Tag: STS-133
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Josh Byerly shares his experiences on being a voice for NASA
Former NASA Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Josh Byerly has talked openly about the public and private process of providing live, continuous, and accurate commentary of high-pressure moments in the world of space flight, bridging the gap between the technicalities of NASA operations and missions by translating them to the legions of followers around the world.…
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Shuttle Scrubber: SLS working to avoid GUCP leaks
With a deep heritage between the Shuttle’s External Tank and the Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage, a NASA team recently evaluated recommendations to mitigate against leaks of the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) – the cause of launch day delays for three Space Shuttle missions – on the monster rocket. The GUCP: The GUCP…
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Tributes for Discovery’s commander following the passing of Alan Poindexter
The commander of Discovery’s STS-131 mission, Alan Poindexter, passed away on Sunday, following a tragic accident. Tributes have been made to the US Navy captain, who also piloted Atlantis during her STS-122 mission, and served as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Captain Poindexter: After being selected as an astronaut candidate…
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SSME family prepare for SLS core stage role following Shuttle success
NASA’s 15 Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are being transported to the Stennis Space Center (SSC), as they transition towards their future role with the Space Launch System (SLS). The highly reliable RS-25Ds – nine of which flew with the last three Space Shuttle missions – will eventually be succeeded by the expendable RS-25E, early…
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NASA reviews STS-133 SRB/RSRM Performance ahead of STS-134
Following the highly successful launch of the STS-133 mission, NASA and its contractors have reviewed the vehicle’s performance for any In-Flight Anomalies, or IFAs, on the systems of the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs). In all, the standard investigations have revealed a very clean performance in both categories, with only one…
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Discovery’s elaborate deservicing plan put into work amid managerial praise
Although Discovery has finished her space flight career in style, she still has many months of processing ahead of her – as deserving work follows a pre-planned schedule towards her eventual ferry away from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Her final mission was flawless, earning managerial praise for the teams tasked with “finishing strong” during…
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LIVE: Discovery’s final swansong – Perfect re-entry and landing
Discovery has completed her final – and flawless – mission in space with a return to her home port of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. Two KSC opportunities existed on Flight Day 14 (End Of Mission), but excellent weather in Florida allowed a go for the deorbit burn to be given, prior to…
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MAJESTIC Discovery celebrates one final day in orbit
To say that the final voyage of Discovery has been anything but unbelievably remarkable and awe-inspiring would be to lessen the spirit of STS-133. Now, as she spends her final day in orbit of Earth, Discovery is preparing for reentry. Paraphrasing the Admiral (Bill Adama) himself: “Discovery has not failed us. She will not fail…
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STS-133: Discovery undocks for the final time, Late Inspections complete
In an emotional farewell, Discovery has undocked and departed from the International Space Station (ISS) for the final time in her career. The undocking occurred at 6:00am Central Time, ahead of a stunning flyaround of the orbital outpost. As the two vehicles grow the distance between each other, the STS-133 crew completed Late Inspections on…
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STS-133: Workhorse Discovery exemplifying routine orbiter excellence
With Discovery enjoying her final docked mission – with glowing praise from her crew during nearly every media event – the workhorse of the fleet is providing no headaches for her engineering teams on the ground during her swansong flight. No issues of note are being worked on the orbiter in one of the “cleanest”…