Talk:STS-122/Archive 1

Archive 1

September 2007

Shuttle Processing for week of 9-7-07

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 1, modifications are finished on the orbiter's engine cutoff sensor wiring. This involved rerouting new wires and installing new resistors. Orbiter power system validation is complete. Technicians finished waterproofing the orbiter's thermal protection system last weekend. Checkout and verification of the orbiter's remote manipulator system, also known as the shuttle arm, is under way. --JeremyWheat 16:20, 15 September 2007 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 9-14-07

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1, checkout and verification of the orbiter's remote manipulator system, also known as the shuttle arm, are complete. Technicians are reinstalling the left orbital maneuvering system pod, which was removed for a valve repair. System testing continues in the vehicle. Technicians are checking out the water spray boiler system.

ET-125, the external fuel tank for mission STS-122, arrived at Kennedy via barge at 12:30 p.m. today. The tank was then offloaded and transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be lifted into a checkout cell on Saturday to allow for processing.

--JeremyWheat 16:20, 15 September 2007 (UTC)

Woo hoo weekly updates! Thanks Jeremy! ^Ariel♥Gold 16:25, 15 September 2007 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 9-21-07

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay No. 1, workers have reinstalled the left orbital maneuvering system pod, which was removed for a valve repair, and interface verification is under way. Technicians continue checkout of the water spray boiler system. Preparations for engine installation, which is scheduled for next week, are also in progress. Checkout of the orbiter docking system is complete.

ET-125, the external fuel tank for STS-122, was lifted into a checkout cell in the Vehicle Assembly Building last weekend, and processing of the tank is under way. A mobile launch platform was moved into high bay No. 3 of the assembly building this week, and stacking of the STS-122 solid rocket boosters is scheduled to begin next week. JeremyWheat 16:29, 22 September 2007 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 9-29-07

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 1, workers have completed interface verification on the left orbital maneuvering system pod. Pyro mates of the orbiter docking system are complete. Technicians continue checking out the water spray boiler system. Discovery's three main engines were installed this week. The auxiliary power unit leak test and functional electrical checkout are finished.

Friday and Saturday, the STS-122 crew will be at Kennedy Space Center for the crew equipment interface test, during which the astronauts will review the configuration of equipment in the crew cabin and payload bay.

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, processing continues on ET-125, the external fuel tank for the STS-122 mission. Stacking of the solid rocket boosters began on Thursday, with the transfer of the left aft booster to the mobile launch platform high bay No. 3. JeremyWheat 15:59, 29 September 2007 (UTC)

CEIT

The crew that will launch aboard space shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-122 participated in a crew equipment interface test, Sept. 27 through Sept. 29 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. During the test, the crew inspected mission hardware and flight equipment they will use while in orbit. Atlantis, targeted for launch on Dec. 6, will deliver the European Space Agency’s Columbus science laboratory to the International Space Station. The STS-122 crew members are Commander Stephen Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter, and Mission Specialists Stanley Love, Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, and Hans Schlegel and Léopold Eyharts of the European Space Agency. JeremyWheat 21:58, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

October 2007

Shuttle Processing for week of 10-5-07

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay No. 1, workers are installing the main engine heat shields. Engine integrated testing and mate operations are complete. Technicians have also completed checkout of the water spray boiler system. Functional checkout of the external tank doors is finished. Midbody closeout and inspection work continues, with final payload bay door closure scheduled for next week.

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, processing continues on ET-125, the external fuel tank for the STS-122 mission, including repairs to the liquid oxygen feedline support bracket foam. In high bay No. 3, stacking of the solid rocket boosters is under way. The right forward center booster segment was lifted into the high bay Thursday, and the left forward center segment will be transferred to the assembly building and lifted to the stack today and Saturday. JeremyWheat 01:00, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 10-12-07

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay No. 1, midbody closeout and inspection work is complete and the payload bay doors were closed for rollover. Workers continue to close out and inspect the forward and aft sections. The landing gear functional test was successfully performed.

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, processing continues on ET-125, the external fuel tank for mission STS-122. Repairs to the liquid oxygen feedline support bracket foam are complete and access platforms are being removed. In high bay No. 3, stacking of the solid rocket boosters is finished. JeremyWheat 00:56, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 10-29-07

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay No. 1, the Atlantis weight and center of gravity determination is being performed today. The aft, forward and midbody closeout work is complete. Orbiter system functional tests have also been completed, and the vehicle is powered down for rollover.

