Updates STS-134 Updates

[Orbinaut Pete]

Time-lapse video of STS-134 SRB RFC (Right Forward Center) segment in VAB.​

 

[orb]

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

NASASpaceFlight: Endeavour in eventful flow – OPF and ET-138 investigations continue:

The mystery washer that managed to find its way into the LO2/LOX feedline on External Tank ET-138 is being classed as an isolated incident, as the Shuttle fleet work through numerous investigations. Work on Endeavour is back into a full flow, as an investigation board check into how an Air Hoist managed to fall on to a platform in her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF).
...

 

[orb]

NASASpaceFlight: All three remaining External Tanks to be undergo washer-related X-rays.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "Managers delay STS-134 ET/SRB mate ahead of tank allocation options".

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: Dark matter experiment is space shuttle's 'last hurrah':

After a late magnet switch forced NASA to order a six-month deferment of the final planned space shuttle flight, the Kennedy Space Center is preparing to receive a $1.5 billion physics experiment Thursday to seek out the cosmic signature of enigmatic, ubiquitous dark matter.

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer will soak up cosmic rays to detect nearly indistinguishable aberrations originating in the deep universe, potentially uncovering the origin of dark matter.
...

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer undergoes testing at a European Space Agency facility.
Credit: AMS Collaboration; Source: Spaceflight Now

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

AMS is being loaded onto the C5 in Geneva as I type. It will leave for KSC on Thursday.

(This image from @astroparticle via Twitter.)

---------- Post added at 06:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:10 PM ----------

AMS Loaded into the C5-M Cargo Aircraft.

Today August 25th, at 16:01, the AMS-02 experiment was successfully loaded into the the C5-M cargo aircraft. Nearly 40 tons of additional hardware will accompany the payload to KSC. Tomorrow, August 26th, at 7:00 AM the C5-M will leave with a crew of 15 AF members and 35 AMS scientists from the Geneva airport, destination the KSC Shuttle landing strip.

----------

It just occurred to me, this will likely be the last ever ISS payload to arrive at KSC.

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: Astrophysics experiment touches down in Florida:

The more than $2 billion Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer touched down on the shuttle landing strip on a chartered heavy-lifting C-5 Galaxy aircraft at 11:18 a.m. EDT (1518 GMT).
...

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

ESA: "Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer arrives at launch site".

BBC News: "AMS particle detector lands at Kennedy Space Center".

Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Particle physics detector arrives at KSC".

 

[astrosammy]

BTW, what was the reason to use a C-5 instead of a A300 Beluga, which was often used for European ISS modules? Was it because of the large number of scientists that flew together with the payload, or was it to heavy?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

BTW, what was the reason to use a C-5 instead of a A300 Beluga, which was often used for European ISS modules? Was it because of the large number of scientists that flew together with the payload, or was it to heavy?

I should image it is because of both weight and convenience. The A300 Beluga requires a lot of GSE (Ground Support Equipment), as the payloads are loaded above the cockpit (they cannot simply be "rolled in" from ground level). Also, AMS is pretty big and heavy, plus 4 tonnes of support equipment/personnel also flew with AMS.

---------- Post added at 11:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------

Some nice photos of the AMS-02 arrival are now up at the KSC Media Gallery (including some nice SRB stacking & ELC-3 processing photos that I somehow missed).

---------- Post added at 11:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 PM ----------

They've moved one of the SSPF webcams to focus on the A/L - so we should get to see live views AMS arriving in the SSPF. :thumbup:

(Live image - will refresh every 45 seconds.)

 

[tblaxland]

Spaceflight Now: Astrophysics experiment touches down in Florida:

​

From that article:

The more than $2 billion Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer touched down on the shuttle landing strip on a chartered heavy-lifting C-5 Galaxy aircraft at 11:18 a.m. EDT (1518 GMT).
...
"This is our main payload for this mission," said Mark Kelly, Endeavour's commander. "It's also, as far as I can tell, the most expensive piece of the space station that will be installed."

