New VSA, the Union Space Command (USC)

[garyw]

I think your front page is rather confusing. You have some detail on DGIV testing - fine. you talk about satellite launches - fine but then you have an ATV-010 programme and a picture of an Arianne whilst docked to the ISS you have ATV-090 and Expedition 55 but no programme details on those.

Nothing on your site (that I have access to anyway) ties all of this together. You say that 'the russians abandoned the ISS' - why? What about the USOC? What about the crytopgraphic gear on board?

 

[Eli13]

ATV-009 you mean?
The russians left as tensions were high, and went to pursue their own goals.
Anyways, I find that you make a good point, but I was pretty sure I added details to that 'current ISS' photo. Hmmm.... anyways I'll get the details down.
Here they are ATV-009 was a supply run to the ISS. ATV's went beyond -005 because the Russians left, thus taking the Progress spacecraft with them. I'm sure you get why. ATV-009 carried no scientific payload.
Expedtion 55 was carried on board a Antares Spacecraft, with the crew to stay on the ISS and maintain it.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'USOC'? I can't find anything on that, nor have I heard of it. As with the crytographic gear, anything transmitting to somewhere Russian controlled had been disabled. And to replace the Russian's mission control building for the ISS, another one was built in France.

 

[garyw]

From your site 'Shown is ATV-090 'James Watt' and Antares-2 which carried Expedition 55 to the ISS'

So you've no Russian gear on the space station? The ISS thrusters are Russian...

 

[Eli13]

Hmmm... must have been a typo by the uploader, Diogom. It has been fixed.

No, only as far as the russian communication gear goes. Anything that has been assembled to the ISS superstructure is still there, including the thrusters.
But could you tell me what you meant by 'USOC'?

 

[garyw]

I meant USOS and not USOC. Typo on my part.

The ISS would have the thrusters but it wouldn't have the very important Russian command and control computers so firing them would be impossible.

 

[Eli13]

Oh ok. Now I get what you're saying.
Not if they were transferred to a new control building before the Russian Coup 'etat. The Russian Building was re-purposed so, a new building was built. See the photo description again, it has been there since my last fix. All of those command and control computers were transferred to the ESA as the Russians had a decline in interest in the ISS.

 

[garyw]

They can't do that. it would mean giving up russian cryptographic keys.

Still, you won't let anything like reality or planning stop you so I'll wish you good luck. i 'm outta this blog.

 

[Eli13]

Captive-Inert Flight #2 pictures and mission report are now up on the VSA site.

 

[Eli13]

Captive-Inert Flight #3 and #4 pictures and reports are now up.

 

[Nazban]

Please keep it posted only on your site, dont keep posting up on this blog comment list.

 

[Eli13]

Remember, it is my blog. And if I keep it on my site, people only following it here will not catch the news.
By the way, Captive-Inert Flight Test #5 Pictures and Mission Report are up along with Captive-Active Flight Test #1's pictures and Mission Report.

 

[Eli13]

Captive-Active Flight Test #2 and #3 mission reports are now up, but there are no pictures due to a faulty installation of screen capture.

 

[Eli13]

Free flight #'s 1 and 2 mission reports are up now, but there still isn't any pictures.

 

[Eli13]

Free flights 3 and 4's reports are now up

 

[Eli13]

The fifth free flight test mission report is up. The ALT program has ended. Expect an entry from the deputy director soon.