STS-128 Updates

[Kyle]

SOURCE OF ARTICLE: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/07/sts-128-discovery-to-vab-following-et-132-clearance/

Discovery’s been patiently sat on the Orbiter Transporter System (OTS) for a number of days, as engineers carried out pull tests on ET-132’s intertank – the area from which several unusual foam liberations occurred during Endeavour’s ride uphill on STS-127.

Initial testing concentrated on the adhesive properties between the foam and the tank’s structure in 26 locations in the intertank region. Those initial results showed positive margins.

“TPS-ET-132 Foam Bond Adhesion Verifications: All 26 locations now tested and have adhesion failures only. ET-132 Foam Adhesion: All 26 locations had COHESION failures not adhesion failures,” noted a memo (L2) outlining the good news from the initial testing.

While those areas were being repaired, the pull test results went to the “Noon Board” – a daily meeting between shuttle managers – at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston.

“11 of the 26 (reapplication of foam) and in trim now on the +Z side. 13 on the -Z side have Conathane applied and (reapplication of foam),” added the memo. “Noon Board today will determine the next course of action and if more pulls are required.”

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

--CURRENT STATUS--

Discovery is now in the VAB after it's rollover from OPF-3 yesterday. It will be mated to the ET-132 stack over the next week.

Discovery's payloads (Leonardo MPLM + LMC w/ ATA) are in the payload transportation canister in the SSPF.

LC-39A is now ready to support Discovery when it arrives next week.

For pictures of the above events, go to:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=206


--UPCOMING PREFLIGHT PROCESSING DATES--

Payloads move to LC-39A:----Thu 30 Jul

Discovery rollout to LC-39A:--Wed 5 Aug

 

[Kyle]

Rollout to LC39A is expected on Tuesday I believe.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Discovery's payloads (Leonardo MPLM + LMC w/ ATA) are now in the PCR (Payload Changeout Room) at LC-39A!

----------
To any mods:
Could this thread be made sticky, in place of the STS-127 thread?
Thanks!

---------- Post added at 17:15 ---------- Previous post was at 13:52 ----------

ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang's STS-128 mission has been officially named Alissé, after a public naming competition.

The name refers to the 15th century explorers who used the trade winds to follow Christopher Columbus across the oceans to the New World.
One of the most famous trade winds is the alizé, a steady north-easterly wind that blows across central Africa to the shores of America.

By changing the letters 'iz' to 'iss', the target of today's explorers is encompassed in the mission name: Alissé.
In our new world, to reach Columbus (ESA's laboratory on the ISS), we must follow the wind up to the skies and meet people from other continents on the International Space Station.

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum32/HTML/000162.html

 

[Kyle]

View of Pad 39A

---------- Post added 08-04-2009 at 12:09 PM ---------- Previous post was 08-03-2009 at 05:15 PM ----------

Why hello Discovery!

---------- Post added at 03:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:09 PM ----------

At Pad A's base.

(pictures provided by nasaspaceflight.com)

---------- Post added at 05:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:11 PM ----------

We have hardown! Discovery now at LC39A

 

[ryan]

Found this when researching. Engineers checking the clearance of the payload doors. Who says NASAs high-tech!

 

[DaveS]

STS-128/ISS 17A SOMD FRR began as planned at 8 am EDT. Live updates from the FRR will be posted here: http://twitter.com/NASA

 

[Zoe]

Press kit now available at http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/379392main_STS-128_Press_Kit.pdf

 

[DaveS]

The FRR is still on-going and the press conference that will follow it is TBD.

---------- Post added at 10:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 PM ----------

The FRR will not conclude with a GO/NO-GO decision for launch today. The FRR will resume tomorrow morning at 8 am EDT so the press conference that was set to follow the FRR has been pushed until around noon EDT tomorrow, time dependent on when the FRR actually concludes.

 

[tblaxland]

The FRR will not conclude with a GO/NO-GO decision for launch today.

Notwithstanding, the tank has been cleared:
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts128/090818frr/

late Tuesday, agency officials speaking through Twitter said "the tank discussion is over and everyone had the chance to offer a viewpoint. At this point, the FRR decided we're OK to fly as is."

 

[DaveS]

The FRR resumed as planned this morning and all projects have made their presentations. Right now doing the poll for a GO/NO-GO decision. Briefing is NET 11 am EDT.

