Author Topic: STS-116 - Flight Day 13 - FCS, RCS checkouts (Read 37516 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 12/21/2006 12:33 pm »

Live thread for this flight day.

FC3 is the Fuel Cell of choice for a checkout.

One more satellite deploy today.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #1 on:** 12/21/2006 12:35 pm »

12:19pm Central for ANDE deployment

2pm Central for In Flight interviews with CNN and ABC, plus with students at the Challenger learning centers.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #2 on:** 12/21/2006 12:38 pm »

Norm Knight (Entry Flight Director) to hold a press briefing today also.

Flight Control Surface checkouts the first activity following their post sleep work.

dutch courage · « **Reply #3 on:** 12/21/2006 12:41 pm »

FD 13 wake-up music was "The road less traveled" by Joel Sample (some easy listening) for Joan Higginbotham.

shuttlefan · « **Reply #4 on:** 12/21/2006 12:49 pm »

Looks like we have a better chance than ever of seeing a White Sands landing!

psloss · « **Reply #5 on:** 12/21/2006 12:50 pm »

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Chris Bergin - 21/12/2006 8:21 AM

Norm Knight (Entry Flight Director) to hold a press briefing today also.

Expect that to be mostly about White Sands -- from the press point of view. John Shannon will probably be there, too, to brief about the results of the late inspections. Barring something unexpected, I would expect programmatic White Sands questions for him, too.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #6 on:** 12/21/2006 01:02 pm »

The Jaws music comes to mind here

Gary · « **Reply #7 on:** 12/21/2006 01:37 pm »

FD13 execute package is up and today the PLT has a few names including 'roofstomp' and 'Billy-go-around'!!

rosbif73 · « **Reply #8 on:** 12/21/2006 01:49 pm »

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Gary - 21/12/2006 3:20 PM

FD13 execute package is up and today the PLT has a few names including 'roofstomp' and 'Billy-go-around'!!

And don't miss the "Sunday Funnies" pages - hilarious!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #9 on:** 12/21/2006 01:51 pm »

Poor Misha

Gary · « **Reply #10 on:** 12/21/2006 01:59 pm »

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rosbif73 - 21/12/2006 2:32 PM

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Gary - 21/12/2006 3:20 PM

FD13 execute package is up and today the PLT has a few names including 'roofstomp' and 'Billy-go-around'!!

And don't miss the "Sunday Funnies" pages - hilarious!

The word doc on the flash drive and the FAO's moat cracked me up.

jacqmans · « **Reply #11 on:** 12/21/2006 02:24 pm »

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psloss - 21/12/2006 2:33 PM

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Chris Bergin - 21/12/2006 8:21 AM

Norm Knight (Entry Flight Director) to hold a press briefing today also.
Expect that to be mostly about White Sands -- from the press point of view. John Shannon will probably be there, too, to brief about the results of the late inspections. Barring something unexpected, I would expect programmatic White Sands questions for him, too.

When will this press briefing be ??

psloss · « **Reply #12 on:** 12/21/2006 02:28 pm »

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Gary - 21/12/2006 9:20 AM

FD13 execute package is up and today the PLT has a few names including 'roofstomp' and 'Billy-go-around'!!

There's also some interesting tidbits about landing strategy and White Sands in there, too...going to post over in the weather thread...

rdale · « **Reply #13 on:** 12/21/2006 02:39 pm »

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jacqmans - 21/12/2006 10:07 AM

When will this press briefing be ??

NASA TV schedule says it is at 5pm EST - are you saying there is an additional one not listed?

DaveS · « **Reply #14 on:** 12/21/2006 02:45 pm »

FCS checkout is in work. Polansky, Oefelein and Curbeam is now transitioning the GPCs from MM201 to MM801, the FCS checkout mode.

DaveS · « **Reply #15 on:** 12/21/2006 02:50 pm »

Go for APU 3 start.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #16 on:** 12/21/2006 03:06 pm »

All tests thus far successful. Good channels on the tests.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #17 on:** 12/21/2006 03:09 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #18 on:** 12/21/2006 03:12 pm »

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DaveS - 21/12/2006 3:33 PM

Go for APU 3 start.

