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- STS-135 Updates<\/li>\n
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The engineering teams also presented Commander Chris Ferguson and his crew with a large cardboard key to the orbiter with all the systems engineers signatures on it.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, teams are continuing to secure Atlantis\u2019 payload, known as S0600 Vertical Payload Operations. This included work on the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS), which was observed to have an issue with a camera on Sensor Package 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Remotely Operated Electrical Umbilical (ROEU) mate\/functional checkout and the Pico-Sat Solar Cell (PSSC) installation were completed,\u201d noted the NASA Test Director (NTD) report (L2). OBSS Sensor Pack 1 and 2 update: During testing of OBSS Sensors, problem with camera on SP1. I Iris will open and close manually but will not respond in auto.<\/p>\n
\u201cPotential removal of SP1 and return to Flight Crew Lab to verify whether the Test controller box or the Camera that is discrepant. There is a spare camera on site if it is required.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a galled nut plate discovered during the installation of the RMS Sideview Camera (RSC), and it has been repaired. As a result, the RMS side view camera and thermistor testing have been rescheduled to Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A414.jpg\" "\\"A4\\"")
Technicians are also carrying out methodical inspections of ET-138\u2019s flanges, scanning the Thermal Protection System (TPS) foam for signs of cracks in the underlying stringers. The checks are being carried out after last week\u2019s Tanking Test, so as to ensure the radius block modifications have provided the expected protection against the problems suffered by sister tank ET-137.<\/p>\n\u201cSupported the successful tanking test. Electrical, propulsion and thermal were all nominal performance. There is no evidence of any off-nominal structural performance at this time,\u201d noted ET management on the Shuttle Standup\/Integration Report (L2). \u201cThe Failure Investigation Team (FIT) inspection did not show any anomalies.\u201d<\/p>\n
So far, NDE (Non Destructive Evaluation) inspections \u2013 carried out via the use of X-Rays and Backscatter equipment \u2013 have found no issues with the LO2 flange, which is the main area of interest. Scans are now taking place on the lower LH2 flange on the Intertank, which are expected to wrap up by the end of the week.<\/p>\n
\u201cET NDE operations: NDE X-rays are in work and will continue through the week. The NDE on the LO2 flange was completed,\u201d added the NTD report. \u201cThe equipment and ET access platforms were re-positioned and NDE on the LH2 flange is in work. No problems have been detected on the x-rays that have been analyzed to date.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A512.jpg\" "\\"A5\\"")
While the Tanking Test found a problem with the MFV on SSME-3 (see left), with work continuing on installing a replacement valve, another smaller problem was found with an indicator on LO2 17 inch disconnect valve.<\/p>\n\u201cHad a small valve problem during the tanking test on PD #1, which is the LO2 17\u201d disconnect. It has two position indicators for the \u201cOpen\u201d state. The \u201cB\u201d indicator did not come on. It was working last week. It was cycled a couple of times, but still did not work,\u201d noted the Orbiter Project Office (OPO) on the Standup report.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team will troubleshoot the problem to try to recover the indication. If they cannot, LCC (Launch Commit Criteria) is one of two, so it would still be \u201cGO\u201d for launch.\u201d<\/p>\n
This issue, charged as IPR-45 (Interim Problem Report), now has a root cause, found by engineers out at Pad 39A during their investigations into the problem, while preparations are being made for the retests on SSME-3\u2019s MFV (IPR-49).<\/p>\n
\u201cIPR 0045 PD1 LO2 17\u201d disconnect open B indicator update: Troubleshooting revealed faulty wiring. R&R of the connector and associated wires in work,\u201d added the NTD. \u201cIPR 0049 SSME MFV R&R update: Replacement MFV installation was completed. The wire harness connector and associated wires were R&R and reconnected to the valve. The retest is scheduled for next Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cMFV retest is currently scheduled for this weekend and will include SSME 3 FRT and He Signature test.\u201d<\/p>\n
STS-135 Specific Articles: http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/tag\/sts-135\/<\/p>\n
ET Camera Mod:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A610.jpg\" "\\"A6\\"")
As previously reported by this site, managers have approved a modification to the External Tank camera which is mounted inside the tank\u2019s liquid oxygen (LOX) feedline fairing. The modification will allow for continuing footage of the tank, after separation from the orbiter, through to re-entry.<\/p>\nThe modification involved the rewiring of the camera\u2019s battery pack \u2013 specific to the G-Switch timer activation \u2013 allowing it to film from lift off, through ascent to MECO, but then allowed to continue operating through until the ET breaks up \u2013 depending on how long the camera survives as the tank re-enters.<\/p>\n
This modification work has since been carried out at the pad during the continuing NDE inspections of ET-138\u2019s stringers, with retests conducted on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cPRCB request to assess feasibility of leaving LO2 feedline camera on and recording the downlink TV signal for as long as possible until ET entry and\/or breakup,\u201d outlined a Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) presentation on the modification\u2019s approval. \u201cReceiving facilities must be able to receive and record analog FM TV signal.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A88.jpg\" "\\"A8\\"")
