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#100
by
nathan.moeller
on 04 Mar, 2007 22:20
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MarkD - 4/3/2007 4:56 PM
Based on the damage to the tPS of the ET and some orbiter tiles when will re-rollout back to 39A be?
They're looking at a six-week stay in the VAB for repairs. That is quite tentative, considering the choice course of action depends on the upcoming assessments to see if the tank can be saved in the VAB. Remember, there are three options.
1. Repair ET-124 without destacking. Option allows for possible late-April, early May launch.
2. Destack Atlantis and ET-124 and move ET-124 into the vertical checkout cell in the VAB for repairs. Option allows possible late-May launch.
3. Destack Atlantis and ET-124 and await arrival of ET-117 (next tank, currently set for use on STS-118). Swap ET-124 with ET-117. Send ET-124 back to MAF for repairs and fly ET-117 with STS-117 stack. Option allows for July launch at the earliest. STS-118 moves to August 26.
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#101
by
Mark Dave
on 04 Mar, 2007 22:37
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Option 1 sounds doable. Some foam spraying in here and there spots. And from what I recall only some coating for the tiles needs to be taken care of.
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#102
by
nathan.moeller
on 04 Mar, 2007 22:49
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MarkD - 4/3/2007 5:37 PM
Option 1 sounds doable. Some foam spraying in here and there spots. And from what I recall only some coating for the tiles needs to be taken care of.
I think it's a matter of time. ET-100 (STS-96 tank damaged by hail) had about 700 dings and it repaired rather quickly. ET-124 has about 7000 dings so it's obviously more complicated. But I believe it can be repaired, based on presentations I've seen on L2. As for Atlantis TPS, I imagine it can be repaired in the VAB as well. The only concern I know of (at this point) is possible damage to the RCC panels that isn't visible to the naked eye. Assessments will be made to confirm that they are undamaged or not, but at this time I don't see anything facilitating the need for a return to the OPF. Launch is delayed for a good while, but I think the stack can be repaired and flown with ET-124. In any case, it's a matter of time. Probably a few months at the most.
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#103
by
nathan.moeller
on 04 Mar, 2007 22:51
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This question may have been asked. If it has, I apologize, but I haven't heard anything about this. If STS-117 flies with ET-124, even if it waits until the end of the April-May window, do they still plan to launch STS-118 at the end of June?
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#104
by
c.steven
on 04 Mar, 2007 22:57
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Thanks to everyone who contributed firsthand info on today's rollback, and a special thanks to all of those who played a role in bringing Atlantis inside. Great job, and good luck as you work to repair the damage caused by Mother Nature's wrath.
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#105
by
Chris Bergin
on 05 Mar, 2007 12:35
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Reason for the delay to rollback was:
"First motion occurred at 0867E after a delay due to IPR PadA-2363 Orbiter Access Arm power supply issue and Crawler Transporter JEL (Jack, Equalization and Leveling) issues. The stack was hard down in VAB HB-1 at 1747 hrs"
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#106
by
shuttlefan
on 05 Mar, 2007 13:46
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Should we have a preliminary indication by late-today about the extent of the hail damage to the tank? :cool:
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#107
by
Chris Bergin
on 05 Mar, 2007 13:48
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shuttlefan - 5/3/2007 2:46 PM
Should we have a preliminary indication by late-today about the extent of the hail damage to the tank? :cool:
The major meeting is Tuesday now. Walkdown was last night and on-going today.
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#108
by
Chris Bergin
on 05 Mar, 2007 14:20
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Current NET is April 23.
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#109
by
Rocket Guy
on 05 Mar, 2007 14:46
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Umm, you cannot just post those photos! Come on guys, you know better than this. You link if you want to show. Please delete Chris.
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#110
by
Chris Bergin
on 05 Mar, 2007 14:49
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Ben - 5/3/2007 3:46 PM
Umm, you cannot just post those photos! Come on guys, you know better than this. You link if you want to show. Please delete Chris.
Done, and post left on to remind people that it's not only stupidly obvious, but it's totally against copyright rules to post images that are the work of someone else. NASA TV screenshots = ok. NASA.gov images = ok...everything else, not ok - so post a link.
It's the same as theft. Don't do it.
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#111
by
NASA_Twix_JSC
on 05 Mar, 2007 15:18
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Early May looks more doable.
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#112
by
Andy USA
on 05 Mar, 2007 17:57
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So are they going to take the foam off the damaged areas and then spray it back on? Will this be an issue when applying over old foam??
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#113
by
triddirt
on 05 Mar, 2007 20:31
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#114
by
psloss
on 05 Mar, 2007 22:07
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The NASA TV Public Channel is running some nice video in their dumbed-down video file that I assume already ran on the Media Channel...
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#115
by
Chris Bergin
on 05 Mar, 2007 22:14
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Four new manifests have been produced. Likely scenario manifest has new NET as May 11.
Regardless, nearly all launches are slipping. by a month or so.
Manifests to go on L2. Article to follow this evening.
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#116
by
DaveS
on 05 Mar, 2007 22:39
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psloss - 5/3/2007 12:07 AM
The NASA TV Public Channel is running some nice video in their dumbed-down video file that I assume already ran on the Media Channel...
Nope. Same as the media-channel version. Also, it's new as the videos always seems to be made available at the same time as the photos.
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#117
by
Chris Bergin
on 05 Mar, 2007 23:32
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STS 117 / OV 104 / VAB HB1
Orbiter powered down
Next power up Thursday 08:00
TPS ET 124 damage assessment inspection preparations in work
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#118
by
E_ E_ H
on 06 Mar, 2007 11:05
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Hello all.
I am relatively new here, and have not been active before, although I'd like to thank the team at NSF for the info. Is it just me that gets annoyed with NASA.gov because of the complete lack of timely information? For such a transparent organisation, their website is somewhat lacking in information!
I think I express it for everyone when I say how disappointing this hail storm is. Since the return to flight, I have taken to putting the launch schedule in my diary so I can make sure I get to watch the launches online. To see such a smooth processing (before the "golfballs"), was really reassuring, and I was really looking forward to the 15th.
I'm certainly with you all when I read the press. This is the new NASA, and they have to do it right. When the press bang on at them for rolling back, what hope do they have. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Now for a couple of questions, and sorry if I missed the answers in the other threads! Firstly, what impact is this likely to have on the Ares time line - as in the work on Pad B, and general development. Secondly, President Bush's vision called for the retirement of the Shuttle. I wonder how this will affect the retirement plan?!
Again, sorry if this has been answered elsewhere. I can't afford L2 at the moment because of my imminent wedding!!!
Best wishes to all...
A complete Space Nut.
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#119
by
SimonShuttle
on 06 Mar, 2007 12:44
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Let's hope the meetings go well this week and there's no need for a tank swap.