APU 3 test was for six minutes and successful.

DarthVader · « **Reply #19 on:** 12/21/2006 03:18 pm »

Control surfaces test?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #20 on:** 12/21/2006 03:32 pm »

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DarthVader - 21/12/2006 4:01 PM

Control surfaces test?

Complete. RCS hotfire next.

DarthVader · « **Reply #21 on:** 12/21/2006 03:37 pm »

What exactly is an "RCS hotfire"? Does it test a set of RCS thrusters only used for re-entry?

jmjawors · « **Reply #22 on:** 12/21/2006 03:37 pm »

Let's just hope we don't see any "debris events" after the hotfire for the press to get all excited over.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #23 on:** 12/21/2006 03:39 pm »

38 primary thrusters undergoing pulse tests.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #24 on:** 12/21/2006 03:40 pm »

"All I want for Christmas is KU"

DarthVader · « **Reply #25 on:** 12/21/2006 03:40 pm »

Okay, but weren't the thrusters used quite often during the mission?

DaveS · « **Reply #26 on:** 12/21/2006 03:45 pm »

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DarthVader - 21/12/2006 5:23 PM

Okay, but weren't the thrusters used quite often during the mission?

Some of them only. Remember, it doesn't use all thrusters at once. It's usually 1 jet/module(forward and aft).

DaveS · « **Reply #27 on:** 12/21/2006 03:47 pm »

RCS hotfire complete. Nominal all the way the through. Going back to AUTO and VERN on the DAP.

DarthVader · « **Reply #28 on:** 12/21/2006 03:47 pm »

Thanks DaveS.

Mark Nguyen · « **Reply #29 on:** 12/21/2006 03:53 pm »

Say, why is the global map blue now?

Mark

Mark Nguyen · « **Reply #30 on:** 12/21/2006 03:53 pm »

Say, why is the global map blue now?

Mark

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #31 on:** 12/21/2006 03:53 pm »

Chandonn · « **Reply #32 on:** 12/21/2006 03:55 pm »

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jmjawors - 21/12/2006 11:20 AM

Let's just hope we don't see any "debris events" after the hotfire for the press to get all excited over.

... as a Nikon camera slowly flies nearby a cockpit window...

STS-500Cmdr · « **Reply #33 on:** 12/21/2006 03:56 pm »

Hi Darth, this is standard procedure done on every shuttle mission since STS-1 the day before entry/landing a test of the control surfaces-rudder, speedbrake, elevons, body flap--they start up 1 APU as was mentioned earlier and test those control surfaces--they are useless in space but they will move up and down-or side to side in the rudder's case--to make sure they work for tomorrows landing-whereever that landing ends up being. After the control surface check they test fire the RCS--all 44 of them--to make sure they work--sometimes if 1 or 2 arent working some reason--no biggie--ive heard of it happening--theres always the chance somethings happened between the docking or undocking when they were used alot and now--its nice to check.

DarthVader · « **Reply #34 on:** 12/21/2006 04:04 pm »

Thanks for the details STS-500Cmdr, much appreciated :-)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #35 on:** 12/21/2006 04:06 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #36 on:** 12/21/2006 04:14 pm »

ApolloLee · « **Reply #37 on:** 12/21/2006 04:29 pm »

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Mark Nguyen - 21/12/2006 8:36 AM

Say, why is the global map blue now?

Mark

I kind of prefer the Apollo-style blue map... Easier to see the position of the spacecraft than the topographical one....

ApolloLee · « **Reply #38 on:** 12/21/2006 04:31 pm »

Is it me or do the folks in Mission Control look like they had too much Egg Nog last night?
Looks like they're coming down from those adreneline-filled days earlier in the week...

jacqmans · « **Reply #39 on:** 12/21/2006 04:41 pm »

Martin FL · « **Reply #40 on:** 12/21/2006 05:10 pm »

I hope we don't get any stupid questions from CNN and ABC. I always fear they'll ask the "disaster angle" stuff.

dutch courage · « **Reply #41 on:** 12/21/2006 05:18 pm »

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Martin FL - 21/12/2006 6:53 PM

I hope we don't get any stupid questions from CNN and ABC. I always fear they'll ask the "disaster angle" stuff.

