Tag: STS-131
-
Discovery docks with ISS following successful Ku Band workaround
Discovery and her seven member crew have arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) following a visually stunning R-bar Pitch Maneuver (RPM) 600 feet below the orbiting science laboratory. Following pressurization and leak checks of the ISS’s PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adaptor-2) and Discovery’s ODS (Orbiter Docking System), hatches between Discovery and the ISS will be…
-
STS-131: Discovery closing in on ISS docking – RSB liberation during ascent
Discovery is continuing to close the gap between herself and the International Space Station (ISS) for a Flight Day 3 rendezvous that will result in docking at 02:44am Central time. Bar the Ku band failure, Discovery is in great shape, and enjoyed a nominal ascent on Monday morning, according to opening MMT (Mission Management Team) reviews –…
-
STS-131: FD2 inspections completed smoothly despite lack of KU capability
Veteran orbiter Discovery is closing in on the end of Flight Day 2 on orbit, following her launch at the first attempt on Monday morning, kicking off the STS-131 mission. Inspections of Discovery’s Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) and other parts of her Thermal Protection System (TPS) have been completed, although footage of the surveys won’t…
-
Dryden Support – Californian facility ready for Discovery landing option
The NASA and contractor workforce at the shuttle’s backup landing site, the Dryden Flight Research Center, are completing preparations this week to support Monday morning’s launch of STS-131. If the Californian option is required, Discovery will land on the temporary concrete runway 22/04 – which became the topic of a managerial debate during STS-130 due…
-
STS-131: Countdown begins for Discovery – LON requirements in place
Following a series of highly elaborative and successful Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs), launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-131 mission is just three days away – as Launch Countdown (S0007) operations kicked off early on Friday morning. With the pad flow proceeding to plan, managers are finalizing their preparations for the L-2 Mission…
-
STS-131: Discovery in final preps for countdown – T-RAD debated
Discovery is enjoying a nominal pad flow towards the start of the STS-131 countdown on Friday morning. Composite Overwrap Pressure Vessels (COPV) pressurization is currently being finalized, ahead of the closure of the orbiter’s Payload Bay Doors (PLBDs) for flight. The only discussion that has taken place at the Program level this week related to…
-
NASA evaluates STS-131 Mission Timelines as Discovery heads toward S0007
With Discovery’s opening launch attempt on the STS-131 mission now officially set for Monday, April 5 at 6:21:22 a.m., final pre-countdown operations are underway at Launch Pad 39A as engineers complete last minute tasks to configure Discovery and the launch pad for S0007 (launch countdown) operations. Discovery’s Mission: In all, STS-131 will be Discovery’s 38th and…
-
STS-131: Agency FRR approves April 5 following debate on several issues
The decision to call a Special PRCB (Program Requirements Control Board) meeting on Tuesday paid dividends, as several outstanding issues gained the required flight rationale – with all dissenting opinions removed – to allow for Friday’s Agency-level Flight Readiness Review (FRR) to give a “go” for STS-131 to proceed towards an April 5 launch date.…
-
STS-131: SRB flight rationale gained following gyro test failure
With Discovery’s payload now installed into the orbiter’s Payload Bay, all eyes are on Friday’s Agency Flight Readiness Review (FRR). Several items of interest are under review, all of which have flight rationale decisions to allow STS-131 to launch on April 5. One item of interest with the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) already has flight…
-
STS-131: Special PRCB on RRCS notes split opinion on flight rationale
Friday’s Agency Flight Readiness Review (FRR) will have several dissenters pitching against flight rationale for STS-131’s launch, relating to the faulty helium isolation valve on the Right Reaction Control System (RRCS). While dissent is not uncommon – and more so welcomed – the Special Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) meeting still has strong support for…