STS-122 Atlantis

cIclops · 2007-11-07 12:23:45

From left front: Stephen N. Frick, commander; Leopold Eyharts (ESA) and Alan G. Poindexter, pilot.
back row from left: Leland D. Melvin, Rex J. Walheim, Stanley G. Love and Hans Schlegel (ESA)

Mission details

Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani, who is set to fly to the space station on the STS-120 mission, will return home with the STS-122 crew. STS-122 will deliver European Space Agency astronaut Léopold Eyharts to the complex.

EuroLauncher · 2007-11-07 21:33:53

Looks like another great crew and Daniel Tani rotating with Léopold Eyharts while Peggy and Yuri remain for the long duration stay. We should see the Columbus lab flying while a payload is going to be returned to Earth as NASA gets that broken gyro problem.

cIclops · 2007-11-08 12:32:50

Far below the ET and RSRBs are stacked and waiting on the mobile launcher platform - imaged 4 Nov 2007

cIclops · 2007-11-10 05:25:28

Columbus module being lowered into the payload canister for transport to Pad 39A - 1 Nov 2007

cIclops · 2007-11-11 07:28:06

At the pad - imaged 10 Nov 2007

Space shuttle Atlantis made an important step toward space on Saturday morning when engineers and technicians rolled the launch-ready stack to Launch Pad 39A. Atlantis is scheduled to stay at the pad for about three weeks undergoing final preparations for its mission STS-122 targeted to begin Dec. 6.
The mammoth crawler-transporter began moving the stack to the pad at 4:43 a.m. EST. The 3-mile trip took approximately six hours and was hard down at 11:51 a.m.
The Columbus laboratory was waiting at the launch pad when Atlantis arrived and the module will soon be placed inside the shuttle's cargo bay where it will undergo its own series of tests and preparations for launch.
Atlantis' crew of seven includes two European Space Agency astronauts who will help install Columbus on the International Space Station and activate its intricate systems. One of the ESA crew members will remain on the station for a long-duration mission.

cIclops · 2007-11-15 17:08:05

In the payload changeout room, Columbus is transferred into the payload bay - imaged 11 Nov 2007

cIclops · 2007-11-18 09:35:19

Preflight Briefing Mission Overview - video 46:13 mins - 16 Nov 2007

cIclops · 2007-11-28 12:29:10

Good to go - 28 Nov 2007

Posted by Frank Morring, Jr. at 11/28/2007 5:21 AM
A flight readiness review by senior International Space Station managers formally recommends that the space shuttle Atlantis launch on time Dec. 6 with Europe's long-awaited Columbus laboratory module in its cargo bay.
The decision was based on progress made by the Expedition 16 ISS crew during the current "stage" between shuttle visits, when they conducted three spacewalks and two days of robotic activity to prepare the new Harmony pressurized node to receive Atlantis at its pressurized mating adaptor (PMA-2) and Columbus at its starboard common berthing mechanism (CBM).
Senior NASA managers are expected to clear the Dec. 6 launch at an "executive" flight readiness review Nov. 30. An agency spokesman says the shuttle program is working no major technical issues that would preclude an on-time launch.
Earlier fears that time lost for a solar array repair Nov. 3 would cut into the Dec. 6-13 launch window eased as Expedition 16 executed an almost flawless reconfiguration that moved Harmony into place on the front of the U.S. Destiny Laboratory with PMA-2 in place on the front of the node to receive docking shuttles, and the connected all the wires and cooling pipes necessary to make it work.

cIclops · 2007-11-30 02:43:50

Introduction to the mission - video 8:37 mins

cIclops · 2007-12-01 03:19:45

Space shuttle Atlantis is set to begin its launch countdown for the STS-122 mission with a flurry of activities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis is scheduled to launch at 4:31 p.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 6.
A green light from senior NASA managers on Friday cleared the way for the last stages of launch preparations.
The seven astronauts who will fly Atlantis to the International Space Station will arrive at Kennedy at 12:30 p.m. on Monday. The countdown officially begins at 7 p.m.
"We have had three outstnading flights this year and we are looking forward to a fourth," space shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said Friday after the Flight Readiness Review concluded.
Atlantis will carry the Columbus laboratory to the space station and install it to the Harmony module, which was brought to the station in October during the last shuttle mission.

