STS-131

[spaceboy7441]

Boom time for a new thread already!
STS-130 is scheduled for early April (Can't remember the exact date)
Roll-out has already occurred
TCDT has just been completed yesterday.
Here comes another mission!

[Richard R]

The Launch date as of now is April 5, about 6:30am KSC time..

[rocket_man55]

YAY CANT W8

[Richard R]

Testing of Discovery's Systems Continue
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:47:00 AM CDT


On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians completed a test to pressurize space shuttle Discovery's Right Reaction Control System's helium tank to verify the overall health of the regulators downstream of the helium isolation valves. Preliminary data shows positive results for the test. Today, crews will begin preparing Discovery for further testing on the system.

The testing was initiated because of an issue that occurred over the weekend while Discovery's aft fuel propellant tanks were being vented in preparation for fuel loading. The Right Reaction Control System, or RRCS, fuel helium tank pressure unexpectedly decreased in unison with the RRCS fuel propellant tank when the fuel tank was vented. This indicates that at least one of the two parallel helium isolation valves is leaking or is remaining in the open position when it is expected to be closed.

The two helium system regulators, a primary and a secondary, will be tested to verify they are functioning correctly. The regulators are "downstream" of the isolation valves, and help to maintain helium pressure to the fuel tank. Knowing whether the regulators are operating correctly is a key factor for managers who must decide whether to launch with the errant condition of the isolation valves. The test is expected to occur late this week once a ground support equipment test panel has been calibrated. The helium system will be brought to flight pressure and engineers monitoring the panel will ascertain whether the regulators function properly.

Also this week, managers are targeting Friday to move Discovery's payload to Launch Pad 39A, starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT.

There still are a few days of contingency left in the schedule to make the targeted launch date of April 5.

[Jeff B]

Cheers.
Im still waiting for then to release the press kit.

[Richard R]

Hi Jeff..

Me too..

[desktopsimmer]

according to the rss feed, all of the astronauts are now boarded, seated and strapped in

[Admin]

Nice job guys! If you have the time and connection please post in real-time - on the STS-131 thread!

If you have time, connection AND the necessary bandwidth, post pics in the forum. Width size is 600 pics. Height is no limit. If you don't have the tools, time, etc. to resize, email to groundcrew and we'll upload them on the forum for you, with due credits.

Can we have a quick comms-check?

Who is present at the STS-131 launch at KSC?

Austromir - check
Uri-Ba - check
Schmidtrock - check

... any others?

/Admin

[schmidtrock]

At the t-9 hold. Weather is reported favorable, no issues at this time. Sky is completely clear from my view across the river from the pad. Beautiful half moon. Can't wait to see the liftoff!

[Admin]

Godsped Discovery!

/Admin

[desktopsimmer]

I'm at work, a newspaper office, and NASATV bombed out 5 mins before launch.... great. But the RRS feeds on my mobile are working and I believe we had lift off

[add]
Even the NASA iPhone App bombed on me
[/add]

[Admin]

I'm at work, a newspaper office, and NASATV bombed out 5 mins before launch.... great. But the RRS feeds on my mobile are working and I believe we had lift off

[add]
Even the NASA iPhone App bombed on me
[/add]

Clean liftoff and now at "Negative Return"

/Admin

[simking]

Gone baby gone..good luck just walked in the door in time to see her go

[Derrick]

Great launch for STS-131! Godspeed the crew of Discovery.

[Admin]

First "dangerous" phase of the mission is behind us now. MECO has been performed, and tank separated without any issues.

Now let's see what that OBSS thermal tiles inspection will reveal

/Admin