Updates STS-135 Updates

[garyw]

I suspect this very last entry sim was setup to be a surprise with the landing actually at Houston. A little last minute simsup humour.

EDIT: Apparently, the landed right on the numbers at Ellington field and it seems to be some Simsup/FDO humour. No confirmation though and this is off the main channels as it came via twitter and one of the sim folks.

 

[Fabri91]

I hope so! Otherwise it would be a bad omen...

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: STS-135: Amended Systems Abort-Once-Around practiced before launch:

As all teams continue to track a July 8 launch of STS-135, an important final milestone was reached this month with the final integrated launch and mission simulations (sims) with the Flight Crew and their Flight Control Team. Particularly, these sims gave the crews a chance to practice a modified Systems Abort-Once-Around abort, an abort procedure modified specifically because of Atlantis’s smaller-than-normal crew size.

{...}

 

[IronRain]

The STS-135 mission

 

[orb]

NASA:

June 28, 2011​

RELEASE : 11-193
NASA Sets Launch Date For Final Space Shuttle Mission

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis' Commander Chris Ferguson and his three crewmates are scheduled to begin a 12-day mission to the International Space Station with a launch at 11:26 a.m. EDT [15:26 UTC] on July 8, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The STS-135 mission is the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program.

The launch date was announced Tuesday at the conclusion of a flight readiness review at Kennedy. During the meeting, senior NASA and contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and determined the shuttle and station's equipment, support systems and personnel are ready.

{...}


NASASpaceflight: STS-135: FRR sets July 8 Launch Date for Atlantis – Debris misses ISS

 

[IronRain]

Ahh, Friday evening. That means 2 laptops a television and pizza

 

[orb]

NASA:

June 28, 2011​

MEDIA ADVISORY : M11-133
NASA Announces Prelaunch Events And Countdown Details For Final Shuttle Flight

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- News conferences, events and operating hours for the news center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., are set for the final space shuttle launch.

Atlantis is scheduled to liftoff at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8, to begin the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station.

A NASA blog will provide countdown updates beginning at 6:30 a.m. on July 8. Originating from Kennedy's Launch Control Center, the blog is the definitive Internet source for information leading up to lift off.

During the mission, visitors to NASA's shuttle website can read about the crew's progress. As Atlantis' flight concludes, the NASA blog will detail the spacecraft's return to Earth. For NASA's launch blog and continuous mission updates, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle​

Detailed lists of countdown milestones, news briefing times and participants, and hours of operation for Kennedy's news center and media credentialing office are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news​

The NASA News Twitter feed will be updated throughout the shuttle launch countdown, mission and landing. To follow, visit:

http://www.twitter.com/nasa​

Free wireless Internet access is provided at the Kennedy Press Site news center and annex. Instructions for wireless access will be available at the news center. Due to the volume of users, accessibility may be limited. Reporters should bring a backup.

For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv​

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

STS-135 Overview Animation.​

STS-135: The Mission.​

In Their Owns Words: STS-135 Crew.​

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

The NASA STS-135 press kit is now online (PDF, 34 MB)!

 

[Donamy]

There''ll be a tear in my eye, when it's over.

 

[Capt_hensley]

I wish they had modified the MPLM Raf to stay on station as well, it would mean more room with a ready built structure, but alas, money got in the way again. They could bring back whatever trash in a special bag and still have room for more, including the spent pump in an express carrier.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

I wish they had modified the MPLM Raf to stay on station as well, it would mean more room with a ready built structure, but alas, money got in the way again. They could bring back whatever trash in a special bag and still have room for more, including the spent pump in an express carrier.

The fact that Raffaello will not stay on the ISS has nothing at all to do with money, it is to do with more practical matters.

The main reason is that it simply was not needed - the PMM provides adequate stowage at this time. Also, if Raffaello were left on the ISS, then it would block the berthing port that would be needed for future resupply vehicles. Finally, if Raffaello were left on the station, then it would not be able to bring back all the trash from ISS (of which there is lots, and it is very important to return it all to Earth on this final Shuttle flight, since this will be the last chance to do so).

 

[Capt_hensley]

The fact that Raffaello will not stay on the ISS has nothing at all to do with money, it is to do with more practical matters.

The main reason is that it simply was not needed - the PMM provides adequate stowage at this time. Also, if Raffaello were left on the ISS, then it would block the berthing port that would be needed for future resupply vehicles. Finally, if Raffaello were left on the station, then it would not be able to bring back all the trash from ISS (of which there is lots, and it is very important to return it all to Earth on this final Shuttle flight, since this will be the last chance to do so).

Yeah I see your points.
True another PMM would use more atmospherics, and power. It would be another seal to consider for leaks, and would expose more PM surface to space as a target for Micro Meteors. I think you could use any space available on station, need is a very stiff word. After all we lost the US HAB module due to budget and power constraints. We also lost the CRVs to budget constraints. I think these are all worthy risks. What is lost is the ability to put something like this large module on station because this is the last shuttle flight, Bringing large amounts of trash back aboard shuttle should never be a consideration. see below.

