. And speaking of lunch I believe I'll join them

Hey Chris any idea what's up with all the attitude changes? My guess is so they can gain the most optimal lighting conditions on the area they need to survey but of course that's a guess.

jacqmans · « **Reply #39 on:** 12/20/2006 07:13 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #40 on:** 12/20/2006 07:25 pm »

Quote

nathan.moeller - 20/12/2006 7:27 PM

Quote
Chris Bergin - 20/12/2006 1:25 PM

Nothing of interest is coming in from sources, so that's all looking fine so far.

Aye. And speaking of lunch I believe I'll join them Hey Chris any idea what's up with all the attitude changes? My guess is so they can gain the most optimal lighting conditions on the area they need to survey but of course that's a guess.

I'd be guessing, but it certainly is likely to be lighting.

Jorge · « **Reply #41 on:** 12/20/2006 07:48 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 20/12/2006 2:08 PM

Quote
nathan.moeller - 20/12/2006 7:27 PM

Quote
Chris Bergin - 20/12/2006 1:25 PM

Nothing of interest is coming in from sources, so that's all looking fine so far.

Aye. And speaking of lunch I believe I'll join them Hey Chris any idea what's up with all the attitude changes? My guess is so they can gain the most optimal lighting conditions on the area they need to survey but of course that's a guess.

I'd be guessing, but it certainly is likely to be lighting.

I believe that's correct. The current attitude in UNIV PTG (TGT ID 4, BODY VECT 5, P 0, Y 315, OM 144) looks like it's designed to put the port wing face-on to the sun for the upcoming port wing inspection.
--
JRF

Stardust9906 · « **Reply #42 on:** 12/20/2006 07:48 pm »

JimO · « **Reply #43 on:** 12/20/2006 07:50 pm »

Status report coming up on the top of the hour, by my schedule.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #44 on:** 12/20/2006 08:00 pm »

Yeah I noticed that too. The graphic showed it coming into orbital day with the port wing facing the sun and rotating to follow it. Has to be lighting. Thanks guys.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #45 on:** 12/20/2006 08:01 pm »

Great shot on NTV of Discovery passing over city lights in orbital darkness. Wow

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #46 on:** 12/20/2006 08:15 pm »

Port wing inspections continuing. Adjusting position for another pass.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #47 on:** 12/20/2006 08:20 pm »

Mission Status Briefing starting at JSC

eeergo · « **Reply #48 on:** 12/20/2006 08:38 pm »

Just as a heads-up, from the NASA site:

Tonight, two small scientific satellites will be deployed from the payload bay. The Microelectromechanical System-Based PICOSAT Inspector (MEPSI) mini-satellite will be released from Discovery's cargo bay at 7:16 p.m. MEPSI will demonstrate the use of tiny, low-power satellites to observe larger spacecraft by testing the function of small camera systems and gyroscopes.

The Radar Fence Transponder (RAFT) satellite will be released at 8:56 p.m. RAFT is a student experiment from the United States Naval Academy that uses picosatellites to test the Space Surveillance Radar Fence.

psloss · « **Reply #49 on:** 12/20/2006 08:45 pm »

I guess I'll be looking to see what info comes up on L2 in the next day, but it does sound like the program is preparing to deal with post-landing operations at White Sands (things like purges and power)...Phil Engelauf noted that they can get equipment staged, into C-17s, and out to New Mexico...although that does kind of sound like one of the "waves" of recovery support that would happen in a TAL case...

Mark Nguyen · « **Reply #50 on:** 12/20/2006 08:49 pm »

I'm confused as tto the usefulness of these inspections. Assuming they had found MMOD dmage significant enough to warrant a return to ISS, is there not a drop-dead point at which they must do so? Is it too late already to head back up? And a return would certainly use up any propellant they'd use to return home; are there provisions to refuel and try an unmanned landing if need be?

