Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

SpaceNut · 2007-05-13 19:44:24

Well soon the season of huricanes will begin a new and Nasa I would hope wound not want a repeat of Katrina...
NASA girds for next storm, Eastern N.O. site

cIclops · 2007-05-15 13:59:21

Atlantis waiting on a mobile launch platform at Pad 39A

High res image (go for it!)

Latest NASA news: 15 May 2007

Space Shuttle Atlantis atop the crawler transporter made the slow journey to the launch pad this morning. The vehicle was 'hard down' at Launch Pad 39A at 11:47 a.m. after leaving the Vehicle Assembly Building at 5:04 a.m. EDT.
There will be a flight readiness review held on May 30, 31 and a media event will be held afterwards to discuss the results of the meeting.

cIclops · 2007-05-30 10:40:10

Latest image from pad LC 39A (refreshed)

Flight Readiness Review meeting starts today and concludes tomorrow, May 31

(edit STS-117 departed!)

SpaceNut · 2007-05-30 20:19:55

While everything may be all right with the ET being patched, I still have questions for if the shuttle does not take off as to the impact of refueling and emptying the ET will have in regards to the damaged areas patches...

cIclops · 2007-05-30 23:14:29

While everything may be all right with the ET being patched, I still have questions for if the shuttle does not take off as to the impact of refueling and emptying the ET will have in regards to the damaged areas patches...

Probably none. The "patches" are only on the outer layer of the ET thermal insulation. The concern was the aerodynamics of the outer contour during ascent. A lot of tests have been done to ensure the repairs are sound. This ET has not been filled before, so if it requires emptying and refilling that should be no different than on earlier flights.

cIclops · 2007-05-31 15:28:30

"Go" for Space Shuttle Launch on June 8 - 31 May 2007

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - On Thursday, NASA senior managers selected June 8 as the official launch date for space shuttle Atlantis. Commander Rick Sturckow and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off at 7:38 p.m. EDT on the STS-117 mission to the International Space Station.
During the 11-day mission and three spacewalks, the crew will work with flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, to install a 17-ton segment on the station's girder-like truss and deploy a set of solar arrays. The mission will increase the International Space Station's power capability in preparation for the arrival of new science modules from the European and Japanese space agencies.
Atlantis' launch date was announced at the Flight Readiness Review. During the two-day meeting, top NASA and contractor managers assess any risks associated with the mission and determine whether the shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for flight. The first Flight Readiness Review for STS-117 was held Feb. 27-28. A hail storm on Feb. 26, however, damaged Atlantis' external fuel tank and delayed the planned mid-March launch.
"While we cannot control the weather, this team can ensure that when we do launch, it will be as safely as possible," said Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, who chaired the meetings. "This second Flight Readiness Review was as thorough as the first. The discussions were open, healthy, and are evidence of a team that is ready for a complicated and important station assembly mission."

SpaceNut · 2007-06-02 18:12:57

Orbiters feel pains of aging; NASA taking precautions in fear tanks could burst

The tanks "can explode without warning at normal operating pressures," a safety bulletin sent to workers Friday
New tanks are not an option. The original vendor is out of the business and the agency would not be able to qualify a new producer before the shuttles' retirement.

cIclops · 2007-06-03 01:56:11

From the same article:

Hale said. "We believe that we have an adequate level of safety for the upcoming flight, and we have a longer program of engineering tests to try to more specifically indicate what we might do to mitigate those problems."

This issue was addressed during NASA TV press briefings more than once by Hale. Of all the potential problems and far greater risks involved in a Shuttle flight, why are reporters investigating this in such detail? Perhaps they think it's their job to ensure flight safety.

cIclops · 2007-06-05 21:22:49

Countdown started

TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2007
Countdown clocks inside Firing Room 4 of Kennedy Space Center's Complex 39 Launch Control Center have started ticking for Friday evening's blastoff of shuttle Atlantis.
The shuttle launch team gathered at 8:30 p.m. for the "call to stations" in the recently-modernized control room to pick up the three-day countdown procedure. Clocks officially started counting backward from the T-minus 43 hour mark at 9 p.m. EDT.
The countdown has nearly 28 hours of scheduled hold time leading to liftoff at 7:38 p.m. EDT Friday.
Initial activities in the count include the start of shuttle and launch pad closeouts, reviewing software stored in Atlantis' mass memory units and display systems and loading backup flight system software into the ship's General Purpose Computers.
The payload bay doors were closed for flight earlier today, and NASA spokesman George Diller says all launch preparations continue on schedule at pad 39A.

cIclops · 2007-06-08 18:12:54

Atlantis lifts off on first launch attempt - 8 Jun 2007

Atlantis Begins Mission to the Space Station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The space shuttle Atlantis and its seven-member crew lifted off Friday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 7:38 p.m. EDT to continue construction of the International Space Station.
Shortly before launch, on behalf of the entire crew, Atlantis' Commander Rick Sturckow thanked the teams that help make this launch possible, and then added, "See you in a couple of weeks."
During the 11-day mission, designated STS-117, the crew will add a new structural component to the station, deploy a new set of solar arrays and retract an existing array. Similar construction work was conducted on the previous two shuttle missions.
The mission will deliver and install the 17.5 ton S3/S4 truss segments. This latest addition to the station's backbone will extend the right side of the truss and includes a new set of solar arrays. When unfolded, the 240-foot arrays provide additional power to the station in preparation for the arrival of new science modules from the European and Japanese space agencies. The crew also will retract a solar array to allow for the rotation of the new arrays to track the sun.
The station's newest resident also is traveling aboard Atlantis. Astronaut Clayton Anderson will join the Expedition 15 crew. Sunita Williams, who has been aboard the station since December, will return to Earth with the Atlantis crew. Anderson is scheduled to return to Earth on space shuttle Discovery's STS-120 mission in October.
Atlantis' crew is Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and mission specialists Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John "Danny" Olivas, Jim Reilly and Anderson.

