Tag: STS-127
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Atlantis returns to OPF for STS-129 processing – Endeavour SSME contamination
Atlantis has returned to Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-1) in preparation for her flow towards the STS-129 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Marking a busy period for the fleet, Discovery is receiving her SSMEs (Space Shuttle Main Engines) for STS-128, while Endeavour’s SSMEs are being evaluated – after corrosion/contamination was seen on tubing associated…
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STS-127 heads toward June 13 – SRB modifications identified during SSP FRR
NASA officials have cleared Space Shuttle Endeavour for launch on June 13 at 7:17a.m. This mission, the STS-127/2J/A flight, will complete assembly of the Japanese Kibo Laboratory complex during the 16-day journey to space. With this approval for flight comes one of the final steps of flight rationale for Endeavour’s Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs)…
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Atlantis arrives back at KSC ahead of STS-127 Agency FRR
Atlantis is finally home after a cross-country trip on top of a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) and will now be prepared for rollback to her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF). Meanwhile, Endeavour’s preparations for launch head into another milestone on Wednesday, when managers meet at the Agency level Flight Readiness Review (FRR), which will set the…
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Endeavour arrives at Pad 39A – Atlantis heading to Biggs, Texas on Monday
The high tempo pace of shuttle processing continues through the weekend and earlier into next week, with Atlantis’ departure from California on top of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) set for Monday and Endeavour’s pad swap on Sunday morning. Endeavour will be arriving at a Pad 39A that has undergone several repairs, following damage sustained during…
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ASA inspections and STS-125 IFAs lead STS-127 rationale debate
Endeavour remains on track for the setting of a June 13 or 14 launch date at next week’s Agency level Flight Readiness Review (FRR), despite the requirement for additional SSP (Space Shuttle Program) level evaluations. Several factors, including Atlantis’ In Flight Anomalies (IFAs) – notably the Aerosurface Servoamplifer (ASA) channel 1 fault – are still up…
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MOD reviews special topics for Endeavour’s June mission to ISS
With STS-125 safely completed, NASA is turning its attention towards the June 13 launch of Endeavour to the International Space Station. Particularly, the Mission Operations Directive (MOD) – which conducted their Flight Readiness Review (FRR) for STS-127 last week – paid special attention to “New Operations” that will be a part of Endeavour’s 16-day flight…
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Atlantis lands safely in California – Fleet status update
Atlantis has landed at Edwards Air Force Base on EOM+2 (End Of Mission plus two days), after Entry Flight Director Norm Knight decided the weather at the Kennedy Space Center had failed to improve to acceptable levels. Atlantis will return to KSC on top of a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) just a few weeks ahead of…
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STS-125: TPS cleared for re-entry, landing plan set – Endeavour status
The DAT (Damage Assessment Team) have completed the review of Atlantis’ Flight Day 9 Thermal Protection System (TPS), with no concerns noted, as the STS-125 crew close in on three landing opportunities at the Kennedy Space Center on Friday – weather permitting. Meanwhile, Pad 39A repairs are continuing, ahead of expected rollover of Endeavour for…
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Downstream processing and planning – preparing the fleet through to STS-135
Even though shuttle managers are preparing for two missions in the space of a month, efforts on the downstream flights are at various stages of processing and planning, all the way through to STS-135 – which is currently the LON (Launch On Need) placeholder for what is currently the last shuttle mission – STS-134 –…
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Endeavour rollover to VAB for STS-127/400 completed
As part of the dual flow for STS-125, Endeavour has rolled over from her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-2) to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where she will be mated with External Tank ET-131 over the Easter weekend. Endeavour is tasked with supporting Atlantis as the LON (Launch On Need) shuttle, ahead of her primary STS-127…