STS-128

crazybowler · August 29, 2009, 05:51:32 PM

I didn't notice much as i watched the launch half on tv and half on my deck outside my house. Night Launches are truly amazing and love to see more of them soon.

Cygnus · August 31, 2009, 02:28:37 PM

I still get goosebumps at main engine start and launch. I've only missed a few launches since the program began. I can remember the Enterprise flight tests and thinking how in the world can a 747 fly with that thing on top!?!

I know the Shuttle has to retire at some point but I do hope we squeeze another year or two out of them. They're still some of the most beautiful flying machines ever built. The Constellation system just isn't as sexy.

spaceboy7441 · August 31, 2009, 11:02:59 PM

The MPLM is attached to Harmony!
TPS looks VERY good so far!
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/08/sts-128-dat-rpm-imagery-to-full-fi-clearance/

JLM · August 31, 2009, 11:22:12 PM

Right now, they are scanning the payload bay with the payload bay cameras into the almost empty payload bay of the shuttle. with "Leonardo" M.P.L.M. on the ISS, and the Canadarm1 (Shuttle RMS) grappled onto and holding away from payload bay the OBSS arm, with nothing left but the LMC and the ATA in the payload bay.

Nephi · September 01, 2009, 05:55:03 PM

A small picture for those who didn't get the chance of seeing it live :

Nephi · September 01, 2009, 05:56:15 PM

And a homemade panorama of the module before it was grappled (thanks to FCS Yoann) :

spaceboy7441 · September 06, 2009, 03:44:26 AM

EVA-3 the last for the mission has ended at PET 7:01:00.

Admin · September 06, 2009, 12:37:30 PM

Quote from: Nephi on September 01, 2009, 05:56:15 PM
And a homemade panorama of the module before it was grappled (thanks to FCS Yoann) :
<SNIP>

COOL!

/Admin

Nephi · September 06, 2009, 01:51:05 PM

If you like homemade panoramas, here are two more, after the module has been taken from the payload bay :

Nephi · September 06, 2009, 01:52:58 PM

and

Admin · September 10, 2009, 02:23:44 PM

Landing coverage starting today at 3:30PM EDT, about 3:30 hours before touchdown.

Here are the times around the world:

http://tinyurl.com/mz85zg

SAFE LANDING DISCOVERY!

/Admin

JLM · September 10, 2009, 07:29:29 PM

They have just been been given the go for Payload Bay Door closing. Weather continues to be dynamic around the cape, mostly a low pressure system around Lake Okeechobee and Tampa Bay. Landing is still set for a runway 15 landing at 7:05 p.m. EDT.

Admin · September 10, 2009, 09:24:34 PM

As expected, "no go" for today's landing.

/Admin

Nephi · September 10, 2009, 09:31:07 PM

Quote from: Admin on September 10, 2009, 09:24:34 PM
As expected, "no go" for today's landing.

/Admin

Correction : just the first opportunity waved off.
They're making a "1-orbit delay" : from page 3-11 go directly to section 6 and NO SINGLE APU START for the moment.

Steven · September 10, 2009, 11:35:18 PM

And that's a wrap for today. They'll get another 24 hours on-orbit, and we can try again tomorrow.

Procedures to start backing out of the deorbit timeline have begun.

Richard Jones wasn't kidding when he said he'd take it down to the wire, only 8 minutes before the scheduled deorbit burn!