(1E) STS 122 Post Launch Mission thread

[bobblebob]

Marcia asking another Hans question. She really is obsessed with him <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />

 

[erioladastra]

"The ISS atmosphere is a N2 O2 mix essentially the same as Earth sea level. The nitrogen is vented over board when the airlock is vented to zero pressure. The nitrogen is used, with oxygen, to repressurize the airlock. "<br /><br />A little clarification. The mix is N2-O2. In the airlock it is a little higher O2 at the point of pump down but still essentially air. The pump lowers the pressure ot about 0.5 psi. We could keep pumping the air back into the ISS but the efficiency is slow at that low pressure it is not worth. So then we open the hatch and vent the last bit of air overbaord. <br /><br />The N2 transferred was to be used for mixing with o2 for the atmosphere but some is used for the back pressure on the water loops inside the lab.<br /><br />There is no freon on ISS. Internally on the USOS it is water. Externally it is ammonia. The Russian segment uses a freon like liquid that I am blanking on at the moment.

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

Q: What will they announce when STS122 returns to Earth?<br /><br />A: The Schlegel has landed.<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong>  </p> </div>

 

[starfhury]

Thanks for the info shuttle_guy. Also, according to the wiki, Space Records, thirteen was the most people in space at any one time. That was back in March of 1995. With six on ISS we would have a new record of sixteen people with ISS, Shuttle, Soyuz at full complement. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

I was under the impression that Quest employed a Russian-heritage system to pump atmosphere from the Lock back into the Equipment Lock, thereby salvaging most of the gases during each EVA?<br /><br />Does this not occur/never occurred, or is the N2 depletion/tank replacement you are discussing the cumulative result of the slight loss vented to space each time which erioladastra has highlighted?<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

The record of 13 has happened three separate times. It last occurred in late April 2001 with STS-100, Soyuz TM-32 and ISS. Also STS-89, TM-27, and Mir. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[halman]

shuttle_guy,<br /><br />We all appreciate your efforts to educate us. Thank you!<br /><br />What led me into thinking the nitrogen was used for cooling was the post on the NASA shuttle site referring to the nitrogen tank as being part of the station cooling system. (20:20 PST 02/12) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[tylerjwyly]

He is probably right. There were a bunch of low clouds over Titusville. Either way thanks a ton for it.

 

[SpaceKiwi]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>What led me into thinking the nitrogen was used for cooling was the post on the NASA shuttle site referring to the nitrogen tank as being part of the station cooling system.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />It would appear you are right on the money, halman. According to the EVA updates here on SDC, the N2 tank is used for pressurising the Station's coolant lines. It has nothing to do with the Airlock as best I can tell. Which makes sense, given the tank in question is installed on the truss.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

It's a very cool photo anyway. Here is an older one from STS-108:<br /><br />http://www.taosecurity.com/images/f-15_shuttle_launch.jpg <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[bobw]

There is another Nitrogen tank.<br /><br />The Flame Trench keeps noting that the <i>"Nitrogen in the tank is used to pressurize the space station's cooling system, which circulates ammonia, a toxic form of nitrogen with three hydrogen atoms attached."</i>, says <i>"The pair will install a nitrogen tank assembly on the P-1 truss and bring the old tank back to the payload bay for return to Earth."</i> and calls it the NTA not the HPGT.<br /><br />It sounnds to me like they were working on the one from this link: Active Thermal Control System.pdf <br /><br /><font color="yellow">Each ammonia loop contains a NTA ORU to provide storage for the high pressure nitrogen used for controlled pressurization of the ATA. The NTA mounts to the S1 (Loop A) and P1 (Loop B) truss segments and is connected to the ATA by self-sealing QDs. Each NTA ORU primarily consists of a nitrogen tank, a gas pressure regulating valve (GPRV), isolation valves and survival heaters. The nitrogen tank provides a storage volume for the high-pressure gaseous nitrogen, while the GPRV provides a pressure control function as well as nitrogen isolation and over pressure protection of downstream components. The NTA provides the necessary pressure to move the ammonia out of the ATA. The single high-pressure tank containing nitrogen at 2,500 psia (@70 °F, ground fill) and uses the GPRV to supply continuous pressure up to 390 psia in one psia increments. A back-up mechanical valve limits the maximum nitrogen pressure to 416 psia. The GPRV provides pressure control as well as high-pressure nitrogen isolation and overpressure protection of downstream components. The NTA has venting capabilities and over pressure controls. Each NTA measures 64 inches (162.56 cm) by 36 inches (91.44) by 30 inches (76.2 cm) inches and weighs about 460 pounds (208.65 kilograms). </font>/safety_wrapper> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[erioladastra]

