October 2007 - Page 7 of 9 - Rainer Gerhards

2007-10-12

Expedition 16 rockets to ISS

I found this nice image of the expedition 16 rocketing into space inside their Soyuz capsule. Look how cramped it is in the Soyuz spacecraft. It’s design is quite old, but it is extremely reliable. The Russian space agency is also considering a new design with more room.

When the space shuttle is retired in 2010, the Soyuz will be the only spacecraft capable of ferrying crew to and from the space station. The US will catch up with that a few years later when the Orion, also a capsule design, but much roomier, has made its maiden flight.

2007-10-12

Shuttle-Level view of RSS re-attachment now available..

I now also have created a video of the shuttle-level view of the rotating service structure re-attachment to the space shuttle. It unfortunately does not offer the same time resolution as the MLP-view, but I think it is still an interesting animation.

2007-10-12

Movie of Rotating Service Structure re-attached to Shuttle

Yesterday, I captured NASA public webcam images and created a small animation from them. It shows how the rotating service structure (RSS) is being reattached to space shuttle Discovery.

The RSS had to be rolled back to carry out the APU hotfire test, which was postponed to yesterday due to bad weather. I have not yet heard of any test results, but assume all went well.

The video is the ground-level MLP view, the actual space shuttle can not be seen. When the video starts, watch the shadows. You will see the RSS shadow before you see the RSS itself.

To watch the video, please go to my personal site – it is too big to fit into this blog’s theme. The link is:

RSS being re-attached to mobile launcher platform

2007-10-11

Launch Tickets have arrived!

Finally my tickets for launch viewing have arrived! Getting hold of these tickets was quite complicated. I knew when the were offered for sale and I knew what I was heading for — but tickets sell out very quickly every time.

What you want to get are “launch transportation tickets” or ltt’s for short. These allow you onto the NASA causeway where you have an unobstructed view of the launch complex. It is also the closest place you can get to without having a VIP pass (and being German, obtaining a VIP pass is more than problematic – aka “forget about it”. US citizens may approach their Senator to obtain them, which is known to work).

I was quick enough to purchase some ltts, but only together with the “breakfast with an astronaut” package. The breakfast is at 5:30am, so this was the least demanded ticket and probably the cause I could get hold of it.

Ever since I purchased them I was eager to get them into my hands. I inquired at Kennedy Space Center when they may be shipped. The answer was October, 8th – and I hoped that they would arrive in time, given that it was international shipment and I intend to leave home on the 19th. The KSC folks assured me that tickets were send via express courier, so there should be no need to worry (besides, of course, the hefty shipping fee).

What should I say – they were absolutely right. Yesterday (!), I received a nice package via UPS containing my full ticket set. That was exactly two days to reach me – well done, folks. I didn’t blog yesterday about it because I was so occupied with Discovery’s leading edge problem.

I have take a picture of the ticket set, just in case you are interested and have not yet seen any. Click the link to obtain a hires version which will get you the details. There, you’ll see the big car placard, which must be placed on your dashboard to gain access to Kennedy Space center. Then, there is a small information page (with the big black bar on it) that covers everything you need to know. And finally, there are three small tickets: one gets you access to KSC at launch day, one is for your breakfast and finally there is the LTT, which gets you to NASA causeway, the public launch viewing spot. And now I have all of them in my hands :).

I am quite happy now: the tickets were more or less the last item on my go/no go list. Also, it again looks like Discovery will launch inside the scheduled launch window. What more can I ask for? Wish me luck that things will remain on this good track …

2007-10-11

Official Word from NASA: Discovery wing edge does not delay launch!

As of the NASA shuttle program home page, the heat shield issue seems no longer to be a show stopper:

One of the topics discussed before the conclusion of the program review Wednesday involved the reinforced carbon carbon, or RCC, on Discovery’s wing leading edge panels. In the past, there have been post-flight indications that the edges of a couple of panels have lost small amounts of their upper-level coating. Thermography, or thermal imagery, has been used to inspect the panels in order to identify any internal defects that could lead to coating loss.

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) has been working with shuttle engineers to better understand the potential causes of coating loss. At Wednesday’s meeting, NESC recommended replacing three of Discovery’s 44 panels.

Discovery has flown at least twice with these panels in the current condition, and with no indications of degradation based on thermography. At this point, the Space Shuttle Program has determined that Discovery’s astronauts can safely carry out their mission without having to replace the panels.

That sounds to me as clear indication that NASA intends to launch Discovery as is. I speculated about this solution this morning and I am glad to read it now seems to be official policy. Of course, that does not mean Discovery will launch under all circumstances. Space flight is far too risky and something may happen at any instant. After all, we have nearly two weeks of pre-launch activities before us. But it now sounds likely again that there will be a launch — even on-time. So I stop thinking about how to cancel my trip … ;)

2007-10-11

APU hotfire test about to begin

The APU hotfire test seems to be carried out right now. The rotating service structure (RSS) has just moved to parking position. The hotfire test was originally scheduled for immediately after space shuttle Discovery’s rollout to the pad, but had to be postponed due to bad weather at Kennedy Space Center. It was re-scheduled post FRR, which is today.

There was some discussion whether or not NASA would do this test (there seems to be no hard requirement), but it now seems to be done.

2007-10-11

An Alternative to Shuttle and Constellation? ;)

While browsing the web, I found an interesting blog entry on the “space elevator”. In short, it is an elevator-like concept that is promised to deliver people and material at a much lower cost into orbit — with a real elevator-like system. It sounds much like a curiosity, but has received serious consideration, even in scientific circles. However the latest scientific news I read (don’t remember where) is that no current material is strong enough to withstand the forces. The conclusion there was that it could not be done…

You might find this blog post an interesting read:

Good by Space Shuttle. Hello Space Elevator.

2007-10-11

News on Discovery’s wing leading edge problem

The problem with Discovery’s wing leading edge is now being reported by mainstream media (the issue was first reported by nasaspaceflight.com). So it is definitely no rumor any longer and it also has been confirmed by NASA.

The good new, though, is that this issue is unlikely to actually defer the launch. According to Yahoo News, space shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said that space shuttle Discovery’s launch later this month should not be delayed to replace three possibly defective heat shields. He “will recommend to his NASA bosses that Discovery go ahead with its planned October 23 liftoff”.

This statement was made on Wednsday after a program level flight readiness review (FRR). However, Hale has ordered to gather more data on the wing leading edge problem. A final decision is expected after next weeks agency level flight readiness review.

The reason a go ahead seems likely is that only one body inside NASA (the NESC) has recommended replacement. Other teams have already assessed the issue and found the risk to be acceptable. Discovery has been in orbit twice with the heat shield in its current state and there were no indications that the problem has worsened during the flight. Thus, the majority of NASA teams do not anticipate any real problem over here.

The current situations resembles somewhat the tile issue that came up during STS-118 earlier this year. There, a problem with the tiles was detected and one NASA group voted to fix this in orbit. All other groups concluded that it would be safe to fly as is. After some controversy, no fix was applied and the reentry was perfectly well, just as expected.

It is important to note that NASA groups should voice even the slightest concern. It is then the responsibility of the team as whole to decide whether or not the issue is a real show stopper. As it right now looks, the wing leading edge problem seems unlikely to be one. In any case, I trust NASA management to do the right thing.

With that said, I hope for an October, 23rd launch and a great and problem-free mission.

2007-10-10

More on Discovery’s heat shield problem.

Unfortunately, the rumors on space shuttle Discovery’s heat shield problem are no longer just rumors. Today, nasaspaceflight.com carries a story with details. While NASA has not yet confirmed the story, it also has not declined it. So it must be well rooted.

The story confirms what I have written yesterday. However, it adds a subtle but important detail: there is no way to detect the suspected type of damage once in orbit. So should the situation worsen during the launch, there is no way to find out before reentry. This is indeed a scary scenario. However, the story also tells:

However, given the data appears to point to worst case scenarios, and that flight experience has seen such issues before, shuttle managers may decide that the risk is no greater than they’ve previously flown with, allowing the launch to proceed on track.

So there still seems to be hope. Of course, my firm opinion is that no missing should be flown when there is unacceptable risk. But face it: spaceflight is a risky business. The astronauts know that and everyone else in the shuttle program does. So what is now important is an in-depth technical analysis, and a good risk analysis based on that. Then, decisions can be made. And these decisions should neither be driven by the urge to fly in any case nor by over-cautiousness. I believe that the NASA folks will have the standing to do the right thing. They should not let them move too much by public (uninformed) opinion. But while I trust them, I still hope the situation is not as bad as it looks.

Source: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5249

2007-10-09

Astronauts practice countdown…

Besides the bad news about Discovery’s heat shield issue, launch preparations continue at Kennedy Space Center. The Astronauts have begun practicing launch procedures. Among others, this includes fitting of launch suites as well as emergency procedures. The so-called “terminal count down test” is an important milestone towards launch. As far as I know, the emphasis is on emergency procedure, which includes a ride in the emergency escape basket system.

Future Orion astronauts will possibly enjoy a roller coaster ride during the emergency drill. The current basket escape system is somewhat more basic, but obviously quite thrilling.

If everything goes well, the astronauts head back for a brief stay to Houston. They will return to Kennedy Space Center shortly before launch.