{"id":40669,"date":"2010-09-01T19:38:46","date_gmt":"2010-09-01T11:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/ssp-remaining-cautious-over-political-decision-on-funding-sts-135\/"},"modified":"2010-09-01T19:38:46","modified_gmt":"2010-09-01T11:38:46","slug":"ssp-remaining-cautious-over-political-decision-on-funding-sts-135","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/ssp-remaining-cautious-over-political-decision-on-funding-sts-135\/","title":{"rendered":"SSP remaining cautious over political decision on funding STS-135"},"content":{"rendered":"

A major milestone is upcoming for Atlantis\u2019 final role with the Space Shuttle Program (SSP), with the crew selection of four \u2013 from a pool of 11 \u2013 astronauts, set to take place in less than two week\u2019s time. However, SSP manager John Shannon outlined caution on STS-135 biggest milestone \u2013 becoming funded, as the prospect of a Continuing Resolution (CR) adds a level of uncertainty.<\/p>\n

STS-135 Latest:<\/p>\n

As reported by this site, STS-135 took a major step forward from an internal planning standpoint, when NASA aligned Atlantis\u2019 initial role \u2013 as STS-335, the Launch On Need (LON) support for STS-134 \u2013 with the manifested launch date for the notional STS-135.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe date for STS-335 has been moved to be consistent with STS-135. This really helps us with our workforce \u2018smoothing\u2019, so we are not driving people to milestones and not having peaks in the workforce needed,\u201d noted Mr Shannon on the latest Shuttle Standup\/Integration report (L2).<\/p>\n

\"\"This decision came after safety reviews passed the key stage that was required in the bill language created by the US Senate\u2019s refinements into the FY2011 budget proposal \u2013 which calls for STS-135 to be added \u2013 mirrored by the House version\u2019s \u2018agreement\u2019 to utilize Atlantis for an extra mission to the International Space Station (ISS),<\/p>\n

\u201cThe NESC (NASA Engineering and Safety) review was completed, and was accepted by Bill Gerstenmaier (NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations),\u201d added Mr Shannon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe direction he gave to the Programs was to go off and assess the recommendations NESC made for the overall flight, specifically on some of the details on the Russian Soyuz rescue that was required. (Mr Gerstenmaier) asked the NESC to put it in a white paper, and the Programs to respond to it so that it could be submitted to Congress and the White House.\u201d<\/p>\n

As noted previously, NASA can\u2019t simply go fly STS-135, as the authorization and allocation of funding is required before the flight can be manifested. Also, technically Atlantis will remain as STS-335 until Endeavour \u2013 on STS-134 \u2013 safely lands, releasing her older sister from the supporting role.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe point is that moving the date helps, and the NESC study is good, and a crew will be selected for the LON mission and to preserve training, which all preserves options for us. But this does not guarantee that the STS-135 mission will fly,\u201d Mr Shannon continued.<\/p>\n

It is hoped that the refinements and negotiations relating to the FY2011 budget will be agreed on in time for a speedy and smooth implementation. However, if time runs out, NASA\u2019s budget will be forced into a Continuing Resolution, which clouds just exactly what NASA can do next year, obviously causing fallout when it comes to the required funding for STS-135.<\/p>\n

\"\"Until then, SSP will continue to map out STS-135 via planning, allowing for the quick inclusion of the mission into the manifest if and when the funding is approved. The fear, Mr Shannon noted, is that it may take until the start of next year before that situation is resolved one way or another.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is unknown what will be in the CR, and right now there is no funding to fly it. There are several different options out there for how that might happen, but we are just preserving the options in front of us. We could be in limbo on STS-135 until the New Year starts, until we see what the CR language is, talk about funding, and talk more about mission content.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe team should really focus on making sure we have preserved the options, and have done the work required to be able to fly. Actually getting the agreement among all the different stakeholders to go fly it is still a ways away.\u201d<\/p>\n

And the teams are doing just that, with managers working through the NESC safety assessment findings and potential routes into workable operational solutions, in the event of a Continuing Resolution.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking on their response to the MOD recommendation to the NESC on flying STS-135 in June 2011. Had a good discussion this week on artifacts, so will schedule meetings with each of their recipients to talk cost estimates and define the agreements that will be documenting the Space Act Agreements,\u201d noted Mission Operations on the Standup report.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill be supporting with Headquarters ESMD (Exploration Systems Mission Directorate) and SOMD (Space Operations Mission Directorate) on how they will execute the Program under a continuing resolution,\u201d added the Business Office on the same Standup report.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe agenda includes results coming out of the NASA Capabilities Forum, any issues or gaps with STS-135 or STS-335, and an update on how ESMD is going to be able to deploy their Program under a continuing resolution. Are trying to come to an agreement on the assumptions and execution plan for the first two quarters.\u201d<\/p>\n

STS-335\/135 Specific Articles: http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/tag\/sts-135\/<\/p>\n

STS-335\/135 Processing Latest:<\/p>\n

Almost as if she knows it would be helpful to remain on her best behavior, in order to gain the extra trip into space, Atlantis isn\u2019t providing any issues for her engineers inside her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-1).<\/p>\n

Even before talk of STS-135 picked up, Atlantis was always going to be processed to at least the point of rollover in the flow, as part of her STS-335 LON requirements.<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n