Schedules are showing the External Tank camera \u2013 which will ride with Atlantis\u2019 ET-138 \u2013 is to be modified \u2013 allowing it to beam back video of the tank\u2019s disintegration after parting ways with the orbiter at MECO (Main Engine Cut Off). Meanwhile, STS-135\u2019s pad flow now includes the replacement of the left outboard Window Contamination Control (WCCS) desiccant tubing.<\/p>\n
STS-135 Processing Latest:<\/p>\n
Although Atlantis has kicked up a couple of protests via a number of Interim Problem Reports (IPRs), none are classed as any concern for the launch date, or indeed the schedule of the Tanking Test \u2013 set to take place in the middle of this month.<\/p>\n
Indeed, the pad flow has transitioned from S0009 Launch Pad Validation to S0024 Pre-launch propellant servicing tasks with all minor issues resolved, either at the pad, or via managerial decisions.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A224.jpg\" "\\"A224\\"")
Items of interest center around IPR-39 to 44 \u2013 mainly relating to the loading of hypergolic fuel into the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) Hydraulic Power Units (HPUs), which will be used to drive the Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system, allowing the nozzles on the boosters to aid the steering of the stack during first stage ascent.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew IPR 135V-0042 was picked up by HPU during left SRB TVC rock system fill. The handle and stem of a GN2 regulator valve on the left SRB servicing cart came loose. Repair was completed and IPR will be upgraded to GSE (Ground Support Equipment) PR (Problem Report),\u201d noted the NASA Test Director (NTD) processing reports (L2).<\/p>\n
\u201cNew IPR 135V-0043 was picked up by HPU during left SRB TVC tilt system fill. After isolating the GSE from the vehicle, a vent valve was found out of configuration. The valve was repositioned, leak checks were successful, and tilt system fill resumed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Completed tasks in the flow include the Payload Bay Door torque tube installation, SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engines) and Aerosurface FRTs (Flight Readiness Tests). GO2\/GH2 blank off plate installation in support of the Helium Signature Test (set for Saturday), S1287 Orbiter AFT closeouts and S0037 tanking test preparations.<\/p>\n
Next week will involve the hypergolic loading of Atlantis\u2019 Reaction Control System (RCS). Propellant loading of the orbiter\u2019s Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), which will provide hydraulic power to numerous systems, such as the Flight Control Surfaces (FCS) and SSME gimbals, is already in work as of Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Rocket building kits (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n \u201cS0024 Pre-Launch Propellant Servicing preps continue. FRCS (Forward Reaction Control System) QD (Quick Disconnect) mates\/leak checks in work. APS and APU QD mates\/leak checks are scheduled over the weekend. Hyper Load is scheduled to begin early Monday morning with CTS (Call To Stations) at 0400 EDT,\u201d added the NTD.<\/p>\n STS-135 Specific Articles: http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/tag\/sts-135\/<\/p>\n \u201cThe lightning strike detected within 0.32 nm of Pad A by CGLSS (Cloud to Ground Lightning Surveillance System) and within 0.87 nm by Strike Net will not be an issue for the vehicle. Engineering will perform only the GSE walkdowns. No ERB (Engineering Review Board) or further action will be required.\u201d<\/p>\n Unrelated to the water intrusion observed \u2013 and cleaned up \u2013 on Atlantis after the storm, another potential \u201cmoisture issue\u201d remains under investigation at an ERB level. The observation was made during the Window Contamination Control (WCCS) desiccant borescope inspection task, with indications are that moisture had intruded from an unknown source.<\/p>\n During each Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) flow, the assemblies are purged with nitrogen, while the beads in the desiccant cartridges are checked. Every two to three flows, the desiccant cartridges are serviced with new desiccant material.<\/p>\n It is surprising that moisture could have made its way into the system, given the highly controlled environment inside the OPFs during servicing, so while the ERB review the status of the system, a plan has already been approved to replace the left hand outboard WCCS desiccant, with a desire to have the work completed ahead of the Tanking Test.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Window Contamination Control (WCCS) desiccant borescope inspections were completed and an ERB was held to discuss the findings,\u201d noted the NTD. \u201cThe left hand outboard WCCS desiccant will have to be removed and replaced. Following S0024, the manifold and desiccant will be removed, purged and replaced. It is desirable to have repairs complete prior to next week\u2019s Tanking Test.\u201d<\/p>\n ET Camera Modification:<\/p>\n The camera debuted for a one-off ride during STS-112\u2019s launch, although this was implemented mainly for the purpose of PAO coverage, and was located higher on the tank \u2013 near the top of the intertank \u2013 prior to its full time integration with the tanks from STS-114 onwards, as part of the Return To Flight (RTF) requirements.<\/p>\n The 3.5 mm lens camera provides a field of view of about 100 degrees, offering a look at the vicinity of the tank\u2019s bipod attachment area, a portion of the External Tank where the liquid hydrogen tank and intertank \ufb02ange area are adjoined, and a portion of the bottom side of the Orbiter.<\/p>\n The camera has proved its worth over the years, capturing both amazing ascent footage \u2013 which is now a regular feature of the live NASA TV launch coverage \u2013 whilst carrying out its primary task of observing Thermal Protection System (TPS) foam liberations from the tank, capturing vital information on both the timing of any events, along with any resulting impacts on the orbiter.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ET LO2 feedline fairing camera is powered and controlled automatically from the electronics package mounted on a support beam located between the LO2 and LH2 tanks,\u201d noted the specific section on the system in the 1500 page INCO systems handbook (L2).