So AMS is $2b - I'm sure I read somewhere the Columbus lab $2.1b. Both are program costs. Surely the other components of the ISS have higher program costs, given the whole thing has cost more than $100b :shrug:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Great time-lapse video of AMS arriving in the SSPF.​

Here's some live views of AMS in the SSPF!

FYI, three new STS-134 astronauts have joined Twitter!
• PLT Greg "Box" Johnson (@Astro_Box).
• MS-1 Mike "Spanky" Fincke (@AstroIronMike).
• MS-4 Greg Chamitoff (@Astro_Taz).

BBC News'/Jonathan Amos' "Spaceman" Blog: "How the 'LHC in space' lost its British 'engine'".

---------- Post added 29th Aug 2010 at 09:01 PM ---------- Previous post was 28th Aug 2010 at 10:44 PM ----------

Here's a great interview with Mark & Scott Kelly.

NASA's First Twins to Fly in Space Together.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

We are installing the Payload Attach System today. This will serve as our mechanical interface to the ISS.

Just as a note, AMS-02 will attach to the S3 Truss zenith-inboard PAS.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Images of the PAS (Payload Attach System) being attached to AMS-02.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

---------- Post added at 08:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:54 AM ----------

Here's an STS-134 flight plan from Spaceflight Now.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

I've managed to find the EV crewmembers for STS-134.

EVA-1:
• EV-1: Andrew Feustel.
• EV-2: Gregory Chamitoff.

EVA-2:
• EV-1: Andrew Feustel.
• EV-2: Michael Fincke.

EVA-3:
• EV-1: Michael Fincke.
• EV-2: Gregory Chamitof.

It's so great that Mike & Greg will get to do EVA-3 together, considering that they're such good "space buddies" already! :thumbup:

Source.

 

[Kyle]

They flew Expedition 18 together right?

 

[dougkeenan]

Maybe Greg Chamitoff can make a few more chess moves in space for the record books!

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

They flew Expedition 18 together right?

Yep!

Hi-res version.

Maybe Greg Chamitoff can make a few more chess moves in space for the record books!

Let's hope so!

Hi-res version.

---------- Post added at 01:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 PM ----------

Here's some nice, reflective interviews with KSC SRB technicians during STS-134 SRB stacking ops.

Florida Today: "Space shuttle booster assembly under way at KSC".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Pegasus en route to pick up last external tank".

---------- Post added 10th Sep 2010 at 09:19 PM ---------- Previous post was 9th Sep 2010 at 11:18 PM ----------

AMS completed our Shuttle Integration Test yesterday. This test showed that we will be able to successfully operate inside the payload bay.

Check out this great handheld video that Mark Kelly sent via his Twitter account today, showing his landing approach in the STA at White Sands - a pretty nice approach if I may say so myself, right down the centerline!

Also, here's a great CERN video about AMS-02's flight to KSC.​

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Flight aboard Super Galaxy impresses scientists.

It seemed like a normal flight. Bleary-eyed passengers sat slumped in blue seats, ignoring the emergency safety briefing and waiting for someone to bring them juice.
But anchored by chains to the cargo bay floor below sat a billion-dollar instrument designed to advance the human race's knowledge about the universe.

The C-5M's smooth ride ultimately impressed its 38 passengers, which consisted of MIT professors and scientists from Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.

It recently transported them, along with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, from the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland to Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The AMS will go on to fly aboard the last space shuttle mission early next year.

"For me, it was emotional to leave CERN," said Mr. Roberto Battiston, an Italian physics professor with the 16-year AMS project. "But when we were flying, it was easy to forget about that. The plane is so large, so self contained ... like a different world."

Mr. Battiston said he admired the aircrew's professionalism and how they remained so calm in a stressful environment.


Proving Reliable.

Before the trip, pilot Capt. Cory Damon found a note from his group commander taped to the C-5's dashboard.

"Dear Cory, How are you? I am fine. We're pulling for you with the big mission. P.S. Don't (mess) it up. ."

Captain Damon followed orders. A few hours after taking off from Switzerland, the pilot deftly and enthusiastically answered passengers' questions as they streamed in and out of the cockpit.

Just then, a white 747 flying approximately 1,000 feet in front of the C-5M appeared like a fish diving in slow motion, emitting white fluff.

