STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion ( NET Mid Dec)

[MeteorWayne]

STS-133
Launch Target: Sept. 16, 2010
at 11:57 a.m. EDT
Shuttle: Discovery
Duration: 8 days
Crew:
Commander Steven Lindsey
Pilot Eric Boe
Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Michael Barratt, Tim Kopra and Nicole Stott

Primary Payload:
36th station flight (ULF5), EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4), Permanent Multi-Purpose Module (PMM)


Mission: Deliver Express Logistics Carrier 4 and
critical spare components to the International Space Station. Attach the Permanent Multi-Purpose Module, or PMM, to the station. The PMM is the modified Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module that will become a permanent part of the station.
Info: This will be the 36th shuttle mission to the station and the 134th and final shuttle flight.

 

[Zipi]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion

STS-133 Mission Pages: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shutt ... ns/sts133/

STS-133 Primary Payload: Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM)

PMM wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressurize ... ose_Module
Thales Alenia PMM Page: http://www.thalesaleniaspace-issmodules.com/pmm

(Note incorrect module configuration at Russian segment. MLM has swapped ports with MRM1 and MRM1 is drawn as FGB type module. MRM2 module is missing.)

PMM is converted from MPLM Leonardo module by adding extra micrometeoroid shielding. Probably some thermal control and lightning additions are also made. Some unnecessary parts and piping will be removed.

MPLM Leonardo:

Wikipedia MPLM Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-Purp ... ics_Module
Thales Alenia MPLM Page: http://www.thalesaleniaspace-issmodules.com/mplm
NASA's press release of MPLM to PMM conversion: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/fe ... 4_PMM.html

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion

Cool logo

From Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Office at Marshal Space Flight Centre

The modules are named for significant engineers in Italian history, Rafaello, Leonardo and Donatello. This is the logo for the 3 Italian named modules developed by MPLM team members. The logo, copyrighted by Mirage Studios, depicts a ninja turtle in an astronaut flight suit.

 

[Zipi]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Sept 16)

Robonaut-2 video: (he will travel to ISS with STS-133)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP2sjay4YlE[/youtube]

 

[shuttle_guy]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Sept 16)

STS-133 will probably not launch until October due to payload delays.

 

[Gravity_Ray]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Sept 16)

I’m a bit confused.

If the reason why Node 3 with the copula was attached to the port side of Node 1 was due to clearance issues with Russian docking at MRM1 then why is it that the PMM is docked to the nadir port of Node 1?

It seems that they lost a bit of visibility from the copula by attaching Node 3 to the port side of Node 1. Now they are going to put PMM there! What gives?

Would it not have been better to put Node 3 with the copula on the nadir port of Node 1 for better robotics visibility and put the PMM on the port side of Node 1 since it’s just a closet anyway?

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Sept 16)

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com : STS-133: Three Flight Days and two EVAs added to Discovery’s mission

June 11th, 2010

by Chris Gebhardt

As NASA managers continue to work through evaluations on the remaining three Space Shuttle missions – STS-133/ULF-5, STS-134/ULF-6, and STS-335 (Launch On Need for STS-134) – a reconfiguration of the launch manifest has begun via the June 10th PRCB (Program Requirements Control Board) decision to official increase the mission duration and content of the final planned flight of veteran orbiter Discovery.

 

[Zipi]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Sept 16)

Discovery gets her 3 main engines at last time:
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts13 ... index.html
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts13 ... ndex2.html

Plenty of nice images by Stephen Clark:

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Sept 16)

Discovery gets her 3 main engines at last time:
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts13 ... index.html
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts13 ... ndex2.html

Plenty of nice images by Stephen Clark:

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts13 ... nes/04.jpg

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts13 ... es/16a.jpg

Very nice images

and plenty more

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/100616engines/index2.html

 

[MeteorWayne]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Sept 16)

Those SSME's are mean machines we will miss

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Sept 16)

Those SSME's are mean machines we will miss

Shuttles are work of art, mark of time, pyramids of the space age, engineering marvel, and an example of ingenuity against the odds of political reality, and then some more, at least for me.
I will stop here, before i get too emotional, it doesn't help :|

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/100616engines/index2.html

Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Sept 16)

spaceflightnow.com : NASA begins review of shuttle launch date changes

BY WILLIAM HARWOOD
STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION
Posted: June 22, 2010

NASA managers Tuesday asked shuttle engineers to assess retargeting the final two space shuttle missions, moving launch of a mid-September flight with Discovery to Oct. 29 and a late November flight by Endeavour to Feb. 28. The changes would give engineers more time to optimize payloads bound for the International Space Station and avoid launch conflicts with other flights to the lab complex.

Discovery's crew. Credit: NASA

The status of a proposed final fight of the shuttle Atlantis next June to deliver a final load of supplies and equipment remains unresolved. Bill Gerstenmaier, director of space operations at NASA headquarters, said earlier this year he hoped to have a decision by the end of this month, but officials said Tuesday the discussion had been deferred to the August timeframe.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Sept 16)

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com : Discovery’s SSMEs to be removed on Thursday due to LPOTP issue

June 23rd, 2010 by Chris Bergin

Engineers are preparing to remove Discovery’s three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) on Thursday, after SSME 1’s Low Pressure Oxidizer Turbo Pump (LPOTP) failed toque checks. No schedule impact will be suffered as a result of back-stepping in the flow, due to the six week slip to STS-133’s launch date caused by payload requirements.

