Tag: ISS
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Positive news on SARJ status – Flight preps for latest STS-119 date
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. NASA…
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Progress M-66 launches, heads for the International Space Station
The Russian cargo ship Progress M-66/32P has launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, ahead of docking with the International Space Station (ISS) on February 13. The resupply vehicle is carrying 2.5 tons of cargo for the Station’s Expedition 18 crew. Included in its supplies are more than 1,900 pounds of propellant, just over 100 pounds of…
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STS-119 slips to NET February 22 – risk of a two month delay
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. As recently noted, the initial…
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NASA approve funding to leave OBSS permanently on the ISS
NASA managers have approved funding elements to allow for a plan to leave the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) as a permanent fixture on the International Space Station (ISS). The 50 foot robotic arm would be used as a EVA crew platform for maintenance activities by ISS crewmembers. The plan, which would result in the…
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STS-119 SSP FRR meeting concludes – FCVs and water recycler spares
The Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Flight Readiness Review (FRR) concluded the key milestone meeting for the STS-119 mission, set to launch on February 12. The replacement of Discovery’s Flow Control Valves (FCVs) is the one constraint to flight. STS-119 is also set to carry spares for the failed hardware in the Urine and Water Processing…
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ISS Spacewalk completed – SARJ results show promise following STS-126 work
Expedition 18 crewmembers Yury Lonchakov and Michael Fincke have performed a Russian spacewalk (ISS RS EVA-21), which has included the installation of a probe to aid the on-going investigation into the off-nominal re-entries of two Soyuz vehicles. Meanwhile, the continued assessments into work conducted during STS-126’s EVAs on the Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJs) are…
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SpaceX and Orbital win huge CRS contract from NASA
SpaceX and Orbital Sciences Corporation have been awarded the lucrative Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract, with SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.) earning 12 missions, and Orbital winning another eight missions. The details of the award – worth up to 3.5 billion dollars – equates to Orbital winning 54 percent of the funding. PlanetSpace Inc lose out on the award.…
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Dextre grounded – engineers evaluating potential failure on ISS robot
An issue with Canada’s Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) robot “Dextre” is being evaluated, after engineers identified a potential failure mode in the SPDM Power Switching Init (PSU). As a result, the robot will remain in its current position attached to the Destiny Lab until further notice. Dextre is capable of robotic execution of ISS…
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STS-125’s tank arrives – manifest meeting evaluates Ares I-X and ISS supplies
The replacement tank for Atlantis’ mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). ET-130 replaces ET-127 – now flying with Discovery in February – following the delay to STS-125. A manifest meeting has already taken place, which has been tasked with finding solutions to Ares I-X’s place in…
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Endeavour undocks from a healthier ISS – heads to Late Inspections
Shuttle orbiter Endeavour has undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Flight Day 15 of STS-126. Endeavour and her crew depart the Station in a much healthier state than when they arrived, notably via the maintenance on the Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJs), with early results showing the downstream multi-mission plan – which ends…