**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.<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n **STS-125\/LON-400 Sub Section Special already over 1300mb in size \u2013 special section Now Live.<\/p>\n **LIVE updates: Endeavour Dual LON and STS-126 Processing**<\/font><\/em><\/font><\/p>\n **LIVE updates on Atlantis STS-125 Processing Flow**<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n **LIVE updates on Discovery STS-124 Processing (ROLLOUT AND PAD FLOW)**<\/em><\/font> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n Discovery\/STS-124:<\/u><\/em> <\/p>\n Engineers in the VAB removed the platforms that have surrounded the shuttle ahead of rollout, following a successful Shuttle Interface Test (S0008 Ops) on Thursday morning. <\/p>\n \u2018OV-103 (STS-124): In VAB, S0004 operations are complete. Monoballs connected; this operation went well. Power-up testing completed. Began configuring for roll,\u2019 noted the Integrated Flow Status. \u2018Plan is to roll at 00:01 on Saturday morning. Have 21 constraints to roll; don\u2019t foresee any problems associated with this.\u2019<\/p>\n Out of the list of IPRs (Interim Problem Reports), an issue with a camera on a Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) proved to be the biggest threat to an on time rollout, which was eventually cleared, given a pad changeout can take place if required.<\/p>\n \u2018During power-up testing, picked up a couple of IPRs. One IPR was on SRB camera which didn\u2019t get images to recorder. Troubleshooting has been performed and believe isolated problem to video recorder,\u2019 added the Flow Status. <\/p>\n \u2018Once get confirmation of this from SRB folks and Engineering, will be okay to roll. If it was the camera, would have to stay in VAB and solve problem. <\/p>\n \u2018(However), are pretty certain that problem has been isolated to SSVR (video recorder). Have a replacement unit in place, which can be changed out at the pad. Working with Ground Ops to coordinate this.\u2019 <\/p>\n The remaining issues \u2013 numerous and listed in the processing reports on L2 \u2013 were cleared while the final VAB platforms were being retracted ahead of rollout. <\/p>\n \u2018SSV (Space Shuttle Vehicle) Rollout and Mate to Pad: Preps continue and VAB platform retractions are in work. E and B platform retractions were completed yesterday. D platform retraction is today,\u2019 added Friday processing information. <\/p>\n \u2018Completed GN2 leak checks for OV-103\/STS-124. Finished nozzle screen weld repairs. All SSME rollout preps are complete and are ready to support rollout on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n \u2018Call to Stations is scheduled for 2200 tonight. SSV first motion is scheduled for 0001L Saturday, with MLP (Mobile Launch Platform hard down at Pad A at 0700L. There are no weather concerns for rollout.\u2019<\/p>\n Discovery left the VAB 15 minutes ahead of schedule, and made it to the pad in just under five hours. Hard down and securing of the shuttle was around 90 minutes later.<\/p>\n Discovery\u2019s payload bay doors will be opened on Saturday, after the Rotating Service Structure (RSS) is rotated into the mate position. Monday will see the installation of the STS-124 payload. <\/p>\n A subject of great interest ahead of STS-121, the issue of tin whiskers \u2013 a phenomenon involving the growth of tiny, hair-like splinters from the metallic surfaces of components which can cause short circuits \u2013 has come to the forefront again, this time relating to the orbiter TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) system.<\/p>\n The onboard tactical air navigation units determine slant range and magnetic bearing of the orbiter to a TACAN or VHF omnirange TACAN ground station. The orbiter is equipped with three TACAN sets that operate redundantly. <\/p>\n Each TACAN has two antennas: one on the orbiter\u2019s lower forward fuselage and one on the orbiter\u2019s upper forward fuselage. The onboard TACAN sets are used for external navigation and for the orbiter during the entry phase and return-to-launch-site abort.<\/p>\n \u2018Orbiter (USA\/JSC): During OPO (Orbiter Project Office) Tagup, discussed tin whisker inspection on TACAN. Found tin whiskers on an older model. Have done things since then to retard tin whiskers,\u2019 noted the latest Shuttle Stand-up\/Integration report. \u2018Acceptance is based on length, location, and quantity of tin whiskers.\u2019<\/p>\n While of interest, this issue will not prove to be a problem for Discovery\u2019s flow towards launch, as confirmed at the OPO meeting, which expanded on the background relating to their findings.<\/p>\n \u201cSaw low likelihood of having any issues, so concluded this isn\u2019t a concern for STS-124. The tin whiskers were not close to electrical components, and the rationale on tin whiskers has not changed because of this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn design of box, added material components in alloy to mitigate tin whiskers. Most were found in area where a screw or bolt when through a hole, which retains the whiskers. Also, tin whiskers are in area that is part of RF assembly (Microwave Scan Beam Landing System).<\/p>\n \u201cOnly thing tin whiskers could do in this area is possibly short out RF side, and would not get erroneous output from TACAN. Have no concerns for STS-124. Will open boxes from later lots in about a week.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the STS-124 crew have been kept busy by checking out the new runway 22 at the alternative landing site at Edwards Air Force Base. The crew are practising at Edwards in a STA (Shuttle Training Aircraft) which mimics the handling of an orbiter during landing.<\/p>\n \u201cFlight Crew (NASA\/JSC): Prime crew went to Edwards and flew and STA. Nav aides need work as far as lighting intensity, being set up backwards for reds and whites,\u201d added the Stand-up. \u201cWill resolve this and send another STA with a pilot in several weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Discovery remains on track to make the May 31 launch date for STS-124, as she made her overnight journey to Pad 39A. It\u2019s been a busy flow inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for the stack, as engineers worked through clearing a total of 21 issues ahead of rollout. Discovery arrived at the pad well […]<\/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-41424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41424"}],"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=41424"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41424\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41424"}],"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
<\/p>\nNow on L2: A stunning 50 minute (1.9gb) high quality camcorder video of a special All Access tour of the VAB, Pad and OPF-3. Get up close with two orbiters, next to the engineers, ride the VAB elevator to the top of the building, walk around the pad and enter OPF-3 to within touching distance of Atlantis. FREE TRAILER NOW AVAILABLE \u2013 CLICK IMAGE<\/font>.<\/font><\/em><\/p>\n