Space Shuttle Return to Flight - Pt. 2

najab · May 4, 2005

Well just keep in mind - human space flight without the crew wouldn't, somehow, be quite the same. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

There's not going to be much of a view for the crew with the RSS in place, not that I imagine you get much of a view of anything other than sky when you are hanging off the side of an ET. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

ozspace · May 4, 2005

Will they do another TCDT before actual launch day?

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

No, this is it for this exercise. Edited to say Well, assuming a July launch that is. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

najab · May 4, 2005

I wouldn't expect so.

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

Anyone know if the orange flight suits are specific to each Astronaut? I think I read somewhere that they are horrendously expensive to manufacture, so I am inclined to think that they must be recycled for subsequent missions. However, they would make one of the ultimate mementos of an Astronaut's time at NASA, were they allowed to keep them. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

ozspace · May 4, 2005

I read somewhere that they come in 3 standard sizes and can be adjusted for individual fit. But not sure about reuse after a flight, I would think they would, they do for the EVA suits don't they? ...at least components of the EVA suits

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

Yeah, the EVA suits are definitely modular so that all sizes of spacewalker can be accomodated. For any Auckland members of Uplink, are you JAFA's aware that Mirchee Digital is testing relaying NASA TV from the Sky Tower? It's apparently FTA at the moment but I'm unsure if it will remain so once testing is complete. With the variance in signal strength off I701, it's hard to see how they could charge for the service though. Nevertheless it beats watching via the 'net. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

No mention of the support Astronaut's name aboard Discovery. This must be similar to the situation with the T-38 pilots. It's very cool how these integral people are not identified in order to leave the focus on the crew Astronauts. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

najab · May 4, 2005

Looking down the crawlerway back towards the VAB, there's a newish-looking 4 or 5 storey office building to the left of the VAB (not the LCC) - is that where your office is?

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

What were the little items that the closeout crew member tucked into pockets on each of Cdr Collins' upper arms? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

najab · May 4, 2005

I know that one of them is a glow stick, I'm not sure what the others were.

ozspace · May 4, 2005

Looks like those chemical "glow in the dark" locator markers for rescue.

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

Thanks guys. Oh, the commentator has just clued us in too. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

Do you think the support Astronaut is in one of the USA uniforms, or are NASA TV just being very careful to not select camera shots which he/she is in? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

ozspace · May 4, 2005

I don't think they'd be that fussed. Probably just a white like the others but with a NASA not USA logo, maybe just one of the 6 or so. EDIT Number 2 has a big 'ol NASA logo on his back, he's a quality guy or astro', I reckon.

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

You could really see the glow stick on Collins' arm in that camera shot looking across from Kelly towards her side of the cockpit. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

I'm surprised Noguchi gets to ride on the flight deck. I thought NASA Astronauts would get preference, and experienced ones also. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

najab · May 4, 2005

He'll probably ride on the flight deck on the way uphill, and on the mid-deck on the way back down.

ozspace · May 4, 2005

Not sure how that is decided, he is doing video survey of the ET after separation but Thomas is floating up from the mid deck to do stills... Maybe theydrew straws?;-)

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

Thanks SG. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

SpaceKiwi · May 4, 2005

I have one more concerning Archambault, though I guess it applies to everyone crawling around in the crew cabin. I observed that he was standing in behind MS1/2 on the flight deck for a time after they got strapped in, and virtually up against instrumentation on the ceiling of the Orbiter. I imagine the active consoles for launch are all within reach of the CDR and PLT's seats. However, is there no concern that switching might get knocked, settings changed, etc, by the support crew and Astronauts as they climb and crawl around when boarding for the launch? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

najab · May 4, 2005

A large part of shuttle_guy's job on launch day is monitoring the status of the switches and systems to make sure that doesn't happen.

georgeniebling · May 4, 2005

NajaB ... you got my question exactly ... so STS-121 did not exist prior to the Columbia loss ... or was a radically different mission spec. Correct?

georgeniebling · May 4, 2005

what is the roll of the "support Astronaut"?

Space Shuttle Return to Flight - Pt. 2

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