{"id":41057,"date":"2009-07-06T18:05:30","date_gmt":"2009-07-06T10:05:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/nasa-updates-requirements-for-sts-129-mission-window-still-under-evaluation\/"},"modified":"2009-07-06T18:05:30","modified_gmt":"2009-07-06T10:05:30","slug":"nasa-updates-requirements-for-sts-129-mission-window-still-under-evaluation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/nasa-updates-requirements-for-sts-129-mission-window-still-under-evaluation\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA updates requirements for STS-129 mission \u2013 window still under evaluation"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Atlantis deep in processing for STS-129 \u2013 and damage evaluations continuing on window 5\u2019s pressure pane \u2013 engineers in OPF-1 (Orbiter Processing Facility 1) continue to prepare Atlantis for her scheduled November 12, 2009 launch to deliver the Express Logistic Carriers 1 and 2 (ELC-1 and ELC-2) to the International Space Station.<\/p>\n

Vehicle Hardware and Flow Updates:<\/p>\n

According to the Delta Launch Site Flow Review (DLSFR), which was held at the end of June for STS-129, Atlantis remains on track to meet all of her processing goals.<\/p>\n

The main constraint relates to the health of Atlantis\u2019 Window 5 (pilot window) pressure pane, with evaluations still ongoing into potentially unacceptable damage \u2013 following the removal of a work light knob that embedded itself between the window and the dashboard in the flight deck.<\/p>\n

A second set of mold impressions on Atlantis\u2019 Window 5 have been ordered for Monday, which are currently \u201cin cure\u201d \u2013 per morning processing information on L2.<\/p>\n

Evaluations may not be complete until later in the week, with the hope any damage is within acceptable levels for flight. Otherwise the pressure pane may require replacement, resulting in up to a six month schedule impact for Atlantis.<\/p>\n

Currently, Atlantis is scheduled to use External Tank 133, Left OMS Pod 04, Right OMS Pod 01, Reusable Solid Rocket Motor set 108, as well as Space Shuttle Main Engines 2048, 2044, and 2058 in the number one, two, and three positions, respectively.<\/p>\n

Engines 2048 and 2058 last flew on Discovery during STS-119 while engine 2044 few with Atlantis in May during STS-125.<\/p>\n

Currently, Atlantis is tracking toward a rollover to VAB on October 7 for mating to her External Tank. This will be followed by rollout to Pad-A on October 14 ahead of a launch No Earlier Than November 12th at approximately 4:30pm EST.<\/p>\n

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\"at2\"This mission will mark the first time in nearly two years that Atlantis will visit the International Space Station (ISS), carrying vital upmass to the Station ahead of the retirement of the fleet. <\/p>\n

The last time Atlantis was docked to the Station was during STS-122 (which delivered the Columbus research module for the European Space Agency) in February 2008.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, as part of the ever evolving nature of every Shuttle mission, Atlantis\u2019 total launch weight has changed slightly since the Launch Site Flow Review held in April of this year.<\/p>\n

As a result of the changing nature of Atlantis\u2019 payload, the vehicle and mission are now expected to have an Ascent Performance Marin of ~625 lbs at launch.<\/p>\n

Changes to Atlantis and Flow Processing Turnaround:<\/p>\n

Furthermore, since Atlantis\u2019 return to KSC following a landing at Edwards Air Force Base, CA on STS-125, engineers and mission planners have conducted a thorough review of Atlantis and all the work items that were baselined\/scheduled for the OPF flow leading to STS-129.<\/p>\n

As a result, the DLSFR noted several additional modifications that will be made to Atlantis as well as modifications and deferrals of some work items until the Orbiter\u2019s next OPF flow later this year.<\/p>\n

\"at3\"The first such modification listed in the DLSFR is the partial deferral of the Air Duct Clamp and Cushion inspection and modification.<\/p>\n

\u201cProgram approval is requested to partially defer baselined modification record until access is available for implementation,\u201d notes the 122 page STS-129 DLSFR document available for download on L2.<\/p>\n

The three issues leading to this modification were the observance of a missing clamp form a flex duct, \u201ctwo cushions installed but not shown on the drawing, and two cushions installed per drawing, but installation documentation not located.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first two issues were noted during return to flight processing on Atlantis for STS-115. However, after evaluations showed that the discrepancies would not affect flight performance, a form was written to \u201ccorrect the engineering discrepancies\u201d and defer work on the area to the next available period of access.<\/p>\n

Originally, this access would have come during Atlantis\u2019 flow between STS-125 and STS-129. However, the OPF flow for STS-129 was shortened considerably when STS-125 was delayed from October 2008 to May 2009.<\/p>\n

The extra time in the OPF before STS-125 in May 2009 allowed engineers to perform several get ahead tasks on Atlantis \u2013 thereby shortening the amount of time she would have to spend in the OPF before STS-129.<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n