STS-122 Updates (part two)

[tylerjwyly]

Likewise. Im hoping to catch it before I fly out of MCO(Orlando) to NC for a job interview. Its been since about 1990 since Ive seen one and Im sure my perspective has changed since I was 10.

 

[bobblebob]

Thanks shuttle_guy <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Good luck tomorrow hope we get a launch

 

[scottb50]

I thought the reason they didn't do a tanking test after the modifications was because it had been done more times then they like to already, based on stress to the foam if I remember right. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

"Thanks shuttle_guy<br /><br />Good luck tomorrow hope we get a launch"<br /><br />+1 here too 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>

 

[3488]

Cheers shuttle_guy.<br /><br />I very much hope so too. Good luck for Thursday.<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>

 

[halman]

ScottB50,<br /><br />"I thought the reason they didn't do a tanking test after the modifications was because it had been done more times then they like to already, based on stress to the foam if I remember right."<br /><br />I believe that you are correct, however, unless the weather or some other factor causes a scrub before the tanking begins, they usually will fill the ET in case they get lucky and find the 30 percent chance of acceptable weather.<br /><br />If they have to delay the launch, how long can they keep the External Tank filled? Would they have to empty it Thursday after the launch window closes, or can they keep it filled until the next day?<br /><br />Somehow, launch technology needs to advance to the point where weather is not such a factor. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[scottb50]

how long can they keep the External Tank filled?>><br /><br />I haven't found anything about that but with the relatively meager insulation I would think it would take a huge supply to keep it full for an extended period. Perhaps SG or someone has an answer.<br /><br />I remember once they were running into a problem by using up the available supply. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

one of the local radars <br /><br /> and the other (Melbourne) <br />This one is a little close in and sometimes the ground clutter gets in the way.<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]

Seems its the RTLS that is the main concern rather than the pad

 

[MeteorWayne]

T - 3:00:00 and counting.<br />Crew getting ready to depart for the pad. <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]

My favourite bit of the countdown <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <br /><br />Must be a weird feeling going to the pad, getting strapped in etc, knowing you will probably be doing it all again tomorrow

 

[Testing]

Groundhog Day <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[halman]

The recent problem with one of the radiator lines got me to thinking about how the shuttle is cooled while waiting for launch. With everything powered up, and the astronauts onboard, there must be a fair amount of heat being generated. Anybody know what kind of cooling system is used while on the pad? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[larper]

I think the commander just rolls down the windows. He has one of those child lockouts on his armrest so that nobody does this while in orbit. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong><font color="#ff0000">Vote </font><font color="#3366ff">Libertarian</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

I believe cooling is handled by ground equipment until Orbiter access arm retraction at T -7:30. <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>

 

[thor06]

It would be nice if there was a little more commentary on NASA TV.<br /> Some bio's, stats, updates during these hours of the countdown would help the "watchability" <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> <font color="#0000ff">                           www.watchnasatv.com</font></p><p>                          ONE PERCENT FOR NASA! </p> </div>

 

[bobblebob]

They have all that info leading up to launch with the crew interviews.

 

[3488]

From Spaceflightnow.com. JustinRay.<br /><br />1725 GMT (12:25 p.m. EST)<br /><br />A series of routine communications checks between the Atlantis crew on various audio <br />channels is underway. <br /><br />1720 GMT (12:20 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 90 minutes and counting. Countdown clocks continue to tick down to T-minus 20 minutes <br />where the next hold is planned. Countdown activities remain on track for liftoff at 2:45 p.m. <br />There are no technical issues being worked. Weather continues to be watched closely. <br />A shower has developed about 9 miles west-southwest of the launch pad. <br /><br />At this point in the count, the Ground Launch Sequencer software that will control the <br />final nine minutes of the countdown has been initialized. Also, the solid <br />rocket boosters' gas generator heaters in the hydraulic power units are turned on, <br />the aft skirt gaseous nitrogen purge is starting and the rate gyro assemblies (RGAs) <br />are being activated. The RGAs are used by the orbiter's navigation system to <br />determine rates of motion of the boosters during the first stage of flight. <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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

There has been quite a bit, perhaps you tuned in too late.<br />I actually find it distracting from the task at hand.<br />While the interviews are running, all the background communications can't be heard.<br /><br />I believe if you root around on the Shuttle section of the NASA site, the interviews are availble in the multimedia section. <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>

 

[halman]

MeteorWayne,<br /><br />I had kind of assumed so, but I am wondering if it is a freon based system, like what is used on orbit, or a water based system. I guess that this requires at least two umbilicals, or one with two hoses. As space craft design evolves, completely self-contained cooling systems will have to be developed, so that the vehicle does not require extensive ground support on landing. Something like a radiator vented by ducts that can be sealed prior to launch. Weight restrictions were of paramount importance in designing the shuttle, but, as launch technology improves, we will see more and more incorporation of systems which are currently handled by ground support, I believe. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[bobblebob]

60% chance of no go now

 

[MeteorWayne]

That's actually better <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>

 

[halman]

Thor06,<br /><br />Live productions are notoriously difficult to produce, and, without a script, a commentator must constantly risk being interrupted, contradicted, or cut off. The wonderfully edited launch would incorporate videos, interviews, graphics, and a production crew of 20 or 30. NASA has a camera and someone whose other duties allow them to comment on what is happening occasionally. Somehow, it might be possible for a second tier of commentators, who are knowledgeable about space flight and have access to material which could be used to support the program, to fill in those long periods of silence. But I doubt that NASA would be willing to commit any funds to such an enterprise, even though it would count as good public relations. During the Apollo 11 flight, something like this was done, with CBS hiring several science fiction writers, including Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury, to assist Walter Cronkite in his broadcasts. And, even then, we had to sit through quiet periods, where something was happening, but no one outside of Mission Control knew exactly what. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[thor06]

True, but NASA TV actually has viewers(other than fans like us) on launch day.<br />Like you I've seen the bio's, mission description etc. but the general public only tunes in on launch /landing days and have not.....<br /><br />ex. dead silence for 5 min.....everyone except us just changed the channel<br /><br />better NASA TV=more viewers=more support=better NASA and repeat<br />www.watchnasatv.com <br /><br />halman hit the nail on the head! I'm looking for any way to make this happen. A new revenue stream perhaps...underwriters? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> <font color="#0000ff">                           www.watchnasatv.com</font></p><p>                          ONE PERCENT FOR NASA! </p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Nobody but us has even turned on the channel yet <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>