STS-125

[USA~Driver]

I want to respect the threads original topic and Desktopsimmer's attempt to steer us back on course but i would like to clarify my remarks and respond to Moonwalker all in one breathe then Ill leave it alone.

Hey man, your 'preachin to the choir' in all that you said and I agree with you. All I was asking originally was how was NASA was gonna justify some remarks they made earlier when they thought they didnt need STS, Now that is clear they may have to go on using it for some time. The points I brought up were from NASA personnel and not me up on a soapbox. 

[RMS Driver]

Time to bump the thread...

Atlantis completed S0004 (ET/Shuttle mate) operations. However, during the final torquing of the ET umbillical connections, a socket from wrench fell from the top of the vehicle, hit the ET cross beam and impacted the TPS between the two umbillical doors. The area of damage is 1.25x1.25x0.25 inches. Because of it's location, NASA expects to be able to repair the shuttle in the VAB, without demating and rolling the Shuttle back to the OPF. This is not expected to impact the launch date.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/03/sts-125-atlantis-tile-damage-during-et-mating/

[HMSEndeavorreborn]

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/mar/HQ_09-075_STS-125_Atlantis_at_Pad.html

Atlantis is now set to go on 39A at KSC. Looking forward to a new shuttle mission in a little over a month.

[Chris Bergin]

Don't forget STS-400 with Endeavour. She heads to Pad 39B on Friday.

Both vehicles are processing very well indeed, so all looks super duper for May 12 right now. STS-125 (and 400) Delta MOD FRRs had no issues today.

[spaceboy7441]

Ya most likely the last Space Shuttle to visit Pad 39B.

And since there is no thread for this I thought I would mention here that STS-119(Discovery) was the last Space Shuttle to use MLP1. It has been turned over to Constellation and moved from Pad 39B yesterday and and was moved to the VAB HB3 today.

Lastly the name of Node 3 will be announced tonight on the Colbert Report on comedy central. There is a possibility that it will be named Colbert after he beat Serenity in the naming contest at nasa.gov. Check out the thread at nasaspaceflight.com.

Thanks for the updates Chris!

[Pocci]

As far as I know, it is named "Tranquility".

NASE is not willing to name components after living people.
It is not necessary to have Colbert's name an two parts of the ISS.

You want to know what is already named after this comedian?
The astronauts are kicking it with their feet. His name is an acronym for:

Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill

[RMS Driver]

STS-401/STS-127 (Endeavour) is set to roll out early Friday morning at around 12:00 AM EST.

[spaceboy7441]

First motion set for 0:01 EST tomorrow!

[Steven]

Endeavour (STS-127/LON-400) is on the way to LC-39B where she will wait for Atlantis to lift off.

[JLM]

Here is an interactive feature from NASA about the STS-125 Mission:

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/hubble_servicing/

[RMS Driver]

For those who haven't seen:

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/331090main_2atpadair-lg_full.jpg

[uri_ba]

are those the new Ares lighting towers?

[Steven]

are those the new Ares lighting towers?

In the background around LC-39B and Endeavour, yes.

[Steven]

Bump!  Atlantis is currently tanking for her mission to Hubble.  Launch is planned for 2:01 PM EDT later today.

[Pocci]

Does anybody knows which SSM-2007-mission comes closest to the planned launch time and date May, 11 and 14:01 EDT?
Of course you all know what I am planning at that time? 
By the way, who is planning the same?
We might as well meet on TS.