Tag: RCS
-
STS-133: Discovery enters her final month of OPF processing ahead of rollover
With over 128 million miles on her clock, Discovery is now into the final month of her flow inside the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) for her 39th and final mission, as she prepares for rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on September 8. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing into the Reaction Control System (RCS) Test…
-
Endeavour preparing for SSME installation – RCS test article investigation
Engineers are preparing Endeavour for next week’s installation of her three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) for what is likely to be the final time, ahead of STS-134’s mission in February of next year. Meanwhile, an investigation is currently taking place into a failure of a Reaction Control System (RCS) test article, although no inspection…
-
STS-131: Special PRCB on RRCS notes split opinion on flight rationale
Friday’s Agency Flight Readiness Review (FRR) will have several dissenters pitching against flight rationale for STS-131’s launch, relating to the faulty helium isolation valve on the Right Reaction Control System (RRCS). While dissent is not uncommon – and more so welcomed – the Special Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) meeting still has strong support for…
-
STS-131: RRCS testing positive ahead of FRR flight rationale decision
A full set of testing on the primary and secondary regulators on Discovery’s Right Reaction Control System (RRCS) – located downstream of the leaking helium isolation valve – has being classed as a success. The health of the system’s redundancy will boost the chances of managers approving flight rational at the upcoming Agency-level Flight Readiness…
-
STS-131: ERB discuss troubleshooting and flight rationale for RRCS valve leak
An Engineering Review Board (ERB) meeting has taken place on Monday to discuss options relating to the leak on Discovery’s Right Reaction Control System (RRCS). Five troubleshooting procedures have failed to correct the issue with a helium isolation valve – with additional troubleshooting set to take place. Should those efforts also fail, flight rationale would be…
-
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…