{"id":41157,"date":"2009-03-17T23:38:23","date_gmt":"2009-03-17T15:38:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/clean-discovery-completes-rpm-and-iss-docking\/"},"modified":"2009-03-17T23:38:23","modified_gmt":"2009-03-17T15:38:23","slug":"clean-discovery-completes-rpm-and-iss-docking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/clean-discovery-completes-rpm-and-iss-docking\/","title":{"rendered":"Clean Discovery completes RPM and ISS docking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Discovery has docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Flight Day 3, as the initial TPS (Thermal Protection System) inspection images show a very clean orbiter. Prior to docking, Discovery carried out the RPM (Rbar Pitch Maneuver) for a full check of her TPS and belly.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The STS-119 crew head to the Station with no items of interest found via Flight Day 2\u2019s TPS survey via the Shuttle Robotic Arm and the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS), as members of the DAT (Damage Assessment Team) await the host of RPM photography that has been taken by the Expedition 18 crew and downloaded to the engineers. <\/p>\n

The FD3 timeline had Discovery carrying out the RPM at around 8pm GMT \u2013 though that was slightly delayed by a small communication issue on the ISS, before docking with the ISS was completed just over an hour later. Hatch opening follwed less than a few hours later.<\/p>\n

On the status of Discovery\u2019s TPS, initial results show a very clean orbiter.<\/p>\n

DAT have already created their opening presentation (available on L2), which was reviewed by the Mission Management Team (MMT) during their Flight Day 3 meeting.<\/p>\n

So far, only a few minor areas of interest has been found during the inspections, none of which are of any concern for Discovery\u2019s safe re-entry.<\/p>\n

\"a214\"\u201cUpper Surface Scans complete: No TPS damage by T-0 umbilical plates. Small fray detected on NLGD (Nose Landing Gear Door) forward thermal barrier,\u201d noted the DAT presentation,\u201d before adding that parts of the OMS Pod lacked the required lighting to gain a full view. However, the RPM photography will prove to be an able back-up.<\/p>\n

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\u201cNo tile damage or protruding gap fillers. Forward fuselage \/ wing glove areas inspected by the OBSS. No damage to report. Two OMS Pod gap filler protrusions noted. Portions of R (Right) OMS pod are in shadow and will require other sources to clear the leading edge tile.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the NLGD fray, no concern is noted, with DAT adding \u201cbased on previous flight experience\/testing frayed area will \u201cbend over\u201d early in entry profile without causing early transition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flight Day 3\u2019s RPM \u2013 Rbar denoting along the radius vector of the ISS, downward \u2013 allows the ISS crew to perform a high resolution photo survey of the lower surface TPS tiles to screen for ascent debris damage.<\/p>\n

\"a39\"The nine minute maneuver \u2013 which sees the orbiter commanded through a 360 degree back-flip \u2013 was debuted on STS-114\u2019s Return To Flight mission, following months of planning by shuttle experts at the Johnson Space Center (JSC).<\/p>\n

They were tasked with the limitations on crew and sensor visibility, maneuvers conducted about an unstable orbital station keeping position, inherently unstable attitude dynamics, thruster plume impingement on the ISS, shuttle propellant limitations, and a very tight set of lighting and geometry constraints for the inspection photography.<\/p>\n

That photography will be downloaded to engineers on the ground, who will carry out what is now a well rehearsed exercise of checking through all areas of Discovery\u2019s TPS for any areas of concern.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n