STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 27,2011)

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

http://www.youtube.com/user/NASAtelevision
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HEHIAaeFPs[/youtube]

The last external fuel tank scheduled to fly on a space shuttle mission was rolled away July 8 from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans in preparation for its 900-mile sea journey to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tank, designated ET-138, was completed by Lockheed Martin workers on June 28. NASA and Lockheed Martin held a ceremony to pay tribute to the Michoud employees who built and delivered 134 ETs to the Space Shuttle Program over a span of 37 years. Once at Kennedy, the tank will be used to send shuttle Endeavour into space on its STS-134 mission targeted for November first.

http://www.youtube.com/user/collectspace
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TMgxs7iRXo[/youtube]

Presented by http://collectSPACE.com -- The Source for Space History and Artifacts.

For 37 years, the space shuttle's External Tank has fueled our nation to innovation and scientific discovery once unimaginable. On Thursday, July 8, NASA and Lockheed Martin celebrated the dedicated External Tank workforce as the last External Tank scheduled to fly on a space shuttle mission rolls out of the assembly building at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.

Following remarks from NASA and Lockheed Martin leadership, as well as State officials, the final External Tank, designated ET-138, got a proper send off. As it rolled on a wheeled transporter one mile to the Michoud barge dock, the tank was accompanied by the Storyville Stompers, a traditional area brass band, and hundreds of handkerchief-waving employees in typical New Orleans fashion and spirit.

ET-138 was completed on June 25 by Lockheed Martin workers in Michoud. The tank will travel on a 900-mile sea journey to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where it will support shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 launch.

Read more:
http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-070810a.html
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/et138/index.html

Video credit: Lockheed Martin

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

http://www.spaceflightnow.com : Fuel tank for final space shuttle delivered (Photo report)

BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: July 14, 2010

The external fuel tank for the final scheduled space shuttle launch has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center after a five-day, 900-mile barge ride from Louisiana to the Cape.

Built by Lockheed Martin at the Michoud factory in New Orleans, External Tank 138 reached the unloading dock near the Complex 39 press site Tuesday.

The bullet-shaped tank, shipped within the nestling cradle of a transport trailer, was towed off the covered barge and onto Florida soil Wednesday at 9:20 a.m. EDT.

A short trip ensued to drive the tank across the street to the massive Vehicle Assembly Building where the tank will be hoisted into a checkout cell for inspections and final processing.

Credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

Credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now

Credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now

Credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now

Credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

Credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

http://www.universetoday.com : External Tank for Final Scheduled Shuttle Mission Arrives at KSC (Gallery)

July 14th, 2010

Written by Nancy Atkinson


Arrival of ET-138 at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

Universe Today photographer Alan Walters was on hand at Kennedy Space Center today to see the arrival of ET-138, the external tank for the final scheduled space shuttle mission, STS-134. Enjoy this gallery of images, (because it is something that might only happen one more time…). There was also a surprise drive-by of some segments of used shuttle solid rocket boosters.

Used SRB sections drive past while ET-138 is being unloaded at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

ET-138 arrives at the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com) for Universe Today

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzZfAXz4kgE[/youtube]

 

[shuttle_guy]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

The crew came by the OPF today. They appeared in great spirits as usual.

The Shuttle Orbiter processing is going well with no major issues.

 

[3488]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

Hopefully I will be over for the launch of STS 134 Endeavour.

Great to see that preparations are going well & that the payload Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer has arrived safely today on a USAF C5 Cargo plane from Geneva, Switzerland.

Now that the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer has arrived safely, need to start thinking about coming over.

Andrew Brown.

 

[trailrider]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

Hopefully I will be over for the launch of STS 134 Endeavour.

Great to see that preparations are going well & that the payload Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer has arrived safely today on a USAF C5 Cargo plane from Geneva, Switzerland.

Now that the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer has arrived safely, need to start thinking about coming over.

Andrew Brown.

Yup! The AMS was too big to fit into a 747 Cargo plane, so USAF provided a C-5M (an updated C-5) to carry it. Now, if we can just get Congress to start funding for human spaceflight beyond LEO...

Ad LEO! Ad LUNA! Ad Ares! Ad Astra!

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

http://www.esa.int : Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer arrives at launch site

26 August 2010


AMS-02 loaded onto the US Air Force aircraft

One of the most complex space scientific instruments ever built, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, escorted by astronauts who will fly with it on the Space Shuttle in February 2011.

The antimatter hunter AMS-02 began the first stage of its voyage to the International Space Station (ISS) from Geneva international airport, in Switzerland. During a ceremony organised by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), the experiment was loaded onto the US Air Force Galaxy transport aircraft that carried it to Cape Canaveral.

http://www.cbsnews.com : $2 billion space station particle detector delivered to Kennedy Space Center

08/26/2010 09:01 PM

A $2 billion 7.5-ton physics experiment bound for the International Space Station aboard the last planned shuttle flight in February arrived at the Kennedy Space Center Thursday after a busy summer of work to replace the magnet at the heart of the costly particle detector.

With Nobel laureate Samuel Ting, the lead scientist of the AMS project looking on with shuttle commander Mark Kelly and his crew, an Air Force C-5 transport jet taxied to a stop at the Shuttle Landing Facility after a flight from Geneva where the payload was assembled and tested.

Shuttle commander Mark Kelly, left, and Samuel Ting watch the arrival of a
C-5 cargo plane carrying the $2 billion Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.
(Photo: William Harwood)

Wiki : Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, also designated AMS-02, is a particle physics experiment module that is to be mounted on the International Space Station. It is designed to search for various types of unusual matter by measuring cosmic rays. Its experiments will help researchers study the formation of the Universe and search for evidence of dark matter and antimatter.
The principal investigator is Nobel laureate particle physicist Samuel Ting. After final testing at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) facility in the Netherlands,[2] delivery to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida took place on August 26, 2010. Launch is targeted for February 2011 on Space Shuttle Endeavour flight STS-134,[3][4] the last flight in the Space Shuttle program.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxERIDL8Cw0[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg_y3ZkhMuY[/youtube]

 

[3488]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

AMS arriving in Space Station Processing Facility.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TNJAygH3QU[/youtube]

Andrew Brown.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

SDC : Astronaut Double Take: Identical Twins Headed for Space Station

By Clara Moskowitz
SPACE.com Senior Writer
posted: 14 September 2010
12:08 pm ET

In a cosmic twist of fate, two identical twins will follow each other into orbit next year during NASA's final planned shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

Scott Kelly and Mark Kelly of West Orange, N.J., are a pair of veteran NASA astronauts and captains in the U.S. Navy.

In October, Scott will launch aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to begin a six-month tour of duty on the International Space Station. While he's there, his brother plans to visit aboard the last officially scheduled space shuttle mission, the STS-134 flight of Endeavour in February 2011. That mission is currently planned to be NASA's final shuttle mission before the orbiter fleet is retired.

Interview, part 1/6 :
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsn0rAMpFlI[/youtube]

ReelNASA | September 08, 2010

Astronauts and brothers Scott and Mark Kelly are interviewed before their missions. Scott Kelly (left) will be Expedition 26 Commander and Mark will be the STS-134 Commander. The two brothers may meet in space when space shuttle Endeavour docks to the International Space Station in early 2011.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5nJKp5Ar38[/youtube]

NASAKennedy | September 17, 2010

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

http://www.nasa.gov : NASA To Ship Fuel Tank For The Last Planned Shuttle Flight

Sep. 20, 2010

NEW ORLEANS -- The external fuel tank that will power the last planned space shuttle into orbit will be shipped Tuesday to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tank has been restored to flight configuration at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans after sustaining damage during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The tank, designated ET-122, will support shuttle Endeavour's flight targeted for launch in February.

