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On Orbit => Real NASA Space Shuttle Missions => Topic started by: marvx on September 13, 2009, 12:15:26 PM
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Hi all, as its just 2 months till next Space Shuttle launch, i'd take the opportunity to open a thread bout it. STS 129 will be done by Space Shuttle Atlantis. Here is a summary of
STS 129 mission summary:
STS-129 (ISS assembly flight ULF3) is the next planned space shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) which is expected to be flown by Space Shuttle Atlantis. The launch date for the mission is targeted for November 12, 2009
STS-129 will focus on staging spare components outside the station. The 11-day flight is scheduled to include at least three spacewalks. The payload bay will carry two large External Logistics Carriers holding two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly, a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm, a spare trailing umbilical system for the Mobile Transporter, and a high-pressure gas tank. The completion of this mission will leave five space shuttle flights remaining until the end of the program.
Crew will be:
Charles O. Hobaugh, Third spaceflight as CDR
Barry E. Wilmore, First spaceflight as PLT
Leland D. Melvin, Second spaceflightas MS1
Randolph Bresnik, First spaceflight as MS2, Flight Engineer
Michael Foreman, Second spaceflight as MS3
Robert Satcher, First spaceflight as MS4
On lauch there will be nor MS5, at landing Nicole Stott will be MS5, returning home.
This may eventually be the last time an ISS astronaut will be brought home from ISS, that didnt launch with it.
Payload:
The primary payload of STS-129 is scheduled to be the ExPRESS Logistics Carrier (ELC1) and the ELC2 holding two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly, a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm, a spare trailing umbilical system for the Mobile Transporter and a high-pressure gas tank.
EVAs scheduled:
EVA1, scheduled for November 15th, by Michael Foreman, Robert Satcher
EVA2, scheduled for November 17th, by Michael Foreman, Randolph Bresnik
EVA3, scheduled for November 19th, by Robert Satcher, Randolph Bresnik
Found on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS_129#Spacewalks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS_129#Spacewalks), adapted to the board.
Godspeed Atlantis!
/Marvx
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Space shuttle Atlantis is now established on LC-39A for a launch attempt in November 2009. ;D
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Good to see Atlantis heading back to the ISS.
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indeed
/Marvx
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News from today :
NASA is targeting Nov. 16 for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission from the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Senior managers met Monday and decided to adjust Atlantis' target launch date to optimize the agency's ability to launch both Ares I-X and Atlantis before the end of the year. The same launch team at Kennedy is supporting both the shuttle and the flight test of the Ares I-X rocket, which is targeted to lift off on Oct. 27.
Atlantis' new target launch date will give Ares I-X launch opportunities Oct. 27, 28 and 29. NASA has yet to schedule Atlantis' new target liftoff date on the Eastern Range.
The change to Atlantis' targeted launch will affect the launch countdown dress rehearsal for the shuttle's six astronauts. The astronauts arrived at Kennedy on Monday for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test and related training. The simulated countdown has been rescheduled to Nov. 3. The astronauts will practice emergency escape and other related training while they are at Kennedy this week and return there Nov. 2 to conclude their rehearsal work.
The agency's Flight Readiness Review meeting for STS-129 is set for Oct. 29. NASA will schedule an official launch date for Atlantis at that meeting
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Can't wait to see it tommorow 8 minutes after scholl ends (yes, that is South Lake High School edumucation.)
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Fueling successfully. No further issues as well. And from what I've read this morning, the chances for a launch today are 90% from the standpoint of weather constraints. So, if there won't be any technical issues today, the STS-129 launch is going to become another one for the books :)
And here we go again, the NASA TV high bitrate stream: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1368163
Have fun
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The Crew has arrived at the pad.
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1536866/389.jpg)
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The crew now has entered the Shuttle. The hatch is going to be closed soon.
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1536877/773.jpg)
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Hatch closure under way.
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1536898/976.jpg)
However, there seems to be an issue with a noise of the fuel cells, which they believe depends on the fact that they are on the same electrical bus as the cabin lightning which is also on at the same time right now. It's not sure if they're going to look at it in orbit or on the ground. So in the worst case we might see an abort I think.
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The issue with the fuel cells has been determined to be likely related to the configuration of the cabin lightning. Troubleshooting is not necessary before launch.
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Hi Moon (and others) why don't you come over to the Teamspeak channel?
/Armin
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Thanks for the invitation. I have visitors so it would be a little bit too much together with TS :)
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You could at least post a picture of the ladies ;)
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You could at least post a picture of the ladies ;)
I would be glad if it would be ladies ;) (I'm single since August 1996, no joke)
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Well, anyways, it was an absolutely beautiful launch today.. Mostly clear blue skies made it look better than normal.
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Yes, it was a storybook launch. Can't wait to see the docking wednesday.
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Yeah, I watched the un-eventful OBSS procedure today -- just to kill some time while at work...
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Yeah, I watched the un-eventful OBSS procedure today -- just to kill some time while at work...
