Updates STS-134 Updates

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's an image of ET-138 being lifted to vertical in the VAB.

Hi-res version.

More images can be found here.

---------- Post added 16th Jul 2010 at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was 15th Jul 2010 at 09:43 PM ----------

Here's a NASA TV video of ET-138 arriving at KSC.​

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

STS-134's left-aft SRB segment now in the VAB Transfer Aisle for the beginning of stacking ops. atop MLP-2 (Mobile Launcher Platform-2) in HB-1 (High Bay-1).

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Looks like they're getting ready to lift the segment into place atop MLP-2 in HB-1.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Going up into HB-1 now.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Spaceflight Now: "Booster stacking underway for final space shuttle launch".

Here's a time-lapse video of the right-aft SRB segment entering the VAB and being lifted into HB-1.​

Now that the left-aft and right-aft segments are attached to MLP-2, the left aft center segment is now in the VAB Transfer Aisle ready for stacking atop the left-aft segment.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

AMS-02's new permanent magnet catches its first particle.

---------- Post added at 09:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:27 PM ----------

From the official AMS-02 Twitter account:

AMS detector is completely reassembled. We are finishing up on the final cables, plumbing and thermal systems.

---------- Post added 22nd Jul 2010 at 03:18 PM ---------- Previous post was 21st Jul 2010 at 09:34 PM ----------

Here's a time-lapse video of the left aft center SRB segment entering the VAB and being lifted into HB-1.​

 

[Mantis]

It is going to be a sad day to see these beautiful machines retired. I'd love to get down to Florida to see one of the final two launches.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

AMS-02 is almost fully integrated with the permanent magnet! The first of September we'll be ready at KSC.

Source.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "Endeavour preparing for SSME installation – RCS test article investigation".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Booster Segment For Last Shuttle Flight Moves To VAB".

---------- Post added 27th Jul 2010 at 01:15 AM ---------- Previous post was 26th Jul 2010 at 06:27 PM ----------

A nice little article with some good quotes from Mark Kelly & John Shannon.

NPR: "One More Ride On The Space Shuttle (Simulator)".

---------- Post added at 01:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:15 AM ----------

SpaceRef: "Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin Demonstrate New Docking System Technology".

On Flight Day 11 of the [STS-134] mission, the shuttle crew will undock from the ISS and then re-rendezvous with the station on an Orion-like approach.

:OMG:

---------- Post added at 03:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 AM ----------

From the official AMS-02 Twitter account:

The two big white "lateral walls" (radiators) are now installed and data is now being collected.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Spaceflight Now: "Three main engines bolted to space shuttle Endeavour".

 

[Kyle]

Hold up Pete, what do they mean re-rendezvous?

 

[DaveS]

Hold up Pete, what do they mean re-rendezvous?

Starting a new rendezvous after they leave ISS.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Hold up Pete, what do they mean re-rendezvous?

They will undock, and either do the flyaround and then re-rendezvous, or re-rendezvous and then do the flyaround. They won't actually re-dock - they'll just do the approach on an Orion trajectory.

Still, it should be interesting to watch!

 

[clickypens]

What is the difference between the Shuttle approach and the Orion approach?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "Diligent to the end – Endeavour's engineers spot 0.005 inch FCV defect".

---------- Post added at 09:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:52 PM ----------

AMS02.org: "A Galactic Flight".

On August 25th, a US Airforce C-5M Super Galaxy will land at Geneva Airport to pick up the AMS-02 experiment and 65 members of the AMS Collaboration. On the following day the airplane will leave for KSC where it will land on the famous Shuttle landing strip.
The C-5 M is one of the largest aircraft in the world, able to carry very heavy loads and land and take-off from amazingly short strips.
If you want to know more about the C-5M Super Galaxy have a look to this impressive video.

---------- Post added 2nd Aug 2010 at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous post was 1st Aug 2010 at 09:15 PM ----------

Some nice info on the STORRM DTO (Detailed Test Objective):

NASA: "A Perfect STORRM".

---------- Post added at 10:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 PM ----------

Here's some great time-lapse videos of AMS-02 being rotated in CERN's cleanroom today:​

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "External Tank ET-138 under investigation after washer is found in feedline".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

AMS-02 is ready for the last beam test! Stay tuned for new physics...

Great work by the AMS team for getting the cryomagnet successfully R&Rd with the permanent magnet!

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

We have completed major integration activities with AMS, and it is now in the test beam at CERN. Next stop, Kennedy Space Center!

...

AMS completed a Ground Operations Review at KSC yesterday. Today we have a Ground Safety Review. Both in preparation for arrival on 26/08.

NASA: "NASA Invites Media to Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Arrival".

ESA: "Call for Media: Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer arrives at launch site".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASA: "A STORRM is Coming".

NASA: "Endeavour Braces for STORRM".

Video: "AMS-02 moving like R2D2 during Test Beam".​