Question Q/A's FOR STS - Page 16 - Orbiter-Forum

**garyw** · 05-13-2010, 10:55 PM

STS=Space Transportation System

**IronRain** · 05-14-2010, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyw

STS=Space Transportation System

thanks!

**Artlav** · 05-17-2010, 04:17 PM

Zoom onto the cockpit in these RPM images:
http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gall...023e041593.jpg
http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gall...023e041601.jpg

I can't seem to see a pilot (or anyone) in the cockpit windows, is that normal or where to look?

DaveS · 05-17-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artlav

Zoom onto the cockpit in these RPM images:
http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gall...023e041593.jpg
http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gall...023e041601.jpg

I can't seem to see a pilot (or anyone) in the cockpit windows, is that normal or where to look?

Normal. During the RPM and other prox ops, the orbiter is flown from the aft flightdeck station. See this photo: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/...s013e47481.jpg

Evil_Onyx · 05-24-2010, 02:38 PM

What is represented by the red area and yellow cross in the above plot?

ar81 · 05-25-2010, 12:47 AM

1.Why does it take so long between undocking ISS and landing compared to other vehicles like Soyuz?
2.What are the rules for air traffic during launch?

supersonic · 05-25-2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ar81

1.Why does it take so long between undocking ISS and landing compared to other vehicles like Soyuz?

Because Russia is HUGE, any time you are over land and in a high inclination orbit, you almost always orbit over Russia.

Quote:

2.What are the rules for air traffic during launch?

Only military over the Cape, and they can only go so close.

**tblaxland** · 05-25-2010, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supersonic

Because Russia is HUGE, any time you are over land and in a high inclination orbit, you almost always orbit over Russia.

Still, you typically get a couple of opportunities per day that they can use for emergencies.

Some reasons that I can think of:
1. Late inspection of the TPS.
2. Crew off duty time since they have been working pretty well flat out for 11 or 12 days straight. ISS crews returning on a Soyuz would have that off duty time as part of their typical weekly cycle.
3. Shuttle RCS and FCS checkouts are done after undocking, compared to Soyuz which does them whilst docked.

Tekdino · 09-03-2010, 07:37 PM

I hope posting to a Q/A topic after 30 days isn't considered necroposting. I'll hail the Probe just in case.

As far as I know, most of the things happening on the flight are requested and confirmed by the flight control. This may be a stupid question but what's the shuttle commander actually doing? Is he the main communication guy or what?

**Urwumpe** · 09-03-2010, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tekdino

As far as I know, most of the things happening on the flight are requested and confirmed by the flight control. This may be a stupid question but what's the shuttle commander actually doing? Is he the main communication guy or what?

It is like the captain of an airliner. He has the final and ultimate responsibility for crew and mission. He does most of the piloting, including landing the Shuttle, he decides if the crew reports go or no-go, he has even enough authority to overrule flight director decisions, since the commander is at the front-line, so to say.

Look for example at Neil Armstrongs manual landing decision, which is one such case.

The pilot of the Shuttle is actually, like in all manned spacecraft, usually not piloting the spacecraft at all. He is responsible for maintaining subsystems and assist the commander. For example monitor instruments during RTLS and give call-outs to the commander.

DanM · 10-08-2010, 10:07 PM

Why are the ACESs orange? Is it so the astronauts can be found easily in the event of bailout?

**Urwumpe** · 10-08-2010, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanM

Why are the ACESs orange? Is it so the astronauts can be found easily in the event of bailout?

Exactly. It is the standard signal orange, that is used for all Rescue equipment, eg also for lifeboats or swimming vests.

orbitingpluto · 10-26-2010, 07:08 PM

I noticed that the Discovery's heat shield in this panorama (posted to the STS-133 thread by Orbinaut Pete) looks very worn and gray. While it hasn't been brought up as a problem for the flight, I want to ask what is the type of schedule NASA had for replacing the tiles, because they look near the end of their service life. Given that the Discovery is on her last flight, I guess they won't be replaced, however I don't know this for certain and I would like to see if anyone can set me straight.

**Urwumpe** · 10-26-2010, 07:15 PM

Tiles are replaced when they are damaged - discoloration is not damage. It is also not wear. The gray color is rather normal for the tiles after the first use, the really black tiles are fresh replacements.

orbitingpluto · 10-26-2010, 08:12 PM

So they only look worn? That is reassuring, but how many flights did it take to get that "startles a shuttle n00b when he sees it" look on those tiles

?

Also, you said the tiles are replaced when they are damaged. Did the shuttle fleet(in real life

) ever need to have all the tiles replaced due to the wear of many reentries, or do the tiles stay with the shuttle throughout it's life?

