Updates STS-133 Updates

[Orbinaut Pete]

Check out these fantastic photos of R2 & the PMM - including its interior cargo - in the SSPF at KSC!

[Video] Florida Today: "Meet NASA's Robonaut 2".

Some photos of R2's media event are now up at the KSC Media Gallery.

 

[orb]

NASAspaceflight.com: STS-133: Several troubleshooting reviews highlight a busy flow for Discovery:

As Discovery closes in on rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in just over three week’s time, engineers are working through a number of minor issues on the veteran orbiter, ranging from an O2 system Valve Position Indicator (VPI), a troublesome KU-band system, and a dent in one of her Payload Bay Doors (PLBDs) – which also requires a new Power Drive Unit (PDU).
...

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

SpaceRef: "Robonaut 2 One of the Highlights of NASA's STS-133 Payload Event".

SPACE.com: "NASA Packs Up Robot Helper for Space Station Trip".

Florida Today: "Robonaut 2 ready for space shuttle mission".

Just powered down for the last time. Next time I power up will be on the ISS! Here's a clip.

Nicole Stott's 2nd "Fragile Oasis" Blog Entry: "Virtual Reality".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

They put me into my SLEEPR (Structural Launch Enclosure to Effectively Protect Robonaut) baseplate. I feel more comfortable already.

R2 going into SLEEPR. SLEEPR will then be strapped to the front of an RSP (Resupply Stowage Platform) in the PMM.

 

[Unstung]

Here's another video on the robot and the payload:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZvxxR-IIDg"]YouTube- Robonaut 2 headed to ISS - SpacePod 2010.08.16[/ame]

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's some photos of R2 SLEEPR integration at R2's Flickr account.

 

[orb]

NASASpaceFlight: STS-133: Discovery clearing her IPRs ahead of Orbiter Rollover/Mate Review:

Only one waiver will be carried forward into Discovery’s upcoming Orbiter Rollover/Mate Review (ORMR) - relating to the Ku-band system – as the veteran orbiter edges closer to departure from her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-3). Discovery remains on track for a September 8 rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for mating with her External Tank (ET-137).
...

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Just to catch up on updates, R2 is now safely secured inside SLEEPR, and SLEEPR has been loaded into the PMM! SLEEPR will not be opened up until January 2011!

Here's some photos & videos of R2 integration into SLEEPR & SLEEPR being loaded into the PMM.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Also, Discovery's Payload Bay Doors (PLBDs) have been closed ahead of Orbiter rollover to the VAB next month.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.


More images of SLEEPR activities and PLDB closure can be found at the KSC Media Gallery.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: STS-133: Discovery clearing her IPRs ahead of Orbiter Rollover/Mate Review:

An update to that article:

UPDATE: Managers have decided to reopen Discovery's PLBDs to allow for the installation of a container holding 30,000 STS-133 mission patches. The container is being housed on the Orbiter Docking System (ODS) support structure. Engineers claim the late call won't delay the rollover date at this time.

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Spaceflight Now: "STS-133 Launch Windows".

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Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Discovery two weeks from move to assembly building".

 

[orb]

NASASpaceFlight: Robonaut 2 Ready to Boldly Go Where No Humanoid Robot Has Gone Before:

Preparations are in full swing at the Kennedy Space Center for the final set of processing milestones leading up to STS-133. In particular, payload preparations are nearing their terminal phase as final cargo loads to the newly christened PMM Leonardo take place in the Space Station Processing Facility – including the final power-down, stowage, and installation of Robonaut 2 and its protective launch container into Leonardo.
...

 

[orb]

NASASpaceFlight: Picking up the pace for STS-133 – Discovery closes in on September 8 rollover:

Despite a late call to install a Tool Stowage Assembly (TSA) – requiring the re-opening of Discovery’s Payload Bay Doors (PLBDs) – rollover remains on track for September 8. With several STS-133 milestones scheduled for September, Space Shuttle Manager (SSP) John Shannon rallied the troops into mirroring the hugely successful pace of 2009 and earlier this year.
...

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Florida Today: "Heat shield job vital to slowing space shuttles".

Florida Today: "(Video) A look at Discovery's final payload".

(Video) Robonaut 2: Getting packed for space flight.​

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Discovery prepped for ride to VAB next week".

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Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Discovery crew visiting KSC to inspect mission payload".

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The aft end-cone is installed on the PMM for the final time, and new MLI is installed over the end-cone.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.


View of the PMM & ELC-4 during today's CEIT with the flight crew.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

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Space Travel: "Module To Get A Home In Space".

