|
Author
|
Topic: Shuttle flight data file locker: Was it flown?
|
Space Junk Punk
Member Posts: 29
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2021
|
posted 09-29-2024 06:33 AM
   
I'd like anyone's opinion on this item being flown or not. The blue and yellow Velcro leads me to believe these were installed inside the flight deck already when the velcro was affixed, therefore mostly likely flown? This locker was designated for the Pilot/Aft side. 
|
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 53695
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 09-29-2024 10:33 AM
My understanding, and it could be wrong, is that blue Velcro was permanent and yellow Velcro was crew member choice, such that the latter was areas where astronauts on the crew identified the need for additional attach points based on their own personal preferences.That said, I don't think flown status can be determined by the Velcro alone. |
Space Junk Punk
Member Posts: 29
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2021
|
posted 09-29-2024 04:30 PM
Thanks Robert... was that in your collection here that I read about the blue velcro and the yellow crew requested velcro? It said that the blue velcro pieces were prepared and added by technicians while inside the shuttle on the flight deck. There is nothing to show these are flown but if the blue velcro is added by technicians for mission pre-flight preparations, is it wrong to assume these are flown because that's the only way the blue velcro would generally be there? Also, I believe this were permanently attached on the flight deck and there are signs of velcro being removed, which the yellow pieces were removed after each mission. I have six of these by the way, some for commander side, some for pilot side. I guess assuming anything about any item's flown status is not wise, but thorough detective work to find out is always good. |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1956
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 09-30-2024 09:30 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Space Junk Punk:
...because that's the only way the blue velcro would generally be there?
Installing could have been done offline and not while in the cockpit. |
space1
Member Posts: 952
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted 09-30-2024 11:28 AM
I believe these "hard" lockers were replaced by dark blue "soft" pouches, at least in some cases. These could easily be flown, or they could be from a trainer. Given that in some areas the scratches appear to be painted over, I would lean toward flown (since in a trainer the cosmetic appearance would not be as much of a concern). And I agree with Robert's comments regarding the blue/yellow Velcro. Other than these clues I don't see any way of being sure. |
Space Junk Punk
Member Posts: 29
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2021
|
posted 09-30-2024 05:20 PM
The commander's and pilot's versions have different geometry on their mounting rails for specific positions in the upper flight deck, so I'm inclined to think these were permanently installed in the orbiter. That's what I've read in one of the the shuttle operations manuals. The specialist seats had the ones that were soft pouches for sure.My new question now is would they still setup mount points in a crew 1G mockup the same as zero gravity environment, at least when it comes to incidentals like maps, checklists, grease pens, etc? There would be no need for all that velcro, and I thought blue velcro was reserved and only used in orbital flight? On review: I was totally wrong, you were right. I saw photos of the soft blue bags that replaced the ones I have. I guess the metal lockers were used on the early missions. I did see a photo of one with the same velcro placement as the one in the post here, but who knows. I tried to check pics of the mockup or trainer shuttles, no luck. |
William Pace
New Member Posts: 8
From: Titusville, Forida
Registered: Aug 2020
|
posted 11-14-2024 02:31 PM
The velcro is not the indicator of this being flown. The Serviceable parts tag does though. In the inspection activity box the document that removed this tells you what you need to know FCS-5-12-314, FCS= Flight Crew Systems, 5= OV-105 Endeavour, 12= the flight number of the next flight this was being worked to so this was removed after the 11th flight of Endeavour STS-77, the 314 is the 314th item or document written against the System FCS. I will say with certainty this is flown, possibly from OV-105's first flight. There is no way of verifying that though, it is certain however that this did at least fly on STS-77. |
thisismills
Member Posts: 575
From: Michigan
Registered: Mar 2012
|
posted 01-03-2025 11:09 AM
For those interested, NASA document JSC-12770 Shuttle Flight Operations Manual contains information about these Flight Data File (FDF) lockers. Two are located to the right of the Commander (CDR) mounted to the center console, the forward locker is taller/narrower and the aft locker is shorter/wider both designed to fit specific checklists and items as described in the ops manual along with the locker physical dimensions. The Pilot (PLT) has similar forward and aft lockers also mounted to the right of their seat.  
I'll share a few images from the National Archives showing these lockers in use during flight, STS-64 specifically shows the use of both blue and yellow velcro in flight. - STS-8 - CDR forward locker, door open, mounting rails, access holes for removal.
 - STS-41C - CDR aft locker, and several checklists.
 - STS-51G - CDR forward locker.
 - STS-51I - CDR forward and aft lockers, PLT forward locker.
 - STS-48 - CDR forward locker.
 - STS-51 - CDR forward locker, with velcro in use.
 - STS-56 - CDR forward locker.
 - STS-60 - PLT forward locker.
 - STS-63 - CDR forward and aft lockers.
 - STS-64 - CDR forward and aft lockers, with blue and yellow velcro.
 - STS-70 - CDR forward and aft lockers.
|
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1956
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 01-03-2025 02:37 PM
No scratches or worn paint on mounting strips indicates not flown. |
Space Junk Punk
Member Posts: 29
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2021
|
posted 01-05-2025 02:17 AM
Thanks for posting those photos. It's good you found a few showing the pilot and commander forward lockers with the access holes. It just seems odd that only those have the access holes, and the ones in between the seats don't, as they would be harder to install, unless the seats were removed. Everything in the center console comes out and gives access to mount the forward lockers from behind too, however there is some speculation in there. I'm also still trying to understand where the upright forward lockers without holes but with the same mounting rail's would be mounted? I wonder if at some point they quit putting the large holes in the lockers, and ended up having some that do and some that don't. Also one locker I have has multiple serial numbers stamped on it. I wonder how much weight that gives to it being used many times over?  
|
Space Junk Punk
Member Posts: 29
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2021
|
posted 01-05-2025 02:30 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Behling:
No scratches or worn paint on mounting strips indicates not flown.
This is a guess on my part but it looks like these have been touched up with paint in some spots.
|
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1956
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 01-05-2025 08:23 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Space Junk Punk:
I wonder how much weight that gives to it being used many times over?
None. Serial numbers don't change from flight. Different parts have different serial numbers. |
advertisement