STS-114 Mission Update Thread

[bpcooper]

A decision will be made tomorrow, but preps are underway to make a last minute decision, they just said:<br /><br />"NASA weather officers are tracking Hurricane Dennis and its possible impact at Kennedy Space Center. The current forecast shows only a slight chance of more than 40 knot winds effecting KSC on Saturday. A decision will be made this evening if preparations should begin for a possible rollback of Space Shuttle Discovery. A decision on rollback would not be made until tomorrow. At this point, none of the preparations will impact the July 13 launch date." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

Oh ok. <br /><br />Yea they say if they prep and don't roll it will not impact the launch date. Also, they say it IS possible to make July if they rollback. But it would be hard. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

Preps are in work, but for now they are only disconnecting ordinance. <br /><br />Edit: there will be meetings at midnight, then 3,7, and noon if need be. Each will decide to press onward or stop. <br /><br />Some more info here:<br /><br />http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts114/status.html<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

I'm somewhat surprised they hook up the ordinance so early in the flow. It seems like the kind of task that should be left to just prior to tanking. <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]

One MLP guy has claimed that the guys at KSC around him are 'expecting' a rollback...but again that's obviously just them being prepared - the way I'm reading that.

 

[bpcooper]

Sources say they are more than likely not rolling. Preps are something they have to do (and to look precautious to the public and media). At this point, more than likely are staying on the pad. And I would be surprised if that turned out to be wrong.<br /><br />If the storm path does change overnight towards us, then they may change their minds. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[emerrill]

All I know is that if there is a chance of 60knot (69mph) or greater sustained winds, they have to move it back. According to NOAA, there is a 5-20% chance of 50 knot winds, and 0-5% chance of 64 knot winds in the next 120 hours.<br /><br />-Eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

I think at this point even I should stop reporting the play-by-play It seems to change every hour; I hear it's very unlikely then I hear top managment is coming to the second meeting which sounds like bad news.<br /><br />Let's just say its 50-50 until we hear a decision. Meeting at midnight next. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[emerrill]

I like knowing the play-by-play, it kills me to hear the news that it may be moving, but then i feel great when i hear it may not be. I just like all the news i can get <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Thanks<br />-Eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Two KSC sources both saying Rollback expected. Plan for a return to the VAB by 5am EST Saturday morning to enable a launch within a window about the 18th to 31st. Again, speculation on their part, nothing is confirmed.

 

[lunatio_gordin]

heh, you nabbed post 114. dang.

 

[bpcooper]

http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/omd/ops/weather/plots/storm_04.gif <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

The RSS obviously provides some measure of cover but what options are there to physically attach the RSS to the Shuttle stack, if there are any?<br /><br />I'd imagine if you could make such an attachment, it would stabilise the stack still further. <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>

 

[bpcooper]

11pm numbers slightly more east again. TS warning now extends to Miami. All the tracks are convergento ver one another (except the UK track). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[drwayne]

That one track is bringing it right to me.<br /><br />Oh s***.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[drwayne]

We saw Jim Cantore of the Weather Channel when we went to dinner with some friends at Pensacola beach. That is never a good sign.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[kurros]

Dennis upgraded to Category 4. Track is going a bit more east. Not looking good <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />

 

[lunatio_gordin]

lol. when reporters show up, you know you're in bad shape <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" />

 

[rvastro]

He's stacking out his telephone pole to tie himself to already?

 

[drwayne]

"He's stacking out his telephone pole to tie himself to already?"<br /><br />No - Two *big* satellite trucks.<br /><br />He was here a while back for Arlene. He should build a home here....<br /><br />Wayne<br /><br />p.s. I have a strong reaction when they play that music on the weather channel when they start a new segment on a hurricane - I remember hearing it so much as Ivan was coming. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

http://sirocco.accuweather.com/adc_hurr_images/2005/ad/UHAD_2.GIF

 

[emerrill]

" http://sirocco.accuweather.com/adc_hurr_images/2005/ad/UHAD_2.GIF "<br /><br />That looks like an 'artists rendering' of a forcast (really loose and unprofessional looking). NOAA recently posted their newest forecasts.<br /><br />http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/035009.shtml?5day<br /><br />-Eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[drwayne]

Current models:<br /><br />http://www.weatherunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200504_model.html<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

I'm rubbish when it comes to Hurricanes <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> We get a stiff breeze here and it's evacuate to the bunkers.<br /><br />All the best with where this ends up, Doc.

 

[lunatio_gordin]

hurricanes aren't much here. we get them all the time, i've been in dozens, it's not mattering so much.