Updates STS-133 Updates

[orb]

Spaceflight Now:

• Discovery hoisted high in assembly building [PAGE 1] (PHOTO GALLERY)
• Discovery hoisted high in assembly building [PAGE 2] (PHOTO GALLERY)

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's a great time-lapse video of Discovery going vertical & being mated to the ET in the VAB.​

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Spaceflight Now: "Shuttle Discovery finally bolted to external tank".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

We have just passed the T-50 day mark until the STS-133 launch (yes, I have a countdown clock on my desktop)! :thumbup:

 

[lucasberti]

I have a countdown in my Firefox browser. It's an extension called STS Timer.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Unusual for the Beeb to cover stacking ops!

BBC News: "Discovery is getting ready for final voyage".


I love picking apart mainstream media coverage of the space program, so:

Nasa's shuttle Discovery

First of all, it's NASA, not Nasa.

The Endeavour orbiter is scheduled to head for the skies on 26 February. This is expected to be the programme's 140th and last voyage.

140th? Nope, it's the 134th (unless you're counting ALT flights - which can't really be classed as shuttle missions).

It was yet another delay after the orbiter was taken to the assembly building a day late because of a broken water main.

Always with the negatives...

Discovery is set to dock with the ISS at around 1pm on 3 November and head back to Earth on 10 November, landing at the Kennedy Space Center on 12 November.

So the re-entry & landing will take 2 days? Wow, the things you never knew! :lol:

 

[garyw]

Looks like the ET Mate issue was easier to resolve then first suspected:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/09/sts-133-engineers-repair-on-discovery-et-mate-issue/

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

I just came across these fantastic 360° views of Discovery from the Orlando Sentinel.

Discovery on her final rollover.

Discovery hanging in the VAB.

---------- Post added at 09:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:41 PM ----------

A nice photoreport from SpaceRef: Space Shuttle Discovery is Hoisted and Mated to the External Fuel Tank.

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Some close-up images of the separation bolt.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: NASA gallery of Discovery's ground moves (PHOTO GALLERY).

NASASpaceFlight: STS-133: Discovery into Shuttle Interface Test – Review of sep bolt/nut issue:

Following an engineering solution to the left External Tank separation bolt nut and nut retaining fixture issue, Discovery is moving at a pace through her Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) milestones. The stack is currently being put through its Shuttle Interface Test (S0008), ahead of next week’s rollout to Pad 39A.
...

 

[orb]

NASASpaceFlight: STS-133: Discovery still tracking Monday rollout after T-0 bolt progress:

Discovery is not one to go quietly into the night, as engineers work through the second large issue to be suffered during the veteran orbiter’s final visit to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Damage to a T-0 umbilical bolt is close to being resolved, thanks to the skills of her engineering teams, which will allow the STS-133 stack to roll out to Pad 39A on Monday.
...

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Spaceflight Now: "STS-133 Countdown Timeline".

04:40:17 PM EDT (09:40:17 PM GMT)...SRB ignition (LAUNCH).

Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Discovery on track for final rollout to launch pad Monday".

 

[orb]

Weather forecast for rollout (source):

Weather forecasters are predicting favorable conditions for Discovery's rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building tonight. The outlook includes some scattered clouds, good visibility, northeasterly winds of 12 to 17 knots and a temperature in the low 80s F.

There is no chance of any lightning in the area or violating the wind limits.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

SPACE.com: "Space Shuttle Discovery Set for Last Trip to Launch Pad".

Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Forecast good for Discovery's final roll to launch pad".

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NASASpaceFlight: "STS-133: Discovery ready for rollout – ET-122 to ship on Tuesday".

 

[orb]

STS-133 stack was rolled out to the launch pad last night.

The first motion of the crawler transporter was recorded at 7:23 p.m. EDT / 23:23 UTC. They reached the gate of the pad at 12:10 a.m. EDT / 04:10 UTC, and arrived on the pad at 12:55 a.m. EDT / 04:55 UTC. The MLP was harddown on the pad pedestals at 1:49 a.m. EDT / 05:49 UTC, marking the official time for Discovery's arrival at pad 39A.

Spaceflight Now: Discovery begins slow crawl to launch pad (DISCOVERY LEAVES ASSEMBLY BUILDING - PHOTO GALLERY).

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASA's Shuttle Discovery At Launch Pad, Liftoff Practice Set.

After safely reaching its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery awaits the next major milestone for its upcoming and final mission to the International Space Station, STS-133.

Reporters are invited to cover a launch dress rehearsal, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), scheduled at Kennedy from Oct. 12 to 15. Six astronauts are set to launch aboard Discovery on Nov. 1 for the final scheduled flight before the orbiter is retired.

To attend TCDT, international journalists must apply by 5 p.m. EDT on Oct. 1 to allow time for processing. U.S. media representatives must apply by Oct. 7.

Reporters requesting accreditation must apply online at:
https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Discovery arrived at the pad early Tuesday morning on top of a giant crawler-transporter. The crawler-transporter left Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at about 7:23 p.m. Monday and travelled less than 1 mph during the 3.4-mile journey. The shuttle was secured on the launch pad at 1:49 a.m. Tuesday.

