Updates STS-135 Updates

[Kyle]

So sad to see the end and not knowing what comes after.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Check out this great video about the RRM payload. Looks very cool!

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Launch may slip to the 4th of July. Would be quite a way to end the Shuttle program!

STS-135 UPDATE: KSC *are* rescheduling STS-135 for a rollover of May 16. There is also a *potential* launch slip to July 4. Article later.

 

[Donamy]

Launch may slip to the 4th of July. Would be quite a way to end the Shuttle program!

Mixed emotions with the irony of it.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From CDR Chris Ferguson via Twitter:

Waiting to find out how the 134 delay will affect 135. It appears that there will be some delay...still not sure how long.

 

[Kyle]

Slip confirmed to 2nd week of July.

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: STS-135: KSC realign schedule targets for a preliminary July 12 launch:

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) engineering teams have realigned processing targets for STS-135 to point towards a July 12 launch date. The preliminary target is dependant on numerous – and upcoming – factors, not least the need for Endeavour to launch on her re-planned May 16 date, but also a nominal pad turnaround and a smooth pre-launch flow for Atlantis herself.

{...}

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: Atlantis rolls closer to summer launch (PHOTO GALLERY)



And below are selected photos from KSC Media Gallery:

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[orb]

NASASpaceflight: STS-135: Atlantis heads to VAB for mating with ET-138

Spaceflight Now:

• Sling attached to space shuttle Atlantis in readiness for lift and mate (PHOTO GALLERY - PART 1)
• Sling attached to space shuttle Atlantis in readiness for lift and mate (PHOTO GALLERY - PART 2)
• Atlantis hangs vertical inside VAB (PHOTO GALLERY - PART 1)
• Atlantis hangs vertical inside VAB (PHOTO GALLERY - PART 2)
• Atlantis hoisted to meet tank and boosters for final space shuttle launch (PHOTO GALLERY - PART 1)
• Atlantis hoisted to meet tank and boosters for final space shuttle launch (PHOTO GALLERY - PART 2)

Some more photos of Atlantis going vertical from KSC Media Gallery:

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And a few shots of Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) payload of STS-135, before its move into a payload canister:

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[Orbinaut Pete]

Check out this amazing photo of Atlantis' rollover as seen from an orbiting satellite!

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Launch now July 8.

STS-135 UPDATE: Official launch date for STS-135 is NET July 8 at 11:33 AM with a landing on July 20, thanks to good Pad 39A condition

 

[Eli13]

YES!!! Then i might be able to go!!!

 

[Donamy]

Are you sure that's not from an aircraft ? I would think from the altitude and the angle, you would see the clouds making the shadows.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Are you sure that's not from an aircraft ? I would think from the altitude and the angle, you would see the clouds making the shadows.

Nope - definitely a satellite - see this article.

 

[GoForPDI]

Is it true that STS-135 is using an SRB segment flown on STS-1?

 

[astrosammy]

Wow, really. I didn't know that they are so reusable! http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/fdf/135srbs.pdf

Edit: Even one from STS-107. Hail Columbia!

 

[IronRain]

SpaceFlight Now:

While space shuttle Endeavour completes her final orbits of the planet tonight, sistership Atlantis will be traveling to Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A beginning at 8 p.m. EDT.

The ground team responsible for moving the spacecraft along the 3.5-mile stone-covered roadway from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the seaside pad is scheduled to report for duty at 4 p.m.

The crawler-transporter will hydraulically lift the mobile launching platform and carry the shuttle on the six-hour trip. If all goes according to plan, Atlantis should be secured atop the pad and the pad swing arms extended long before dawn.

 

[GoForPDI]

Wow, really. I didn't know that they are so reusable! http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/fdf/135srbs.pdf

Edit: Even one from STS-107. Hail Columbia!

Several parts from STS-107. I'm even more surprised about the STS-1 part, even a part from STS-3 on there. wow!

Possibly one of the best coincidences of the Space Programme, where the final flight makes use of a part that helped launch the very first flight

 

[ky]

Space shuttle Endeavor will land about 30 minutes after Atlantis gets to the launch pad.

 

[orb]

After a delay caused by a hydraulic leak on a corner valve for the crawler-transporter's jacking and leveling system, the rollout has begun, with first motion at 00:42 UTC / 8:42 p.m. EDT.

You can watch the rollout live on:

• NASA TV
• Spaceflight Now livestream
• Spaceflight Now 2 livestream (DIFFERENT VIEW/FRAME)

NASASpaceflight: STS-135: Atlantis rollout – Tanking Test and debris investigation on tap