The highly skilled and experienced NASA Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) are attempting to find their place in the post-Shuttle era, a future that continues to be uncertain due to the ongoing political battle. Focusing on their involvement in technology demonstrations and planning, the MOD produced an overview of how their “Plan, Train, Fly” approach could [...]
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After it was revealed that several replacement S-Band antenna cables were found to be ”too short”, Discovery’s engineers have opted to install an alternative type of cable. The flexible alternative was used to mitigate the issues surrounding the routing of the long cable through the tight pathways of Discovery’s middeck, which proved to be problemative with the original semi-rigid cables.
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While the U.S Legislature continues to debate the immediate future of NASA and the possibility of flying the already planned contingency Launch On Need (LON) STS-335 mission as a full up mission to the ISS in its own right (STS-135), NASA has updated its ground processing master document for STS-335 as well as the overall parameters [...]
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The massive Ares I Mobile Launcher (ML), which recently completed its construction phase, is set for a ride on the Crawler Transporter (CT-1) in August, marking its first move since rising into the sky next door to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The ML will be moved to the east refurbish site, to allow for [...]
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Engineers are preparing Endeavour for next week’s installation of her three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) for what is likely to be the final time, ahead of STS-134′s mission in February of next year. Meanwhile, an investigation is currently taking place into a failure of a Reaction Control System (RCS) test article, although no inspection [...]
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In tandem with the role of providing heavy lift access to the ISS, the three major Beyond Earth Orbit (BEO) missions – namely the landings on the Moon, Mars and Near Earth Objects (NEOs) – aren’t the only options available to the Shuttle Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (SD HLV), as noted in the vehicle’s [...]
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Discovery’s engineers are attempting to evaluate options for a suitable coax cable on her S-Band antenna system, following a decision to changeout the cable after the orbiter returned from STS-131. The first replacement cable failed bench tests, leading to the request for a second, third and fourth replacement. However, these latest cables are all classed as [...]
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Canada’s Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) robot “Dextre” is making himself useful on the International Space Station (ISS), as he prepares to swap out a failed RPCM (Remote Power Control Module) on the P1 Truss. Having conducted his induction training on Tuesday, Dextre was set to clock in for work on Wednesday. However, operations are [...]
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The DragonEye (DE) relative navigation sensor – set to ride with Discovery on STS-133 – will be installed two weeks later than planned, following a laser rod failure during testing. Discovery – currently enjoying a smooth processing flow – will be conducting the second test for the sensor during her arrival at the International Space [...]
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Since the Return to Flight timeframe, concerns regarding the state of the Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) on the orbiter fleet have led to restrictions in terms of ground processing to ensure the protection of the hardware and the workforce. However, recent testing of the COPVs has resulted in a request from the SSP (Space [...]
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Following the snagged cable incident on Atlantis’ Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) Pan Tilt Unit (PTU) during STS-132, the Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) have outlined their investigation findings, and a potential mitigation plan. Later this month, engineers will test the addition of a permanent cable tie, in order to avoid future snags.
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As the on-going political refinements to the FY2011 budget proposal raise the hope of utilizing “Shuttle’s Legacy” in a Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV), the third article – based on the findings of the expansive SD (Shuttle Derived) HLV assessment presentation – outlines both the use of the HLV in returning to the Moon, and the [...]
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Following a month of repair work inside the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility (HMF), Discovery’s Right Orbital Maneuvering System (ROMS) Pod has returned to Discovery’s Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-3) for re-installation on Thursday. Meanwhile, STS-134′s External Tank (ET-138) – has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC).
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The face (or rather the body) of the shape of things to come in terms of human/robotic exploration of the solar system has arrived. As NASA gears up for the penultimate flight of the Space Shuttle this coming November, a special payload is nearing completion – a payload that is hoped will help revolution human-robotic [...]
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International Launch Services (ILS) have launched the EchoStar XV telecommunications satellite via their veteran Proton-M launch vehicle and Breeze-M upper stage on Saturday. Lift-off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan was on schedule at 18:40 GMT, ahead of over nine hours of flight until the spacecraft was successfully placed into orbit.
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Managers will meet on Monday to outline mission capabilities and content for STS-135 – pending the approval of the additional flight next month. The Integrated Product Team (IPT) will discuss additions to Atlantis’ payload, such as Orbital Replacement Units (ORUs) or even technology demonstration payloads, in addition to Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM).
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The International Space Station (ISS) may live on until 2028, following confirmation by the Space Station Program Control Board (SSPCB) that partner agencies have been asked to produce an extension blueprint for continued operation until 2025, with the potential to push as far as 2028. As part of their opening evaluations, NASA managers have examined [...]
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With Discovery’s three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) now reinstalled on the orbiter, engineers should know by Friday if they have solved the torquing issue with ME-1. The engine – along with ME-2 and ME-3 due to access issues – was removed to allow for the replacement of the Low Pressure Oxidizer Turbo Pump (LPOTP) [...]
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As the era of large Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) for NASA launch vehicles appears to be drawing to a close, the performance of STS-132′s booster set was recorded as excellent at the In Flight Anomaly Review (IFA). In total, zero IFAs were recorded on the Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs) – with only four minor [...]
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The Russian Progress resupply vehicle – M-06M/38P – has succcessfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) at 16:17pm GMT on Sunday, following an aborted attempt on Friday. Caused by interference between the Progress TV transmitter and the TORU (Telerobotically Operated Rendezvous Unit) system, Progress suffered no issues during the second attempt.
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