The TCDT will provide Discovery’s astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training.

The following media events are associated with the test. All times are Eastern.
• Oct. 12: STS-133 crew arrival: The astronauts will arrive at approximately 5 p.m. at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. The arrival will be broadcast live on NASA Television.
• Oct. 14: STS-133 crew media availability: The crew will take media questions at Launch Pad 39A at 8:40 a.m. The session will be carried live on NASA TV.
• Oct. 15: STS-133 crew walkout photo opportunity: The astronauts will depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 a.m. in their launch entry suits in preparation for the countdown demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will not be broadcast live, but will be part of the NASA TV Video File.

Updates for all events are available at: 321-867-2525.

To attend crew arrival, reporters must pick up badges between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the Kennedy Space Center Badging Office on State Road 405. For information about covering these events, including proper attire and meeting locations, credentialed media should visit:
www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/media.html

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Spaceflight Now: "Images: Sunrise over Discovery".

collectSPACE: "Photo Gallery: Space shuttle Discovery makes last trip to launch pad".

collectSPACE: "Photo Gallery: On the launch pad with space shuttle Discovery".

More rollout images can be found at the KSC Media Gallery.

NASA TV Video: Shuttle Discovery Rolled Out to Pad for Next Mission.​

 

[orb]

And a photo gallery of Discovery at pad from Spaceflight Now:

Shuttle Discovery on the pad one last time.​

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CBS News: Shuttle Discovery hauled to launch pad for final flight / Spaceflight Now: Shuttle Discovery rolls out for its final space mission:

The shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a mobile launch platform carried by an Apollo-era crawler transporter, was hauled to the launch pad overnight Monday for work to ready the ship for blastoff Nov. 1 on its 39th and final flight.

The 3.2-mile trip from the Vehicle Assembly Building to launch complex 39A began at 7:23 p.m. EDT and was completed at 1:49 a.m. Tuesday when the mobile launch platform was reported "hard down" on its support pedestals at the oceanside pad. With good weather expected, a protective gantry will be left parked away from the vehicle to give Kennedy Space Center workers a chance to visit the pad and enjoy an unobstructed view of NASA's most experienced orbiter.

On Saturday, the Rotating Service Structure, or RSS, will be retracted again for "family day" at the Florida spaceport, when workers will be allowed to bring their families out for a launch pad drive-by and tours of other shuttle facilities.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Video: STS-133 RSS closure time-lapse.​

 

[tblaxland]

I just spotted this awesome rollout photo on APOD:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100922.html

As captured above, an unusual monstrous shadow on passing fog was created during a picturesque night unveiling.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

I just spotted this awesome rollout photo on APOD:

Since we're doing rollout photos, check out this one!

Hi-res version.

This is just beautiful, it's my new desktop background! :thumbup:

 

[orb]

NASASpaceFlight: STS-133: Discovery enjoying early pad flow – Agency FRR may slip:

Discovery is behaving well during the early part of what is her final pad flow, with only one issue reported as the stack continues Launch Pad Validation tasks (S0009). Away from Pad 39A, managers are beginning their departmental Flight Readiness Review (FRR) meetings, leading up to the key Agency FRR – which is likely to slip to just days prior to the launch date.

...

Once at the pad, Discovery – as the STS-133 stack – underwent the initial S0009 operations, involving the extension of arms and connections between the shuttle and the MLP.

“Launch Pad Validation (S0009) Call-to-Stations was complete at 0139 EDT (Tuesday),” added the NTD report. “Orbiter Access Arm has been extended. Crew Module hatch has been opened. ET Intertank Access Arm extension is complete. ET GOX Vent Arm extended and the hood has been lowered. Fixed Service Structure to MLP Freon lines have been connected.”

...

With the Rotating Service Structure (RSS) rotated to the mate position, the orbiter was powered up for the first time at the pad on Wednesday for checkouts. Engineers also worked on mating the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) to the External Tank, prior to carrying out leak checks.

“OV-103 powered up at 0855 EDT and powered down at 2018 EDT (Tuesday). RSS was rotated to the mate position at 2038 EDT Tuesday. ET GUCP electrical mates are complete,” added the NTD report in midweek.

sts-127-gucp-work-061409“Hazardous Gas Detection flex hose connections to the GUCP is complete. GUCP vent line leak checks could not be performed due to orbiter powering down (moved to Wednesday first shift – resulting in:) GUCP leak checks are complete and good.”

The importance of a good leak check on the GUCP relates to the issue which caused scrubs during both STS-119 and STS-127′s tankings. Part of the solution involved a new two-piece flight seal being installed into the hardware.

...

The STS-133 L-30 day Bench Review will take place on September 30 and October 1, ahead of the SSP FRR, now expected to be conducted over just the one day (October 7), as opposed to the usual two days. This is due to scheduling conflicts, which will also interrupt the schedule for the Agency FRR – which may slip a week to October 25 – less than a week ahead of the expected launch date.

...

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Discovery cargo module ready for flight".


Images of the PMM's FWD CBM hatch, now closed.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.


Also, check out the mind-blowing 360° panoramas of Discovery on LC-39A on the right-hand side of this page! :thumbup: