Tag: STS-400
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How the Space Shuttle completed a final, daring Hubble repair 15 years ago
The Hubble Space Telescope continues to operate to this day in part due to the work performed 15 years ago by the crew of STS-125. Dubbed Hubble Servicing Mission 4 (HSM 4), scientists knew this would be their final chance to use the space shuttle to visit and upgrade the orbiting laboratory. As we look…
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STS-400 – Remembering Endeavour’s first responder role during Atlantis’ Hubble Mission
Ten years ago, the crew of Shuttle Atlantis was in the final phase of their Servicing Mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. STS-125 was proceeding to plan and their vehicle was deemed to be in excellent condition for the return trip. However, had Atlantis suffered major damage during her launch to the telescope, Endeavour was…
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NASA’s Shuttle, Satellite, and Space Telescope fleet triumph in 2009
For NASA, 2009 proved to be a stellar year, one filled with five extremely successful Space Shuttle missions (one of which repaired the Hubble Space Telescope), the test flight of the Ares I-X rocket, the launch of the Kepler Space Telescope, the launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and companion spacecraft the Lunar CRater…
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STS-125: TPS cleared for re-entry, landing plan set – Endeavour status
The DAT (Damage Assessment Team) have completed the review of Atlantis’ Flight Day 9 Thermal Protection System (TPS), with no concerns noted, as the STS-125 crew close in on three landing opportunities at the Kennedy Space Center on Friday – weather permitting. Meanwhile, Pad 39A repairs are continuing, ahead of expected rollover of Endeavour for…
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Endeavour waits for STS-400 standdown – STS-125 flies through EVA-3
While STS-125 continues to enjoy a successful Hubble servicing mission – marked by a hugely successful third spacewalk – Endeavour has progressed to a standby point for her STS-400 LON (Launch On Need) role, which is expected to be stood down after the Damage Assessment Team (DAT) evaluation of Late Inspection data near the end of Atlantis’ mission.…
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NASA approves May 11 for STS-125, reviews ‘Special Topics’ for STS-400
With Space Shuttle Atlantis officially set for an opening launch attempt on May 11, confirmed after today’s Agency Flight Readiness Review (FRR), NASA managers are continuing their review of a host of ‘special topics’ for the mission’s rescue flight, STS-400, which is enjoying a smooth processing flow on Launch Pad 39B. STS-400 Forward Strategy: As has…
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Endeavour rolls out for STS-400 role at Pad 39B – GUCP anomaly status
Shuttle Endeavour has completed her rollout to 39B, where she will be put through a part flow as the STS-400 LON (Launch On Need) support for Atlantis’ STS-125 mission. During this flow, engineers will test the alignment procedures with the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) – following the leak during STS-119’s opening launch attempt. STS-400/127…
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Endeavour rollover to VAB for STS-127/400 completed
As part of the dual flow for STS-125, Endeavour has rolled over from her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-2) to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where she will be mated with External Tank ET-131 over the Easter weekend. Endeavour is tasked with supporting Atlantis as the LON (Launch On Need) shuttle, ahead of her primary STS-127…
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Pre-empting Hubble: MOD reviews STS-125/400 requirements
With Space Shuttle Atlantis undergoing her second round of pad processing for the much anticipated flagship mission to the Hubble Space Telescope in May, NASA managers continue to refine the complex ballet of procedures for STS-125 and its associated Launch On Need (LON) mission, STS-400 – with Endeavour on track for rollover to the VAB…
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Atlantis rollout to Pad 39A – FCV plan set up for STS-125/400
Atlantis has rolled back out to Pad 39A for her re-aligned STS-125 mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. First motion for the stack was registered at 3:54am local time, for a 11am arrival at the pad, after which the vehicle will undergo a hotfire of all three of her Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) tonight. Meanwhile…