STS-134 – with Endeavour – is due to follow on February 24, with the notional STS-135 placed on a provisional June 24 launch date – although manifest evaluations are taking place, both at a program and political level, with the latter considering a position of negotiating STS-135 to launch “up to the end” of FY2011, whilst evaluating the costs of adding STS-136 in 2012.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target date Oct 29)

NASA Updates Shuttle Target Launch Dates For Final Two Flights WASHINGTON -- NASA is targeting approximately 4:33 p.m. EDT on Nov. 1 for the launch of space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission and 4:19 p.m. EST on Feb. 26, 2011, for the liftoff of shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 flight from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The target dates were adjusted because critical payload hardware for STS-133 will not be ready in time to support the previously planned Sept. 16 launch. With STS-133 moving to November, STS-134 cannot fly as planned, so the next available launch window is in February 2011.

NASA will schedule the official launch date for each mission following the agency's Flight Readiness Reviews, which typically occur about two weeks prior to launches. All target launch dates are subject to change.

For more information about the shuttle missions and their crews, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle


The shuttle launch manifest is available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/stati ... ifest.html

 

[Zipi]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

Future Robonaut doing EVA work:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F-wDXsLFqU[/youtube]
STS-133 Robonaut won't be able to do this

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

More about Robonaut and Project-M in this thread : RoboNaut2: NASA+GM

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com : STS-133: Discovery’s replaced SSME heading into key torque checks

July 7th, 2010

by Chris Bergin

With Discovery’s three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) now reinstalled on the orbiter, engineers should know by Friday if they have solved the torquing issue with ME-1. The engine – along with ME-2 and ME-3 due to access issues – was removed to allow for the replacement of the Low Pressure Oxidizer Turbo Pump (LPOTP) at the center of the issue.

 

[shuttle_guy]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

The selection of the crew is expected next week. We still believe they will go with a 4 man crew.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com : NASA Prepares for Robonaut Launch to ISS on STS-133/Discovery

July 12th, 2010

by Chris Gebhardt

The face (or rather the body) of the shape of things to come in terms of human/robotic exploration of the solar system has arrived. As NASA gears up for the penultimate flight of the Space Shuttle this coming November, a special payload is nearing completion – a payload that is hoped will help revolution human-robotic interaction and exploration of sol system bodies.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

http://www.universetoday.com : Robonaut Getting Ready for ISS Mission (Video)

July 13th, 2010

Written by Nancy Atkinson

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfhS_st5ams[/youtube]

NASA's Robonaut 2 will be the first human-like robot to go to space, and teams from Johnson Space Center have been putting "R2" through a battery of tests to make sure this futuristic robot is ready for its first mission. R2 will become a permanent resident of the International Space Station, and will launch on space shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-133 mission, currently planned for November 1, 2010.

The 136 kg (300-pound) R2 consists of a head and a torso with two arms and two hands. R2 Once aboard the station, engineers will monitor how the robot operates in weightlessness. R2 is undergoing extensive testing in preparation for its flight, including vibration, vacuum and radiation testing. Watch the video for more information on how R2 operates.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

spaceflightnow.com : Maneuvering engine attached to Discovery

BY STEPHEN CLARK

Posted: July 16, 2010

Workers installed the shuttle Discovery's right-side Orbital Maneuvering System pod Thursday at the Kennedy Space Center after replacing a faulty valve.

The 22-foot-long OMS pod was removed from the shuttle June 4 and taken to the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility, where technicians removed a troublesome helium isolation valve.

The component failed during preparations for Discovery's most recent flight, but NASA approved the shuttle's launch in April after analysis showed the valve issue was not serious.

The suspect valve was inside Discovery's Reaction Control System, a network of small maneuvering jets that keep the shuttle in the correct orientation in space. Each of Discovery's two OMS pods include a large orbit-changing engine, 12 primary maneuvering thrusters and two vernier jets.

NASA decided to remove and replace the valve before Discovery's next launch scheduled for Nov. 1, but that required engineers to remove the OMS pod from the shuttle.

Discovery's Nov. 1 launch will begin its final scheduled mission. Commander Steve Lindsey will lead a six-person crew on an 11-day flight to the International Space Station with a storage module, supplies and a spare parts platform.

Photo credit: NASA/Ben Sme-gelsky (forum text processing problem : doesn't allow Smegelsky)

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJvzZF2Q1lo[/youtube]

NASAtelevision | July 30, 2010
NASA's Robonaut 2, known as R2, on Monday inaugurated its Twitter account, @AstroRobonaut.

With the help of its supporting team the robot will document its preparations for launch and, eventually, its stay at the International Space Station. R2 s scheduled to travel to the station aboard Discovery as part of the STS-133 mission, targeted to launch in November. For the past several months R2 has been undergoing tests and upgrades at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. In August it will be shipped to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for final testing and packing.

 

[Swampcat]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

I had it confirmed today that I will attending this launch as a guest of a NASA employee and will be viewing the launch from the VIP bleachers. This will be my first ever trip to KSC and I'm very excited about this opportunity.

S_G, if you're still out there, where is the post-launch party? :lol:

 

[shuttle_guy]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

I had it confirmed today that I will attending this launch as a guest of a NASA employee and will be viewing the launch from the VIP bleachers. This will be my first ever trip to KSC and I'm very excited about this opportunity.

S_G, if you're still out there, where is the post-launch party? :lol:

Congratulations !!!!!!!!! The party....well we are not allowed to have official post launch parties now per the Launch Director. This was a result of the loss of Columbia.....I disagreed with this decison but...

We can do a party at my house.
e-mail me at dave996@yahoo.com for directions.

 

[shuttle_guy]

Re: STS-133 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Nov 1, 4:33 PM EDT)

The beta angle cut out for early November cuts off any Shuttle launch opportunities at Nov. 8th however ISS ops (traffic and a planned EVA) right now reduce the launch window to only Nov. 1st and 2nd. Since we roll to the pad (Sept. 21st) during the peak of hurricane season means the launch has a high probability to slip out of the available launch period.