I always thought that keeping the PMAs and Nodes free from clutter of stores, trash or otherwise unused items, would be a more practical situation. Safer too. My pet peeve is the atmosphere hoses that pass through a hub or docking nodes narrow passage. These things make a quick emergency seal procedure all but impossible.

I would argue that the nodes could be re-arranged to accommodate the addition without hindering the Dragon, HTV and Cygnus docking sites. Sure the center of gravity(mass) would change, but we have that pretty well under control with visiting Soyuz, and transport vessels.

Trash can come back in any visiting ship including ATV. While not likely, we could send up an empty vehicle and return it full of trash. If a trash run is all we needed. Anything other than a shuttle trip would be cheaper to do.
Dragon can return those special items that must come back whole like experiments from the racks, or even 4 full racks for that matter. It's the only other ship designed to do so.

Anything large from the exterior we need to keep to re-use, or analyze should be brought back on this last shuttle flight. Not trash.

PS. It was a pretty expensive venture to modify the current PMM, and cost has always been a factor in this program as noted above. I guess were lucky that we got the one PMM. IMHO

PSS Thanks for keeping us up to date. This is a great thread.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Yeah I see your points.
True another PMM would use more atmospherics, and power. It would be another seal to consider for leaks, and would expose more PM surface to space as a target for Micro Meteors. I think you could use any space available on station, need is a very stiff word. After all we lost the US HAB module due to budget and power constraints. We also lost the CRVs to budget constraints. I think these are all worthy risks. What is lost is the ability to put something like this large module on station because this is the last shuttle flight, Bringing large amounts of trash back aboard shuttle should never be a consideration. see below.

I always thought that keeping the PMAs and Nodes free from clutter of stores, trash or otherwise unused items, would be a more practical situation. Safer too. My pet peeve is the atmosphere hoses that pass through a hub or docking nodes narrow passage. These things make a quick emergency seal procedure all but impossible.

I would argue that the nodes could be re-arranged to accommodate the addition without hindering the Dragon, HTV and Cygnus docking sites. Sure the center of gravity(mass) would change, but we have that pretty well under control with visiting Soyuz, and transport vessels.

Trash can come back in any visiting ship including ATV. While not likely, we could send up an empty vehicle and return it full of trash. If a trash run is all we needed. Anything other than a shuttle trip would be cheaper to do.
Dragon can return those special items that must come back whole like experiments from the racks, or even 4 full racks for that matter. It's the only other ship designed to do so.

Anything large from the exterior we need to keep to re-use, or analyze should be brought back on this last shuttle flight. Not trash.

PS. It was a pretty expensive venture to modify the current PMM, and cost has always been a factor in this program as noted above. I guess were lucky that we got the one PMM. IMHO

PSS Thanks for keeping us up to date. This is a great thread.

The problem with putting a "PMM-2" on ISS is that there just aren't enough (usable) berthing ports to do it, since in the future we'll need two open ports for cargo vehicles and two open ports for crewed vehicles. Rearranging Nodes to free up docking ports would be near impossible due to the complexity of such an operation.

The main reason for using the MPLM to return lots of ISS hardware on STS-135 is that the MPLM down-mass (how much mass it can return to Earth) is much greater than HTV or ATV, simply due to its increased size. Also, some of the stuff coming down in the MPLM is stuff that NASA wants to keep, as opposed to burn up (some broken hardware is coming down that could be analysed, refurbished, and re-launched in future). And just an FYI, Dragon will not have the capability to launch or return racks to Earth - so rack return capability goes away with the Shuttle (although that capability is not needed anymore anyway).

 

[ky]

I thought Rafaello would stay in space.What would NASA do with it after the shuttle program?Put it on display?

 

[orb]

NASA: First iPhone Flying on Last Shuttle:

There is at least one first involved with space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-135 mission, a flight notable for its lasts: the crew is taking the first iPhone into space to help with experiments aboard the International Space Station.

A Houston company called Odyssey Space Research developed an application for the Apple smartphone that is meant to help the astronauts track their scientific results and perhaps one day aid navigation. The device will be housed inside a small research platform built by NanoRacks. The platform will be placed inside the station.

The app, called SpaceLab for iOS, is even available to Earthbound smartphone users to perform the same experiments with the software simulating microgravity.

According to the company, the software was designed with the iPhone's unique attributes in mind, such as the gyro, accelerometer, cameras and chip.

{...}

NASASpaceflight: STS-135: Atlantis on track for Tuesday’s S0007 launch countdown:

Atlantis is continuing to behave on Pad 39A as preparations for entering S0007 tasks – otherwise known as the three day launch countdown – remain on track, with the clock’s scheduled to start ticking backwards at 1pm local on Tuesday. STS-135 will mark the final scheduled Space Shuttle mission, although the actual duration of the flight is still being discussed.

