Tag: STS-128
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STS-128: High praise for ISS visit as Discovery is checked out for entry
Discovery is hoping she’s spending her final full day in space, with a targeted return to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Thursday. As part of the entry preparations, the main systems required for the return home have been checked out on Flight Day 13, with no issues found. Discovery’s Thermal Protection System (TPS) is…
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STS-128: Discovery Undocks from Station; Landing Set for Thursday
After eight full days of docked operations, Discovery has undocked from the International Space Station, bringing the joint operation phase of the 30th construction/utilization flight of the Space Shuttle to the orbiting outpost to a close. Later, Discovery’s crew will perform the customary OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System) late inspection of their ship’s Wing Leading…
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EVA-2: Ammonia Tank replacement complete – DAT’s TPS clearance rationale
STS-128 has successfully completed the second of three spacewalks, which focused on the replacement of an Ammonia Tank on the International Space Station (ISS). Meanwhile the Damage Assessment Team (DAT) have given an expansive roundup of their rationale to clear Discovery for entry, which was approved by the Mission Management Team (MMT). EVA-2: The second…
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EVA-2 was debated as conjunction threat to Discovery and ISS removed
NASA Managers debated advancing or delaying EVA-2, due to a now-removed conjunction threat to Discovery and the ISS – relating to part of an expended Ariane 5 upper stage – before deciding the spacewalk would remain on schedule. Unique operations to maneuver the Shuttle/Station stack are already on the drawing board, due to the issue with Discovery’s vernier thrusters,…
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STS-128: EVA-1 completed – Vernier Thruster failure analysis continues
With Discovery experiencing only minor hiccups thus far in her logistics mission to the International Space Station, astronauts Danny Olivas and Nicole Stott have completed the first of three EVAs (Spacewalks) for STS-128. Meanwhile, Shuttle engineers continue to analyze the failure of the F5R Vernier thruster on Discovery — which lead to the deactivation of…
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STS-128: DAT working through RPM imagery – Discovery gains full FI clearance
The Damage Assessment Team (DAT) are working hundreds of images taken during the orbiter’s RPM (Rbar Pitch Maneuver) on Flight Day 3 – with full clearance from a Focused Inspection (FI) now gained. Clearance for re-entry will take around another day. Also, images of the External Tank (ET-132) via the ET Umbilical Well camera show the…
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Birthday girl docks with ISS – TriDAR test for new AR&D Docking System
Discovery celebrated her 25th birthday in style by docking with the International Space Station (ISS) on Flight Day 3 of STS-128. During the Approach Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D) phase of the mission, Discovery helped verify the performance of Neptec’s TriDAR vision system for unmanned AR&D via a Detailed Test Objective (DTO). Discovery — 25 Years…
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STS-128: Flight Day 2 Inspections complete on Discovery’s TPS
The STS-128 crew have completed Flight Day 2’s activities, which focused on the opening inspections of Discovery’s Thermal Protection System (TPS), along with the checkouts of the orbiter’s docking systems ahead of Sunday night’s arrival at the International Space Station (ISS). Discovery launched Friday night on what is initially being described as a very clean ascent.…
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Discovery launches after smooth countdown
With the clearance of the PV12 Inboard LH2 Fill and Drain Valve issue by the Mission Management Team (MMT) – which ironically performed as planned during tanking – Shuttle Discovery enjoyed a super smooth countdown and launch, as she takes aim on the International Space Station (ISS). STS-128 countdown: Technically an extension of attempt 3 for…
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STS-128 held a further 24 hours for PV12 data gathering
Engineers still believe they only have an instrumentation problem with the LH2 PV12 Inboard Fill and Drain Valve on Discovery, but further data is required – resulting in a 24 hour hold to STS-128. Testing on Wednesday night – involving five cycles of the valve – has aided engineering confidence the valve is undamaged, but…