Space Shuttle STS-121 - Mission ULF1.1 to the International Space Station

Berserker · 3 Jul 2006 at 18:38

Dirty minds.

Looks like they're going to go for it if they possibly can, but obviously, if they think the tank is going to be compromised as a result of the foam loss, they won't.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 02:31

In true 'Science Fair' spirit, NASA Engineers have dangled a camera off an 8 foot length of flexible pipe and gone to look at the damaged area.

Result: we are once again GO for launch. :cool:

This is what caused all the consternation:

And this is where it came from:

NASA TV coverage resumes 9AM today.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 10:17

HEADRAT said:
So there are bits of foam falling off while it sitting there do nothing, I would be extremely concerned if I was them!

They've had foam come off from those bracket areas before under similar circumstances. The 'foam' they use is more like polystyrene and has a tendency to chip off if any pressure is applied, which can happen if those brackets get wet (due to rain) while the tank is full and then the launch is scrubbed.

All pretty well understood and well documented. As they said in the press conference, this would have raised little or no concern pre-Colombia, but now they take every foam loss seriously.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 13:19

jmc777 said:
I take it they'd inform the astronauts about this?

Astronauts were represented at both MMT meetings discussing the foam loss yesterday and no concerns were voiced. I think they said there was a five-fold safety margin on this foam even after the piece came off (bearing in mind they know how much is supposed to be there and they have the piece that came off). The area has just been re-inspected with expected frost on the feed lines, but no ice.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 13:39

Backup circuit breaker has blown on the SRB heater system, but there's a contingency plan for this and it's fixable, so they're going to send someone out to replace the breaker. Launch unaffected (unless something unexpected happens).

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 14:06

Yup...

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 15:08

See the thread title.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 15:17

Inspection complete - no ice, no FOD. Even the SRB heater issue turned into a non-issue (it's the middle of summer in Florida

).

Weather all GO, except winds at landing facility which are borderline, but expected to be GO. Here's hoping the shuttle is GO.

Inspection team finishing up their work...

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 15:18

KSC Firing Room 4. Getting ready. This facility has recently been re-furbished. First time shuttles have been launched from here.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 16:07

There are two more holds, one at T-20 (20 mins), and one at T-9 (~45 mins).

Better not get stuck in that lift. :eek:

Phew.

Uh oh. Man with gun. :eek:

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 16:07

On their way.

Some bridge there. Hope you don't have vertigo. 195ft up. :eek:

And the other end.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 16:27

Commander getting ready.

Commander on his way on board.

To spend the next 3+ hours lying face up on this. Also, nice view of the flight deck.

And the mid deck.

Commander, now with helmet.

Again, as a reminder, all images credit NASA and/or NASA TV. I'm trying to be selective with pictures, but this is the most active point pre liftoff.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 16:38

What's going on here then? :eek:

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 17:07

Another nice view of the flight deck, looking back (i.e. down)

All aboard the flight deck.

And the mid deck. The green things are emergency chemical lights in case power fails.

It makes a refreshing change after the last few words not to hear the 'W' word much. I'm not going to jinx it by mentioning it here, either.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 17:19

Hmm. They're now having problems with one of the Commander's CRT monitors. Should've got a TFT. Honestly. :rolleyes:

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 17:28

Hmm. The countdown clock on NASA TV is running approximately 59 seconds behind the live data feed I'm getting from KSC. Conspiracy theories, anyone?

Oh, and the monitor's fixed. Too much brightness apparently.

NightSt@lk3r said:
Andelusion seems to be on a role the last 2 threads ive read he has had a post deleted in

He didn't break any forum rules, but he was trying to jinx the launch, so the post here had to go.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 17:40

HEADRAT said:
Do they still use CRT's or do you think they been brought up to date with TFT's, considering when most of them were built I would imagine they were orignally CRT's but must have been replaced as it would save a huge amount of weight.

Actually, you're correct. The NASA technicians were calling them CRTs, but they are actually TFT panels.

There's a nice view of a large part of the flight deck controls with all the panels working here (large image - 1.5MB). Looks mighty impressive.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 17:48

They're not going to be 'bleeding edge' in a space shuttle. Old tech = reliable, maintainable, etc. Use what works, not what looks pretty.

For those who were't aware, the hatch has been closed for some time now, although they're still doing final checks, leak checks, removing all the loose hardware from the 'white room', etc.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:22

Into the T-20 hold now (10 minutes).

As for the clocks, follow the 'countdown 101' link for an explanation.

Berserker · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:41

Here's an accurate launch clock - http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/cdt/cdt2_only.html

NASA TV is about a minute behind. I'd guess that's just down to broadcasting/streaming/buffering delays etc.