How do they close the shuttle hatch?

[bobw]

I've watched most of the astronauts board the shuttles. The door closing guy looks to me like he is putting tiles into gaps around the hatch. I imagine that he is going to turn a wrench or something to tighten the tiles. But I never get to see them actually finish closing the hatch. NASA-TV always cuts to the same cabin shot with the belly on the right. Don't get me wrong I like watching the crew move around inside the cabin. Then they cut back to the guys with their safety harnesses on taking down the walls. <br /><br />I really don't have a clue what it takes to close the hatch and I've made it a point to try to watch and see. Does anybody know of drawings of the door mechanism or a checklist?<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[padrat]

I don't have a drawing, but the hatch has a ring of 18 over-center latches around its inner perimeter. They are connected together by linkage so that all move together. When a T-handle is rotated, the latches engage seats around the hatch opening. Here's how it's done:<br /><br />-Release the locking pawl which holds the hatch open.<br />-Lift up on the hatch while slowly swinging it shut. <br />-Make sure none of the armalon paper is out of place (it shields the thermal barrier seal around the hatch opening and prevents it from rolling under as the hatch seats)<br />-Insert T-handle into square receptacle; rotate T-handle 385-450 degrees. <br />-Use inspection mirror to verify lock is set inside hatch.<br />-Attach leak check kit and perform leak check. <br />-Remove leak check kit and install carrier panel. The carrier panel seals the opening. It has tiles on the exterior side. 6 bolts secure it to the hatch, and ceramic plugs fill the holes after the bolts are torqued to the proper value.<br />-Remove armalon paper.<br />-Close out White Room and depart pad.<br /><br />-Pad Rat-<br />

 

[bobw]

Thanks, guys, for the explaination. I'm sure now that I've never seen the whole thing. I managed to find some videos with a nasa search for "armalon paper shuttle hatch" and they both stop around inspection mirror time. I have seen the leak checks but never the carrier plate installation. <br /><br />On one of the videos, for STS-105, the arrow pointing at the emergency handle clearly has some of the tile missing. I guess that's where the carrier plate goes. Thanks, again.<br /><br />http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/shuttle/countdown/sts105a/hatchclose-vid.htm <br /><br />Edit: I forgot <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Also, toward the middle, #5 takes something out of the center of the hatch and then puts it back again. What is that thing? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[padrat]

>>Also, toward the middle, #5 takes something out of the center of the hatch and then puts it back again. What is that thing? <<<br /><br />A window cover.<br /><br />Also, you are correct: the area at the tip of the "Rescue" arrow is where the carrier panel attaches.<br /><br />-Pad Rat-

 

[tap_sa]

<font color="yellow">"Here's how it's done: ... <a long list> ... "</font><br /><br />That's a pretty long and complicated list just to close a hatch. No wonder spaceflight is expensive. I wonder how long does it take until closing a spacecraft's hatch goes like this:<br /><br />- last one in closes the hatch<br />- turn lever until it stops and a loud click is heard<br />- check that hatch-secured indicator is green and proceed to your seat<br /><br />

 

[mrmorris]

<font color="yellow">"...how long does it take until closing a spacecraft's hatch goes like this:"</font><br /><br />Can't say when that will happen. But about three to five years after that, it will go something like this:<br /><br />- Last one comes through the hatch.<br />- He then turns and says 'Please close the hatch, HAL'.<br />- HAL replies: "I'm sorry Dave -- I can't do that. You'll have to do it yourself, you lazy @$#&^"<br />...<br />- Dave turns lever until it stops and a loud click is heard <br />- Then checks that hatch-secured indicator is green and proceeds to seat <br /><br /><br /><br />*** Note that if HAL is a Microsoft product -- there will be a BSD somewhere in the process.

 

[padrat]

>>That's a pretty long and complicated list just to close a hatch. No wonder spaceflight is expensive. I wonder how long does it take until closing a spacecraft's hatch goes like this:<<<br /><br />It *could* be done *right now*, if it was made easier for the crewman who would perform the function to strap into their seat. There's really no other critical reason why it can't be done as the system exists today.<br /><br />-Pad Rat-