Let's hope Miles O`Brien will be posing the questions for CNN. Most likely he'll ask some 'to the point' questions.

rdale · « **Reply #42 on:** 12/21/2006 05:19 pm »

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Martin FL - 21/12/2006 12:53 PM

I hope we don't get any stupid questions from CNN and ABC.

Jay set the bar pretty high last night when he asked about refueling the shuttle if they can't land on Saturday and have to go back to ISS :<

EirikV · « **Reply #43 on:** 12/21/2006 05:21 pm »

Wow, a great amount of White Sands humour in today's package! Of course a KSC landing would be preferable, but I'd love to see a shuttle land on WSSH. Hopefully they'll scramble their teams so we can get some great HD video of it coming in over the lakebed. And a video captured onboard during the descent and reentry would be awesome (like the 115 vid). But that's just a personal point of view.

DarthVader · « **Reply #44 on:** 12/21/2006 05:25 pm »

ANDE deployment still coming up?

jmjawors · « **Reply #45 on:** 12/21/2006 05:26 pm »

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DarthVader - 21/12/2006 12:08 PM

ANDE deployment still coming up?

In just under 15 minutes.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #46 on:** 12/21/2006 05:29 pm »

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rdale - 21/12/2006 6:02 PM

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Martin FL - 21/12/2006 12:53 PM

I hope we don't get any stupid questions from CNN and ABC.

Jay set the bar pretty high last night when he asked about refueling the shuttle if they can't land on Saturday and have to go back to ISS :<

He, as a journalist, has to ask such a question. I don't know him, but he obviously knows his stuff, and he led in with "God forbid" which I thought was correct.

Certainly was interesting enough for the resulting comments from Phil to be used as quotes in my article.

An example of a dumb question would be something like "Are you sure the orbiter has no TPS damage?" or "The ISS is a waste of money, so do you think this mission was ultimately a waste of time?" or "Why don't you turn off a few of the computers and lights, have a day off, save the power, and land on Sunday?"

jacqmans · « **Reply #47 on:** 12/21/2006 05:35 pm »

jacqmans · « **Reply #48 on:** 12/21/2006 05:36 pm »

psloss · « **Reply #49 on:** 12/21/2006 05:38 pm »

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Chris Bergin - 21/12/2006 1:12 PM

He, as a journalist, has to ask such a question. I don't know him, but he obviously knows his stuff, and he led in with "God forbid" which I thought was correct.

I'd put it this way...I'd rather he said "I need a quote" -- Barbree has been covering events at KSC forever.

jacqmans · « **Reply #50 on:** 12/21/2006 05:42 pm »

free drift ready for deploy...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #51 on:** 12/21/2006 05:45 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #52 on:** 12/21/2006 05:47 pm »

jacqmans · « **Reply #53 on:** 12/21/2006 05:47 pm »

jacqmans · « **Reply #54 on:** 12/21/2006 05:50 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #55 on:** 12/21/2006 05:54 pm »

Hmmm. They say there should be five objects, not four, with the possibility that one of the objects is still inside the bottom canister.

ApolloLee · « **Reply #56 on:** 12/21/2006 06:00 pm »

If we're lucky, that bottom canister will be hit by Suni's camera, prying that object out :-)

Mark Nguyen · « **Reply #57 on:** 12/21/2006 06:10 pm »

Since the lower sphere didn't separate from its canister, is the experiment a failure? Would they be able to obtain any useful data from the sensors if the canister is obstructing them?

