Tag: STS-129
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STS-129 ready to support Dragon communication demo with ISS
When STS-129 launches next week, Atlantis will have one eye on the future, as she carries the CRS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU), a key element for the upcoming demonstration of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, ahead of its debut arrival at the International Space Station (ISS) in 2010. STS-129’s Dragon Payload: The Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS)…
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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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STS-129: Atlantis receiving her ordnance – MEI evaluations continuing
Atlantis is continuing to push towards her November 16 launch date, with the pad flow milestone of ordinance installation taking place this weekend. Meanwhile, the main focus of flight rationale clearance – the Main Engine Ignition (MEI) Acoustic and SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engine) Ignition Overpressure (IOP) Environments, relating to a stinger on the aft…
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STS-129: Borescope inspections completed – aggressive instrumentation plan
An Engineering Review Board (ERB) meeting has created an aggressive forward plan to add instrumentation to Atlantis, with the aim of gaining a further understanding into the stresses endured by a Reaction Control System (RCS) stinger attach point during Main Engine Ignition (MEI). In tandem with the engineering discussions, borescope inspections have taken place on…
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Atlantis’ payload installation milestone for STS-129 flow
With less than two weeks to go before the scheduled launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station (ISS), technicians at Launch Pad 39-A have begun installing the STS-129 payload into Atlantis’ Payload Bay. Meanwhile, overall preparations for Atlantis’ launch continue on track – with no major pad processing issues of note. Payload…
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STS-129: MEI issue may require additional instrumentation – NBL incident
Engineers are closing in on a plan to install instrumentation on Atlantis – in time for her November 16 launch date – in order to understand a potential issue with a stinger structure on the aft of the vehicle, which may be susceptible to the stresses of Main Engine Ignition (MEI). Meanwhile, a crewmember avoided…
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Shuttle Program managers outline mission priorities for STS-129
With Space Shuttle Atlantis now officially targeting a launch on November 16, Space Shuttle Program (SSP) managers have – via Flight Readiness Review (FRR) documentation – reviewed and approved all flight plans and mission operations that will be undertaken during Atlantis’ 12-day flight to the International Space Station (ISS). Mission Overview: After nearly two years,…
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STS-129: Main Engine Ignition Acoustic debate leads FRR
Managers at the STS-129 Agency Flight Readiness Review (FRR) have been discussing an issue relating to an attach point between the aft Reaction Control System and OMS Pod, which may be around 20 flights beyond their predicted fatigue lifespan. Due to potential structural integrity problems via localized acoustics during Main Engine Ignition a forward plan…
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STS-129: Special flight deck Minicam set to film ET ramps during ascent
Last week’s Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Flight Readiness Review (FRR) has approved the installation of a special minicam pointing out of window 4 on Atlantis’ flight deck. The camera will film the forward portion of the External Tank (ET) during flight, in order to capture the behavior of the LO2 Ice Frost Ramps (IFRs) during…
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STS-129 aims for three day launch window – ET-134 arrives for STS-130
Space Shuttle Program (SSP) manager John Shannon expects STS-129 to enjoy a three day launch window, as Atlantis finds some elbow room between two satellite launches from the Cape. Meanwhile, as Endeavour receives her three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) ahead of the 2010-opening STS-130 flight, her External Tank (ET-134) has arrived at the Kennedy…