{"id":42124,"date":"2006-03-11T18:40:46","date_gmt":"2006-03-11T10:40:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/more-et-issues-sts-121-heading-to-july\/"},"modified":"2006-03-11T18:40:46","modified_gmt":"2006-03-11T10:40:46","slug":"more-et-issues-sts-121-heading-to-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/more-et-issues-sts-121-heading-to-july\/","title":{"rendered":"More ET issues, STS-121 heading to July"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following the news that a change-out of the LH2 ECO (Engine Cut Off) sensors is required \u2013 ultimately ending the opportunity to launch Shuttle Discovery in the May window \u2013 another problem with External Tank (ET-119) has come to light today. <\/p>\n

Sources are revealing that an issue has arisen with the tank\u2019s LOX vent and relief valve, with procedures being evaluated on replacing the valve \u2013 adding to numerous issues surrounding Discovery\u2019s second Return to Flight test mission and NASA\u2019s ever-changing 17 flight manifest.
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Latest manifest documents, Discovery RMS damage images, live \u2018as-it-happens\u2019 newsflashes and updates, ET wind tunnel test latest, plus much more \u2013 <\/em>Join L2 today.<\/em><\/p>\n

The exact nature of the problem with the V\/R valve is related to data that points to concerns that the valve may be \u2018a little leaky\u2019 \u2013 with LOX tank pressure decreases noted, following shipping. The change-out understood to be \u2018highly likely\u2019 but not certain \u2013 according to sources. <\/p>\n

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While the change-out of the ECOs is expected to start soon, the replacement of the vent and relief valve alone may not have been crucial to the May window \u2013 given it is far less of a problem to access on the ET. <\/font><\/p>\n

The ECO change-out, however, is a much longer process, given the delicate process required with the procedure, ensuring the surrounding internal mechanics of the ET are not harmed during the change-out, added to the longer process of TPS (thermal protection system) repair, once the process has been completed. <\/font><\/p>\n

The ET \u2013 currently vertical in the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Facility) checkout cell \u2013 has to be carefully placed back, horizontally, on the transporter that carried it into the VAB. Once horizontal, Lockheed technicians can then carry out the TPS repair in the access hatch area \u2013 post ECO sensor change-out \u2013 replacing the foam removed to enter the tank through the aft access hatch. \"\"<\/font><\/p>\n

Following TPS repair and certification, the tank will need to be raised vertically again, ready for mating with the SRBs (Solid Rocket Boosters), or back to checkout or integration cell. This has to be the process \u2013 scheduled as 17 days according to several sources \u2013 given Lockheed do not have a process for TPS repair on an ET in the VAB whilst vertical. <\/font><\/p>\n

Discovery RMS damage update
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Discovery herself is also undergoing tests, with her RMS (remote manipulator system), or robotic arm, under evaluation, following an incident in which a small area was \u2018bumped\u2019 by an access bucket, which was clearing up fragments of a broken heat lamp from a previous mishap. <\/font><\/p>\n

It is becoming ever-more likely that the arm won\u2019t need replacing, with the latest information acquired via sources noting ultrasound tests are producing no anomalies on the damaged area \u2013 although more tests are to be carried out. <\/font><\/p>\n

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\u2018Removed section of ground plane, kevlar, and honeycomb from fwd indentation,\u2019 noted recent documents on the evaluations. \u2018Performed ultrasound, no anomalies noted. Aft indentation to be performed (later).\u2019 <\/p>\n

UPDATED, CLICK HERE<\/font><\/p>\n

Latest STS manifest<\/em><\/p>\n

With Endeavour out of action until April 2007, the latest manifest has been refined to show Discovery and Atlantis supporting each others initial 2006 missions. <\/font><\/p>\n

Even though the March 8 \u2018PRCBD S042013FN\u2019 manifest (available on L2)<\/em> is bound to change again next week \u2013 given Discovery\u2019s STS-121 will soon be \u2018officially\u2019 moved to July 2006 \u2013 it can be estimated that NASA is still capable of three launches in 2006. Officially, NASA is still aiming for May \u2013 although, officially, NASA hasn\u2019t even set a launch date. <\/font><\/p>\n

On the latest manifest, all flights are classed as \u2018under review\u2019 \u2013 bar STS-121, 115 and 116. <\/font><\/p>\n

\"\"While Atlantis LON (launch on need) date is currently static as the 4th of August (NET \u2013 No Earlier Than), a move to July for STS-121 would likely see the CSCS (contingency shuttle crew support) being incorporated into Atlantis\u2019 scheduled launch window, starting NET August 28 with STS-115. Discovery is currently set to return the favour for her sister with a CSCS date of NET October 28, on STS-301. <\/font><\/p>\n

Another interesting note on the new manifest is the lack of a SSPTS (Station-Shuttle Power Transfer System) upgrade for Atlantis. <\/font><\/p>\n

Discovery is set to receive her upgrade \u2013 allowing orbiters to stay at the International Space Station for longer durations \u2013 in-between her STS-116 and 120 missions, NET 16th November and May 3, 2007 respectively. Endeavour\u2019s upgrade is listed to occur between her STS-118 and 123 missions, NET April 19th and 23rd of August, 2007, respectively. <\/font><\/p>\n

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Atlantis\u2019 early retirement in 2008 could be assumed as the reason the upgrade is not currently scheduled.<\/p>\n

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Stay up-to-date via our space flight specific forum<\/em><\/p>\n

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Following the news that a change-out of the LH2 ECO (Engine Cut Off) sensors is required \u2013 ultimately ending the opportunity to launch Shuttle Discovery in the May window \u2013 another problem with External Tank (ET-119) has come to light today. Sources are revealing that an issue has arisen with the tank\u2019s LOX vent and […]<\/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-42124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42124"}],"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=42124"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42124\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}