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The latter would be an item of interest in the event of a problem with ATV-2 docking \u2013 especially in relation to what caused the issue, should it potentially impact on Discovery\u2019s arrival at the orbital outpost.<\/p>\n
Should managers opt for the 24th as the launch date, only for ATV-2 to suffer a problem during docking that would hold an impact to Discovery\u2019s own docking, a scrub would likely be called, resulting in an additional cryo cycle on the tank. However, a scenario of a such a serious issue during ATV-2 docking is highly unlikely.<\/p>\n
The final decision on the launch date will be made at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Friday, when managers meet for the Agency-level Delta Flight Readiness Review (FRR). The Mission Management Team (MMT) will then meet on L-2 and on launch day ahead of tanking.<\/p>\n
UPDATE: FRR approves ATV-2 docking on the same day as Discovery\u2019s launch day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team continues to target Thursday, 2\/24 for the launch of STS-133,\u201d noted the NASA Test Director (NTD) on Friday morning\u2019s report (L2). \u201cThe ISS program is working options to preserve the 24th, and the official launch date will be set at the FRR on Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Space Technology
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Sources note that February 24 is the current launch date they are working towards, pending any change of plan via the FRR.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/A841.jpg\" "\\"A84\\"")
Following the eventful flow last week \u2013 highlighted by several new Interim Problem Reports (IPRs) \u2013 engineers have successfully resolved the reported issues and continue to hold contingency time in the flow heading into the launch countdown next week.<\/p>\n\u201cET LH2 GUCP (Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate) 7\u201d Disconnect Seal Checks were successfully completed,\u201d noted the NTD on two of the more notable IPR resolutions. \u201cSSME (Space Shuttle Main Engine) dome heat shield (DHS) splice lines update: Torque checks on Main Engines 1, 2, and 3 were successfully verified within specification.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recent pad flow tasks include checks on the orbiter\u2019s flight computers, PPO2 sensor calibration, LOX\/LH2 system dew point testing and S1287 aft closeout operations \u2013 including the closure of ET-137\u2019s Intertank, which was finalized by the flight door being installed on the tank.<\/p>\n
Only one outstanding IPR made it into this week, relating to a transducer harness on Discovery\u2019s Main Propulsion System (MPS), which required replacing out at the pad.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/A318.jpg\" "\\"OLYMPUS")
\u201cIPR 0086, Engine 3 LO2 temperature transducer, update: MPS LO2 transducer repair continues with wire harness splicing complete. The circuit was validated on Friday. Channelization validated using test equipment. Wiggle test and resistance checks are complete with no anomalies noted.\u201d<\/p>\nThe update to the work carried out on the harness allowed for the Engineering Review Board (ERB) to close the Problem Report (PR).<\/p>\n
\u201cAn ERB met and determined that no further work is required on the PR,\u201d added the NTD reports this week. \u201cAll suspect harness components have been replaced and satisfactorily tested. The PR will close.\u201d<\/p>\n
The MPS transducers on Discovery were also an item of interest for the Delta FRR, albeit unrelated to the recent IPR. Due to the amount of cryo cycles on the MPS \u2013 given its use during the tanking process \u2013 some of the temperature transducers were beginning to approach their cycle limits.<\/p>\n
\u201cA total of five MPS cryogenic temperature transducers located at the LOX\/LH2 manifolds and in the LOX feedlines (two of three affected) are approaching limits on cryo cycles,\u201d noted the Delta FRR presentation \u2013 available in the collection of 50 STS-133 FRR presentations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOV-103 (Discovery) has five transducers with only two remaining cryo cycles. Limit was the result of a cracked LH2 feedline transducer mandrel weld found during the 1990 hydrogen leak investigation. Non-mandatory LH2 feedline temp probes (one per line) located downstream of the prevalve screen were removed and plugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cSix total cryogenic transducers remain in the MPS LO2\/LH2 systems. Mandatory LO2 feedline probes (one per line) required for engine start box temperature verification (LCC \u2013 Launch Commit Criteria \u2013 MPS-24 and MPS-25) as well as LOX anti-geyser monitoring.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/A413.jpg\" "\\"OLYMPUS")
