STS-114 Mission Update Thread (Part 5)

[earth_bound_misfit]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Which brings me to my final observation. It is somewhat disappointing that it looks like the Shuttle fleet will be stood down until the foam shedding situation is addressed. Whatever that means, as foam shedding will remain a risk no matter what they do. Rather like a jet sucking a bird or birds or volcanic debris through the intakes.<br /><p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Once again SK you;ve hit the nail on the head. And for what its worth (****** all <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> )I totally agree.<br />Hasn't this seemed like an amazing mission so far! I feel its going to be a long wait until the next mission, even if Nasa sorts it and STS flies in February, thats still too longer wait for me <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> <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>

 

[thechemist]

EVA-3 is into 2h 45min. The filler removal operations will start now. Watching on NasaTV. Thumbs up !!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[grooble]

It's fascinating watching the live feed. I wish the video resolution was a bit crisper but i guess that is because of bandwith limitations.

 

[ozspace]

"Whatever that means, as foam shedding will remain a risk no matter what they do."<br /><br />I think a major point has been missed here. They have made significant reductions (by a factor of 6) in foam shedding from the areas of the ET that were thought to be a problem. <br />The fact that the major shedding that did occur came from an area that was not addressed (PAL) is, in a way a positive. Bad that they thought there was no need to do anything, but good in that it was not an area they had 'fixed' only to have it fail.<br /><br />So perhaps more a failure of managment than technical, maybe that will mean a quick resolution. Of course depends what needs to be done...

 

[thechemist]

Amazing ! Live feed of the astronaut transfer !!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[erauskydiver]

And just think, all he has to do right now is sit tight on the end of that arm, and enjoy the view. Lucky bahstard.

 

[nacnud]

1st gap filler is out! Heading for the second.

 

[thechemist]

Yes !!! It went out easily <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[nacnud]

And there is the second, really easy to pull out, yay <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> all done.

 

[thechemist]

It's over. Now some photos taken and end of successfull EVA-3 !!! Congrats to the guys <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[haywood]

Wow! That was easy.<br />Well done Steve and crew.<br />Is that camera tethered to something?<br />Can't see very well.<br />

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

Wow! Too easy! The belly of the orbiter reminds me of snakeskin in some views. <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>

 

[CalliArcale]

Steve Robinson remarked that the Orbiter's belly is "a work of art". <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> He sounded very happy and excited throughout the EVA; I think he's currently got the coolest job in the world. (Okay, so it's actually *out* of the world, but you know what I mean!)<br /><br />I liked his comment after pulling out the second gap filler: "It looks like this big patient is cured." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[georgeniebling]

SG, In a controlled entry such as you mentioned wouldn't the Shuttle be utterly destroyed?:<br /><br />"The plan for this mission would be to get the Orbiter on a controlled entry into the sea since there is no auto land capability to start the APus, deploy the air data probes, the landing gear or the droug parachute. The full auto land capability will come with a modification, probably for the next flight. "<br />

 

[spacefire]

now, in the mids of all this excitement, let's not forget that having to fix your spacecraft during flight,possibly every mission from now on,is a <b>damned crappy way to operate</b> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[mrmorris]

I didn't watch the EVA, but considering the comments on how easy it was to pull out -- this strengthens the feeling I've had from the outset when this issue was mentioned. I can't believe that on this particular flight, which just *happens* to be the one with the best photographic data we've ever had of the orbiter TPS in flight, is the first in which gap-fillers have been exposed this much. I'd suspect that instead it's a common issue, and on the flight back down, a combination of heat and multi-mach airflows rip the suckers out so that by the time the after-action report gets filled out, the issue is moot.

 

[Testing]

Keep in mind that Canadarm 2 was launched on STS 100 in April 2001. Component selection and qualification was at least five years prior to that. We are spoiled by being able to go to any electronics store and buy top of the line imaging equipment. The good news is that the PTU can be swapped out on orbit so they can always upgrade the cameras and send up one of the spares for swap out. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[georgeniebling]

Shuttle_RTF, you mentioned Apollo 13 (for sake of the on-the-spot enginneering that is taking place with Discovery .... and I know you agree that this "situation" is nothing like Apollo 13 ...<br /><br />but I was watching NBC's TODAY show and one of the former Astronauts (Jerry something .... he flew on Mir, I believe) actually made a *direct* comparison to Apollo 13 and implied that the present situation is just as dangerous ....<br /><br />If I am correct .... Apollo 13 was *much* more dangerous as it was a time limited emergency (CO2 was building) ... this is, while a problem, not one that would immediately lead to the deaths of the Astronauts (various rescue scenerios are available).<br /><br />I guess my point is ... how is the Media supposed to get the story right when Astronauts are giving the media false impressions ......

 

[centsworth_II]

<font color="yellow">"I'd suspect that instead it's a common issue, and on the flight back down, a combination of heat and multi-mach airflows rip the suckers out so that by the time the after-action report gets filled out, the issue is moot."</font><br /><br />That's like saying "Sure the O-rings are a little burnt, but it happened before with no bad result." or "Sure, some foam hit the shuttle, but that's happened before with no ill effect." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[georgeniebling]

The TODAY show is really ticking me off today ....<br /><br />they are right now (8:45 am Central) running video of the Gap Filler Removal AS THOUGH IT IS LIVE even though it is complete and successful ... running up the drama factor with a freaking play-by-play ...<br /><br />it's almost like they *want* the repair to fail so they'll have a bigger news story.<br /><br />We KNOW the repair was successful but they are running it late without bothering to share the FACT that the repair was indeed successful ....<br /><br />GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR<br /><br />and now Matt suggested that Steve sign the bottom of the Orbiter "Steve was here" .... stupidity!

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Wow. You're right to be ticked off. That's a terrible 'direct' comparision. The Apollo 13 crew were in grave danger. Discovery's crew carried out a superb job to remove a very slight threat for the purpose of training and eliminating small aerodynamic concerns.

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Matt suggested that Steve sign the bottom of the Orbiter "Steve was here" .... stupidity!<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Now thats the same sort of dumba$$ comment..................that I would make <img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> <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>

 

[georgeniebling]

yeah ... and it's a post-success narrative as-though-it-was-live that really has me hot under the collar .... and thats hard to do since I'm in a t-shirt ....<br /><br />it's dishonest journalism ... but then ... what else should we expect these days? truthful journalism?

 

[haywood]

I disagree strongly spacefire.<br />From now until we stop travelling in space, the need to fix our spacecraft and the ability to do so will always be there.<br />Hey, we still fix flat tires, don't we?<br />Knowing that we can do it is a huge step forward.<br />Doesn't mean we'll have to do it on every mission but it's sure nice to know we can if we have to.<br />Why does everything have to be so negative?<br />

 

[spacefire]

<font color="yellow">Why does everything have to be so negative?</font><br />because: 1)shuttles have most likely safely landed with this kind of damage and nothing was ever mentioned about it-nor was it investigated<br />2) NASA had 2 and a half years to figure out this sort of damage possibility and to make sure it wouldn't happen again. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>