{"id":41238,"date":"2008-12-15T01:22:22","date_gmt":"2008-12-14T17:22:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/endeavour-into-sts-127-processing-discovery-ready-for-sts-119-rollover\/"},"modified":"2008-12-15T01:22:22","modified_gmt":"2008-12-14T17:22:22","slug":"endeavour-into-sts-127-processing-discovery-ready-for-sts-119-rollover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/endeavour-into-sts-127-processing-discovery-ready-for-sts-119-rollover\/","title":{"rendered":"Endeavour into STS-127 processing \u2013 Discovery ready for STS-119 rollover"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Endeavour has finally arrived back to the home comforts of her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-2), following her highly successful STS-126 mission. Meanwhile, the pace shows no sign in letting up, with Discovery now powered down for the final time, as she prepares to rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) early in January, ahead of February\u2019s STS-119 mission.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Deservicing will continue on Endeavour, following her cross country ferry trip on top of the SCA (Shuttle Carrier Aircraft), as part of launch preparations for her next mission, STS-127.<\/p>\n<p>The orbiter will undergo jacking and levelling for her stay inside the OPF, normally followed by the offloading of her cryogenics \u2013 however, most of the deservicing operations have been completed out at Dryden, following her Californian landing.<\/p>\n<p>An extensive mapping of her Thermal Protection System (TPS) will be carried out over the next week or so, ahead of any required repairs. Thanks to the extremely clean flight of Endeavour, most of the orbiter\u2019s heatshield will not require any extensive work. A Flow Control Valve troubleshooting plan will also be put in-work within the next few days.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Endeavour LIVE UPDATES<\/li>\n<li>L2 STS-126 Special (3,600mb)<\/li>\n<li>L2 STS-127 Special<\/li>\n<li>Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>STS-127 will complete assembly of the Kibo Laboratory complex, on a launch date tracking mid June, 09, for a 15 day mission with five baselined EVAs. Aside from installing the Japanese Experiment Module \u2013 Exposed Facility (JEM-EF), Endeavour\u2019s crew will be tasked with replacing six batteries on the P6 truss.<\/p>\n<p>That mission is part of a very busy 2009, which will hopefully complete five shuttle missions \u2013 intersected by the test launch of the Ares I-X launch vehicle, as previewed by shuttle manager John Shannon.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you like the space business, next summer is going to be amazing! We will have launches for STS-125\/HST-SM4, STS-127\/2JA and STS-128\/17A within a three month period, and the Ares I-X launch will be somewhere in the middle of all of this,\u201d noted Mr Shannon on the Shuttle Stand-up\/Integration report on L2.<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>NASA educational resources<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Spaceflight news subscription<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThanks again to everyone for all your hard work on STS-126. This was a tremendous job all the way around, with a very long and successful flight!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>First up in 2009 is the February 12th launch of Discovery on STS-119. Preparations have been proceeding to plan, with the Payload Bay Doors (PLBDs) closed for rollover \u2013 which will take place on January 7.<\/p>\n<p>A major boost to the processing flow timeline for Discovery was the ahead of schedule shipping of a new RCC (Reinforced Carbon Carbon) panel (10R) from Lockheed Martin.<\/p>\n<p>Due to the slight differences between the three orbiters in NASA\u2019s fleet, simply swapping hardware between the vehicles is not always desirable, as was the case with Discovery\u2019s replacement panel on her right wing.<\/p>\n<p>Although a backup plan was available for using a donated panel from one of Discovery\u2019s sisters, Lockheed engineers worked around the clock to fabricate a new RCC panel for Discovery, two months ahead of the projected early January delivery estimate. This replacement panel has now been installed, following fit checks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFinal Orbiter OPF power down completed on Friday. Rollover to the VAB is still planned for 1\/7\/09,\u201d noted the latest processing information on L2. \u201cAft structural leak test and orbiter compartment positive pressure test were completed. The main landing gear was lowered to be configured for final gear retract.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Discovery LIVE UPDATES<\/li>\n<li>L2 STS-119 Special<\/li>\n<li>L2 Ares I-X Special (LARGE)<\/li>\n<li>Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cReaction Control System (RCS) Thruster L2D and L3D drying will pick up today and continue into next week. Crew module side hatch closure for rollover is scheduled for Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Over in the VAB\u2019s High Bay 3 (HB3), Orbiter Mate Preps are in-work with the awaiting External Tank (ET-127) \u2013 which was originally set to fly with Atlantis on STS-125 \u2013 and the twin Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs), known as Booster Integration set BI-135 and Reusable Solid Rocket Motor set RSRM-103.<\/p>\n<p>The VAB is a busy place of late, with Ares I-X hardware taking shape in High Bay 4 (HB4). The test flight is currently scheduled for NET (No Earlier Than) July 11, 09.