{...}

Spaceflight Now: Photo Gallery: Atlantis' payload bay sealed for flight

 

[Capt_hensley]

And just an FYI, Dragon will not have the capability to launch or return racks to Earth - so rack return capability goes away with the Shuttle (although that capability is not needed anymore anyway).

Sorry Pete, I have to provide references: I know this is a news thread but...

The whole reason to have a CBM on the dragon cargo version was to enable up to a 4 rack capacity with additional small item and bag storage. It was intended to enable, albeit limited to only 4, ISPR transfer after the shuttle retirement. While the specs on this are yet to be published by Space X, the COTS contracts call for "a vehicle" to meet this requirement, and the Dragon was designed to meet the specs.

See article: search for ISPR
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1095

See article: search for rack
http://www.spacex.com/dragon.php
The modular racks are called out by COTS to meet the same specs as for the shuttle mid deck items.

The capability to move racks(ISPRs) to and from station will be needed over the liftime of the station. Out with the old, in with the new. Science experiments in ISPRs will be the primary need. Other replacement actions may be needed like the WRS, Galley, Refridgerators, or Hygene stations.
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/508318main_ISS_ref_guide_nov2010.pdf

Cygnus CBM is the right diameter, but the current hatch(37") is too small.
If the hatch size were increased, than the PM would need to be long enough (about 12' internaly) currently it's planned PM is only 10' long internaly. The diameter of a Cygnus is about the same as a MPLM.
http://www.orbital.com/CargoResupplyServices/index.shtml

HTV could deliver but the ISPRs are again too long. The HTV PLC is not long enough at 3.14 meters, the total PM version(6.5 meters) would need to be used. It's still in design. The diameter is about the same as an MPLM.
http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/hsf_research/ISS_User_Guide/31_HTV_web.pdf

I have to check references to design the Gateway Staion, which is currently a fictional(but highly tech compliant) ISS replacement, and uses many features of ISS, including ISPRs and transfer vehicles. Why re-invent the wheel?

Again sorry Pete, I'll use another thread for further conversation on this topic.

Keep up the great work...
Kindly, Darren.

---------- Post added at 09:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:00 PM ----------

The problem with putting a "PMM-2" on ISS is that there just aren't enough (usable) berthing ports to do it, since in the future we'll need two open ports for cargo vehicles and two open ports for crewed vehicles.

My bad, Apologies...
After further review at NASAs site I'm forced to agree, It looks like power consumption is the primary concern, not docking/berthing ports. But not possible as NASA illustrated in the graphs and charts.

I still think it's possible to move the node to the forward axial position to free up another CBM currently in use by PMA 3. the Common Docking Adapters will replace the PMAs sometime on or about 2014.
http://dockingstandard.nasa.gov/Meetings/TIM_(Nov-17-2010)/NDS_TIM_presentation.pdf

It would seem NASA didn't like the CG changes by my proposed configuration. The study showed slightly unfavorable results from added permanent length. Tumble issues...

Again sorry, I had to look it up.
Kindly, Darren

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Capt_hensley:

Sorry, I don't wish to derail this thread any longer, but I can confirm that Dragon does NOT have the capability to launch and return racks.

The source you point to is from 2006, when the plan was for Dragon to be ISPR capable. Back then, the HTV (which is ISPR capable) had yet to make its first flight, and so NASA weren't sure whether they'd have the capability to launch ISPRs post-Shuttle. Since then however, HTV has demonstrated the ability to launch ISPRs (HTV-2 launched two this year), and so the requirement for Dragon to do the same is no longer present.

This is because HTVs (which can launch up to four ISPRs on each flight) will provide more than enough opportunities for the very few ISPRs that will be launched over the next decade. Right now, there are only two ISPRs planned for launch to the ISS - the ELF (Electrostatic Levitation Furnace) and ACLS (Advanced Crew Life Support). Futhermore, the are only two open rack bays remaining on ISS at the moment - so the ISS really can't take many more racks.

So, giving Dragon the ability to launch and return racks would be a waste, since it would lead to far more rack launch capability than is actually needed. This means Dragon can be designed without racks in mind, meaning that it will actually be able to carry and return more cargo, due to the absence of the standoff rack support structures.

Also, NASA have studied moving Node 3 to Node 2 Forward, but ruled it out due to the complexity, time and cost of the operation (LOTS of re-wiring). If approved, Node 4 could be added to Node 2 Forward in future. Also, the CDAs have now been cancelled, and the plan is to add an IDSS adaptor to PMA-2 and PMA-3 (and move PMA-3 to Node 2 Zenith).

I don't want to take this thread off-topic anymore, so I'm happy to continue this discussion in the ISS thread, if you like.

 

[Capt_hensley]

^Agreed, I could use the reference material, you can PM me if it's handy.

Thanks again.

 

[Kyle]

Wanted to give a non-processing update.

I will be attending this launch from a distance of approx 12 miles, and given that my family lives out at Cape Canaveral I get to come back for every single launch attempt until it launches.

I'll be sure to get some great pictures and video for you all

T-6 days from this post.