Tag: STS-128
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Previous In-Flight Anomalies Evaluated for STS-129
As Atlantis’ launch date nears, engineers, Space Shuttle Program managers, and Agency personnel are continuing their analysis of the Main Engine Ignition acoustic environment on the Stinger pods of orbiter Atlantis – an analysis they are able to devote a great deal of time to thanks to an issue-free pad flow and excellent prior mission…
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Ares I-X launches – managers claim successful test flight
Ares I-X has launched on the second attempt at 11:30am Eastern, and although the First Stage and the Upper Stage Simulator (USS) appeared to recontact after separation (later confirmed that no recontact took place) – managers are claiming the flight to be a success. Sources also claim one of the FS’ parachutes failed, with the booster splashing down with two working…
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Atlantis arrives at Pad 39A – FRR to be aided by clean STS-128 mission
The STS-129 stack has completed rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to Pad 39A Wednesday, ahead of the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) season – which begins with the MOD FRR on Thursday – that will clear the vehicle to launch on November 12. The STS-128 In Flight Anomaly (IFA) review will make up a…
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Review of STS-128 Ascent Imagery reveals remarkably clean External Tank
Following the multiple Intertank foam debris liberations from Endeavour’s STS-127 External Tank (ET-131) in July, engineers at the Kennedy Space Center and the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in Louisiana undertook an ambitious campaign of Non Destructive Evaluations and Pull Tests on downrange tanks to ensure that these kinds of liberations would not occur again. Those…
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Discovery arrives back home at KSC – STS-129 ET/SRB mate
Discovery has returned to her home port of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on top of one of NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA). The two day cross country journey involved two stops in Texas, and an overnight stay in Louisiana. She joins her two sisters who are deep in processing for the next two missions,…
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Discovery/SCA duo leave Barksdale for KSC homecoming
Discovery’s cross country journey back to Florida has begun its final leg , following refueling stops at Amarillo and Fort Worth, Texas, before arriving at Barksdale, Louisiana for an overnight stay. The superstar orbiter is expected to make it back to her home base of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Monday afternoon, as she rides on top of the converted…
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Shuttle fleet in smooth processing on both sides of the United States
Discovery is on track for her weekend cross country trip back to the Kennedy Space Center, whereboth her sisters are deep in processing for their upcoming missions. Post flight evaluations into Discovery’s STS-128 mission will converge at the In Flight Anomaly Review (IFA) at the end of the month, though initial findings continue to point…
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Discovery in Dryden processing for Ferry home – TPS in great shape
Following her highly successful STS-128 mission, Discovery is undergoing smooth processing at the Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), located in the grounds of Edwards Air Force Base, with hardly any items of interest noted during opening Thermal Protection System (TPS) evaluations – which in turn will aid an uninterrupted turnaround for a potential departure from…
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Discovery makes perfect landing in California – STS-131 flow preview
With the weather failing to improve on the Florida coastline, Discovery has landed at the Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California – where she will undergo initial deservicing prior to a ferry trip back to the Kennedy Space Center on the back of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA). The deorbit burn took place at…
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STS-128 landing moves to Friday – Vernier Thrusters recovery options outlined
After 13-days on orbit and a spectacularly successful logistics mission to boost the science capability of the International Space Station (ISS), Discovery and her seven member crew will spend an extra day on orbit, as unacceptable weather conditions over the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) failed to clear in time for both of the landing opportunities…