At Michoud, ET-122 was rolled out to an enclosed barge, which will carry the tank 900 miles to Kennedy Space Center during a five to six-day sea journey. ET-122 is expected to arrive at Kennedy Sunday, Sept. 26.

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http://www.flickr.com : ET-122 Rolls Out at Michoud :

ET-122 Rolls Out at Michoud Assembly Facility (09/20/10) by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, on Flickr

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ET-122 Rolls Out at Michoud Assembly Facility (09/20/10) by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, on Flickr

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ET-122 Rolls Out at Michoud Assembly Facility (09/20/10) by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, on Flickr

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[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAp6l_lwp5g[/youtube]

NASAtelevision | September 27, 2010

The external fuel tank that will power the last planned space shuttle flight into orbit now is at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for launch preparations. The external tank, designated ET-122, was restored to flight configuration at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans after sustaining damage during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

ET-122 arrived at Kennedy Sept. 27 following a 900 mile, 6-day sea journey. It will taken off its transport barge, Pegasus, and moved into Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building on Sept. 28. The tank then will be lifted into a checkout cell where it and two solid rocket boosters eventually will be attached to space shuttle Endeavour for the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station, which is targeted for liftoff in February 2011. STS-134 currently is scheduled to be the last mission in the Space Shuttle Program.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

http://www.spaceflightnow.com : Sign of the times: Final shuttle tank arrives

BY JUSTIN RAY

Posted: September 28, 2010

The Kennedy Space Center took receipt of the last space shuttle external fuel tank today, as the massive propellant reservoir for Endeavour's February launch was offloaded from a sea-going barge.

Built by Lockheed Martin in New Orleans, the External Tank No. 122 was damaged when the factory's roof was blown off by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. But workers repaired the hardware and made it worthy for spaceflight again.

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"It's kind of a sentimental day. We're excited to have the tank here and offloaded. It's always such a quick process and gets everybody's adrenaline going. And, at the same, it's kinda of sad because it is the last tank," said Alicia Mendoza, tank and booster vehicle manager at KSC.

Original plans had set this tank aside for use by the shuttle program's STS-335 launch-on-need rescue flight, a mission that NASA never intended to fly. With renewed hope of adding one more International Space Station resupply run to the shuttle manifest, however, NASA officials recently opted to switch assignments and fly ET-122 on Endeavour's STS-134 mission.

Endeavour is scheduled for blastoff February 26 to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer particle physics experiment to the space station.

ET-138, once earmarked for Endeavour, arrived at KSC on July 14. Since that tank is the most pristine tank available in inventory, officials decided to keep it for the possible extra shuttle launch next summer. That absolutely-final mission which would have no rescue capability waiting on standby because there won't be any further tanks available.

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ET-122 will be hoisted into the checkout cell within the assembly building's High Bay 4 on Wednesday to undergo final pre-flight processing.

Stacking of the twin solid rocket boosters for the mission has been completed aboard the mobile launching platform in High Bay 1. The boosters will be rolled around to High Bay 3 on October 26 in advance of attaching the tank on November 18.

Endeavour is undergoing pre-flight activities at its hangar adjacent. Current plans call for the orbiter's delivery to the Vehicle Assembly Building on January 5 for attachment to the tank and boosters. The fully stacked shuttle vehicle then rolls to pad 39A on January 18.

Liftoff time on February 26 is targeted for 4:04 p.m. EST.

Spaceflight Now photos by Justin Ray

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[3488]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

Thanks EarthlingX.

A tank I hope to see for real as part of the STS 134 Endeavour stack :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

Andrew.

