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**The most comprehensive processing flow updates, via memos, presentations and in-depth reports are <\/em>available on L2<\/em>** **LIVE news updates on Atlantis STS-117 (STS-317) Processsing Flow**<\/em><\/p>\n **Ride home through the fire and plasma of re-entry with Atlantis \u2013 Stunning video**<\/p>\n Processing for Discovery is still targeting a November 1 rollover of the orbiter to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where she\u2019ll join the awaiting ET-123 and twin Solid Rocket Boosters stack.<\/p>\n However, Thermal Protection System technicians are working at a pace to complete \u2018bonding\u2019 of Discovery\u2019s tiles that came back with cavities in them, following the conclusion to her STS-121 mission earlier in the year, <\/p>\n \u2018Still working in OPF (Orbiter Processing Facility) toward November 1, 2006 rollover,\u2019 noted the Stand-up\/Integration flow report for the first half of this week. \u2018Tile in forward area on nose landing gear and chin will probably be worked up until rollover. On landing gear, working back-and-forth between tiles and mechanical checks to make sure everything in spec. <\/p>\n \u2018Twenty-one of 167 cavities remain to bond. Expect to complete bonding cavities by October 23, 2006.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018ET door system was put together, tile checks in work, and ET door functional should be performed later this week. Payload bay doors closeout out by October 19, 2006, which should close out mid-body,\u2019 added the report.<\/p>\n \u2018Newly installed WSB (Water Spray Boiler) failed functional test run test late last week, and controller failed retest. Will require troubleshooting, and may need to R&R (Repair and Replace) WSB. Troubleshooting at Hamilton-Sunstrand on original WSB having anomaly on flight showed sensor bad (repeatable). Working on why it\u2019s bad.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018AC3 current spike occurred and AC3 lost. Powered down and will troubleshoot. UAs (Unexplained Anomalies) on past such occurrences closed and determined to be inverter R&Rs.\u2019<\/p>\n Atlantis also needs to remain on track, despite her primary mission (STS-117) being moved back a month. Her LON (Launch On Need) rescue mission support for Discovery (STS-317) has not changed in the schedule, meaning she will be required to support early in February.<\/p>\n Inspecting the orbiter\u2019s TPS is almost complete, and appears to be on track to produce far less cavities than her sister. Removal and replacement of her windows are also progressing well.<\/p>\n \u2018Tile processing about 97 percent complete with tile inspection. Have 78 cavities so far. Windows 1 thru 6 R&R\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d. Complete windows 2 and 3 this week. Windows 7 and 8 inspected. Appears must remove window 7.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018FC3 removed and being replace. Waiting for spare for FC1,\u2019 continued the report. \u2018Major work item on OV-104 (Atlantis) is MR plug for radiator repair.\u2019<\/p>\n Also making an unwelcome entrance into the report was a note about Tin Whiskers, although the specific issue is not deemed serious.<\/p>\n \u2018On tin whiskers, ASA (Aerosurface Survo Amplifier) boxes 1 and 3 removed. Will install new boxes. Scratches found on cold plate. Under engineering evaluation. First report is will be acceptable as is.\u2019<\/p>\n The issue of Tin Whiskers led to a self-titled dissenting opinion presentation from the Aerospace Corporation, in turn rebuffed by NASA, prior to STS-121. <\/p>\n However, on the ASA issue noted in the Standup Report, it was recognised that the systems involving the Aerosurface Survo Amplifier (ASA) have a mitigated risk, due to redundancy through the need of three failures being required to affect the same actuator signal, before loss of function occurs. These systems are only used during launch and landing.<\/p>\n On the ET front, MAF (Michoud Assembly Facility) and Lockheed Martin and pushing ahead with the next two tanks due to arrive at the Kennedy Space Center, namely ET-124 \u2013 required for Atlantis\u2019 STS-117 and LON-117, plus ET-117 \u2013 set to fly with Endeavour\u2019s return to flight mission STS-118. <\/font><\/p>\n \u2018ET-124 \u2013 Tank due out December 17, 2006. No major issues, and production activities generally on schedule. Critical path still thru bipod mods. RTF (Return to Flight) mods in progress. Started grip lip spraying. Assessing other areas.<\/p>\n \u2018ET-117 \u2013 This is next tank following ET-124. Vertical in Cell A. Using accelerated production flow thru Cell A, and are on schedule. Completed most sub work in plant, including pocket spray. Puts them in good shape for upper spray next week.\u2019<\/p>\n Interestingly, while NASA claim the changes made to the Shuttle manifest relate to ET backlog, Lockheed Martin appear to be picking up the pace, noting that \u2018nine tanks (are) actively in production,\u2019 at MAF.<\/p>\n The other major point of interest with the tanks is the upcoming final decision on the IFR (Ice Frost Ramp) design, which will affect around three or four of the ramps, with the aim of further mitigating foam liberation concerns.<\/p>\n \u2018On ice\/frost ramp testing, completed series of tests with no collars Thursday, and first series of tests with collars Friday,\u2019 noted the report. \u2018Both tests successful. Will run another series of tests with collars. <\/p>\n \u2018Found out last week the bureau of mines will shut down helium pipeline for November 2006. Assessing now, but think we have enough helium for testing required for CDR (Certification Design Review).\u2019<\/p>\n **INFINITY: 10 minute STS-115 MUSIC VIDEO**<\/em> \u2013 <\/font> <\/p>\n **NASASpaceflight.com Job Opportunities**<\/em><\/font> <\/p>\n <\/font> NASA is working towards a smooth transition for the launch of their third flight of the year with Discovery on STS-116, although she has some remaining issues that require troubleshooting, prior to rollover in a few weeks time. Meanwhile, the major work load on Atlantis comes in the form of plugging the hole, created by […]<\/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-41910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41910"}],"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=41910"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41910\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/em><\/p>\n**LIVE news updates on Discovery STS-116 Processing Flow**<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/font>The External Tank door on the belly of Discovery has been repaired, although some electrical issues have been spotted \u2013 which will require a level of troubleshooting.<\/p>\n
Pokeouts from her last mission (STS-115) also gain a mention, with the removal and replacement of the troublesome Fuel Cells \u2013 which \u2013 in the case of FC1 on Discovery \u2013 ultimately performed without issue on two of its three phases, plus the plugging of the hole caused by a debris hit whilst on orbit.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/content.nasaspaceflight.com\/library\/1016\/Tin3a.JPG\")
Tin Whiskers are small slices of metal which can fall off on to the circuit boards \u2013 which could cause shorts in the orbiter\u2019s electrical components, with the potential loss of vehicle and crew. <\/font> <\/p>\n
<\/em>(Video section is FREE, but you need to sign up as a member of the forum to enter the video section of the site. We only use your e-mail to send you your password. It will not be used for spam etc.)<\/em><\/font><\/font><\/font> <\/p>\n<\/font><\/p>\n
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