"It would appear you are right on the money, halman. According to the EVA updates here on SDC, the N2 tank is used for pressurising the Station's coolant lines. It has nothing to do with the Airlock as best I can tell. Which makes sense, given the tank in question is installed on the truss. "<br /><br />Correct - the discussion yesterday was about the nitrogen transferred. This was done from the orbiter to the high pressure tanks outside of the airlock. About 30 pounds. A seperate Nitrogen Tank Assembly is being replcaed today. That tanks pressurizes the ammonia tanks on the External Thermal Control SYstem.

 

[bobblebob]

The Nasa commentor said the mission has been extended to 13 days and will land on Weds next week.<br /><br />Thought Day 13 was a Tuesday?

 

[halman]

erioladastra,<br /><br />Are there any external radiators for the External Thermal Control System? I don't recall seeing anything that looked like radiator panels in the images of the ISS. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[Testing]

And the weather at KSC? 50-60mph out here tonight tomorrow. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Testing]

.LONG TERM...STRONG RIDGING WILL BUILD INTO THE AREA OVER THE WEEKEND....WITH CLEAR SKIES AND TEMPSTEMPSTemperaturesClick for More... SEVERAL DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL ACROSS THE REGION. THERE COULD STILL BE SOME LOCALLY GUSTY WINDS SAT MORNING...BUT NOTHING TOO SIGNIFICANT EXPECTED. AN UPPER LOW MOVING Northeastward ACROSS THE PAC WILL MOVE INTO Northern California MONDAY. IT WILL FORCE THE RIDGe Eastward CAUSING SOME COOLING ACROSS THE AREA MONDAY...WITH LITTLE CHANGE ON TUE AND WED. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

Hey SG, I think I read earlier in this thread that you're heading out to Edwards again for landing, just in case they have to put down on the West Coast? Do you volunteer for this duty, or is it on a rotation and everyone on the KSC team has to do a tour over there at some point?<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[Testing]

Choke, cough........... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

Sounds like someone needs to administer the Heimlich Manoeuvre <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong>  </p> </div>

 

[Zipi]

"See the expert's (erioladastra) post on page 39 of this thread. "<br /><br />Unfortunately this advice is hard to follow if you are showing more posts per page than the default setting... For example I have only 21 pages total of this thread.<br /><br />But still... I guess this is mostly my personal problem. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Zipi]

BTW: Has anybody Youtubed the SRB videos of STS-122? I guess they vere aired yesterday at Nasa TV, but I was sleeping at that moment... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[halman]

shuttle_guy,<br /><br />Thank you for that info. I have been wondering what those white panels were. I am used to thinking of thermal radiators being black, because that color dissipates heat better than any other, but it also absorbs it better. So white radiators would not absorb solar radiation as much as black ones would. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

MSB live now. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Great pass of the ISS Assembly tonight from NJ,<br />Clear skies, 62 degrees in the Northeast.<br />H-A predicted magniyude was -2.5, I'd say that was about right.<br />No brighter flares, but an unmistakeable sight from horizon to horizon.<br /><img src="/images/icons/cool.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Sounds like a great pass, like the couple we had here earlier in the week. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />EVA successfully completed. Spaceflightnow.com article.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>