|
|
Author
|
Topic: STS-126: Readying Endeavour for space
|
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-03-2008 12:24 PM
NASA update Endeavour Launch Targeted for Nov. 14Space Shuttle Program managers advanced the target launch date for Endeavour's STS-126 mission by two days to Nov. 14 at 7:55 p.m. EST. Endeavour will carry new equipment to the International Space Station that will allow the orbiting laboratory to double its current resident crew from three to six. One Endeavour crew member, Sandra Magnus, will remain on the station for a long-duration mission when Endeavour returns. She will take the place of current station resident crewman Greg Chamitoff. Endeavour will be moved from Pad 39B to Pad 39A on Oct. 25. For readers planning to view this launch, please see: STS-126 mission viewing |
garymilgrom Member Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 10-10-2008 08:47 AM
Does she have to go back inside the VAB to changeout anything from the LON mission? |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-10-2008 09:01 AM
No, Endeavour can roll directly from Pad 39B to 39A without a stop at the VAB. The STS-126 payload will then be rolled out to 39A and be installed in Endeavour's payload bay through the pad's changeout room (as normal). This was the nominal plan had STS-125 launched first, too. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-22-2008 12:46 PM
The STS-126 payload, the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Leonardo, was loaded into a cargo canister on Tuesday in preparation for its move earlier today to Pad 39A.
In the Payload Changeout Room (PCR) on Pad 39A, Leonardo is transferred from the payload canister into the PCR. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-22-2008 03:37 PM
NASA release Shuttle Endeavour Moves to Launch Pad, Practice Liftoff SetSpace shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to move from Launch Pad 39B to Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., as early as 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, as preparations for the STS-126 mission move forward. Endeavour is targeted to lift off Nov. 14 to the International Space Station. Early Thursday morning, NASA managers will decide when to move the shuttle based on the progress of removing the payload canister from the pad following installation into the pad's changeout room. The payload was delivered to Pad A early Wednesday morning. Endeavour had been scheduled to move Saturday, Oct. 25, but possibly severe weather now is forecast for the area. NASA Television will provide live video of Endeavour's rollaround beginning at 8 a.m. Video highlights of the rollout will air on the NASA TV Video File. The move will take approximately seven hours. After reaching its launch pad, Endeavour will await its next major milestone. A launch dress rehearsal, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, is scheduled to take place at Kennedy from Oct. 27 to 29. During Endeavour's 15-day mission, the shuttle's seven crew members will deliver supplies and equipment necessary to double the station crew size from three to six members and during four spacewalks, service the station's two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, which allow its solar arrays to track the sun. The shuttle also will deliver Expedition 18 crew member Sandra Magnus and return Expedition 17 flight engineer Greg Chamitoff, who has been aboard the station for more than five months. Chris Ferguson will command Endeavour. Eric Boe is the pilot. Mission specialists are Steve Bowen, Shane Kimbrough, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Donald Pettit and Magnus. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. The following media events are associated with the test. All times are Eastern. - Oct. 26: STS-126 crew arrival. The crew will arrive between 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. Arrival will be broadcast live on NASA TV.
- Oct. 28: STS-126 crew media availability. The astronauts will take questions from reporters at Launch Pad 39A at 8:30 a.m. The session will be carried live on NASA TV.
- Oct. 29: STS-126 crew walkout photo opportunity. The astronauts will depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 a.m. in their flight entry suits in preparation for the countdown demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will not be broadcast live but will be part of the NASA TV Video File.
Video b-roll of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test will also be available on the NASA TV Video File. |
Ben Member Posts: 1896 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: May 2000
|
posted 10-22-2008 08:36 PM
This will be just the third "rollaround" in program history, and the first from B to A. STS-35 and STS-61 in 1990 and 1993, made the switch from A to B. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-23-2008 03:27 PM
![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/sts126_rollaround01.jpg) Space shuttle Endeavour completed its 3.46 mile rollaround on Thursday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39B to Pad 39A. The move began at 7:28 a.m. CDT. The vehicle was "hard down" on 39A just before 3:40 p.m. Endeavour was moved from 39B so that workers there could continue modifications to the launch complex for the Ares I-X test flight in 2009. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-27-2008 12:14 AM
From left to right: Mission specialists Shane Kimbrough and Stephen Bowen, pilot Eric Boe, commander Chris Ferguson, mission specialists Don Pettit, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, and ISS flight engineer Sandy Magnus. The STS-126 crew flew to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday afternoon for three days of training known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT.The astronauts will check over the equipment they will use in space during their mission and will practice several emergency procedures. Ferguson and Boe also will take to the skies over the Shuttle Landing Facility to practice landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft. The TCDT will conclude on Wednesday with a simulated launch countdown, which will include the crew, launch controllers in Florida and mission controllers in Houston. The dress rehearsal countdown will begin Wednesday morning. The astronauts will return to Johnson Space Center in Houston on Wednesday afternoon. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-29-2008 02:43 PM
The STS-126 crew wrapped up their three-day terminal countdown demonstration test (TCDT) on Wednesday with a full dress rehearsal for launch.![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/sts126_tcdt02.jpg)
|
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-30-2008 05:40 PM
NASA release NASA Gives "Go" for Space Shuttle Launch on Nov. 14 NASA managers completed a review Thursday of space shuttle Endeavour's readiness for flight and selected the official launch date for the STS-126 mission. Commander Chris Ferguson and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off to the International Space Station at 7:55 p.m. EST on Nov. 14. Endeavour's STS-126 flight will feature important repair work to the station and prepare it for housing six crew members during long-duration missions. The primary focus of the 15-day flight and its four planned spacewalks is to service the station's two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, which allow its solar arrays to track the sun. Endeavour will carry about 32,000 pounds to orbit, including supplies and equipment necessary to double the crew size from three to six members in spring 2009. The new station cargo includes additional sleeping quarters, a second toilet and a resistance exercise device. Endeavour's launch date was announced after the conclusion of Thursday's Flight Readiness Review. During the meeting, top NASA and contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and determined the shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for flight. Ferguson will be joined on STS-126 by Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Donald Pettit, Steve Bowen, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Shane Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus. Magnus will replace space station crew member Greg Chamitoff, who has been aboard the station for more than five months. She will return to Earth during the next shuttle mission, STS-119, targeted to launch in February 2009. | |
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
![](http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/powered_by2.gif)
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a
|
|
|
advertisement
|