Mark

lsullivan411 · « **Reply #51 on:** 12/20/2006 08:49 pm »

Interesting comments about Edwards runway reconfigs in 2008 which may bring White Sands into more play in the future.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #52 on:** 12/20/2006 08:57 pm »

OBSS being lowered into the starboard sill of the payload bay for berthing.

DaveS · « **Reply #53 on:** 12/20/2006 09:02 pm »

Quote

Mark Nguyen - 20/12/2006 10:32 PM

I'm confused as tto the usefulness of these inspections. Assuming they had found MMOD dmage significant enough to warrant a return to ISS, is there not a drop-dead point at which they must do so? Is it too late already to head back up? And a return would certainly use up any propellant they'd use to return home; are there provisions to refuel and try an unmanned landing if need be?

Mark

They usuallly make a burn to be station-keeping with ISS at about 20 NM behind so that they can re-rendezvous with ISS if they find any entry critical damage. And the orbiter can't be refueled on-orbit.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #54 on:** 12/20/2006 09:04 pm »

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #55 on:** 12/20/2006 09:07 pm »

OBSS berthed in Discovery's payload bay at this time.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #56 on:** 12/20/2006 09:10 pm »

Quote

Mark Nguyen - 20/12/2006 10:32 PM

...a return to ISS...would certainly use up any propellant they'd use to return home

That's what he said. "One-way trip." If they had to return to ISS they'd be in an LON situation and the end of the program. I won't say never but this situation is extremely unlikely. It's why they're opening up all three sites two days in a row and having 3-4 attempts on either day. Plus, they have dozens of emergency sites around the world they can use in case of emergency and the three sites in the states are out of action due to weather, technical issues and the like.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #57 on:** 12/20/2006 09:15 pm »

This all might explain why we never had an official standdown to Atlantis' LON, but of course, this would be a hugely unlikely scenario.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #58 on:** 12/20/2006 09:17 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 20/12/2006 3:58 PM

This all might explain why we never had an official standdown to Atlantis' LON, but of course, this would be a hugely unlikely scenario.

My guess is that they stand down LON when deorbit burn ends. Once they've done that they're locked into a landing somewhere. But you're right Chris, hugely unlikely.

Per this thread...replays of RCC inspections playing on NTV.

vt_hokie · « **Reply #59 on:** 12/20/2006 10:03 pm »

Quote

nathan.moeller - 20/12/2006 4:53 PM

Plus, they have dozens of emergency sites around the world they can use in case of emergency and the three sites in the states are out of action due to weather, technical issues and the like.

I hear Groom Lake has a nice long runway!

hyper_snyper · « **Reply #60 on:** 12/20/2006 10:07 pm »

Quote

vt_hokie - 20/12/2006 5:46 PM

Quote
nathan.moeller - 20/12/2006 4:53 PM

Plus, they have dozens of emergency sites around the world they can use in case of emergency and the three sites in the states are out of action due to weather, technical issues and the like.

I hear Groom Lake has a nice long runway!

Isn't the longest in the world or something?

Boy, would that bring unwanted attention.

northanger · « **Reply #61 on:** 12/20/2006 10:12 pm »

When does Late Inspection results get the A-OK?

northanger · « **Reply #62 on:** 12/20/2006 10:14 pm »

LOL, ask & NTV answers.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #63 on:** 12/20/2006 10:16 pm »

Quote

hyper_snyper - 20/12/2006 4:50 PM

Quote
vt_hokie - 20/12/2006 5:46 PM

Quote
nathan.moeller - 20/12/2006 4:53 PM

Plus, they have dozens of emergency sites around the world they can use in case of emergency and the three sites in the states are out of action due to weather, technical issues and the like.

I hear Groom Lake has a nice long runway!

Isn't the longest in the world or something?

Boy, would that bring unwanted attention.

Haha Area 51. But no it's not the longest. I read that it's just shy of 12,000 ft. Shuttle runways in FL and CA are 15,000 ft. each. Replays of nose-cap inspections from OBSS on NTV. Kind of a slow thread day but hey...sometimes no news is good news.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #64 on:** 12/20/2006 10:18 pm »

We should get Rob Pearlman to ask about Groom Lake at the next briefing just for grins. A little humor in an article never hurts.

