Tag: STS-126
-
DAT role – Examining every inch of Endeavour’s TPS for safe return
The engineering review of Endeavour’s Thermal Protection System (TPS) – which earlier this week cleared the orbiter for re-entry – has once again shown the amazing level of detail the Damage Assessment Team (DAT) engineers undertake to ensure orbiters can return home safely. Overall, Endeavour’s TPS is very clean, owed in part to the superb job…
-
EVA-2 marks 10th birthday for ISS – STS-126 passing midway point
On the tenth anniversary of the International Space Station (ISS), Astronauts Shane Kimbrough (EV3) and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper (EV1) have conducted the second of four EVAs during STS-126. As with EVA-1, the spacewalk concentrated on the starboard SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint). ISS 10 years old: The ISS – is the largest spacecraft ever built –…
-
Pad 39A Flame Trench repair performed well during STS-126 launch
Engineers at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) have compiled a preliminary report on the state of Launch Pad 39A – highlighting a lack of major damage to the pad’s structure after the year’s fourth shuttle launch. However, a couple of items of interest are under investigation. Tail Service Mast and General Pad Assessments: Overall, Launch…
-
STS-126: EVA-1 opens major effort to repair SARJ on Station
Spacewalkers Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper (EV1), and Stephen Bowen (EV2) have completed the first of four EVAs planned for STS-126, which are centered around replacing the Trundle Bearing Assemblies (TBAs) – along with cleaning and lubricating tasks – on the troublesome starboard SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint). An issue was worked ahead of the EVA, with issues…
-
STS-126: MPLM attached to ISS – ET-129 images show extremely clean tank
The “Leonardo” Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) has been transferred from Endeavour’s payload bay to Node 2 of the International Space Station (ISS) on Flight Day 4 of STS-126. Meanwhile, images of Endeavour’s External Tank (ET-129) show what may be the cleanest even tank – with only around three small areas of foam loss, with Endeavour…
-
Endeavour and crew arrive at ISS to start docked phase of STS-126
Space shuttle Endeavour has docked with the International Space Station (ISS), and her crew have ingressed the orbital outpost on Flight Day 3 of STS-126. Endeavour’s arrival was preceeded by the visually stunning RPM (Rbar Pitch Maneuver). The photos taken by the ISS crew during Endeavour’s backflip will be added to the arsenal of data…
-
FD2 inspections completed as Endeavour pursues ISS for Sunday docking
Endeavour continues to close the distance between herself and the International Space Station (ISS), as Flight Day 2 activities – focusing mainly on the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) scans of the orbiter’s Thermal Protection System (TPS) – have been concluded. Flight Day 2’s activities included rendezvous preparations for docking with the ISS, involving centerline camera…
-
STS-126 remains on track – tanking slightly delayed via overnight troubleshoot
Endeavour’s External Tank (ET-129) tanking operation is now in stable replenish, as STS-126 remains on schedule for a 19:55 local time launch to the International Space Station (ISS). Overnight, the ET purge heater controller had to be replaced – though the five hour hit to operations has not caused a serious delay. STS-126’s S0007 Launch…
-
RSS retracted to reveal Endeavour – ODS issue cleared for flight
STS-126’s S0007 launch countdown operations have reached another milestone, with the retraction of the Rotating Service Structure (RSS), ahead of tanking on Friday morning. Processing continues to be issue-free, bar the late approval to fly ‘as-is’ with two bent pins on Orbiter Docking System (ODS) connector. Final operations ahead of tanking have been taking place…
-
STS-126: Super smooth Endeavour easing through the countdown to L-1
A loose washer on a ground support carrier plate is the only reported issue, as Endeavour heads towards launch day – in an amazingly issue-free S0007 launch countdown for STS-126. This follows a review of outstanding paperwork during the Mission Management Team (MMT) L-2 meeting. Loading of Endeavour’s Power Reactant Storage and Distributation systems was…