You've killed a LOT of time ;D
/Admin
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We're currently about 1 hour and 15 minutes away from docking. For those who didn't come across it yet, here is the NASA TV high bitrate stream once again: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1368163
STS-129 CBS News flightplan: http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/129/129flightplan.html
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Backflip maneuver complete. Phantastic images on NASA TV:
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1537701/f97.jpg)
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1537702/3f3.jpg)
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1537703/670.jpg)
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1537704/af0.jpg)
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1537705/78a.jpg)
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Well, our updates here seem to be way faster than updates on the NASA web pages :)
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And another phantastic image of Charlie Hobaugh (rear left), Leland Melvin (front) and Randy Bresnik (right) on the Shuttle's flight deck payload station during approach:
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1537706/4c5.jpg)
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And together with my 300th post on this nice forum, we see a perfect docking of Atlantis to the International Space Station over Australia/Tasmania. Nicole Stott now officially becomes a member of STS-129.
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1537711/201.jpg)
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On backflip maneuver pictures, it seems that shuttle radiators are not deployed.
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On backflip maneuver pictures, it seems that shuttle radiators are not deployed.
Yes. As far as I know, the radiators are never deployed prior to docking and during the Shuttle is docked to the ISS.
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Well, our updates here seem to be way faster than updates on the NASA web pages :)
And thank you for that! :)
/Admin
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Is the radiator deployment still in the ISS (and Mir?) missions in SSM2007? If so it should maybe be removed? Good spot there ssjfb.
I believe (I will check though) that the rads work even if they are undeployed, but are way more efficient when deployed due to exposing both sides. Is that right?
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Is the radiator deployment still in the ISS (and Mir?) missions in SSM2007? If so it should maybe be removed? Good spot there ssjfb.
For now simply stow them ;)
I believe (I will check though) that the rads work even if they are undeployed, but are way more efficient when deployed due to exposing both sides. Is that right?
Yes they work. The two aft radiator panels on each side also do work although they are not deployable. They are permanently connected to the payload bay doors structure.
But the radiator panels were modified by Lockheed Martin at the end of the 1990's in preparation for the ISS servicing missions. The modification basically was an incrase in thickness by adding aluminum doublers and silver-Teflon tape to protect the radiators against a substantial increase in particle dust, which the Shuttles are exposed to during ISS servicing missions.
I'm not sure but I think the modification also resulted in an increased effectiveness so that they don't have to be deployed all the time or not at all anymore. To not deploy them also increases the protection against particle dust I think.
The radiators also were not deployed during the last Hubble servicing mission obviously, STS-125, which was the first non-ISS servicing mission since STS-107:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-125/hires/s125e010049.jpg
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-125/hires/s125e012372.jpg
Usually you could see the deployable radiators from the aft observation windows and CCTV cameras in earlier missions, once they were deployed.
The following is an image of STS-1. You can see a part of the aft port radiator panel on the lower right corner (also note the massive tile loss on the OMS pods by the way):
(http://z.about.com/d/space/1/0/X/j/STS001-12-332.jpg)
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EVA 1 is now underway.
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1538298/01e.jpg)
During their 6.5 hour EVA, Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher will install a spare S-band antenna structural assembly to the Z1 segment of the ISS truss. They will also work on cables and install a new handrail to the Unity node on the ISS.
Once again, we can follow live at best using the high bitrate stream of NASA TV: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1368163
More information regarding the EVA's, starting on page 55: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/398418main_sts129_press_kit.pdf
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After 6 hours and 37 minutes, the spacewalk has been completed successfully.
It was the 228th U.S. EVA by the way, and the 134th in support of International Space Station assembly and maintenance.
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Foreman and Bresnik are performing their seond EVA right now. The EVA will be 30 minutes shorter than initially planned, due to the false pressure alarm once again.
Follow live at NASA TV: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1368163
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And EVA 2 has been completed more sucessfully than initially planned. The STS-129 crew was planning to deploy two Payload Attach Systems in three EVA's (this is where Express Logistics Carrier 4 will be installed). But they deployed three Payload Attach Systems in two EVA's. Robert Satcher asked Mission Control: "Do you have any more PAS's you need to deploy?" Capsule Communicator Steve Swanson replied: "Not on this station." ;D
Repressurization is still underway. The crew awaits the two spacewalkers back aboard the ISS.
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1538918/85c.jpg)
Next EVA: on Monday, 12:18 PM Central European Time (07:18 AM Eastern Standard Time).
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It's a must see. Below you'll find the HD downlink of flight day 3. Great footage (with sound) from inside the Shuttle's flight deck during ISS approach:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUobf1TpWuo
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And here is part two, which includes the docking as seen through the aft observation windows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPfeJRosBqo
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Simply amazing!
I see they used a reticule in the window. For what and why in the SSM2007 there'isnt?
One more tecnical question: why the Shuttle perform a roll manoeuvere after cleared the tower?
Thank's, ciao.
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Simply amazing!
I see they used a reticule in the window. For what and why in the SSM2007 there'isnt?
That's still from the Apollo era. It's a rendezvous & docking aid called COAS - Crewmen Optical Alignment Sight.
http://eaglelander3d.com/missions/orbital/sts105-707-055_m.jpeg
One more tecnical question: why the Shuttle perform a roll manoeuvere after cleared the tower?
