STS-124 ( 1J ) Mission Thread

[3488]

<p><font size="2" color="#333300"><strong>I understand that journalists are getting into a bit of a tizz, as STS 124 Discovery is due to launch only a few minutes earlier than Mars Phoenix Landing in Scandia Colles on Mars (Discovery due to launch as Phoenix EDL commences, which means that when Discovery reaches orbit, Phoenix should have already landed).</strong></font></p><p><font size="2" color="#333300"><strong>Do they go to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in&nbsp;California&nbsp;to cover Phoenix landing on Mars&nbsp;or go to the Cape in Florida to report on STS 124 Discovery launching?</strong></font></p><p><font size="2" color="#333300"><strong>My hunch is Phoenix will get the lions share, as Discovery will be well documented by the folks at Canaveral anyway, where as landings on Mars are very infrequent & are&nbsp;probably more&nbsp;news worthy in this respect.&nbsp;<br /><br />The fact that both are due to happen simultaneously means that there will be plenty for us all to talk about.</strong></font></p><p><font size="2" color="#333300"><strong>Andrew Brown.</strong></font></p> <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]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I understand that journalists are getting into a bit of a tizz, as STS 124 Discovery is due to launch only a few minutes earlier than Mars Phoenix Landing in Scandia Colles on Mars (Discovery due to launch as Phoenix EDL commences, which means that when Discovery reaches orbit, Phoenix should have already landed).Do they go to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in&nbsp;California&nbsp;to cover Phoenix landing on Mars&nbsp;or go to the Cape in Florida to report on STS 124 Discovery launching?My hunch is Phoenix will get the lions share, as Discovery will be well documented by the folks at Canaveral anyway, where as landings on Mars are very infrequent & are&nbsp;probably more&nbsp;news worthy in this respect.&nbsp;The fact that both are due to happen simultaneously means that there will be plenty for us all to talk about.Andrew Brown. <br />Posted by 3488</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>As erioladastra has indicated, it seems likely the shuttle mission will slip a few days, which eases the stress on the press, and us I might add! <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-undecided.gif" border="0" alt="Undecided" title="Undecided" /><br /></p> <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>

 

[bpcooper]

Yea, it is no earlier than May 31 and won't conflict now. However, when it was the same day, the plan was to have Phoenix on the media channel and 124 on the public channel. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[3488]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'><font color="#ff0000">Yea, it is no earlier than May 31 and won't conflict now. However, when it was the same day, the plan was to have Phoenix on the media channel and 124 on the public channel. <br />Posted by bpcooper</font></DIV></p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'><font color="#ff0000">As erioladastra has indicated, it seems likely the shuttle mission will slip a few days, which eases the stress on the press, and us I might add! <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-undecided.gif" border="0" alt="Undecided" title="Undecided" />Posted by MeteorWayne</font></DIV></p><p><font size="2" color="#800000"><strong>Thank you both very much MeteorWayne & Ben. That does&nbsp;away with that dilemma.</strong></font></p><p><font size="2" color="#800000"><strong>Off course there are many of us here who would have attempted to have followed both (myself included), but now that Discovery is not launching till Saturday 31st May 2008, solves that issue, after all, both events are very newsworthy.</strong></font></p><p><font size="2" color="#800000"><strong>Either way, lets hope that will be a very good week. </strong></font></p><p><font size="2" color="#800000"><strong>Once again, thank you both very much.</strong></font></p><p><font size="2" color="#800000"><strong>Andrew Brown.</strong></font></p> <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]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Thank you both very much MeteorWayne & Ben. That does&nbsp;away with that dilemma.Off course there are many of us here who would have attempted to have followed both (myself included), but now that Discovery is not launching till Saturday 31st May 2008, solves that issue, after all, both events are very newsworthy.Either way, lets hope that will be a very good week. Once again, thank you both very much.Andrew Brown. <br />Posted by 3488</DIV></p><p>The launch date has not been set yet, it may be even in June.<br /></p> <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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The launch date has not been set yet, it may be even in June. <br />Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV></p><p>Now on the NASA Web Site:</p><p><br />NASA is targeting May 31 as the launch date for space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission. STS-124 is the 26th shuttle flight to the International Space Station and the second of three flights to deliver components of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. </p> <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>

 

[MeteorWayne]