Joffan · « **Reply #65 on:** 12/20/2006 10:20 pm »

Quote

northanger - 20/12/2006 3:57 PM

LOL, ask & NTV answers.

For the benefit of those not able to watch NTV... the answer was...?

vt_hokie · « **Reply #66 on:** 12/20/2006 10:20 pm »

Quote

nathan.moeller - 20/12/2006 5:59 PM

Haha Area 51. But no it's not the longest. I read that it's just shy of 12,000 ft.

I think the longer one was around 6 miles long! But I remember seeing an aerial or satellite photo showing that the longer runway is closed and in disrepair. Might've found it on Google Earth, actually...

northanger · « **Reply #67 on:** 12/20/2006 10:25 pm »

Um, (rephrase) ground (Megan) requested playing back 1847? "One final look" for the ground control team & "final clearance for the vehicle". 25 minutes good KU? "pause for a quick KU transfer" Nick: 1847 will be cued (KUed, haha).

hope that captures that.

jmjawors · « **Reply #68 on:** 12/20/2006 10:28 pm »

Final clearance for the vehicle? Don't think that'll happen until tomorrow. Maybe they were talking about the final downlinked video to complete the survey for the guys on the ground.

DarthVader · « **Reply #69 on:** 12/20/2006 10:29 pm »

There was some Outlook issue a few minutes ago ... a computer had to be rebooted ... the press is going to have a field trip with that incident ...

northanger · « **Reply #70 on:** 12/20/2006 10:30 pm »

Thanks, jmjawors. That's what I wanted to know.

What's a doug's machine? They were just talking about something being open?

northanger · « **Reply #71 on:** 12/20/2006 10:32 pm »

"a computer had to be rebooted".

Nick said, "no application open". What was that?

LOL, well, I may have to reboot my computer soon. It's six years old & can't handle NTV & constant browser refreshing. Poor thing.

jmjawors · « **Reply #72 on:** 12/20/2006 10:35 pm »

I don't know what the name means (I'm sure someone here does, though). Sounds like a Windows machine though, and it sounds like they didn't click the "processes" tab in the task manager to quit that program before rebooting.

Essentially, the problem was that some program was freezing up.

JimO · « **Reply #73 on:** 12/20/2006 10:35 pm »

I'm gonna go google-earth WSSH to see what's new -- may not be able to finish and report, so here's the lat/long if you wanna try it yourself:

N 32.94, W 106.42

northanger · « **Reply #74 on:** 12/20/2006 10:40 pm »

WSSH? Where is this location: N 32.94, W 106.42.

gordo · « **Reply #75 on:** 12/20/2006 10:42 pm »

3 out of the 4 TAL sites are around 12,000ft, in the Uk, Fairford is an emergency site and is 10,000ft

JJ.. · « **Reply #76 on:** 12/20/2006 10:47 pm »

thanks for the reminder about the 2 small deploys coming up,
id seen "mepsi" but totaly overlooked "raft" !
also "ande" deploy tomorow is that a small sat too ?

and will ku be available for the deploy tonight ?

JJ..

northanger · « **Reply #77 on:** 12/20/2006 10:49 pm »

Who's on the ground team evaluating final inspection data? Are they working all night on this?

psloss · « **Reply #78 on:** 12/20/2006 10:51 pm »

Quote

northanger - 20/12/2006 6:23 PM

WSSH? Where is this location: N 32.94, W 106.42.

White Sands Space Harbor; look at the landing ground tracks and you'll see the lines of lat/long:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/news/landing.html

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #79 on:** 12/20/2006 10:54 pm »

Quote

northanger - 20/12/2006 5:23 PM

WSSH? Where is this location: N 32.94, W 106.42.

