STS-120/10A Mission thread (post launch)

[mi2again]

???? Not everything can be put in its final configuration during construction when it is being used at the same time. <br /><br />Node 2 is no different than what the Russians did. Also the Node 2 temp docking is no different than attaching and removing an MPLM (which Node 2 shares the same design) which has been done on several missions.<br /><br />You got big bucks? A new Z6 is would have been not much different than P6. Also like I said it would have save just one EVA and one disconnection. Simpler is not building a unique Z6. There is elegance and efficiency in using a components multiple ways and the risks are minor<br /> <br />Hindsight still says it was the right decision. A slightly less simple construction sequence vs a whole new component that would end up being abandon in place<br /><br /> And you signature "says" you would want the gov't to spend less money.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Mission Status Briefing in 22 minutes.<br /><br />George HW Bush didn't seem very space aware, or maybe it's that we're space junkies.<br /><br />Barbara Bush kept repeating how amazed that some of the folks on the ISS were "upside down"<br /><br />She repeated it at least 3 or 4 times <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><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>

 

[bobblebob]

To be fair im surprised he even knows we send men into space <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />

 

[bobblebob]

How seriously are Nasa taking the damage to gloves now? Must be about the 3rd mission thats gloves have been damaged. Any idea how?

 

[MeteorWayne]

MSB undeway now on NASA TV <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>

 

[bobblebob]

They really do have everything up there that you could possible want <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />The cufflinks they're goiing to use to add strength to the array, is that what they're deisgned for or have they modified them to solve this particular issue?

 

[bobw]

They built the cufflinks from scratch. Cut the metal from the back of some racks, filed it smooth, cut the wire to length and assembled them. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Ain't humans in space wonderful <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />Ultimate flexibility. <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>

 

[bobblebob]

If they could build a new SARJ, that would be useful <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[Testing]

By the time they find the source and get it cleaned up they will know how. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

They have all the parts there to do that.<br /><br />It's more a matter of finding the time, and making sure the cause is found so it doesn't reoccur. <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>

 

[thereiwas]

Imagine what they could do if Don Pettit was there. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> They were even joking about him when Whitson did the magnet test the other day. Whitson said she wasn't in Don's league.

 

[bobblebob]

Whats with the lack of MMT Briefings? Not seem one since about FD2

 

[usn_skwerl]

Jjust so I understand correctly in plain english; the station's robotic arm is not long enough to reach all points of the ISS for maintenance, and has to use the shuttle's OBSS arm to get most of its reach, even with the fact that it can travel along the length of the station? <br /><br />With the OBSS arm attached, can the furthest points of the ISS be reached?<br /><br />From my understanding, it seems like something's off somewhere. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[mi2again]

The mobile transport for the SSRMS can only travel on truss in between the rotary joints. All the arrays are outside the joints. The arm can reach the all the necessary points on the truss outside the joints and the crew can also crawl across. The issue at hand is reaching an area in the middle of an extended array.

 

[usn_skwerl]

That's what I thought. <br /><br />If you design an object for an extreme environment, you make provisions to repair all points of said object. I'm not going to step on the top rung of a ladder to replace a cracked beacon atop a radio antenna on the Sears Tower.<br /><br />Not being able to reach a damaged portion near the furthest reaches of the space station's (still energized, no less!) solar array is just, well, less than brilliant. Someone should have thought "well, if the motor fails, or RCS wash hits an array, or MMOD slaps the crap out of the top of the array, how can we fix it?" "Uh..we can't, we gotta toss it." *shakes head*<br /><br />Dont get me wrong, I'm glad we can reach it, but the T-Rex syndrome's kinda stupid. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[mi2again]

"If you design an object for an extreme environment, you make provisions to repair all points of said object"<br /><br />Not possible with fiscal constraints. The OBSS only exists because of Columbia. The SSRM could never reach the top of an array even if it would below it. Making the SSRMS longer or the MT able to "jump" the rotary joint would make things too complex<br /><br />You plan for the possible and replan for the "impossible"<br /><br />Worse come to worse, they could retract it and try to repair

 

[usn_skwerl]

See, thats my problem with NASA. If nothing else, simply adding a foot restraint to an adjustable aluminum tube (using a simple pin like those to secure aircraft landing gear), and the tube being attached to the station arm when needed really isnt that complex. <br /><br />"replanning for the impossible." how is a <gasp /> rip in a solar panel impossible? did they NOT forsee something like that happening? its essentially a MYLAR sandwich, <i>of course</i> it's gonna rip! <br /><br />No wonder it costs half a billion dollars to get anything done.<br /><br />This is why the military way of thinking is so much better; "managers" dont run the Navy, the blue collar workers run it. <br /><br />K.I.S.S. will always triumph. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[mi2again]

"If nothing else, simply adding a foot restraint to an adjustable aluminum tube (using a simple pin like those to secure aircraft landing gear), and the tube being attached to the station arm when needed really isnt that complex."<br /><br />Sorry, this is the reason blue collar workers don't run the space program. Also military thinking had cause the DOD to lose many space launches in the late 90's, due to the loss of engineers in the ranks. <br /><br />1. Aluminum is electrically conductive, need I say more<br />2. It would get to hot or cold in space for EVA use<br />3. Simple pins are not EVA compatible nor safe enough prevent it from coming apart. <br />4. Aluminum is too flexible for an adequate worksite. <br /> 5. Even the current OBSS is not a good answer, it still might not work. The total length may too long to be controllable or stable enough to work from. <br /><br />"did they NOT forsee something like that happening?"<br /><br />No, not every contingency can be planned for. Also the array split at a hinge which came apart and is not mylar

 

[thereiwas]

Something that I never hear mentioned is a free-floating astronaut (with a safety tether of course) who just pulls himself along the edge of the panels <i>gently</i>. Yesterday they were showing how easy it is to move along the railway tracks with just the push of a finger, pulling their safety "car" along with them.<br /><br />The tricky part would be actually working on the panels without putting a foot through them.

 

[thereiwas]

While you can't turn off solar panels, you can rotate them away from the sun.

 

[larper]

The problem is leverage and balance, as well as safety. An astronaut with not rigid restraint has a hard time maintaining his orientation. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong><font color="#ff0000">Vote </font><font color="#3366ff">Libertarian</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[halman]

shuttle_guy,<br /><br />How long could the shuttle mission be extended now that the shuttle can draw power from the station? I got the sense when reading about delaying the EVA that there was no urgency in preparing for the return to Earth.<br /><br />'mini-mittens', huh? I wonder how they keep them on? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[usn_skwerl]

Don't take everything so literally. <br /><br /><font color="yellow">1. Aluminum is electrically conductive, need I say more</font><br />Did I really need to specify wrapping/insulating it like the other arms are? Seriously... <img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /><br /><br /><font color="yellow">2. It would get to hot or cold in space for EVA use</font><br />see reply for 1. <br /><br /><font color="yellow">3. Simple pins are not EVA compatible nor safe enough prevent it from coming apart.</font><br />Are you even familiar with the pins im referring to??????? something like this, ( http://tnjmurray.com/m35/0543.jpg ) but larger. It's quite simple, and if I can use a pin with this diameter (about 3/8") to tow a Gulfstram V, it can most certainly be used in 0g without risk of failing or coming apart. <br /><br /><font color="yellow">4. Aluminum is too flexible for an adequate worksite. </font><br />I was erring on the side of weight/mass, but if theres a better solution, that works too.<br /><br /><font color="yellow">5. Even the current OBSS is not a good answer, it still might not work. The total length may too long to be controllable or stable enough to work from. </font><br /><br />So they run into trouble, without - during the design stages - first considering the potential of something failing at or beyond the range of the arms' reach, underplan due to the unlikelyness of things happening, and having to scramble to find a way to make it work, so it doesn't get progressively worse. Wow. Brilliant.<br /><br />"not every contingency can be planned for." <br /><br />Maybe not, but to have an arm system or setup that can wash its own toes or scratch its own head is kind of a no-brainer. <br /><br />C-5's have a passageway to the top of the tail, for the same basic reason; so problems that are not likely, but possible, out of the comfort of the fuselage (on ground or in <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[rybanis]

So CNN has quite the cautionary article up this morning about the spacewalk. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>