Tag: STS-132
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Atlantis Undocks from ISS; Potential Thruster Heater Failure Workaround
Following a spectacularly successful docked mission to the ISS, Atlantis has undocked from the orbiting international science laboratory for the final time in her career. Meanwhile, should mission managers deem necessary, a week’s worth of investigation into the L3D thruster heater failure has produced a potential workaround for the failed “off” heater during post-undock operations.…
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STS-132: Atlantis and the ISS set to bid farewell for likely the final time
There’s always a chance the unavoidable end of the shuttle program may be at least paced out via at least one additional flight, although the official schedule continues to dictate that Flight Day 10 of STS-132 will be the last time Atlantis will be docked with the International Space Station (ISS). Atlantis Status: Her final…
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STS-132: Final EVA completes battery task – WLE IDS data review in focus
Following a spectacular performance by Steve Bowen and Mike Good during a packed EVA-2, STS-132’s final planned space walk was completed in a similar fashion. Meanwhile, Mission Managers are reviewing the Wing Leading Edge Impact Detection System (WLE IDS) sensor information from Atlantis’ ascent one week ago in an effort to perpetuate understanding of the…
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STS-132: Extensive evaluations allow for nominal Late Inspection plan
The Damage Assessment Team (DAT) arm of the Mission Management Team (MMT) are no strangers to high praise for their work in ensuring an orbiter is safe to return home, and once again they have proved their worth – as they worked through an array of imagery, data, and historical experience to fill in the…
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STS-132: Russia’s MRM-1 installed – Port Wing clearance boost
Russia’s Mini Research Module-1 (MRM-1) “Rassvet” has been successfully docked and installed on to the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS). Meanwhile, the Mission Management Team (MMT) are close to clearing Atlantis’ Thermal Protection System (TPS) for Entry, after additional imagery of her Port Wing was acquired during EVA-1. Atlantis Status: As the…
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STS-132 completes EVA-1 as SGANT Installation takes center stage
Following a stunning R-bar Pitch Maneuver (RPM) and docking to the ISS Sunday morning, Atlantis’ crew have completed the first of three complex EVAs (spacewalks) of the STS-132 mission. The EVA completed the installation of a new SGANT (Space to Ground ANTenna), installation of an EOTP (Enhanced ORU Temporary Platform), and preparations for the P6…
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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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After a Storied 25-years, Atlantis Celebrates One Final Time in Orbit
And so to the end. With a flawless countdown and a launch into a clear blue sky, the Space Shuttle Atlantis launched for her 32nd and final time Friday – beginning the end of a glorious 25-year career for NASA’s “most-international” orbiter. As reflection begins on Atlantis’ storied history, her first full day on orbit…
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STS-132: Atlantis launches on opening attempt
Atlantis has launched – possibily for the final time – at 14:20:07 EDT on Friday. The Mission Management Team (MMT) meeting on opened Friday’s relatively issue-free countdown by only taking 15 minutes to give a “GO” for tanking of Atlantis’ External Tank – a tank that became the focus of an investigation during manufacture. Initial…
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STS-132 L-2 MMT: IFAs Cleared Ahead of Atlantis’ Launch
With S0007 (Countdown) operations underway for Friday afternoon’s scheduled 14:20:07 EDT launch of Atlantis, Program managers have completed the customary L-2 MMT (Mission Management Team) meeting – officially clearing Atlantis for launch. Among the items discussed and cleared at the various FRRs (Flight Readiness Reviews) for STS-132 this past month were the previous IFAs (In-Flight…