STS-126

[Woo482]

the APU

 

[thomasantony]

WOOT. WHEEL STOP!! Congratz, crew of endeavor!

 

[astrosammy]

Nice landing Endeavour, nice mission.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Congratulations on the successful completion of the Endeavor's mission! It's always a beautiful sight when a shuttle lands!

 

[cljohnston]

Beautiful landing... came right over my house! Sonic booms felt like somebody jumped onto my roof!

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Check out this awesome video:

http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/zzybxk
(78.5mb)

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

The MLP from STS-126 is currently being taken back to the VAB by the Crawler (attached).


--STS-119--
Discovery set to roll to VAB in 1 month's time

 

[DaveS]

The SCA(N911NA) is getting ready to depart Edwards. Take-off at 7:10 am PST(10:10 am EST, 1510 UTC).

NASA TV will provide live coverage of the departure.


-----Post Added-----


NASA TV live coverage will begin shortly.


-----Post Added-----


Right now taxiing towards the runway.


-----Post Added-----


The C-17 Pathfinder is now moving into position for take-off ahead of the SCA. Distance between the two will be approx. 100 statute miles(160 km) as the C-17 flies weather recon for the SCA.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Now that's a beautiful sight!

I wonder if there is anyone inside the Shuttle, like the far-fetched plot in the James Bond film "Moonraker" where the shuttle is stolen in mid-flight from the back of the SCA, by firing the SSME's with no ET attached!

 

[DaveS]

Now moving onto RWY22L.


-----Post Added-----


Take off will be from RWY04R.


-----Post Added-----


Now moving into the take-off roll.


-----Post Added-----


Now rolling down 04R.


-----Post Added-----


WHEELS-UP at 1509 UTC.


-----Post Added-----


First stop-over will be at Biggs Army Air Field in Fort Bliss, TX.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

My DAMN internet connection was lost about 3 seconds before wheels up, and came back about 10 seconds after.

I am sick and tired of my connection - I miss all the good stuff because of it:compbash2:

OK, sorry, my rant is now finished --- beautiful shots


-----Post Added-----


Question:

Are the payloads from 126 still aboard Endeavour, or have they been removed?

 

[DaveS]

Question:

Are the payloads from 126 still aboard Endeavour, or have they been removed?

Still in the bay. No provisions to open the PLBDs at Edwards(neither the GSE or clean-room evironment required). Payloads will be removed when the orbiter is back inside OPF-2 at KSC.

 

[Poscik]

Endeavour is coming home

 

[agentgonzo]

What type of escort does the SCA have when it's flying the shuttle back to KSC?

 

[DaveS]

What type of escort does the SCA have when it's flying the shuttle back to KSC?

None really. Management is flying in the C-17 Pathfinder.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Route of the SCA:

 

[Andy44]

Why the detour to Houston?

 

[DaveS]

Why the detour to Houston?

Mostly so that the employess at JSC could get to see the orbiter. It was the first JSC/Ellington fly-over since Challenger's delivery trip from Edwards to KSC in 1982.

The weather along the route support this unusual detour from NASFW-JRB to today's overnight stop at Barksdale AFB, LA.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Read this:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/126ferry_flight.html

"It's 32 degrees out here," said Ken Tenbusch, Endeavour flow director. "Not easy when your teeth are chattering."

Now, maybe it's just me, being an Englishman & all. But to me, 32 degrees is BOILING HOT!!!!!

How can anyone think that is freezing!!!!!

 

[SiberianTiger]

Now, maybe it's just me, being an Englishman & all. But to me, 32 degrees is BOILING HOT!!!!!

How can anyone think that is freezing!!!!!

Fahrenheit 32 is Celsius 0 degrees. Must be quite chilly, especially at an airfield.