STS-126 (STS-400) Processing/launch

[shuttle_guy]

<p>&nbsp;STS-126 ,which is also the potential&nbsp;rescue mission STS-400: </p><p>The Orbiter&nbsp;is scheduled&nbsp;to roll to the VAB to be added to the SRB/ET stack one day early on Thursday Sept. 11th.</p><p>The launch target for STS-126 has moved to November 12th due to the 2 day launch target slip of STS-125.</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[emerrill]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;STS-126 ,which is also the potential&nbsp;rescue mission STS-400: The Orbiter&nbsp;is scheduled&nbsp;to roll to the VAB to be added to the SRB/ET stack one day early on Thursday Sept. 11th.The launch target for STS-126 has moved to November 12th due to the 2 day launch target slip of STS-125.&nbsp; <br /> Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV></p><p>What is the limiting factor between launches? Is it pad avalibiity, and the time it takes to stage the stack once it is at the pad, or is there something more programatic? </p><p>I also posted in the STS-125 thread:</p><p>I was also wondering how many contingency days are in the STS-126 flow, mainly as it relates to being in a state to allow the launch of STS-125? </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>What is the limiting factor between launches? Is it pad avalibiity, and the time it takes to stage the stack once it is at the pad, or is there something more programatic? I also posted in the STS-125 thread:I was also wondering how many contingency days are in the STS-126 flow, mainly as it relates to being in a state to allow the launch of STS-125? <br />Posted by emerrill</DIV></p><p>Between STS-125 and STS-126 the Hypergolic propellant load for STS-400 must be removed so that the STS-125 load can be serviced. Other unique STS-400 items must be deconfigured. Once the STS-125 Orbiter no longer needs a rescue stack ready to launch then the STS-126 vehicle will then be moved to Pad A for normal launch processing. The are ZERO contingency days in the schedule ffor STS-126 after STS-125 launches.</p><p>The hypergolic prop load for STS-400 is different than STS-126&nbsp;due to the mission requirements. The prop tank loads can not simply be adjusted, the tanks must be drained and refilled to ensure the proper load.</p><p>The Pad A nominal turn around after the STS-125 launch is 8 days. This is not a constraint for STS-126 because the STS-400 configuration at Pad B must be maintained &nbsp;until the final STS-125 Orbiter MMOD inspection shows the vehicle is ready for re-entry.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p>OV-105 is pulling out of OPF Bay 2 on the way to the VAB. If all goes well with the stacking operation the roll to pad B is set for one week from today (Sept.18th)</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>OV-105 is pulling out of OPF Bay 2 on the way to the VAB. If all goes well with the stacking operation the roll to pad B is set for one week from today (Sept.18th) <br />Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV></p><p>The power up testing in the VAB is nearly complete. The roll out to Pad B is still set for late Wednesday night with the arrival before sun up.<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The power up testing in the VAB is nearly complete. The roll out to Pad B is still set for late Wednesday night with the arrival before sun up. <br />Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV><br /><br />Spaceflightnow is reporting this:</p><p><strong><font size="4" color="#000066">Shuttle Endeavour will head for pad 39B overnight<br /></font></strong>Technicians inside the Vehicle Assembly Building are wrapping up work on space shuttle Endeavour ahead of Thursday morning's rollout to launch pad 39B. The move will begin shortly after midnight.</p><p>Of course, we already knew it...thanx s_g.</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'>Spaceflightnow is reporting this:Shuttle Endeavour will head for pad 39B overnightTechnicians inside the Vehicle Assembly Building are wrapping up work on space shuttle Endeavour ahead of Thursday morning's rollout to launch pad 39B. The move will begin shortly after midnight.Of course, we already knew it...thanx s_g. <br />Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV></p><p>The roll to pad B was delayed atleast 24 hours due to lightening within 20 miles.<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

<p>Rollout of Endeavour to Launch Pad 39B began at 11:15pm Thursday night.</p><p>The photo opportunity of both shuttles on the pad with their towers back is currently schedule to fall into place, as Endeavour should go through its APU hotfire test Saturday morning at the same time STS-125's payload is being brought up into the RSS. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The roll to pad B was delayed atleast 24 hours due to lightening within 20 miles. <br />Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV></p><p>The vehicle is at pad B with power up planned for later today. Pad interface verification, APU hot fire and SSME final</p><p>checks will also be in work thisl weekend.&nbsp;</p><p><br /><br />&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bobble_bob]

<p>http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/271559main_endvpad.jpg</p><p>had to laugh at the "Go Endeavour" banner. Do we really want it to go from 39B. Id much rather then only time it goes is at pad 39A </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bobw]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/271559main_endvpad.jpg Posted by bobble_bob</DIV></p><p>I saw this today on the BBC website.&nbsp; I have to laugh... searched real good on all the big US media websites, the NASA one and Space.com too, no pictures of both on pads at the same time.&nbsp; Thanks to all our British friends for paying for me to see what's going on!&nbsp; There's a little AP in the lower right corner so it's not like CNN had to send a guy down there or anything.&nbsp; I guess nobody cares (or they don't want us to care , more likely IMHO);&nbsp; they had a picture of a dope smuggling sub on the home page.<br /><br />Reminds me of the Armegeddon movie... hope they don't dump the tanks with the solids like in the movie &nbsp; It is hard to believe those things are a mile apart.<br /><br />Click the BBC link for a bigger picture, the large view here has been plucked.<br />http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/sci_nat_enl_1221863729/html/1.stm</p>Hey Shuttle_Guy, how about making them roll both the service structures back for a while ? <p><br /> <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/9/3/39361149-fe7d-4392-a3dc-200b59a939e7.Medium.jpg" alt="" width="294" height="200" /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

<p>The RSS' will be rolled back in the morning providing the grand photo op. As far as can be told, it has happened only twice before, in 1990 and 1994.</p><p>&nbsp;There are many photos on the KSC media site:</p><p>http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4</p><p>And I got a couple today (more tomorrow at the event):</p><p>&nbsp;http://www.launchphotography.com/STS-126_rollout.html </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[bobw]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The RSS' will be rolled back in the morning <br /> Posted by bpcooper</DIV></p><p>Well D'oh!&nbsp; I read your post up to where you said it was going to work out, looked up at the header for the date, saw it was yesterday and assumed it didn't work out.&nbsp; Never finished reading the post.</p><p>Sorry.&nbsp; Thanks for the links.&nbsp; I just hit the shuttle mission page at NASA.&nbsp; I like your website but don't have it bookmarked yet.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The RSS' will be rolled back in the morning providing the grand photo op. As far as can be told, it has happened only twice before, in 1990 and 1994.&nbsp;There are many photos on the KSC media site:http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4And I got a couple today (more tomorrow at the event):&nbsp;http://www.launchphotography.com/STS-126_rollout.html <br />Posted by bpcooper</DIV></p><p>Note the new structures going up on the nearest pad (Pad B) Those are the lower setions of the&nbsp;new 600 ft lightening masts for the Ares program.&nbsp;<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

<p>It was a beautiful sight. Some photos from this morning:</p><p>http://www.launchphotography.com/STS-126_rollout.html </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It was a beautiful sight. Some photos from this morning:http://www.launchphotography.com/STS-126_rollout.html <br />Posted by bpcooper</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Very nice, thanks<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p>The vehicle processing is progressing normally. The pad interface testing and SSME Flight Readiness Test (FRT) has been completed. The final SSME launch preps are inwork.</p><p>This coming week the attititude control and orbital manauvering hypergolic servicing will be performed then the spacesuits will be serviced and stowed onboard. At that point the vehicle will stop processing and wait until the&nbsp;STS-125 mission is ready to return to Earth.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It was a beautiful sight. Some photos from this morning:http://www.launchphotography.com/STS-126_rollout.html <br /> Posted by bpcooper</DIV></p><p>Yes definately a beautiful sight. Great photography! </p> <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>

 

[SM4_Engineer]

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/271560main_08pd2730.jpg <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/271560main_08pd2730.jpg <br />Posted by SM4_Engineer</DIV></p><div><font face="Arial" size="2">A beautiful picture !</font></div><div></div><div><font face="Arial" size="2">The last time we will have 2 Space Shuttles on the launch pads. Sandra and I are in this picture...sort of. I had taken her to&nbsp; Playalinda beach to see this view. We are in the little rain shower looking at the rainbow and the helicopter </font><font face="Arial" size="2">taking this picture !</font>&nbsp;</div><p><br /><br />&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p>Hypergolic prop loading was scheduled to run all of this coming weekend. The schedule now shows that we will power the vehicle down Friday and start the hypergolic loading Monday. We have not loaded hypers at pad B in nearly 2 years so I expect we will see more than the&nbsp;usual problems in the GSE&nbsp;(Ground Support Equipment) I expect&nbsp;BFRCs:&nbsp;Big uh...&nbsp; Freaking Red (deadly) Clouds that forms when we have a Nitrogen Tetraoxide (hypergolic oxidizer)&nbsp;leak and Fuel leaks which are also very hazardious since the fuel will self ignite&nbsp;easily and it is also deadly to humans). All in all&nbsp;a fun time for all.</p><p>This schedule slip indicates that the STS-125 launch attempt will slip a few days since the urgency to have this vehicle serviced with hypergolic prop. to support a possible STS-125 rescue mission is now not so urgent. The rumor is the STS-125 launch will move to Sunday Oct. 12th.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

Launch officially Nov. 16 at 7:07pm now. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p>also STS=125 practice countdown pictures:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><font size="2"><p>Link for more pictures of Small/Medium/Large resolutions:</p><p><u><font size="2" color="#0000ff">http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4</font></u></p></font><font size="2"><p>Once this link opens, if you type in "Two Shuttles" in the refined search area, you'll see all the photos with the two Shuttles at the pad. </p></font> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

<p>OT to Ben Cooper..</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Nice final page of this month's Astronomy.</p><p>Fantastic Eclipse image, show's the moon shadow real well. </p><p>Thanx.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>BTW, also OT, did you ever get to Yankee Stadium this year???</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]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>OT to Ben Cooper..&nbsp;Nice final page of this month's Astronomy.Fantastic Eclipse image, show's the moon shadow real well. Thanx.&nbsp;BTW, also OT, did you ever get to Yankee Stadium this year??? <br /> Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV></p><p>Thanks! And yes, I did, check my site. I tried to send a messae to you privately but it doesn't seem to work on here. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>