Space Shuttle Atlantis and ISS power system

[Zipi]

Hi,<br /><br />I was wondering why Atlantis cannot connect to the ISS power system and I had to register myself here to ask the question: <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />http://techluver.com/2007/11/25/astronauts-hooks-up-module-in-lengthy-spacewalk/<br /><br />The last chapter of above document:<br /><br />"That decision to even attempt a fix will be largely dependent on how much power Atlantis uses on the flight to the station. Unlike the other two shuttles — Discovery and Endeavour — Atlantis cannot plug into the space station’s power system and must rely only on the power stored in its fuel cells, limiting its time in space." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[holmec]

I think this has been answered more than once on this forum. Shuttle_guy I believe has answered it and it was that Atlantis was scheduled for decommisioning and then its decommisioning was delayed and they just are not going to do the maintenance packet on it to give it that capability.<br /><br />So many Shuttle launches to do in so little time. The maintenace packet would also take some of that time away. <br /><br />if your willing to look through the post on Atlantis not retiring, here is the link <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[Zipi]

I red the Atlantis not retiring thread and didn't find any information about its "power sucking capatibilities" or similar. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />So I guess my question has been answered at some other thread (thanks for answering directly to this thread). Still, it was very intresting thread to read altough it got pretty much of blame wars inside... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Zipi]

Thanks for the acronym! Googling with it gave nice results:<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station-to-Shuttle_Power_Transfer_System<br />http://www.space.com/spacenews/businessmonday_050718.html<br />http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/space/returntoflight/vehicleupgrades/sspts.html<br />http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=3685<br />http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=10776<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>