STS-126

[Arrowstar]

What is the transit time of the RSS?

 

[DaveS]

What is the transit time of the RSS?

30-45 minutes. They take it easy in the beginning but once the RSS is clear of the stack and MLP, they really crank it into high gear.


-----Posted Added-----


Currently weather isn't an issue for RSS Rotation coming up in 90 minutes. Latest observation from the SLF is this:
KTTS 140155Z 15007KT 10SM SKC 24/23 A2997 RMK SLP149


-----Posted Added-----


And we have first motion of the RSS! RSS Rotation to PARK position for launch is now underway! In about an hour or so, Endeavour should be completly exposed to the elements.


-----Posted Added-----


The RSS have now cleared the stack and is going into high gear.


-----Posted Added-----


Nearly done with RSS Rotation. It's crossing the flame trench right now. Endeavour is now fully exposed to the elements after it's 23 day stay at pad A.


-----Posted Added-----


RSS Rotation is complete. Next milestone is the release of the T-11 hour hold at 3:30 am EST. The MMT will gather for its standard pre-tanking meeting at 9:45 am with start of ET tanking and the release of the T-6 hour hold at 10:30 am EST.


-----Posted Added-----


The GOX vent hood has now been lowered over the ET-129 nosecone to support tanking activities later this morning.

 

[tblaxland]

Currently weather isn't an issue for RSS Rotation coming up in 90 minutes. Latest observation from the SLF is this:
KTTS 140155Z 15007KT 10SM SKC 24/23 A2997 RMK SLP149

I'm no airman so I had to dig around a bit to find out how to interpret this. I thought I'd share what I found:

KTTS - SLF ICAO code
140155Z - 14th Nov 01:55 UTC
15007KT - 7 knot winds from south-south-east
10SM - 10 statute mile visibility
SKC - clear sky
24/23 - temperature/dew point (°C)
A2997 - altimeter setting (mmHg)
RMK - remarks
SLP149 - sea level pressure 14.9psi

EDIT: Thanks for the great coverage Dave! I'm going to miss this launch but I'll be checking back here for sure.


-----Posted Added-----

The GOX vent hood has now been lowered over the ET-129 nosecone to support tanking activities later this morning.

The gaseous oxygen gets vented to atmosphere but where does the hydrogen get taken to during tanking/replenish?

 

[DaveS]

The gaseous oxygen gets vented to atmosphere but where does the hydrogen get taken to during tanking/replenish?

It's vented through a vent pipe attached to a vent port on the intertannk section and is ducted through that vent pipe along a set of pipes that run down the south face of the FSS, rounds the north side of the MLP, then goes down into the concrete hardstand and down the sloped east side of the hardstand, then finally ending with a hydrogen burn-off flare-stack at the midway point between the hardstand and the LH2 storage sphere.

 

[tblaxland]

...finally ending with a hydrogen burn-off flare-stack at the midway point between the hardstand and the LH2 storage sphere.

Thanks.

 

[DaveS]

Thanks.

Yep, there.

 

[Zoe]

T-11 hours and counting.

 

[ryan]

Yes the T-11 hold has now been lifted and endeavour still seems go.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Just about to enter 13h, 13m, 13s to go now...
I hope nobody is superstitious!

Seriously, I am now starting to get really excited about the launch! I will of course be staying up to watch it on NASA TV. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Endeavour and the crew of STS-126 the best of luck with their mission. I hope all goes well & that the mission is a great success

I'm hoping for some great photos from this mission. I am starting to get bored of my STS-124 wallpapers:speakcool:


See you all later for the launch!

-Pete


-----Posted Added-----


Sunrise over Endeavour...

Beautiful!

-----Posted Added-----


OK, 13h, 13m, 13s just passed...

Looks like Endeavour is still standing...

Phew!!!

P.S. Apollo 13 launched at 13.13, and entered the moons gravity on April 13th ......so you see why I don't like this number!!!

 

[Urwumpe]

P.S. Apollo 13 launched at 13.13, and entered the moons gravity on April 13th ......so you see why I don't like this number!!!

Because you are the unlucky guy who dropped the tank? From 3 x 13 mm altitude?

PS: 13 is in hexadecimal only "D".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NOTE:

If you, like me, are a Google Chrome user, you will find that NASA TV does not work with Google Chrome, as a Windows Media Player plugin is not available. RealPlayer will work, but this tends to lose signal a lot more that Windows Media Player, and can be "jumpy".

Anyway, this link is a direct link to NASA TV in Windows Media Player format, that should work in Google Chrome:
http://www.nasa.gov/55644main_NASATV_Windows.asx

 

[Urwumpe]

Oh no. Somebody really uses Google Chrome! Some people really don't understand a joke, if it is Google who makes it...

I usually use the real player stream here, works well, unless the server is overloaded shortly before launch.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Oh no. Somebody really uses Google Chrome! Some people really don't understand a joke, if it is Google who makes it...

Well, I will say this for it: It is by far the fastest browser I have ever used, and I like it due to it's "uncluttered" simplicity

I usually use the real player stream here, works well, unless the server is overloaded shortly before launch

Really? I can get about 30 seconds streaming out of Real Player, before it has to re-communicate. I never have any trouble with WMP.

 

[Woo482]

how can I get Windows Media Player to work in Fire Fox ?

 

[agentgonzo]

NOTE:

If you, like me, are a Google Chrome user, you will find that NASA TV does not work with Google Chrome, as a Windows Media Player plugin is not available. RealPlayer will work, but this tends to lose signal a lot more that Windows Media Player, and can be "jumpy".

Anyway, this link is a direct link to NASA TV in Windows Media Player format, that should work in Google Chrome:
http://www.nasa.gov/55644main_NASATV_Windows.asx

NasaTV feeds:

100kbps 320x240
200kbps 320x240
1200kbps 640x480

 

[DaveS]

Right now at T-06:00:00 and holding. In about 40 minutes the MMT will meet to review any outstanding problems or issues and the latest weather forecasts.

So far there's no constraints against proceeding with ET tanking operations or launch. Both RTLS, TAL and AOA weather forecasts are holding steady.

 

[Urwumpe]

how can I get Windows Media Player to work in Fire Fox ?

You need to install a special plug-in from the mozilla homepage for directly integrating the media Player into Firefox.

 

[DaveS]

Can we now please stick to the subject at hand, which STS-126 updates? If you need to discuss wbe browser issues and/or problems, please take it to another thread. Thank you.


-----Posted Added-----


MMT has met and given a GO for tanking operations. T-05:52:00 and counting.


-----Posted Added-----


MPS and transfer line chilldowns are confirmed to be in work. Then both propellants will go into slowfill mode up to 5% and then switch to fastfill mode until levels reach 98% when topping mode will be started.

 

[caningo]

Cool. I will be watching. Thanks for the info.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Can we now please stick to the subject at hand, which STS-126 updates? If you need to discuss wbe browser issues and/or problems, please take it to another thread. Thank you.

Yes, I agree. If anyone has any browser/ NASA TV issues then please post something in the help thread. I will endeavour to help you in any way I can.

--UPDATE--

We just hit the 8h 30m to go mark...:speakcool:

Crew ingress should be coming in about 4 hours or so....