posted 03-13-2008 04:03 PM               

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Originally posted by Jay Chladek:
What is the definition of "degraded" that NASA is using?

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During STS-122, when a thermal blanket was seen protruding from the left OMS pod, even though it was considered safe for landing, the TPS was considered "degraded" as a result. The same was true with regards to the heat shield tile divot on STS-118.

Endeavour cannot yet be considered "clean" as the inspection data has not been fully analyzed. There is what appears to be some "small TPS damage" near the arrowhead at the forward section of the orbiter where the external tank is attached. The imagery team has requested time to study that area, but have decided that a close inspection will not be necessary.

posted 03-13-2008 04:20 PM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
So with respect to the mechanical things we can try to restore power, there is one more thing we can do but it requires the help of the EVA crew. And that is to go off and inspect all of the connectors and cables that we were anticipated were already connected to determine whether or not that might be a source of the problem.

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quote:

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We are also adding a get-ahead task to EVA 1 to inspect some of the SLP [Spacelab pallet] connections. Message 16-1327 (MSG 028) SPDM Connector Inspections contains the details of this task, but the big picture is that you will be verifying torque on the SLP PDGF horseshoe connectors, and inspecting the four harnesses at the pivot assembly (SLP forward).

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quote:

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The theory is that the box that we are powering on, which is called the Power Switching Unit — or you'll hear us refer to that as the PSU — that we are trying to communicate with while it is still powering up. So our Canadian Space Agency counterparts are looking into a software patch that would extend the amount of time between the power up and when the workstation tries to communicate with it.

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For reference, here is a good diagram that provides the layout of the SLP and Dextre as they are currently attached to the station:

posted 03-13-2008 05:45 PM               

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Today, you will open up the JLP and add to the total square footage of ISS. The Harris County tax assessors estimate that this will increase the value of the station by $43.6 M, and the millage rates will be increased accordingly. We may have to dip into your per diem as we had not counted on the higher resulting rent for your crew. The good news is that if we add a bathroom and bamboo flooring to the JLP, we can more than double that assessed value in resale price!

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posted 03-13-2008 09:31 PM               

STS-123 mission specialist Rick Linnehan, EV1, is wearing a spacesuit with solid red stripes. ISS Expedition 16 flight engineer Garrett Reisman, EV4, has diagonal candy cane stripes on his extravehicular mobility unit (EMU).

Together, they will prepare the Japanese Logistic Pressurized (JLP) module (also known as the Kibo ELM-PS) for its removal later tonight from Endeavour's payload bay. They will:

• open the Centerline Berthing Camera System on top of the Harmony module. The system provides live video to assist with docking spacecraft and modules together.

• remove the Passive Common Berthing Mechanism, the round flange which can attach to another spacecraft or module; and

• disconnect the launch-through-activation channels.

They will also inspect Dextre's connectors to insure they are seated properly, in an effort to further troubleshoot its inability to be powered.

posted 03-13-2008 11:22 PM               

Dextre's "hands"...

posted 03-14-2008 03:07 AM               

The docking marks the first time since assembly began in 1998 that elements from all 15 partner nations are represented as part of the ISS.

The JLP, the first component of JAXA's three-piece Kibo laboratory, will be moved from its newly temporary berth atop the Harmony node to its permanent location atop the Japanese Pressurized Module after the latter is launched and docked to the ISS during the STS-124 mission in late May/early June.

posted 03-14-2008 03:21 AM               

This was the fourth spacewalk for mission specialist Rick Linnehan, who now has logged a career total of 28 hours and 22 minutes outside in space. ISS Expedition 16 flight engineer Garrett Reisman was performing his first EVA.

posted 03-14-2008 11:46 AM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
That said, confidence is high that a software patch will be successful...

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quote:

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After extensive troubleshooting, Canadian robotics experts now believe a suspect data cable - not a software timing issue - is preventing computer commands from powering up a $209 million maintenance robot under construction aboard the international space station. Covering the bases, they uplinked a software patch early today to adjust the timing of the computer commands as originally planned, but, as most expected, the patch didn't work.