White Sands, NM. Shows the location of the Northrup Strip.

gordo · « **Reply #80 on:** 12/20/2006 10:55 pm »

full list of sites are avail on this page

http://www.brooks.af.mil/af/files/fsguide/HTML/Chapter_18.html

jmjawors · « **Reply #81 on:** 12/20/2006 10:55 pm »

KU will be available tonight (or so NTV just said) and we should watch the deploys live out of the payload bay.

I cannot remember the name of the specific team on the ground who will look at all the data coming from these inspections, but they will work as long as it takes to get that done... possibly all night. Then it will be presented to the MMT for final approval.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #82 on:** 12/20/2006 10:57 pm »

Apologies to Chris for going way OT, but I think this thread could use a bit more life. Discovery traveling straight to the right

For those who want to compare runway lengths at KSC and Groom Lake (Area 51), here are some images from Google Earth. I overlaid the two in PS and guessed six miles for the longest one at Groom Lake but that's with that black extension so feel free to correct me.

northanger · « **Reply #83 on:** 12/20/2006 10:57 pm »

psloss. Copy. I mean thanks. Check out that lat/long later.

What's the bet on landing location right now?

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #84 on:** 12/20/2006 11:00 pm »

Quote

northanger - 20/12/2006 5:40 PM

psloss. Copy. I mean thanks. Check out that lat/long later.

What's the bet on landing location right now?

Like they said at the press conference, they won't know until landing day. Launch day was 70% no-go but they got her airborne. Yes, they changed to 30% no-go but that was only a few hours before launch. A good example is STS-121...they thought they would have great weather with only a little bit of cloud cover, but it was almost completely overcast when Discovery came in. The clouds didn't develop until they had finished the deorbit burn and moved in South of the SLF so they had to switch the runway designation.

northanger · « **Reply #85 on:** 12/20/2006 11:06 pm »

"NTV just said". Didn't hear that, which means LOS & I gotta reboot. Thanks for all the answers. YOU GUYS ROCK.

c.steven · « **Reply #86 on:** 12/20/2006 11:22 pm »

WSSH _ White Sands Space Harbor

northanger · « **Reply #87 on:** 12/20/2006 11:27 pm »

thanks, c.steven.

where can i find the other four-letter codes of most-likely US landing locations?

WSSH
EAFB

j2_ · « **Reply #88 on:** 12/20/2006 11:30 pm »

How come the crew of STS-116 doesn't seem to be showing much onboard video?

I really liked STS-115 when they had the interior cameras setup and transmitting fairly often. Some really cool views of the flight deck during OMS burns, and other maneuvers were shown.

DaveS · « **Reply #89 on:** 12/20/2006 11:32 pm »

Quote

northanger - 21/12/2006 1:10 AM

thanks, c.steven.

where can i find the other four-letter codes of most-likely US landing locations?

WSSH
EAFB

US EOM landing sites:
KSC = Kennedy Space Center, FL
EDW = Edwards Air Force Base, Calif
NOR = Northrup strip, White Sands Space Harbor
TAL sites:
ZZA = Zaragoza AB, Spain
MRN = Moron AB, Spain
FMI = Istres, France

gordo · « **Reply #90 on:** 12/20/2006 11:34 pm »

I've posted a link to full list on p6

Stardust9906 · « **Reply #91 on:** 12/20/2006 11:44 pm »

MEPSI Deploy.

DarthVader · « **Reply #92 on:** 12/20/2006 11:47 pm »

was there any view closer from the cameras located at the end of the payload bay?

noname_77065 · « **Reply #93 on:** 12/20/2006 11:51 pm »

Unless the crew recorded handheld footage zoomed in, no.

DarthVader · « **Reply #94 on:** 12/20/2006 11:52 pm »

DarthVader · « **Reply #95 on:** 12/21/2006 12:27 am »

looks like hand held footage to be play in a few minutes

DarthVader · « **Reply #96 on:** 12/21/2006 12:30 am »

wow ... that was fast!

