Endeavour has completed her 3.5-mile journey to Launch Pad 39A from the VAB ahead of her targeted February 7 launch date on the STS-130 mission. Meanwhile, managers and engineers around NASA are preparing for the multi-stage Flight Readiness Review (FRR) process for STS-130 – aided in large part by the low number of In-Flight Anomalies [...]
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If the first half of 2009 for NASA demonstrated the agency’s unwavering attention to safety, NASA not only continued that trend – upholding the utmost safety standards in the Space Shuttle and International Space Station Programs – during the second half of the year but also placed itself and its various programs in a tremendous [...]
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Capping off a highly successful year for the Space Shuttle Program, the STS-129 flight of Atlantis last month has undergone its final, official post-flight assessment: the all-important In-Flight Anomaly (IFA) review. In all, STS-129 was a clean flight, particularly for the vehicle’s Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs).
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Shuttle managers have concluded the key review of STS-129’s mission, in turn providing a baseline for STS-130’s Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs). The STS-129 IFA (In Flight Anomaly) review provided an in-depth post flight overview of all shuttle hardware, from the orbiter, to the External Tank, Space Shuttle Main Engines, and boosters – the latter of [...]
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The Space Shuttle Program (SSP) will have “no idea” where it stands from a budget standpoint until February, as the viability of extending the shuttle manifest continues to be eroded by the lack of a clear direction at the political level. The irony of running head first into shuttle retirement comes as the Space Shuttle [...]
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STS-129 has concluded with a homecoming to Florida, following a flawless mission for Atlantis and her crew. Landing at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) was at 9:44am Eastern, following the go to take the opening deorbit burn opportunity at 8:37am. Atlantis was working no issues, and saw her Thermal Protection System (TPS) cleared for entry, despite [...]
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As Atlantis’ seven member crew enjoy a working Thanksgiving on orbit, preparations are in full swing to bring Atlantis home tomorrow morning after, what has been, an extremely successful mission to the International Space Station. Meanwhile, Flight Controllers are evaluating a potential thermal control issue on Atlantis should the vehicle still be on orbit come [...]
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Atlantis has undocked from the International Space Station (ISS), as she prepares to target a landing on Friday. Late Inspections took place later on Flight Day 10, although this should only be a formality – following the Damage Assessment Team (DAT) formally clearing the orbiter for entry during her docked phase of STS-129.
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STS-129 is spending its last full day on the International Space Station, ahead of Wednesday’s undocking. Flight Day 9 is focusing on transferring the remaining items on the manifests, including the Distilliation Assembly (DA) from the broken Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – a task that required a large amount of debate, to ensure the large [...]
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Randy Bresnik and Robert Satcher have compelted the third and final EVA of STS-129’s mission, as work is already ramping up on the next mission to launch out of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) – as STS-130 hits the milestone of mating the External Tank (ET-134) and Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). Endeavour is set to [...]
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STS-129 Spacewalkers Michael Foreman and Randolph Bresnik have concluded the second of three EVAs, which has been slightly replanned due to the success of EVA-1 and alarms on Station. Meanwhile, engineers have cleared Atlantis for a contingency redocking with the ISS – in the event of damage being found during post-undock Late Inspections – following [...]
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As part of NASA’s effort to stockpile the International Space Station with as many spare components as possible before the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet, the Express Logistics Carriers are a vital part of that endeavor. With Flight Day 5 involving the removal of ELC-2 from Atlantis’ cargo bay, an interview with Boeing’s Eve [...]
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Spacewalkers Mike Foreman (EV1) and Robert Satcher (EV2) have completed the first of three EVAs on Flight Day 4, with tasks including installing a spare communications antenna, routing cables and lubricating parts of the mobile base system and Kibo robotic arm. Meanwhile, the Damage Assessment Team (DAT) have confirmed Atlantis will not require a Focused [...]
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With her Flight Day 2 (FD-2) Thermal Protection System inspections behind her, Atlantis has docked with the International Space Station (ISS) – following a visually stunning R-bar Pitch Maneuver (RPM). Docking came after engineers cleared a minor ring alignment issue on Atlantis’ Orbiter Docking System (ODS).
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STS-129’s crew have worked through the primary Flight Day 2 task of inspecting Atlantis’ Thermal Protection System via the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS), while the Mission Management Team (MMT) review ascent data and imagery of STS-129’s External Tank (ET-133). Post Sep ET Umbilical Well photography shows what appears to be one of the cleanest tanks on [...]
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Only three minor foam liberation events have been noted in initial ascent imagery evaluations, with External Tank ET-133 appearing to perform extremely well during launch. Further checks will take place via Flight Day 2’s opening Thermal Protection System (TPS) inspections which utilize the orbiter’s robotic arms for the first time during STS-129.
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With a smooth countdown behind her, Atlantis launched on her opening opportunity on the STS-129/ULF-3 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Engineers only had to work one issue during the count – relating to noise on the H2 pump inside Fuel Cell 2.
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Atlantis continues to behave herself on Pad 39A, with no notable issues reported in the launch countdown. With the Mission Management Team (MMT) now meeting daily, the build-up to a “go” for tanking at 5am local time on Monday currently has no obstructions in its path. Meanwhile, engineering leads from the United Space Alliance and [...]
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T-43 hours and counting for the launch of Atlantis on her STS-129 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), as engineers begin a highly complex ballet of S0007 (Launch Countdown) operations. No issues are being worked at Pad 39A, while the clearance for launch is expected to receive a green light at next milestone of [...]
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The STS-129 ascent/entry flight control team and flight crew concluded the fourth and final integrated ascent simulation at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) on Tuesday. NASASpaceflight.com’s Philip Sloss was given a unique insight by observing the sim runs conducted by Flight Director Bryan Lunney and his team.
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