**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 (VAB FLOW)**<\/em><\/font> NASA mission patches (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n Discovery\/STS-124:<\/u><\/em> <\/p>\n Discovery rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on Saturday morning, before being hard mated with ET-128 the following afternoon. As of Wednesday morning, S0004 (Orbiter\/ET mate) operations are continuing on the timeline to make Saturday\u2019s rollout. <\/p>\n \u2018LO2\/LH2 monoball connections were completed yesterday. Shuttle Interface Test (S0008) is in work,\u2019 noted Wednesday processing information. \u2018Call to stations was completed at 2047 EDT last night. The vehicle was powered up early at 2200 last night. <\/p>\n \u2018(Shuttle manager) Mr. (John) Shannon congratulated the GO team for their work on the STS-124 flow.\u2019<\/p>\n As has been seen on previous VAB flows with the stack, an electrical issue with one of the booster\u2019s data recorders was noted last night, but was soon resolved by engineers.<\/p>\n \u2018During the SRB camera functional test last night, picked up IPR (Interim Problem Report) for the RH SRB (Right Hand Solid Rocket Booster) recorder 1 not receiving an expected signal. Troubleshooting verified test setup, and reperformed test successfully.\u2019<\/p>\n As previously noted, engineers are continuing to look at available options open to them, should one of Discovery\u2019s radiator retract hoses prove to be troublesome during payload bay door closure at the pad \u2013 not due for around three weeks.<\/p>\n While a plan is being put into place for any hoses that bend \u2013 and thus do not retract into their boxes properly \u2013 a root cause investigation is also due for discussion. <\/p>\n \u2018Technical team is meeting in Huntington Beach this week to discuss the radiator retract flex hose buckling. Will talk potential root causes,\u2019 noted the latest Shuttle Stand-up\/Integration report. <\/p>\n \u2018Additionally will talk about what analysis and test would be required to provide confidence to fly the hose if it buckled just prior to door closure, and they could not get access to help it into the box.\u2019 <\/p>\n Orbiter\u2019s have four hoses \u2013 each carrying coolant fluid Freon to the orbiter\u2019s radiators on orbit \u2013 with the issues on recent flows relating to the two hoses in the aft of the vehicle. <\/p>\n It could prove to be problematic if one of the other two hoses \u2013 located at the top end of the payload bay \u2013 bend during payload bay door closure, due to the issues with accessing them, likely via the device that was used to guide the hose back into its box ahead of STS-122. <\/p>\n STS-122: Hose related news content (all exclusives): <\/em>*Issue found\/fleet to be checked (December)*<\/em> \u2013 <\/em>*Atlantis found to have problem*<\/em> \u2013 <\/em>*Managers discuss forward plan*<\/em> \u2013 <\/em>*Use of pole to aid retract*<\/em> \u2013 <\/em>*Successful Retraction*<\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n Discovery also has a new ET Flash Unit being installed while she\u2019s in the VAB. The flash is used aid photography \u2013 gained from the ET umbilical camera \u2013 of the tank as it is separated from the vehicle after MECO (Main Engine Cut Off). The imagery is one of the method of checking for areas of foam loss on the tank.<\/p>\n \u2018Regarding the ET flash that was shipped down last week, it\u2019s in Florida and are installing it in the vehicle. Did a pressure check when received, with good pressure in the flash. No concerns with the unit that will go on STS-124.\u2019<\/p>\n No major issues are being worked ahead of the Flight Readiness Reviews that kick off in the next few weeks, as Discovery continues to look good for May 31.<\/p>\n \u201cThe STS-124 Bench Review went well; no major issues,\u201d noted Flight Ops and Integration. \u201cThere were five squawks and 15 requests, of which they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve closed several already.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/u><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Atlantis\/STS-125 and External Tanks:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Atlantis continues to be processed through the business end of her flow, with her Thermal Protection System (TPS) being refurbished, following her exploits during STS-122. <\/p>\n \u201cMidbody reconfiguration is 90 percent complete. There is a lot of testing and closeout work that needs to happen,\u201d noted the Stand-up. \u201cFor TPS, there are 101 cavities with 68 bonded to date. Gives us 170 cavities which is what we planned for. Thermal Protection System waterproofing completed Sunday as scheduled.\u201d<\/p>\n Atlantis will be carrying out her debut mission to service Hubble, which includes an elaborate array of payload bay equipment. Testing ahead of installing those payload elements is taking place Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u201cPayload premate testing is scheduled to pick up today. Hydraulic operations tomorrow to position the bodyflap, NLG (Nose Landing Gear), and elevons to support TPS operations,\u201d added Wednesday processing information.<\/p>\n \u201cPRSD (Power Reactant Storage and Distributation) system testing resumes today. Water spray boiler checkout and deservicing continues. Wing leading edge (WLE) instrumentation installation\/firmware upgrade continues.\u201d<\/p>\n However, just when Atlantis will launch is still under evaluation. The issue relates entirely on the delivery dates of the next two tanks out of MAF, with both ET-125 and ET-127 required at the Kennedy Space Center on a processing timeline that will determine the guideline for the launch date target. <\/p>\n Currently, MAF information points to a \u201cbest case\u201d scenario of an early October launch for Atlantis, based on the delivery dates \u2013 which are still in flux \u2013 for ET-127 and ET-129, the latter required for Endeavour as the LON (Launch On Need) rescue shuttle that has to be sat on Launch Pad 39B at the same time Atlantis launches from 39A. <\/p>\n \u201cET-127 (STS-125): Have LOX extension sprays to do. Antenna installation is 98 percent complete. Intertank routing and wiring harness is in work. Externally, have machining and venting in progress,\u201d noted MAF\u2019s latest processing information this week. <\/p>\n \u201cFor the bipod, the spindle pour is in work. Have three upper IFRs (Ice Frost Ramps) being repaired due to under-pours. The LOX feedline straight section installation is in progress.