STS-120/(10A) Update

SpaceKiwi · Sep 24, 2007

Cool! One of those would make a neat souvenir of the Shuttle Program. Any idea what they approximately went for, Ben? EDIT: Nevermind, I just saw on CollectSpace that NASA ended up cancelling the auction. The 60-something tires are being used for educational and outreach programs now. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 27, 2007

09.26.07 John Yembrick Headquarters, Washington 202-358-0602 john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov George Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 george.h.diller@nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-123 NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY TO MOVE TO LAUNCH PAD CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery is targeted to roll out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 29, as preparations for the STS-120 mission move forward. Discovery is targeted to lift off Oct. 23 on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station. The first motion of the shuttle out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building is expected at 8 p.m. EDT. The 3.4-mile journey to the launch pad is expected to take about six hours. NASA Television will provide a live picture of Discovery at the pad beginning at 7 a.m. Sunday. Video highlights of the rollout will air on NASA TV's Video File segments. The STS-120 mission will add a module to the space station that will serve as a port for installing additional international laboratories. The Harmony module will be the first expansion of the living and working space on the orbiting laboratory since 2001. The mission also will move the first set of solar arrays installed on the station to a permanent location on the complex and redeploy them. For information about the STS-120 mission and crew, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

astrowikizhang · Sep 27, 2007

Soyuz relocation on tap today. Why all the three crew members have to enter the boat to do undock and re-dock? Can it be piloted by one crew or just auto-piloted?

holmec · Sep 27, 2007

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />Soyuz relocation on tap today. Why all the three crew members have to enter the boat to do undock and re-dock? Can it be piloted by one crew or just auto-piloted?<hr /></blockquote> The main reason is for crew safety. If something goes wrong, very wrong, they can return to Earth. That's why they all get in. That is because its a crew of three and its their only lifeboat. I don't thing Soyuz capsule has auto pilot like a Progress does (which has both autonomous docking and remote navigation). But this is off the subject of the thread here. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 29, 2007

Weekly Status Report: 09.28.07 George Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 george.h.diller@nasa.gov STATUS REPORT: S-092807 NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT Note: NASA's Kennedy Space Center issues Space Shuttle Processing Status Reports periodically and is the source for information regarding processing activities associated with the vehicles and payloads. Mission: STS-120 - 23rd International Space Station Flight - U.S. Node 2 (Harmony) Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103) Location: Vehicle Assembly Building Launch Date: Targeted for Oct. 23, 2007 Launch Pad: 39A Crew: Melroy, Zamka, Parazynski, Wheelock, Wilson, Nespoli and Tani Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles On Sunday, Discovery rolled from Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 3 to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The orbiter was transferred on Monday to high bay No. 1, where it was attached to the external fuel tank on the mobile launch platform. Engineers and technicians spent the week performing attachment operations, closing out electrical and mechanical connections on the shuttle stack. The shuttle interface test is nearing completion. Rollout to Pad 39A is targeted for Saturday evening, with arrival at the pad early Sunday, Sept. 30. On Thursday, the STS-120 payload was transported to Launch Pad 39A and transferred to the payload changeout room on the rotating service structure. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 29, 2007

Just a thing I noticed today...the ISS has boosted it's orbit to 342X345 km. That's the highest it's been in more than a year. link <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

SpaceKiwi · Sep 29, 2007

Anyone got an update on the roll to the pad, time-wise? I don't want to miss it, but am away from home and NASA TV at the mo'. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 29, 2007

Let me check NASA TV right now... Well at the moment it's some "kiducational show" I'll chime back in if I see anything, or hear anything... MW <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

SpaceKiwi · Sep 29, 2007

Thanks a lot, Wayne. Judging by the processing update you posted, they aren't expecting to be out of the VAB before midnight, Florida time, which is another two and a half hours away yet. I assume we would have heard from one of the guys if there'd been any problems with the mate to the stack, so I guess the only thing which could delay proceedings is the weather. I should be home in a couple of hours at any rate, so I shouldn't miss any live coverage they might screen. I'm particularly keen to see the initial part of the roll through the VAB doors, so I hope they show that part of the action at least. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 29, 2007

There are a few showers in the area but they arerapidly moving SE, with none behind, so I would imagine within the hour, weather will not be a concern (unless there's a wind criteria?) Wind is NE 15 (mph) gusting to 30. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

SpaceKiwi · Sep 29, 2007

I think there is a wind constraint, but it would have to be considerably more than 15 gusting 30. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 29, 2007

