STS-121: Launch target May, 2006 - Griffin

[shuttle_rtf]

Thanks for your info via your previous reply to me on ET processing timelines. MAF say there's no chance of it being earlier than March 3 for ET-119 and still nothing more than an assumed April 7 for ET-118 (both shipping from MAF times). They are back to saying they find it unlikely they can support May....which makes sense given your comment about full processing shifts. A clean 121 is too important - and I'm sure NASA will work towards that goal more than making a May window if it's tight.<br /><br />I'm also sure everyone will be supportive of whenever the launch happens to be, while noting Wayne Hale's gone out of his way to say May was/is just a processing guideline. It's hard for the media (I'm guilty of this too) not to get excited about a window being mentioned.<br /><br />I noticed that SRB stacking begins on Monday (via Shuttle Status reports) - so it'd be correct to say that processing is still towards May, while we wait for the next PRCB/Manifest update in a matter of days time?<br /><br />I hear the next manifest update is due shortly after the meeting you mentioned in a previous post. Is this the next one on from "FAWG Prel. Manifest Option 05D-12"? That was October and with the 19 flights. Griffin intimated at 17 flights during the New Horizons pre-launch conference.<br /><br />I hope - that in the increasingly likely event they shoot for later than May - the media doesn't call it a delay. That would be unfair.<br /><br />By the way, not sure if I've mentioned it, but remember the new diffuser issue from STS-114, SG? You noted the problem with that at the time totally spot on.....That new MSFC diffuser's never going to seen another ET again.<br /><br />(Wrote this a while ago, but adding it to the thread):<br /><br />http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?id=4181<br /><br />Also, the O2 leak investigation on Discovery from STS-114 catch bottle(s) - sorry if you've mentioned this and I'm rep

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Excellent. I was wondering if they had done a OMI V1202 Helium Signature test (if that's what they are still calling such a test - and if they did such a test) for a result as you note. That's good info to go asking about on the bad seal.<br /><br />Much appreciated.

 

[fkawi1]

I didn't want to take away from this great thread by posting babble but I just want to chime in and say THANKS SG and everybody else for all the very good information and for a fine effort to gather all those facts for our veiwing pleasure! I for one get alot out of it all and really think that SG is a gentleman and a scholar!

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

SG, will the upcoming launch and the consecutive launches of the STS be performing the RCC tile scanning? Sorry if this has been asked and answered before, there's just too many posts to wade through. <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>

 

[mikejz]

Are the camera just still cameras (fps?), or video? Just standard video quality or something better (HDTV)

 

[fkawi1]

Your welcome SG! Please don't feel like your efforts are not realized by anyone, they sure are and I am very gratefull for all that you contribute here.I get alot out of it and I am sincere when I say that. Granted I guess I could live without this knowlage but it is indeed interesting and your energy is not for nothing! Thank you!<br /> Little Ronnie

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

I totally agree there Fkawi1, thanks for the reply SG! <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>

 

[ehs40]

i remember a while back that the external tank had to go to some kind of wind tunnel testing because they were taking off the PAL ramp is this still going to happen and if so when?

 

[discovery_fan]

According to the news story on http://www.nasaspaceflight.com , the new NET date for STS-121 is May 10, 2006.<br />Story with new manifest:<br />http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?id=4287<br /><br />Maybe the PRCB on Feb. 16 will set an official launchdate for May 10?

 

[elguapoguano]

I know I should be happy about this, I mean it'll be good to have 3 again. But since I watched the first peice of the Station launched, I always thought that by May 2006 we'd have a full 6-7 crew in place. It's just somewhat dissapointing. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#ff0000"><u><em>Don't let your sig line incite a gay thread ;>)</em></u></font> </div>

 

[frodo1008]

I really don't think that a full six man crew is going to happen until several things happen:<br /><br />One, provision is made for emergency vehicle(s) to be able to take back all six crew members from the ISS in case of catastrophic emergency!<br /><br />Two, somebody either the US through the new CEV system, or the Russians with their Klipper design, or ESA, or the Japanese comes up with a way to launch at least four to six people at a time to the ISS! <br /><br />It IS my hope that these events WILL take place! After all if the other partners AKA: ESA, the Japanese, or Canadians wish to have their astronauts (or whatever they call their people in space) on board the ISS to help operate the science modules designed and built by these respective countries, then they are going to have to work out a six man crew at the very least for the ISS. Otherwise, even someone such as myself that has supported the ISS is going to have to admit that the negativists were right all along. That is, that the expense of the ISS just isn't justifiable! <br /><br />I would NOT be a happy camper with this kind of situation!!<br />

 

[haywood]

Tell me, frodo, what would the Canadians call their astronauts besides "astronauts"?<br />

 

[strandedonearth]

I think we Canadians would call them "Astronautes." Or is that "Astrounautes?" <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />We (mostly) speak english here, so we'd use the english word, of course. Not being French-Canadian, I'm not sure what the french word for astronaut would be.

 

[strandedonearth]

If memory serves correctly Marc Garneau was the first Canadian in space, courtesy of the STS, of course <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[gsuschrist]

On another space forum we all followed Garneau's bid to win a seat in the recent Canadian natioanl election. The guy proved to be an imcompetent dud and was soundl trounced. Certainlty no John Glenn.

 

[jschaef5]

s_g, what would be your best estimate for when the shuttle launch date will be, at this point in time?<br /><br />(I am hopping to take a trip down there. I get out of school on the 6th and will probably go back to school or start work soon after so I am hoping that the launch fits in there... and it better not get delayed) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[strandedonearth]

Hmm, I didn't even realize he was running, but then, I try not to pay any attention to politics because they are all a bunch of, um, well, I don't want to say anything libellous.<br /><br />But wait, I have it: any Canadian-born-trained-and-launched space traveler would be called an Astronuck <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />

 

[CalliArcale]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Not being French-Canadian, I'm not sure what the french word for astronaut would be. <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />CNES astronauts have occasionally been described as "spacionauts" in French literature, but the French also use the words "astronaut" and "cosmonaut". <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>

 

[tohaki]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Each country has taken to making their on name for their astronauts. No one would use the english word astronauts.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote>If you look at the etymology you will see that it is not really an English word though. It is a combination of the Greek words for star (ástron) and sailor (nautes). Here in Norway we use both astronaut and the Norwegian romfarer (spacetraveler).

 

[rybanis]

I pray about 2 things:<br /><br /><br />World Peace<br /><br /><br />and<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That wind tunnel test going well <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[jschaef5]

Here is a pretty nice high resolution image of them rolling the tank out.<br /><br />http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/143661main_ET-119_2.jpg <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[tohaki]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the shuttle fly again now... <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Here is a pretty nice high resolution image of them rolling the tank out.<br /><br />http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/143661main_ET-119_2.jpg<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />It looks like a piece of the insulation has chipped off just next to one of those weld-looking lines. It is probably something else though.

 

[paulolearysp]

I'm planning a trip to Orlando in Mid May. Any idea how long this mission would be? I'd hope to run over to the coast to see either the take-off or the landing.

 

[baktothemoon]

What shuttle would they use for the "rescue" mission? And how much time would it take to scramble the shuttle to do it? And, do they already keep SRB's on standby for a rescue?<br /><br />"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy

 

[jschaef5]

"I'd hope to run over to the coast to see either the take-off or the landing."<br /><br />If you do end up catching the tail end of the mission, just because they are coming back in to land doesn't absolutely mean it will be coming in at KSC... depending on weather it can land at other sites like Edwards AFB out in California. But the best bet is that it will land at KSC I would think.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>