Space Shuttle Return to Flight - Pt. 3

[SpaceKiwi]

Just watched a Stafford-Covey briefing on NASA TV before heading into work. Didn't catch the very beginning of the presentation, but it all sounded fairly positive to me. The contributors present all seemed to think NASA was on the same page as them, and vice versa. There were a number of questions directed towards the issue of 'show-stoppers' and the panel seemed to feel that there didn't appear to be any as far as they were concerned, notwithstanding the analysis of additional debris data.<br /><br />All in all, it sounded like the July launch window has a high probability of being met from the Stafford-Covey's point-of-view. Excellent news. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <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>

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">What science has been done on ISS ?</font>/i><br /><br />Not much so far. Prior to Columbia I read that with 3 people on board (I believe what was originally called "core complete"), only about 1/2 of one person was dedicated to science. The other 2.5 of people time was dedicated to maintaining ISS. As the ISS gets larger, I would not be surprised to see more people time dedicated to maintaining ISS.<br /><br />But Griffin was looking at what science could be done once ISS was fully built, and his conclusion is that the science could not justify the price tag.<br /><br />Of course, now he is an insider, so his position has probably changed <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /></i>

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">You could make a fairly reasonable argument that the American public has never especially cared about Shuttle, or the US Space Program in general.</font>/i><br /><br />True. Even during the 1960s the majority of the population did not support the Apollo program (or at least paying for it).</i>

 

[drwayne]

I clearly remember people talking about "wasting" all that moeny out in space when there were so many problems right down here on Earth.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[najab]

Can you say in public what those threats are? (In little words so that less technically savvy users like me have a chance of understanding! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />)

 

[mrmorris]

So... since you're having a second rollout... does this mean the crew is going to be throwing a second pizza party for you? <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[mrmorris]

Ah -- knew it was a tradition -- just forgot what the specific occasion was.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Apparently it's not yet confirmed that Atlantis will fly with ET-119 on STS 121 (300)? ET-119 arrives on Monday?<br /><br />Working on a Icing solution story that involves bags.

 

[Testing]

Post deleted by Testing <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Mentioned about five pages back into this thread.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Always find these facinating. Thanks SG.<br /><br /> />* There seems to be an explosion of rumors about launch date changes.<br />We are firmly aiming for July 13th. Decision that was made on Monday<br />confirmed that we are aimed at 7/13. Stafford/Covey story that came out<br />yesterday did not change this. Do not believe everything you hear at the<br />watercooler. If we start thinking about something, will let everyone know. <<br /><br />he he <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[SpaceKiwi]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>SSME (Rocketdyne/KSC) <br />* Story on contamination in some engine parts they were working on in <br />the engine shop on a spare engine. This is first story but could add work <br />for 114. <br />* Thursday night, were working on 9th engine for the spare set. Were <br />removing heat exchanger manifold. Saw an unusual substance in the heat <br />exchanger tube. Took samples and sent to lab. Lab report said it was iron. <br />Have been searching processing records to try to determine how that material <br />is present. <br />* Have a concern about contamination in LOX system on engine #2052. <br />Could include 3 engines on 114 and 3 engines on 121. Do not know how <br />material was deposited in heat exchanger. Will keep working. Need to start <br />planning for the inspections for the fleet. Have done this inspection <br />before but the work is just not planned.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />SG, what's your take on the above? Could this delay or halt the '114 launch if the investigations turn up bad or inconclusive news?<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>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Beat me too it Mr Kiwi...that was an interesting element of the aforementioned report.<br /><br />Meanwhile, working through a rumour of an MSFC launch constraint due to LOX Feedline Bracket Ice concern, leading to solution implementation requirement before launch approval. Unable (restricted) to post more at this time, but it's in work.

 

[haywood]

Got my fingers crossed!<br />

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Griffin considering delaying July launch.<br /><br />"We will not be rushed"<br /><br />Soon to make an "informed decision" about launching shuttle Discovery in July.<br /><br />Debris is the number one concern.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

An un-informed assumption here from me, but I get the impression MSFC are not happy unless they get pages of data and kick up a stink when they don't get it?<br /><br />I know MSFC can't have a say in launch/don't launch, but it can't help.

 

[najab]

><i>I know MSFC can't have a say in launch/don't launch, but it can't help.</i><p>Actually, MSFC is <b>very much</b> involved in the both the FRR and the L-1 telecon. The Shuttle cannot launch unless <b>all</b> the relevant centres (JSC, JSC, MSFC and SSC) sign off on it.<br />---------------------------<br />Edit: One of those JSC's was supposed to be KSC, but I suppose that Freudian slip is how NASA sees the relevance of the Centers - "KSC is just full of grease monkeys, good for kicking tyres and lighting fires".</p>

 

[grooble]

Month to go

 

[SpaceKiwi]

Yeah, it's time to go fly. My annoyingly simple optimism is starting to take a hit from all the chat coming out of NASA about ice. The STS is much safer than it has ever been so, unless they are intending to wrap the stack in cotton wool as an additional measure, it's time to launch this rocket. <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>

 

[grooble]

I think they are under more pressure than ever this time around, because if anything goes wrong, the shuttle will be grounded permanently and the ISS will never be finished.<br /><br />This is also the first shuttle launch i'll be actively following on the net / news. I've only gotten into space over the last 2 or 3 years.

 

[henryhallam]

<font color="yellow"><br />Rollout to the pad is now Wednesday just after midnight.<br /></font><br /><br />Sorry to hear that...<br /><br />Why the sudden delay? Weather issues?

 

[rybanis]

Good to hear.<br /><br />So with it going back out to the pad, and no tanking test...that means you guys will be working directly towards the launch now, right? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[henryhallam]

Excellent news. Let's hope the debris issues are resolved to MSFC's satisfaction, and the SSME iron contamination is sorted out in good time for a July 13 launch!

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Interdepartmental (Tiger) team (PMC) of large group of people still in-works on LOX Feedline Bracket Ice Debris issue. Just got the last of the latest data/info on this and will collate an article overnight and tomorrow if I can get my head round the key points.<br /><br />Last data I have here has a first line of "likely to constrain launch of STS-114". The noted result of a mitigation process is facinating - and involves "red team" removing the mod...and I assume (still got pages to read through) just prior to launch.<br /><br />I have to double check what I can use, and what diagrams and pictures I can use and I can't/won't reveal sources.

 

[rvastro]

Will this be a delay of days, weeks, or months?