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\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spaceflight (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n <\/p>\n STS-125\/LON-400 L2 Sub Section Special already over 2000mb in size \u2013 special section Now Live, with over\u00c2 50 superb mission presentations. STS-125 Flight Plan and Flight Data Files now uploaded. Mission Overview in CGI\u00c2 videos building up. STS-400 mission overview Presentations (14). STS-125\/400 daily and extensive processing latest. Flight Rules, EVA, Pad and Launch Radar Presentations \u2013 huge section already, heading into FRR season.<\/em>**STS-119 Processing Latest**<\/em> \u2014 **STS-119 News Articles**<\/em><\/p>\n **LIVE updates: Endeavour\u00c2 Dual LON and STS-126 Processing**<\/em><\/p>\n **LIVE updates on Atlantis\u00c2 STS-125 Processing Flow**<\/em> \u2014 **STS-125 News Articles**<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/p>\n \nPre-FRR Safety Overview:<\/p>\n With the launch of Atlantis\u2019 STS-125 mission now targeted for NET October 10, Boeing has identified limited Thermal Protection System (TPS) inspections, Micro-Meteoroid Orbiting Debris (MMOD), and the loss of International Space Station (ISS) rendezvous capability as the three unique safety issues for Atlantis\u2019 flight.<\/p>\n Likewise, the Boeing team also identified two unique safety issues for Endeavour\u2019s Launch On Need (LON) rescue flight STS-400. These issues are LON joint operations with STS-125 and increased EVA hazards once the two orbiters rendezvous.<\/p>\n Furthermore, the Safety Issues Briefing (SIB) goes on to note that the reason there are only two unique safety issues identified for STS-400 is because \u2018LON is a contingency rescue operation for which there is no baselined risk. This SIB addresses impacts to existing risk documentation to the STS-125 mission only.\u2019<\/p>\n While three specific issues have been identified for STS-125, only two (TPS and MMOD) are classed as an increased risk for mission success. \u2018For each of these issues, appropriate mitigations have been developed by the technical community,\u2019 notes the 48 page SIB presentation, available for download on L2.<\/p>\n \nLimited TPS Inspections: <\/em><\/p>\n For the limitations of on-orbit TPS inspections, Boeing identified the lack of R-bar Pitch Maneuver (RPM) photography as a prime contributor to the increased risk for Atlantis\u2019 mission.<\/p>\n With the lack of RPM photos, which are taken from the ISS, Boeing has identified three potential risks including loss of analytical resolution necessary to accurately determine protrusion heights or cavity dimensions on the underbelly of Atlantis, the potential for insufficient time to survey all TPS locations, and the loss of the ET door closure verification modification.<\/p>\n For the loss of analytical resolution, the SIB notes that \u2018lack of definitive protrusion height and\/or cavity dimension inputs to analytical tools may affect ability of Damage Assessment Team (DAT) assessments to clear damage sites for entry.\u2019<\/p>\n Furthermore, the inability to precisely determine the height of a gap filler protrusion or the dimension of a cavity could lead to a reduced ability to accurately predict the downstream heating environment during reentry.<\/p>\n The reason for selecting the gap fillers on the forward part of the vehicle for this modification is due mainly because small protrusions toward the front of the vehicle are potentially more critical due to their possible disturbance of the plasma flow environment downstream.<\/p>\n In addition, RPM photographs have been used to verify the complete closure of the two ET umbilical doors on the underside of the Orbiters since STS-121 in July 2006.<\/p>\n The doors, which close over the propellant feedlines and umbilicals between the Orbiter and External Tank after ET separation, have been modified in the post Return to Flight era with a yellow paint strip to allow DAT members to verify that both doors are closed and sealed properly.<\/p>\n To help mitigate the loss of RPM imagery, a two hour scan of Atlantis\u2019 underbelly with the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) \u2013 with a dedicated inspection of both ET doors \u2013 has been added to the STS-125 timeline on Flight Day 2 (FD-2).<\/p>\n \u2018New (survey) procedure utilizes auto sequences, changing sensor distance, and ITVC focus updates to ensure required resolution for various areas of belly damage detection criteria,\u2019 notes the SIB presentation.<\/p>\n \u2018Vast majority of Orbiter survey will have damage detection down to 1.5 inch that represents the smallest On Orbit Inspection Criteria. Only the starboard elevons will be limited to 2 inch resolution.\u2019<\/p>\n Furthermore, while a good majority of the Orbiter\u2019s underbelly will be scanned on FD-2, the base heat shield around the main engines as well as the upper surface of the body flap will not be surveyed.<\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The SIB presentation notes that \u2018previous thermal assessments indicate the descent heating environment for (the base heat shield and body flap) is much less aggressive than ascent.\u2019<\/p>\n These assessments give Boeing and NASA engineers confidence that there is a \u2018high likelihood that Orbiter substructure that withstood heating due to ascent damage would survive the descent environment.\u2019<\/p>\n In addition to the underbelly survey on FD-2, Atlantis\u2019 crew will use the End Effector (EE) camera on the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) to survey the crew cabin for potential damage after post-insertion operations on FD-1.<\/p>\n Therefore, with the exception of the upper surfaces of the body flap and base heat shield (which are out of range of the OBSS\u2019 capability), Atlantis\u2019 entire TPS will be surveyed by the time the shuttle grapples the Hubble Space Telescope.<\/p>\n As always, a Focused Inspection of any damage site will be available to the flight crew on FD-5.\n<\/p>\n Elevated Exposure to MMOD Impacts:<\/em><\/p>\n Given that the Hubble Space Telescope flies at a higher altitude than the ISS, Atlantis will be exposed to a higher risk for MMOD strikes during her STS-125 flight. Also, because of the lack of ISS shadowing, more of Atlantis\u2019 flight surfaces will be vulnerable to MMOD impacts.<\/p>\n \u2018Higher vehicle altitudes and increased exposure to the MMOD flux vector may result in additional hypervelocity impacts to the Orbiter,\u2019 notes the Boeing presentation. \u2018Critical vehicle hardware such as windows and RCC components have very restrictive failure thresholds.\u2019<\/p>\n According to the survey, eliminating the late inspection translates to a Loss Of Crew and Vehicle percentage between \u20181 in 126\u2019 and \u20181 in 148.\u2019 However, by conducting the late inspection, the chance of a Loss Of Crew and Vehicle (LOV\/C) situation drops to around \u20181 in 184\u2019 to \u20181 in 185.\u2019<\/p>\n These ranges were compiled based on a constant orbit of 304 nautical miles as well as an orbit adjustment in the post undock timeline to 305x160nmi.<\/p>\n As stated in the SIB presentation, \u2018304 nautical miles, w\/305\u00d7160 nmi orbit adjust post undock. Results include 1.12 orbital debris adjustment factor to account for Chinese ASAT debris and recent Russian military satellite breakup, and confidence assessment for repair.\u2019<\/p>\n However, even with the risk mitigation of the late inspection, the percentage chance of a Loss Of Crew and Vehicle situation is still higher than the 1\/200 limit set by the Space Shuttle Program. As a result, the Orbiter Project Office will have to process a waiver for this criteria before Atlantis launches.<\/p>\n For these reasons, several mitigation efforts have been built into the STS-125 mission profile.<\/p>\n These efforts include close monitoring of all trackable debris, OBSS late inspection of all RCC components for potential catastrophic damage, Wing Leading Edge Sensor System monitoring during on-orbit operations (limited by battery life), flying in an RCC protection attitude, and an orbital altitude adjustment in the post undock timeline.<\/p>\n In addition, the U.S. Space Command will run a pre-launch Computation of Misses Between Orbits (COMBO) analysis of any hazardous orbital debris that might require the performance of a Collision Avoidance Maneuver within the first two hours of Atlantis\u2019 mission.<\/p>\n Furthermore, the STS-125 mission profile will see Atlantis fly in an RCC protection attitude. \u2018The Orbiter preferred attitude of -ZLV will be maintained throughout the on orbit mission phase,\u2019 notes the SIB presentation. \u2018This attitude minimizes the risk of MMOD impact to vehicle RCC.\u2019<\/p>\n Finally, a change to Atlantis\u2019 orbit will be performed in the post undock timeline as a final measure to reduce the MMOD risk.<\/p>\n \u2018Post-HST release, the orbit altitude may be adjusted to reduce the Orbiter\u2019s exposure to MMOD risk,\u2019 notes the SIB presentation. \u2018Maneuver will be performed only after the Orbiter has been cleared for reentry.\u2019<\/p>\n Loss of ISS Rendezvous Capability\/STS-400 Issues:<\/em> <\/p>\n The final unique risk associated with STS-125 is the now well known lack of rendezvous capability with the ISS and associated STS-400 rescue mission. With this risk in mind, and the potential for an on orbit TPS repair during STS-125, Atlantis will fly with complete TPS repair capability.