Press Kit (PDF 6 MB) - all the details about the mission

Hellothasaurus · 2007-12-01 05:55:18

Wow, that sounds like it is going to be a fantastic launch and that looks like a really good crew they got there.

cIclops · 2007-12-01 07:11:47

Hi Hellothasaurus, good to see you here!

Yes, this mission will be an important stage not only in ISS assembly but also in international cooperation as two ESA crew are flying and Columbus is finally getting onorbit. One more step on the long road to Mars!

(nice MD base sig)

cIclops · 2007-12-04 03:32:53

On the ICC are two ESA external experiments for Columbus (SOLAR & EuTEF) and underneath is the NTA.

EuTEF = European Technology Exposure Facility
ICC-LITE = Integrated Cargo Carrier - Light version
ODS = Orbiter Docking System
NTA = Nitrogen Tank Assembly
PDGF = Power and Data Grapple Fixture (for Columbus)
SOLAR = Solar monitoring experiments

cIclops · 2007-12-04 12:43:31

The real thing - Columbus and the ICC with SOLAR and EuTEF attached - imaged 3 Dec 2007

cIclops · 2007-12-06 13:27:51

NASA Postpones Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch; Aims for Friday - 6 Dec 2007

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA has delayed Thursday's planned launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. The next liftoff opportunity is Friday at 4:09 p.m. EST.
Shuttle program managers decided to postpone Atlantis' launch at 9:56 a.m. because of an issue with a fuel cut-off sensor system inside the external fuel tank. This is one of several systems that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low. During countdown activities Thursday morning, two sensors failed a routine prelaunch check. There are four engine cut-off, or ECO, sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank, and Launch Commit Criteria require three of the four sensor systems to be functioning properly.
The tank's liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will be drained from the tank, and preparations will begin for a possible launch attempt tomorrow. NASA's launch rules have a preplanned procedure that states in the case of ECO sensor system failure, engineers need to drain the tank and verify all the sensors are working as they go dry. This and other data will be discussed at a Mission Management Team Meeting at 2 p.m., when a decision will be made whether to attempt to launch on Friday. A news conference will follow that meeting at 4 p.m.

SpaceNut · 2007-12-06 21:40:26

Seems like this particular problem will not be resolved...

As meantioned before congress seems intent on wanting to fly the shuttle past the 2010 date.
There was also the questions in the past as to what certifies the shuttle to continue to be used as well beyond refurbing it between flights.

Lawmakers want shuttle's life extended despite dangers

Boeing M&P Engineering examined 1,000 "soft" -- or nonmetallic -- materials used in the shuttle, including critical seals and wire insulation. It found that a fifth of the materials were safe to fly for 40 years, while 10 percent had specific life spans and are replaced when needed.

Then throw into the mix a mission for the 1.5 billion antimatter experiment that NASA grounded because of other priorities and the repetition of flights per year may be just to much as the hardware becomes tougher to come by.

Worried by the potential danger posed by aging, NASA last year asked its top engineers to figure out what equipment was most likely to fail with time. The result, obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, is a list of 35 potentially problematic issues that keep engineers awake at night.
NASA has since resolved 10 of the issues. Though engineers say none of the remaining 25 are "show-stoppers," many are chronic and in need of constant attention.

cIclops · 2007-12-07 01:20:15

Rescheduled for Saturday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The launch of NASA's space shuttle Atlantis will take place no earlier than Saturday, Dec. 8, at 3:43 p.m. EST. Thursday's scheduled liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., was postponed because of a problem with a fuel cutoff sensor system inside the shuttle's external fuel tank.

cIclops · 2007-12-07 06:59:29

Rotating service structure (RSS) rolled back - imaged 5 Dec 2007

cIclops · 2007-12-08 00:34:30

NASA To Launch Space Shuttle Atlantis No Earlier Than Sunday - 7 Dec 2007

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA is targeting the launch of space shuttle Atlantis no earlier than Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3:21 p.m. EST from the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Shuttle program managers made the decision after a meeting Friday to review data on a problem with a fuel cutoff sensor system inside the shuttle and its external fuel tank.
Because of the length of the meeting, the managers agreed that targeting Sunday would allow the launch and management teams appropriate time to rest and prepare. The Mission Management Team will meet Saturday at 1 p.m. to decide whether to make a Sunday attempt. A news conference will be held after the meeting's conclusion.
Atlantis' scheduled launch Thursday was delayed after two ECO sensors gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel. The fuel cutoff sensor system is one of several that protects the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.

cIclops · 2007-12-08 16:49:46

During a press conference 8 Dec 2007, Wayne Hale confirmed that a launch attempt would be made 9 Dec 2007. All four ECO sensors and their instrumentation must be functional for launch.