DaveS · « **Reply #97 on:** 12/21/2006 12:31 am »

Quote

DarthVader - 21/12/2006 2:10 AM

looks like hand held footage to be play in a few minutes

Not handheld. Left view was from PLB camera B, right view was from camera C.

Stardust9906 · « **Reply #98 on:** 12/21/2006 12:32 am »

jmjawors · « **Reply #99 on:** 12/21/2006 12:32 am »

Quote

DarthVader - 20/12/2006 7:13 PM

wow ... that was fast!

Christer described it earlier as a cannon. I think his description was quite apt.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #100 on:** 12/21/2006 12:37 am »

Article for the day, on White Sands and threw a load of L2 info into it:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=4966

A big thanks to the reporters on the briefing, as they are asking some good questions, which always equates to good quote stock.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #101 on:** 12/21/2006 12:38 am »

Yet another great article up from Chris!

http://nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=4966

We just might see a WSSH landing guys!

EDIT: Got beat by the head man himself. D'oh!

psloss · « **Reply #102 on:** 12/21/2006 12:59 am »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 20/12/2006 8:20 PM

Article for the day, on White Sands and threw a load of L2 info into it:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=4966

A big thanks to the reporters on the briefing, as they are asking some good questions, which always equates to good quote stock.

Thanks, Chris...this just made me wonder about what, if anything, would be done differently at White Sands for Thomas Reiter than would be done at KSC or Edwards. He has to be able to do an emergency egress, but I don't suppose they have a people mover at White Sands.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #103 on:** 12/21/2006 01:02 am »

Good point! Also, didn't Jeff Williams say yesterday that he's promised Thomas to be at the landing site to help him egress?

Can't imagine what it'll be like for him after six months in micro G.

psloss · « **Reply #104 on:** 12/21/2006 01:10 am »

The landing forecast isn't changing much (at least not yet)...if it looks like this during FCS checkout (I believe the entry team will get a weather briefing while they're on-shift), we'll hear a lot of White Sands questions in tomorrow evening's briefing. Probably another one for Rob Navias about TV coverage, too...

DaveS · « **Reply #105 on:** 12/21/2006 01:18 am »

Quote

psloss - 21/12/2006 2:53 AM

The landing forecast isn't changing much (at least not yet)...if it looks like this during FCS checkout (I believe the entry team will get a weather briefing while they're on-shift), we'll hear a lot of White Sands questions in tomorrow evening's briefing. Probably another one for Rob Navias about TV coverage, too...

Didn't Bill Harwood ask Navias about that in the FD10(?) Mission Status Briefing? Didn't catch the answer on that though.

Stardust9906 · « **Reply #106 on:** 12/21/2006 01:20 am »

RAFT Deploy.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #107 on:** 12/21/2006 01:21 am »

Quote

DaveS - 21/12/2006 2:01 AM

Quote
psloss - 21/12/2006 2:53 AM

The landing forecast isn't changing much (at least not yet)...if it looks like this during FCS checkout (I believe the entry team will get a weather briefing while they're on-shift), we'll hear a lot of White Sands questions in tomorrow evening's briefing. Probably another one for Rob Navias about TV coverage, too...
Didn't Bill Harwood ask Navias about that in the FD10(?) Mission Status Briefing? Didn't catch the answer on that though.

Yeah, that was when Bill asked if they had a camera out there and everyone laughed.

Rob said that he was "not being idle" during the MMT that day (more laughs) and that he was actioning the relevant people to get some sort of facility at WS for live TV.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #108 on:** 12/21/2006 01:22 am »

What's that flashing dot on NTV? Discovery as seen from ISS? Change in attitude coming up.

psloss · « **Reply #109 on:** 12/21/2006 01:22 am »

Quote

DaveS - 20/12/2006 9:01 PM

Didn't Bill Harwood ask Navias about that in the FD10(?) Mission Status Briefing? Didn't catch the answer on that though.