Mark

jacqmans · « **Reply #58 on:** 12/21/2006 07:09 pm »

DarthVader · « **Reply #59 on:** 12/21/2006 07:13 pm »

Two pictures taken by MEPSI were release few minutes ago:

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-116/html/jsc2006e54702.html
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-116/html/jsc2006e54703.html

EW-3 · « **Reply #60 on:** 12/21/2006 07:23 pm »

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psloss - 21/12/2006 12:21 PM

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Chris Bergin - 21/12/2006 1:12 PM

He, as a journalist, has to ask such a question. I don't know him, but he obviously knows his stuff, and he led in with "God forbid" which I thought was correct.
I'd put it this way...I'd rather he said "I need a quote" -- Barbree has been covering events at KSC forever.

Had to hit the mute button when that CNN guy was talking about how many issues they had.

dutch courage · « **Reply #61 on:** 12/21/2006 07:24 pm »

The CNN portion of the event was a waste!

EirikV · « **Reply #62 on:** 12/21/2006 07:25 pm »

Now those reporters had quite similar questions!

Martin FL · « **Reply #63 on:** 12/21/2006 07:26 pm »

All together now "What color is the sun".

Jeez.

STS-500Cmdr · « **Reply #64 on:** 12/21/2006 07:29 pm »

Jay Barbree has been covering this-NASA space program since Al Shepard--he seems to do his homework, seems to have a good understanding of how these things work--i give credit to him and Miles O'Brien at CNN--and of course the late John Holliman who i thought was awesome--these guys seem to understand this isnt like jumping in the car and going to Dunkin Donuts-unlike most of the media and the clueless anchors and reporters stuck on disaster-dying if you will for NASA to screw up--i wish someone would scream that with a bullhorn like i just said about this isnt like going to Dunkin Donuts or something. i'll spare the rant.

I'll just say media made STS-114 like going to dentist.

Yeah the CNN part turned me red--irritated me too.

jmjawors · « **Reply #65 on:** 12/21/2006 07:36 pm »

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EirikV - 21/12/2006 2:08 PM

Now those reporters had quite similar questions!

But these kids' questions are great.

Speedracer · « **Reply #66 on:** 12/21/2006 07:38 pm »

Good catch, Bill

thomasafb · « **Reply #67 on:** 12/21/2006 07:39 pm »

Yeah, indeed...maybe the news networks should employ kids to do the interviews, they are curious, enthusiastic and are not trying to paint disaster pictures for the audience.

EW-3 · « **Reply #68 on:** 12/21/2006 07:40 pm »

It's kind of ironic that the media tends to ask questions designed for children and the children ask the interesting questions.

jmjawors · « **Reply #69 on:** 12/21/2006 07:55 pm »

The vehicle has just been cleared for re-entry. No surprises, but great news.

Speedracer · « **Reply #70 on:** 12/21/2006 08:01 pm »

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Mark Nguyen - 21/12/2006 11:36 AM

Say, why is the global map blue now?

Mark

I was wondering that myself.

Also, not sure where to ask this one, but after the first Discovery RTF mission, I noticed that the three-view map changed, as if they were using a different program to show where the shuttle was. I liked the older version better. The bottom view looking earthward, gave a better perspective. Did they lose the software license?

jmjawors · « **Reply #71 on:** 12/21/2006 08:30 pm »

The change in the tracking map is really interesting... I, for one, have no clue.

I was waiting to see if this would be posted in the weather thread, and if it was appropriate to post it here, but no takers. After the media event the plan for re-entry was outlined. Looks like the the first attempt will be for KSC only. Second attempt will be for KSC and Edwards, and the third for Edwards and NOR. Possible that they may try a fourth, but not likely.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #72 on:** 12/21/2006 08:39 pm »

DarthVader · « **Reply #73 on:** 12/21/2006 08:59 pm »

I'm gonna miss these kind of views once the KU antenna is stowed ... :-( I think I heard the PAO said that it was going to be stowed "soon"? Is that correct?

jmjawors · « **Reply #74 on:** 12/21/2006 09:05 pm »

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DarthVader - 21/12/2006 3:42 PM

I'm gonna miss these kind of views once the KU antenna is stowed ... :-( I think I heard the PAO said that it was going to be stowed "soon"? Is that correct?

According to the TV schedule, it's to be stowed at 7:17 (Central) tonight.

rdale · « **Reply #75 on:** 12/21/2006 09:05 pm »

As with 99% of all "when will xxx happen" questions - answered if you check the TV timeline.

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv says 8:17pm EST

collectSPACE · « **Reply #76 on:** 12/21/2006 09:20 pm »

Briefing questions, anyone?

gordo · « **Reply #77 on:** 12/21/2006 09:21 pm »

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collectspace - 21/12/2006 10:03 PM

Briefing questions, anyone?

If they got to go to White Sands, how long before they can get purge on the Orbiter and take a small breather

Melroy Fan · « **Reply #78 on:** 12/21/2006 09:22 pm »

I'd like to know what the plan will be for Thomas Reiter if they go to White Sands. Do they have the facilities available and such so that his re-adaptation goes as it would at KSC or EDW. Thank you very much!

DaveS · « **Reply #79 on:** 12/21/2006 09:28 pm »

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collectspace - 21/12/2006 11:03 PM

Briefing questions, anyone?

Back in 1978, when Enterprise went to MSFC for vibration tests, they had to use a KSC-designed stiff-leg derrick system to de-mate Enterprise from the SCA. Have you thought about using it to speed up Discovery's transportation to KSC?

psloss · « **Reply #80 on:** 12/21/2006 09:44 pm »

As noted yesterday by Phil Engelauf, John Shannon said that backup purge and power vehicles from KSC will be flown out to White Sands on C-17s. That should cover the freeze issues that have been enumerated here. (The C-17s are said to be leaving sometime today.)

Perhaps a better question later in the brief will cover this, but from listening to John Shannon, the long turnaround time is apparently to get a crane staged at White Sands to lift the orbiter onto a 747...

waf102 · « **Reply #81 on:** 12/21/2006 09:44 pm »

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STS-500Cmdr - 21/12/2006 3:12 PM

Jay Barbree has been covering this-NASA space program since Al Shepard--he seems to do his homework, seems to have a good understanding of how these things work--i give credit to him and Miles O'Brien at CNN--and of course the late John Holliman who i thought was awesome--

Well - This is only my opinion...but I've been thinking about it, so here goes:

Jay Barbree - I believe he knows his stuff, but has to alter his presentation (dumb down) because of what "sells" on cable news for news and he has the unenviable job of trying to share the screen with some tv "journalists" that are just complete airheads (man! some of the questions they ask....poor Jay...he must drink a lot to be able to put up with it...)

Miles O'Brien - He has done a good job at almost knowing what he's talking about. But listening to someone that ALMOST knows what they are talking about is more painful than listening to an idiot on a subject. He is a poor substitute for Holliman.

John Holliman - I was a bit younger, but my impression was that this guy was top notch. I don't think many tv journalists can hold a candle to him. And I'm not just saying this because the poor man is no longer with us. I think he is really missed. And it sure would have been great to see him get a chance to ride a rocket someday.

The news coverage of ANY technical/scientific story is so atrocious these days. Just poor. Where I live we have journalists writing about Jim Lovell speaking locally and we get to read in the article about how he flew his space shuttle to the moon and it blew up. Man...

There are good journalists. But there aren't many. Newsertainment rules the airwaves. Personality and ego sale. Critical thinking and being informed are for losers.

That's what we are being sold. My $0.02.

-B

psloss · « **Reply #82 on:** 12/21/2006 09:53 pm »

Rob Navias says there should be live TV of a White Sands landing, should it happen. A satellite truck is on its way from Austin...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #83 on:** 12/21/2006 09:59 pm »

Not sure if we heard anything new at this presser. Will do my article mainly on the less fluffy MMT notes from L2.

psloss · « **Reply #84 on:** 12/21/2006 10:05 pm »

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Chris Bergin - 21/12/2006 5:42 PM

Not sure if we heard anything new at this presser. Will do my article mainly on the less fluffy MMT notes from L2.