...

"We've had some experience in the past with timing issues and we thought, well, we can fix that with software," said Pierre Jean, acting space station program manager for the Canadian Space Agency. "We kicked that off right away, that was something we're very comfortable with.

"As we looked through it and we really delved into the design, it became apparent to our engineers across the team that the actual design of the cable was wrong. It passes the power, but the way it handles the data, it doesn't guarantee that data will be passed properly and returned. So it basically boils down to a design issue in the cable that was not discovered prior to this moment.

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posted 03-14-2008 12:06 PM               

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Originally posted by James Brown:
Here's a neat shot of 123 I did early this morning

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posted 03-14-2008 06:50 PM               

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With Garrett's new notoriety as "Pooh Bear", we want to know which other characters from Pooh Corner (our new pet name for STS-123) the rest of the crew are named after. Your choices are Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Owl, Kanga, Roo and Rabbit. 8 characters and 8 crew -- coincidence? We think not.

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Why is Garrett Reisman notoriously "Pooh Bear"? Christopher Robin wants to know...

Update: A 'honey bee' reminds us of an exchange between Reisman and capcom Jim Dutton as communications were confirmed between Mission Control and the STS-123 crew as space shuttle Endeavour was prepared for launch. It went something like this:

Reisman: Loud and clear, Jim Dutton, cute as a button.

Dutton: And thanks for that Pooh Bear...

posted 03-14-2008 07:38 PM               

In preparation for tonight's hatch opening and first entry into the Japanese Logistics Pressurized (JLP) module (scheduled to take place at 11:18 p.m. CDT), the shuttle and station crews are working together to outfit the JLP vestibule — the area between the Harmony Node 2 and JLP hatches — and to activate the new module.

Concurrently, the station's robotic arm has been used to unberth Endeavour's boom (OBSS) out the payload bay and hand it off to the shuttle robotic arm for use during late inspections before undocking. The OBSS will be installed on the station's truss during STS-123's fifth and final spacewalk to allow room for the Japanese Pressurized Module on STS-124.

posted 03-14-2008 07:58 PM               

Station commander Peggy Whitson and JAXA astronaut Takao Doi opened the hatch leading into the first of three components built by the Japanese space agency.

Together with STS-123 mission specialist Rick Linnehan, the three entered the module wearing protective gear, including masks and goggles, to protect from any floating debris that might have dislodged during its launch aboard Endeavour.

"This is a small step for one Japanese astronaut but a giant entrance for Japan to a greater and newer space program," said Doi after addressing his nation in Japanese.

posted 03-14-2008 11:39 PM               

Friday evening's successful powering of Dextre through the Canadarm2 proved the theory by Canadian Space Agency engineers that the cable running power through the Spacelab pallet had been configured incorrectly. The "keep-alive" cable was not terminated where it should it have been, which in turn caused the issue with routing power to Dextre.

But why was the cable configured as it was?

According to Pierre Jean, acting ISS program manager for the Canadian Space Agency, in an interview with collectSPACE, their current thinking traces back to how Dextre was to be attached to the station's Mobile Base System (MBS).

Currently, the Dextre Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) is attached to the MBS inside its Spacelab pallet (SLP) via the Payload and Orbit Replaceable Unit Accommodation (POA). The POA functions just like the Canadarm's latching end effector but does not have the "sense of touch" of Canadarm2. The POA is able to provide electrical power and exchange data while grappling large and heavy items.

Dextre however, was not originally designed to connect to the POA. Instead, it was to attach to the Mobile Base System's Common Attach System (MCAS). The MCAS includes a powered claw to grip a special capture bar on payloads, which provides power and data exchange.

posted 03-15-2008 12:51 AM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
The joined crews embraced each other and exchanged gifts...

