Tag: STS-131
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STS-131: RRCS testing positive ahead of FRR flight rationale decision
A full set of testing on the primary and secondary regulators on Discovery’s Right Reaction Control System (RRCS) – located downstream of the leaking helium isolation valve – has being classed as a success. The health of the system’s redundancy will boost the chances of managers approving flight rational at the upcoming Agency-level Flight Readiness…
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STS-131: Payload arrives as engineers work PCMMU issue on Discovery
As work continues at Launch Pad 39A in terms of STS-131 payload arrival and transfer to the Payload Changeout Room, engineers are continuing to work an issue with Discovery’s PCMMU (Pulse Code Modulator Master Unit), which first experienced a “momentary failure” on March 5, that kicked off a round of engineering evaluations and troubleshooting efforts.…
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STS-131: ERB discuss troubleshooting and flight rationale for RRCS valve leak
An Engineering Review Board (ERB) meeting has taken place on Monday to discuss options relating to the leak on Discovery’s Right Reaction Control System (RRCS). Five troubleshooting procedures have failed to correct the issue with a helium isolation valve – with additional troubleshooting set to take place. Should those efforts also fail, flight rationale would be…
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STS-131 enjoys smooth SSP FRR – Discovery into hypergolic loading
As expected, STS-131 has passed its latest milestone, with the approval to push forward to the Agency level Flight Readiness Review on March 26 – following the conclusion of the SSP (Space Shuttle Program) FRR this week. No issues of note are being worked on Discovery out at Pad 39A, as engineers work through hypergolic…
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STS-131 into FRRs – Managers check manifest status ahead of April decision
Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) managers have been busy discussing the launch dates for what are currently the final flights of the manifest, although STS-131 remains on track for April 5. With STS-134’s Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) issue now confirmed to be a thermal leak observed during ongoing testing in Holland, STS-132 and STS-133 have…
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STS-131 pushes into FRRs – STS-134 meetings point to large AMS delay
No major topics are expected at next week’s Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Flight Readiness Review (FRR), as Discovery continues to push towards her April 5 launch date. Processing is also proceeding well for May’s STS-132 flight with Atlantis, although Endeavour’s STS-134 mission is subject to program level meetings – starting next Monday – due a…
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STS-131: Discovery rolls out to Pad 39A – ET repaired following bird vandalism
Discovery has rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) just after midnight on Wednesday morning in preparation for her April 5 STS-131 launch date. With rollover to Pad 39A is completed, further repairs will take place on the stack’s External Tank (ET-135), following “avian induced damage” to the tank’s TPS (Thermal Protection System) foam. STS-131 Processing…
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NASA continues evaluations for ISS Dual Docked Operations
Following initially positive opening investigations into the possibility of allowing a Space Shuttle orbiter to be present (i.e. docked) to the International Space Station (ISS) during Russian Progress and/or Soyuz dockings and undockings, Space Shuttle Program and ISS Program officials have decided that more investigation and information is necessary before allowing this scenario to unfold.…
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STS-131 mated as “schedule crunch” pressures downstream launch manifest
Discovery and External Tank ET-135 have completed mating operations with no issues reported, as STS-131 continues to enjoy a smooth flow towards rollout next week. Meanwhile, STS-132’s ET-136 is due to arrive at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) early next week, as managers discuss the “schedule crunch” of the final three “scheduled” shuttle missions. STS-131…
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One in, one out – Discovery and Endeavour tag for next mission
Endeavour has safely returned to her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-2), following the highly successful STS-130 mission – which concluded on Sunday night with a safe landing at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). Only hours after all three orbiters were reunited in the OPFs, Discovery bid her farewells and rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building…