Updates STS-133 Updates

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "LSFR Outlines Modifications for Discovery’s STS-133/ULF-5 Flight".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "STS-133: Discovery’s ET/SRB mate June 15 – ROMS back in July".

---------- Post added at 10:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:43 PM ----------

NASASpaceFlight: "STS-133: Shuttle managers review Discovery’s flight hardware and payload".

---------- Post added 11th Jun 2010 at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was 10th Jun 2010 at 10:59 PM ----------

Its official - STS-133 now has 2 EVAs! :speakcool: :woohoo:
The EVA tasks will mostly consist of tasks that were deferred from STS-131's EVAs - including LWAPA (Light Weight Adaptor Plate Assembly) transfer from outside Columbus to Discovery's Payload Bay for return to Earth.
Word is that EV crewmembers will be Tim Kopra & Ben Alvin Drew.

NASASpaceFlight: "STS-133: Three Flight Days and two EVAs added to Discovery’s mission".

---------- Post added 12th Jun 2010 at 12:08 AM ---------- Previous post was 11th Jun 2010 at 04:16 PM ----------

The STS-133 mission patch has been released!!! :speakcool:
It's not exactly what I was expecting, but then again, I don't really know what I was expecting.

Hi-res version.

The STS-133 mission patch is based upon sketches from the late artist Robert McCall; they were the final creations of his long and prodigious career. In the foreground, a solitary orbiter ascends into a dark blue sky above a roiling fiery plume. A spray of stars surrounds the orbiter and a top lit crescent forms the background behind the ascent. The mission number, STS-133, is emblazoned on the patch center, and crewmembers' names are listed on a sky-blue border around the scene. The Shuttle Discovery is depicted ascending on a plume of flame as if it is just beginning a mission. However it is just the orbiter, without boosters or an external tank, as it would be at mission's end. This is to signify Discovery's completion of its operational life and the beginning of its new role as a symbol of NASA's and the nation's proud legacy in human spaceflight.

 

[Kyle]

Launch date October 21st, 2010 for STS-133.

That makes STS-134 to January or February 2011 imo

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Launch date October 21st, 2010 for STS-133.

That makes STS-134 to January or February 2011 imo

NASA folks are saying Oct. 29th is more likely for STS-133.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's some great photos from Spaceflight Now of the SSMEs (Space Shuttle Main Engines) being installed into Discovery in OPF-3 (Orbiter Processing Facility-3).
Link 1.
Link 2.

You can find more hi-res photos of SSME installation, and ET (External Tank) mating with the twin SRBs in the VAB at the STS-133 KSC Media Gallery.

---------- Post added 17th Jun 2010 at 04:58 PM ---------- Previous post was 16th Jun 2010 at 09:09 PM ----------

NASASpaceFlight: "STS-133 stack takes shape as Discovery prepares for summer in her OPF".

 

[orb]

NASA folks are saying Oct. 29th is more likely for STS-133.

Oct. 29, indeed. - http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/100622dates/:

Assuming an Oct. 29 target date, Discovery would blast off at 5:44 p.m. and dock with the station the afternoon of Oct. 31. Two spacewalks would be carried out Nov. 2 and 4. Discovery would undock the morning of Nov. 7 and land back at the Kennedy Space Center the afternoon of Nov. 9.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "Discovery's SSMEs to be removed on Thursday due to LPOTP issue".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "STS-133: Engine placement order altered for Discovery".

 

[Voyager]

LOL. I wonder, is NASA doing this all on purpose as to get more time for the shuttle program, and more money? Hmm, it could be possible. (Yes, its off topic.)

 

[Kyle]

OFFICIAL: STS-133 moved to Monday, November 1st, 2010 at 4:33 pm EDT.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

New launch time in GMT is 8:33 PM. Landing will now be on Friday 12th November.

---------- Post added at 06:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:17 PM ----------

NASASpaceFlight: "Streaks from Atlantis' SSMEs noted as Discovery gains engines back".

---------- Post added at 10:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:36 PM ----------

The STS-133 crew portrait has been released!

Hi-res version.

And, the STS-133 crew poster has been released (PDF, 394 KB)!

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: Official launch dates targeted for remaining shuttles:

The STS-133 slip was required to complete preparations of critical spares that will be launched in the Permanent Multi-Purpose Module, or PMM, including a pump package, a robotic test article known as "Robonaut" and a heat exchanger. Other hardware required for the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and spares for the station's life support system also were on tight schedules.

Two Russian launches planned for October forced NASA to consider the Oct. 29 target. Then, during the review process, planners realized the target date was in conflict with an already scheduled air show and maintenance planned at the Air Force Range that provides tracking and telemetry support for all rockets launched from Florida. As a result, agency managers settled on Nov. 1.

Docking with the International Space Station would be expected around 12:52 p.m. on Nov. 3.

The PMM would be installed on Nov. 4, followed by spacewalks with Kopra and Drew on Nov. 5 and 7. Undocking would be targeted for 7:13 a.m. on Nov. 10 with landing back at the Kennedy Space Center on tap around 12 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "STS-133: Discovery's replaced SSME heading into key torque checks".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

An RSR (Resupply Stowage Rack) undergoing preparations prior to being loaded into the PMM.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

---------- Post added at 10:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:22 PM ----------

The STS-133 crew at KSC for the CEIT (Crew Equipment Interface Test).

Hi-res version.

 

[Star Voyager]

More on the crew at KSC from Florida Today:

http://flametrench.flatoday.net/2010/07/discovery-crew-at-ksc-for-training.html

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

The RSR (Resupply Stowage Rack) being loaded into the PMM.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

More images can be found here.

 

[Star Voyager]

SRB work is coming to end:

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100711/NEWS02/7110322/1007/Booster+rocket+work+winds+down

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "NASA Prepares for Robonaut Launch to ISS on STS-133/Discovery".

---------- Post added 13th Jul 2010 at 02:34 PM ---------- Previous post was 12th Jul 2010 at 07:16 PM ----------

Here's a really cool NASA TV video of the STS-133 crew inspecting flight hardware at KSC during the CEIT – available in 720p HD! :speakcool:

---------- Post added at 08:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:34 PM ----------

The STS-133 crew inside the PMM during the CEIT at KSC.

Hi-res version.

More CEIT images can be found here.

---------- Post added 14th Jul 2010 at 05:48 PM ---------- Previous post was 13th Jul 2010 at 08:27 PM ----------

NASASpaceFlight: "Right OMS Pod set for re-installation".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's some images of the R-OMS (Right-hand Orbital Manoeuvring System) pod installation.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

More images can be found here.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Spaceflight Now: "Maneuvering engine attached to Discovery".