Tag: ET
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Right OMS Pod set for re-installation as ET-138 arrives at KSC for STS-134
Following a month of repair work inside the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility (HMF), Discovery’s Right Orbital Maneuvering System (ROMS) Pod has returned to Discovery’s Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-3) for re-installation on Thursday. Meanwhile, STS-134’s External Tank (ET-138) – has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). STS-133 Processing Latest: Discovery is in great shape to make…
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Excellent External Tank TPS performance reduces pull test requirements
A multi-stage approach to the mitigation of foam liberations from the intertank region of the External Tanks (ETs) continues to pay dividends, as STS-132’s In Flight Anomaly (IFA) review pointed to yet another clean tank – with only one area of notable foam loss from Atlantis’ tank. The results have removed the requirement for additional…
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Excellent External Tank TPS performance reduces pull test requirements
A multi-stage approach to the mitigation of foam liberations from the intertank region of the External Tanks (ETs) continues to pay dividends, as STS-132’s In Flight Anomaly (IFA) review pointed to yet another clean tank – with only one area of notable foam loss from Atlantis’ tank. The results have removed the requirement for additional…
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STS-132: Atlantis docks with ISS – Extremely clean ET-136
NASA’s trusted mitigation approach to problems with their complex hardware has again paid dividends, with efforts to reduce foam liberation from their External Tanks (ETs) rewarded by photography of Atlantis’ ET-136 showing a near-pristine tank. An ongoing FD3 has seen Atlantis dock with the ISS at 9:28am Central, following a somewhat interrupted opening inspection of her TPS…
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STS-132 FRR approves May 14 launch date – External Tank boost
Wednesday’s Agency Flight Readiness Review (FRR) has approved a May 14 launch date for STS-132, following a very smooth meeting at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Among the topics discussed was the mitigation efforts on the problem of foam liberation from the External Tank (ET) intertank region, which has been classed as a resounding success,…
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STS-130: Endeavour docks with ISS – Port Wing protrusion evaluated
An upper elevon “sliding seal” on one of Endeavour’s port wing flippers has protruded, although early Damage Assessment Team (DAT) reports claim only a low level of concern. As STS-130 moved through Flight Day 3, Endeavour and her External Tank appear to have enjoyed an extremely clean ascent, as the orbiter and her crew docking…
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SCRUB: Weather delays Endeavour 24 hours – ET-134 sports final tank mods
Clouds over the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) have scrubbed Endeavour’s launch by 24 hours. Earlier, tanking was delayed tanking by 30 minutes to allow engineers to clear the pad after working on a cabin pressure issue, prior to a smooth countdown. Meanwhile, External Tank (ET-134) – which will be flying with Endeavour on STS-130 – is sporting…
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STS-131: ET/SRB mating scheduled for next Monday – MAF plan for IFRs refined
With Endeavour enjoying a smooth flow on Pad 39A, preparations for Discovery’s STS-131 mission in March are picking up the pace – with the milestone of External Tank (ET-135) mating with the twin Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) set to take place next Monday. Meanwhile, the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans has been handed…
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STS-131: ET-135 arrives at KSC as engineers evaluate intertank foam losses
External Tank ET-135 has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), following its journey from New Orleans in the Pegasus Barge. The tank will remain inside the barge until the new year, ahead of being towed into the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for processing. Meanwhile, engineers are continuing to evaluate the foam loss observed from…
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STS-129: TPS Inspections mark FD2 – Photos show extremely clean ET-133
STS-129’s crew have worked through the primary Flight Day 2 task of inspecting Atlantis’ Thermal Protection System via the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS), while the Mission Management Team (MMT) review ascent data and imagery of STS-129’s External Tank (ET-133). Post Sep ET Umbilical Well photography shows what appears to be one of the cleanest tanks on…