STS-114 Post-mission discussion thread.

[redgryphon]

One other thing. I was surprised that Griffin nominated Gerstenmeier to be head of the tiger team. But according to spaceref, he's getting Bill Readdy's job, as head of human spaceflight, so it makes sense.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

I'm going to get a kicking for saying this from the lurkers I know on here, but in my short time covering this subject full time, it is my conclusion that without USA there would be no Shuttle launches. Without MSFC, they'd still be Shuttle launches.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

No Dave <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> I was saying USA are a major underestimated resource for NASA and the Shuttle program. You guys deserve a lot of credit. <br /><br />MSFC seem to spend a lot of time trying to justify their own existence.

 

[drwayne]

I am keeping my mouth shut (for a change).<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]

<b>Flight home in sight for shuttle</b><br /><br />The shuttle is being serviced at a Nasa centre in southern California<br />US shuttle Discovery could be back at "home" in Florida by the middle of next week, as Nasa makes final plans to fly it back from California on a 747 plane.<br /><br />Persistent bad weather at Discovery's intended landing site in Florida forced Nasa to bring it down at Edwards Air Force Base, California, last week.<br /><br />Operations to prepare the vehicle for the flight back are running ahead of schedule, Nasa officials have said. <br /><br />Link

 

[drwayne]

I wonder where they are going to refuel/overnight this time, he said, hoping for an Eglin answer.<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><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]

We'll have to see how the weather plays out. If it does pay you a visit, take photos!!!

 

[drwayne]

I will!<br /><br />I can't describe to you the feelings I had as I was coming around the corner going to work on base, and saw them out on the tarmac...wow...just wow.<br /><br />Knowing that SG gets to work aound and on those birds makes me so freeekin' jealous! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><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]

I have no idea. It would seem that the combo would be a bit of a bear to fly at low altitudes, but other than that, I really have no clue.<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]

><i>Other than the obvious, 'weather in front', why is an overnight required?</i><p>I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that they can fly at a maximum of 15,000ft - and usually are lower - so they want to be able to see the weather, since they can't fly over it.</p>

 

[drwayne]

I wonder how hard/heavy that flying is down low, with all that drag, and real estate to catch crosswinds...<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]

><i>I imagine the flying is a bit hard on the flight crew.</i><p>Not as hard on the nerves as when they got an engine warning right after takeoff one time.</p>

 

[drwayne]

Oh My God.<br /><br />I think I need new underware here!<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 found it facinating that when one would assume they'd strip the SCA to lessen the overall weight, they actually place a load of sandbags to help balance and stability.<br /><br />There's a whole load of weight! Always a great sight though.

 

[najab]

I thought I remembered it being an engine out, but I couldn't find any reference to it online when I checked before posting.

 

[drwayne]

And I bet he would tell us "No sweat, followed procedures, landed safely"<br /><br />That is the same guy who was aboard the Challenger center engine out flight?<br /><br />Wayne<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[najab]

No, I wasn't saying that shuttle_guy was wrong.<br /><br />I was saying that I <i>thought</i> it was an engine out due to a fire, but when I tried Googling it before I posted, all I could find was a generic "engine problem" reference, so I toned down my post to say "engine warning".

 

[najab]

If memory serves correctly, they were <i>supposed</i> to exit the aircraft in an expeditious manner if that ever happened (engine failure on climbout) but in typical astronaut style they stuck with the ship because it 'felt' okay.

 

[drwayne]

Let me know if you hear where they are overnighting please.<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]

What systems are still up and running at landing+5 days? The majority or only a small number? For example, the IMUs - does the vehicle still know where it is?

 

[drwayne]

"I put him in for a "Silver Snoopy" award and the selection board and the astronauts agreed . He was awarded him the little silver pin a few months later."<br /><br />Cool. It is so neat to see devotion to duty get rewarded.<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]

"so he does not feel the need to know where he is."<br /><br />You know, its been altogether too long since I was in that state!<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]

And here it was we thought lightning was a KSC problem. <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" />

 

[najab]

Oh cool...you just hit Galaxy level! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />

 

[josh1943]

grats on galaxy shuttle_guy, <br /><br />this is a little off topic (i think), but i seen somewhere that the shuttle re enters at a higher energy and faster then it needs therefor it heats up more then it would otherwise. would it of helped if there was a problem with the tiles to come in at a shallower angle or is there only one way to reenter.