Tire pressures were adjusted for a final time on Friday, and the thermography of the RCC leading edge wing panels was also finished. Based on visual inspections of Discovery, a final thermal blanket inspection is being performed today on the orbital maneuvering system pods. A final routine tile inspection of the vehicle is also being performed. Atlantis will be installed onto the orbiter transporter on Tuesday. Rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building is currently planned for 7 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4.

In high bay No. 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, mate closeout work continues on the STS-122 external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters.

At Pad 39-A, pad turnaround activities continue in preparation for the rollout of space shuttle Atlantis from the Vehicle Assembly Building, currently targeted for Nov. 11. JeremyWheat 22:49, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

Atlantis rollover to VAB

Space shuttle Atlantis takes a sunrise drive from its hangar to Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building on November 3, 2007. Rollover from its processing bay began at 7:05 a.m. EDT. Atlantis arrived in the VAB's transfer aisle at 8:03 a.m. In the VAB,Atlantis is being readied for launch on December 6 to haul the European Space Agency's Columbus science laboratory module to the space station. Rollout to pad 39-A is scheduled for November 10,2007. JeremyWheat 00:13, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

Columbus Module

The Columbus module gets packed in the payload canister for trip to pad 39-A. The canister will transport the module and other payloads to Launch Pad 39A in preparation for its journey to the International Space Station. The European Space Agency 's largest single contribution to the International Space Station, Columbus will expand the research facilities of the station, providing crew members and scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. The module is approximately 23 feet long and 15 feet wide, allowing it to hold 10 large racks of experiments. Columbus will fly aboard space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, targeted for launch Dec. 6. The Columbus module was transported to pad 39-A on November 7,2007. JeremyWheat 00:19, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

Atlantis rollout to Pad 39-A

Space shuttle Atlantis made an important step toward space on Saturday, November 10,2007, 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. JeremyWheat 19:01, 10 November 2007 (UTC)

Already added. Thanks Jeremy! Ariel♥Gold 19:07, 10 November 2007 (UTC)

TCDT

The seven-member crew of the next space shuttle mission arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, Nov. 17, to participate in a full launch dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test. The test provides an opportunity for the crew and ground teams to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency egress training. Space shuttle Atlantis is targeted to launch on the STS-122 mission to the International Space Station on Dec. 6.

The seven-member crew of the next space shuttle mission talked with media Monday, Nov,. 19 at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A in Florida. The astronauts are at Kennedy to participate in a full launch dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test. The test provides an opportunity for the crew and ground teams to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency egress training. JeremyWheat (talk) 01:46, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

November 2007

Shuttle Processing for week of 11-2-07

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 1, Atlantis has been placed on the orbiter transporter in preparation for rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The transfer is planned to begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.

Activities to attach Atlantis to the external tank/solid rocket booster stack will start once the orbiter is in the Vehicle Assembly Building by attaching the lifting sling. The shuttle interface test to verify that all the space shuttle elements are working as a fully integrated launch vehicle will begin on Nov. 7. Rollout from the VAB to Launch Pad 39A is scheduled for 4 a.m. Nov. 10. JeremyWheat 00:06, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 11-9-07

On Nov. 3, Atlantis rolled from Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it was lifted up and into high bay 3 to be connected to the external fuel tank on the mobile launch platform. Workers spent the week closing out connections between the solid rocket boosters, tank and orbiter, and performing interface tests to verify that all the space shuttle elements are working as a fully integrated launch vehicle. Rollout from the assembly building to Launch Pad 39A is scheduled for 4 a.m. Saturday. The Columbus laboratory module will be installed into the orbiter's payload bay on Sunday. The terminal countdown demonstration test with the STS-122 astronauts is scheduled for Nov. 18 - 20. JeremyWheat 23:32, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 11-16-07

On Nov. 10, the STS-122 shuttle stack rolled from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A, where workers are performing closeout connections and system verification checks. Atlantis' payload, including the Columbus module, was installed in the orbiter cargo bay on Sunday. Hypergolic propellant, which powers the maneuvering systems on both the orbiter and the solid rocket boosters, has been loaded. The astronauts will arrive on Saturday for the three-day terminal countdown demonstration test. This is a countdown dress rehearsal and a training exercise for the flight crew. It will conclude on Nov. 20 with the astronauts on the flight deck of Atlantis. They will be participating in the last three hours of the simulated countdown while working with the launch team located in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center. JeremyWheat (talk) 00:02, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 11-21-07

Last weekend, engineers and technicians successfully resolved an issue with a stuck valve in Atlantis' forward reaction control system, isolating the problem to a broken ground lug in the helium isolation valve circuit. Repairs were made and the valve is now functioning normally. Throughout the week, workers continued to validate shuttle/pad connections, and orbiter aft closeout work begins Nov. 28. Because no major issues are being worked and processing has been going well, teams will have Thanksgiving Day through Sunday off.

