Updates STS-135 Updates

[garyw]

That article suggests an FD-3 rendezvous - I thought FD-4 was always the plan due to the smaller crew size?

 

[orb]

I don't know how it was in earlier revisions, but the last revision of the flight plan from Spaceflight Now, dated at June 8th says FD3 docking. :shrug:

 

[Ghostrider]

Can you name a vehicle that would be better suited to the task?

MOWAG Piranha IV: because nobody ever got fired for buying Swiss war materiel.

 

[C3PO]

MOWAG Piranha IV: because nobody ever got fired for buying Swiss war materiel.

Especially Swiss Naval war material. :rofl:

How does that make it better suited to the task?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

That article suggests an FD-3 rendezvous - I thought FD-4 was always the plan due to the smaller crew size?

It will be a FD-3 rendezvous. FD-4 will only be utilised if Atlantis launches outside of the nominal launch window (which is unlikely, since NASA would likely scrub rather than go with a FD-4 rendezvous).

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: Shuttle tank inspections going well, valve replaced

CBS News Space: External tank inspections proceeding smoothly, fuel valve replaced

 

[orb]

NASA:

June 23, 2011​

MEDIA ADVISORY : M11-130
NASA To Highlight Robotic Refueling Mission Payload, Communication Support On Final Shuttle Flight

GREENBELT, Md. -- NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., will host a media event to highlight its role in the final space shuttle flight, currently targeted for launch on July 8. The media day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon EDT on Tuesday, June 28.

At 9 a.m., Goddard managers and engineers will give an overview of the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) module, which shuttle Atlantis will deliver to the International Space Station. RRM will use the station's two-armed robotic system, known as Dextre, to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft in orbit. The Canadian Space Agency built the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, or Dextre, to perform intricate maintenance and servicing tasks on the station.

Reporters also will visit Goddard's Exploration and Space Communications area to learn how Goddard provides tracking, data and voice communications for every shuttle mission. Reporters then will have the opportunity to see the Network Integration Center and the Flight Dynamics Facility, which also support shuttle flights.

{...}

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: STS-135: Atlantis completes TCDT – External Tank death camera ready:

With her team ably dealing with the usual pad flow hiccups, Atlantis is heading towards her July 8 launch date with no major issues, with the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) completed on Thursday. While inspections continue on the numerous stringers on Atlantis’ External Tank (ET-138), work on the camera modification – designed to film the tank’s destructive re-entry – has been completed.

{...}

Spaceflight Now:

• Final shuttle astronauts practice their countdown
• Photo Gallery: Atlantis crew's countdown rehearsal (PHOTO GALLERY #1)
• Photo Gallery: Atlantis crew's countdown rehearsal (PHOTO GALLERY #2)
• Photo Gallery: Atlantis crew's countdown rehearsal (PHOTO GALLERY #3)

[table="head;width=240"]

Click on image to view larger version​

After completing simulated pad emergency exit training on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-135 crew members pause for a photo.​

[/table]

You can view more photos from TCDT in STS-135 section of KSC Media Gallery.​

 

[IronRain]

STS-135 Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test

 

[ky]

Especially Swiss Naval war material. :rofl:

How does that make it better suited to the task?

It has a capacity of 10 people WITH weapons and can travel at 100 km/h.

---------- Post added at 11:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 AM ----------

While the M113 has a top speed of 67.6 km/h and carries 13 people.

 

[Evil_Onyx]

It has a capacity of 10 people WITH weapons and can travel at 100 km/h.

---------- Post added at 11:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 AM ----------

While the M113 has a top speed of 67.6 km/h and carries 13 people.

But is it easy for someone in a pressure suit to get in and drive?..... and what is its ground pressure? (Could be important if you are going over swamps.) Speed is not everything.

 

[HarvesteR]

Nice! A launch at 12:30 EDT is one I can definitely watch live! I missed the last one... and the Discovery one as well... :facepalm:

I really can't miss this one... last chance!

Cheers

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: STS-135: Engineers retesting MFV – ET-138 stringer inspections completed:

Following its replacement on Atlantis’ SSME-3 (Space Shuttle Main Engine), the new Main Fuel Valve (MFV) is undergoing a weekend of testing at Pad 39A, aimed at providing confidence the hardware will perform as required during the launch countdown. Meanwhile, inspections on ET-138′s stringers have been completed with no obvious issues reported.

{...}

 

[ky]

12 more days........

 

[orb]

Til the launch of STS-135: <iframe src="http://free.timeanddate.com/countdown/i2na1rns/n179/cf100/cm0/cu4/ct0/cs0/ca0/cr0/ss0/cac000/cpc000/pcfff/tcfff/fs100/szw192/szh81/tatSTS-135%20Launch/tac000/tptTime%20since%20STS-135%20Launch/tpc000/mac000/mpc000/iso2011-07-08T11:26:00" frameborder="0" width="192" height="81"></iframe>

Did you mean this?:
Launch [eventtimer]2011-7-8 15:26:46?in|was;%c% %d% days, %hh%:%mm%:%ss%[/eventtimer][eventtimer]2011-7-8 15:26:46?.| ago.;%c%[/eventtimer]

The launch is currently targeted at 2011-07-08 15:26:46 UTC / 11:26:46 EDT.

Besides, there is this calendar event with set timer. You can request a reminder for that event, by clicking here.

 

[ky]

I was trying(but failed) to put up a timer.

---------- Post added at 09:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:56 PM ----------

Is there any way to get the countdown as my signature?

 

[orb]

Is there any way to get the countdown as my signature?

The countdown to launch of STS-135 in your signature?

For example this way:

[PLAIN]STS-135: L[eventtimer]2011-7-8 15:26:46;%c%%ddd%/%hh%:%mm%:%ss%[/eventtimer][/PLAIN]

More info about using Event Timers in the BB Code list, and additionally in "[New Feature] Event Timers/Countdown Timers" thread.

 

[garyw]

During the last ever entry sim things go a little wrong with landing:

 

[Fabri91]

How did that happen? They nearly landed in Houston!

 

[Capt_hensley]

During the last every entry sim things go a little wrong with landing:

Please rephrase, the sentence dose not make sense. Is that supposed to be "Re-entry Simulation" Thanks for the cap!