Nothing new, just details on White Sands that don't get discussed outside the program much -- the C-17s will supposedly be en-route to WSSH tonight from KSC to address the freezing concerns, and could be as much as 60 days to be ready for ferry from there so they can "go slow."

Also interesting to me that the programs talked about trading the EVA-4 experience for 13A/STS-117 for a possible slip of the launch schedule towards the end of next year.

Edit: Well, and might get live TV from White Sands if they land out there.

gordo · « **Reply #85 on:** 12/21/2006 10:06 pm »

I think the new stuff is that if they land Friday they are happy the orbiter will be safe for the first night as they have got lucky with the temp. For night 2, the team at KSC have pulled some toys out of the bag and will be there to safe the orbiter. The other good news was they have complete confidence on the de-servicing area and its ability to protect from any Gypsum contamination.

Mark Nguyen · « **Reply #86 on:** 12/21/2006 10:11 pm »

NASA TV just showed a "sunrise" over the aft end of the orbiter. Did anyone happen to catch it? One of the coolest shots ever, I must say!

Mark

psloss · « **Reply #87 on:** 12/21/2006 10:15 pm »

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gordo - 21/12/2006 5:49 PM

I think the new stuff is that if they land Friday they are happy the orbiter will be safe for the first night as they have got lucky with the temp. For night 2, the team at KSC have pulled some toys out of the bag and will be there to safe the orbiter. The other good news was they have complete confidence on the de-servicing area and its ability to protect from any Gypsum contamination.

Good point about the first night, rest of the nights freezing issue, but the de-servicing area isn't really new and has been discussed in I think the last couple of press briefings.

Hopefully they'll get a break in the KSC weather tomorrow.

collectSPACE · « **Reply #88 on:** 12/21/2006 10:19 pm »

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DaveS - 21/12/2006 4:11 PM

Back in 1978, when Enterprise went to MSFC for vibration tests, they had to use a KSC-designed stiff-leg derrick system to de-mate Enterprise from the SCA. Have you thought about using it to speed up Discovery's transportation to KSC?

That particular derrick is now in Palmdale and before Return To Flight in 2005, the program looked at moving it to White Sands. It was deemed too expensive. According to John Shannon, you would need four landings at White Sands to justify the cost — though its obviously going to cost something to get the two cranes needed to lift Discovery out there as well.

psloss · « **Reply #89 on:** 12/21/2006 10:26 pm »

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collectspace - 21/12/2006 6:02 PM

That particular derrick is now in Palmdale and before Return To Flight in 2005, the program looked at moving it to White Sands. It was deemed too expensive. According to John Shannon, you would need four landings at White Sands to justify the cost — though its obviously going to cost something to get the two cranes needed to lift Discovery out there as well.

I believe that was at Vandenberg in the 80s...

Bill Hartenstein has a series of photos of it at Palmdale from OMDP days in the 90s:
http://www.ktb.net/~billmeco/atldemat1.html

DarthVader · « **Reply #90 on:** 12/21/2006 10:34 pm »

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ApolloLee - 21/12/2006 10:43 AM
If we're lucky, that bottom canister will be hit by Suni's camera, prying that object out :-)

Speaking of that camera, is the number of images that were in the camera's memory when it become the satellite "Nikon-1" known? Was there any valuable images taken prior to that event?

gordo · « **Reply #91 on:** 12/21/2006 10:42 pm »

Here are 2 pics of the derrick used at MSFC and at White Sands in 1982. An additional pic is he de-mate of Enterprise at Dulles. I'm sure there is modern crane technology out there that will do the required job at a fraction of the cost.

DarthVader · « **Reply #92 on:** 12/21/2006 10:44 pm »

Very nice pictures Gordo! Thanks for posting them.

rdale · « **Reply #93 on:** 12/21/2006 10:55 pm »

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DarthVader - 21/12/2006 6:17 PM
Speaking of that camera, is the number of images that were in the camera's memory when it become the satellite "Nikon-1" known? Was there any valuable images taken prior to that event?

