Updates STS-133 Updates

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And another article -

NASASpaceFlight: STS-133: Pressurization issues delay launch by at least a day:

Two Interim Problem Reports (IPRs) were picked up during S0071 tasks to pressurize Discovery’s OMS (Orbital Maneuvering System) overnight. Engineers have been told the issues will delay Discovery’s launch by at least one day, with a meeting this afternoon to determine the troubleshooting plan and a new launch date.

...

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Florida Today - The Flame Trench: Discovery launch delayed as leaks are studied.

SPACE.com: New Leaks on Space Shuttle Discovery Delay Launch.

Orlando Sentinel: Discovery won't launch before Election Day.

 

[River Crab]

I guess the launch won't happen 'till Tuesday? :lol:
Hope they can get it sorted out safely for a Tuesday launch! :hail:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Spaceflight Now:
• Helium leak repair delays launch of shuttle Discovery.
• STS-133 Countdown Timeline (Updated).

NASA TV Video: Discovery Launch Delayed.​

And, of course, although the Shuttle can leave the planet, it still can't escape politics.
Florida Today: "Delay may spawn dilemma at polls".

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SPACE.com: "Space Shuttle Discovery's Legacy: 26 Years of the Right Stuff".

 

[DaveS]

Discovery Launch Re-targeted to Wednesday, Nov. 3
Sat, 30 Oct 2010 03:21:57 PM GMT+0200

NASA managers met this morning and determined it is not possible to launch space shuttle Discovery on Tuesday, Nov. 2, but are optimistic we can target launch for Wednesday, Nov. 3. The preferred liftoff time Nov. 3 would be 3:52 p.m. EDT.

Kennedy Space Center technicians worked overnight to repair quick-disconnect fittings in the system used to pressurize space shuttle Discovery’s right Orbital Maneuvering System rocket engine. They made good progress but are slightly behind the timeline that was prepared yesterday.

NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding will provide the latest details at 10 a.m. during a Precountdown Status Briefing on NASA Television.

The L-2 Mission Management Team meeting will occur Monday, Nov. 1 at 9:30 a.m.

 

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NASA managers met this morning and determined it is not possible to launch space shuttle Discovery on Tuesday, Nov. 2, but are optimistic we can target launch for Wednesday, Nov. 3. The preferred liftoff time Nov. 3 would be 3:52 p.m. EDT.

The three-day countdown now begins Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT / 18:00 UTC. Loading of the cryogenic reactants into Discovery's electricity-generating fuel cell occurs on Monday afternoon. Retraction of the pad 39A mobile service gantry happens Tuesday night at 7 p.m. / 23:00 UTC.

Launch day activities include fueling of the external tank starting at 6:27 a.m. / 10:27 UTC, the astronauts donning their spacesuits around 11:30 a.m. / 15:30 UTC and the crew departing quarters at 12:07 p.m. / 16:07 UTC.

The precise launch time aims for the moment when Earth's rotation carries pad 39A into alignment with the International Space Station's orbital plane. That happens at 3:52:13 p.m. EDT. / 19:52:13 UTC

The day's available launch opportunity overall extends from 3:47:13 to 4:00:27 p.m. EDT / 19:47:13 - 20:00:27 UTC.

Weather forecasters predict a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions for a Wednesday launch of the space shuttle.

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CBS News Space: Shuttle launch delayed to Wednesday (UPDATED):

...
The forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of acceptable weather Wednesday and Thursday, improving to 80 percent "go" on Friday.

...

Assuming an on-time launch, Discovery would dock with the space station at 12:36 p.m. Friday. Two spacewalks are planned, on Nov. 7 and 9, with undocking on tap Nov. 12 at 5:02 a.m. and landing back at the Kennedy Space Center at 9:59 a.m. Nov. 14.

...

The shuttle's current launch period extends through Nov. 7. Spaulding said NASA managers planned to follow normal procedures, making two attempts in a row, if necessary, before standing down a day to give the launch team a chance to rest. Another two launch attempts then would be possible on Nov. 6 and 7 if necessary.

