Shuttle orbiter Endeavour was again ready to launch to the International Space Station. However, poor weather again put pay to the fifth launch attempt for STS-127, moving launch to Wednesday. Meanwhile, the results of the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) investigation appear to have been validated via Sunday’s leak-free “near-complete duration” tanking.
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STS-127’s External Tank (ET-131) has completed a tanking test on the realigned Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) and a two-part seal, with no leaks detected. As a result, NASA is officially a go for a launch attempt of Endeavour on July 11.
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Preparations for next Wednesday’s tanking test are proceeding well, with the flight seal now replaced ahead of weekend work to reinstall the Quick Disconnect (QD) on the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP). A successful tanking test is expected, due to “high confidence” a misalignment was responsible for at least STS-127’s scrub.
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Managers have set next Wednesday morning for a full-up tanking test of External Tank ET-131 to test a potential solution to the leaking Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP). The leading candidate for the cause of the leaks is believed to be related to the External Tank Carrier Assembly (ETCA) mounts, a problem engineers had documented [...]
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Endeavour will launch only when engineers are happy they have a full understanding of the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) leak, even if that means slipping STS-127 past the current July 11 NET (No Earlier Than) launch target. A troubleshooting plan is currently being drawn up – which is understood to include a tanking test [...]
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STS-127 has been scrubbed for the second time due to another leak at the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP). The leak, first registered as within an acceptable range, before rising to breach the four percent (40,000PPM) limits, appears to point to a different issue with the hydrogen vent system. Endeavour will now have to wait until NET (No Earlier Than) [...]
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Endeavour has won the right to make a launch attempt on June 17 (Wednesday), following NASA discussions relating to the schedule priorities of the Eastern Range. The decision was made easier thanks to good progress on replacing hardware on External Tank ET-131’s Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP), as engineers work around the clock to “safely [...]
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In a similar event to STS-119’s scrub, Endeavour’s launch has been delayed due to a significant leak registered in the region of the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP). Engineers will dismantle the troublesome hardware at the pad, with the aim to attempt a single launch opportunity on June 17.
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The ascent threat of ice liberation, as observed on STS-126 and potentially STS-125, will be closely monitored during Endeavour’s launch - which has been delayed by a scrub - following an expansive overview by NASA’s Space Shuttle Systems Engineering and Integration Office (SE&I) to the Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs).
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With final launch processing underway on Shuttle Endeavour at Launch Pad-A, NASA managers have outlined several changes to Endeavour’s Main Propulsion System (MPS), Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP), and Flight Operations & Integration procedures that will debut on STS-127 next week.
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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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Shuttle Endeavour has completed her rollout to 39B, where she will be put through a part flow as the STS-400 LON (Launch On Need) support for Atlantis’ STS-125 mission. During this flow, engineers will test the alignment procedures with the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) – following the leak during STS-119’s opening launch attempt.
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No issues are being worked on Atlantis at Pad 39A, as STS-125 continues to proceed towards launch in just over a month’s time. One crucial element for the May 12 launch is the replacement hardware that Atlantis will carry to the Hubble Space Telescope, with several days of mission content simulations taking place next week, [...]
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STS-119 has launched after an issue-free tanking and countdown, following engineering work to troubleshoot a LH2 (GH2) leak from the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) attached to the External Tank. Discovery launched at 19:43pm local time launch, with added focus on the T-0 umbilicals on the TSM (Tail Service Masts) - following an incident on STS-126.
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The second launch attempt for STS-119 will take place on Sunday at 19:43pm local time, pending the expected resolution of the leak related to the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) – which caused the scrub of Wednesday’s attempt. Engineers are currently in S007.300 scrub turnaround procedures, but are eight hours down on the timeline – [...]
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STS-119’s opening launch attempt has been scrubbed until Sunday, March 15,, following a LH2 leak during tanking. The leak related to a carrier plate that is attached to the intertank area of the ET, with attempts to cycle the associated valve to reduce the leak to acceptable proving to be unsuccessful.
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A loose washer on a ground support carrier plate is the only reported issue, as Endeavour heads towards launch day – in an amazingly issue-free S0007 launch countdown for STS-126. This follows a review of outstanding paperwork during the Mission Management Team (MMT) L-2 meeting.
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Engineers are working on a problem observed with Atlantis’ External Tank (ET-127), which will likely require the removal and replacement of a valve.Mold impressions of the damaged GH2 two inch disconnect valve were taken overnight, with meetings taking place on Friday to discuss a forward plan. However, should R&R be required, work is expected to [...]
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Shuttle Discovery has launched on her first attempt – the third in a row for NASA – after an eventful countdown that threatened to scrub the launch.Earlier, managers cleared observed ice that had been spotted on shuttle Discovery’s External Tank (ET-120) in the final hours of the count. The ice was classed as a violation [...]
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