Updates STS-133 Updates

[Donamy]

Ready to grapple the PMM

 

[DaveS]

Ready to grapple the PMM

Wrong grapple fixture! Actual grapple fixture used is the port one!

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Soyuz flyaround is off.

...which is now officially confirmed.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/03/sts-133-pmm-successfully-installed-soyuz-flyabout-cancelled/
The main rationale given for the decision is that the Russians don't want to try an unprecedented maneuver with a spacecraft using a new set of control systems (I believe that the other Soyuz cannot be used due to its proximity to Discovery).
A sad but understandable decision, I would say. h:

 

[Wally]

Last flight of Discovery carried to orbit the first Romanian space experiment aboard the ISS: Growth and Survival of Colored Fungi in Space (CFS), a huge event for Romanian space reasearch. Details, here.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's a great time-lapse video of the PMM installation.​

PMM ingress is planned for 10:58 PM GMT tonight! :thumbup:

 

[N_Molson]

Soyuz flyaround is off.
...which is now officially confirmed.

The idea was very interesting but using a Soyuz for that is questionable. The Soyuz are supposed to be the "lifeboats" of the station after all, if anything bad happens to them the crew safety is threatened.

A small robotic "photo-probe", being released and grappled by the robotic arms would be a nice tool for that on the future ?

 

[Donamy]

Wrong grapple fixture! Actual grapple fixture used is the port one!

Good catch ! That's what I get for trying to throw up a screenshot too quick.

:facepalm:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

A small robotic "photo-probe", being released and grappled by the robotic arms would be a nice tool for that on the future ?

NASA are working on that! It would be deployed from the JEM A/L, fly-around and take photos, then be grappled by the JEM RMS and brought back inside through the A/L.

 

[Kyle]

...which is now officially confirmed.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/03/sts-133-pmm-successfully-installed-soyuz-flyabout-cancelled/
The main rationale given for the decision is that the Russians don't want to try an unprecedented maneuver with a spacecraft using a new set of control systems (I believe that the other Soyuz cannot be used due to its proximity to Discovery).
A sad but understandable decision, I would say. h:

They've actually done this before on Mir.

 

[C3PO]

They've actually done this before on Mir.

Wasn't there some problem with the Mir main computer shutting down when they did that? They got on board and powered it back up, but that may partly be the reason for the "Het".

 

[orb]

A few YouTube videos from yesterday and today - NASAtelevision:

• STS-133 Flight Day 5 Highlights - First Spacewalk Successful for Drew, Bowen:
  

  Flight Day 5 Highlights

• FD5 Mission Status Briefing - EVA 1 Recapped by Mission Managers:
  

  FD5 Mission Status Briefing

• FD6 Mission Status Briefing Spacewalkers Ready for Second Excursion:
  

  FD6 Mission Status Briefing

Spaceflight Now:

• International Space Station gets a roomy float-in closet
• Proposed ultimate space station photo op rejected
• Revision D of NASA TV schedule for STS-133 mission (PDF)

NASASpaceflight: STS-133: PMM successfully installed – Soyuz flyabout canceled

SPACE.com: Space Station Gets a Zero Gravity Storage Room

collectSPACE:

• STS-133 • Discovery • Flight Day 5
• STS-133 • Discovery • Flight Day 6

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

The crew have just ingressed the PMM! The pressurised volume of the USOS is now complete! :thumbup:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-piHNBHVJA"]YouTube - STS-133 PMM Entry[/ame]

 

[Kyle]

Wasn't there some problem with the Mir main computer shutting down when they did that? They got on board and powered it back up, but that may partly be the reason for the "Het".

Correct. That is probably the more likely reason the Russians said no to that.

Didn't want the Russian Segment's computer to shutdown with the ATV, Progress & Soyuz, US Segment modules, HTV and Shuttle attached to it.

There's a limit PR can go before breaching safety. The flyaround would have been epic, but it was unnecessary.

 

[C3PO]

Is there any way to fly a MMU on one of the two last flights? That would be awesome. I'd like a MMU or two parked on the ISS. Very handy for the next time someone looses a tool bag :lol:

 

[Donamy]

Corrected Cupola screen shot.:tiphat:

 

[Donamy]

Talk about spoiling the view. :blink:

 

[N_Molson]

I'm amazed to see that all the crews fit easily inside the PMM. This thing is bigger than I thought !! :blink:

It is also great to see that the ISS is becoming what it was meant to be :thumbup:

 

[orb]

STS-133 Flight Day 6 Highlights

NASAtelevision:

• Flight Day 6 Highlights - Station Gets New Storage Module:
  

  STS-133 Flight Day 6 Highlights

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Mission Status Update

EVA-2 was completed today. All objectives were completed (mainly PM vent, LWAPA retrieval & CLPA lens covers), plus a get ahead was accomplished (Strela adapter relocate from PMA-3's FRGF to the FGB's EFGF). Alvin Drew's EMU helmet lights popped off toward the end of the EVA - a first!

Here's a time-lapse video of the EVA:​

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PMM outfitting continues to go well. This is from today's ISS On-Orbit Status Report:

FE-6 Cady Coleman, PLT Eric Boe & CDR Steve Lindsey spent several hours on outfitting the newly arrived PMM (Permanent Multipurpose Module). Leonardo, now permanently berthed at the Node 1 Nadir port, was ingressed first by CDRs Scott Kelly & Steve Lindsey last evening at ~11:30 PM GMT. [Today's activities focused on preparing the PMM aisleway by relocating cargo such as the new treadmill, CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) heat exchanger, Robonaut with its accessories, diverse fences & straps to the PMM endcone (opposite the hatch end), and relocating a ZSR (Zero-G Stowage Rack) from the Lab (location Port 1) to the PMM (at P1) along with CTBs (Cargo Transfer Bags) stowed behind the ZSR. ZSR installation required installation of pivot fittings & standoff brackets at PMM P1. Foam, packing material and other trash is being moved to the HTV-2 (H-II Transfer Vehicle-2) for disposal.]

Middeck supply transfers are 92% complete and return transfers are 60% complete. Overall transfer completion: 76%.

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There is now talk of extending the mission by another day - meaning a two-day extension in total for STS-133!

NASASpaceflight: "STS-133: Final Spacewalk completed – Extra +1 Day Option".

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Finally, here's my pick of cool photos! :lol:

The PMM, on approach to Node 1 Nadir.

Hi-res version.

Another shot of the PMM, on approach to Node 1 Nadir.

Hi-res version.

The PMM berthed to Node 1 Nadir (Don was right - what a view blocker)!

Hi-res version.

Another shot of the PMM berthed to Node 1 Nadir.

Hi-res version.

Steve Lindsey by the PMM's CBM hatch, prior to ingress.

Hi-res version.

Hatches are opened!

Hi-res version.

A good look inside the PMM - look at all that stowage! However, a lot of that foam will be going down in HTV-2.

Hi-res version.

Another good look inside the PMM.

Hi-res version.

 

[tblaxland]

Here's a time-lapse video of the EVA:

Ronsmytheiii's time lapse's have been great :thumbup:

The PMM berthed to Node 1 Nadir (Don was right - what a view blocker)!

Not so bad as the screenie suggested - you just need to set the FoV a bit wider