Endeavour Comes To Life

SpaceNut · 2005-10-07 07:09:11

While some would like the use of the shuttle to end now and that we divest ourself from the ISS totally. As the Presidents vision has been layed out that is just not in the cards. Maybe with a rewrite from another president but for now full speed ahead to get both through with.

Shuttle Endeavor has been in a major overhaul mode for the last two years with much work having been done to modernize it.

NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour Comes To Life

Engineers and technicians spent 900,000 hours performing 124 modifications to the vehicle. These included recommended return to flight safety modifications, bonding more than 1,000 thermal protection system tiles and inspecting more than 150 miles of wiring. Eighty five of the modifications are complete and 39 are still underway.
Two of the more extensive modifications included the addition of the multi-functional electronic display system (glass cockpit), and the three-string global positioning system.

So why did we need to get this all done when we will be retiring it soon?

Shuttle major modification periods are scheduled at regular intervals to enhance safety and performance, infuse new technology and allow thorough inspections of the airframe and wiring. This was the second of modification period performed entirely at Kennedy. Endeavour's previous modification was completed in March 1997.

"Having three operational vehicles in the fleet affords the shuttle program great schedule flexibility, as we move toward flying safely and completing the international space station," said Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale.

So when will it fly? Some time next year towards the end of the year if all goes well with the fixed ET tank that will most likely fly with Discovery to prove it out and only after Atlantis which was next inline. But what if we have the same boon dongol as the last. Which it is becoming more apparent that Michoud personel are incompetant to do the work that they do.

Palomar · 2005-10-07 07:36:15

(Comments not directed at SpaceNut personally)

some would like the use of the shuttle to end now and that we divest ourself from the ISS totally

*Right-o.

As the Presidents vision has been layed out that is just not in the cards.

He wears bifocals.

Shuttle Endeavor has been in a major overhaul mode for the last two years with much work having been done to modernize it.

That's comforting.

So why did we need to get this all done when we will be retiring it soon?

Because for 30+ years we've been stuck in LEO and apparently there's no rush to change the trend any time soon.

ISS and Shuttle are vampires feeding off NASA's blood. That's about it.

--Cindy

SpaceNut · 2005-10-07 07:43:48

Thanks Cindy:

Nasa is planning to have a media update on the ET next week.

Probably should have a live firing squad for the knuckle head that dinged the foam...

NASA Announces Space Shuttle Program Media Update

NASA managers will brief media about the status of the Space Shuttle Program at noon EDT, Friday, Oct. 14. The news conference is live on NASA TV and the Web from the Johnson Space Center, Houston.
The briefing includes an update about engineering teams studying why a large piece of external tank insulating foam broke off during Space Shuttle Discovery's liftoff in July, and the plans for the next shuttle mission, STS-121. Questions will be taken from media at participating NASA locations.

Nasa TV webcast landing page.

Click on the player type you have on that day to view this event at the schedueled time...

Thou Shuttle and ISS are our current Vampires, will in the future the moon missions be viewed in the same way? When we all feel that it is time to move on to Mars? IMO I feel that it will...

SpaceNut · 2005-10-07 09:35:52

Another article:
Endeavour comes to life

Carmen Prater, with United Space Alliance, works on the flight deck of the orbiter Endeavour. Credit: NASA-KSC

Cool photo of the flight deck:

As I indicated earlier:

Endeavour is beginning 10-12 months of launch processing and power-up testing for a future flight, possibly late next year.

Yang Liwei Rocket · 2007-05-08 18:28:45

Colonel joins space shuttle Endeavor crew
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/ … ew_070508/

Staff report
Posted : Tuesday May 8, 2007 18:06:46 EDT
NASA astronaut and Air Force Col. Benjamin Alvin Drew will join the crew of the STS-118 space shuttle mission, targeted for launch Aug. 9.
Drew, born in Washington, will take a seat that opened when astronaut Clayton Anderson was moved to shuttle Atlantis’ STS-117 flight, which is targeted to launch June 8. Anderson will begin a long-duration mission on the International Space Station, and current station crew member Navy Cmdr. Suni Williams will return to Earth aboard Atlantis.
Shuttle Endeavour will carry Drew on his first spaceflight. He will serve as a mission specialist during STS-118, which will deliver another segment to continue building the station by 2010. Navy Cmdr. Scott Kelly will serve as STS-118’s commander, and Marine Corps Lt. Col. Charles Hobaugh will be the pilot. Mission specialists are Tracy Caldwell, Ph.D., Rick Mastracchio, Barbara Morgan, the first educator astronaut, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Dr. Dave Williams.

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#1 2005-10-07 07:09:11

Re: Endeavour Comes To Life

#2 2005-10-07 07:36:15

Re: Endeavour Comes To Life

#3 2005-10-07 07:43:48

Re: Endeavour Comes To Life

#4 2005-10-07 09:35:52

Re: Endeavour Comes To Life

#5 2007-05-08 18:28:45

Re: Endeavour Comes To Life

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