<\/p>\n \u201cThe camera\u2019s field of view includes the bipod assembly region, Orbiter left and right wing (except as obstructed by the bipod strut), Orbiter -Z TPS beginning 12 inches forward of the bipod fitting and continuing aft. The camera captures images at the National Television System Committee (NTSC) frame rate of 30 frames per second (fps) and can see debris\/divots that are 2.0 x 2.0 inches or larger at a distance of under 20 feet.\u201d<\/p>\n The camera\u2019s battery pack includes 20 nickel-metal hydride batteries, which provides approximately 28 volts DC. Though the batteries will last for about 70 minutes \u2013 mainly to allow three launch attempts prior to the need to recharge\/replace the batteries \u2013 the picture is usually lost not long after ET\/Orbiter separation.<\/p>\n Each is about 2.5 inches long, and will transmit a 10 watt signal to the ground stations. The antennas are located on the opposite side of the tank from the Orbiter about 45 degrees from the tank center line.<\/p>\n The complete camera system, weighing 32 pounds, activates approximately three minutes prior to launch and operates for about 15 minutes following liftoff.<\/p>\n The video is downlinked from the tank during flight to several different NASA data receiving sites, and then relayed for broadcast on NASA TV.<\/p>\n The last of these receiving ground stations is the Wallops Flight Facility, located on the ascent path, on the Virginia Eastern Shore.<\/p>\n The modification will involve the rewiring of the camera\u2019s battery pack \u2013 believed to be 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 \u201cThe camera system provides the capability to RF downlink the ET camera video signal to ground stations from RF activation until G-switch timer activation at MET 15 minutes, which effectively turns off the transmitter (a G-switch is a mechanical device that senses acceleration in order to close its contacts),\u201d the INCO handbook explains.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, the most critical portion of image gathering is prior to SRB separation, for debris transport analysis purposes, while imagery after SRB separation is only highly desirable (thus the reason for the switch\u2019s shutdown task).\u201d<\/p>\n Now, per schedule, a small team from the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) will carry out the modification during NDE (Non Destructive Evaluation) testing after the tanking test. The mod is in the flow for June 25.<\/p>\n However, no notes \u2013 at this time \u2013 have confirmed how the footage will be beamed back, given the ground station set up loses the ability for the camera to transmit to Wallops after MECO due to LOS (Loss Of Signal). It is likely a P3 Orion aircraft \u2013 or a ship in the required vicinity \u2013 will be utilized.<\/p>\n As is usual, most of the tank is destroyed during entry, with only the chance of a few smaller pieces \u2013 such as attach points and aft orbiter connections \u2013 managing to make it down to the ocean surface.<\/p>\n Previously, only footage a few minutes after MECO has been seen \u2013 via handheld video taken by the orbiter\u2019s crew on the flight deck. A video was also taken during STS-29, when ET-36\u2019s re-entry over Indian Ocean was viewed by a US Navy Aircraft.<\/p>\n The prospect of footage from the tank itself \u2013 as it vents and starts to disintegrate \u2013 on the final ever shuttle mission, may not be up to the high standards of the Soyuz \u201cFlyabout\u201d footage of Endeavour and the ISS, but it would provide a potentially stunning viewpoint of the final Shuttle ET, prior to its demise.<\/p>\n (Images: Via L2 and nasa.gov. Further articles on STS-135\u2032s status will be provided as information arrives, driven by L2\u2032s new and fast expanding STS-135 Special Section.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Schedules are showing the External Tank camera \u2013 which will ride with Atlantis\u2019 ET-138 \u2013 is to be modified \u2013 allowing it to beam back video of the tank\u2019s disintegration after parting ways with the orbiter at MECO (Main Engine Cut Off). Meanwhile, STS-135\u2019s pad flow now includes the replacement of the left outboard Window […]<\/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-40431","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\/40431"}],"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=40431"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40431\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A44.jpg\" "\\"A4\\"")
Good news has been reported on the lightning event, which was registered at the pad complex shortly after Atlantis arrived at Pad 39A, following rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). (Image from Pad 39B event, not 39A)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A53.jpg\" "\\"A5\\"")
The WCCS is simple venting system which utilizes a pair of desiccant assemblies as part of its operation, plumbed into the windows through stainless steel tubing.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A112.jpg\" "\\"A11\\"")
The External Tanks fly with a Sony XC-999 video camera, mounted inside the tank\u2019s liquid oxygen (LOX) feedline fairing \u2013 a metal covering that protects the area where the fuel feedline penetrates the inter-tank \u2013 with the camera pointing down the tank.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A62.jpg\" "\\"A6\\"")
The implementation of the camera was part of the build up of the Enhanced Launch Vehicle Imaging System (ELVIS), which includes cameras on the SRBs, the ET Umbilical Well of the orbiter, and most recently the ascent cameras placed on the orbiter\u2019s \u201cdashboard\u201d which capture LO2 Ice Frost Ramp (IFR) foam liberations.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A72.jpg\" "\\"A7\\"")
The camera has two \u2018blade\u2019 S-Band antennas \u2013 with a frequency range between 1.55 to 3.9 gigahertz, most often used for telemetry downlink.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A93.jpg\" "\\"A9\\"")
Riding with the final ET on the final Shuttle mission, the camera is hoped to provide a star role during both Atlantis\u2019 ascent and ET-138\u2019s demise, after engineers noted a modification on the flow schedule (L2 information).<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/A82.jpg\" "\\"A8\\"")
The video signal \u2013 which is frequency modulated on a 2272.5 MHz carrier and downlinked to ground stations \u2013 would need to be picked up as far as in an area near the Cook Islands, which is the disposal area for the tank after it re-enters.<\/p>\n