 

[Zipi]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

Seems to be a quite tanned tank already... Let's see what it'll look alike at launch day.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

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

NASAtelevision | September 30, 2010

The external fuel tank for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission was lifted into a "checkout cell" on Sept. 29 in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. ET-122 arrived at Kennedy on Sept. 27, and was taken off its transport barge and moved into the Vehicle Assembly Building on Sept. 28. The tank will be inspected for its flight in the cell for about 15 days and then moved onto a mobile launch platform where it will be attached to two solid rocket boosters and eventually Endeavour. The STS-134 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for liftoff in February 2011. The video includes time-lapse video of the initial lifting of the external tank.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: STS-134 Pre Launch Discussion (Target Feb 26,2011)

www.spaceflightnow.com : One-day delay of final shuttle launch makes room for ATV

BY STEPHEN CLARK

Posted: October 1, 2010

ROME -- After commercial interests pushed its launch into next year, Europe's next orbital cargo freighter will attempt to reach the International Space Station in a narrow docking window in February, pushing back the final planned space shuttle flight by one day, officials said this week.

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The shuttle Endeavour's mission is now scheduled to launch Feb. 27, one day later than previously announced. Endeavour will reach the complex March 1 and depart March 9.

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www.nasa.gov : Consolidated Launch Manifest
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Feb. 27, 2011
ULF6 Endeavour
STS-134

* EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 3 (ELC3)
* Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS)

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[EASA_Norway]

STS-134 View Tickets

Hi !

I am going to Orlando/Titusville to see the launch of Endevour STS-134. As I come all the way from Norway to experience this, my life long dream, I have some questions about how to maximize my experience:

1. I understand there is going to be a lottery for tickets to view the launch from NASA property(Visitor centre/Hall of fame/Causeway). How will this be conducted ? Can I enter all my relatives ? Is the "winner" demanded to be there in person(If I enter my brother, will he have to come, or can I use his ticket). I only have this one chance in my life to get to watch this marvel of human technology, so I want to increase my chances...
2. Where else is the best place ? I have been recommended the river in Titusville, but is there any way of getting closer ?
3. Any other tips to get the most of this once in a lifetime happening ?

Hope someone can help me with this.

 

[EarthlingX]

Perhaps this can help :

SDC thread : Space nut Visiting Florida - any advice?

Searching for 'viewing shuttle launch' also gives a couple of tips.

I'm not sure about that lottery, perhaps someone of locals ?

Welcome to SDC, btw


edit 2010.10.18 - added link to Google search results - quite fruitful

 

[EarthlingX]

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com : STS-134 mission to officially increase by two days and one EVA

October 17th, 2010 by Chris Bergin

Endeavour’s final mission will be officially extended next week, when mission managers approve a Change Request (CR) to add a fourth EVA and a subsequent increase of the mission duration by two days. Originally a 12+1 mission, Endeavour is being tasked with the delivery of the AMS-02 (Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-02) to the International Space Station (ISS) on February 26.

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[EarthlingX]

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com : STS-134′s additional EVA to pick up on deferred ISS Stage work

October 24th, 2010

by Chris Bergin

The changes to Endeavour’s final mission have been outlined at a Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) meeting, which approved the addition of two docked days and a fourth EVA for STS-134. The additional work will focus on the installation of the FGB Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF), which was deferred from ISS US EVA-15, due to the successful changeout of a failed Pump Module.

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(All photos and graphics via L2).

 

[EarthlingX]

http://www.spaceflightnow.com : Shuttle boosters swap rooms inside Vehicle Assembly Building

BY STEPHEN CLARK

Posted: October 27, 2010

The two solid rocket motors that will help boost the shuttle Endeavour to space in February took a rare solo trip outdoors Wednesday, moving from one bay of the massive Vehicle Assembly Building to another.

Stacked on top of a mobile launch platform and moving under the power of a tracked crawler-transporter, the 149-foot-tall boosters emerged from High Bay 1 on the southeast quadrant of the VAB around 11:30 a.m. EDT.

The boosters rolled a short distance out of the assembly building to an intersecting rock-covered crawlery, paused for a few minutes, then crept back toward the 52-story structure.

Bad weather scrubbed the short transfer Tuesday, but partly cloudy skies greeted the boosters Wednesday, casting intermittent shadows on the shining white rockets.

The diesel-powered crawler motored the boosters into High Bay 3 on the northeast side of the building. The stack retreated back into the VAB after 2 p.m. EDT.

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Credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now