---------- Post added at 04:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:31 PM ----------

Also, the STS-128 flight crew will fly to KSC sometime between 7 pm and 8 pm EDT tonight. Arrival at the SLF will be broadcast live on NASA TV.

---------- Post added at 04:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:34 PM ----------

Decision is GO for launch! Launch date and T0 is August 25, 0536:02 UTC.

 

[Zoe]

STS-128 Briefing and events schedule:

All times Eastern.

L-4 Days - Friday, Aug. 21

10 a.m. - Prelaunch update
- Steve Payne, NASA Test Director

11 p.m. - Countdown starts (not on NASA TV)

L-3 Days - Saturday, Aug. 22

10 a.m. - Countdown Status Briefing
- Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA Test Director
- Joe Delai, STS-128 Payload manager
- Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer

L-2 Days - Sunday, Aug. 23

10:30 a.m. (tentative) - Ares I-X Vehicle Assembly Building Media Event (Not on NASA TV)

1 p.m. - International Space Station Science Briefing

2 p.m. - Material Science News Center Demo (Not on NASA TV)

3 p.m. (no earlier than) - Prelaunch News Conference
- Mike Moses, chair, Mission Management Team
- Simonetta di Pippo, European Space Agency, director of Human Spaceflight
- Pete Nickolenko, STS-128 launch director
- Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer

L-1 Days - Monday, Aug. 24

Approx. 5 a.m. - Rotating Service Structure moves into position

4 p.m. - Fueling commentary begins

Approx. 4:11 p.m. - Fueling begins

8:30 p.m. - Continuous launch commentary begins

Crew Activities: (times may vary slightly)
3 p.m. -- Crew wakes up (not on NASA TV)
9:06 p.m. -- Weather briefing (commander, pilot and mission specialist 2) (not on NASA TV)
9:16 p.m. -- Astronauts don flight suits
9:46 p.m. -- Depart for launch pad
10:16 p.m. -- Arrive at White Room and begin ingress
11:21 p.m. -- Close crew hatch

Launch Day - Tuesday, Aug. 25

1:36 a.m. - Launch

Launch + 1 hour - Post-launch News Conference
- Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations
- Simonetta di Pippo, European Space Agency, director of Human Spaceflight
- Mike Moses, chair, Mission Management Team
- Pete Nickolenko, STS-128 launch director

 

[Kyle]

Morning Discovery, ready to fly?

We're halfway through Fuel Cell Activation work. Tanking to begin at 4:11 PM at the T-6 hours mark.

---------- Post added at 06:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 PM ----------

We are at T-6 hours and holding for 2 hours

I'm watching you GUCP!!

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

I'm watching you GUCP!!

If you try any funny business this time, you'll be sorry.

I mean it!
Don't make me come in there!!

 

[Kyle]

Tanking is underway for Discovery, everything is nominal so far. Some thunderstorms developing in the area per NASA PAO George Diller.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Spaceflight Now's live Space Shuttle chat is now open - all space geeks welcome!

Come join us!

http://spaceshuttle.chatango.com

 

[ryan]

This is from spaceflight nows mission status centre.

0020 GMT (8:20 p.m. EDT Mon.)
The Final Inspection Team is out at the launch pad to scan the vehicle for any ice or debris concerns following fueling operations. The team is responsible for checking the shuttle and launch pad one last time prior to liftoff.
The team is comprised of engineers and safety officials from NASA, United Space Alliance and tank-builder Lockheed Martin. At the conclusion of their two-hour tour-of-duty, the team will have walked up and down the entire fixed service structure and mobile launcher platform.
The team is on the lookout for any abnormal ice or frost build-up on the vehicle and integrity of the external tank foam insulation.
The team uses a portable infrared scanner that gathers temperature measurements on the surface area of the shuttle and can spot leaks. The scanner will be used to obtain temperature data on the external tank, solid rocket boosters, space shuttle orbiter, main engines and launch pad structures. The scanner can also spot leaks of the cryogenic propellants, and due to its ability to detect distinct temperature differences, can spot any dangerous hydrogen fuel that is burning. The team member also is responsible for photo documentation. The team wears the highly visible day-glow orange coveralls that are anti-static and flame resistant. Each member also has a self-contained emergency breathing unit that holds about 10 minutes of air.

 

[jlinscheid]

It might still happen if they can clear those checklists in time.

 

[Donamy]

scrub !

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

New launch time:

Wed 26 @ 5:10am GMT/UTC.