SpaceNut · 2007-12-08 19:47:49

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/s … index.html

Three of four engine cutoff - ECO - sensors in the hydrogen section of the shuttle's external tank failed to respond properly during tests to verify their health shortly after fueling began. They later returned to normal operation and NASA managers tentatively decided late Friday to set up for another launch attempt Sunday.
At that time, space shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale said if one or more ECO sensors failed to operate properly at any point in the countdown Sunday, the launch would be called off. But that plan still requires final approval and some senior managers favor standing down for repairs, work that would push launch into January.

The ECO sensors are part of a backup system intended to detect low fuel levels in time to order a main engine shutdown if some other problem caused the powerplants to use up hydrogen faster than expected. At least two sensors must be operational for the system to work.

cIclops · 2007-12-09 05:53:09

During tank filling, one of the four LH2 ECO sensors failed. Launch scrubbed.

Dec. 9 -9:30 a.m. EST
The launch of space shuttle Atlantis has been rescheduled for no earlier than Jan. 2, 2008. The postponement will give engineers time to evaluate false readings from the engine cutoff sensor system that measures liquid hydrogen in the external tank.
Of the four engine cutoff sensors, ECO sensor number three gave false readings during Sunday's launch attempt. The sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday was delayed after two of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors in the shuttle's external fuel tank gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel.

RedStreak · 2007-12-09 11:40:08

That's depressing.

To anyone still advocating the shuttle can be 'reused' for another 10 years I blatantly throw this launch delay in their faces: they had remarkably good weather and the ESA staff gathered in support only to have a 4 devices out of a machine loaded with thousands ruin it all.

It's never good depending on a vehicle this finicky. Even if ANOTHER three years is needed to develop the Ares & Orion I'll WAIT them out willingly and still give my tax payer dollars in support of it...

...and I'm talking to YOU gaetomon on that last remark. 8)

Commodore · 2007-12-09 14:04:50

Their going to take these sensors off on Ares V right?

There should be an override for this. We know how much fuel there is, faulty sensor be dammed.

cIclops · 2007-12-09 16:44:05

Ares V definitely won't have this system. Part of the problem is that the sensor seems to be ok, but something strange is happening in the wiring or connectors. NASA spent a lot of time investigating and "fixing" this problem a few years ago and they thought it was nailed, now it pops up again.

Measuring liquid levels in almost empty tanks is not as easy as it seems, fuel gauges in cars are a good example. Measuring in a giant tank with LH2 at 20K (-252 C) adds to the fun. It's a critical backup system to directly check how much fuel is in the tank. Without it the risk to the Shuttle would be much higher.

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#1 2007-11-07 12:23:45

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#2 2007-11-07 21:33:53

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#3 2007-11-08 12:32:50

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#4 2007-11-10 05:25:28

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#5 2007-11-11 07:28:06

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#6 2007-11-15 17:08:05

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#7 2007-11-18 09:35:19

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#8 2007-11-28 12:29:10

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#9 2007-11-30 02:43:50

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#10 2007-12-01 03:19:45

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#11 2007-12-01 05:55:18

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#12 2007-12-01 07:11:47

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#13 2007-12-04 03:32:53

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#14 2007-12-04 12:43:31

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#15 2007-12-06 13:27:51

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#16 2007-12-06 21:40:26

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#17 2007-12-07 01:20:15

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#18 2007-12-07 06:59:29

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#19 2007-12-08 00:34:30

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#20 2007-12-08 16:49:46

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#21 2007-12-08 19:47:49

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#22 2007-12-09 05:53:09

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#23 2007-12-09 11:40:08

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#24 2007-12-09 14:04:50

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

#25 2007-12-09 16:44:05

Re: STS-122 Atlantis

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