On Saturday, Nov. 17, the STS-122 crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center for the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which included a countdown dress rehearsal and a training exercise. The crew returned to NASA's Johnson Space Center Tuesday following the TCDT's successful conclusion. JeremyWheat (talk) 04:34, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

Re-entry

On STS-120, I tried to view the shuttle reentering the atmosphere since it was flying in at a weird angle and flew right over Kansas. I was unable to see it, but I did hear the distinctive double sonic-boom, which was cool. I was just wanting to know if STS-122 will reenter at the same anlge or at a different one. I can't find any information on NASA, and I'd like to know ahead of time so I can find a hill with a good view of the sky in case I can see it. Nick Warren (talk) 11:52, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

First of all, STS-120 didn't go over texas, it flew just north of Texas. Second of all, a path as selected on sts-120 is really rare. The likelihood of such a path being selected is about 50 times less than the paths that go over the southern coast of the US or the gulf of mexico. But usually this is not determined until the last 2 or 3 days of the mission. NASA usually announces the "landing ground tracks". It will likely appear here --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 13:58, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

Possible Scrub

launch is almost certainly scrubbed for at least 24 hours. Issue with the ECO sensors that monitor the Fuel tank. They will de-tank, look at the sensors on the pad. If ok, launch in 24 or 48 hours, if not ok likely rollback and launch in the new year. (all unconfirmed "real time" info) --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 14:47, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

"Approximately 16 minutes into fast fill, two ECO sensors failed to indicate wet. They are troubleshooting the issue. Currently, H2 is at 80% and O2 is at 50%. Tanking is continuing. We expect to have a status from leadership soon as to whether we continue or scrub. If we scrub, a briefing will follow that decision on NASA TV." http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 14:52, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

Background info on ECO sensors and their history. http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts122/071206ecos/ --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 15:03, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

The status bar claiming that today's launch is scrubbed should be removed. The ECO sensors aren't indicating wet, but it's not confirmed that the launch is scrubbed. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.129.190.2 (talk) 15:17, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

Actually it is confirmed now. I added a source already as well. and i'm watching NASA TV, which is announcing the same. --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 15:30, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

Possibility of Rollback

From the sources I have, and the people I have talked to, there is a high possibility of rollback to replace the sensors. 2 of the sensors did't act right yesterday, and during detank the 3 sensor stayed wet after the tank was empty and then went to dry about 10 minutes later. with 3 of the 4 sensors acting weird, I am thinking they are going to rollback and replace the sensors. I think the issue with the sensors is electrical and the wiring probably needs to be checked. I don't think they will launch with 2 of 4 working, because safety always comes first at NASA. JeremyWheat (talk) 16:11, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

While I'm reading L2 as well, nothing will be decided officially until the MMT meeting. When the MMT meeting is over, managers will hold a briefing, and then we'll know what they've decided based on today's testing. Until then, it is all just speculation ;) Ariel♥Gold 20:09, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

More speculation, but of a different nature: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=11084&start=1 (Bil being introduced to keep the shuttle flying untill 2015 and another bill proposing to add at least one mission to the current manifest to launch the AMS.) --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 22:44, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Whoah, that would just so rock! lol. It has some very good points, the gap between programs, the jobs that would be saved, helping the country's unemployment rate, etc. It will be interesting to see if it passes. I'll cross my fingers. :) Ariel♥Gold 22:48, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Well page 2 on NSF also has some good points. (4 billion per year, required service periods coming up for all orbiters, reduced flight rate not cheaper, COTS etc...). But in my opinion even 2012 or 2013 would be a good idea (with 2 orbiters from 2009). But i like it that there at least seems to be some political will to more closely look at the 2010-2015 period. --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 22:52, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Indeed. Rarely are the initial versions of a bill, what actually passes, so I wouldn't be surprised if portions were modified, should it in fact pass. It would be nice to add a couple years at the least. It will be interesting to see what happens with this. If it were to pass congress, it will still require the president's signature, and he could simply not sign it, which would fail it. Hopefully, whoever is president after Bush will have the ability to see the benefits of extending the program, even if for only a couple of years. News report from Orlando Sentinel here Ariel♥Gold 23:07, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