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cET-129 (LON-400\/STS-126): Have work primarily on the aft crossbeam installation and IFRs. Have four pours for IFRs in work. Have LOX mast installation in work now.\u201d<\/p>\n As per normal for the MAF workforce, \u2018get wells\u2019 on the flow continue to be achieved, raising hopes that the \u201cbest case\u201d delivery scenario may be able to move slightly to the left by a number of days. However, they are under no pressure to \u201crush\u201d the schedule.<\/p>\n Endeavour\/STS-126:<\/u><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n STS-126 \u2013 Endeavour\u2019s primary mission \u2013 will launch one month after STS-125, involving a mini-rollback from pad 39B, before being placed on the vacated 39A. Based on the \u201cbest case\u201d ET delivery dates, this mission is targeting November, which the orbiter herself is easily within the flow timeline.<\/p>\n \u201cFor TPS, have 52 cavities and only 1 bonded. Expect those numbers to grow quite a bit. There are 326 repairs,\u201d noted the Stand-up, referencing TPS work following STS-123. <\/p>\n A final check of the remaining debris inside Endeavour\u2019s purge circuit ducting \u2013 caused by a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter contamination event ahead of STS-123 \u2013 is also taking place. <\/p>\n \u201cStill boroscoping for (Foreign Objects) in the system as a result of the HEPA filter problem that we had last flow,\u201d added the Stand-up. \u201cA few things were found, but nothing major. Will continue to do this until we feel comfortable that the system is clean.\u201d<\/p>\n A waiver was issued ahead of STS-123, after engineers evaluated that none of the remaining debris observed inside Endeavour would prove to be a problem on orbit. New practises have also been put into place to avoid a similar event with the OPF (Orbiter Processing Facility) filters.<\/p>\n Other elements of Endeavour\u2019s flow are proceeding as scheduled, with new brakes installed on the orbiter\u2019s landing gear, and the replacement of some of her windows \u2013 among other flow requirements, as noted in Wednesday processing information.<\/p>\n \u201cMLG (Main Landing Gear) brakes installed. Plan on getting the boom installed this week. Working on Window 6 R&R (Installation next Wednesday). Currently, only two windows need to be replaced, Windows 1 and 6. OMS (Orbital Maneuvering System) ball valve leak checks were completed last night. Flight cap installation scheduled today.\u201d<\/p>\n The OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System) installation, as noted above, will begin on Thursday, to be completed next week, with a spot of engineering work required in-between. <\/p>\n That work is required on a cracked washer. While that is not the most newsworthy engineering note ever published on this site, when placed into context, this engineering note shows just how every single inch, of what is the most complex machine ever invented, is checked during a processing flow. <\/p>\n \u201cMEQ (Mechanical Systems) picked up PR (Problem Report) on a cracked ready-to-latch arm bushing cap\/washer on the starboard aft manipulator positioning mechanism. Plan is to install the OBSS tomorrow (Thursday) to support rigging, then R&R the part. R&R is constraint to final OBSS installation for flight next week.\u201d<\/p>\n Other work ongoing involves the MPS (Main Propulsion System) high pressure decay test, which was completed yesterday, to be followed by \u201c12-hour decay checks, check valve and pressure disconnect validations, picked up today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAntenna 3 and 5 were installed yesterday, less connector routing, clamping, and connector mates. Hydraulic operations today to support desilting, channel tests, and leak checks and to position aerosurfaces for TPS operations. <\/p>\n \u201cTPS waterproofing in the bodyflap\/main landing gear shadow area is scheduled for 3rd shift tonight (requires bay clear). External Tank doors were closed and latched yesterday to support BRI (Boeing Rigid Insulation) tile work.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/u><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Vacuum Chamber Update:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Meanwhile, at the Johnson Space Center (JSC), engineers are still checking into what caused the vacuum chamber leak inside Building 7, which terminated a spacesuit test run. <\/p>\n \u201cOn Building 7 facility, they are still looking into the chamber,\u201d noted JSC\u2019s EVA department. \u201cThe EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) that was in chamber 3013 was dried out and returned to Building 7.\u201d<\/p>\n This, however, has not halted further test runs required for future flights, notably training for the complex rescue mission (LON-400), should Atlantis suffer a serious problem during the flight.<\/p>\n \u201cWill be doing an 8-foot chamber test with that unit in support of STS-125\/HST, doing the empty suit transfer for LON (Launch On Need). This will roll into an updated certification.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The huge Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM) has been transferred to Launch Pad 39A, ahead of Saturday\u2019s rollout of shuttle Discovery \u2013 as STS-124 preparations enter the final stretch ahead of May 31\u2019s launch date. Meanwhile, evaluations are continuing on the next two External Tanks (ET-127 and ET-129) \u2013 which are still undergoing production at the […]<\/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-41426","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41426"}],"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=41426"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41426\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41426"}],"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