SpaceNut · 2007-06-09 20:11:39

As posted elsewhere by

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/06/09/s...e.ap/index.html
Here we go AGAIN.
They say it's due to an unusual fold in the blanket, NOT to a debris hit.
One spokesperson says "it's probably no big deal."
Pins and needles time again. :-\

Ya pins and needles oh my...

Most news sources meantion nothing of this and seem to be picture perfect in that next to no ET foam loss upon launching the shuttle.

The TPS inspections for Atlantis - Port OMS Pod blanket issue Such 'tears' in TPS blanket have been observed before on previous missions.

I appears to half come unglued from the seem that is adjacent to the white thermal tiles. Since this is so far down towards the aft engine compartment it may mean that the crew may not be asked to do anything about it.

I know How I feel about the complacent additude that each risk assement of Nasa over damage to the shuttle thus far and I definitely would not want any holes in any part of the ship.

The big question will be is in regards to what might be used to re-adhere the blanket back to its proper position. Nasa has only worked on filling tile gaps or holes and nothing about the blankets.

SpaceNut · 2007-06-10 07:14:58

070609_gap_bcol_2p.small.jpg

NASA studies gap in shuttle’s shields

Peeled-up blanket not judged urgent problem; crew prepares for docking
Using the images, engineers can build models and perform aerodynamic and thermodynamic tests to determine whether the lifted blanket would cause problems during Atlantis' re-entry into Earth's atmosphere at the end of the mission.
Engineers also plan to study past shuttle flights.
Thermal blankets came unstitched during flights of Discovery in 2005 and 2006 without any problems, and thermal tiles were lost in the same area where the peeled-up blanket is on Atlantis on two of the earliest shuttle flights.
The area does not get hotter than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) during the shuttle's return to Earth, compared with other parts of the vehicle where temperatures can get as hot as 2,900 degrees F (1,600 degrees C).
It is not a place where NASA is usually concerned about potentially fatal problems. But if engineers decided it needed to be fixed, Atlantis' astronauts could trim if off, tuck it back into protective tiles or cover it with a plate held in place by adhesive goo during three planned spacewalks or extra one added to the schedule.

cIclops · 2007-06-10 14:52:38

Space Shuttle Atlantis and the STS-117 crew arrived at the International Space Station at 3:36 p.m. EDT, delivering a new truss segment and crew member to the orbital outpost.

SpaceNut · 2007-06-12 21:00:39

To fix a shuttle: Bring the sewing kit; Plans laid for repair of Atlantis’ thermal blanket; debris sensors set off

Sorry Mr. McGiver Nasa Engineers have looked at using duct tape or other adhesives to secure the blanket but Duct tape doesn’t work in the vacuum of space. The crew will try stainless steel wire as thread and an instrument with a rounded end resembling a small darning needle.

Would not using the adhesive filler for tiles to hold the strip down work?

Looks real ugly:

070610_tear_bcol_11a.standard.jpg

SpaceNut · 2007-06-14 11:48:41

There are news reports indicating that a stapler may be tried but while all is not 100% well in orbit back on the ground the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have begun a strike action against the company. United Space Alliance Statement Regarding IAM Strike

Despite the strike, USA is prepared to continue activities to safely prepare the Space Shuttle vehicles for their upcoming launches by using other experienced and certified employees to perform all necessary tasks.

It may be time to thin the herd... having so many employees to work shuttle and Iss ...

cIclops · 2007-06-16 03:32:47

Olivas uses staples and 21 stainless steel pins to secure the thermal blanket on the OMS pod

Olivas completed repair work on a thermal blanket that was out of position on space shuttle Atlantis. While attached to the shuttle robot arm, Olivas tucked the blanket back into place and then used a medical stapler to secure it to adjacent blankets on the left orbital maneuvering system pod.

SpaceNut · 2007-06-22 12:28:15

Still not home Shuttle heads for California landing

The first landing opportunity at Edwards Air Force Base was 3:49 p.m. EDT.
They had three chance Friday to land at Edwards, the last at 6:59 p.m. EDT.
If Atlantis lands in California, it would cost $1.7 million and take up to 10 days to get the shuttle home to Florida aboard a jumbo jet.
Atlantis has enough power for its systems to orbit until Sunday, but managers don't want to wait that long

cIclops · 2007-06-22 13:56:09

Home and safe at Edwards Air Force base at 19:50 UT - ripped by cIclops from NASA TV 22 Jun 2007

cIclops · 2007-07-04 03:37:59

Launch video now available in HD

New Mars Forums

Announcement

#51 2007-05-13 19:44:24

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#52 2007-05-15 13:59:21

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#53 2007-05-30 10:40:10

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#54 2007-05-30 20:19:55

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#55 2007-05-30 23:14:29

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#56 2007-05-31 15:28:30

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#57 2007-06-02 18:12:57

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#58 2007-06-03 01:56:11

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#59 2007-06-05 21:22:49

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#60 2007-06-08 18:12:54

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#61 2007-06-09 20:11:39

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#62 2007-06-10 07:14:58

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#63 2007-06-10 14:52:38

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#64 2007-06-12 21:00:39

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#65 2007-06-14 11:48:41

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#66 2007-06-16 03:32:47

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#67 2007-06-22 12:28:15

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#68 2007-06-22 13:56:09

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

#69 2007-07-04 03:37:59

Re: Shuttle STS-117 - Atlantis

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