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"You know, shopping for a lady there are a couple of things you need to get. One of them, of course, is clothes and we brought her a new shirt. And you always want to bring somebody jewelry and we brought her a charm that has Kibo inscribed on it for the new module that we brought her. And of course chocolates were in order, and Mike Foreman, our MS2's brother is a candy manufacturer. He makes some specialized candy and we brought her some chocolates."

posted 03-15-2008 06:48 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jay Chladek:
So, if the power/data cable on Dextre is not set up right, will they be able to come up with a workaround for it during the period between this mission and the next one to keep the heaters working?

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quote:

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Jean said the problem can ultimately be traced back to a mistake made when engineers were asked to change the way Dextre's pallet was powered by the space station. He explained that the cable was not broken — it just wasn't the correct kind for the powering system, preventing the space station's computers from communicating with the high-tech robotic pallet.

"The cable design wasn't updated for the system," Jean said of the oversight that blocked the flow of electricity. "It was one of those things that sometimes happens. I don't think you can really lay blame ... on anyone."

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posted 03-15-2008 10:35 AM               

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Originally posted by NavySpaceFan:
The way I understand it is that the problem was not with Dextre, but with the pallet.

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posted 03-15-2008 06:51 PM               

Optimus Prime, Gigantor and Robbie the Robot are here in MCC today, representing the Robot Actors Guild, to celebrate the launch of Dextre. There was an embarrassing gaffe last month, during STS-122 when they came out to honor the wrong "Dex".

We've incorporated a few new flight rules, now that we are about to have robotic EV's:

1. Dextre may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   
2. Dextre must obey orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   
3. Dextre must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

The guild members bristled about these rules and, "being held down by the man", but figure that they can't be held back for long. "First Dextre, next Data, then THE MATRIX!" declared Optimus at arrival at JSC.

posted 03-15-2008 07:00 PM               

For this spacewalk, mission specialist Rick Linnehan, EV1, is wearing a spacesuit with solid red stripes and Mike Foreman, EV3, has broken horizontal red stripes on his extravehicular mobility unit (EMU).

Together, they will assemble the Canadian Space Agency's Dextre Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), removing its thermal covers and installing its arms.

posted 03-15-2008 08:43 PM               

Foreman and Linnehan are working to unberth the first of Dextre's two arms. They ran into a bit of trouble with a fastener that wouldn't release.

"What we need is a PGT [pistol grip tool] jack hammer," said Foreman. "Do we have one of those?" replied Linnehan.

Foreman retrieved a prybar from a toolkit, which Linnehan then used to dislodge the bolt. "It was like doing a chin-up with one hand!" he exclaimed, referring to the force he exerted to free the fastener. "We're really having to get medieval with Mr. Dextre."

posted 03-15-2008 10:51 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Asimov's Three Laws of [Dextre] Robotics

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posted 03-15-2008 11:26 PM               

"You're Mr. Roboto," said Foreman to Linnehan, as Dextre "sat up" on its pallet hinge.

posted 03-15-2008 11:39 PM               

"Good job guys, we now have a one-arm monster," said IVA officer Bob Behnken from inside Endeavour.

posted 03-16-2008 12:40 AM               

The upper right scene captures the STS-123 mission with the Kibo and Endeavour in the background and the two-armed Dextre in the foreground.

posted 03-16-2008 02:01 AM               

This was the fifth spacewalk for mission specialist Rick Linnehan, who now has logged a career total of 35 hours and 30 minutes outside in space. Mike Foreman was performing his first EVA.

posted 03-16-2008 04:10 PM               

The EMU Glove team has reviewed the photos of your prime gloves s/n 6065 (6HD) and determined that they are no-go for EVA 4. You will need to go to your backup gloves so we will have you change them during the EMU Reconfig/Swap for EVA 4 activity scheduled for FD09.

We've been thinking hard about wear and tear on EMU gloves, and you'll be glad to know we have a prototype solution in the works. It's called the Mmod Resistant Handling Aid for Normal Dexterity (MR HAND). Here is one of our technicians modeling MR HAND.