09-03-2010, 08:01 PM	#235
Urwumpe Donator	Quote: Originally Posted by Tekdino As far as I know, most of the things happening on the flight are requested and confirmed by the flight control. This may be a stupid question but what's the shuttle commander actually doing? Is he the main communication guy or what? It is like the captain of an airliner. He has the final and ultimate responsibility for crew and mission. He does most of the piloting, including landing the Shuttle, he decides if the crew reports go or no-go, he has even enough authority to overrule flight director decisions, since the commander is at the front-line, so to say. Look for example at Neil Armstrongs manual landing decision, which is one such case. The pilot of the Shuttle is actually, like in all manned spacecraft, usually not piloting the spacecraft at all. He is responsible for maintaining subsystems and assist the commander. For example monitor instruments during RTLS and give call-outs to the commander. Last edited by Urwumpe; 09-03-2010 at 08:03 PM.

10-26-2010, 08:12 PM	#240
orbitingpluto The Postmaster	So they only look worn? That is reassuring, but how many flights did it take to get that "startles a shuttle n00b when he sees it" look on those tiles? Also, you said the tiles are replaced when they are damaged. Did the shuttle fleet(in real life) ever need to have all the tiles replaced due to the wear of many reentries, or do the tiles stay with the shuttle throughout it's life?

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05-13-2010, 10:55 PM	#226
garyw O-F Administrator	STS=Space Transportation System

05-14-2010, 06:33 AM	#227
IronRain Orbinaut	Quote: Originally Posted by garyw STS=Space Transportation System thanks!

05-17-2010, 04:17 PM	#228
Artlav Aperiodic traveller	Zoom onto the cockpit in these RPM images: http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gall...023e041593.jpg http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gall...023e041601.jpg I can't seem to see a pilot (or anyone) in the cockpit windows, is that normal or where to look?

05-17-2010, 04:34 PM	#229
DaveS SSU GSE Specialist	Quote: Originally Posted by Artlav Zoom onto the cockpit in these RPM images: http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gall...023e041593.jpg http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gall...023e041601.jpg I can't seem to see a pilot (or anyone) in the cockpit windows, is that normal or where to look? Normal. During the RPM and other prox ops, the orbiter is flown from the aft flightdeck station. See this photo: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/...s013e47481.jpg

05-24-2010, 02:38 PM	#230
Evil_Onyx Orbinaut	What is represented by the red area and yellow cross in the above plot?

05-25-2010, 12:47 AM	#231
ar81 Orbinaut	1.Why does it take so long between undocking ISS and landing compared to other vehicles like Soyuz? 2.What are the rules for air traffic during launch?

05-25-2010, 12:56 AM	#232
supersonic Add-on Developer	Quote: Originally Posted by ar81 1.Why does it take so long between undocking ISS and landing compared to other vehicles like Soyuz? Because Russia is *HUGE*, any time you are over land and in a high inclination orbit, you almost always orbit over Russia. Quote: 2.What are the rules for air traffic during launch? Only military over the Cape, and they can only go so close.

05-25-2010, 04:13 AM	#233
tblaxland Webmaster	Quote: Originally Posted by supersonic Because Russia is *HUGE*, any time you are over land and in a high inclination orbit, you almost always orbit over Russia. Still, you typically get a couple of opportunities per day that they can use for emergencies. Some reasons that I can think of: 1. Late inspection of the TPS. 2. Crew off duty time since they have been working pretty well flat out for 11 or 12 days straight. ISS crews returning on a Soyuz would have that off duty time as part of their typical weekly cycle. 3. Shuttle RCS and FCS checkouts are done after undocking, compared to Soyuz which does them whilst docked.

09-03-2010, 07:37 PM	#234
Tekdino Active reader. Rarely writing.	I hope posting to a Q/A topic after 30 days isn't considered necroposting. I'll hail the Probe just in case. As far as I know, most of the things happening on the flight are requested and confirmed by the flight control. This may be a stupid question but what's the shuttle commander actually doing? Is he the main communication guy or what?

10-08-2010, 10:07 PM	#236
DanM Wizard of Weird	Why are the ACESs orange? Is it so the astronauts can be found easily in the event of bailout?

10-08-2010, 10:23 PM	#237
Urwumpe Donator	Quote: Originally Posted by DanM Why are the ACESs orange? Is it so the astronauts can be found easily in the event of bailout? Exactly. It is the standard signal orange, that is used for all Rescue equipment, eg also for lifeboats or swimming vests.

10-26-2010, 07:08 PM	#238
orbitingpluto The Postmaster	I noticed that the Discovery's heat shield in this panorama (posted to the STS-133 thread by Orbinaut Pete) looks very worn and gray. While it hasn't been brought up as a problem for the flight, I want to ask what is the type of schedule NASA had for replacing the tiles, because they look near the end of their service life. Given that the Discovery is on her last flight, I guess they won't be replaced, however I don't know this for certain and I would like to see if anyone can set me straight.

10-26-2010, 07:15 PM	#239
Urwumpe Donator	Tiles are replaced when they are damaged - discoloration is not damage. It is also not wear. The gray color is rather normal for the tiles after the first use, the really black tiles are fresh replacements.