STS-114 Post-mission discussion thread.

[bobw]

This thread started to remind me of the TV programs, like NOVA, that show the rainy season of some desert and go on to explain how the creatures there have weeks to reproduce before the water dries up. I was wondering if something like this happens in Mojave. I found a couple of articles.<br /><br />http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/mojave_climate.htm<br />The Mojave Desert lies in the rainshadow of the Coast Ranges and receives an average annual precipitation of 5 inches. Most of the rain falls between November and April. There is, however, a summer thunderstorm season from July to September with violent and heavy rainstorms possible. In 1986 only 1.5 inches of rain fell on the Eastern Mojave Desert, while in 1983 6.5 inches came down. May and June are usually the driest months.<br /><br />http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs117-03/<br />The annual precipitation cycle shows two distinctive patterns that approximately divide the region along the 117°W meridian, which is near Barstow, California. A biseasonal pattern prevails at 90% of the weather stations used to collect data in this study that lie east of 117°, whereas a winter-dominant pattern is typical of 70% of the stations lying west of 117° (fig. 2). In both cases, May and June are consistently dry, accounting for less than 5% of annual rainfall. October through April precipitation of the winter dominant pattern accounts for 82% of the annual total, whereas the biseasonal pattern accounts for 66%. During the warm months of July through September, 13 and 29% of the annual total falls in the winter-dominant and biseasonal patterns, respectively.<br /><br />Since Edwards AFB, at 117 deg. 52 min, straddles the zones I did some back of the napkin calculations and determined that we are right in the middle of a window where 20% of the annual precipitation should fall. All this talk that mother <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

Desert life is really amazing. It lies in wait for the perfect conditions to grow and reproduce, and then it does so in a frenzy of activities.<br /><br />It's like the desert blooms. Not every year gets a really good bloom; it can be years between ideal conditions. But when it does, the whole desert just comes alive with flowers. It's truly spectacular. I caught the beginning of a desert bloom in the Sonoran Desert once. (I have family in Tuscon.) Definitely memorable.<br /><br />It's good to hear the hail only struck the thermal blankets, which I imagine have a bit of spring in them to absorb such an impact. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <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>

 

[lampblack]

Heavens to mergatroid. It makes sense that they couldn't move the orbiter into a hangar on short notice -- but why didn't they park the silly thing under a shelter initially? Seems like something as simple as a big ol' Quonset hut would have done the trick. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#0000ff"><strong>Just tell the truth and let the chips fall...</strong></font> </div>

 

[drwayne]

Woooo! Now that sounds like a good war story!<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

Another of my uninformed payload integration questions, this time on the deintegration side.<br /><br />What's the status of the payload, specifically the MPLM? Has that been removed to lighten the Orbiter weight for the trip home? It doesn't look like you have facility at Dryden to empty the payload bay? If you have removed it, does it truck/fly back to Kennedy? <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]

That's a good question!

 

[SpaceKiwi]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Did I mention that KSC is looking to hire some temporary workers? We have a short term need in the cargo off load dept.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Er ... bring your own gas mask? <img src="/images/icons/wink.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>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

>Did I mention that KSC is looking to hire some temporary workers? We have a short term need in the cargo off load dept.<<br /><br />Hell, I'd sign up for smelling like crap if it meant getting close to an Orbiter <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> (Something tells me it wouldn't be anywhere near one).

 

[SpaceKiwi]

I say this in all sincerity, I'd be there with bells (and gas mask!) on just for the chance to have a close-up scrut at the Orbiter and aformentioned MPLM. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I don't envy the suckers ... er, MPLM technicians that have to pop her open. Advise them if the eyes start to water, evacuate the building immediately! <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]

You bring the gloves I'll bring the masks. See you in Orlando <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[lunatio_gordin]

We love your job, too <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" />

 

[drwayne]

"I love my job !"<br /><br />Do let me know when you see any openings for Ph.D. physicists, PLEASE!<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>

 

[ozspace]

I don't suppose they would have much use for a software salesman.... Hmm maybe they need help in selling off STS related stuff? I can just see it now:<br />'end of model shuttle runout' <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />

 

[lunatio_gordin]

Cause we're all so envious of the shuttle's computing power <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[bushuser]

SG, is there any word yet on reentry tile damage, blanket damage, gap fillers, etc?

 

[emerrill]

A Q relating to the processing/mating.<br /><br />There was a discussion in another thread that if they used the a TAL site, the engines and payload would need to be removed. <br /><br />How would they do the mate? Im assuming that the TAL sites don't all have MDD's? Does White Sands?<br /><br />Would they build a MMD, or just use local, free standing cranes (man what a nerve racking job that would be...)<br /><br />Thanks<br />-eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[mrmorris]

<font color="yellow">"Did I mention that KSC is looking to hire some temporary workers? We have a short term need in the cargo off load dept. "</font><br /><br />I'm a bit late on this one... wasn't on last night. However, the classified ad should list as desireable skills: 'Strong Back and Weak Nose'. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[redgryphon]

Aug. 17, 2005 <br />MEDIA ADVISORY: M05-139 <br /><br /><b>NASA Updates Media About Space Shuttle External Tank</b> <br /><br />At 2 p.m. EDT, Monday, Aug. 22, NASA managers will provide reporters the latest status of engineering teams looking into why a large piece of External Tank insulating foam broke off during Space Shuttle Discovery's liftoff.<br /><br />To participate in the telecon, media should contact Juan Linares by Noon EDT, Aug. 22 at: 202/358-2282. Audio of the teleconference will be streamed live on the Internet at: http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio<br /><br />The briefers are:<br />- Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for Space Operations<br />- Dr. Richard Gilbrech, External Tank 'Tiger Team' lead

 

[emerrill]

3 other Qs... (I know, im just full of them)<br /><br />Does the SCA crew have a method to release the orbiter in an emergancy, or do they just have to bail and ditch both craft(My understanding is that they have some form of bait out system, correct?)?<br /><br />Second, is the orbiter completely powered down for the transport, or does it draw some power from the SCA to power some systems.<br /><br />Third, how accurate are the IMUs by the end of the mission? I know they are very accurate, and they are calibrated during the count, but I also know the error is cumulative through the mission. Do they re-calibrate using GPS during the mission, or is a shuttle mission short enough they don't care (and they just use GPS for comparison)<br /><br /><br />Thanks a ton again.<br />-eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[redgryphon]

NASA is now having a full media conference Thursday at noon EDT on STS-121 instead of the teleconference.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

No idea if anyone's mentioned it, but Discovery is now due to start her journey home on Friday morning (PDT).

 

[ozspace]

"full media conference Thursday at noon"<br /><br />This could be really good: "%#&@ it, were gonna fly as is, use safe haven if needed and get he ISS finished"<br /><br />or really bad: "%#&@ it, were not gonna fly any more shuttles"<br /><br />Or...probably just the confirm a March target...

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Haven't heard anyone say anything other than March....but more confirmations that the ETs are going back, PAL Ramps Removed, Re-Spray, send back.

 

[alokmohan]

We are eagae to have the media conference.Hope to get new vision.

 

[drwayne]

Any preliminary word on overnight? (I know that is more fluid than water...)<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>