A good article that we could use as a source if we decide to mention this somewhere (STS program article perhaps???) http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/orl-shuttle0607dec06,0,25309.story --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 23:50, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

LOL I just linked that above, in my reply. We probably edit conflicted, lol :D Ariel♥Gold 23:55, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Update

"An 8 inch crack has been observed on one of the LOX Feedline brackets. Photographs are being taken at the pad, with evaluations to take place over the coming hours." --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 23:04, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Added a header to this, DJ, so it wasn't mixed in our joy over the possible extension, lol. And yeah I saw those images earlier on L2, the thermal photos show the leak really nicely. ~*Sigh*~ I was so hoping that we would have a record four-in-a-row first attempt launch with this, lol. Instead, it is more and more looking like the December window might not even be met. Ariel♥Gold 23:07, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Hrmm, might have been an over-reaction, L2 now says it is just scuff marks on the foam, and no additional team was sent to the pad to evaluate it further, and it wasn't sent up to the MMT (Allard Beutel, KSC News Chief). Still waiting on the MMT conference. We'll just have to see. (Don't you hate waiting!? lol) Ariel♥Gold 01:01, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Chris Bergin thinks they will launch either tomorrow or Sunday pending a tanking test the ET guys really wants to do.JeremyWheat (talk) 01:04, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Check, lets hope that press conf comes up soon now, so we can edit the article and do something else already :D --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 01:15, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

The sunday opportunity would be 03:15:59 PM EST sunday, 20:15:59 UTC (just so we don't have to look that up later). source: http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/currentglance.html#WINDOWS --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 01:25, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Yeah. I have linked to that as a ref in the article, too, so it doesn't have to be added later. Did that after the first postponement, figuring it would come in handy lol. Ariel♥Gold 01:26, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Mmm, a 1 minute window. Do we put 3:24 as the time of the launch ? seems like a safe estimate until NASA really decides I think --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 02:49, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Well, the way I understand it, is it would be exactly in the middle of the window, which is from 3:15:52 to 3:25:52, so I'd think the launch aim time would be 3:20:52. I don't think we'll have the exact number until after tomorrow's MMT meeting, but that is consistent with all the other launch attempt times, always in the middle of the plane. The "1 minute" issue didn't mean 1 minute from the end of the window, from what I understand, but simply removing ~4 minutes on either side, leaving one minute, to conserve fuel. I'm working on writing up the MMT briefing, just waiting for Harwood or Bergin to have something online to verify. Ariel♥Gold 03:05, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

What I got is that they usually aim for the "middle" window, and that they now want a later window which would be a very small one (1 minute) but would also use the least fuel. Anyway, gotta go to bed. it's 4 AM for me now :D --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 03:10, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Hrmm, I just missed the beginning of the reply, I think I missed the part where Hale explained the launch window. Hopefully they'll replay it again, you may be right, I could have misunderstood it. Sleep well, DJ! Ariel♥Gold 03:18, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Chris Bergin has said on NASA Spaceflight.com's public forums "3:21pm in a one minute launch window." I think we can put 3:21, and say (tentative) until after tomorrow's MMT. Ariel♥Gold 03:22, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

3:21 on NASA's shuttle page, as well, so I'll change to that, and we can add seconds when they are available. Ariel♥Gold 03:25, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

I also moved the references that were in the template, into the article as the full citation, and used them in the template as multiples, so that when the template is changed, we won't get citation errors. Ariel♥Gold 03:34, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Note to self

Atlantis does not yet have SSPTS. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5221 --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 12:22, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Yep. Bummer, huh? lol. Hopefully that new manifest will be approved, and they'll drop the SSPTS into Atlantis so it can do longer flights. Ariel♥Gold 12:26, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Well, I thought the next and last Atlantis flight would be the Hubble service mission. Then it does not need SSPTS anymore... MarcusMeissner (talk) 15:56, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

There have been discussions about re-certifying Atlantis upto 2010. But all that is still being analyzed. It is true that Atlantis is currently not manifested for any flights beyond HST. --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 17:14, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Yes, that's true. Check the manifest and the schedule, but I can tell you that the non-public documents on other sites that we're not allowed to discuss, also show no flights for Atlantis after STS-125 as of November. Ariel♥Gold 20:30, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Launch team

I removed the section for a few reasons. First, we've never had a section for the launch team for shuttle missions, and while they are an important part of the launch day, they are not what the article is about, and the section didn't provide any information relevant to the mission itself, aside from the countdown portion. The page is about the mission itself, and the launch team is not something that the average reader would pay much attention to. Second, very few would meet notability requirements for their own articles, so they were all red links, and finally, we normally add their names and titles into the prose during the course of the mission, for the senior positions (Launch Director is already in the prose, MMT chairs Caine/Shannon are always mentioned during mission daily recaps, as is ISS Flight Director, etc.). Ariel♥Gold 20:48, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, we can also include all engineers that worked on this mission, but that would be a couple of 1000 and we have to draw the line somewhere. Both Doug Lyons and Wayne Hale are currently mentioned, I think that would ok. We might see though if there is an external link that we could add that lists some more personnel information ? Not sure if that exists, but not totally unlikely either. --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 22:58, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

I've also added LeRoy Cain to today's info, and yes there's a page I'll add to External Links right now, I hadn't thought about that, but there is a NASA page with team info. Good idea, DJ! Ariel♥Gold 23:35, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

 Done Launch Team page added to external links section. Ariel♥Gold 23:37, 8 December 2007 (UTC)

Tanking Test 12-18-07

NASA intends to make Tuesday's test of its hydrogen fuel sensor system as realistic as possible by pumping both liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank just as would be done on launch day.

That is because launch controllers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center want to find out exactly what caused the sensor system to send false readings during two launch attempts for Atlantis’ STS-122 mission earlier this month.

The launch team will begin pumping the liquid fuels, informally known as "cryos", into the tank at 7 a.m. Then a team of trained technicians will go to Launch Pad 39A and turn on a set of special instruments to begin a series of carefully orchestrated measures meant to pinpoint the location of the issue.

While the technicians work the instruments at the launch pad, engineers and launch controllers will be running the system through a series of evaluations from the Launch Control Center.

The entire test, from filling the tank to draining its half-million gallons of propellant and a second series of tests, is expected to last about 13 hours.

Atlantis’ next launch opportunity is targeted for no earlier than Jan. 10, 2008. JeremyWheat (talk) 23:52, 17 December 2007 (UTC)

December 2007

Shuttle Processing for week of 12-14-07

Shuttle Program managers decided Thursday to target Jan. 10, 2008, to launch the STS-122 mission.

At Launch Pad 39A, preparations continue for a Dec. 18 tanking test to troubleshoot the engine cutoff (ECO) sensors. Test wiring has been spliced into an electrical harness in the aft main engine compartment connected with the ECO sensor system. The attached wiring leads to the interior of the mobile launcher platform where the time domain reflectometry (TDR) test equipment will be located. This wiring is being tested today. On Wednesday in the Vehicle Assembly Building, the TDR was connected to the external tank to be used for STS-123. This allowed a "dry" ambient temperature signature to be identified. Friday in Kennedy Space Center's cryogenic test bed facility, TDR instrumentation is being exposed to "wet" super-cold temperatures for identifying the signature of a cryogenic environment and calibrating the TDR equipment. Saturday, the TDR will be taken to the launch pad and installed. The GO2 battery recharge was completed and the GH2 battery recharge is planned for Friday. Aft Propulsion System and Forward Reaction Control System GHe QD leak checks and disconnects were completed. Hard window cover installation is complete. JeremyWheat (talk) 23:03, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 12-21-07

A tanking test was conducted at Launch Pad 39A on Tuesday to aid in troubleshooting the cause of malfunctioning engine cutoff (ECO) sensors. Technicians spliced test wiring into the ECO sensor electrical system and used time domain reflectometry equipment to help locate the electrical anomaly. Results of the tanking test pointed to an open circuit in the feed-through connector wiring, which is located at the base of the tank. The feed-through connector passes the wires from the inside of the tank to the outside. Today technicians removed foam insulation covering the feed-through connector box, and workers from Lockheed-Martin will begin inspecting and testing the connector if approval is received for its removal next week.

