With the debris strike on Atlantis’ starboard chine Thermal Protection System (TPS) - now confirmed as a liberation from an Ice Frost Ramp on External Tank (ET-130) – cleared within hours of its observation via the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS), the orbiter and her STS-125 crew have completed rendezvous operations with the Hubble Space Telescope [...]
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STS-125′s Flight Day 2 has been completed, highlighted by the inspections of Atlantis’ Thermal Protection System (TPS) as she prepares for Wednesday’s capture of Hubble. Atlantis’ launch suffered from a few minor issues during ascent – which hold no mission impact – although the blast-off damaged Pad 39A, with up to 50 sqaure feet of Fondu [...]
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Shuttle Atlantis has launched on her flagship mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, as STS-125 completed smooth S0007 (Launch Countdown) operations on Monday. Atlantis’ External Tank (ET-130) enjoyed an issue-free tanking, bar the need for the Orbiter Project Office to issue a waiver for a small amount of ice that built up on the LH2 [...]
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When Atlantis thundered off LC-39B on December 2, 1988 to begin the classified Department of Defense STS-27 mission, the members of the 106th Rescue Wing, performing their first launch support duties for NASA, could hardly have predicted that their prestigious wing would serve in this dignified position for 100 Shuttle missions. And yet, that idea [...]
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Atlantis has entered the complex ballet of S0007 (Launch Countdown) operations for the flagship STS-125 mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, with no major issues being worked by engineers at Pad 39A. Atlantis – tracking a launch target of 2:01pm local on Monday – and has undergone the closure of her Payload Bay Doors (PLBDs).
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STS-119′s Boundary Layer Transition (BLT) Detailed Test Objective (DTO) has been deemed a huge success, following the presentation of the test results. The tests will continue on at least two more flights, as engineers gain vital data on the conditions a spacecraft endures during reentry.
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Engineers are pressing through the remaining minor issues – the latest being an obstructive Teflon tube in the Payload Bay – ahead of the start of STS-125′s three day countdown that opens on Friday. Meanwhile, a veteran six person crew has been assigned by NASA for the STS-132 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
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As the International Space Station (ISS) continues to build up to a six man crew, managers are looking into adding a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) permanently on Station at the conclusion to the last logistics mission for the shuttle. Assessments are also taking place on potentially swapping the yet-to-be-baselined STS-134 with STS-133′s place in the manifest.
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With launch of STS-125 now less than a week away, NASA managers have thoroughly reviewed the performance of the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) from the previous missions, approving several safety and performance upgrades to aid Shuttles Atlantis and Endeavour on their STS-125 and STS-400 missions respectively.
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In what is likely to be the final attempt to close the minimum five year gap between the current shuttle retirement date and debuting of Ares/Orion manned flight capability, NASA has presented an expansive shuttle extension study to lawmakers within the past couple of days. The study outlines the costs, risks, benefits and impacts for [...]
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Engineers will carry out the repair on Atlantis’ damaged port radiator over the weekend, as STS-125 pushes ever closer to the launch countdown for the mission to Hubble. Meanwhile, the issue relating to the Forward Reaction Control System (FRCS) F5R thruster issue on Discovery has been cleared on both Atlantis and Endeavour.
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