nasa Archives - Page 5 of 6

2007-12-06

STS-122 officially scrubbed at 9:56a ET

NASA home page states:

Dec. 6, 10 a.m. EST: Official scrub came at 9:56 a.m. EST. An update is forthcoming on NASA TV.

I’ll be watching the NASA press conference as soon as it starts (it was scheduled for 4:30p, now it is 4:36, but it hasn’t started yet).

While it is now clear that Atlantis will not reach space today (nor will the Columbus lab module), it is unclear when the next launch attempt will be. Some say December, 7th, other speculate whether or not this will need repairs that can’t be done in the STS-122 launch window.

Press conference just begun…

2007-12-06

Atlantis launch scrub somewhat confirmed

The scrub of today’s Atlantis launch attempt becomes more and more real… NASA’s homepage right now has this statement:

Approximately 16 minutes into fast fill, two ECO sensors failed to indicate wet. They are troubleshooting the issue. Currently, H2 is at 80% and O2 is at 50%. Tanking is continuing. We expect to have a status from leadership soon as to whether we continue or scrub. If we scrub, a briefing will follow that decision on NASA TV.

It doesn’t sound final, but it backs evidence that the information on nasaspaceflight.com regarding the STS-122 launch scrub is correct. Other sites now also report accordingly.

2007-12-06

Atlantis STS-122 launch attempt scrubbed

I am now following up on the launch scrub. Remeber, it is still unconfirmed, but the information looks pretty solid.

As it looks, the problem is indeed related to the ECO sensors that I just wrote about. Two of four seem to have failed, which can not easily be overruled.

The news is still not confirmed. If it is true, the shuttle is probably being detanked right now and the sensors are undergoing additional tests. Only after such tests it can be seen what needs to be done and how long the mission will be delayed. The delay is very unfortunate, because there is only a small launch window of 7 days to launch STS-122. If that fails, the next launch attempt can be in January 2008 at earliest. This would probably affect the whole shuttle schedule – and even Ares and Constellation – as they depend on STS-125 in summer, after which launch pad 39B will be handed over to constellation.

2007-12-06

STS-122: All GO!

Soon, you’ll see this again at launch pad 39A, Kennedy Space Center:

Everything is gooing very smoothly and the rotating service structure will soon be rotated away from Atlantis. Then, the space shuttle is free to launch off the ground. Sure, problems may still happen at any time, but he so-far absolutely flawless processing flow is very promising. It looks like we will have a great launch tomorrow afternoon.

GO ATLANTIS!

And here are some details from the NASA homepage:

The launch team at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is continuing its steady march toward a lift off Thursday afternoon for space shuttle Atlantis. The countdown is proceeding smoothly, NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding said Wednesday.

Mission STS-122 is scheduled to launch at 4:31 p.m. EST from NASA’s Florida launch base. Atlantis will carry the European-developed Columbus laboratory and attach it to the International Space Station. Seven astronauts, including two from the European Space Agency, will fly aboard Atlantis.

Technicians and engineers at the launch pad have several steps ahead of them Wednesday. The most visible milestone will come in the evening when the Rotating Service Structure is moved to its launch position where it will be out of the way of Atlantis. The gantry encloses much of the shuttle while it is on the launch pad and gives workers access to critical areas of the shuttle and its payload.

2007-12-05

STS-122: ISS Ready…

The international space station ISS reports it is ready to welcome the STS-122 mission. Astronaut Daniel Tani is spending his last days at the station. He will return to earth aboard Discovery. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts will take his seat on the ISS. He will work in the Columbus lab module and start its scientific experiments. Eyharts is set to return with the STS-123 mission.

The ISS crew has also completed all leak checks, with the ISS in a top condition to receive the Colubus module.

Some more details from the NASA homepage:

The Expedition 16 crew members aboard the International Space Station are completing final preparations for the arrival of space shuttle Atlantis, set to launch Thursday from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

On Wednesday, the Expedition 16 crew spent time reviewing spacewalk procedures and detailed timelines for joint operations with the STS-122 crew. Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the space station on Saturday.

During the STS-122 mission, the shuttle crew will conduct three spacewalks to install the Columbus Research module on the orbital outpost. STS-122 will also deliver a new station crew member, European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts.

Flight Engineer Dan Tani, who arrived at the station in October with STS-120, will return home aboard Atlantis.

Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Tani will enjoy an off-duty day Thursday.

2007-12-05

STS-123 status update

I know we are all interested in Atlantis STS-122 mission right at this time. I’d like to add a few notes about STS-123, scheduled to fly next Februray, though. One reason is that I found some cool pictures ;)

STS-123 will deliver the Japanese Kibo module to the international space station ISS. Kibo can right now seen in its processing facility:

The external tank has also arrived on November, 30th. Actually, this was one day earlier than scheduled.

Also on November, 30th, the crew equipment interface test, a process of familiarization with payloads, hardware and the space shuttle happened. For this test, the STS-123 crew was present. Here you can see Commander Dominic Gorie inspecting the window in space shuttle Endeavour:

Even though it is early right now, it looks like things are progressing quite smoothly for Endeavour’s STS-123 mission.

But now let’s hope for a flawless STS-122 launch ;)

2007-12-05

STS-123 mission facts: launch window, time, ….