<p>http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080426-sts125-rollover.html</p><p>(Note Space.com has sts125 in URL, this is actually the sts124 mission) <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-embarassed.gif" border="0" alt="Embarassed" title="Embarassed" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial">The space shuttle Discovery moved a step closer to launch early Saturday as NASA engineers hauled the spacecraft into a massive hangar to join its fuel tank and twin rocket boosters.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial">Discovery made the short morning move from its processing building to the cavernous, 52-story Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., to prepare for its planned May 31 launch.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial">The shuttle's seven-astronaut crew, commanded by veteran spaceflyer Mark Kelly, will deliver Kibo - a massive Japanese laboratory the size of a tour bus - to the International Space Station during a planned 13-day mission.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial">Engineers rolled Discovery out of its processing facility atop a 76-wheel transporter at 7:17 a.m. EDT (1117 GMT) and into the Vehicle Assembly Building at about 8:05 a.m. EDT (1205 GMT), where engineers will hoist it into a vertical position for external tank attachment. The move occurred two days earlier than planned due to swift work by shuttle workers, NASA officials said.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial">"That's usually a pretty good sign when you can gain some time in the schedule," NASA spokesperson Allard Beutel told <em>SPACE.com</em>. "They just didn't encounter a lot of problems and things have been going extremely well."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial">The extra two days will give shuttle workers more flexibility should they encounter any unexpected issues later, Beutel added.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial">Discovery is slated to roll out to its Pad 39A launch site at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) on May 3, where shuttle workers will prepare it for a planned 5:02 p.m. EDT (0902 GMT) liftoff on May 31.</span></p> <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>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080426-sts125-rollover.html(Note Space.com has sts125 in URL, this is actually the sts124 mission) The space shuttle Discovery moved a step closer to launch early Saturday as NASA engineers hauled the spacecraft into a massive hangar to join its fuel tank and twin rocket boosters.Discovery made the short morning move from its processing building to the cavernous, 52-story Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., to prepare for its planned May 31 launch.The shuttle's seven-astronaut crew, commanded by veteran spaceflyer Mark Kelly, will deliver Kibo - a massive Japanese laboratory the size of a tour bus - to the International Space Station during a planned 13-day mission.Engineers rolled Discovery out of its processing facility atop a 76-wheel transporter at 7:17 a.m. EDT (1117 GMT) and into the Vehicle Assembly Building at about 8:05 a.m. EDT (1205 GMT), where engineers will hoist it into a vertical position for external tank attachment. The move occurred two days earlier than planned due to swift work by shuttle workers, NASA officials said."That's usually a pretty good sign when you can gain some time in the schedule," NASA spokesperson Allard Beutel told SPACE.com. "They just didn't encounter a lot of problems and things have been going extremely well."The extra two days will give shuttle workers more flexibility should they encounter any unexpected issues later, Beutel added.Discovery is slated to roll out to its Pad 39A launch site at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) on May 3, where shuttle workers will prepare it for a planned 5:02 p.m. EDT (0902 GMT) liftoff on May 31. <br />Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The STS-124 vehicle powered up in the VAB last night at 2138 local which was about a shift earlier than the original prediction and about 3 1/2 hours earlier than yesterday's schedule. Perhaps we will go to the pad a few hours earlier than planned. The STS-124 vehicle powered up in the VAB last night at 2138 local which was about a shift earlier than the original prediction and about 3 1/2 hours earlier than yesterday's schedule. Perhaps we will go to the pad a few hours earlier than planned. <br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;The STS-124 vehicle powered up in the VAB last night at 2138 local which was about a shift earlier than the original prediction and about 3 1/2 hours earlier than yesterday's schedule. Perhaps we will go to the pad a few hours earlier than planned. The STS-124 vehicle powered up in the VAB last night at 2138 local which was about a shift earlier than the original prediction and about 3 1/2 hours earlier than yesterday's schedule. Perhaps we will go to the pad a few hours earlier than planned. <br />Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Power up testing in the VAB is complete.</p><p>First motion to Pad A is set for 0001 hrs Saturday with vehicle power up around noon.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[JimL]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Stupid thing Ive added them to my safe list but seems thats not good enough. Really hate Microsoft and their policy of treating users like kids. Let me decide whats spam! <br /> Posted by bobblebob</DIV></p><p>No, no!&nbsp; You should feel fortunate you were selected for preparation to receive a Goa'soft symbiant!&nbsp;</p>

 

[JimL]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I understand that journalists are getting into a bit of a tizz, as STS 124 Discovery is due to launch only a few minutes earlier than Mars Phoenix Landing in Scandia Colles on Mars (Discovery due to launch as Phoenix EDL commences, which means that when Discovery reaches orbit, Phoenix should have already landed).</DIV></p><p>I have great gobs of sorrow over this abuse of the already battered and beaten media clow... reporters.</p>

 

[shuttle_guy]

Vehicle testing at the pad is going well. The payload was installed into the Orbiter today. Hypergolic loading picks up Sunday night. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[newsartist]

Media outlets are showing pictures of the crew meeting reporters after arriving at KSC....<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Media outlets are showing pictures of the crew meeting reporters after arriving at KSC.... <br />Posted by newsartist</DIV></p><p>The crew is here for the practice countdown on Friday as well as a vehicle briefing and some emergency training.</p><p>The simulated T-0 (actually we issue a cutoff at T-3 sec.) is just after 1100 hrs Friday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>All is still going well for the Hyperlgolic oad (about 35,000 pounds of NTO (Nitrogen TetraOxide)&nbsp;and MMH (Mono Methyl Hydrazine))&nbsp; for use by the OMS/RCS systems. The loading starts Sunday night around 2000 hrs.</p><p>The payload closeouts are in work with the payload bay doors being closed for flight Saturday around 0400 hrs.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[erioladastra]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The crew is here for the practice countdown on Friday as well as a vehicle briefing and some emergency training.The simulated T-0 (actually we issue a cutoff at T-3 sec.) is just after 1100 hrs Friday.&nbsp;All is still going well for the Hyperlgolic oad (about 35,000 pounds of NTO (Nitrogen TetraOxide)&nbsp;and MMH (Mono Methyl Hydrazine))&nbsp; for use by the OMS/RCS systems. The loading starts Sunday night around 2000 hrs.The payload closeouts are in work with the payload bay doors being closed for flight Saturday around 0400 hrs.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV><br /><br />Note that an extra docked day was just added.&nbsp; This is to accomodate some battery charging unit change outs.&nbsp; Takes about half a day and can't start until after the third EVA.&nbsp; So now we are 14+1+2.

 

[shuttle_guy]

[Yes, that makes landing June 14 which is the day of my Zero G flight. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[derekmcd]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>[Yes, that makes landing June 14 which is the day of my Zero G flight. <br /> Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>You lucky dog, you... I was fortunate enough to take a cat shot of a carrier on a c-2 (cod), but no way that compares to the Vomit Comet.&nbsp; Way cool!!!&nbsp; Enjoy.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>If they can get off three flights by the end of May (or even June for that matter) they will have flown 3 flights within half a year. This is perfectly acceptable, as they are then shooting for just three more flights in the second half or the year to make their most ambitious schedule!! <br />Posted by frodo1008</DIV></p><p>Now the bad news, ET deliveries will delay STS-125 from August to early October,&nbsp;STS-126 to November and kick the planned December launch to Feb. '09. STS-124 looks goo to try for a launch May 31st.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Now the bad news, ET deliveries will delay STS-125 from August to early October,&nbsp;STS-126 to November and kick the planned December launch to Feb. '09. STS-124 looks goo to try for a launch May 31st. <br />Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV></p><p>STS-124 update. The payload bay doors are closed for flight. Hypergolic loading is still on schedule to start Sunday evening.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Smersh]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>... ET deliveries ...<br /> Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV></p><p>Hope the "Woo Woo" forums don't pick up on that one. LOL</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <h1 style="margin:0pt;font-size:12px">----------------------------------------------------- </h1><p><font color="#800000"><em>Lady Nancy Astor: "Winston, if you were my husband, I'd poison your tea."<br />Churchill: "Nancy, if you were my wife, I'd drink it."</em></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Website / forums </strong></font></p> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p>The hypergolic Oxidizer&nbsp;loading was completed however before the fuel loading started there was a failure in an avionics box which must be replaced. This will drive vehicle power up servicing and checkout atleast into Saturday.</p><p>There is no impact to the planned launch&nbsp; on May 31st.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[erioladastra]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> <p>There is no impact to the planned launch&nbsp; on May 31st.</p></DIV><br /><br />Except maybe the lien on the Soyuz health.&nbsp;&nbsp; A lot of what ifs being thought about right now.&nbsp; Not sure what will happen since I doubt we will have much info by then.

 

[scottb50]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Except maybe the lien on the Soyuz health.&nbsp;&nbsp; A lot of what ifs being thought about right now.&nbsp; Not sure what will happen since I doubt we will have much info by then. <br /> Posted by erioladastra</DIV></p><p>Thats why we improve on the Shuttle concept and build a new launch system that is compatable with, or adaptable to current Shuttle ground equipment technology. That has proved pretty hardy. </p><p>TSTO, Four, automomous, engine/propellant Modules. Two SRB' s using current Shuttle Nozzles. Two turbofan engines that carry their own weight for liftoff and engines on manned vehicles that allow quick escape and recovery to a normal landing.</p><p>Turbofans return the first stage to the launch site for re-use.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp; </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'><font color="#3366ff">Except maybe the lien on the Soyuz health.<br /></font><strong>Posted by erioladastra</strong></DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>What's the suggestion here, eriol?&nbsp; Do you mean for flying parts for Soyuz, or even pulling Reisman off Station while they have the opportunity?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>SK&nbsp; <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/4/9/24350b3e-5d42-4d17-89f9-a6bf0d84a4eb.Medium.gif" alt="" /></p> <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>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Thats why we improve on the Shuttle concept and build a new launch system that is compatable with, or adaptable to current Shuttle ground equipment technology. That has proved pretty hardy. TSTO, Four, automomous, engine/propellant Modules. Two SRB' s using current Shuttle Nozzles. Two turbofan engines that carry their own weight for liftoff and engines on manned vehicles that allow quick escape and recovery to a normal landing.Turbofans return the first stage to the launch site for re-use.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Posted by scottb50</DIV></p><p>That is not a good idea. The turbofans&nbsp;could not carry their own weight plus their fuel, Their control systems&nbsp;and their&nbsp;structure once they flame out at high altitude.</p><p><br /><br />&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>