STS-117 (13A) Mission- Part II

[ozspace]

I am certain that the movement is normal, in fact it is required that the line flexes and moves as the tank drains and is buffeted during the climb. <br />I recall this very question being asked at a post launch press conference last year. <br />

 

[holmec]

I had to miss the launch due to work. But thanks for the great posts for the launch, guys. I felt like I was there. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[colchadisatlend]

This question about the shaky fuel line was mentioned during Atlantis' launch last year. Nothing abnormal about it.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Question of ignorance..<br /><br />On the big display that shows the ISS and Shuttle, along with latitude and longitude, there are a few other items...I tried to write them all down, but with pencil in hand, it was time for the wake up call and the display went away.<br />The one I got written down was "beta"<br /><br />What is it?<br /><br />Thanx, 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>

 

[3488]

Welcome to SDC usn_skwerl.<br /><br />Great first posts.<br /><br />There are many knowledgable people on these boards.<br /><br />Manned spaceflight is not my strong point, but my strengths lie<br />in unmmanded planetary exploration, volcanic planets & moons,<br />(you'll soon see, particularly the Jupiter moon Io) <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Andrew Brown.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[deapfreeze]

usn_skwerl: Welcome aboard. I will be sure to pick your brain if I have shuttle questions as I do with the others when unsure of something else. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#0000ff"><em>William ( deapfreeze ) Hooper</em></font></p><p><font size="1">http://deapfreeze-amateur-astronomy.tk/</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[drwayne]

If it is the Beta that I am familiar with, then it is a parameter that is used to characterize atmospheric drag.<br /><br />Now, keep in mind the caveat that I did not get to see what you did, so their beta may not be my beta.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[emerrill]

"The one I got written down was "beta" <br /><br />What is it?"<br /><br />Beta can also be 'Beta Angle' which is the angle between the orbital plane and the solar vector (the direction from which the solar energy is coming). This directly effects how much power the arrays can generate (as beta approces 0, you only get power for ~60% of the orbit, at beta=90, you get it the entire orbit), and I would guess that is what they mean in this can, but also, I dont know. <br /><br />See:<br />http://www.tak2000.com/data/planets/earth.htm <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[erioladastra]

<br />No, Beta is the angle between the line to the sun and the orbital plane. THis is critical because it tells you where the sun is in reference to your solar arrays and other equipment. We are in a very high beta right now which has severe impacts on thermally sensitive equipment and how much power generation we can do. In fact for the last week, the 2B solar array has been useless. Normally we would not have launched at such a high beta but we wanted to get the mission going. Makes it extremely tough - some of the power downs for solar array deploy and retraction don't leave a lot of margin. It will also affect where the MT gets left for the stage and if we do the 4th EVA (likely) sinc the beta is not favorbale for relocations later in the mission.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Hmm, could be, they're both about 60. <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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Since it's the same for both objects (about 64, the display came up again) that doesn't seem correct for this situation. I would think the shuttle would have higher drag due to it's lower altitude at the moment, though the difference might not be much.Thanx for the idea.<br /><br />Next question is on the Shuttle display there a D(?) N that's about 46:00 counting down. Maybe time to docking? <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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Thanx, I figured you or s_g would know <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <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>

 

[lacuna]

well i know this is kind of late.. <br /><br />but the launch last night was amazing. i got goosies!<br /><br />anyways.. the whole ksc launch ticket is worth it and lots of fun.. until you have to leave. because both ways are blocked (if you want to get on 528 you're screwed until you hit 417) left ksc at 9 and got home in orlando (only 35 mins out there) at 1130.<br /><br />amazing to see it so close once again <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[drwayne]

As I said, I didn't see the display in question, so I was just guessing. (Worse than that, I only go to see about to SRB separation, as the dog decided it would be a good time to escape the yard - ack)<br /><br />The Beta to which I was referrring by the way, (if you still care at all) is inversely proportional to the drag coeffecient.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Yes I do care. Thanx.<br />I keep pouring knowledge in the brain till it overflows <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <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>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

I saw the news this morning, and they said the rip on the thermal blanket was caused by a foam strike, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are just jumping to conclusions. I'm watching NASA TV on my computer, but they are not saying much about it. How common are rips during the launch? I remember there was a rip next to the window on the RTF mission a few years ago. <br /><br />What a great launch, I watched it on my TV but I was talking to my family on the phone who was watching it from our front yard. I wish I had been there. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[emerrill]

They are just dramatizing because that is was the news (esp tv news) does. The article on CNN specifically says it was NOT caused by an impact. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[3488]

2000 GMT (4:00 p.m. EDT)<br /><br />The astronauts are nearly complete with the inspection scans of Atlantis' starboard <br />wing using the Orbiter Boom Sensor System. The crew is in the midst of the multi-hour<br /> job to survey the shuttle to look for any signs of launch damage. <br />This precautionary safety inspection has become a standard activity for all post-<br />Columbia shuttle crews. <br /><br />Inspections of the orbiter's nose and the <br />port wing are still to come today. <br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[bobblebob]

Has the ET camera we see during the launch only been fitted post Columbia, to check for foam falling off?

 

[bobblebob]

The BBC decided to report on the launch today, finally. Still got the report wrong tho

 

[3488]

Hi bobblebob,<br /><br />Yes it was.<br /><br />The ET camera, was fitted after Columbia specifically to look for falling<br />foam, striking the heat shield during ascent.<br /><br />However it is producing great imagery for us!!!!!!!<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[hanny]

Hi all... first post here. Been looking for a good board to talk about 117, and found this. Can't wait to talk with everyone.<br /><br />I've been following the space program since I was a little kid, 20 years ago... and I've read pretty much anything I could get my hands on... so I know a good bit of info on the STS and ISS systems...<br /><br />I had never heard this "ISS Guess" game they just played now (at 7pm ET) and was gonna post on here asking about it, until the PAO described what it was. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> So asked and answered. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I do have one other question though -- anyone know where I can find a shuttle/station tracking KMZ file for Google Earth? There used to be one for one of the previous missions, but it's dead now. Anyone know of a good one? (Or can create one with the tracking elements? Something I'm definitely not smart enough to do!)<br /><br />Thanks all, and looking forward to talking Shuttle with you!

 

[JonClarke]

Don't complain - at least it reported it! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />The ABC here didn't. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /><br /><br />Typical of the lack of interest in space in the land of Oz. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[3488]

Hi hanny,<br /><br />Try this Heavens Above.<br /><br />Hi Jon,<br /><br />I agree, reporting has been p**s poor.<br /><br />Too much interest in celebs & the like.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[bobblebob]

You can bet if - god forbid - a disaster happened they would report it tho <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />