STS-129/ULF-3 Mission Thread

[MeteorWayne]

As we have done in the past, we will open a new topic once the shuttle launches (about MECO) and then close the pre launch topic. This thread will remain locked until then.

For the STS-129 Utilization and Logistics
Flight - 3 (ULF-3) mission, Atlantis will carry in
its cargo bay two ExPRESS Logistics Carriers
(ELC's), a new Materials on International Space
Station Experiment (MISSE) carrier and an
S-Band Antenna Sub-Assembly (SASA)
package, plus additional equipment, supplies
and scientific experiments that will be used by
the continuing crew of six aboard the station.
While docked to the station, Atlantis’ crew will
conduct three spacewalks to transfer the spare
parts from the shuttle’s payload bay to the
station’s external structures and continue
assembly activities.

 

[newsartist]

Rolling heads up, all GREEN.

Press to MECO, Single engine Zaragosa

 

[Space_Invaders]

Way to go for Atlantis. Let's see if this time the SRBs aren't damaged

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

Flawless launch. Didn't even see much flaking from the ET.
Back to bed for me, have a great trip STS-129

 

[newsartist]

APU shutdown, setting up fo ron-orbit operations.

 

[tgeairn]

Anyone else looking at a possible bird strike @ ~T+10 seconds. Best view is from the UCS-23 (TV-23) tracking camera.

I'm not finding it in other views, so I'm thinking it's not in the same plane as the vehicle.

Thoughts?

 

[Zipi]

Here is Youtube video from the launch:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdO2Ut5sdXc[/youtube]

 

[Zipi]

Here is the official NASA Youtube HD video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0ltvXVJ5u4[/youtube]

ET Camera:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThtYeVr4SRk[/youtube]

Replays 1:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g2NpyQKoBg[/youtube]

Replays 2:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6WgHlX3Y60[/youtube]

 

[Jeff_In_Space]

Awesome videos thanks for posting

 

[3488]

Awesome videos thanks for posting

Yes I agree totally, thanks for posting.

Superb launch very well done NASA, go STS 129 Atlantis.

Andrew Brown.

 

[Zipi]

Sounds nice after 1min to 1min 30sec:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q41Xwe_hzCs[/youtube]

 

[Zipi]

And some nice onsite emotions & the sound of the shuttle:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJxUVb5GcLs[/youtube]

 

[Zipi]

Sorry guys, but I just must keep posting these... At least now when you are encouraging me.

But talking about the sound of the shuttle, you must hear this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHTKofwc42Q[/youtube]

 

[freya]

Zipi, that is an excellent launch video - one of the best. I have heard good audio tracks of various shuttle launches on the 'Sonicbooms' CD's, but have yet to set up my sound system to fully exploit them. Your video seemed to capture the dynamic range pretty well - plus the delay between action and sound is not something immeadiately 'visible' on a CD. I give this an 'AWESOME' too.

 

[Zipi]

Forward view of the launch: (cockpit window camera)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuEJIQfdhg0[/youtube]

Part 2:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKJBweO-7AQ[/youtube]

 

[Zipi]

ET footage: (as seen from Atlantis after ET separation)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnpXhxzONnM[/youtube]

 

[Zipi]

Flight day 1 gallery: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shutt ... llery.html

 

[Eman_3]

All the planets were in alignment for me on Monday. I have a HD system, with a decent flat screen LCD and a worthy sound system to compliment the HD service. A station was feeding the launch in HD, and I have to tell you guys, it was freaking awesome. By pure chance I was slated off work Monday, so it made it all the sweeter.

There's an Imax film translated to HD DVD named "Hail Columbia!" and I recomment it to everyone. I have to be very selective when I play that DVD, especially the launch. But to really appreciate the incredible sound at launch, it has to be played LOUD. hehe.

For the caual observer, the launch appeared to go flawlessly. Right on time, up, up, and away.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Atlantis now 30 feet out from docking, Live on NASA TV now.

 

[Zipi]

RPM: (the backflip of the shuttle)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5067MyF1tU[/youtube]

Docking:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD3K_0KJKBk[/youtube]

 

[Zipi]

Hatch opening:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f26Pjn9qeUQ[/youtube]

 

[bobble_bob]

All this talk of the Urine Processing Assembly in the conferences got me thinking. Assuming costs will come down, could they ever be used on Earth? Obviously there is a certain stigma attached to them, but could they be put in homes to help reduce water bills?

 

[Zipi]

Here is the aerial footage of the launch: (includes SRB splashdown to the ocean)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSicsrxA8Pw[/youtube]

 

[bushuser]

I think we can distill urine on earth more simply and cheaply than with a device which was designed for zero-gravity. Solar distillation would work, with few moving parts.

I won't be installing one at my home until the price of water goes WAY up.

 

[CalliArcale]

Agreed; well water is just too abundant, for the most part. (Special forces soldiers operating in desert environments are actually trained in methods for cheaply purifying their urine, using solar stills, but that is clearly an extreme situation.) But it's sure nice to have that in space!

That said . . . there are people already drinking recycled sewer water. They may not be aware of it, because it comes out of the tap. There was a large city that recently added a water reclamation plant to their sewage treatment facility; they have been putting it into the public water supply. I think it may have been Sacramento, but I'm not sure.

Zipi -- thanks HUGELY for those video links!