Shuttle program managers will meet on Dec. 27 to further review the data analysis from the tanking test conducted earlier this week and decide on a forward plan. JeremyWheat (talk) 20:38, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

New Launch Date

According to the newest NASA STS page,[1], 1/10/2008 is "no longer achievable." Any suggestions as to what it should be changed to? --Resplendent (talk) 23:08, 27 December 2007 (UTC)

Maybe TBD? 76.97.135.125 (talk) 01:04, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

Probably late January if repairs are conducted at LC-39A. If rollback is required, probably around 14 February NET. --GW_Simulations_{User Page | Talk} 01:08, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

Support "TBD". The launch schedule page "Updated -- Dec. 27, 2007 - 5 p.m. EST" says this. (sdsds - talk) 04:26, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

I've edited the first section to reflect the current status; unfortunately I don't know how to correct the reference as I'm not familiar with the reflist format. Could someone fix it for me (and drop me a note telling me how you did it?) Cheers Chrislintott (talk) 09:25, 29 December 2007 (UTC)

There's currently 3 different "current" launch dates given. One is 2 Feb, the other is 8 Feb, and the last is 10 Jan. Which is it? NASA certainly isn't saying. 63.163.39.12 (talk) 22:49, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

It gets confusing. 10/01/08 is an old source. No chance whatsoever. Launch is currently NET 08/02, but if NASA decide not to do another tanking test, it will move up to NET 02/02. See http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5322. --GW_Simulations_{User Page | Talk} 23:07, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Doesn't make sense

The external tank was attached to the solid rocket boosters on October 18, 2007, and Atlantis moved to the VAB on November 3, 2007. With the entire stack placed upon the Mobile Launcher Platform, Atlantis moved to launch pad 39A on November 10, and the Columbus module was loaded into the orbiter's payload bay on November 12.

That's from the article. My question is.... is it logical that the payload was mounted AFTER the Atlantis reached the launch pad? Wouldn't the module have been mounted in... maybe the VAB?--Steven (talk) 01:39, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

Nope... that's correct. They bring the payload to the pad seperately and load it out there... that's what the RSS is for. —Fumo7887 (talk • contribs) 04:41, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

RSS == Rotating Service Structure. It's the big thing that's present at the launchpad (sorta like a tower, but different) --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 14:19, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

Alright, thanks --Steven (talk) 18:17, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

References

January 2008

Shuttle Processing for week of 1-5-08

Shuttle Program managers requested Thursday that flight control teams and ground operations teams protect for a Jan. 24 launch date. As work progresses, that date will be modified as required. Other launch opportunities could come between Jan. 24 and the first week of February.

At Launch Pad 39A, preparations began for modifications to the engine cutoff (ECO) sensors. New external connectors and feed-through assemblies will arrive at KSC Jan. 5-6. Change out is expected to be completed by Jan. 10. Testing of the faulty ECO sensor continues at Marshall Space Flight Center with cryo testing planned next week.

Troubleshooting on the ascent thrust vector control (ATVC) was performed Jan. 3, and the ATVC will be removed, replaced, and then retested over the weekend. JeremyWheat (talk) 01:06, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 1-11-08

Launch Pad 39A - Engine cutoff (ECO) sensor external connector replacement hardware was cleared for installation and arrived at the pad. Installation is tentatively scheduled to begin Saturday - Testing of the faulty ECO sensor system connector hardware continues at Marshall Space Flight Center - Space shuttle main engine ball seal leak checks performed Thursday with no issues - Ascent thrust vector controller No. 2 was replaced Jan. 5 and retested Jan. 6 - Solid rocket booster hydraulic retest scheduled for today

JeremyWheat (talk) 02:24, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

Shuttle Processing for week of 1-18-08

Launch Pad 39A - Engine cutoff (ECO) sensor external feedthrough connector installation is complete - Aft ECO instrumentation wiring removal and retest was completed - All sensors have been tested successfully - ECO sensor feedthrough foaming work on the external J-Box and solid rocket booster PAL ramp continues through the weekend - Annual slidewire basket pad evacuation system maintenance and checkout continues through the weekend - Solid rocket booster hydraulic retesting was completed Monday - Liquid oxygen storage tank pressurization and relief valve testing was successfully completed Tuesday

JeremyWheat (talk) 02:31, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

Weather constraints

Does wikipedia have coverage someplace of weather constraints for shuttle launches (and landings)? What are the weather conditions that might constrain STS-122's launch? (sdsds - talk) 15:31, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

This NASA text (or the equivalent) belongs in some article, with a link to it from this one.

