The major effort to facilitate a March launch for shuttle Discovery is continuing on a seven day week, as vendor Vacco prepare to ship the three replacement Flow Control Valves (FCVs) to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) by Monday. Flight rationale is also being built ahead of next week’s crucial meetings.
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The work conducted by the STS-126 on the International Space Station’s Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJs) continues to reap rewards, following the latest positive status update to NASA managers. Meanwhile, Flight Directors have given a status overview of the work required to ensure they are ready for a potential launch of STS-119 in March.
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The latest target for STS-119 is a short launch window, opening March 12, following a meeting between shuttle managers that confirmed the forward plan of replacing Discovery’s three Flow Control Valves (FCVs). A Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) meeting, followed by a Flight Readiness Review (FRR), will take place early in March to confirm the [...]
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A launch of STS-119 prior to the Soyuz cut out in mid March remains on the cards, as managers prepare to meet on Wednesday for a launch date discussion. The meeting will also outline a plan to “beef up” the most vulnerable area of the MPS (Main Propulsion System) plumbing, which would reduce risk associating [...]
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Orbital Science’s Taurus XL rocket lifted-off from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, carrying the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) this morning. However, the mission was deemed as a failure during or slightly after third stage flight, after it was noted the fairing failed to separate as required.
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As NASA continues to plan for a potential extension to the Space Shuttle Program past the original retirement date of September 30, 2010 – as well as the addition of the STS-134 flight to bring the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the Station – the Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) has officially baselined the STS-131/ISS-19A mission, the [...]
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External Tank (ET-131) is being safely housed in the Vehicle Assembly Building (High Bay 2E), following its arrival from New Orleans this weekend. Manufactured by the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), the team earned praise from managers and astronauts alike, following their successful fight back from schedule issues, and the phenomenal performance of ET-129.
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Shuttle managers have concluded the Delta Flight Readiness Review (FRR) – one of the longest in shuttle history – by failing to approve flight rationale due to concerns with the Flow Control Valves (FCVs). No launch date has been set, but February 27 is no longer the target. Teams will meet again on Wednesday to [...]
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Another delay to STS-119’s NET (No Earlier Than) launch date is deemed a possible outcome of Friday’s Flight Readiness Review (FRR), with test results – some negative – still arriving on manager’s desks on Thursday.
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Shuttle Discovery is back into full launch processing, with the pad flow working to the latest NET (No Earlier Than) launch date target of February 27. The processing – which can be backed out of in the event of another Flow Control Valve (FCV) related delay – will also include work on one of Discovery’s windows.
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The Jumbo Drop Test Vehicle is in final preparations for a February 26 drop, as part of the Ares I First Stage parachute tests. Meanwhile, the little-known Max Launch Abort System (MLAS) will conduct its first test in March.
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While the majority of engineering concentration on the Flow Control Valve (FCV) flight rationale for Discovery and her STS-119 flight, Atlantis – and Endeavour as her rescue support – currently remain on track for their May date surrounding STS-125.
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Shuttle managers have concluded a special PRCB (Program Requirements Control Board) meeting on the Flow Control Valve (FCV) issue, and decided additional time is required – moving the NET (No Earlier Than) launch date to February 27.
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Arianespace’s Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle has lifted off from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana, carrying the HOT BIRD 10 and NSS-9 telecommunications satellites. Launch occurred at 22:09 UTC. Arianespace is targeting six to eight Ariane 5 missions in 2009.
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US lawmakers have agreed on a stimulus package that includes just over $1 billion in additional funds for NASA, to be utilized during 2009 and 2010. While the $400m allocated towards “Exploration” is not specifically earmarked for extension of the shuttle program, it could allow NASA to take the first steps in reducing “The Gap” [...]
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Shuttle managers have made extensive changes to their 2010 launch schedule ambitions, with the “inclusion” of STS-134 as an additional flight. Meanwhile, three additional External Tanks being worked on at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in pre-emption of a shuttle extension.
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STS-119’s latest NET (No Earlier Than) launch target of February 22 remains the target, as engineers work through the Flow Control Valve (FCV) issue with the goal of approving flight rationale. Testing and documentation are being ramped up ahead of Friday’s special PRCB (Program Requirements Control Board) meeting.
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The Russian cargo ship Progress M-66/32P has launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, ahead of docking with the International Space Station (ISS) on February 13. The resupply vehicle is carrying 2.5 tons of cargo for the Station’s Expedition 18 crew.
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With the Hubble mission still tracking a May launch date, the STS-125 stack – consisting of External Tank ET-130 and the twin Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) – will exit High Bay 1 (HB-1) Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on Tuesday morning, before heading back into HB-3. Atlantis herself is undergoing final preparations for rollover, on a [...]
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A waiver to be issued for STS-119 on the RSRB (Reusable Solid Rocket Motor) Aft exit cone linear shaped charge (LSC) – which is designed to sever exit cone from the booster shortly before impact with the ocean.
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