Posts Tagged ‘Shuttle’

Next Gen Shuttle-Capable vehicle interest as secret effort to save orbiters ends

Monday, December 19th, 2011

For the past several months, a plan to restart shuttle operations – funded by billions of dollars of secured non-government investment – was under evaluation with NASA and shuttle contractors prior to the secret effort ending last week. However, the group behind the effort have now switched their focus to a “Next Generation, Shuttle Capable” vehicle [...]

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MAF goes Hollywood as movie teams utilize the facility’s once-busy expanses

Saturday, December 17th, 2011

In what is a sobering reality of the Space Shuttle Program’s end, the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) is now being filled with the sound of clapperboards, as opposed to the noise of space hardware being constructed. Numerous major movie studios are taking advantage of what are now large empty expanses inside the New Orleans facility.

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Lawmakers told shuttle restart questions are years too late

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

During Wednesday’s Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Hearing – which focused on the Russian investigation into their recent Soyuz failure – the question on restarting shuttle was once again dismissed out of hand. However, the shrift response, noting the question would have been “interesting” if asked three or four years ago, failed to elaborate on a [...]

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PRCB managers recommend Atlantis and Endeavour become SLS donors

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

NASA managers have further refined their plans to transfer Orbiter and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Main Propulsion System (MPS) hardware to the Space Launch System (SLS). Known as hardware retention, the plan now calls for Discovery to remain untouched, while Atlantis and Endeavour would donate their “inners” to play a key role in the development [...]

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Cull of Shuttle skillset threatens efficiency and safety risks – DeCastro

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

As the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) officially ended this week – closing out 30 years of achievements and advancements in human space travel – United Space Alliance (USA) Vice President and SSP manager Howard DeCastro noted his pride in the strong finish to the program, whilst adding he fears there may be a price to [...]

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Shuttle orbiters may donate their entire MPS hardware to SLS

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

NASA’s three retired Space Shuttle orbiters are set to donate their entire Main Propulsion Systems (MPS) to the opening salvo of Space Launch System (SLS) Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles (HLV). The work to remove the MPS’ array of plumbing, tanks and valves from the aft of the orbiters would result in a delay of six [...]

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Press To MECO: Documentary released on Shuttle reporting

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

For over 30 years, the Space Shuttle Program captured the hearts and minds of millions of people throughout the world. From following the missions on TV, in newspapers, on websites, the Shuttle program has been lived by people on every continent. And through it all, the missions, the people, and the workforce have been brought [...]

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Reversing the nonsensical retirement of Shuttle requires a miracle – DeCastro

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

As the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) heads into its final week of operations, United Space Alliance (USA) Vice President and SSP manager Howard DeCastro has spoken about how the retirement of the fleet makes no sense, from a technical, ISS support and national security standpoint. A last ditch reversal of the decision, likely via a [...]

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Wings In Orbit – Wayne Hale Interview

Sunday, March 13th, 2011

In an interview with NASASpaceflight.com, former Space Shuttle Program (SSP) manager Wayne Hale spoke about the upcoming book on the history of the Shuttle, “Wings In Orbit,” his role in the project, and about what he is doing today. “Wings In Orbit: Scientific and Engineering Legacies of the Space Shuttle” is due to go on [...]

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Director Paul Hill speaks of the valuable future role to be played by MOD

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

In an interview with NASASpaceflight.com, Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) Director Paul Hill spoke of his pride for the MOD community, whilst outlining his vision for the future as NASA prepares to transition into a new post-Shuttle era of Commercial opportunities and a return to manned exploration outside of Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

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Major Shuttle and ISS extension drive taking place at the Augustine Commission

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

With NASA authorization language already being drawn up behind the scenes by Congress, Augustine Commission ISS/Shuttle subgroup lead Dr Sally Ride – along with several key NASA and United Space Alliance (USA) managers – have embarked on a major push to extend the shuttle program, linking the move with the allowance for the International Space [...]

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Extra NASA funds: An initial step towards gap reduction options/extension

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

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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Largest CT system in US to be shutdown during shuttle transition

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

NASA’s Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) has revealed that the Computed Tomography (CT) system, located at the Santa Susana Field Lab (SSFL) in Canoga Park, CA – the largest CT system in the US – will be shutdown, pending the shuttle extension decision.

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STS-125 launch target moves to February 17 – crucial week for Hubble

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

STS-125 has been given a new “work-to” launch date of February 17, pending a November 5 meeting that will likely result in a Change Request (CR) to officially re-align the near-term launch manifest. Hubble troubleshooting is proceeding well, with NASA engineers preparing to switch over from the Side A control system, to the back-up Side B. [...]

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Atlantis to rollback to VAB on October 20 – Hubble troubleshooting latest

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

As NASA and the SSP (Space Shuttle Program) refine their orbiter schedules, preparations for STS-125′s rollback to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) are proceeding – with confirmation that payload removal operations will begin this weekend. October 20 has been pencilled in for Atlantis’ rollback from Pad 39A, which will clear the pad for hosting Endeavour. [...]

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Hubble control system failure – STS-125 launch date delayed

Monday, September 29th, 2008

A major failure of the “Side A” control system on the Hubble Space Telescope has delayed STS-125’s launch as far as 2009. The failure has shut down Hubble’s science operations, and is currently unable to send data back to Earth. Attempts will be made to switch to the “Side B” control system later this week.

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Senate pass NASA bill for extra funding – shuttle extension goals

Friday, September 26th, 2008

The US Senate has passed the new NASA Authorization Bill by unanimous consent Thursday evening, a move that could result in a major boost to NASA. The Bill proposes a $2.6 billion increase in next year’s NASA budget, directs the Agency to cease shuttle retirement activities until April 30, 2009 – pending the extension assessment [...]

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TCDT concludes, FRR begins – STS-125 slips to NET Oct 14

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

STS-125′s Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) – the dress rehearsal for next month’s launch – ended at 11:00am local time this morning, as shuttle managers head into the SSP (Space Shuttle Program) Flight Readiness Review (FRR). While the Agency FRR sets the launch dates, NASA managers have now confirmed a NET (No Earlier Than) launch [...]

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STS-400 rolls out of VAB – STS-125 payload delay to Saturday

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

A problem during the preparation of Atlantis’ Hubble Servicing payload has delayed its arrival at Pad 39A until Saturday. As a result, STS-125′s launch date is in real danger of slipping – with a re-evaluation of the flow timelines on Monday. Meanwhile, Endeavour has begun to rollout to Pad 39B shortly, following a 24 hour [...]

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FRR to discuss unique safety requirements for STS-125 and STS-400

Friday, September 12th, 2008

As preparations continue on Atlantis and Endeavour for their respective roles on STS-125 and STS-400, Boeing – at the direction of NASA – has identified three unique safety issues for the flagship mission and two unique safety issues for STS-400. These issues will make up the bulk of the upcoming Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR) – [...]

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