NASA has strict flight rules for weather that include limits on cloud height, storms in the area and clouds that could produce lightning. The criteria are set in part by the conditions a shuttle would need if it has to make an emergency landing soon after liftoff.

(sdsds - talk) 05:20, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps it goes best in the Space Shuttle article, maybe at the beginning of the Launch section? --Resplendent (talk) 06:39, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

Excellent! There is already mention there of lightning as a launch constraint, so this will fit in nicely. As regards this flight, at what point did Chief Astronaut Steven W. Lindsey take the role of flying the weather recon for an RTLS abort? Enquiring minds want to know was it coincidental duty rotation, or did Lindsey take the role after weather forecasts predicted poor landing conditions at KSC might prevent a launch? (sdsds - talk) 19:13, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

Lindsey's done that on the last few flights too. It might be one of the perks of being chief of the Astronaut Office, I don't know. anonymous6494 23:37, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

Flight day 1 coverage of OMS-2 burn

The current article text reads,

main engine cutoff occurred at 19:54 UTC, after which the shuttle entered into the orbital track that would take it to the International Space Station

which might mislead readers into thinking the main engines put the orbiter on track to ISS, when in fact at MECO it is on the same track as the ET, i.e. would re-enter at perigee were it not for the OMS-2 "apogee kick" burn that circularizes the orbit above the atmosphere. (It's too bad we don't have an article on apogee kick burns.) (sdsds - talk) 22:04, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, I did that because this edit read awkwardly, but I agree that a better wording would be helpful, feel free to expand/explain! :D Ariel♥Gold 22:12, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

OK I found a ref for "OMS-2" and tried to integrate it into the FD1 wording. It may still be too wordy (or inaccurate) as regards rendezvous; maybe that should be left for the FD-2 OMS burn coverage? (sdsds - talk) 22:29, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

I think it is fine, I personally do not think that the physics of orbital adjustments, NC, TI burns, and technicalities of how a shuttle arrives precisely to the station is appropriate for the article, lol; the average reader would likely not care, nor really understand it, and someone who does, will already know the concept, so I think the way it is worded is fine. :) Ariel♥Gold 22:47, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Shorter Article?

I think soon as each day's coverage gets on there, we need to purge some of the information on the first two launch attempts. What do you think? --74.69.111.129 (talk) 16:18, 10 February 2008 (UTC)--zrulli 16:19, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

I would agree that the section on the launch attempts, and the work done following them could be pruned, but I'd suggest waiting until the mission is complete to do it, simply for the background history that may be of interest to readers. Ariel♥Gold 13:34, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

Would it be better to move/rewrite the first 2 launch attempts section into it's own sub-article? Rocketmaniac ^RT 15:47, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

It wouild be great to have an article on the Space Shuttle engine cutoff fuel sensor system. Most of the material about the first two launch attempts would be great in that article, and the STS-122 article would only need a brief mention and a link to the ECO article. (sdsds - talk) 17:51, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

ET Venting

Last night (the day of the launch) I saw video of the ET as it was falling away from the shuttle. At one point the video showed the ET venting the remaining gases. This is the first time that I have seen this. Why does this venting process look like laser light show? Before the narrator told what was going on, I thought it was some kind of strobe light. Rocketmaniac ^RT 14:33, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

It was just the angle the sun was at when the video was taken, I'm sure all the tanks do that, but the angle of light isn't always that dramatic. It was way pretty, though! Really impressive. Ariel♥Gold 15:39, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Check out this picture ET Venting. The description explains what happens, Rocketmaniac ^RT 02:40, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

Interesting note

recumbant seat kit http://snebulos.mit.edu/projects/reference/NASA-Generic/NSTS_21000-IDD-MDK-RevB.pdf ON PAGE 72 there is reference to the Kit. Very little on the net.LanceBarber (talk) 16:25, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

it is a seat setup on the middeck of the shuttle that enables an astronaut to sit in a reclining (as opposed to straight-up) position during landing. It is designed to ease the landing for astronauts that have been in space for a long time and are not used to the earth's gravity anymore. --TheDJ (talk • contribs) 19:42, 20 February 2008 (UTC)