STS 124 UPDATES

[Chipstone306]

Next Flight Readiness Review Set for May 19

Image above: Workers in the payload changeout room on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center check the placement of space shuttle Discovery's payload bay doors as they close around the Japanese Experiment Module - Pressurized Module. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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May 16
Space Shuttle Program managers wrapped up a program-level Flight Readiness Review on May 14, paving the way for an executive-level review at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 19. The purpose of the Flight Readiness Review is to assess preparations for shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission to the International Space Station.

The executive-level review is expected to include the selection of an official launch date. Discovery is targeted to launch May 31 at 5:02 p.m. EDT.

The seven-member STS-124 crew participated May 6-9 in the terminal countdown demonstration test at Kennedy. The highlight of the three-day training event was a fully suited dress rehearsal for their upcoming launch.

 

[Chipstone306]

Discovery's Launch Date Confirmed: May 31

Image above: Following space shuttle Discovery's May 3 rollout to Launch Pad 39A, access arms from the pad's fixed service structure are in place against the vehicle, secured atop the mobile launch platform below. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
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May 19
Space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission is officially scheduled for launch May 31. The announcement was made in an afternoon news conference held at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following today's executive-level Flight Readiness Review.

"Preparations are going really well," Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach said, pointing out that Discovery's remarkably smooth processing flow will allow shuttle work crews to take off the Memorial Day holiday. "Right now we're in great shape, and we really expect to have a good three or four days off this weekend and come back and launch."

There are two Flight Readiness Reviews before each shuttle launch: a program-level review and an executive-level review. During these routine meetings, top NASA and contractor officials evaluate prelaunch preparations and determine whether the vehicle is ready for flight.

Discovery's 14-day flight will carry the largest payload so far to the station and includes three spacewalks. It is the second of three missions that will launch components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and Kibo’s robotic arm system. Discovery also will deliver new station crew member Greg Chamitoff and bring back Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who will end a three-month stay aboard the outpost.

 

[DaveS]

STS-124 NASA TV events:

May 28, Wednesday
6:30 a.m. - STS-124 B-Roll Feed - JSC (Public and Media Channels)
7 - 9 a.m. - Live Interviews with STS-124/1J Lead Space Station Flight Director Annette Hasbrook – JSC (Public and Media Channels)
10 a.m. - Countdown Status Briefing - KSC (Public and Media Channels)
10:30 a.m. - ISS Commentary - JSC (Public and Media Channels)
11:30 a.m. - STS-124 Crew Arrival - (Public and Media Channels)

May 29, Thursday
8 a.m. - Interviews with STS-124 Commander Mark E. Kelly and Mission Specialist Karen L. Nyberg - HQ (Public and Media Channels)
10 a.m. - ISS Commentary and Mission Coverage - JSC (Public and Media Channels)
11 a.m. - STS-124 Launch Readiness News Conference - KSC (Public and Media Channels)
1 p.m. - JAXA Kibo Briefing - KSC (Public and Media Channels)
4 - 6 p.m. - Interviews with STS-124 Pilot Kenneth T. Ham, Mission Specialist Michael E. Fossum and JAXA astronaut, Mission Specialist Akihiko Hoshide - HQ (Public and Media Channels)

May 30, Friday
9 a.m. - ISS Commentary and Mission Coverage - JSC (Public and Media Channels)
10 a.m. - Countdown Status Briefing - KSC (Public and Media Channels)
11 a.m. - ISS National Science Laboratory Briefing - KSC (Public and Media Channels)
12 p.m. - STS-124 Webcast - KSC (Public and Media Channels)
May 31, Saturday
12 p.m. - STS-124 Launch Coverage and Commentary (Launch is scheduled for 5:02 p.m.) - KSC/JSC (Public and Media Channels)

 

[Chipstone306]

Discovery, Crew on Track for May 31 Liftoff

Image above: The STS-124 crew members pose for a portrait at NASA's Johnson Space Center. From the left are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and astronaut Greg Chamitoff, all mission specialists. Photo credit: NASA
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May 22
With less than a week remaining until the start of the STS-124 launch countdown, space shuttle Discovery is in place at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. Final preparations are on schedule for liftoff May 31 at 5:02 p.m. EDT. The countdown begins May 28 at 3 p.m., counting from the T-43 hour mark.

"Preparations are going really well," Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach said at a May 19 news conference. He pointed out that Discovery's remarkably smooth processing flow will allow shuttle work crews to take off the Memorial Day holiday. "Right now we're in great shape, and we really expect to have a good three or four days off this weekend and come back and launch."

Discovery's 14-day flight will carry the largest payload so far to the station and includes three spacewalks. It is the second of three missions that will launch components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and Kibo's robotic arm system. Discovery also will deliver new station crew member Greg Chamitoff and bring back Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who will end a three-month stay aboard the outpost.

 

[DaveS]

The first weather forecast is out. It calls for very favourable launch weather conditions with only a 20% chance of KSC weather conditions prohibiting launch with anvils as the primary concern.

Here's the link: http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070517-025.pdf

 

[DaveS]

Flight crew arrival at the SLF is coming up momentarily on NASA TV.

 

[DaveS]

The flight crew has arrived at the SLF!

 

[DaveS]

3 T-38's on the tarmac, still waiting on the remaining 2.

 

[DaveS]

The 4th and 5th T-38 are now on the tarmac, so now the entire flight crew is at KSC for launch!

 

[DaveS]

The countdown has started on time at 3 pm EDT.

 

[Chipstone306]

STS-124 Launch Countdown Begins Today

Image above: Commander Mark Kelly arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a T-38 jet. Greeting him at right is Jerry Ross, chief of the Vehicle Integration Test Office at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Photo credit: NASA TV

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May 28
Led by Commander Mark Kelly, the seven-member STS-124 crew arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at about noon today, touching down at the Shuttle Landing Facility in T-38 jets. The astronauts are preparing for liftoff aboard space shuttle Discovery on May 31 at 5:02 p.m. EDT.

"Discovery's perched on the pad, Kibo is ready to go, the weather looks good, and we're about as ready as we could possibly be," said Mission Specialist Mike Fossum. "I think it's time to go fly."

At 3 p.m. today, the countdown clock will blink to life and begin counting down from the T-43 hour mark. The launch team is tracking no issues as remaining work wraps up at Launch Pad 39A. Discovery's systems are in good shape and countdown work continues on schedule. There is a possibility for isolated coastal showers on the morning of launch, but the weather forecast is good overall, with an 80% chance of favorable weather at liftoff time.

Discovery's 14-day flight will carry the largest payload so far to the station and includes three spacewalks. It is the second of three missions that will launch components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and Kibo's robotic arm system. Discovery also will deliver new station crew member Greg Chamitoff and bring back Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who will end a three-month stay aboard the outpost.

 

[Chipstone306]

Countdown Clock Ticks Toward Saturday Launch

Image above: Along with his STS-124 crewmates, Commander Mark Kelly arrives at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center aboard a T-38 jet trainer to get ready for launch. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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May 28
Countdown clocks at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida began counting down from the T-43 hour mark at 3 p.m. EDT today. The launch team is tracking no issues as technicians continue preparing space shuttle Discovery for liftoff on May 31 at 5:02 p.m. EDT.

There is a possibility for isolated coastal showers on the morning of launch, but the weather forecast is good overall, with an 80% chance of favorable weather at liftoff time.

The seven-member STS-124 crew arrived at Kennedy at about 12:30 p.m. today, touching down at the Shuttle Landing Facility in T-38 jets. "Discovery's perched on the pad, Kibo is ready to go, the weather looks good, and we're about as ready as we could possibly be," said Mission Specialist Mike Fossum. "I think it's time to go fly."

Discovery's 14-day flight will carry the largest payload so far to the station and includes three spacewalks. It is the second of three missions that will launch components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and Kibo's robotic arm system. Discovery also will deliver new station crew member Greg Chamitoff and bring back Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who will end a three-month stay aboard the outpost.

 

[spaceshuttle1]

Go Discovery!

Discovery will launch on May 31st carrying the biggest part of the Japanese Experiment Module, the biggest module (once completed) to be added to the International Space Station.


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Moderator Note - Merged post with the STS-124 topic.
Regards,
-Tex
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[tl8]

Discovery will launch on May 31st carrying the biggest part of the Japanese Experiment Module, the biggest module (once completed) to be added to the International Space Station.

This topic is covered in the STS-124 thread here: http://www.orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=1012

 

[DaveS]

Latest Wx forecast for KSC is holding steady at 20% for launch and 5% for tanking: http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070517-025.pdf

 

[DaveS]

Coming up later today on NASA TV is the Launch Readiness Review press conference at NET 11 am, depending when the Mission Management Team wraps up their meeting at KSC.

 

[DaveS]

No issues in work. Weather, payload, vehicle, launch team and crew ready to go. MMT pre-tanking meeting at 0700 EDT with tanking starting at 0737 EDT on Saturday. Current T0 targeted time is 1657 EDT.

 

[pete.dakota]

An interesting side note for this launch. If you live in the UK/Europe and it is clear where you are, you should be able to see the ISS pass overhead around 21:10 GMT, and then, about 15 minutes later, Discovery, and it's seperated external tank.

THREE orbital objects in one sitting.

This is something I wanted to do a few launches back, but the weather didn't want to agree. Quite a rare spectacle. Fingers crossed for clear skies, both sides of the pond.

 

[Chipstone306]

Well It is time again to close this thread and prepare for the Launch Day Thread. Thank you for all that contributed and read.

Good LUCK DISCOVERY!