STS-114 Mission Update Thread (Part 5)

[cello]

i heard, they has extended mission to 15 days. is it true and what was longest shuttle mission? 15 days sounds long shuttle mission for me.

 

[haywood]

I've read some ignorant posts but that one reaches a new low.<br />

 

[cuddlyrocket]

The foam problem may not be fixable. It just may not. Not all engineering problems have solutions.<br /><br />Griffin on Meet the Press said he couldn't imagine NASA ever again having a space vehicle where things could fall on the crew. To me, that says that he's already decided the thing is probably not ultimately completely fixable.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

The way I see it is the PAL Ramp wasn't deemed something that needed to be fixed. It does.<br /><br />Also, there is a growing concern over the protruding gap filler on two sections of the TPS and an EVA and repair is under consideration at this time.

 

[silylene old]

<font color="yellow">Also, there is a growing concern over the protruding gap filler on two sections of the TPS and an EVA and repair is under consideration at this time. </font><br /><br />I would sure like more details about this concern. Also any close-up pictures? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</font></em> </div><div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><font color="#0000ff"><em>I really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function.</em></font> </div> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Working on it.

 

[yurkin]

I was very impressed the space policy was the primary discussion on Meet the Press this morning. <br /><br />As unfortunate that it is that the problem was not resolved I think its going to be a big boost the new vision for space exploration.<br />

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">Also, there is a growing concern over the protruding gap filler on two sections of the TPS and an EVA and repair is under consideration at this time.</font>/i><br /><br />Wow, that seems like the problem is of much greater concern than originally reported. An EVA on that side of the shuttle puts the astronauts at risk and risks damaging the shuttle itself (don't bump into it!).</i>

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">As unfortunate that it is that the problem was not resolved I think its going to be a big boost the new vision for space exploration.</font>/i><br /><br />Turning lemons into lemonade.</i>

 

[lycan359]

<br />"As unfortunate that it is that the problem was not resolved I think its going to be a big boost the new vision for space exploration."<br /><br />Yes, as in the Shuttle program being shutdown and the money going to the VSE... I'm just saying...

 

[erioladastra]

"Wow, that seems like the problem is of much greater concern than originally reported. An EVA on that side of the shuttle puts the astronauts at risk and risks damaging the shuttle itself (don't bump into it!)."<br /><br />No, it is the same as originally reported. Originally reported - we detected them and were not sure yet of the impact until evaluated. It is likely not a problem at all since this has happened a lot in the past with no ill effects (note, I mean this differently then in the case of previous tile damage which sometimes showed serious damage and burns but was not fully addressed; not even scorching around such protuerbences have been seen). But the issue is that there is not a lot of data and it is likely the aerodynamic studies will come back saying PROBABLY safe but we can't be sure since the Shuttle is the only Mach 20 vehicle we have data for. Which means there will be enough doubt to play it safe. So we are already planning the third EVA in case they decide to remove them.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

As per previous information, it's been mentoined - in depth - by Wayne and Steve on the post MMT conference.

 

[apogee_dan]

Does anyone know if the SRB videos have been posted anywhere....they were unbelievable. I used to think riding the shuttle would be the ultimate....I now think that riding a solid rocket booster would be a real close second.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Yep. Spaceflightnow.com - but you have to pay for them.

 

[alturas]

I say to repair the TPS anyway, even if it's not needed. It can't hurt to play it safe, and where better to test the new repair techniques than on a real re-entry?

 

[drwayne]

"It can't hurt to play it safe"<br /><br />Now, I would contend that testing a repair technique in that fashion can, in fact *not* be playing it safe.<br /><br />Remember, the materials and techniques in question have not in fact been tested in the "real world". It is entirely possible that the "Law of Unintended Consequences" could kick in, with potentially disaterous results.<br /><br />This is one of the things I was mumbling about not long after Columbia. In addition to the lack of a database about what shuttles look like in space when looked at in this detail, the question becomes how do you test whether repair materials and techniques work in a real re-entry? Yes, you can do ground based HIL testing, but the rubber meeting the road is testing in real reentry conditions. Yes, I also realize that NASA never really tested the tiles that way, but does that make you feel better?<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[ozspace]

"It can't hurt to play it safe"<br />Not that safe, even performing a 'push the spacer material back in' or 'trim it' could result in even more damage from floating around near the tiles with boots, tools, flexing arm, etc.

 

[jaredgalen]

Incredible, wish I could take a screen grab of NASA TV now.<br />Shows a view of the station arm with an astronaut at the end holding the CMG. <br />Gives a sense of the scale of the whole thing.<br /><br />Awesome.....<br /><br />

 

[ozspace]

I don't think so, in fact they discussed the possibility of somehow using the OBSS to get reach but suspect there would be too much flex. I am sure there is lots of activity in the NBL tank right now... <br /><br />Maybe using the ISS arm...

 

[shuttle_rtf]

EVA 2 a success. A few latch issues, but reat images (I tried to capture as many as possible for our live thread on it) but another great day for the crew.

 

[starfhury]

About the protrusions, why remove them? Isn't it better to just cut them down? You figure, this is underneath the shuttle and affects the heat shield. So if you remove it wouldn't that pose a bigger hazard than either leaving it or cutting it down to match the rest of the surface area?<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[larper]

Talk about cutting off the gap fillers is silly. We are talking about astronauts in VERY clumsy suits in a FREEFALL environment working around a very critical part of the shuttle (the tiles). <br /><br />It ain't like going out there with a pair of wire cutters and "snip snip" you're done.<br /><br />If they do ANYTHING, they should just try to push them back in. But, really, they should do nothing. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong><font color="#ff0000">Vote </font><font color="#3366ff">Libertarian</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

I believe the prefered method is to snip them, not remove them. We'll see when the post MMT comes up at 11pm UK, 6pm EST.

 

[redgryphon]

I think it's the other way round, having listened to the mission status briefing today. First try to remove with fingers, then with forceps (although they may decide to start with forceps), then try cutting with a blade from the inside of the shuttle or with scissors that EVs usually carry with them. Removing the fillers will not reduce the TPS capability. <br /><br />They will also make sure that Robinson (the astronaut slated for this, if it occurs) will be carrying as few tools as possible, and will be rigged so his tether is tucked behind him, so that it won't impact the tiles. <br /><br />The operation will take place on the SSRMS, which is the most stable platform. <br />

 

[dreada5]

Did any of you guys, listening to NASA TV about 19:28 UTC today, hear the crew chatting amongst themselves as it was unintentionally aired as a result of a "hot mic". It was funny! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Kinda reminded me of when that happened on Apollo 13 (or at least it did on the DVD)! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />