Kyle
Armchair Astronaut
Tonights EVA will be the final time a crew of the great ship Discovery oversees a spacewalk.
STS-131 updates
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tblaxland
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From EVA-2: Anyone say conga?
Orbinaut Pete
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EVA-3 was successfully completed last night, during which the new ATA was connected to the ISS, and the old ATA was attached to the LMC in Discovery's Payload Bay for return to Earth. Also, some MMOD shields that were removed from the Quest airlock during an STS-129 EVA were retrieved from ESP-2 and brought back inside the Quest airlock for return to Earth in the MPLM. The MMOD shields had been at vacuum since STS-104 in July 2001!
A troublesome bolt again set the EVA behind schedule, and several tasks had to be deferred from the EVA, including the LWAPA removal from outside Columbus and installation onto the LMC for return to Earth.
Discovery's final EVA occurred on the same day as Atlantis's final rollover - a day of lasts.
Acronyms used above:
ATA = Ammonia Tank Assembly.
LMC = Lightweight MPESS (Multi Purpose Equipment Support Structure) Carrier.
MMOD = Micro Meteoroid Orbital Debris.
ESP-2 = External Stowage Platform-2.
LWAPA = Light Weight Adaptor Plate Assembly.
---------- Post added at 11:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 PM ----------
Some good/notable photos from the mission:
Great view from the Cupola showing the MPLM berthed to the ISS while EVA crewmembers work to install the old ATA onto the LMC in Discovery’s Payload Bay during EVA-3.
Click here for hi-res version.
"Dex" in the Cupola.
Click here for hi-res version.
4 women in space together - a first on this mission!
Click here for hi-res version.
2 Japanese people in space together - another first on this mission!
Click here for hi-res version.
---------- Post added at 11:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 PM ----------
BBC News: "Japanese astronauts play music in space".
---------- Post added 14th Apr 2010 at 01:00 PM ---------- Previous post was 13th Apr 2010 at 11:40 PM ----------
Spaceflight Now: "Nitrogen valve in station's coolant plumbing stuck".
From ISS Daily Report for 13/04/2010:
S1 NTA GPRV Problems:
Ground teams were unable to open the NTA (Nitrogen Tank Assembly) GPRV (Gas Pressure Regulating Valve), which has been integrated with the new ATA (Ammonia Tank Assembly). The NTA supplies pressure to the ATA, which in turn feeds the ETCS (External Thermal Control System) Loop A. Loop A is currently isolated from the ATA and is operating nominally. [NH3 (Ammonia) is supplied to the ETCS via the ATA when there are volume changes in the system due to varying thermal conditions. It is currently being assessed whether the ATA will need additional NH3 and what work arounds offer themselves, such as adjusting the TRRJ (Thermal Radiator Rotary Joint) angle and/or increasing the heat load on Loop A.]
---------- Post added at 01:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------
Flight Day 9 Highlights video:
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DDaWb-xUEs"]YouTube- "Moving" Continues In and Out of Station[/nomedia]
---------- Post added at 05:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 PM ----------
Just as a note, MCC are considering extending the mission so that a 4th EVA can be performed to R&R the problematic NTA.
Click here for full article from Spaceflight Now.
---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:17 PM ----------
From ISS Daily Report for 14/04/2010:
Mission 19A Extension:
Due to the failure of the NTA (Nitrogen Tank Assembly) GPRV (Gas Pressure Regulating Valve), which is essential to proper ETCS (External Thermal Control System) Loop A function, an extension of the 19A docked period by one day is being considered, to allow an additional spacewalk by the Shuttle crew rather than a later Stage EVA by ISS crew (STS-132/ULF-4 EVAs are full of non-deferrable content). GPRV troubleshooting continues, but if there is no joy, the EVA might be conducted either on 17/04 (Saturday), yet to be decided on. There is a spare NTA on ESP-3 (External Stowage Platform-3), which is attached to the S3 zenith outboard (zenith position, outboard facing) PAS (Payload Attach System).
Background: Ground teams are unable to open the NTA GPRV, which is integral with the new ATA (Ammonia Tank Assembly). The NTA supplies pressure to the ATA, which in turn feeds the ETCS Loop A. Loop A is currently isolated from the ATA and is operating nominally. Ammonia (NH3) is supplied to the ETCS via the ATA when there are volume changes (voids) in the system due to varying thermal conditions.
A troublesome bolt again set the EVA behind schedule, and several tasks had to be deferred from the EVA, including the LWAPA removal from outside Columbus and installation onto the LMC for return to Earth.