Thank's, ciao.
The Shuttle has to be oriented for the specific inclination of the ISS orbit, or whatever the mission objective of the Shuttle is in terms of payload/docking. If it would not roll put just pitch, it would head to the southern direction.
http://satcom.tonnarelli.com/pics/ShuttleInclinations.jpg
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OK I understud.
Tank's so much.
Undocking in progress now
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We have phisical separetion now
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Fly around in progress
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Sorry Moowalker, one more question:
the roll maneouvre is done with the engines or with the ailerons?
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Sorry Moowalker, one more question:
the roll maneouvre is done with the engines or with the ailerons?
It is done with the engines. After passing the launch tower, the speed of the Shuttle is still too slow and so the aerodyamic pressure on the aero surfaces as well.
By the way, there are three reasons why the Shuttle launches heads down:
1. For better communication between the Shuttle and the LCC - Launch Control Center (later into the ascent it turns heads up for better communication between the Shuttle and the TDRSS - Tracking Data Relay Satellite System)
2. The center of gravity of the entire stack is better controllable if the engines are located beneath the External Tank rather than on top (the thrust vector of the main engines is aimed at the center of gravity of the entire stack).
3. Heads down enables a slight angle of attack which puts the Shuttle in the supersonic shadow of the (big) External Tank. The structure of the Shuttle is quite sensitive. It's only .5 g more (3g all in all) than the load factor limit of a heavy passenger jet with gears and flaps retracted (2.5g). That's also why people and journalists are always wrong whenever they say and write that Challenger "exploded". Challenger broke apart as a result of aerodynamic stress due to the changed angle of attack after the External Tank broke apart (the propellant deflagrated quite fast; it was not an explosion). The accident happened 73 seconds after launch at a very high, supersonic speed. Any rapid change of the attitude can cause fatal stress on the vehicle, which we've seen on Challenger. Even fighter jets already broke apart during some maneuvers while flying supersonic. Those speeds have to be handled quite carefully.
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Sorry Moowalker, one more question:
the roll maneouvre is done with the engines or with the ailerons?
It is done with the engines. After passing the launch tower, the speed of the Shuttle is still too slow and so the aerodyamic pressure on the aero surfaces as well.
[..]
To precise that: It is done by gimbaling the SRB nozzles.
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Yes, the SRB's are gimbaled to control the roll -- as I understand it too.
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In short: it's both, the main engines as well as the SRB's which control not only the roll.
If we really want to precise that: it's six main engine and four SRB ATVC drivers (Ascent Thrust Vector Control), which we switch off on panel O17 at about T+01:00:00 in SSM2007 by the way, which get informations from the ascent thrust vector control portion of the flight control system, and which transmit these signals to the servoactuators of all 3 main engines and the 2 SRB's to control the entire trajectory from launch to SRB separation and main engine cut off.
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Explanations very clear.
Tank's everybody
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Atlantis has just been given the 'go' for deorbit burn at 8:37 a.m. ET and they will start the burn NOW! ;D
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YEAH......Deorb burn complete
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Folks here in Florida will be able to hear sonic booms at around 9:40 a.m. central time as the shuttle slows to subsonic speeds. :D It will be around the southern to central part of Florida. ;D
I wonder how the astronauts feel about landing on Black Friday? ??? I bet they will want to be rushing towards the nearest K-Mart or Wal-Mart for great deals on Christmas gifts! :D
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Yeah.
About 20 minuts to EI.
It's beautiful day to land today!
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Did someone else also notice the tired guy at mission control? :o
My first thought was that he certainly only is reading data from top to bottom of his display, but after a few minutes it was just too obvious that he struggles with tiredness. He was going to drop off every few seconds. You could see the typcial head movement. The guy next to him already looked unbelieving and seemed to think what I and for sure many NASA TV watchers were thinking: oh my god.
Too bad I didn't capture it as a video but just as a still image. However, I think someone for sure will upload this on Youtube.
(http://onfinite.com/libraries/1540945/38b.jpg)
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Beautiful, by the book deorb, reentry, approach and landing... incredibly smooth!
/Admin
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And we see a perfect landing and wheel stop at the Cape, which ends a perfect mission. Nicole Stott now is going to feel sick, experiencing gravity again after almost three month in zero-g. She'll get a 6 weeks rehab.
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The view from cockpit was amazing.
It's very very similar at SSM2007!
I waiting to see it again.
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A nice video perfect touchdown for Atlantis. My friend is currently at Port canaveral camping with some of his friends. I wonder if he saw Atlantis come in and land? :)
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i followed live from launch, eva's, thru landing and still continue to watch the post-landing coverage another great mission and welcome the crew back home and for a great landing
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A nice video perfect touchdown for Atlantis. My friend is currently at Port canaveral camping with some of his friends. I wonder if he saw Atlantis come in and land? :)
Unfortunately, I was driving to Cocoa to drop off my kids and wasn't able see it on NASA TV - but we were looking in the blue sky for it but didn't see a thing -- bummer....