- \n
- STS-133 FLIGHT DAY LIVE<\/li>\n
- L2 STS-133 Special Section<\/li>\n
- Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The majority of the crew also began transfer operations between the two vehicles, interrupted by a public affair event, prior to entering into EVA-2 preparations \u2013 ahead of Monday\u2019s 6.5 hour EVA-1 to be conducted by Alvin Drew and Steven Bowen \u2013 later in the day.<\/p>\n
Discovery\u2019s historic docking \u2013 her last prior to retirement \u2013 was flawless from an orbiter standpoint, as the veteran ship\u2019s systems all worked as advertised, bar a minor Ku-Band glitch \u2013 which were quickly resolved.<\/p>\n
\u201cRNDZ (Rendezvous) timeline block 4A RADAR self-test was started at GMT 057\/13:41:11 (MET 001\/15:47:47). Ku-Band system failed Self-Test due to an expected task 8.3 beta angle rate fail. The Crew put the system in the Comm mode at GMT 057\/13:47:54 (MET 001\/15:54:30) and the system is operating normally,\u201d noted summary sections of an expansive MER rendezvous and docking summary (L2).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Crew put the system in the RADAR ON for RNDZ at GMT 057\/15:49:14 (MET 001\/17:55:50) and detected ISS at a range of 143 kft (GMT 057\/15:49:30), tracking at 142 kft (GMT 057\/15:49:50). RADAR operated as expected. The crew returned the Ku-Band to COMM mode at GMT 057\/18:43:52 (MET 001\/20:50:28) at a range of 320 ft.<\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/A325.jpg\" "\\"A3\\"")
Discovery then joined to the giant station she helped construct over the latter part of her esteemed career, confirming soft dock after she arrived via a mix of human and computer expertise.<\/p>\n\u201cCapture occurred at about GMT 057\/19:14:33. Hooks closed at GMT 057\/20:40:56. DAP (Digital Autopilot) was moded to LVLH at GMT 057\/20:09:54 and the maneuver to the TEA (Torque Equilibrium Attitude) began at GMT 057\/20:12:00. The maneuver was complete at GMT 057\/20:42:15,\u201d added the MER notes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe GPC (General Purpose Computer) set contraction was performed during the maneuver. The DAP was moded to FREE drift at GMT 057\/20:22:06 and AUTO was selected at GMT 057\/20:26:35. DAP B13 was selected at GMT 057\/20:57:56 for the Deadband Collapse prior to the handing over control to the ISS. The DAP was moded to FREE drift at GMT 057\/21:08:55.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once soft docked, the adjoined vehicles went into a previously experienced condition caused by \u201cgravity gradients\u201d \u2013 which impacted on the alignment of the guide ring, delaying the move to a hard dock condition until the relative motion eased out.<\/p>\n
\u201cODS (Orbiter Docking System) performed within specifications. During Stuck Dampers procedure, oscillation of petals 1 and 3 (around petal 2) was observed. Guide Ring misalignment indication was obtained at GMT 057 \/ 19:26:02 (lasted 2:01) at guide ring position 38 percent,\u201d added the MER report.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother Guide Ring misalignment obtained at GMT 057 \/ 19:28:07 (Guide Position at 34 percent). The ISS \/ Shuttle system entered gravity gradient conditions causing the guide ring positions to diverge for approximately 23:56 before final guide ring retraction could be re-initiated. This scenario has been observed before (i.e., STS 130).
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\n\u201cTime between Soft Capture and Hard Mate: 51:28. ODS Docking Mechanism continued to perform as expected. Data will be analysed and reviewed during STS 133 Data Review. ODS ready to support Undock Activities.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/A771.jpg\" "\\"A77\\"")
Cryo margins on the orbiter have also been assessed as supporting two extra days \u2013 if required \u2013 one of which would be used if managers decide to extend the docked mission by one day to facilitate the Soyuz flyabout, which remains under discussion for later in the mission \u2013 mainly on the Russian side.<\/p>\nAll of Discovery\u2019s systems continue to perform admirably, with the Mission Evaluation Room (MER) only having to evaluate a couple of minor issues \u2013 one of which is related to the amount of water gathered from the humidity in the crew cabin on Flight Day 1, and a \u201cfunny\u201d (minor issue) observed on hardware related to the SSPTS (Station to Shuttle Power Transfer System).<\/p>\n
\u201cMission Status: Vehicle continues to perform nominally. Discovery is now docked to ISS. New Problems and Funnies: MER-01 Hum Sep Water Carryover \u2013 this item was upgraded from the funny list at the FD3 OPO (Orbiter Project Office). The crew has not observed any additional carryover water since FD1,\u201d noted MER documentation (L2).