Discovery's final EVA occurred on the same day as Atlantis's final rollover - a day of lasts.
Acronyms used above:
ATA = Ammonia Tank Assembly.
LMC = Lightweight MPESS (Multi Purpose Equipment Support Structure) Carrier.
MMOD = Micro Meteoroid Orbital Debris.
ESP-2 = External Stowage Platform-2.
LWAPA = Light Weight Adaptor Plate Assembly.
---------- Post added at 11:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 PM ----------
Some good/notable photos from the mission:
Great view from the Cupola showing the MPLM berthed to the ISS while EVA crewmembers work to install the old ATA onto the LMC in Discovery’s Payload Bay during EVA-3.
Click here for hi-res version.
"Dex" in the Cupola.
Click here for hi-res version.
4 women in space together - a first on this mission!
Click here for hi-res version.
2 Japanese people in space together - another first on this mission!
Click here for hi-res version.
---------- Post added at 11:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 PM ----------
BBC News: "Japanese astronauts play music in space".
---------- Post added 14th Apr 2010 at 01:00 PM ---------- Previous post was 13th Apr 2010 at 11:40 PM ----------
Spaceflight Now: "Nitrogen valve in station's coolant plumbing stuck".
From ISS Daily Report for 13/04/2010:
S1 NTA GPRV Problems:
Ground teams were unable to open the NTA (Nitrogen Tank Assembly) GPRV (Gas Pressure Regulating Valve), which has been integrated with the new ATA (Ammonia Tank Assembly). The NTA supplies pressure to the ATA, which in turn feeds the ETCS (External Thermal Control System) Loop A. Loop A is currently isolated from the ATA and is operating nominally. [NH3 (Ammonia) is supplied to the ETCS via the ATA when there are volume changes in the system due to varying thermal conditions. It is currently being assessed whether the ATA will need additional NH3 and what work arounds offer themselves, such as adjusting the TRRJ (Thermal Radiator Rotary Joint) angle and/or increasing the heat load on Loop A.]
---------- Post added at 01:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------
Flight Day 9 Highlights video:
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DDaWb-xUEs"]YouTube- "Moving" Continues In and Out of Station[/nomedia]
---------- Post added at 05:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 PM ----------
Just as a note, MCC are considering extending the mission so that a 4th EVA can be performed to R&R the problematic NTA.
Click here for full article from Spaceflight Now.
---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:17 PM ----------
From ISS Daily Report for 14/04/2010:
Mission 19A Extension:
Due to the failure of the NTA (Nitrogen Tank Assembly) GPRV (Gas Pressure Regulating Valve), which is essential to proper ETCS (External Thermal Control System) Loop A function, an extension of the 19A docked period by one day is being considered, to allow an additional spacewalk by the Shuttle crew rather than a later Stage EVA by ISS crew (STS-132/ULF-4 EVAs are full of non-deferrable content). GPRV troubleshooting continues, but if there is no joy, the EVA might be conducted either on 17/04 (Saturday), yet to be decided on. There is a spare NTA on ESP-3 (External Stowage Platform-3), which is attached to the S3 zenith outboard (zenith position, outboard facing) PAS (Payload Attach System).
Background: Ground teams are unable to open the NTA GPRV, which is integral with the new ATA (Ammonia Tank Assembly). The NTA supplies pressure to the ATA, which in turn feeds the ETCS Loop A. Loop A is currently isolated from the ATA and is operating nominally. Ammonia (NH3) is supplied to the ETCS via the ATA when there are volume changes (voids) in the system due to varying thermal conditions.
Last edited:
tblaxland
O-F Administrator
It has been confirmed that an extra EVA to install the spare NTA will not be conducted as part of STS-131. From Spaceflight Now:
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts131/status.html
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts131/status.html
orb
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Undocking of Discovery from ISS in about 14 hours from now.
I added a calendar event with set timers for farewell ceremony, hatches closing and undocking times to the O-F's Calendar.
I added a calendar event with set timers for farewell ceremony, hatches closing and undocking times to the O-F's Calendar.
Looks like STS-131 might be crossing over part of Colorado on it's descending node approach.
Any website's that will predict groundtrack/time for STS-131 so I can venture out and hopefully catch a glimps of the shuttle ?
Any website's that will predict groundtrack/time for STS-131 so I can venture out and hopefully catch a glimps of the shuttle ?
Spaceflightnow has two .PDFs on their home page which show the ground tracks for orbits 222 and 223. Now that the volcano's blocked my flight now, I may just be watching for 223 from Colorado too!
Orbinaut Pete
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Discovery completed the DLI (Docked Late Inspection) yesterday and undocked from the ISS earlier today.
From ISS Daily Report for 17/04/2010:
Monday (19/04) landing opportunities:
. KSC:
-8:51 AM EDT/12:51 PM GMT (Orbit 222).
-10:26 AM EDT/2:26 PM GMT (Orbit 223).
Current weather forecast for Monday calls for showers within 30 nautical miles of the SLF (which would be a flight rule violation) and the potential for low cloud ceilings.
Tuesday (20/04) landing opportunities:
. KSC:
-7:33 AM EDT/11:33 AM GMT (Orbit 237).
-9:08 AM EDT/1:08 PM GMT (Orbit 238).
. EDW:
-9:00 AM EDT/1:00 PM GMT (Orbit 238).
-10:36 AM EDT/2:36 PM GMT (Orbit 239).
-12:11 PM EDT/4:11 PM GMT (Orbit 240).
---------- Post added at 10:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 PM ----------
Here ya go!
Interactive map of Discovery's entry sightings.
(Select your continent, country, state, nearest town & desired orbit (i.e. "KSC222" or "EDW240").
NASA’s landing ground tracks.
Spaceflight Now’s landing ground track for Monday Orbit 222 to KSC (PDF, 220 KB).
Spaceflight Now’s landing ground track for Monday Orbit 223 to KSC (PDF, 214 KB).
From ISS Daily Report for 17/04/2010:
Monday (19/04) landing opportunities:
. KSC:
-8:51 AM EDT/12:51 PM GMT (Orbit 222).
-10:26 AM EDT/2:26 PM GMT (Orbit 223).
Current weather forecast for Monday calls for showers within 30 nautical miles of the SLF (which would be a flight rule violation) and the potential for low cloud ceilings.
Tuesday (20/04) landing opportunities:
. KSC:
-7:33 AM EDT/11:33 AM GMT (Orbit 237).
-9:08 AM EDT/1:08 PM GMT (Orbit 238).
. EDW:
-9:00 AM EDT/1:00 PM GMT (Orbit 238).
-10:36 AM EDT/2:36 PM GMT (Orbit 239).
-12:11 PM EDT/4:11 PM GMT (Orbit 240).
---------- Post added at 10:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 PM ----------
Here ya go!
Interactive map of Discovery's entry sightings.
(Select your continent, country, state, nearest town & desired orbit (i.e. "KSC222" or "EDW240").
NASA’s landing ground tracks.
Spaceflight Now’s landing ground track for Monday Orbit 222 to KSC (PDF, 220 KB).
Spaceflight Now’s landing ground track for Monday Orbit 223 to KSC (PDF, 214 KB).
orb
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Timers for deorbit burn, EI, MACH 2.5 TAEM, and landing are posted in this calendar event.
Currently all timers are set for landing at KSC15 from orbits 222 and 223, but all times will be modified if deorbiting is changed to orbits 237-240.
Currently all timers are set for landing at KSC15 from orbits 222 and 223, but all times will be modified if deorbiting is changed to orbits 237-240.
orb
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NASA's Automatic DOL PAD and landing ground tracks were updated for tomorrow's landing.
And I updated in the posted above link, the landing calendar event with lots of new timers, and added to them s-turn maneuvers start (for each landing opportunity, so total is 5x5 timers, because in any case, I don't know if I'm able to update them tomorrow).
And I updated in the posted above link, the landing calendar event with lots of new timers, and added to them s-turn maneuvers start (for each landing opportunity, so total is 5x5 timers, because in any case, I don't know if I'm able to update them tomorrow).
Orbinaut Pete
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NASA: How to Predict Sighting Opportunities for Shuttle Landings.
April 20th landing opportunities:
. KSC 1st attempt = 7:34 AM EDT/11:34 AM GMT.
. EDW 1st attempt = 9:01 AM EDT/1:01 PM GMT.
. KSC 2nd attempt = 9:08 AM EDT/1:08 PM GMT.
. EDW 2nd attempt = 10:35 AM EDT/2:35 PM GMT.
. EDW 3rd attempt = 12:11 PM EDT/4:11 PM GMT.
April 20th landing opportunities:
. KSC 1st attempt = 7:34 AM EDT/11:34 AM GMT.
. EDW 1st attempt = 9:01 AM EDT/1:01 PM GMT.
