**The most comprehensive collection of Shuttle, Ares, Orion and ISS related presentations and mission documentation, plus expansive daily processing documentation and updates are <\/em>available to download on L2<\/em><\/font> **<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n **<\/font>STS-124 Sub Section Build-Up \u2013 special section Now Live. Now includes over 100mb of Flight Plans, EVA, RNDZ, Ascent etc. Checklists. Mission Overview CGI Videos. Plus 25 Flight Readiness Review (FRR) Presentations.<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n **STS-125\/LON-400 Sub Section Special already over 1500mb in size \u2013 special section Now Live, with over 40 superb mission presentations.<\/p>\n **LIVE updates on Atlantis STS-125 Processing Flow**<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n **LIVE updates on Discovery STS-124 Processing (PAD FLOW)**<\/em><\/font> Company News (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n TPS Inspections:<\/em><\/u> <\/p>\n As with all post-Columbia missions, Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) inspections of Atlantis\u2019 RCC panels and upper surface TPS will be carried out by the seven crew members on FD-2 (Flight Day-2). <\/p>\n However, given the unique nature of the Hubble mission \u2013 most notably the inability for the crew to reach the International Space Station (ISS) \u2013 Atlantis\u2019 crew will also have to perform an inspection of their ship\u2019s underbelly TPS, a critical procedure given the lack of the Rbar Pitch Maneuver (RPM) normally conducted on Flight Day 3.<\/p>\n \u2018Mandatory to determine health of Orbiter TPS as soon as possible so required follow on actions\/activities can be initiated. FD-2 surveys consist of: LDRI\/IDC (OBSS) WLE and Nose Cap Surveys, Crew Cabin Survey, ITVC Tile Acreage Survey, and Upper Crew Cabin,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d notes a STS-125 Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) presentation.<\/p>\n The ITVC (Intensified Television Camera) Tile Acreage Survey relates to the OBSS\u2019s ability to scan a wide portion of the Orbiter\u2019s underbelly during a single pass. <\/p>\n \u2018ITVC Tile Acreage Survey replaces \u2018RPM (Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver) Photography\u2019 performed on ISS missions. Procedures (were) developed in support of RTF (Return To Flight STS-114) in case the RPM photos could not be accomplished,\u2019 added the MOD mission planning document. <\/p>\n While this Tile Acreage Survey is critical in determining the health of Atlantis\u2019 TPS post-launch, the exact time needed to execute this new procedure is not precisely known; therefore, the possibility remains that some portions of the Tile Acreage Survey will take place on FD-3 after rendezvous and capture operations with the HST are complete. <\/p>\n Additional TPS duties for the crew may include a survey of the Crew Cabin with the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS), though this requirement has yet to be finalized. <\/p>\n Presently, there are no plans to change the Late-Inspection operations post-Hubble deploy; however, these inspections are not tradable for HST mission success and will be performed even at the expense STS-125\u2019s HST mission objectives. <\/p>\n The reason for this round of Late-Inspections is to verify that Atlantis\u2019 TPS has not suffered any critical Micro-Meteoroid Orbiting Debris (MMOD) impacts during her mission. <\/p>\n Focused Inspection and Possible Mission Impacts:<\/u><\/i><\/b> <\/p>\n Following the FD-2 TPS inspections, analysis of the OBSS data will begin \u2018as soon as the first piece of survey data reaches the Mission Control Center (MCC),\u2019 notes the MOD presentation. <\/p>\n The goal of the TPS Imagery Inspection Group is to have all data reviewed and Areas of Interest (AOI) for Focused Inspection (FI) consideration identified by the start of the Rendezvous timeline approximately one day 15 hours after lift-off. <\/p>\n \u2018Have initiated discussions with TPS Imagery Inspection Group on this accelerated review. High confidence this can be completed with the additional flight experience we will gain prior to STS-125,\u2019 notes L2 documentation. <\/p>\n In the event that a FI is needed \u2013 a probability classed as \u2018very low\u2019 by the MOD presentation \u2013 flight planners have put together a FI schedule that will have as little impact as possible of the main goals of the HST servicing flight. <\/p>\n If FI activities are deemed necessary, the OBSS will be unberthed following HST capture and berthed following FI activities on FD-4 prior to the start of EVA-1. <\/p>\n Unlike clearance concerns with SRMS berth\/unberth of the OBSS at the ISS, studies show that the standard OBSS unberth procedures will not violate clearance margins with the berthed HST. <\/p>\n Similarly, should the Tile Acreage Survey need be completed in the post-HST berth timeframe, there are no perceived clearance issues between the SRMS and Hubble. <\/p>\n However, in good fashion, HST mission planners are taking into account the accelerated nature of the OBSS imagery analysis as well as the possibility that all TPS inspections may not be completed on FD-2 \u2013 which would result in a delay of the review of this imagery. A delay in the review of this data would mean a delay to the FI until NET FD-5. <\/p>\n Despite mission planners\u2019 best efforts to minimize the impacts of a FI on the EVA tasks of the crew, the number, location, and size of the FI site(s) will ultimately dictate the time necessary to successfully complete the FI. <\/p>\n While current mission timelines have allotted a two and a half hour period of time on FD-4, just prior to EVA-1, for FI operations, all EVA activities will be assessed in real time and, if necessary, differed or cancelled due to the need to obtain the FI images. <\/p>\n \u2018Goal is to minimize EVA impacts and perform FI in parallel with EVA prep activities. Possible that FI survey time requirements may not provide sufficient time to execute all\/any of scheduled EVA-1 tasks (if FI on FD4) or scheduled EVA-2 tasks (if FI delayed to FD5),\u2019 added the MOD presentation. <\/p>\n \u2018EVA execution and\/or content is \u2018TBD\u2019 and is based on the time required to complete FI. Possibility that downstream EVA\u2019s and planning will be affected.