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\n\u201cFunny: Main B Bus Volt Fault Summary Message \u2013 SSPTS transferred voltage from the OPCUs (Orbiter Power Converter Units) is close to the limit of 32 V. EGIL (Electrical Generation and Illumination Engineer) changed the limit to 32.2 V to prevent a nuisance alarm from waking the crew. Considering dialing back the OCPU voltage. This condition was also seen on STS-128.\u201d<\/p>\nSTS-133 News Articles (over 110 articles): http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/tag\/sts-133\/<\/p>\n
Discovery\u2019s TPS:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/A418.jpg\" "\\"A4\\"")
As was expected, following an incident free ascent last Thursday, the DAT engineers have been confronted by a very clean orbiter Thermal Protection System (TPS), as they evaluate the array of photography and data gained from the Flight Day 2 OBSS inspections, along with the Flight Day 3 RPM footage. (Numerous DAT presentations\/video available in L2).<\/p>\nAlthough some media focus was placed on the visible foam liberation late into Discovery\u2019s ascent, managers were already of the opinion the incident was of no concern due to the lack of aerodynamic transport available to such debris when the orbiter is outside of the first stage environment.<\/p>\n
Such is the vast understanding of liberation events, it was no surprise when the DAT engineers confirmed zero damage in the area of \u201cimpact\u201d \u2013 or more accurately a small piece of foam lightly bouncing off the TPS \u2013 as seen via the camera on the External Tank (ET-137). (Image used shows the how the debris floated and bounced around, as opposed to \u201cstriking\u201d the orbiter). <\/p>\n
\u201cThe LESS\/RCC team has completed review and dispositioning of all RCC ROI\u2019s (Reinforced Carbon Carbon \u2013 Regions Of Interest). None of the ROI\u2019s were found to exhibit damage characteristics. The team was unanimous with review of the items. No focused inspection is required for any of the RCC ROI,\u201d noted one of the opening statements from DAT on their stance for any requirement of a Focused Inspection (L2 ).<\/p>\n
\u201cTPS is in the middle of reviewing RPM imagery. Overall the vehicle looks in very good shape. Only one small tile damage (forward of port inboard elevon) has been added to the previous list for assessment. No damage was identified on or around the NLGD (Nose Landing Gear Door) where the foam was noted to impact during ascent\u201d.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/A519.jpg\" "\\"A5\\"")
The DAT engineers also provided confirmation the work from the closeout team at the pad provided a secure repair to a very small area of coating damage, sustained during the closure of the hatch on launch day. With a think black paint substance used to cover the defect, on orbit photography showed the repair was highly satisfactory.<\/p>\nThe official clearance of Discovery for entry is expected early in the week, as the DAT go through a process known as a Level II Review, followed by a Peer Review \u2013 a failsafe to ensure nothing has been missed by the engineers. This also allows time for further analysis to be completed on any potential gap fillers \u2013 of which there has only been one spotted via the RPM photos \u2013 on the RH MLGD (Right Hand Main Landing Gear Door).<\/p>\n
As always, numerous photos of what is nothing more than cosmetic damage to two of Discovery\u2019s 26,000 tiles were produced by the DAT as part of their report to the Mission Management Team (MMT).<\/p>\n
Because such photos are blown up in size for assessment by the DAT, images of extremely minor damage can sometimes be misinterpreted by people outside of the program. MMT chair LeRoy Cain appeared to intimate such a scenario during Sunday\u2019s media briefing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy to report there wasn\u2019t really much to talk about at all. Literally we had very few areas where they were able to detect any damage at all. We had two tiles, on the entire bottom side of the orbiter \u2013 where we have thousands of tiles \u2013 and it\u2019s just coating damage,\u201d noted Mr Cain. \u201cJust phenomenal performance from the Space Shuttle system to result in this kind of a report from the inspection team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe like to show you pictures of damage and talk about why it\u2019s not a concern. (Howver,) I\u2019ve decided not to show the pictures as it\u2019s such trivial damage, and it was then pointed out to me that it was a good point to make.\u201d (In compliance with Mr Cain\u2019s opinion, those photos are also omitted from this article).<\/p>\n
Engineers will continue to monitor the vehicle\u2019s Wing Leading Edges (WLEs) via the monitoring on the WLE IDS (Impact Detection System), ahead of one final inspection of the orbiter after undocking via the OBSS. Using the FD2 and FD3 data as a baseline, Discovery will be given her final clearance for entry shortly after those inspections have been downlinked to Houston.<\/p>\n
(Numerous articles will follow. L2 members refer to STS-133 live coverage sections for internal coverage, presentations, images and and updates from engineers and managers \u2013 which is now into full Flight Day coverage during the mission. Images used, lead: NASA.gov. Stitch by Ron Smyth Rest via L2 documentation).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Damage Assessment Team (DAT) confirmed Discovery\u2019s clean ascent into space by clearing the orbiter from a Focused Inspection, as STS-133\u2019s mission continues to proceed flawlessly. With a host of robotic operations picking up shortly after Discovery arrived at the orbital outpost for the final time, the crew are heading toward the opening spacewalk \u2013 […]<\/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":[9171,233,9051,7935],"class_list":["post-40517","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-dat","tag-iss","tag-sts-133","tag-tps"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40517"}],"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=40517"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40517\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40517"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40517"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40517"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}