Answered in the press briefing that day - they got enough pics and video from other cameras of closeout that it didn't require additional pics on the following EVAs.

psloss · « **Reply #94 on:** 12/21/2006 10:55 pm »

Thanks...that doesn't look like the same lifting set at Palmdale (or Vandenberg prior to that).

DarthVader · « **Reply #95 on:** 12/21/2006 10:58 pm »

rdale, thanks. I must have missed that briefing.

joncz · « **Reply #96 on:** 12/21/2006 11:05 pm »

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gordo - 21/12/2006 6:25 PM

Here are 2 pics of the derrick used at MSFC and at White Sands in 1982. An additional pic is he de-mate of Enterprise at Dulles. I'm sure there is modern crane technology out there that will do the required job at a fraction of the cost.

That's a nice photo at Redstone (dm1). I used to work about a mile straight off the nose of the 747 in that photo.

JimO · « **Reply #97 on:** 12/21/2006 11:19 pm »

Illustration challenge to somebody with good graphics skills and software -- draw the four orbital ground tracks for tomorrow as straight lines bottom-to-top of page [starting maybe a few thousand miles before CONUS, and ending at far end of CONUS], with geographical features to left and right of track line to limit of visibility/crossrange -- say 1500 miles -- and then draw the actual deorbit ground tracks in THAT frame of reference to each landing site for each pass. Mark point of EI [same for all different landing sites per pass]. Some passes will have one, others two or three routes to landing sites. It's a frame of reference more 'airplane-like' and would help TV viewers.

brodo · « **Reply #98 on:** 12/21/2006 11:48 pm »

Is a video of today's status briefing available somewhere?

triddirt · « **Reply #99 on:** 12/21/2006 11:48 pm »

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DarthVader - 21/12/2006 6:17 PM

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ApolloLee - 21/12/2006 10:43 AM
If we're lucky, that bottom canister will be hit by Suni's camera, prying that object out :-)

Speaking of that camera, is the number of images that were in the camera's memory when it become the satellite "Nikon-1" known? Was there any valuable images taken prior to that event?

Got to name that Satellite "Kodak-1". Per L2 documents the lost camera was a "Kodak DCS 760". I've got to stand up for my hometown of Rochester, NY!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #100 on:** 12/21/2006 11:50 pm »

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brodo - 22/12/2006 12:31 AM

Is a video of today's status briefing available somewhere?

All video coverage of STS-116 is free on this site: http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php I imagine it will be on there very soon.

psloss · « **Reply #101 on:** 12/21/2006 11:53 pm »

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brodo - 21/12/2006 7:31 PM

Is a video of today's status briefing available somewhere?

It will also be replayed on NASA TV at 1 am EST / 6 am GMT, though as Chris noted, John44 will probably have something posted before then...

psloss · « **Reply #102 on:** 12/21/2006 11:54 pm »

Heh -- it's being replayed right now!

triddirt · « **Reply #103 on:** 12/21/2006 11:59 pm »

Here's some snapshots from the briefing

triddirt · « **Reply #104 on:** 12/22/2006 12:10 am »

Runway at White Sands from today's briefing

Jim · « **Reply #105 on:** 12/22/2006 12:22 am »

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psloss - 21/12/2006 6:38 PM

Thanks...that doesn't look like the same lifting set at Palmdale (or Vandenberg prior to that).

The device that was at VAFB and was moved to Palmdale is the Orbiter Lifting Frame.

psloss · « **Reply #106 on:** 12/22/2006 12:23 am »

The replay is still going right now and it reminds me of another thing that John Shannon pointed out about how some things "lined up" in this case for the decision to do EVA-4...it might have been a harder decision for the programs to trade off EVA-4 if Discovery was scheduled to be the LON orbiter for STS-117...

psloss · « **Reply #107 on:** 12/22/2006 12:24 am »

Quote

Jim - 21/12/2006 8:05 PM

The device that was at VAFB and was moved to Palmdale is the Orbiter Lifting Frame.

