Tag: STS-119
-
STS-119: March launch possible via FCV replacement and MPS protection
A launch of STS-119 prior to the Soyuz cut out in mid March remains on the cards, as managers prepare to meet on Wednesday for a launch date discussion. The meeting will also outline a plan to “beef up” the most vulnerable area of the MPS (Main Propulsion System) plumbing, which would reduce risk associating…
-
STS-119: Managers delay launch indefinitely due to FCV concern
Shuttle managers have concluded the Delta Flight Readiness Review (FRR) – one of the longest in shuttle history – by failing to approve flight rationale due to concerns with the Flow Control Valves (FCVs). No launch date has been set, but February 27 is no longer the target. Teams will meet again on Wednesday to…
-
STS-119 FRR touch and go for approving launch date
Another delay to STS-119’s NET (No Earlier Than) launch date is deemed a possible outcome of Friday’s Flight Readiness Review (FRR), with test results – some negative – still arriving on manager’s desks on Thursday. The main issue relates to more data being required on how a broken piece of Flow Control Valve (FCV) may…
-
STS-119: Pad flow picks up for latest launch date target
Shuttle Discovery is back into full launch processing, with the pad flow working to the latest NET (No Earlier Than) launch date target of February 27. The processing – which can be backed out of in the event of another Flow Control Valve (FCV) related delay – will also include work on one of Discovery’s windows.…
-
STS-119: Marathon PRCB on FCVs moves NET to February 27
Shuttle managers have concluded a special PRCB (Program Requirements Control Board) meeting on the Flow Control Valve (FCV) issue, and decided additional time is required – moving the NET (No Earlier Than) launch date to February 27. A host of presentations were put before the PRCB at the Johnson Space Center (JSC), overviewing the latest findings…
-
STS-119: Major NASA effort working through FCV testing and flight rationale
STS-119’s latest NET (No Earlier Than) launch target of February 22 remains the target, as engineers work through the Flow Control Valve (FCV) issue with the goal of approving flight rationale. Testing and documentation are being ramped up ahead of Friday’s special PRCB (Program Requirements Control Board) meeting. Processing at Pad 39A is now holding…
-
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…
-
Understanding the threats – FCV flight rationale effort outlined
Discovery’s processing flow at Pad 39A is continuing in part, in the hope the realigned NET (No Earlier Than) launch date of February 19 for STS-119 will not be further delayed. Minutes from the Agency level Flight Readiness Review (FRR) point to a huge amount of work being undertaken in order to achieve the requested…
-
Agency FRR change to NET Feb 19 for STS-119 – pending FCV work
Pending work on outstanding issues, the Agency level Flight Readiness Review (FRR) have decided to aim for No Earlier Than (NET) February 19 as the STS-119 launch date, based on issues with the Flow Control Valves (FCV). Several items of interest are being looked at, mainly from the standpoint of flight rationale – which is expected to…
-
Discovery on track as STS-119 heads into Agency FRR
NASA senior managers will meet on Tuesday for the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) “Agency” Flight Readiness Review (FRR) which, among other things, will officially set the mission’s launch date. With only a limited amount of time remaining before launch, the STS-119 Certification of Flight Readiness (CoFR) Requirements/Endorsements chart show a nearly green board, with…