\u201cTwo temp probes located at the LO2 17\u2033 disconnect for LOX antigeyser monitoring during loading. One temp probe located at LH2 17\u2033 disconnect for propellant quality verification (LCC MPS-11). Sufficient spares exist to support replacement of the transducers. After transducer removal, they are X-ray and visually inspected, and if acceptable returned to stock with a reset \u2018counter\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\nAs per the FRR, KSC Vertical Ops were brought up to date with the requirement to carry out replacement work (ducer R&R, mass spec leak checks, and re-foaming) into the pad flow \u2013 which was successfully completed earlier in the flow.<\/p>\n
A few minor processing issues were charged against Discovery this week, including the observation of a crack found on a hydraulic line support bracket during aft closeout inspections \u2013 requiring Structures and Hydraulics engineering to evaluate potential repair options.<\/p>\n
Following meetings it was decided the fabrication of a Z-bracket for installation over the existing damaged bracket \u2013 since completed \u2013 would be the forward plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cCracked hydraulic hose bracket update: Fabrication of the Z-bracket was completed, and the bracket was installed,\u201d added the NTD. \u201cBased on successful installation, completion of S1287 and closure of the aft for flight is expected Friday night or Saturday morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
STS-133 Specific \u2013 Including ET Stringer Issue \u2013 Articles: http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/tag\/sts-133\/<\/p>\n
After the work was completed on the line, engineers then noticed a scratch on its surface. While the defect remains under investigation, it is understood engineers are likely to clear it via a Material Review (MR) report before the end of the week.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter removal of insulation on hydraulic line involved in STR-9992 (Crack), a scratch was noticed on the hydraulic line,\u201d listed the NTD report. \u201cMold impressions have been performed and are under engineering evaluation. Engineering evaluation continues; a decision on whether the condition is acceptable to MR as-is is expected (this week).\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/A514.jpg\" "\\"OLYMPUS")
The only other issue listed by the NTD was also resolved within a day, relating to a problem with one of the EVA Mobility Units (EMU) which will be used during STS-133\u2019s spacewalks.<\/p>\n\u201cNew IPR 0091 was picked up during V1103 EMU functional checkout: Unable to establish water flow in the Hard Upper Torso (HUT) of EMU 2. Troubleshooting confirmed the problem was internal to the EMU,\u201d noted the NTD report.<\/p>\n
A decision was taken to replace the Hard Upper Torso of EMU 2, before testing showed EMU functional checkouts were successfully completed, allowing the airlock to be closed out for flight. The late change will require flight rationale at the FRR.<\/p>\n
The FRR \u2013 which will obviously tie up the flight rationale for the modifications on ET-137\u2019s stringers \u2013 will also cover the ISS\u2019 status, with water management evaluations set to be overviewed due to a repeat of last week\u2019s hiccup with the Water Processing Assembly (WPA) on the Station.<\/p>\n
(Further updates and articles will follow. Refer to live coverage threads linked above. L2 members refer to STS-133 live coverage sections for internal coverage, presentations, images and and updates from engineers and managers \u2013 which will ramp up into full Flight Day coverage during the mission. Images used, via L2 and acquired PRCB presentations).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After what was an eventful pad flow for Discovery last week, STS-133 is enjoying a relatively trouble-free final week ahead of S0007 (Launch Countdown) operations. Despite the one day delay to Ariane 5\u2019s successful launch of ATV-2, shuttle managers remain focused on a February 24 launch date, pending Flight Readiness Review (FRR) approval. STS-133 Latest: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29621,"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":[9051],"class_list":["post-40526","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-sts-133"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40526"}],"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=40526"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40526\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40526"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40526"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}