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Spaceflight Now: "Spacewalk to tidy up station deferred to shuttle crew".

(Also posted in "ISS UPDATES" thread.)

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NASASpaceFlight: "STS-133: Discovery ready to rollover next week – EVA running order swapped".

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Two nice NASA TV videos:

Robonaut 2 Getting Ready for Flight.​

Module to get a Home in Space.​

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More CEIT images.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

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Here's an updated STS-133 flight plan from Spaceflight Now.

 

[orb]

The timeline before the launch:

• Sept. 8: Depart hangar at 6:30 a.m. EDT (10:30 UTC) for move to VAB
• Sept. 20: Rollout to pad 39A at 8 p.m. EDT (00:00 UTC on 21st)
• Oct. 7: Payload to the pad
• Oct. 15: Launch day dress rehearsal test
• Oct. 28: Astronauts arrive at KSC for launch
• Oct. 29: Countdown clocks begin ticking

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And the countdown timeline from Spaceflight Now.

 

[orb]

NASASpaceFlight: SSP Begins Review of End State Requirements for Orbiter Discovery:

With orbiter Discovery’s final move from her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) to the VAB for mating with an External Tank/Solid Rocket Booster stack scheduled for early Wednesday morning, preparations for the veteran orbiter and fleet leader’s post-last flight flow inside OPF-3 at the Kennedy Space Center have begun with an official review of the End State Requirements for OV-103.
...

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

FYI, Discovery's rollover to the VAB will begin on Sept. 8 at 6:30 AM EDT/10:30 AM GMT.

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Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Discovery set for Wednesday move to assembly building".

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now's Mission Status Center for STS-133 is up and running.

Discovery's departure from the hangar has been delayed this morning because of a water line break somewhere around the Kennedy Space Center. Officials are indicating that apparently the water system needs fixed before the shuttle can be moved. So the hangar doors are closed and Discovery's trip to the VAB is on hold.


This delay to Discovery's move is likely at least several hours and possibly more. A clear indication of the water line break is there's no water here at the KSC Press Site.

The lack of water pressure would be a safety threat in case of fire while moving Discovery. The shuttle is remaining secure in the confines of the Orbiter Processing Facility hangar until the situation is sorted out.

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NASASpaceFlight: STS-133: Discovery rollover delayed due to water main issue at KSC:

Discovery’s rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) has been delayed by at least one day, after a water main broke at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) – shutting down the center to all non-essential personnel and effectively giving a large section of the workforce a hurricane day, without a hurricane.
...

Discovery's move to the Vehicle Assembly Building has been postponed until Thursday. (SOURCE)

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Discovery's hangar rollout is now targeted for Thursday morning, Sept. 9 at 6:30 a.m. EDT (10:30 UTC).

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Spaceflight Now: Discovery rolls toward November launch (PHOTO GALLERY).

NASASpaceFlight: STS-133: Discovery rolls over to VAB following eventful OPF flow:

Following a one day delay – due to a burst water main at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) – Discovery has made her way over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), riding on top of the Orbiter Transporter System (OTS). Rollover began on time at 6:55am Eastern, departing her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-3) for the final time of during a flight processing flow.
...

The image below currently showing Discovery in the VAB is refreshed automatically:

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Spaceflight Now: Discovery goes vertical inside VAB (PHOTO GALLERY)

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Thanks for looking after this thread, orb!

Who wants to see some of my pictures/videos? Did I hear you say "yes"? Well then, here ya go!


Hi-res photos of the rollover are available at the KSC Media Gallery.

collectSPACE: "Photo Gallery: Space shuttle Discovery departs hangar for final flight".

collectSPACE: "Photo Gallery: Shuttle Discovery mated with its final boosters and tank".

Here's a great interactive 360° view of the rollover from the Orlando Sentinel.

Video: STS-133 Space Shuttle Discovery Rollover Timelapse.​

Video: STS-133 Space Shuttle Discovery Lift Timelapse.​

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Some great photo galleries from Spaceflight Now that got missed:

Discovery rolls toward November launch.

Discovery goes vertical for final launch.

Discovery goes vertical inside VAB.

 

[orb]

Thanks for looking after this thread, orb!

No problem. :tiphat:

Some great photo galleries from Spaceflight Now that got missed

They didn't get missed, those pictures are on the second pages of the galleries I posted links to.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

It seems the bolt problem won't require a rollback. :thumbup:

Spaceflight Now: "Discovery attachment to tank delayed by bolt problem".

NASASpaceFlight: "STS-133: Engineers conducting repair on Discovery following ET mate issue".