STS-116/12A.1 Status

[earth_bound_misfit]

Personally, I hope this launch doesn't slip back, I'm hanging for the next launch! <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>

 

[erioladastra]

"Personally, I hope this launch doesn't slip back, I'm hanging for the next launch! "<br /><br />Program Control Board decided today to keep to No Earlier Than (NET) Dec 7.

 

[emerrill]

I know I've asked this before, but it seems like as Dec. 7th keeps getting closer, it isn't getting any more resolved (that I have heard about), but have any decisions been made about the Atlas V?<br /><br />Thanks <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

The Atlas 5 was postponed to January early last week or so, due to its own technical problems:<br /><br />http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[baktothemoon]

"One big jobs is the installation of the payload into the Orbiter."<br /><br />When's that?

 

[1cooldaddyo]

Much as I always want to see the Shuttle go on the first try, I'm praying for a delay this time. We're bringing our 5yr old daughter, the future "Rocket Scientist", to see KSC on the 9th (vacation schedules just won't let us get there before then). So you NASA folks take all the time you need <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[baktothemoon]

Too bad it's not launching in late december, it would be cool to have a shuttle launch while I'm down in Alabama at Space Camp.

 

[halman]

shuttle_guy,<br /><br />I hope that you can get this one away on schedule, as having the vehicle on the pad over the holidays would probably be annoying. And we are a little behind schedule with the ISS program, as I understand it. Has the ET for the Launch On Need mission arrived yet? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[halman]

shuttle_guy,<br /><br />How long can the hydrazine be left onboard before it has to be removed? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[barrykirk]

This is one of the big advantages of hypers.<br /><br />Storage time is long.

 

[bushuser]

I thought hypergolics are pretty corrosive, therefore a problem for long-term storage. Did they lick that problem?

 

[erioladastra]

<br />By the way, the "3 of 4 ECO on first day" was approved at the program control board. This means that if they fill the tank and they have the same siganture on the Engine Cut Off sensors as they did for 12A, they will launch (as opposed to wait a day like they did).

 

[halman]

erioladastra,<br /><br />Hurray! We can ill afford to experience the runaround with the ECO sensors that we have in the past. <br /><br />We should all be thankful that this years hurricane season did not turn out as forecast, as we might have had a lot more problems with major storms than just Earnesto. As you have pointed out, any major delays at this time in the construction program can have substantial domino effects on the time line. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[barrykirk]

There are some materials that are completely impervious to the corrosive effects of hypers.<br /><br />But, I don't know what the line the inside of the tanks with.

 

[mrmorris]

<font color="yellow">"I thought hypergolics are pretty corrosive, therefore a problem for long-term storage."</font><br /><br />I could be wrong (although obviously I don't think so) -- but I assume Shuttle Guy is thinking in STS Operational terms when he says there's no limit. There's limits to *everything*. However, the storage timeframe on hypergolics will be so long as to make them effectively infinite when placed into the processing schedule for a shuttle launch. Obviously hypergolics can remain in spacecraft tanks for a minimum of six months -- the Soyuz does this constantly. However, there are so many *other* limitations on the orbiter when being processed for a launch, that even if six months were the <b>maximum</b> that hypergolics could remain onboard -- they would never provide a time constraint.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Hope that works out.<br />It's better to avoid the alleged "change of year" issue if the vehicle and crew are ready. That also ends the mission before the holidays? 12/7 + 12 = 12/19 for the mission end. Or do I have some wrong numbers here?<br /><br />MW <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

Looks like we'll find out soon:<br /><br />http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts116/061127frrpreview/<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[doownek]

Bump <br /><br /> Anything new?<br /><br />I'm sitting on the edge of my seat here yall!!

 

[erioladastra]

"How many slots do you get in December if there are weather or mechanical issues that scrub the planned date(s)? "<br /><br />With the addition of a Russian EVA to fix the stuck Kurs antenna on the prograss vehicle to any already tight schedule, there is even more "motivation" to get this off.

 

[halman]

erioladastra,<br /><br />Has the addition of a third crew member on the ISS had any impact on day-to-day operations? Are more science experiments getting done, or are they still catching up on housekeeping and maintenance issues? Speaking of which, how have the Elektron unit(s) been behaving? As I recall, the last shuttle mission carried some replacement parts up. Have these been installed? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[emerrill]

Im thinking about going down for the launch. I can't remember, but (assuming that go with the 7th on the FFR), is it 2 attempts then a 48hr turn standard? <br /><br />thanks <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[brellis]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm really looking forward to catching as much of this mission real-time as possible. I've watched the NASA-TV vid files several times <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[emerrill]

Now NET 1730<br /><br />This always happens with their Post-x press conferences. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[emerrill]

Make that now 1800... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Live Now <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>