\n <\/font><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n **Range of RMS damage images available on L2. ET Wind Tunnel test latest, same day ISS On-Orbit reports, plus much more Join L2 today.**<\/font><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tests are being carried out on the arm, with a report being compiled to help managers come to a decision on whether to replace the arm, or fly \u2018as-is.\u2019 Discovery is currently set to launch in May \u2013 although it is becoming ever-more likely her mission (STS-121) will be moved to July. <\/p>\n <\/font><\/p>\n A variety of tests are being performed on the arm and the damaged section.<\/font> <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n \u2018MDA ran some tests using an aluminium tape and have not yet been able to get as close to the original resistance as they would like, but the MRB agreed that with some more work, MDA should be able to re-establish the plane with this tape,\u2019 noted a document relating to the evaluations on the arm. \u2018The ground plane is also used during a failure to carry fault currents so the repair method must be able to handle these fault currents. <\/font><\/p>\n \u2018MDA is performing analysis to ensure that this tape will be sufficient for carrying these fault currents otherwise an additional wire may need to be installed from one end of the composite boom to the other end. Adding a wire will not be an issue if required. \u2018MDA is also performing analysis to ensure the repair method will not impact the RMS\/OBSS system performance and result in sensor re-test requirements.\u2019<\/font> <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n Specialists are expected to arrive at KSC today to further evaluate any work that may be required, including structural analysis of the arm, leading to a decision being taken on the best course of action \u2013 if any. <\/p>\n \u2018Given that we believe the ground plane can be re-established, travel plans have been finalized for MDA and AASC folks to arrive at KSC (today) and should be ready to begin work Thursday AM,\u2019 added the document.<\/p>\n \u2018We have provided a list of all inputs required for structural analysis. I have a call into to ensure that this is given a high priority as this structural analysis will be critical path for accepting the RMS and MPMs \u2018As-Is\u2019 if the inspection shows no damage to the composite boom.\u2019 <\/font><\/p>\n One option would see the removal of the arm from Discovery\u2019s payload bay, replacing it with a spare arm \u2013 which was sent to be installed on Endeavour \u2013 or just a section of the arm.<\/p>\n \u2018KSC is beginning to prepare the S\/N 201 arm, originally destined for OV-105, for installation into OV-103 if it is required,\u2019 added the document.<\/p>\n \u2018The MRB also discussed the possibility of swapping out just the composite boom (instead of the whole arm) so that the strain gauged arm could continue to fly on STS-121. This swap of the composite boom would require sending the lower arm back to MDA for change-out and would total a two week turn around before it could be back at KSC. <\/p>\n \u2018A presentation (is being compiled) for Wayne Hale as requested to explain to him the significance of the strain gauges on the arm and the impact to DTO 849 if that arm does not fly.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spaceflight news subscription (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n Stay up-to-date via our space flight specific forum<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Technicians at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) are preparing a replacement robotic arm \u2013 originally designated to Endeavour \u2013 should it be deemed that Discovery\u2019s RMS (Remote Manipulator System) suffered levels of damage that require her arm to be replaced. Discovery\u2019s robotic arm suffered a couple of small indentations on the arm, following an accident […]<\/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-42128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42128"}],"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=42128"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42128\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"http:\/\/content.nasaspaceflight.com\/library\/1016\/AdBanners\/logo2_1bk.jpg\"){kind=logo}
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