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  STS-115 Sept. 9 launch attempt

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Author Topic:   STS-115 Sept. 9 launch attempt
Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-08-2006 01:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA release
quote:
NASA has delayed Friday's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on its STS-115 mission to the International Space Station. Lift-off now is set for 11:15 a.m. EDT Saturday.

Shuttle program managers decided to postpone Atlantis' launch at 10:52 a.m. EDT Friday due to an issue with a fuel cut-off sensor system inside the external fuel tank. This is one of several systems that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low. During countdown activities Friday morning a sensor inside the external tank failed a routine pre-launch check. The engine cut-off, or ECO sensor, is one of four inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank.

The tank's liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will be drained Friday. While the tank is emptied, engineers will monitor and collect data on the liquid hydrogen sensors. NASA's launch rules have a preplanned procedure that states if a single ECO sensor fails, engineers need to drain the tank and verify all the sensors are working as they go dry. If the sensors and system work as expected, Atlantis will be cleared to launch with three of four working sensors Saturday. The reloading of the external tank is set for 1:15 a.m. EDT Saturday.

During Atlantis' mission astronauts will deliver and install the P3/P4 truss, a girder-like structure, with solar arrays that will double the International Space Station's power capability.

Atlantis' crew consists of Commander Brent Jett, Pilot Chris Ferguson and mission specialists Dan Burbank, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, Joe Tanner and Steve MacLean, a Canadian Space Agency astronaut.


[Edited by Robert Pearlman (September 08, 2006).]

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-09-2006 03:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
At Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39B, the loading of space shuttle Atlantis' orange external tank with about 528,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and hydrogen began on time at 12:15 a.m. CDT today. The "topping off" of propellants into the tank will continue until liftoff.

All systems on-board the space shuttle, including the four low-level engine cut-off (ECO) sensors, are functioning normally and are ready for launch at 10:15 a.m. CDT.

Throughout the morning, the STS-115 crew will prepare for launch in the Operations and Checkout Building's crew quarters before taking the 20-minute ride to the pad aboard the Astrovan.

KSCartist
Member

Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 09-09-2006 03:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for KSCartist   Click Here to Email KSCartist     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Robert-

It amazes me what you can accomplish on 2 hours of sleep a night.

Tim

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-09-2006 04:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It sometimes amazes me too, Tim.

[Edited by Robert Pearlman (September 09, 2006).]

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-09-2006 08:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The STS-115 crew members are now seated and strapped into Atlantis' crew cabin, having earlier made the trip from their quarters in their O&C building. (Our photos from this morning's walkout will be posted after launch.)

The hatch is now closed and locked for flight.

Weather conditions continue to be "green" for launch today.

[Edited by Robert Pearlman (September 09, 2006).]

All times are CT (US)

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