"Launching on Wednesday, we still have up to and including Sunday, so that gives us ... our normal four (launch attempts) in five-day capability we like to preserve," Spaulding said.

The next launch window opens Dec. 1.

Spaceflight Now: Discovery launch postponed to Wednesday afternoon.

SPACE.com: Repairs Delay Space Shuttle Discovery's Last Launch to Wednesday.

Florida Today - The Flame Trench: Discovery launch moved to Wednesday.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASA TV Video: Discovery Launch on STS-133 Mission Now Targeted for Wednesday.​

 

[RisingFury]

I hope they launch on Wednesday! It's my birthday! :thumbup:

 

[orb]

Servicing panel where couplings were replaced:

Source: SpaceRef - Space Shuttle Discovery now set for Wednesday Launch.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Spaceflight Now: "Countdown clocks about to begin ticking for Discovery".

NASASpaceFlight: "Discovery enters launch countdown – Crew look forward to STS-133".

SPACE.com: "Shuttle Discovery's Gas Leaks Repaired In Time for Wednesday Launch".

SpaceRef: "Shuttle Countdown Begins Today for a Targeted Wednesday Afternoon Launch".

NASA TV Video: STS-133 Countdown to Start Today for a Targeted Wednesday Launch.​

 

[DaveS]

T-43 hours and counting! Launch countdown began as planned at 2pm EDT.

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T-27 hours and holding for 4 hours. During this hold, the orbiter and SRB Pyrotechnic Initiator Controllers (PICs) will be tested as well as the Master Events Controllers. This requires the Blast Danger Area (BDA) to be cleared.

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T-27 hours and counting. The time between now and the next hold at T-19 hours will be spent on loading the LOX/LH2 reactants for the three onboard fuel cells.

Also the MMT met earlier this morning and gave a unanimous GO to continue the countdown.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Putting this here seems as this is Discovery's last mission:

collectSPACE: "Shuttle Discovery's retirement plan in limbo".

Wow, I thought the Smithsonian deal was all sewn up. I just hope Discovery doesn't end up sitting in her OPF indefinitely post-133.

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Spaceflight Now: "Discovery pronounced in good shape for launch".

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NASA TV Video: Discovery on Target for Launch Wednesday.​

Here's an updated STS-133 NASA TV Schedule (Rev. A).

 

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NASASpaceFlight: STS-133: Discovery through PRSD load tasks – Stalwart SSMEs reviewed:

Discovery is enjoying an issue-free S0007 (Launch Countdown), as engineers complete the loading of the orbiter’s Power Reactant Storage and Distribution (PRSD) system. The veteran orbiter remains on track for an opening launch attempt on Wednesday, ahead of the ride uphill – to be aided by her three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs), which received a full overview at the Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs).
...

 

[Pyromaniac605]

I can't believe it. I'm going to miss this.

Darren

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: Mission preview: One final spaceflight for Discovery.

CBS News Space: STS-133 Mission Preview.

 

[DaveS]

T-11 hours and holding.

 

[orb]

CBS News Space: Engineers troubleshoot shuttle electrical glitch.

Spaceflight Now: Shuttle engine controller glitch being assessed:

Engineers readying the shuttle Discovery for launch Wednesday on a space station resupply mission are troubleshooting an apparent electrical problem with circuitry associated with a backup main engine computer.

Engineers said earlier Tuesday the problem had been resolved, but another glitch in the system raised concerns and additional troubleshooting was ordered.

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Check this giga-panoramic image of STS-133 on the pad -

GigaPan Image: Space Shuttle Discovery on Launch Pad 39A.​

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASA TV Video: Countdown Status Briefing One Day Before Discovery Launch.​

 

[DaveS]

Wayne Hale just tweeted that they're down alot of time in the countdown and that they might not make tomorrow's attempt.

Still trying to confirm the information with a reply to that tweet.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

There's lots of Tweets going around saying that there will be a 24 hour scrub. However, there's nothing firm from the MMT yet.

 

[Fabri91]

And that'll put us to Thursday, when a scrub is also likely for weather, if I'm not mistaken...