Tag: STS-129
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SpaceX announce successful activation of Dragon’s CUCU onboard ISS
Following its arrival onboard shuttle Atlantis during STS-129, the CRS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) – a key element for the upcoming demonstration of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule – has passed a series of tests on the International Space Station (ISS), allowing the commercial company to confirm its successful activation. Atlantis and ISS aid Dragon’s future: The…
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Endeavour Arrives at Pad 39A; STS-129 IFA Review Promotes STS-130 FRRs
Endeavour has completed her 3.5-mile journey to Launch Pad 39A from the VAB ahead of her targeted February 7 launch date on the STS-130 mission. Meanwhile, managers and engineers around NASA are preparing for the multi-stage Flight Readiness Review (FRR) process for STS-130 – aided in large part by the low number of In-Flight Anomalies…
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IFA Review reveals solid performance of STS-129 SRBs and Main Engines
Capping off a highly successful year for the Space Shuttle Program, the STS-129 flight of Atlantis last month has undergone its final, official post-flight assessment: the all-important In-Flight Anomaly (IFA) review. In all, STS-129 was a clean flight, particularly for the vehicle’s Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs). Solid Rocket Booster…
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ATK class STS-129 booster motor performance as excellent
Shuttle managers have concluded the key review of STS-129’s mission, in turn providing a baseline for STS-130’s Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs). The STS-129 IFA (In Flight Anomaly) review provided an in-depth post flight overview of all shuttle hardware, from the orbiter, to the External Tank, Space Shuttle Main Engines, and boosters – the latter of…
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Extension decision no closer after “one heck of a year” for shuttle
The Space Shuttle Program (SSP) will have “no idea” where it stands from a budget standpoint until February, as the viability of extending the shuttle manifest continues to be eroded by the lack of a clear direction at the political level. The irony of running head first into shuttle retirement comes as the Space Shuttle…
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Flawless Atlantis returns home to the Kennedy Space Center
STS-129 has concluded with a homecoming to Florida, following a flawless mission for Atlantis and her crew. Landing at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) was at 9:44am Eastern, following the go to take the opening deorbit burn opportunity at 8:37am. Atlantis was working no issues, and saw her Thermal Protection System (TPS) cleared for entry, despite…
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EOM-1; Flight Controllers Review Thermal Margin Control for Atlantis
As Atlantis’ seven member crew enjoy a working Thanksgiving on orbit, preparations are in full swing to bring Atlantis home tomorrow morning after, what has been, an extremely successful mission to the International Space Station. Meanwhile, Flight Controllers are evaluating a potential thermal control issue on Atlantis should the vehicle still be on orbit come…
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Atlantis undocks and conducts Late Inspections – DAT status
Atlantis has undocked from the International Space Station (ISS), as she prepares to target a landing on Friday. Late Inspections took place later on Flight Day 10, although this should only be a formality – following the Damage Assessment Team (DAT) formally clearing the orbiter for entry during her docked phase of STS-129. STS-129: Atlantis’…
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STS-129: Atlantis ready to bring crew – and hardware – back home
STS-129 is spending its last full day on the International Space Station, ahead of Wednesday’s undocking. Flight Day 9 is focusing on transferring the remaining items on the manifests, including the Distilliation Assembly (DA) from the broken Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – a task that required a large amount of debate, to ensure the large…
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STS-129 concludes final EVA – STS-130 ET/SRB mate on Monday
Randy Bresnik and Robert Satcher have compelted the third and final EVA of STS-129’s mission, as work is already ramping up on the next mission to launch out of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) – as STS-130 hits the milestone of mating the External Tank (ET-134) and Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). Endeavour is set to…