Space Shuttle Return to Flight - Pt. 3

[grooble]

5 weeks to go?

 

[henryhallam]

Are the RCS ports protected at all during launch and entry?

 

[najab]

Are the RCS ports protected at all during launch and entry?<br /><br />yes, they are covered during launch like pieces of what is called Butcher paper. This has actually been a subject of debris review since there was some worry that the pieces of paper could come off late in the ascent and present hazard to the vehicle. To guard against this eventuality, the butcher paper covers have been redesigned so that they come off the vehicle at a very low airspeed.

 

[najab]

><i>Correct except the butcher paper was replaced with a new material. </i><p>Oh, okay. At the press conference where they discussed it, they didn't make it clear that it was a new material. Or maybe they did and I missed it.</p>

 

[nacnud]

Its the little details like that that I find fascinating. Thanks guys.<br /><br />My mind boggles at what I don’t know about the STS <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />

 

[rybanis]

A random thought, but I've always wanted to hear what it would sound like to be in the cabin when the front RCS thrusters are firing. Does it sound like somebody hitting a steel plate with a hammer? Also, I wonder if it freaks out new astronauts when they fire? (hearing loud noises in orbit would scare me!) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[rybanis]

Interesting! I used to think that the RCS thrusters only fired in bursts, but they can do sustained burns? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[nacnud]

I presume they tell astronauts that a course correction is immanent. Being smacked in the back of the head because the orbiter moved and you didn't would be mildly annoying...

 

[henryhallam]

I thought (almost?) all burns are carried out by the astronauts anyway rather than by remote from the MCC - could shuttle_guy confirm/deny?

 

[nacnud]

Obviously only very very mildly annoying <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> if it was noticed at all.<br /><br /><br />

 

[najab]

><i>I thought (almost?) all burns are carried out by the astronauts anyway rather than by remote from the MCC...</i><p>Most of the time, yes. I suspect, however, that sometimes debris avoidance burns might have to be taken during the crew's sleep period.</p>

 

[rybanis]

Won't the guidance computers fire RCS for stationkeeping? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

The briefing charts for the Return to Flight Task Group's June 8 Public Meeting will be available at http://returntoflight.org at 7:30 a.m. CDT. Live audio of the meeting will be available at the site beginning at 8 a.m. CDT.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

France's Istres Air Force Base - located north of Marseilles - is the new TAL site (Transatlantic Abort Site), replacing Morocco unless NASA decides on a Hubble Servicing Mission.

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

Have a nice holiday SG. Make sure you drink a couple of beers for me too. <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>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

That's good. Hope you get some enjoyable rest and relaxation in before launch.<br /><br />We'll have to get all the questions in before the 14th then! Before what I'd like to officially tag the "SG R&R Flow" <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[shuttle_rtf]

NASA is publishing its documentation on how it is implementing the reccomendations of the CIAB on the nasa.gov site on Thursday, 9am EST.<br /><br />Appears to me to be: <br /><br />1) They've completed all the paperwork (ties in with Stafford-Covey meeting...they wouldn't be meeting if it wasn't all in now, one would assume). <br /><br />2) If it's a large pdf file like the CIAB report, then that shows some more transparency from the agency. (NASA officials have been VERY helpful in my dealings with them of late. Try getting more than a read reciept off the Lockheed Martin MEDIA RELATIONS people and you're kidding yourself).

 

[ozspace]

SG have a good break and recharge your batteries for the upcoming "flying season", hopefully from July! <br />I assume we won't get a target launch date this side of the Flight Readiness Review, June 29-30? Or will they decide after the RTF report and then just confirm or otherwise at the FRR?

 

[ozspace]

Live audio now on of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group public meeting to assess NASA's implementation of several Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) recommendations.<br />http://www.nasa.gov/ram/67946main_audioconf.ram (Needs Real Audio)

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Anyone hearing nothing but double-talk, passing the buck (FRR) and all-round mumbling?<br /><br />Going to have to wait for the transcript, but they do like to answer a question with 500 words, when 50 would do.

 

[najab]

I was hoping this would be carried on NASA-TV, RealAudio and dialup is never a good combination. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />

 

[shuttle_rtf]

You're not missing much as it's crap quality on 2mb ADSL!<br /><br />Direct Line Authority - Stafford-Covey understands that NASA holds all the safety responsability. They are not - they say - 'passing the buck' (paraphrase). Seems like a direct answer to Griffin saying NASA holds the decision on launching. <br /><br />Media present are - to their credit - asking (three times now) what they mean by this all. Stafford-Covey are on the defensive, saying Saftey 'is everyone's responsability' and are not 'washing their hands of this' <-- (paraphrase).<br /><br />Stafford-Covey praise NASA over the ET mods. Despite difficulty in gaining the people they wanted to deal with the ET issues (at first).<br /><br />Stafford-Covey say there are some failures with System Engineering (sounds like the Diffuser). No specifics again.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

I'm transcribing what I can on the NSF forum, but will copy it across on here.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

These guys mumble way too much to work out what the heck they are saying (and whos saying it).<br /><br />Stafford Covey note the "Top X list" of work done on non-CIAB reccomendations and praise NASA.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Question on the pre-press over cycling. Answer avoided - but not that weaknesses remain on Systems Engineering. But note cross division systems intergration on NON CIAB work has been excellent.