Tag: STS-132
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Piers Sellers, shuttle astronaut and renowned climate researcher, dies at 61
Piers Sellers flew on three assembly missions to the International Space Station. He is seen here on the STS-132 mission in May 2010. Credit: NASA Former astronaut Piers Sellers, a British-born climate scientist who flew on three space shuttle missions to help construct the International Space Station, has died of pancreatic cancer at the age…
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STS-132’s OBSS cable snag sets up potential mitigation plan
Following the snagged cable incident on Atlantis’ Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) Pan Tilt Unit (PTU) during STS-132, the Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) have outlined their investigation findings, and a potential mitigation plan. Later this month, engineers will test the addition of a permanent cable tie, in order to avoid future snags. OBSS PTU…
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Boosters providing solid swansong – STS-132 IFA notes excellent performance
As the era of large Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) for NASA launch vehicles appears to be drawing to a close, the performance of STS-132’s booster set was recorded as excellent at the In Flight Anomaly Review (IFA). In total, zero IFAs were recorded on the Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs) – with only four minor…
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Boosters providing solid swansong – STS-132 IFA notes excellent performance
As the era of large Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) for NASA launch vehicles appears to be drawing to a close, the performance of STS-132’s booster set was recorded as excellent at the In Flight Anomaly Review (IFA). In total, zero IFAs were recorded on the Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs) – with only four minor…
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Streaks from Atlantis’ SSMEs noted as Discovery gains engines back
An In Flight Anomaly (IFA) Review into STS-132’s ascent has noted an observation of over 200 streaks from Atlantis’ Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) plumes during ascent. While the number of streaks is twice the amount of the previous “record” no loss of performance or safety margins were breached. Meanwhile, Discovery has received all of…
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Excellent External Tank TPS performance reduces pull test requirements
A multi-stage approach to the mitigation of foam liberations from the intertank region of the External Tanks (ETs) continues to pay dividends, as STS-132’s In Flight Anomaly (IFA) review pointed to yet another clean tank – with only one area of notable foam loss from Atlantis’ tank. The results have removed the requirement for additional…
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Excellent External Tank TPS performance reduces pull test requirements
A multi-stage approach to the mitigation of foam liberations from the intertank region of the External Tanks (ETs) continues to pay dividends, as STS-132’s In Flight Anomaly (IFA) review pointed to yet another clean tank – with only one area of notable foam loss from Atlantis’ tank. The results have removed the requirement for additional…
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Atlantis ready for STS-335 flow following impressive mission performance
After what is becoming more likely to have been her last flight, Atlantis is continuing post roll in operations, as she prepares to head into STS-335 processing in support of STS-134. If STS-132 proves to be Atlantis’ swansong, the post-flight reports from the Mission Management Team (MMT) point to a superb performance during entry and…
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STS-132: Atlantis arrives home to KSC – FCS debris events noted
Shuttle Atlantis has managed to dodge unacceptable weather at her home port of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Wednesday, taking the first of the two Florida landing opportunities, ending in a graceful landing. For what may of been her final day in space, Atlantis continued to be in great shape, with only the observation…
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STS-132: DAT Clear Atlantis’ Thermal Protection System for Landing
As Atlantis’ crew complete final checkouts for entry and arrival back home at the Kennedy Space Center, the Damage Assessment Team (DAT) have successfully concluded their thorough review of Atlantis’ fragile Thermal Protection System (TPS) – clearing the vehicle’s heat shield for entry. Two landing attempts available for Atlantis on Wednesday morning – the first at…