ISS 13A.1, (STS-118) Post flight commentary

[MeteorWayne]

The previous thread is rapidly approaching the 600 post "limit" and I suspect there will be quite a bit post flight discussion as the ding and effect on future missions is discussed. Thought I'd open this thread now, so there's a place for that conversation.<br /><br />The STS-118 Actual flight thread starts here <br /><br />Wayne <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>

 

[Testing]

How soon will they be able to duplicate the inspection of the divot? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Testing]

I'm sure the TPS people (and others) are drooling for that data for comparison and modeling. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[thereiwas]

Continuing the previous discussion about crosswinds and the late chute deploy, I noticed on the heads-up display on the way down that he was holding some serious left rudder. The nose was clearly to the left of the path indicator, and the slider at the bottom was to the left as well.

 

[bobblebob]

Shame the landing video on the nasa site doesnt show the sonic boom.<br /><br />Any videos of the tile damage post landing? I missed it live on nasatv

 

[MeteorWayne]

Look at the very end of the previous thread, the last 2 pages.<br /><br />To answer briefly, the ding seems to have eroded a bit more that before landing.<br />The layers beneath, being not scorched, appear to have not suffered any damage during reentry, as expected.<br /><br />The data gathered comparng before and after will be invaluable for verifying the models used to simulate these events, part of which was used to examine the safe return of this flight.<br /><br />So far, the analysis was very good, and there was no risk whatsoever to the crew. As for the asessment of damage to the craft, it appears so far, there was no damage at all, exactly as predicted. <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>

 

[grdja]

Does Endevor fly again before scrapping? Hopefully even if this made some damage they wont have to rebuild the entire wing...<br /><br />One general question. Why hasnt NASA decided to mothball the shuttles at their end. SSMEs will be good for one more flight, and ETs and SRBs will still be in production. So why not at some point in future, when a Moon base or a Mars spaceship is needed, strip the shuttles of everything and use them one last time as Shuttle Cs?

 

[bobblebob]

Just seen the damage. Does appear a little worse but hopefully something that can be easily fixed

 

[thereiwas]

Why would SRBs and ETs still be in production? Those are very specifically designed to fit with the orbiter. Ares uses different solid engines (similar technology but not identical construction) and nothing uses the ET.

 

[itsfullofstars]

HI All<br /><br />This is my first post, I have been hiding in the shadows here for a few years now just reading, and have learned a lot from some of the long term posters, I don’t think I need to mention names, but thanks and please keep posting.<br /><br />I have really enjoyed watching this mission, and some of the views from NASA TV (like the shuttle crew kept saying over and again) were just……. WOW!!<br /><br />I do personally believe the old birds are ready for the Smithsonian and other museums, but saying that, we have learned so much from the shuttles, it is priceless and well worth it. I don’t think there will be anything quite like watching the winged bird hanging in orbit over the earth for quite some time, sure the new vehicles will be safer, more cost effective etc etc, but DAMN!! (I know they aren’t quite retired just yet but I’m going to miss seeing them.)<br /><br />Well done guys and girls for doing your job bringing her home in one piece. Most of us can only imagine what it must feel like riding the shuttle back with an educated knowledge of what is actually going on outside the skin of the craft. It must be a real seat of the pants experience, not just for the crew but for the ground crew also. I think we all sometimes are too busy looking at the WOW factor to remember how much dedication, training and time it must take to become one of the few.<br /><br />But anyway before this post becomes a ramble, I think what I am trying to say is just, thank you.<br /><br />Itsfullofstars

 

[lampblack]

Thanks, friend. That was a fine first post.<br /><br />Keep it up! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#0000ff"><strong>Just tell the truth and let the chips fall...</strong></font> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

"Does Endevor fly again before scrapping?"<br /><br />It's EndeavoUr, and yes several times. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

A belated well-done to everyone involved in getting STS-118 from go to whoa this morning. It was a 3am start today, so I'm stuggling a bit on auxiliary battery power right now, but well worth the effort to see Endeavour safely down at the SLF.<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>

 

[datalor]

That is quite possibly the best first post I have read from anyone. I hug you! (Its ok, Im lady) <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

"The Orbiter on STS-118 has 2 more flights. one to the ISS and then the Hubble."<br /><br />That's Atlantis. Endeavour has several more flights (all ISS), right to the end of the program. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

NASA:<br /><br />08.24.07<br />George Diller<br />Kennedy Space Center, Fla.<br />321-867-2468<br />george.h.diller@nasa.gov<br />STATUS REPORT: S-082407<br />NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT<br />Note: NASA's Kennedy Space Center issues Space Shuttle Processing <br />Status Reports periodically and is the source for information <br />regarding processing activities associated with the vehicles and <br />payloads. <br /><br />Mission: STS-118 - 22nd International Space Station Flight - S5 Truss <br />Segment <br />Vehicle: Endeavour (OV-105) <br />Official Launch Date: Aug. 8, 2007 <br />Official KSC Landing Date: Aug. 21, 2007 <br />Crew: Kelly, Hobaugh, Williams, Morgan, Mastracchio, Caldwell and Drew<br />Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles <br /><br />Endeavour touched down at Kennedy Space Center at 12:32 p.m. EST on <br />Aug. 21, completing a 13-day journey to the International Space <br />Station. The mission was cut short by a day because of the potential <br />threat to the Houston area posed by Hurricane Dean. Prior to the <br />Sunday undocking from the station, Mission Specialist Dave Williams <br />and station Flight Engineer Clay Anderson conducted the final <br />spacewalk of the mission on Saturday. They installed the external <br />wireless instrumentation system antenna, attached a stand for the <br />shuttle's robotic arm extension boom and retrieved two materials <br />experiment containers. The spacewalk was trimmed by two hours to <br />allow for a day-early hatch closing. Endeavour is now in Orbital <br />Processing Facility bay No. 2, where post-flight inspections and <br />processing are under way. Endeavour's payload will be removed this <br />weekend. <br /><br /><br /> <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>