STS-120

[Jordaxe12]

Mission: STS-120 - 23rd International Space Station Flight - U.S. Node
2 (Harmony)
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Launch Pad 39A
Launch Date: Targeted for Oct. 23, 2007
Crew: Melroy, Zamka, Parazynski, Wheelock, Wilson, Nespoli and Tani
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

On Sunday, STS-120 was transported via the crawler transporter to
Launch Pad 39A. The rotating service structure, which protects and
provides access to the Shuttle at the pad, was rolled into position
on Monday. During the week, workers performed shuttle interface
testing, Shuttle/external tank leak checks and launch pad
validations. The payload was installed in the Shuttle on Thursday,
and the sensor packs were installed on the Shuttle boom sensor
system.

Loading of hypergolic propellants aboard Discovery is scheduled for
this weekend. Next week, the terminal countdown demonstration test is
scheduled with the STS-120 astronauts and the launch team. This
routine series of events includes emergency training procedures and a
launch countdown dress rehearsal.

After the hail monitoring system at the pad showed possible hail in
the predawn hours of Wednesday, engineers fully inspected the space
shuttle but found no damage. There were no radar indications of hail,
though wind-driven rain may have been possible. The calibration of
the hail monitoring system sensors and associated instrumentation is
being assessed.

[Cthulhus]

Nice report ! I'm impatient to watch and follow the mission on Nasa TV! 

[simking]

The STS-120 astronauts capped off three days of exercises and training at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida by boarding space shuttle Discovery for a simulated countdown Wednesday morning. After the rehearsal concluded, the crew members flew back to their home base in Houston to complete their final preparations for the targeted launch of Discovery on Oct. 23.

[Cornwallus]

Crew portrait of STS-120

[DaveS]

Yesterday at sunrise the RSS(Rotating Service Structure) was removed from Discovery to support the APU hotfire test. That test was completed with no problems.

Then at sunset the RSS was replaced around Discovery to support the final prelaunch preparations.

Today the so called Shuttle Mid-Body Umbilical Unit(OMBUU) will be hooked up to Discovery to support loading of the fuel cell reactants in the launch countdown.

Below are a set of images of the RSS retract, RSS extend and a image of the OMBUU hooked up to Atlantis prior to STS-117.

[Cthulhus]

Someone has an animation of the RSS(Rotating Service Structure) ?

or some photos?

Thanks!

[DaveS]

Someone has an animation of the RSS(Rotating Service Structure) ?

or some photos?

Thanks!

Here's two from STS-121 un July 2006:
http://www.netwrx1.net/rfischer/DIVX/STS-121/STS-121.RSSRollbackReplay.20060701.avi - NASA TV clip

http://www.netwrx1.net/rfischer/DIVX/STS-121/chan3large.20060630.RSSRollback.avi - Web cam capture when it really happened

Note: These two clips require the DivX codec(www.divx.com).

And to close out the post: Here is a link to Bill Harwood of CBS News STS-120 preliminary Launch Countdown chart of events: http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/currentglance.html#COUNT

[Cornwallus]

Payload for Discovery: Harmony

[Cornwallus]

Cam shot showing RSS rolling out of the way for APU hotfire today.


Click for larger image


Click for larger image

[Cthulhus]

Thank you all for the links and videos !

[DaveS]

NASA Announces News Conference on Status of Next Shuttle Launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA managers have scheduled a news conference at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., no earlier than 3 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Oct. 16, to discuss the status of the upcoming space shuttle mission. The news conference will begin after the conclusion of the Flight Readiness Review, or FRR, which is chaired by NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier.

A two-day preliminary review to assess preparations for shuttle Discovery's mission, designated STS-120, was held Oct. 9-10. Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale chaired that meeting and will provide a summary to the Oct. 16 executive-level FRR. The Oct. 16 review is expected to include the selection of an official launch date for Discovery's voyage to the International Space Station. The current targeted launch time is 11:38 a.m. on Oct. 23.

Briefing participants are:
- NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese
- Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier
- Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale
- Space Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach

The briefing will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the agency's Web site. Media may ask questions from participating NASA locations. Reporters should contact their preferred NASA center to confirm its participation.

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For STS-120 crew and mission information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
- end -

[Firefighterdan]

It looks like I may have to record this launch because I am going to be a work.

[DaveS]

Some personal notes on the press release above:

If the launch is approved for Oct. 23, here's my NASA TV events preliminary times:

October 20, Saturday
10 a. m. L-3 day Countdown Status Briefing

October 21, Sunday
10 a.m. L-2 day Countdown Status Briefing
NET 4 p.m Post-Launch Readiness Review pressconference

October 22, Monday
10 a.m. L-1 day Countdown Status Briefing

October 23, Tuesday
11:30 am. Launch day and mission coverage

All times are US Eastern time. After the FRR pressconference on Tuesday NASA will release their own NASA TV schedule for the mission, so keep an eye out for it a couple of hours after the pressconference!

[Firefighterdan]

Thank you Dave.

[DaveS]

I just realized that I made an critical error in my NASA TV time listing. The NASA TV launch coverage start time should 5:30 a.m Eastern time, not 11:30 a.m.

Sorry for the mistake!