Tag: Endeavour
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Space Shuttle Endeavour: A New Beginning (Part I)
The Space Shuttle Program was well underway by January 1986 – with preparations marching toward the launch of the 25th Space Shuttle mission, a mission to place a school teacher in Low Earth Orbit. And while the STS-51L/Challenger mission ended in disaster, from its devastating aftermath came the hope of a new beginning in the…
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NASA teams recommend Early Release of Shuttle OPF-3
With Discovery safely back on the ground after becoming the first orbiter to successfully complete all of the missions assigned to her, NASA is beginning the process of shutting down processing operations in Florida. Specifically, NASA and the Space Shuttle Program are preparing to release Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 from service earlier than anticipated,…
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STS-119: FCVs set for weekend installation – surprise visitor for Endeavour
Discovery is scheduled to receive the replacement Flow Control Valves (FCVs) over the weekend, ahead of a key flight rationale meeting at the Agency level Flight Readiness Review (FRR) next week. Meanwhile, a small bird managed to find its way into the Payload Bay of Endeavour. STS-119 Pad Flow: Processing at the pad remains on…
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Safety enhancements dominate STS-126 Flight Readiness Reviews
As Space Shuttle Endeavour continues to enjoy a smooth processing flow at pad 39A, Space Shuttle Program (SSP) managers have completed a series of Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs) ahead of the STS-126 launch in two weeks time. Among the various departments presenting their reviews of Endeavour’s systems during the SSP FRR last week was the…
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Endeavour arrives at Pad 39A – STS-125 damage assessment
Space shuttle Endeavour has been escorted on a mini tour of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) pads this morning, after she was transported off Pad 39B for a seven hour journey to Pad 39A. The move was set to take place on Saturday. However, poor weather is expected in the local area this weekend – which…
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Endeavour rollaround moved forward to Thursday – FRR concludes
The unique transfer of Endeavour and the STS-126 stack from Pad 39B to 39A has been moved forward to Thursday at 8am. Meanwhile, the main SSP FRR has concluded with no major issues reported. A key milestone for the move is due to take place over the next 24 hours, with the arrival of STS-126’s…
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Thruster issue requires clean up operations on Endeavour’s TPS
Engineers are working on a plan to clean up around 16 tiles on Endeavour’s nose, following a ‘leak’ of a ‘syrup type ooze’ from a Vernier thruster. The small thruster (F5R) on the right side of Endeavour’s FRCS (Forward Reaction Control System) came under evaluation during a desiccant inspection that resulted in a “liquid” leaking…
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STS-125 launch target moves to February 17 – crucial week for Hubble
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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Dual flow ballet for Endeavour and Atlantis – De-stack debate
Preliminary milestone schedules have been created for the complex dual processing flows of Atlantis and Endeavour – which will hopefully result in the latter launching in just under six weeks time. While plans are now solidifying for the short term, evaluations are continuing on whether Atlantis will need to be de-stacked over the New Year.…