While I am at it, I noticed that I did not yet post any facts on the STS-123 misson. So here we are:

STS-123 is set to launch on February, 14th 2008. It is the 122nd space shuttle flight and the 25th heading to the international space station. It will be flown on Orbiter Endeavour and launched from pad 39A. The launch time is not yet set (rumors call for noon). The daily launch window is 10 minutes (as usual for ISS flights). It is not yet known how many days the launch window extends.

A veteran space flier, Navy Capt. Dominic L. Gorie, will command the STS-123 shuttle mission to deliver the Japanese Kibo Logistics Module and the Canadian Dextre robotics system to the International Space Station. Air Force Col. Gregory H. Johnson will serve as pilot. Mission specialists include Richard M. Linnehan, Air Force Maj. Robert L. Behnken, Navy Capt. Michael J. Foreman and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takao Doi. Johnson, Behnken and Foreman will be making their first spaceflight.

The mission will deliver NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman to the complex and return European Space Agency astronaut Léopold Eyharts to Earth.

2007-12-05

Columbus – Europe’s lab at the International Space Station ISS

Columbus is Europe’s space lab at the international space station. It is ESA‘s most important European mission to the ISS to date and the cornerstone of Europe’s contribution to this international endeavour. Once Columbus is launched, assembled to the Space Station and verified, ESA will become an active partner in the operations and utilization of mankind’s only permanent outpost in space.

It will be launched on December, 6th onboard space shuttle Atlantis (STS-122 mission). Columbus will be transported into Earth orbit in the Shuttle’s cargo bay, pre equipped with five internal rack. Two of its external experiment facilities will be stowed separately in the Shuttle’s cargo bay and attached to the outside of the laboratory module structure in orbit. German ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel will play a key role in two of the three spacewalks or EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity) scheduled for the mission. During the mission’s first EVA, Schlegel will help to install and power up the laboratory.

As the first European laboratory devoted to long-term research in space, Columbus will further expand the science capabilities of the ISS. In its interior, the Columbus laboratory will provide accommodation for experiments in the field of multidisciplinary research into biology, physiology, material science, fluid physics, technology, life science and education. In addition, its external payload facility hosts experiments and applications in the field of space science, Earth observation and technology.

Columbus before launch in the ISS processing facility

Columbus waiting for its flight in the
ISS processing facility at Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Columbus is manged from its control center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany (near Munic). The center is operated by DLR under a contract with ESA. The Columbus Control Center will work together with mission control in the US and Russia and provide operational oversight, data transfer facility and all other essential services to the Columbus module.

Columbus was built by Bremen, Germany based EADS Astrium, which coordinated 41 suppliers from 14 countries. Its development cost roughly 880 Million Euros. The Columbus module is scheduled to last at least 10 years in space. It was originally scheduled to be delivered to the ISS in 2004, but delayed after the space shuttle Columbia accident.

2007-12-04

I am going to view a launch again…

Well, almost… ;) I don’t make it to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. Of course, I’d love to see Atlantis rocket off the ground and head into space. See that, hear that, small that. But … I got another great opportunity. I’ll view the launch from ESA’s control center for the Columbus module. In some ways, it’s even cooler than standing on the Causeway…

I have written a few articles for a German online portal called raumfahrer.net. It’s a cool site and it is, believe it or not, about astronomy and space flight. I joined it when I wrote about the Cassini mission. I had not much time to do a lot of work, but I kept subscribed to their mailing list.

Last week, a mail arrived looking for folks interested in attending ESA‘s (the European space organisation) launch event in the Columbus Control Center in Munich, Germany. Of course, that drew my attention. But having not done much work… I stood by and waited. Nobody asked for the job, so I finally stepped out and offered to go over (a day before the press accreditation deadline). And, believe it or not, the nice guys from raumfahrer.net agreed.

Reporting on the launch event has now even become a team effort, with me being at one frontline in the control center and someone else being in a local ESA center. We also have some backoffice writers, who will consolidate all our information plus NASA and ESA streams into nice launch update articles. This in itself is a great experience and I am proud to be part of it.

Imagine it: me attending the official launch event as a member of the press and being right at that very place where the Columbus module will be controlled. I think I am a really lucky guy ;)

Even though the center is located in Germany, it is an European effort. The project leader is ESA. Columbus mission control will work closely with US and Russian mission controllers. In fact, the Columbus Control Center will go live as soon as the Columbus module is attached to the international space station. This is scheduled to happen on December, 10th, the day after EVA-1.

Now I am back again at finger crossing. The Columbus Control Center is close to Munic, which is around 300km (roughly 140 miles) away from my place. I can afford to spent one day going to there, but I can not stay for any other launch attempts. So I sincerely hope all will go well on December, 6th. Thankfully, things look quite good. But: keep you fingers crossed. If all goes well, I’ll provide some nice stories and pictures from the other end of the world ;)

2007-12-04

STS-122: weather near-perfect for launch

The weather forecast for Atlantis STS-122 December, 6th launch is close to perfect. Other than with STS-120, which had only a 40% chance of launch on time, the forecast for Thursday is no 90% favorable for launch!

The emergency landing sites are also all go. Even better, the weather forecast has improved – it was 80% yesterday. The trend looks good. Let’s cross fingers it remains the same…