Engineers are currently working no serious issues with the Discovery, as the Mission Management Team (MMT) sailed through L-2 ahead of STS-119′s opening launch attempt on Wednesday. The main topic of conversation related to an issue with Discovery’s OMS (Orbital Maneuvering System) Engine Gimbal Controller during her previous flight, STS-124.
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Following the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) approval for launch, and the arrival of the STS-119 crew, Discovery has entered the launch countdown (S0007) at 7pm local time Sunday evening. The three day countdown is targeting a 9:20pm launch of Discovery on Wednesday evening.
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As expected, the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) has cleared Discovery to target a launch at 9:20pm on March 11, following a final review of the Flow Control Valve (FCV) flight rationale. One constraint – relating to the left SRB (Solid Rocket Booster) Range Safety System – will be worked over the weekend.
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Members of a Special PRCB (Program Requirements Control Board) meeting on Wednesday have once again worked through a vast set of documentation, which concluded with positive results for STS-119′s Flow Control Valve (FCV) flight rationale, ahead of the ultimate launch date decision at Friday’s Flight Readiness Review (FRR).
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Engineers are scheduled to begin the installation of the three replacement Flow Control Valves (FCVs) into Discovery on Tuesday, following their arrival from Vacco. Meanwhile, managers are preparing to meet at Wednesday’s Special Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) meeting, buoyed by encouraging data on the path towards flight rationale that may even allow for a [...]
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Several options, including a reduced mission duration with only one EVA, are being considered as a contingency to ensuring STS-119 launches in March – prior to the Soyuz cut out. Dependant on gaining flight rationale for Discovery’s Flow Control Valves (FCVs), the effort would add options to avoiding a downstream delay to STS-125′s mission to [...]
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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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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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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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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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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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The need for additional time for the impact test data review – one of the threats associated with the Flow Control Valve (FCV) issue – has moved STS-119 to NET (No Earlier Than) February 22. Friday’s decision also noted a worst case scenario that would involve a two month delay.
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Discovery’s processing flow at Pad 39A is continuing in part, in the hope the realigned NET (No Earlier Than) launch date of February 19 for STS-119 will not be further delayed. Minutes from the Agency level Flight Readiness Review (FRR) point to a huge amount of work being undertaken in order to achieve the requested [...]
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Pending work on outstanding issues, the Agency level Flight Readiness Review (FRR) have decided to aim for No Earlier Than (NET) February 19 as the STS-119 launch date, based on issues with the Flow Control Valves (FCV). Several items of interest are being looked at, mainly from the standpoint of flight rationale – which is expected to [...]
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NASA senior managers will meet on Tuesday for the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) “Agency” Flight Readiness Review (FRR) which, among other things, will officially set the mission’s launch date.
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