STS-121 Update Thread: Part Two

[SpaceKiwi]

If a RTLS was required, the weather would be the very least of their concerns! I hate weekday launch attempts. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

BTW, anyone spot SG? They did a nice pan around their flash new Firing Room. He's actually in the Firing Room for launch isn't he, and not in an adjacent facility supporting the main room? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

Mike Leinbach is going to be on with Bruce in a couple of minutes to answer a few questions. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[superluminal]

Anyway you look at it, that's a fine team there.<br /><br />Looks like my Sunday will be more exciting than today. <br />And that's a lot of excitement.<br /><br />It was an excellent teamwork rehearsal.<br /> <br />NASA you're the best. <br /><br />See you tomorrow. <br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Columbia and Challenger </font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Starships of Heroes</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[rogers_buck]

Rain and hail not withstanding, I wonder if the risk of a lightning strike is worse than keeping the vehicle cold another 24 hours? More time for foam to separate...<br />

 

[mcs_seattle]

How bad does the weather forecast have to be before they don't even get the astronauts into the shuttle or fill the external tank?

 

[gofer]

I know that the stated reason for the scrub is the possibility of inclement weather that could affect an abort scenario. But can anyone shed light on how exactly it could affect the vehicle? Does the rain/winds pose structural hazards? Turbulence? Radio interference? ...? What? It's just that the STS appears to be an extremely fussy launch system. Perhaps it's justifiable, but perhaps not? If they gave a reasoned and gutsy go-ahead over some foam shedding concerns and vetoes, why not just launch it in this weather? I think I lack information, but maybe it's just too logical.

 

[haywood]

Rain hitting the tiles at high speed is like sand blasting them.<br />Lightning hits on any space vehicle is definitely bad news.<br />Landing a heavy unpowered glider thru electrically charged anvil clouds is not safe,<br />

 

[gofer]

Thanks for the info. <br /><br />One note: "Rain hitting the tiles at high speed is like sand blasting them. " Yes, it's a hazard for the fragile RCCs (not the ceramic tiles on the belly, I believe) on launch I understand and it occurred to me. But the rain cloud cell was some 30 miles away and weather was mentioned as a hazard only in regards to an abort mode of the orbiter (i.e. when it flies tiles down and has no orbital energy to disperse). It doesn't seem to have been a *launch* hazard.<br /><br />"Lightning hits on any space vehicle is definitely bad news. " Could be, but lightning is then a common hazard for the thousands of aircraft (the orbiter can be considered here an aircraft). (flew through some lightning/turbulence in Boeings, Cessnas, etc...) Well, OKay, perhaps space vehicles are more fragile by nature.<br /><br />"Landing a heavy unpowered glider thru electrically charged anvil clouds is not safe" This could be the reason the stopped it.<br /><br />I'm assuming it's an abort landing hazard. And of course the fact that it's unpowered flight is a good point. Cant go for another approach.

 

[rogers_buck]

I think his original question was a good one. If they look at the forecast and see only a XX% chance of good weather, what's the minimum requirement for XX% that they won't even bother to try to launch?<br />

 

[subzero788]

Speaking of weather, anyone know what the forecast looks like for today compared with yesterday? Better or worse?

 

[zachstar]

Looks like a 70% chance of no-go<br /><br />But looks like they are going to tank anyway... How sad <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />

 

[zachstar]

Image from the webcast as of now

 

[henryhallam]

<font color="yellow">flew through some lightning/turbulence in Boeings, Cessnas, etc...</font><br />A braver man than I!<br />What happened to the old motto of "There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime"?

 

[gofer]

Just a guy with a ticket <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> Take off. ... A thunderstorm happens... Can't turn off the weather... Land... All'lright.

 

[kurtwagner]

For a 24-hour turnaround scrub is it true that they drain the ET fuel and oxidizer? What's the difference in time and cost and complexity between doing the drain and refill and just leaving the LOX and H in there and keeping it replenished?

 

[thinice]

<i>just leaving the LOX and H in there and keeping it replenished?</i><br /><br />Next day the ET would be covered with a foot of ice.

 

[superluminal]

Roll call ? <br /><br />Watching heroes. <br /><br />Go Discovery.<br /><br /> You have a real right stuff team behind you all the way. <br /><br />Planet Earth. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Columbia and Challenger </font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Starships of Heroes</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[bobw]

I watched most of yesterday's scrub but had to leave for work (only 20 minutes late). The NASA TV feed seemed to switch back to the hatch close out more often than usual so I am hoping to see the tile carrier plate installed this launch. The earlier launch window helps me out there work-wise.<br /><br />I was wondering, too, why bother to tank up with only a 30% chance of launch. There is a silver lining; if the new cameras show a dramatic improvement in foam retention then nobody will be able to say "yeah, but what would have happened if we had to cycle the tank a few times?" What are they rated for? Six cycles or something? <br /><br />Anyway, 30% isn't 0% so she might go today <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[superluminal]

Hollywood doesn't have any idea of what they're missing.<br /><br />I sure would love to be aboard that shuttle.<br /><br />I'd like to be in Piers Sellers boots and get to go on that spacewalk.<br /><br />Here are the STS 121 astronauts.<br /><br />Biographical Data<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Steven W. Lindsey<br /><br /><br /> Mark E, Kelly<br /><br /><br /><br /> Michael E. Fossum<br /><br /><br /><br /> Lisa M. Nowak<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Stephanie D. Wilson<br /><br /><br /><br />Piers J. Sellers <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> THOMAS REITER<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Fingers crossed about the weather. <br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Columbia and Challenger </font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Starships of Heroes</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[phaze]

Try again on Tuesday.

 

[superluminal]

Mission scrubbed <br /><br />Weather no go.<br /><br />Next launch attempt Tuesday July 4 th at 238 pm est. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Columbia and Challenger </font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Starships of Heroes</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[bobw]

I haven't seen anything about fixing the heater. Will it take longer than two days to fix? Have they decided that it just doesn't matter? Is it fixed and I don't know about it? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[superluminal]

Hey bobw<br /><br />I was wondering the same thing.<br /> Unfortunately, I'm not in the position to know.<br /><br />Maybe Shuttleguy or Calli will inform us soon.<br /><br /><br /> Update <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Columbia and Challenger </font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Starships of Heroes</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[erioladastra]

It is not fixed and there is no plans to R&R at this stage. It is an impact, potentially, to cryo and could impact some mission objectives but not a safety of flight or required asset.