\u201cTwo parts to the problem: Coordinate with countries regarding transmitting in airspace. Disable ET FL Camera timer that would otherwise turn the camera off at L+15 mins. Identify and secure receiving stations along ET flight path.\u201d<\/p>\nDue to the lack of TDRS ability as an \u201coverhead option\u201d \u2013 given they are not configured to receive analog FM TV \u2013 a Special Temporary Agreement (STA) was submitted to National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for 30 days beginning July 8 for European airspace transmission, with an agreement reached with DoDand Germans.<\/p>\n
Work had also begun to re-activate Diego Garcia (REEF) ground station, while Navy ship-based assets are still being investigated. Aircraft options, such as the P3 Orion, were classed as unavailable.<\/p>\n
With the aforementioned work in place, and the camera transmitting through until the tank\u2019s destruction, the opportunity to gain first-of-its-kind imagery of a tank\u2019s death plunge is now on the cards. However, it is questionable as to the quality of the footage.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A79.jpg\" "\\"A7\\"")
\u201cIt is presumed that after EI (Entry Interface) a plasma sheath will envelope the tank and either prevent or make very difficult any subsequent TV signal transmission and reception,\u201d noted the PRCB presentation. \u201cA basic assumption has been made that any meaningful TV reception apparatus must be positioned upstream of EI.<\/p>\n\u201cWe have not yet been able to analytically confirm if a plasma blackout condition will present a TV reception problem prior to breakup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another problem will be the tank\u2019s tumble, given there is no attitude control for the tank during entry.<\/p>\n
\u201cShortly after Orbiter sep, the tank is regularly observed displaying a slow 3-axis random tumble. The unstable attitude is presumed to continue until EI and breakup,\u201d the presentation continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny TV reception will most likely be unpredictable and intermittent. It is unknown if the tank assumes a more stable aero attitude during entry. A fusion tool analysis has been requested using STS-134 crew handheld HD video to quantify tank tumble rates.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A98.jpg\" "\\"A9\\"")
From an engineering standpoint, the actual modification work on the ET camera was relatively simple, requiring only a single wire to be clipped in the electronics box to disable the timing circuit.<\/p>\n\u201cDescription of Change: Crit. 3 ET camera system electronics box modified to allow operational run time beyond currently designed run-time (15 minutes after g-switch activation),\u201d noted STS-135\u2019s ET-138 SSP FRR Presentation (all FRR presentations available on L2).<\/p>\n
\u201cChange requested by SSP to provide extended video of tank during re-entry \/ break-up. Change requires deactivating timer circuit by removing g-switch signal to logic board (g-switch wire clipped, insulated and taped). Camera operation now limited by battery life (~90 minutes).\u201d<\/p>\n
The approval for the modification came after the work was successfully demonstrated on a spare box at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans.<\/p>\n
\u201cRationale for Acceptance: Modification demonstrated on spare unit at MAF. G-switch verified operational prior to modification. Electronic box output verified beyond 15 minutes run time (>40 minutes before manually shut down),\u201d added the FRR presentation.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A105.jpg\" "\\"A10\\"")
\u201cElectronics box lid to be re-installed per engineering requirements. RTV sealant applied to mating surface. New fasteners \/ loctite. Camera system open-loop functional test planned to re-verify system operation. Battery re-charged prior to launch.\u201d<\/p>\nThe FRR presentation also listed the expected problems with the footage, adding that technicians will attempt to record the video feed, as opposed to feeding it live to NASA TV, etc.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerformance Expectations. Camera lens \/ visibility may be obscured due to TPS erosion during highheating re-entry environments. Real-time video coverage limited by ground tracking station availability. Majority of data expected to be recorded and not live feed.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, the PRCB presentation did add that the video of the footage will be made available, likely prior to an edit, similar to other videos recorded on orbit, prior to transmission on NASA TV.<\/p>\n
In summary, the FRR approved the change \u2013 pending no dissent at the Agency FRR next week \u2013 with hope a good level of unique footage will be captured via the modified camera system.<\/p>\n
\u201cCamera System Modification Provides Robust Option to Provide Video. Coverage of ET During Re-entry,\u201d summarized the ET-138 FRR presentation. \u201cModification Demonstrated on Spare Unit. Change will be Implemented via Field Engineering Change.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Images: Via L2 PRCB and FRR presentations. Further articles on STS-135\u2032s status will be provided as information arrives, driven by L2\u2032s fast expanding STS-135 Special Section which is already into the FRR content and live flow coverage, plus more. As with all recent missions, L2 is providing full exclusive level flow and mission coverage, available no where else on the internet. To join L2, click here: http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/l2\/)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With her team ably dealing with the usual pad flow hiccups, Atlantis is heading towards her July 8 launch date with no major issues, with the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) completed on Thursday. While inspections continue on the numerous stringers on Atlantis\u2019 External Tank (ET-138), work on the camera modification \u2013 designed to film […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[9021,3659],"class_list":["post-40419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-et","tag-sts-135"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40419"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40419\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}