The cockpit view was oceanic. A flat horizon of clouds formed below the translucent moon in the blue morning sky. The C-5 was like a whale lumbering serenely and effortlessly, void of turbulence.

The newly-remodeled C-5M Super Galaxy has a reputation for increased reliability. Since becoming operational early 2009, it has demonstrated a whole new concept of operations, to include the direct delivery concept, Captain Damon said.

Although it hasn't happened yet, the Super Galaxy is capable of flying from Dover Air Force Base, Del., to Iraq without aerial refueling - saving tankers for other missions.

"It's already proven its ability," Captain Damon said. "They've taken one of most uniquely capable airlifters and making it even more capable. You can't lose."

Last fall, a C-5M broke 41 world records in a single flight. The remodeled aircraft boasts an upgraded propulsion system along with 50 other subsystem reliability enhancements. It's more maintainable and cheaper to operate. And the new engines will reduce hydrocarbon emissions by more than one million tons by 2040.


Making Galactic History.

During the flight, two loadmasters and a flight engineer relaxed behind the cockpit area.

A NASA engineer wearing mid-thigh shorts walked up to the crew's table carrying a box of snacks that was tied around his neck by a red satin ribbon. He smiled and asked if they'd like some refreshments. The crew members laughed and dug for their cell phones to snap photos.

The aircrew had airlifted cargo to Iraq and Afghanistan before stopping at Geneva to pick up the AMS. This mission gave them an extreme sense of being part of history, they said.

The AMS, once installed on the International Space Station next year, is expected to survey charged particles and unlock a new realm of secrets about the universe. These secrets are considered so important around the world that hundreds of physicists from 16 countries have worked on this project for more than a decade.

Although the project is officially sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, nations around the globe collectively invested more than $1 billion to ensure its success.

"What really gets me is the AMS is going to be on the International Space Station for a long, long time," said Tech. Sgt. Frank Nieto, 9th Airlift Squadron flight engineer.

"We can own it as our own," said 9 AS loadmaster Staff Sgt. Bryan Muise. "We can literally look up in sky and say I assisted in putting that piece of equipment into space."

"I can tell my grandchildren I was part of that. It's something to be proud of," Sergeant Nieto said.

This mission supporting international scientists was yet another way to show the world what the remodeled C-5 can do, said Tech. Sgt. Troy Heller.

Sergeant Heller, a qualified flight engineer on the C-5M, is a Reservist assigned to the 709th Airlift Squadron at Dover AFB. Nearly all C-5M missions are flown by mixed crews of active duty and Reserve Airmen, said Captain Damon, who is assigned to the 9th AS.

"The relationship's been awesome. It's almost like it's been (one) squadron," Captain Damon said.


Having a Sense of Purpose.

The 11-hour flight approached its final descent. Mild turbulence kicked in. Seat belts clicked, and what looked like stage smoke curled across the cabin ceiling.

"Florida humidity," remarked a NASA employee as the plane landed. The C-5 was like a giant ice cube, causing condensation.

As the passengers thanked the green flight-suited aircrew and climbed down stairs to a waiting crowd, astronauts in blue flight suits climbed up the stairs to meet the crew. The astronauts are slated to take the AMS to the International Space Station. News media documented the occasion as they shook hands with and talked to the Airmen.

It's a moment the Airmen aren't likely to forget.

But despite their pride in accomplishing the mission, some of the crew members said what motivates them most is flying the Super Galaxy to support fellow servicemembers.

"I like knowing every time we move cargo we're helping troops in the desert," Sergeant Nieto said. "It's a great feeling, knowing we're helping in a different way. We may not be there on the ground; but we're getting them what they need to get their job done safely."

"It's what helps me sleep at night," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Belcher, 9th AS loadmaster.

---------- Post added 12th Sep 2010 at 08:21 PM ---------- Previous post was 11th Sep 2010 at 10:17 PM ----------

Adding accessories for AMS stay on the ISS and testing the communication system among AMS, ISS and JSC.

Also, NASA released the video interview with Mark & Scott Kelly this week.