Local forecast discussion from NWS. Their CAPS, not mine <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Edited for brevity.... 8PM EDT: REST OF TODAY...SCATTERED CONVECTION OVER THE ATLANTIC IS SOMEWHAT UNUSUAL DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON HOURS. HOWEVER...WITH THE PRESENCE OF A STRONG MID-LEVEL VORT MAX ALONG THE TROUGH AXIS EAST OF CAPE CANAVERAL...THE ATMOSPHERE IS UNSTABLE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT CONVECTION. COUPLE THIS WITH THE ADDED LOW-LEVEL CONVERGENCE ASSOCIATED WITH THE APPROACHING WIND SURGE AND IT IS NO SURPRISE WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE ACTIVITY OVER THE ATLANTIC ADVECT ASHORE INTO THIS EVENING. TONIGHT...LATEST MODEL GUIDANCE IN AGREEMENT THAT MEAN LAYER RHS WILL DECREASE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH. HOWEVER...WITH 925 MB WINDS APPROACHING 30 KT...ISOLATED LOW-TOPPED SHOWER(S) STILL REMAIN A STRONG POSSIBILITY ACROSS ALL OF EAST CENTRAL FL. WITH THE ANOMALOUSLY STRONG ONSHORE FLOW... SUN-MON...ONGOING WIND SURGE THROUGH THE PERIOD WITH STRONG HIGH PRESSURE CENTER OVER THE EASTERN CONUS PRODUCING SIGNIFICANT ONSHORE WIND EVENT ALONG THE FL EAST COAST. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 29, 2007

NASA Shuttle Landing Facility Lat: 28.62 N Lon: 80.72 W Elev: 10 ft Last Update on Sep 29, 9:55 pm EDT Mostly Cloudy 79Â°F (26Â°C) Humidity: 70 % Wind Speed: NE 20 G 33 MPH Barometer: 30.12" (1020.0 mb) Dewpoint: 68Â°F (20Â°C) Heat Index: 81Â°F (27Â°C) Visibility: 10.00 mi. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

rocketwatcher2001 · Sep 30, 2007

It's really windy here, I don't think they want to move it with wind this bad. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 30, 2007

What I said <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

rocketwatcher2001 · Sep 30, 2007

Wind Speed: NE 20 G 33 MPH... What I said Yep, but not everyone an read that the way you and I can. Wind is from the Northeast at 20 (usually knots, I've never seen it in MPH) and gusting to 33 MPH (again, never seen it in MPH), but whether it's in Knots or MPH, it's still really blowing outside right now. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 30, 2007

I would bet very few people have stood outside for long in 20 mph winds. You must be military (used to knots?) <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> That is from the NWS Cape Canaveral, Shuttle pad site, and yes in MPH <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

rocketwatcher2001 · Sep 30, 2007

All aviation weather reporting of wind in the U.S. is in knots. Here is Titusville's current METAR from ADDS: KTIX 292346Z 06012KT 7SM BKN030 27/M A3005 http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/metars/ <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

rocketwatcher2001 · Sep 30, 2007

Looks like I'm wrong. When I request that same METAR in a translated form, it gives the wind in MPH. I learn something new everyday. METAR text: KTIX 292346Z 06012KT 7SM BKN030 27/M A3005 Conditions at: KTIX (TITUSVILLE, FL, US) observed 2346 UTC 29 September 2007 Temperature: 27.0Â°C (81Â°F) Dewpoint: missing Pressure (altimeter): 30.05 inches Hg (1017.7 mb) Winds: from the ENE (60 degrees) at 14 MPH (12 knots; 6.2 m/s) Visibility: 7 miles (11 km) Ceiling: 3000 feet AGL Clouds: broken clouds at 3000 feet AGL Weather: no significant weather observed at this time But be carefull, when you hear it reported from the tower during a "wind-check", or in the ATIS broadcast it will be in knots. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

SpaceKiwi · Sep 30, 2007

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />I would bet very few people have stood outside for long in 20 mph winds.<hr /></blockquote> As a long-time AC follower, I laugh in the face of whimpy 20mph winds! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> Anyway, thought I'd better look this stuff up. This is what Spaceflight Now reckon ... "While the shuttle can endure, in theory, 70-knot winds at the launch pad where wind and lightning protection is available, a shuttle cannot be rolled back to the VAB in winds higher than 40 knots. LINK Good old Bill Harwood. I'd assume rollout would be more conservative than this again, given the VAB would look a lot safer than 40kts in the open or 70kts huddled into the FSS/RSS. By the time I got home the NASA ISS coverage PAO was already saying they've penciled the roll in for 20:00hrs local tomorrow, so you guys were on the money in any event. I wonder if the 20 hour delay chews up the final contingency time they had up the sleeve. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

ozspace · Sep 30, 2007

She's on her way! The Sun is up and looks like Discovery has been rolloing for about an hour, nice that they're showing it. Looks like the view is from a camera of the VAB roof at the moment.

bobw · Sep 30, 2007

I saw a couple big puffs of smoke or something just before the crawler got to the bend. Is that exhaust from the crawler motors? Dew point is 20 degrees lower than the current temperature. Probably nothing, maybe wind blown dust, but I don't remember seeing that before. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

ozspace · Sep 30, 2007

I think they are spraying water on the road, might help the treads when they are turning corners...?

bobw · Sep 30, 2007

Thanks! I'm just watching real player with a modem so I can't tell for sure if I'm seeing things or not. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 30, 2007

It looks they are spraying the road indeed. MAybe to keep the dust down? It's been very dry in Florida lately. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

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