Yeah, he did. I believe the answer was essentially "they're looking into it." Seemed to leave the question open to me.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #110 on:** 12/21/2006 01:27 am »

Some replays just aired on NTV of the deploy. That was fast!! Neato!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #111 on:** 12/21/2006 01:30 am »

All deploys successful, as per MER notes.

MEPSI Deploy (two tethered satellites)

RaFT Deploy (2 untethered satellites)

Jorge · « **Reply #112 on:** 12/21/2006 03:48 am »

Quote

northanger - 20/12/2006 5:13 PM

Thanks, jmjawors. That's what I wanted to know.

What's a doug's machine? They were just talking about something being open?

DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) is an application that runs on both the shuttle and station laptops, and provides 3D views of the shuttle and station. It is a product of the Virtual Reality Lab at NASA/JSC. It can receive realtime telemetry from the orbiter and ISS to depict the current position of both the RMS and SSRMS. It is intended to supplement out-the-window views and onboard cameras for situational awareness of the RMS/SSRMS operators. It is not intended (and is in fact disallowed) for real-time structural clearance monitoring; that *must* be done out-the-window or with cameras. The laptop running DOUG is commonly referred to as the DOUG Machine.

As legend has it, DOUG got its name during the filming of "Space Cowboys", which made extensive use of the VR lab. The director never really learned the name of the VR lab manager and kept calling him "Doug". This became a VR lab in-joke and they named the application after him. And in true NASA fashion, they later retconned the acronym to the name.
--
JRF

STSFan10 · « **Reply #113 on:** 12/21/2006 04:42 am »

Nice story Jorge!

Quote

Chris Bergin - 20/12/2006 8:13 PM

All deploys successful, as per MER notes.

MEPSI Deploy (two tethered satellites)

RaFT Deploy (2 untethered satellites)

So this will mean both Primary and Secondary mission objectives are complete!? Great mission.

Launch Fan · « **Reply #114 on:** 12/21/2006 04:55 am »

If they did have to go back to the ISS, of course let's hope there's no way that happens, then even an unmanned return for Discovery is out of the equation? She won't have any props for the deorbit etc.? So the unmanned capability they apparently have to a level would be useless. They'd have to undock her.

But could they even do anything there? No props, so how would they kill her with the move to flip over and head in tail first?

As much as I hate the idea of killing an orbiter, what would happen in this scenario?

MKremer · « **Reply #115 on:** 12/21/2006 05:47 am »

Quote

Launch Fan - 20/12/2006 11:38 PM

As much as I hate the idea of killing an orbiter, what would happen in this scenario?

A good (albeit heartrending) question.
My guess (and it's just a guess) would be there would still be a residual bit of RCS propellent left, in which case they would do a manual -Vbar undocking at the precise orbital-mechanics/orbital-decay predicted time to allow a safe oceanic reentry (with the residual RCS used for early undock fine-tuning and to create a slow tumble or orientation to permit the max amount of aero/heating destruction).
Any kind of undocking like that will still require orbiter power, and if there are only a limited number of fuel cell hours left any undocking and pre-reentry configuration would have to be done quickly before the orbiter is 'dead'.

northanger · « **Reply #116 on:** 12/21/2006 06:33 am »

Jorge

Thanks for taking the time to write that. I'm going to have to watch Space Cowboys now. OT: Anybody know how many movies have the shuttle in it?

northanger · « **Reply #117 on:** 12/21/2006 06:35 am »

Crikey! guys. Do we really have to talk about (gulp) killing orbiters at a time like this? Can we do this when everyone's safely back on the ground?

MKremer · « **Reply #118 on:** 12/21/2006 07:23 am »

Quote

northanger - 21/12/2006 1:18 AM

Crikey! guys. Do we really have to talk about (gulp) killing orbiters at a time like this? Can we do this when everyone's safely back on the ground?

Merely a hypothetical challenge - I guarantee NASA will do all that they can do to get any crew and their orbiter back to Earth safely.
(One does still have to consider and plan for worst cases, however.)

Stardust9906 · « **Reply #119 on:** 12/21/2006 10:30 am »

Quote

STSFan10 - 21/12/2006 5:25 AM

Nice story Jorge!

Quote
Chris Bergin - 20/12/2006 8:13 PM

All deploys successful, as per MER notes.

MEPSI Deploy (two tethered satellites)

RaFT Deploy (2 untethered satellites)

So this will mean both Primary and Secondary mission objectives are complete!? Great mission.

Not quite yet. There is the ANDE deployemnt due today after the RCS hotfire.

gordo · « **Reply #120 on:** 12/21/2006 10:40 am »

Quote

MKremer - 21/12/2006 8:06 AM

Quote
northanger - 21/12/2006 1:18 AM

Crikey! guys. Do we really have to talk about (gulp) killing orbiters at a time like this? Can we do this when everyone's safely back on the ground?
Merely a hypothetical challenge - I guarantee NASA will do all that they can do to get any crew and their orbiter back to Earth safely.
(One does still have to consider and plan for worst cases, however.)

The rule of thumb is anywhere with a 10,000ft strip can take the orbiter in an emergency, Whatever happens she will be back on the ground on by Saturday. Of course there are 20 or so preferred strips, so don't expect the orbiter to pay a visit to your local...lol

triddirt · « **Reply #121 on:** 12/21/2006 12:15 pm »

Quote

The rule of thumb is anywhere with a 10,000ft strip can take the orbiter in an emergency, Whatever happens she will be back on the ground on by Saturday. Of course there are 20 or so preferred strips, so don't expect the orbiter to pay a visit to your local...lol

Just checked ROC is 8001, BUF - 7500, SYR - 9003- No help here from lovely Western NY

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #122 on:** 12/21/2006 12:23 pm »

Quote

northanger - 21/12/2006 7:16 AM

Jorge

Thanks for taking the time to write that. I'm going to have to watch Space Cowboys now. OT: Anybody know how many movies have the shuttle in it?

Lots!

Moonraker - Bond film with lots and lots of Shuttles!

The one with the British Shuttle "Churchill" - I forget which film.
Armageddon - everyone's favourite Shuttle blue movie. Totally unrealistic, but very watchable when drunk

The Core - stupid landing of Endeavour in downtown LA.
Space Cowboys - stupid re-entry.

To name but a few.

And on that note, FD13 thread coming up

joncz · « **Reply #123 on:** 12/21/2006 12:24 pm »

Quote

gordo - 21/12/2006 6:23 AM
The rule of thumb is anywhere with a 10,000ft strip can take the orbiter in an emergency, Whatever happens she will be back on the ground on by Saturday. Of course there are 20 or so preferred strips, so don't expect the orbiter to pay a visit to your local...lol

Darn... Hartsfield in Atlanta's got such a great new runway too (but only 9000ft)... imagine what it would be like with Discovery rolling to a stop over I-285!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #124 on:** 12/21/2006 12:31 pm »

Elvington Airfield (big WWII site) is a very very long runway. Infamous for nearly killing Richard Hammond (top TV presenter) during a land speed record attempt this year.

Two miles outside of York. I'd take a camcorder for NASA TV

kneecaps · « **Reply #125 on:** 12/21/2006 04:08 pm »

Fairford.UK is actually listed as a contigency abort runway

Gary · « **Reply #126 on:** 12/21/2006 04:12 pm »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Fairford

If the worst comes to the worst then of course I'd feel a duty to borrow that camcorder......

gordo · « **Reply #127 on:** 12/21/2006 04:14 pm »

Quote

Gary - 21/12/2006 4:55 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Fairford

If the worst comes to the worst then of course I'd feel a duty to borrow that camcorder......

current viz there is probably about only 50ft

Gary · « **Reply #128 on:** 12/21/2006 04:17 pm »

Unfortunatley yes, Whole south East coast of the UK is covered in fog and expected to remain so until after weekend.