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-8236\" style=\"black 5px solid;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/12\/a210.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"174\">\u201cIn HB-4, Upper Stage (US) processing continues. The forward skirt extension for Ares 1-X was received last week. The module is in the work stand and has been received and inspected. Work will begin soon,\u201d noted the stand-up, with further details provided by processing reports.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAres I-X: US-7 mate to US-6 has not been torque yet, there is a gap that is out of tolerance. Personal are working it. IS-1 \/ IS-2 (Interstage) Deferred Work: DFI (Development Flight Instrumentation) Harness and Sensor Install and Hook-up in work.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUS-5 Alignment Pins for the mate, mated moved to today, fit checked and installed, go for mate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The launch date for Ares I-X will depend largely on the decision set to take place soon on whether Pad 39B \u2013 which Ares I-X requires \u2013 is still needed for STS-125\u2019s rescue mission requirement, STS-400 LON (Launch On Need) with Endeavour.<\/p>\n<p>Should a decision favor using Pad 39A for both STS-125 and STS-400 (pad to pad plan), the July launch date will become more favorable for Ares I-X, with modifications taking place on 39B almost immediately. Should 39B remain a requirement for STS-400, Ares I-X may be threatened with a delay to October, 09.<\/p>\n<p>Also taking place in the VAB\u2019s High Bay 2 (HB2), ET-130 \u2013 now the tank that will fly with Atlantis on STS-125\u2019s mission to the Hubble Space Telescope \u2013 is being checked over in the aptly named Checkout Cell, following its recent arrival from the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF).<\/p>\n<p>All indications point to a very clean tank, following its shipping from New Orleans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cET-130 has been received and inspected. The tank is very clean,\u201d noted processing information. \u201cProcessing and installation continues with the ground umbilical carrier plate.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Atlantis LIVE UPDATES<\/li>\n<li>L2 STS-125 Special (2,200mb)<\/li>\n<li>Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Processing timelines for STS-125\u2019s current launch date of May 12, 09, are tracking rollover for Atlantis from OPF-1 on March 26, followed by rollout to Pad 39A on April 2. This was confirmed on the recent Delta (Delta) Launch Site Flow Review by shuttle managers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere were no issues with the STS-125 Delta (Delta) Launch Site Flow Review. The APU QD (Auxiliary Power Unit Quick Disconnect) heater mod is one of the mods being implemented on OV-104 (Atlantis) this flow,\u201d noted MOD\u2019s 8th Floor News on L2.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cR&amp;R due to suspect diodes in FA1 and EIU2 is also being considered but not yet approved. Orbiter Rollout to the VAB is scheduled on 3\/26 and rollout to the pad on 4\/2.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With the delay to STS-125, due to Hubble\u2019s troubles, engineers have been taking the opportunity to fine tune certain elements of Atlantis\u2019 hardware, including the ATVC (Ascent Thrust Vector Control) box, which had notable issues ahead of her previous mission, STS-122.<\/p>\n<p>The space shuttle Ascent Thrust Vector Control (ATVC) portion of the flight control system directs the thrust of the three SSMEs and the two SRB nozzles to control attitude and trajectory during lift-off and ascent.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe ASA (Aerosurface Survo Amplifier) ATVC installation is being worked. ATVC 3 and 4 repairs work scheduled. ASA 4 installation completed,\u201d noted processing information.<\/p>\n<p>Other work taking place involves refined work on Atlantis\u2019 TPS, following the inconvenience of being destacked from ET-127 post-mission delay.<\/p>\n<p>The downstream manifest continues to remain fluid, with the milestone of the Shuttle Extension plan set to head to Congress in February. All indications point to a favourable plan to add at least two years to the shuttle manifest, which may include at least five new missions.<\/p>\n<p><em><em>L2 members<\/em><\/em><em><em>: All documentation \u2013 from which the above article has quoted snippets \u2013 is available in full in the related L2 sections, now over 4000 gbs in size.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Endeavour has finally arrived back to the home comforts of her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-2), following her highly successful STS-126 mission. Meanwhile, the pace shows no sign in letting up, with Discovery now powered down for the final time, as she prepares to rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) early in January, ahead of [&hellip;]<\/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":[9203,9220,9123,8290,9219,9038],"class_list":["post-41238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-ares-i-x","tag-et-130","tag-sts-119","tag-sts-125","tag-sts-126","tag-sts-127"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41238"}],"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=41238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41238\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}