Thanks, Jim.

triddirt · « **Reply #108 on:** 12/22/2006 12:33 am »

City Lights.. KU going bye-bye soon

triddirt · « **Reply #109 on:** 12/22/2006 12:36 am »

Another great shot of some very bright cities...

triddirt · « **Reply #110 on:** 12/22/2006 12:40 am »

With KU being stowed, that was likely the last live shot from Discovery until landing tomorrow.

DaveS · « **Reply #111 on:** 12/22/2006 12:46 am »

Christer reporting a good stow of the KU band antenna.

CAPCOM reports that they'll miss the TV but appriciates the report.

gordo · « **Reply #112 on:** 12/22/2006 01:22 am »

Quote

Jim - 22/12/2006 1:05 AM

Quote
psloss - 21/12/2006 6:38 PM

Thanks...that doesn't look like the same lifting set at Palmdale (or Vandenberg prior to that).

The device that was at VAFB and was moved to Palmdale is the Orbiter Lifting Frame.

Originally orbiters were transported to Palmdale via Edwards, but when the VAFB lifting frame became available it was moved to Palmdale. This is now redundant, and I suspect this was what was considered for moving to White Sands in 2005, but found not to be cost effective.

The derrick crane from STS3 (and MSFC) was in all likelyhood scrapped, or is siting dismantled somewhere, it did not appear to be have been used at Dulles. Its cheeper to hire in cranes for the odd special lift. It will be good practise for the eventual dispersal of the fleet in 2010.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #113 on:** 12/22/2006 02:07 am »

And here's my article for the day.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=4967

STS-500Cmdr · « **Reply #114 on:** 12/22/2006 04:07 am »

Be careful who you let touch it or handle it with cranes or anything-dont want someone dropping it cause they didnt tighten something enough or someone forgot a washer. and it falls off the plane. Im sure she'll be in good hands though--at least id like to think so.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #115 on:** 12/22/2006 05:25 am »

They'll be fine. So much has changed at WSSH since 1982 as far as knowing how to handle the orbiter. She'll be just fine

But I would like to see the supply list for the facility after STS-3. "We're going to need 133 corks, 53 leaf blowers and 1 huge tent"

Anyway, I'm calling a 3:56 pm EST pocket for Discovery at KSC tomorrow (along with NorthAnger). But no matter what happens, I'm looking forward to seeing these guys come home safe after what's been a truly spectacular flight.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #116 on:** 12/22/2006 05:30 am »

Replay of MMT briefing on NTV

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #117 on:** 12/22/2006 05:53 am »

Discovery crew wakeup time for FD14: 6:17 AM CST
Nathan Moeller's wakeup time for work: 9:30 AM CST

I'll see you guys tomorrow.

Briefing replay just wrapped up. I think we have a great homecoming to look forward to tomorrow. Good luck Discovery! Hope to see you all tomorrow afternoon!!

ichilton · « **Reply #118 on:** 12/22/2006 08:13 am »

Hi All,

I'm going to be out tonight (i'm in the UK!) for the 1st landing window at KSC.

What is the best WAP site or mobile internet site to keep up to date with the landing attempts/progress on?

I've got Pocket Internet Explorer on my phone so I should be able to look at anything designed for a small screen.

On another note, I am curious about the communication with the shuttle - how does it all work?

Are they in communication all the time or only at certain times or certain places in the orbit?

Do they have fast internet access?

I was reading something about them stowing the Ku band antenna so there was no more video footage - is there no other way they can get video footage down or no way they can have an antenna which can stay on?

Thanks

Ian

rdale · « **Reply #119 on:** 12/22/2006 08:56 am »

All those questions need to be in the Shuttle Q&A thread - but for quick updates you can check or subscribe to the free update service at Florida Today's Space Trench.

ichilton · « **Reply #120 on:** 12/22/2006 09:02 am »

Sorry, re-posted in the correct thread.

Ian

chksix · « **Reply #121 on:** 12/22/2006 10:35 am »

Any news on the ANDI canister that didn't eject one of the spheres?