. KSC 2nd attempt = 9:08 AM EDT/1:08 PM GMT.
. EDW 2nd attempt = 10:35 AM EDT/2:35 PM GMT.
. EDW 3rd attempt = 12:11 PM EDT/4:11 PM GMT.
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orb
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Space Shuttle Discovery landed safely on FD-16 - EOM+1 from orbit 238 at KSC33.
Main Gear Touchdown:
13:08:35 UTC (9:08:35 a.m. EDT)
MET: 15 days, 2 hours, 47 minutes, 10 seconds
Nose Gear Touchdown:
13:08:47 UTC (9:08:47 a.m. EDT)
MET: 15 days, 2 hours, 47 minutes, 22 seconds
Wheels Stop:
13:09:33 UTC (9:09:33 a.m. EDT)
MET: 15 days, 2 hours, 48 minutes, 8 seconds
It was 74th Shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center.
Discovery is towed to OPF-3 to be processed for launch on the STS-133 mission.
Main Gear Touchdown:
13:08:35 UTC (9:08:35 a.m. EDT)
MET: 15 days, 2 hours, 47 minutes, 10 seconds
Nose Gear Touchdown:
13:08:47 UTC (9:08:47 a.m. EDT)
MET: 15 days, 2 hours, 47 minutes, 22 seconds
Wheels Stop:
13:09:33 UTC (9:09:33 a.m. EDT)
MET: 15 days, 2 hours, 48 minutes, 8 seconds
It was 74th Shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center.
Discovery is towed to OPF-3 to be processed for launch on the STS-133 mission.
Kyle
Armchair Astronaut
And that's a rap folks! Good Job everyone on the coverage for STS-131.
Note to mods: As usual, please unpin this and pin up the STS-132 updates thread.
Note to mods: As usual, please unpin this and pin up the STS-132 updates thread.
Orbinaut Pete
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HD landing video:
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22-Ji8_kDwg"]YouTube- "Welcome Back!" Discovery Lands Safely at Kennedy[/nomedia]
Click here for hi-res landing & post-landing photos.
---------- Post added 23rd Apr 2010 at 05:30 PM ---------- Previous post was 22nd Apr 2010 at 11:28 PM ----------
The long awaited ISS flyaround imagery has been released! :speakcool:
(NASA had to wait until after landing to release it, as Discovery's Ku issue meant it couldn't be downlinked inflight.)
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22-Ji8_kDwg"]YouTube- "Welcome Back!" Discovery Lands Safely at Kennedy[/nomedia]
Click here for hi-res landing & post-landing photos.
---------- Post added 23rd Apr 2010 at 05:30 PM ---------- Previous post was 22nd Apr 2010 at 11:28 PM ----------
The long awaited ISS flyaround imagery has been released! :speakcool:
(NASA had to wait until after landing to release it, as Discovery's Ku issue meant it couldn't be downlinked inflight.)
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Orbinaut Pete
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The payload canister containing the STS-131 payloads has returned to the SSPF from OPF-3!
You can see the MPLM "Leonardo" in the top-right, and the old S1 ATA in the aft of the payload canister! It’s amazing to think that until last week, that ATA had been exposed to space since STS-112 in October 2002! :blink:
The MPLM "Leonardo" will now undergo a major refit to be converted into the PMM, ready for launch on STS-133 in September.
You can see the MPLM "Leonardo" in the top-right, and the old S1 ATA in the aft of the payload canister! It’s amazing to think that until last week, that ATA had been exposed to space since STS-112 in October 2002! :blink:
The MPLM "Leonardo" will now undergo a major refit to be converted into the PMM, ready for launch on STS-133 in September.
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Orbinaut Pete
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Here’s some truly breathtaking shots of the MPLM & LMC being removed from Discovery's Payload Bay and loaded into the payload canister in OPF-3!
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=212
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=212
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Orbinaut Pete
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An amazing shot from Clayton Anderson via Twitter - the Milky Way seen from Shuttle Discovery!
http://twitpic.com/1jq6zi
Hi-res version: http://twitpic.com/1jq6zi/full
http://twitpic.com/1jq6zi
Hi-res version: http://twitpic.com/1jq6zi/full
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Orbinaut Pete
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Check out this AWESOME video – 6 weeks of STS-131 processing footage from OPF to launch, compressed into 3 minutes 52 seconds! :speakcool:
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"Thanked by" doesn't do that video justice - that's really great! :thumbup:
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