\u2019<\/p>\n While continuing upgrades to the External Tank and other critical TPS systems on the Space Shuttle system make the possibility of a FI \u2018very low,\u2019 the extensive planning for this scenario continues to emphasize NASA\u2019s commitment to mission safety in the post-Columbia era. <\/p>\n The Mission:<\/u><\/i><\/b> <\/p>\n While the launch date of Atlantis\u2019 flagship mission to the Hubble Space Telescope still depends on the production of two External Tanks (ET) at the Michaud Assembly Facility \u2013 necessary for Launch on Need rescue operations \u2013 the mission\u2019s astronauts are well into their training for the 11+0+2 day mission. <\/p>\n However, \u2018history has shown that you should expect the unexpected during EVA operations,\u2019 claimed the MOD presentation. \u2018EVA times padded 20 percent to take into account Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL) vs. Zero G experience. <\/p>\n \u2018Minimal \u2018Real Time\u2019 response\/workarounds for STS-125 tasks are limited. Most STS-125 tasks require 2+ hours to accomplish, and once started, must be completed, thus minimal workarounds.\u2019<\/p>\n An example of these unexpected occurrences has been seen with the RSU (Rate Sensor Units) removal and replacement tasks on previous HST servicing missions. As a result, mission planners have added additional time to the RSU removal and replacement task on this mission \u2013 operating under the \u2018lesson learned\u2019 adage. <\/p>\n Another part of this task definition was the implementation of a possible contingency EVA on FD-9 should the crew encounter issues in the deployment of the HST. <\/p>\n Another MOD presentation \u2013 one of around 40 such presentations available on L2 \u2013 adds: \u2018Program requirements limit \u2018Unscheduled EVA\u2019 opportunities. Only option available is EVA-6 on FD-9. Limits EVA-6 duration to protect crew day length and support HST release.\u2019<\/p>\n Portions of the mission timelines present the possible reasons for the call-up of EVA-6 as issues pertaining to the HST\/Orbiter berthing latches, End Effector (on the SRMS), and the Aperture Door (on HST). <\/p>\n If required, EVA-6 would be no longer than four and half hours in duration due to the need to limit of crew\u2019s work day on FD-9. Additionally, if EVA-6 were required, all Late-Inspections would have to be performed on FD-10 instead of the spreading out the Late-Inspections over FD-9 (post-HST deploy) and FD-10. <\/p>\n Given all these considerations, the amount of time Atlantis can safely stay in orbit is governed by the cryogenic consumables for her electricity producing Fuel Cells. Under normal cryo margins, Atlantis will land on FD-12 with two contingency days reserved for landing weather delays.<\/p>\n STS-125 Processing Latest: \u2018APCU troubleshooting was worked last week. Measurements on APCU 2\u2019s output converter confirmed the theory of a delaminated heater in the APCU 2 output circuit,\u2019 noted processing information this week. \u2018Engineering is evaluating a possible R&R of APCU 2 following HST testing. No decision has been made as yet.\u2019 <\/p>\n Work is continuing on Atlantis\u2019 TPS, alongside work on her Main Landing Gear (MLG), which has received new seals following her last flight on STS-122. <\/p>\n \u2018MLG was disassembled yesterday. Seals were R&R\u2019d and have been put back together. Have couple of days of leak checks to verify this system. This work will be completed in a couple of days. TPS: Have 63 TPS cavities; 116 are complete. There are 140 repairs.\u2019 <\/p>\n Meanwhile, STS-125\u2019s boosters are continuing to undergo stacking in High Bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), with only the two required External Tanks, ET-127 for Atlantis, and ET-129 for Launch On Need (LON-400) dictating the launch date. <\/p>\n Currently, STS-125 will not be able to launch until October 8 at the earliest, with the threat of another slip being evaluated by shuttle management, based on the latest processing information coming out of the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With the crew deep in mission training for October\u2019s STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope, flight planners have been working in earnest since early 2007 to ensure optimal mission success and crew safety. Among the various aspects mission planners have had to deal with for Atlantis\u2019 safe flight are TPS (Thermal Protection System) […]<\/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":[],"class_list":["post-41409","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41409"}],"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=41409"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41409\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/em><\/font>**Click here for sample of L2 menu and content**<\/font><\/em><\/font><\/em><\/font><\/p>\n
**LIVE updates: Endeavour Dual LON and STS-126 Processing**<\/font><\/em><\/font><\/p>\n
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**Ride home through the fire, sparks and plasma of re-entry with Atlantis, Discovery and Endeavour. FIVE Stunning high quality 2hr, 355-400mb Camcorder and HUD videos \u2013 from payload bay closure \u2013 through re-entry with an astronaut held camcorder video \u2013 to post landing \u2013 several more videos showing landing from 90,000 ft also available and HUD videos from STA landings. Includes HALO II Re-entry video, and re-entry videos from Gemini and Apollo (converted from 8mm)**<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n
Atlantis\u2019 mission currently has five planned EVAs and one unplanned EVA in support of Hubble operations. With the final decision on the number of EVAs and their respective contents is dependent on TPS inspections, mission planners have fine-tuned the priority of the EVA tasks. <\/p>\n
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Atlantis\u2019 extended processing flow, which includes modifications ahead of her debut mission to Hubble, remains relatively issue free inside her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF).<\/p>\n