<\/p>\n \u2018TPS repair hardware as defined in the core EVA Support Equipment List (ESEL) will be manifested on STS-125,\u2019 notes Boeing presentation. \u2018In addition, RCC Plug repair hardware has been returned from the ISS on STS-124 and will be stowed on STS-125.\u2019<\/p>\n However, repair options can only be assessed once TPS inspections are performed by the SRMS and OBSS. For this reason, NASA has put together a contingency plan in case the OBSS fails to unstow or the SRMS fails to operate properly.<\/p>\n If the OBSS fails to unstow, the SRMS EE camera will be used to perform the nominal TPS inspections. EVA digital camera via the SRMS will be employed in case of an EE failure,\u2019 notes the SIB presentation.<\/p>\n Furthermore, if the SRMS fails, an EVA with a SAFER unit might be considered to gather the necessary TPS data.<\/p>\n In this event, NASA will have the capability to launch Endeavour within seven days of Atlantis\u2019 launch should a contingency be declared.<\/p>\n \u2018Dual pad launch operations will provide the ability to launch the rescue mission no later than 7 days after the STS-125 launch,\u2019 notes the SIB. Dual pad operations are scheduled to begin on September 18 when Endeavour rolls out to Pad B.<\/p>\n Unlike ISS flights where a LON mission can be called up 50-70 days after the previous mission\u2019s launch, Contingency Shuttle Crew Support (CSCS) for STS-125 is dependant upon Atlantis\u2019 onboard fuel and food consumables.<\/p>\n As such, the Kennedy Space Center launch team will continue to actively countdown toward the launch of Endeavour until the Mission Management Team (MMT) orders them to stand down.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, should STS-400 be needed, Endeavour and her four member crew will carry an additional Extra-vehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) as well as all the necessary limited life TPS repair items such as STA-54 and NOAX tubes to orbit.<\/p>\n If the rescue mission is flown, the additional EMU on STS-400, as well as the four EMUs manifested on STS-125, will be used to facilitate crew transfer from the disabled Atlantis to the healthy Endeavour.<\/p>\n L2 Members: Refer to TAG keywords \u2018STS-125\u2019, \u2018STS-400\u2019, and\u00c2 \u2018PRCB\u2019 for an extensive selection of related presentations, as L2\u2019s 125\/400 Special Section builds up into the FRR element of the flow.<\/em><\/p>\n L2 members<\/em>: All documentation\u00c2 \u2013 from which the above article has quoted snippets \u2013 is available in full in the related L2 sections, updated live.<\/em> As preparations continue on Atlantis and Endeavour for their respective roles on STS-125 and STS-400, Boeing \u2013 at the direction of NASA \u2013 has identified three unique safety issues for the flagship mission and two unique safety issues for STS-400. These issues will make up the bulk of the upcoming Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR) \u2013 […]<\/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":[3610,7779,8290,8291],"class_list":["post-41311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-frr","tag-shuttle","tag-sts-125","tag-sts-400"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41311"}],"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=41311"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41311\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/em><\/em>**Click\u00c2 here for sample of L2 menu and content**<\/em>**<\/em><\/p>\n
As gap fillers are the primary source of protrusion on the underbelly TPS, NASA managers have taken steps to mitigate the number of gap filler protrusions on STS-125 by bonding all the gap fillers on the forward half of Atlantis, as well as those around the ET doors, to their surrounding TPS tiles.<\/p>\n
**L2 Trailer Video, with examples of L2 content\u00c2 \u2013 TRAILER NOW AVAILABLE \u2013 CLICK IMAGE**Alternatively **CLICK HERE** For the free trailer for the 1,900mb L2 video of an exclusive tour of the VAB, OPF and Pad.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n
To emphasize the severity of this MMOD risk, a trade off study for the OBSS late inspections of Atlantis\u2019 RCC panels and nose cap was performed by Boeing. The results of the study showed a marked decrease in the percentage chance of a Loss Of Crew and Vehicle situation with the late inspection surveys in place.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, the possibility remains that Atlantis could be damaged severely enough to warrant the STS-400 rescue mission.<\/p>\n
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\nClick here for a range of superb\u00c2 STS mission specific music videos created by Max Q videos<\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"